Sir Walter Raleigh (John Christian) dies
Pittsburgh:PBRTV has received a tip that former WAMO personality Sir Walter Raleigh, whose real name was John Christian, passed away late Sunday night at the age of 92, so reports KQV Radio.
KQV News Director Frank Gottlieb remembers, "when I worked at WAMO the soul jocks were Brother Matt in the morning, Hal Brown late morning, Sir Walter early afternoon and Porky Chedwick 'til AM signoff."
Christian later moved over to television and WIIC/WPXI as public service director. Here's more about his career.
A great gift idea in 1949
Monday Morning Nostalgia Fix:
If you're thinking about Motorola these days, it's probably in connection with wireless services, including the new "Droid" phone.
Mr. Monday-Morning Nostalgia Fix hasn't seen a Droid phone yet, but it's apparently a formidable competitor to Apple's iPhones. Sold through Verizon Wireless stores, the Motorola Droid runs the new "Android" operating system developed by Google and a quarter-million were sold during it's first week on the market.
Even at prices of almost $600 (without a contract --- it's under $200 with a contract), Droid phones sound like hot gifts for Christmas on this "Cyber Monday."
Exactly 60 years ago, Motorola was selling a different kind of gadget as a hot gift. It also cost about $600 (actually, $575). Like a Droid phone, it offered streaming video and audio, and the screen wasn't much bigger. (more)
Interesting Pittsburgh-based TV Series
Pittsburgh:Hi Eric,
I'm a director/cinematographer who primarily shoots TV commercials for clients and agencies across the country. I've recently been directing a TV series which is shot in Pittsburgh and called "Moving Numbers". The series is an unusual mix of reality and scripted television, featuring actors from the Pittsburgh region as well as some from LA and New York. The concept is a fictional Senatorial race in Pennsylvania. Political media expert, John Brabender is writing and producing the series.
The series runs in abbreviated form on the internet before it airs on cable in mid-2010.
I thought that you and your readers might enjoy seeing Lynn Cullen playing a liberal talk show host in episodes 2 & 3. The part of the democratic candidate is played by John McIntire, former host of WPXI's "Night Talk".
I love your blog. I'm a closet radio guy... In the late 60's, I was part-time disc jockey at WKKO 860 Cocoa, FL and WEZY 1350 Cocoa, FL. They were both daytime-only stations, and I used to turn on the transmitter at sunrise on Sundays. (Back then you needed an FCC first-class radiotelephone license to operate a broadcast transmitter.)
Glenn Przyborski
PRZYBORSKI PRODUCTIONS, INC.
PBRTV on Twitter
Pittsburgh: Follow us! Retweet us! Respond to us! PBRTV is all a twitter! (No, we are not twits...)WLTJ goes Hot AC
Pittsburgh:WLTJ has pushed its format ahead from AC to Hot AC. PD/MD Dan Michaels tells AllAccess, "This is a terrific opportunity for Pittsburgh to have a locally-owned and operated Hot AC station that doesn't get its marching orders from somewhere else," he said adding that all of the on-air staff was born and raised in Pittsburgh. More as we hear it...
PBRTV mentioned...
Pittsburgh: Get your December issue of Pittsburgh Magazine and look for Rick Sebak's article. Remember several years ago when there was a question about Mr. Wrinkle? Looks like Sebak had a memory of the program too!Cannon arrested
Pittsburgh:Former WTAE-TV and KDKA-TV anchor man Don Cannon was arrested in California Tuesday night for failure to report for his sentence of house arrest in two separate DUI cases. Cannon (whose real name is Donald J. Clark) pleaded guilty to the two cases of DUI in 2007.
Cannon moved to Carlsbad, California sometime after his guilty plea an was supposed to start serving his sentence last month yet failed to do so. Allegheny County contacted police in Carlsbad on Tuesday asking for assistance in Cannon's arrest. Ironically, Cannon had recently been arrested on another DUI charge and had been in court earlier that day. He is being held without bond in the San Diego County Jail pending extradition to Pittsburgh.
11/21/09 UPDATE: Cannon's attorney, Patrick Thomassey, told the Post-Gazette on Friday that he was to be released from police custody in California that day. Thomassey said, "He was expecting to serve the [93 days] house arrest there, and it just didn't happen, so the judge issued a warrant for his arrest." He continued that it isn't unusual for a sentence to be transferred to other jurisdictions but that Cannon didn't follow up. There were many reasons - and not entirely his fault. Cannon will not be extradited, but is returning voluntarily for a December 18 court appearance.
95.3 now classic hits
Erie-Meadville:News from our friends at Fybush.com reports a format change that may attract some Erie area listeners. Canadian station CING 95.3 from Hamilton, Ontario recently flipped formats from country to classic hits of the 60's, 70's and 80's as "The New 95.3". The very powerful signal was serving both Toronto and Hamilton with the region's only country signal, especially a few months after "820 CHAM" flipped from country to talk. The new station which covers Erie quite well with 100,000 watts could fill a void for those missing the former "Froggy 94.7" which was mostly 60's and 70's with some 80's in the mix. Most listeners probably were not even aware of the station in it's country days with Erie having its own country battle between "Country 98", "93.9 The Wolf" and to some extent "Froggy 100.3." This however could be bad news for North East / Erie oldies outlet WYNE 1530 with it's limited AM signal though it has a great presence online at wyne.mercyhurst.edu/.
Boortz recounts details of being on in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh:Tom Taylor on Radio has a story today about Neal Boortz who was recently inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. Boortz was speaking at the Talk Show Boot Camp lunch where he received the first Andrew Ashwood award. In his speech, he said "It's a great relief to just say every now and then, 'Go screw yourself, you sick bastard'" - which of course would be dumped by the producer and the caller, in the meantime, wouldn't have a clue that he was NOT being blasted on the air, goes off and tells his friends and there's instant advertising for the program. He also advised that when a caller disagrees with the host, that's when you charm them and the host would be surprised at the result.
But what is of particular interest in this blurb is the "inside story" about what happened when Clear Channel put his show on WPGB-FM (104.7) after flipping it to talk in 2004 and how he started beating Rush Limbaugh - then on KDKA-AM 1020 in the same time slot. The result, Clear Channel served CBS' KDKA with a 90-day notice and put Rush (who is syndicated by CC's syndication arm) on WPGB. Apparently Boortz still can't understand why he was not picked up by KDKA at that time. In fact, we seem to recall that he was picked up and aired in tape-delay on WPTT (1360).
Hmmm...
The most ratings-filled time of the year
Pittsburgh:
Let the record show that Renda's soft-rock "Wish" WSHH-FM (99.7) flipped to Christmas music on Saturday.
In 2008, of course, WWSW-FM (94.5) brought the holiday cheer in mid-October, so I guess we can be grateful that we didn't have to hear "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" before Halloween this year.
In other words, count your blessings. And may God bless us, everyone!
And may a sick reindeer barf on the lawn of 900 Parish St.!
UPDATE: Before the reindeer do their thing, Eric would like to point out that the Christmas music actually started the prior weekend on WSHH and went back to the regular format at the beginning of the week. One suspects the same thing will happen this week, but with Light-Up Night taking place this Friday, that will likely be the beginning of the month-long Christmas run. (Ending on Christmas Day when Christmas is literally just beginning!)
Only one Pittsburgh team on the Erie airwaves this weekend.
Erie-Meadville: Pitt and Notre Dame fans will enjoy a great contest this Saturday night on WJET DT 24. Unfortunately, the other marquee game at Heinz Field on Sunday between the Steelers and Bengals will not be televised locally on WSEE DT 16 (35) due to those 5 Bills fans in the Erie region being served as their team (Hopefully the L.A. Bills in the near future) travel to Tennessee to take on another lackluster team in the Titans. Maybe the recent power increase by WKBN DT 41 (27) out of Youngstown will help some pull in the Steelers contest with the right outdoor antenna set up.'DUQ Changes HD3 to BBC World Service
Pittsburgh:WDUQ (90.5) is changing its HD3 channel to BBC World Service. General Manager Scott Hanley said, "There was interest in the limited BBC programming that we were already carrying [with other programming on HD2], and with blues music represented elsewhere on the HD dial in Pittsburgh, it made sense to put the full BBC broadcast on our third channel. The international perspective offered by the BBC is a valuable service that could benefit many in the Pittsburgh market." A complete schedule for what BBC World Service offers can be found here.
This change will lead to further changes on 'DUQ's HD2 channel. American Routes and NPR's All Songs Considered are an example of the new shows coming to the channel. The new schedule is available here.
The changes will take effect on Monday, November 16.
Laurence Gaines dies
Pittsburgh:
PBRTV has received word that Laurence Gaines passed away earlier this week. Gaines, of course, spent many years at WTAE Radio (1250) most notably producing Doug Hoerth's program. Gaines apparently suffered a stroke a few months back and recently returned to work. Lynn Cullen has spent a good portion of her program today remembering Gaines. His latest position was as executive producer of the Bev Smith Show which comes from Sheridan Broadcasting here in Pittsburgh. Smith released a statement through radiofacts.com. Smith will remember Gaines during her program tonight at 8 p.m. eastern. You can share your memories by calling 1-888-331-1210 at show time. Memorial arrangements are incomplete.
Local Dish Network call center to close in March
Pittsburgh: According to a report on KDKA TV, the Dish Network call center in McKeesport will close in March of 2010. This facility currently employs 600 people and will be a huge loss to the local economy. According to a spokesperson for Dish Network out of Colorado, the facility did not fit with the company's future plans and will be the only call center shut down by the company. Dish will help those in whatever way they can to find other employment.A walk through the Neighborhood
Pittsburgh:
The lines were long and many children and equally curious and excited adults waited patiently for the opportunity to get into the studio. David Newell, dressed in the guise of his alter-ego "Mr. McFeely", was on hand to sign autographs and greet the crowds. Many decided to forego the opportunity to meet the "Speedy Delivery" man because of the long wait.
Visitors would notice that one set piece had to be substituted with a replica because of its use elsewhere. Daniel Striped Tiger's home - the clock - has been moved to Latrobe for permanent display at the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media at St. Vincent College. Meanwhile, WQED doesn't know if there will ever be another opportunity to set up the famous neighborhood again because of the demands on the digital facility.
October numbers
Pittsburgh:Oh, you know how it goes - monthly or quarterly, diary or PPM, little changes... Click here
Rescan your Digital receivers for WTAE
Pittsburgh: WTAE-TV (4 - DT 51 & 22) is now in full operation from its main Elizabeth Township Transmitter site on Channel 51 and from Oakland on Channel 22. Those who were having trouble receiving Channel 51 (4.1 & 4.2) need to rescan their digital receivers and look for Channels 4.3 and 4.4 which carry the signal from Channel 22. WTAE Chief Engineer Dave Kasperek tells the Post-Gazette that the new construction meets and exceeds expectations.New Maps
Musings From Eric: The Tower site map for the Shenango Valley Region has been up for a couple of weeks - and we forgot to announce it! Also up is the Erie Region Map. Visit them both here...Would Super Soul Saturday be an option for displaced WAMO listeners?
Pittsburgh:For a few months, displaced WAMO listeners have been without a voice in the community ever since the stations were sold to a Catholic organization. There is a website that is musically focused on the Pittsburgh African American community as well as a local station going Urban AC in the evening hours. While I cannot say that I am very focused on the Pittsburgh region I know that it may be hard to get another WAMO type of station on the already crowded FM airwaves. Up in Erie, Gannon University station 90.5 WERG created a voice for the African American community called "Super Soul Saturday." The program has aired for several years and has filled the void in a already crowded Erie market. The Super Soul program airs on Saturdays with a wide array for formats aimed towards the African American community. The program also airs on some holidays including Martin Luther King's birthday. Could this be an option for displaced listeners in the Pittsburgh market? While it wouldn't be a full time format, it could be a way for a local college or university with a decent college station to give back with some former WAMO personalities taking to the airwaves once again.