The Weather Channel to remain on Dish Network
National News: It appears that Dish Network and The Weather Channel has worked out a deal to keep their channel on Dish after all. In addition, The Weather Channel will offer a second channel with more localized weather information on Channel 213 where the very short lived Weather Cast channel was for about a week. Hopefully, the second channel will be 100% weather while the other carries some other non weather related programs like "Wake up with Al" starring Al Roker of the "Today" Show.Slim Bryant dies
Pittsburgh: KDKA-TV is reporting that former KDKA Radio host Slim Bryant died yesterday at St. Clair Hospital, he was 101. Bryant first appeared on KD in 1931 where he sang with his then decade-old band for the first time - "Slim Bryant and his Wildcats". He told Dave Crawley in 2008, "August the 10th, 1940, we came here and we've been here ever since." Bryant was also a part of Pittsburgh's first television broadcast on WDTV-TV (3) from the Syria Mosque in January of 1949. He also received legendary status on KDKA-TV in the 1950s.WPXI moves morning news start time
Pittsburgh:On Tuesday, June 1, WPXI-TV will be the first local station to have a regularly-scheduled newscast before 5:00 a.m. The station will start airing news at 4:30. WPXI's news director, Mike Goldrick, claims the move is giving "people what they want". "There's an audience out there that we believe is looking for news, weather and traffic at 4:30 in the morning," he told the Post-Gazette. WPXI executives have been debating the change since January when NBC made "Early Today" available at 4:00 a.m. for stations who wanted to start news at 4:30. As a result, the one-hour broadcast on PCNC beginning at 7:00 a.m. will be reduced to a half-hour format and will repeat at 7:30.
The top brass at KDKA-TV and WTAE-TV are studying results from other markets before expanding their morning news. Currently, neither station has plans to do so.
WLTJ finds success with nighttime format
Pittsburgh: After WAMO-FM (106.7) signed off last fall, WLTJ ("Q92.9") picked up some of the urban format for the 9:00 p.m. - Midnight time slot. A report in Taylor on Radio Info this morning says that the move has proven successful for the station. WLTJ ranks number one with African Americans 25-54 at night. Tracey Lee, former PD of WAMO-AM (860) is the program host.Brinkman back on WRCT for Memorial Day
Pittsburgh: "Chuck Brinkman Remembers 1964" will air from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Memorial Day (May 31) on WRCT-FM (88.3). Brinkman spent many years in Pittsburgh, first at KQV-AM (1410) where he just happened to be in 1964. The program is again produced by former B-94 personality "Alfred E. Newman" and Jay Thurber. A similar program aired during the most recent Christmas season.The Little Birdie: "KDKA went off air"
Musings From Eric: "The Little Birdie" flew by PBRTV's World Headquarters this evening saying that KDKA-AM (1020) went off the air this morning around 11:20 for equipment purposes. The period off the air only lasted a minute or two, but apparently Noon-3 host Mike Pintek made a big deal of the outage on his program saying, "In all my years with KDKA I have never had to sign the station off," or words to that effect. The birdie flew away after that... Your comments are welcome.WTAE air talent joining union?
Pittsburgh:It was in 1997 that WTAE on-air talent voted to decertify their association with AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) as their union. According to a Post-Gazette article, the Pittsburgh local, earlier this week, petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to represent WTAE's 25 on-air employees. In order for this to happen, AFTRA needed to have the support of at least 30% of those who would be joining the union. That happened "by an overwhelming majority" according to John Haer, executive director of AFTRA Pittsburgh.
Haer said that employees of the station contacted AFTRA Pittsburgh who expressed the need for a voice in operations - something that's changing within the industry. He also feels that management could be a reason for the decision as well. WTAE General Manager Rick Henry, who has been with the station since 2002 was unaware of the filing and had not seen a copy of the position.
Employees are expected to vote on acceptance of union representation in the next six weeks.
The Movement now legal at 1700 AM
Erie-Meadville: A few months ago, two pirate radio stations in the City of Erie were shut down by the FCC. "90.1 The Movement" was one of those stations. According to a report on "Action News 24" Saturday night, The Movement has returned legally at 1700 AM. It appears that the station is operating as a low powered AM station in the city at 0.1 or 100 milliwatts. The coverage area can be as far as three miles or possibly more depending on atmospheric conditions. Bottom line: It's the power allowed by the FCC without having a license. Marshall Jones who operates the station in his living room says that he worked with the FCC to get things legal because he feels that an Urban based format is needed in the Erie market. Jones hopes to eventually move to FM legally with a Low Powered FM license. This is Erie first Urban radio station since the former WBLQ graced the airwaves at 1400 in the late 1980's.Another WIFI radio has arrived.
National News: A few months ago, I purchased a Myine Internet Radio on Ebay and shared my thoughts about it. While a great radio, it did not have a few stations I wanted to listen to on it since they were not available on http://vtuner.com which works with that radio. I did some research and found a radio that had more of the stations I was looking for and more. I checked out http://www.ccrane.com/ and found a the C. Crane CWF Internet Radio. It has more to offer including internet music services Pandora and Aupeo you can play through the radio. In addition, you can play your music files from your computer. The radio itself works with http://www.reciva.com/ and provides an easier way to add stations to their website. You can add 99 preset stations unlike the Myne which has only 40. There is also more flexibility with playing the radio since the unit has its own speaker or you can hook it up to your stereo plus you can use it with WIFI or plug it in directly into your modem or router. Either unit would be much cheaper than having several satellite radios around the house and has alot more variety than what is on Sirius / XM. In addition, you can listen to some AM station webstreams after they either go off the air or reduce power. In my case, a few stations like WYNE 1530 are now available to me 24 hours a day.ESPN lays off six
Pittsburgh:PBRTV hears and reads ESPN 1250 (WEAE-AM) has "laid off" six staffers including long-time anchors Joe DeStio and Eartha Jackson. Production Director Larry Gerson, who has been with the station for many years, was also on the list as was Program Director Jim Graci. Two office staffers received pink slips as well. More if and when we hear it.
UPDATE: The Post-Gazette reports that station VP/GM Mike Thompson is adding the programming duties to his resume. He tells the paper, "We saw opportunities to create some efficiencies on the business side. We're looking at creating some efficiencies with our multiple ESPN markets."
Right now, though, WEAE is the market leader of the three sports talk stations in town (WBGG-AM 970 and KDKA-FM 93.7 being the other two). The station's online numbers are "through the roof" as listening extends to Pittsburgh sports fans outside the market. So why make these cuts now? Thompson says, "We're in the position where we're very strong. Sometimes you do these decisions when you're in a position of strength.
Meanwhile, the stations programs will remain in tact with one small change. Stan Savran and Guy Junker's program will be extended from two hours to four hours, running from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
News and Notes
Pittsburgh:WQED sends officials to White House
Two WQED Multimedia representatives took part in a White House summit earlier today in the hope that it will keep the country's first public TV station and the city at the top of educational television. Deborah Acklin (Chief Operating Officer) and Jennifer Stancil (executive director of education partnerships) took part in the session (which is a part of President Obama's "Educate to Innovate" campaign) with industry, goverment, media, philanthropic and school representatives. The objective of the event was to increase young people's interest in science and math. Ms. Stancil told the Post-Gazette, "We can make connections that allow us to network with colleagues interested in working on the same mission. And that is making sure that our students are the best-prepared in the world in looking ahead to a 21st-century economy."
DJ George surfaces at WLSW
DJ George and his show, "The Oldies Oasis," will return this Friday and every Friday thereafter from 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. on WLSW-FM (103.9). The host says that once the clock strikes midnight, the show will take on a more mellow sound and become "Midnight at the Oasis". The show previously aired on WKFB-AM (770).
WPSE seeks power increase
Erie-Meadville: News from Fybush.com reports that "Your Money Station" WPSE 1450 is looking to increase their power. The station owned by Penn State - Behrend has operated at 623 watts day and night. The station in their WEYZ days was 1,000 watts until the station had to move their tower from 12th & State to Erie's East side. The station has taken measurements and is seeking approval from the FCC to increase their power to 1,000 watts day / 826 watts at night. The power would still protect a non existant Canadian station (CHUC Cobourg, Ontario) that has moved to FM 4 years ago. In addition, the increase would not interfere with the station at 1450 closer to me, Forever Broadcasting's WFRA in Franklin.Greiner: Not ready for retirement; WPXI translator up
Pittsburgh:Jon Greiner got word that Hearst was "going in another direction" when he was told his contract with WTAE wouldn't be renewed. The 62-year-old reporter who was with the station for 10 years was let go April 30. Mr. Greiner told the Post-Gazette that he feels he was treated fairly by the company and was not surprised by their decision. "I've been in the business too long not to be surprised by anything," he told Rob Owen, "Whenever you get new management in any business, not only TV, there are going to be changes." He also said he would miss the interaction he would have with the viewers - something he had since his second day on the job.
Greiner plans to stay in the area, but has no immediate plans. "I don't think I'm ready for the dinosaur exhibit at the Carnegie just yet," he said.
WPXI adds Relay
WPXI has installed a relay signal in Uniontown. The new translator is intended to improve reception for over-the-air viewers in Uniontown, Waynesburg, Morgantown and other areas southeast of Pittsburgh. Viewers should rescan their digital TVs or converter boxes to pick up the new signal.
WKHB/WKFB fall victim to damaged lines
Pittsburgh:An accident during road construction efforts in Westmoreland County is to blame for WKHB-AM (620) and WKFB-AM (770) being knocked off the air on Thursday. Crews working near the transmitter site apparently damaged a few phone poles worth of the phone lines used to carry the station signals to the transmitter. Lines above and below ground were damaged. Crews hope to have service restored sometime today.
In related news, new FM sister station, WKVE (103.1) Mt. Pleasant, is in its third full day of broadcasting from Chestnut Ridge using a line-of-sight studio to transmitter relay.
UPDATE: WKHB and WKFB returned to the air shortly after this story ran.
Local HD Newscasts coming tonight
Youngstown:For those of you waiting for local HD Newscasts from WKBN, WYTV and WYFX, your wait ends tonight. It was announced this morning on WYTV that WKBN will air their first HD newscast at 5pm followed by WYTV with news in HD at 5:30pm. After that, every local newscast on the CBS, ABC and Fox affiliate in the Mahoning Valley will be in High Definition. With the HD recording capabilities at the stations, I'm guesssing that the morning rebroadcasts of 27 First News on Fox Youngstown and 33 News on MyYTV will also be in HD. As of this time, MyYTV is still in Standard Definition.
WKVE on the air
Pittsburgh:Classic Rock fans, set your FM dial to 103.1 where WKVE has been on the air since 8 o'clock Tuesday night. Station owner Robert Stevens says everything will run automated for now and as long as no glitches happen, the station will remain on the air. More information as we hear it...
Disclaimer: Oh, you all know by now...
BREAKING NEWS: 4 Foundations purchase 60-day-option on DUQ
Pittsburgh:The Post-Gazette is reporting that four local foundations have purchased a 60-day option for the radio license of WDUQ-FM. That's according to Grant Oliphant, the president of the Pittsburgh Foundation. The "hand money" allows there to be some "breathing space" for local funders to develop the "strongest vision for what the station should be." Oliphant and his collegues see the need to strengthen public service journalism in the market. No amount has been specified.
In addition to the Pittsburgh Foundation, the Heinz Endowment, the Richard King Mellon Foundation and an anonymous funder have contributed to the "hand money" given to Duquesne University.
Froggy's "Crickett" passes away.
Erie-Meadville: Karie Shields (1969 - 2010) also known as Midday personality "Crickett" to listeners of Froggy 100.3 / 98.5 (WGYY Meadville / WGYI Oil City) has passed away. It is not clear as of this article what caused her untimely death but an autopsy will be performed. Crickett was in the radio business for over 25 years and with Froggy for about 10 years. You can share your comments here or on the http://www.froggyfun.com/ website where a tribute page has been put on their site. Our condolences go out to her family, friends and Forever Broadcasting.KDKA Fine becomes "contribution"
Pittsburgh:From Radio-Info.com
CBS Radio has long maintained that KDKA-AM (1020) mid-morning host Marty Griffin's Thanksgiving Day 2007 announcement that he would give away $1 million to a caller was obviously a prank. The FCC issued a contest-rule fine of $6000 in February 2009 but CBS kept fighting the ruling because the section of rules cited by the Commission was not applicable. Now both sides have signed a consent decree including a 3-year compliance plan which will educate staffers about FCC rules for contests and the filing of regular reports. CBS will also make a voluntary contribution of $6000 but continues to deny non-compliance to the rule.
Complete saga here.
News from the Central region
Johnstown-Altoona-State College:Scott Fybush is reporting that the PA Association of Broadcasters will be giving its Radio Broadcaster of the Year award to Altoona's Dick DiAndrea. DiAndrea, the WFBG-AM (1290) morning man, just marked 50 years on the air two days ago. He started out at Tyrone's WTRN (1340) on May 1, 1960, then moved on to WFBG, WVAM (1430), WALY-FM (103.9) and back to WFBG.
Meanwhile DiAndrea's former WALY partner, Roger Corey is headed to WBRX-FM (94.7) where he will co-host mornings.
Greiner apparently out at WTAE
Pittsburgh:
PBRTV hears that WTAE (4) General Assignment reporter Jon Greiner is out after not having his contract renewed with the station effective today. A source tells PBRTV that 11:00 p.m. anchor Wendy Bell bid Greiner a grand farewell after his report from outside Mellon Arena after the April 30 Penguins Game. The topic is up for "debate" on the Pittsburgh Voy Forum with some claiming that Greiner had been suspended over the winter for unconfirmed reasons. He started at WTAE in 2000.