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City seeks Verizon cable bid
Pittsburgh:For the first time since the city of Pittsburgh has had cable service, steps are being made to offer an alternative. City Council hired Cohen Law Group yesterday to contract Verizon Pennsylvania into the mix where Comcast has been the lone cable TV service since 2002. This comes after Verizon showed interest in becoming a competitor in the spring - the first time a competitor has ever done so.
City officials say that it could take years to finish a citywide build-out, but the goal is to have a deal by late fall after several public hearings. The first cable franchise deal was in 1980 with Warner Cable which gave way to TCI in 1984. TCI had an exclusive run for 15-years until merging with AT&T which was later bought out by Comcast. Right now Comcast pays the city 5% of gross annual revenues and officials don't expect that to change unless pricing wars cause revenues to drop.
Verizon began its cable service last year in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia suburbs after spending two years building a fiber optic network. The company has agreements with 80 southwestern Pennsylvania markets. The company is in the same stage of talks with Philadelphia.
City officials are seeking assurance that 100 percent of the city - including the "poor neighborhoods" would be served. Negotiations will take place to determine where the build-out begins making sure that the decision isn't based on the income level of the neighborhood.
Verizon offers competative prices with one package offering all local channels, 200 digital channels, HD programming and "on-demand" for $47.99 a month compared to Comcast's digital package of 177 channels (30 in HD) and "on-demand" for $67.93.
Nominees for local Emmys announced
Pittsburgh:Local nominees have been announced for the 2008 Mid-Atlantic Emmys. Pittsburgh has a nice representation. WQED comes in first with 23 nominations, KDKA-TV (2) has 11 and WPXI-TV (11) has 2. WTAE-TV (4) doesn't participate as a station but individuals are welcomed to enter. (PG)
Paulsen ready for 1250
Pittsburgh:What are Scott Paulsen's thoughts on the former "MAN Station"? "R.I.P. and good riddance," he told fellow Observer-Reporter writer Terry Hazlett. Paulsen says he's been trying to create a "creative and popular" afternoon program for about seven years but has been hampered by several factors including management and his own doing that he couldn't really make that happen. He also admits that the creativity has been all but taken out of music radio, but it is flourishing in talk radio which he's been attracted to since the mid-90s.
He has learned something after the situation with the former WTZN. "I'm in no hurry," he tells the O-R, "If there's anything I learned during the last fiasco, it was to look extremely carefully before you leap, and to, above all, take everything a corporate radio executive tells you with a huge grain of salt."
"Newsman Dave" Benson let go by Citadel
Erie-Meadville: Yesterday (August 4, 2008) one of the last original members of "The Breakfast Club" on Classy 100 was shown the door. "Newsman Dave" Benson was let go by Citadel due to budget cuts and did not even get a chance to say goodbye to his listeners. For over 21 years, Dave was part of a groundbreaking program called "The Breakfast Club". A program that would become very popular among Erie radio listeners over the years with hosts like Dana Bolles, Terri Bohen and "Captain Dan" Geary. Most radio stations no longer have a dedicated news reporter and instead rely on recorded newscasts from local TV stations. Dave is one of a kind and hopefully he will return to the local airwaves in the near future. As always, your thoughs and well wishes for Dave Benson are welcome here.KD for sale? We don't know!
Pittsburgh:CBS' announcement of plans to sell 50 stations in medium-sized markets has many wondering whether KDKA-AM (1020) will be included. The answer is - it's possible, but not definite. By selling such properties CBS can focus on the large market stations. That does not include Pittsburgh at 24th in size. According to the Post-Gazette, CBS folks declined to comment which stations/cities were on the block, but anything below the top 15 markets could be a possibility. If so, it would more than likely include FM sisters WBZW-FM (93.7), WZPT-FM (100.7) and WDSY-FM (107.9). Tom Taylor of Radio-Info.com says that the Pittsburgh cluster could be a candidate but that will depend on who is named as potential buyers and whether or not they are interested in this market.
KDKA has maintained a steady ownership since its conception in 1920. Westinghouse Broadcasting acquired CBS in 1996 and separated itself from the industrial side and took the CBS name.
WTAE celebrates 50
Pittsburgh:PBRTV notes that WTAE-TV (4) is actually showing the classic news promos we remember so well. WTAE, Pittsburgh's 3rd VHF channel, turns 50 years old this year and the classic promos are part of the celebration. This 1983 clip has played a few times.
For what it's worth, we can hardly wait to see these 1976 classics.
Potpourri
Pittsburgh:- WQED-TV (13) program director Chris Fennimore has announced that a new Brit-com will be added to the mix come September. Joining the regulars will be "Yes Minister" at 9:30 PM. In case you were wondering, the Brit-com block has been one of WQED's most successful time blocks since adopting them from WQEX in 1997. The first three programs, "Are You Being Served?", "Keeping Up Appearances", and "As Time Goes By" all continue to attract a large audience despite being repeated dozens of times.
- Now that Dennis Bowman has a regular slot on KDKA-TV (2), the station has hired Dave Trygar as their weather freelancer. Trygar has a meteorology degree from Penn State and has worked at WCMH-TV in Columbus, WFMJ-TV Youngstown and WBRE in Wilkes-Barre.
Rogers viewer upset about PBS decision
National News:South Carolina resident Brian Linder was angry when he read the news that PBS will start sending one episode of 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' per week come September. The 32-year-old movie review editor, who was looking forward to introducing his twin daughters to the program, went into action by creating savemisterrogers.com and a Facebook page to go along side.
Linder tells the Post-Gazette that he's encouraging viewers to contact their local PBS stations as well as PBS headquarters. He also insists that this isn't strictly for a walk down memory lane. "As long as children need to be nurtured, there's a place for this program because there's nothing else like it," he said.
PBS announced in May that only one episode of Mister Rogers would be sent per week, but that stations could also stockpile programs if they desired to keep the program on the regular schedule. The decision was made to allow space for new programs coming down the line - including an updated version of 'The Electric Company.' Pittsburgh's WQED-TV (13), where Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was filmed, will continue to air the program 5 days a week. PBS remains committed to making Rogers' program available by making content available online for 24/7 access.
Jet TV begins it's digital upgrades
Erie-Meadville: Viewers of WJET TV 24 / DT 58 may lose the station from time to time if watching off air or through Dish Network. Time Warner Cable subscribers in most of Erie county should not be affected. The station has started with it's digital upgrades in order to be prepared for the nationwide transition to digital on February 17th of 2009 at midnight. Now is the only time Jet could work on the upgrades since the colder weather conditions in the coming months would make it impossible to work on the tower. Jet will go full power and move to DT 24 on the digital deadline according to an article on their website "YourErie.com."WYNE knocked off the air by arson
Erie-Meadville: An arson at the Family & Cosmetic Dentistry of North East has also had an impact or the local airwaves. The dentist office was at one time called "One Broadcast Park", which was the original home of Rocket 101 and later Star 104 before both moved to the Boston Store. (The history extends further back as the building also was home to WHYP AM and FM.) The former studio location in North East is where the transmitter for Mercyhurst North East station WYNE 1530 is located. The transmitter suffered water damage as result of the firefighters fighting the blaze and has temporary knocked the daytime only station off the air until sometime next week. Four suspects have been captured and said that they set the arson in order to cover up a burglary at the dentist office. This also leaves a void for oldies fans in the Erie area who fortunately can tune into CKOC "Oldies 1150" from Hamilton, Ontario until WYNE returns.Spring Book is out
Pittsburgh:We're a day behind...sue us.
WDVE has widened the gap at number one and KDKA at number two. Perhaps I should say that KDKA has widened the gap since the number has dropped pretty considerably. Will we ever see KDKA in the top spot again? I wouldn't hold my breath.
Someone suggested that the election year and the Pirates on FM are the reasons why WPGB is in 3rd place. WPGB came to life in 2004 - the last election year - and many of us were sure the gimmick would die after the election was over. We were fooled. As long as it's attracting listeners with Quinn, Beck, Limbaugh and Hannity, WPGB is here to stay. Another reason not to hold your breath about KDKA's placement.
Country WDSY continues a gradual drop in numbers. Is country losing the interest of listeners? Is soft rock? WSHH has lost some ground since the Christmas Blitz in the fall numbers. The pattern shows that things will change as the summer progresses. Wish doesn't need to worry, WWSW seems to be losing some ground too, but still holding up. Bob-FM WRRK seems to be gaining ground again while WJAS remains steady.
Let's move on to WLTJ. Despite the outcry of listeners when the station fired the staff and hired an automated announcer, the station seems to be bumping upwards.
Looking at the reincarnated B-94, WBZW is moving upward. Given WBZZ's final ratings before the jump to classic rock, one might say that the station was never broke and they shouldn't have "fixed" it. There's no telling what might happen between WBZW and WKST. Right now, I suspect status quo.
The 12+ numbers typically mean nothing. Stations base their ad rates on the numbers for their target demographics.
Source of info: Radio & Records.
WKBN 570 tops spring book
Youngstown: It looks like the upcoming Presidential election has helped news / talk WKBN 570 overtake country giant "K-105" in the spring numbers. The talk station has been a strong number 2 behind K-105 for the last several books. With the upcoming election, the fall book could also be good for new talk station WGFT 1330 with some strong syndicated personalities in their lineup. A 1.0 wouldn't be a surprise considering who they are up against with 'KBN. Following the top 2 is classic rocker "Y-103", hot AC "Mix 98.9", "Big 106.1", and top 40 "Hot 101." Rounding out the top ten are rock "93.3 The Wolf", WNIO 1390 in a tie with "102 Jamz" and "95.9 Kiss FM."Paulsen & Savran head to 1250
Pittsburgh:After several weeks of filling in for Fred Honsberger at KDKA, Scott Paulsen is headed to Ardmore Boulevard. Paulsen will be part of a three-man team filling in the 3-7 p.m. slot emptied after Mark Madden was fired. Joining Paulsen are Eddy Crow who moves from the mid-days and former Steelers defensive back Mike Logan. The new programs should be in place, assuming contracts are finalized, Monday, August 4.
There are several "full circle" situations with this move.
- Stan Savran will be reunited with Guy Junker for the first time since the program they hosted together on FSN.
- Savran has filled in on a part-time basis on 1250 for Junker or Crow. He had a long-time program on 1250 WTAE which began in the early '80s. (He would later work at Fox Sports 970 where he was later canned.)
- Paulsen and Crow will be reunited too. Crow used to do sports during the morning show at WDVE.
"AM 740" changes call letters
Erie-Meadville: News from Scott Fybush over at Fybush.com reports that the new owner of "AM 740" (now called "Zoomer Radio") Moses Znaimer has recently changed the call letters from CHWO to CFZM. I had initially had the new calls letters in the wrong order as CFMZ. Our thanks go out to Brian Smith at the "Ontario DX Association" for updating me on this. (http://www.odxa.on.ca/cfzm) The new call letters were put in place in order to be similar to his other Toronto area station CFMZ "Classical 96.3." Thus far, no other changes have taken place at the Pop Standards / Oldies station which has filled the void in several areas where other such stations have changed formats.Garrison replaces Orlando at Jet TV
Erie-Meadville: Yesterday (July 24) WJET TV 24 (DT 58) unveiled who would be replacing Pittsburgh bound Trina Orlando on both the morning and noon newscasts. Cassandra Garrison will become anchor of Jet TV's "Good Morning Erie", "Action News 24 at noon" and "Fox 66 News in the Morning." Cassandra has been a field reporter for both Jet and Fox 66 since September of 2007. Before that, she has interned at WEWS TV 5 in Cleveland and CNN International. The Cleveland native earned her Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast News at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. She will begin her anchor duties on July 31st. Also, sports anchor Craig Smylie is heading out the door for a new job over in Jamestown, New York. Meanwhile, it appears that the station is still searching for an evening co-anchor after the departure of Karla Mullenax a few weeks ago.Milford to stand trial
Pittsburgh:Former KDKA-AM (1020) news reporter Rob Milford will stand trial on two charges after a June 16th incident where he was in possession of a firearm in a court facility and carried the firearm without a license. Milford's attorney, Wendy Williams, tells WTAE-TV that her client is innocent because he didn't know the loaded gun was in his briefcase. Milford told investigators that the gun belonged to his girlfriend and was left in the briefcase, but had forgotten that it was there. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are investigating whose gun it really is.
Milford was initially placed on suspension but resigned from KDKA radio three days after the incident.
Erie TV in the digital age (how I see the possibilities)
Erie-Meadville: In just a matter of a few months, there will be a change in the way most Erie TV viewers who use only an antenna or use it in addition to their cable or satellite service will watch TV. As we all know by now, all full powered TV stations will be shutting off their analog signals on February 17th at 11:59:59. The digital age will change how TV is viewed from the local airwaves whether you have an HDTV set or a converter box for your existing TV. From what I have seen thus far from watching stations out of Youngstown and Pittsburgh, Erie viewers could be in for something special if local stations do their homework and simply ask what viewers want. The possibility of more choices (even for those who rely exclusively on an antenna) is something that most TV viewers would love. I could see WJET TV 24 adding a 24 hour weather channel with live radar you could access anytime you would like to. The region's most powerful doppler should be available 24/7 for those who may not have a computer to access it online. Of course, there are other possible networks out there that are not available on the local airwaves. Until a few months ago, "The CW" was only available to those with cable or satellite. That changed when WSEE TV 35 (DT 16) added it's CW affiliate "WBEP" to a second sub channel on 35-2. A third was added with WICU TV 12 on 35-3 in order to help with that station's digital coverage area which is limited on 52-1. Will a "MyTV" affiliate be added to one of the other local stations sub channels? One network that just went away far too soon was the 24 hour music video channel called "The Tube." I thought it was one with potential since they actually played videos unlike MTV, CMT and VH-1. Maybe a similar idea will come back once digital really gets going. Another network I can occasionally tune in from Pittsburgh's WPXI TV (DT 48) is called "RTN" or the Retro Television Network. It has that feel of "TV Land" in it's early days before adding more reality fluff like the "music" channels I just mentioned. You can find TV classics like "Petticoat Junction", "Get Smart", "Hawaii Five-0", "Kojak", "Magnum P.I." and so on. The addition of "Retromercials" adds the authentic touch to this network. As an Erie TV viewer, what options would you like to see on the expanded airwaves, if any.Local student hopes to win talent deal
Pittsburgh:Isaiah Smith of Point Breeze is a June graduate of Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and is planning to go to Point Park come fall. But first, Smith needs to get through the ABC Series "High School Musical - Get in the Picture" - where he became on of 12 finalists last night. The winner gets to star in a music video during the end credits of the new HSM movie and also receives a talent deal with ABC and a recording contract with Walt Disney Records.
Smith was discovered by a scout who saw him perform in CAPA's production of "Children of Eden". He left for Salt Lake City a few days before school ended and even missed his graduation ceremony. He tells the Post-Gazette that it's been a humbling experience admitting that "the biggest adjustment was accepting the fact that everybody is so different and has something unique to bring to the table."
Smith isn't really a reality show fan. "They just take up space on TV," he says. But he has a new appreciation for them saying that this show "is all about building up personalities and performers."
When not on TV, Isaiah Smith enjoyes singing R&B music and initially intended on becoming an instrumental major at CAPA. He was in 10th grade when he decided to become a musical theater major. He's looking forward to a "well-rounded career" and although his first love is on the stage, he wouldn't mind doing some filming too.
Bologna back at WPXI; Bowman hired full-time at KDKA
Pittsburgh:A week or so ago, it was just a rumor, but the male population who used to swoon over Julie Bologna on WPXI-TV (11) can get ready to do that once again. After a 3-year absense to KTVT-TV in Dallas, Bologna will return soon to deliver the forecast during the 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. (on WPGH) newscasts. Chief Meteorologist Mike LaPoint will remain on the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. WPXI GM Ray Carter tells the Post-Gazette that this will make the largest weather team in the market. Bologna's previous work at WPXI was from 1999-2004.
Meanwhile, over at KDKA-TV (2), former WPXI meteorologist Dennis Bowman has been hired as the permanent morning and Noon meteorologist. Bowman has been freelancing at KDKA since he moved back to the area a few years ago. KDKA Management opted to get rid of Valerie Abati who hadn't even been at the station for a year. No comments from management or Abati were made to the Post-Gazette, but it's speculated that the morning news ratings and viewer complaints could have played a role. Bowman is expected to start his new venture on Wednesday.
Update 8/6/08: Comments for this article are closed.
Farewell hauls in the troops
Pittsburgh:Normally when I'm working at WKHB-AM/WKFB-AM (620/770) I'm there alone...and most of the time in the afternoons. But this week I was far from either. I had to fill in during the mornings and this morning, I was far from alone! That's because it was the Farewell to Porky Chedwick on 770's Morning Memory Show. I wasn't quite prepared for the party which, for an office suite across from a dentist's office, was packed to the gills!
Caveman Ralph hosted a dynamic show interviewing Porky, his wife Jeanie and several other guests including Henry Deluca. The discussions ranged from Porky's days as a sports announcer right up to the two "Pork-stock" festivals held at Three Rivers Stadium several years ago. Join me for a look at a few pictures from the event.
UPDATE: We would be remiss if we didn't mention Porky's appearance on DJ George's "Oldies Oasis" the Wednesday before the big day. Porky was given the opportunity to host the program as if it was back in the old days.
