|
 :// More changes in Harrisonburg Great Eastern Radio Rock WBOP/106.3 Churchville/Harrisonburg is stunting. The station is playing Old Time Rock and Roll and Magic by Pilot over and over... saying "It's Magic." The Oldies format was abandoned by VerStandig Broadcasting on 105.1, formerly named "Magic." WBOP could be filling this "hole." As one insider said, WBOP has been a rocker "forever." (6/30/05) :// Future radio It's not local but it's definitely interesting. Capitol Broadcasting AC "Mix 101-5" WRAL Raleigh has become only the second broadcast station to get an HD Radio secondary audio channel up and running. The first was Infinity Country "US99" WUSN/99.5 Chicago. While the main HD channel is simulcasting the analog side doing AC, WRAL-HD2 is Modern AC. Both HD channels are being streamed at wralfm.com..... (6/30/05) :// Charlottesville's 27 now WAHU   The FCC has granted the assignment of license of WADA-LP/27 Charlottesville from Tiger Eye Finance to Gray Television. At the same time, the station's call letters have officially changed to WAHU-CA, a Class A low-power television station that has slightly more "rights/protection" than a "-LP" designated low powered TV station. Gray agreed to purchase the station for $475,000 and immediately entered into a TBA (Time Brokerage Agreement) with them back in February for $100,000. Their final closing price will be $375,000...Interestingly, the plan for Channel 27 was to carry PAX programming during the day and FOX in primetime. But, PAX threw a wrench into that just a couple of days ago when it decided to pull all of it's programming off of its main feed July 1. WAHU has since been "scrambling" to fill their schedule. Also expect a 10 o'clock newscast within the next three months. More about FOX27 at wahufox27.tv..... (6/30/05) :// Praise FM Fredericksburg to be sold CSN Virginia, a subsidiary of CSN International which owns WJYJ/90.5 Fredericksburg, WJYA/89.3 Emporia, WJCN/90.1 Nassawadox and WPVA/90.1 Waynesboro and 14 translators throughout Virginia, is selling all of it's stations to Positive Alternative Radio for $8M. Positive Radio already has a Christian AC (CCM) outlet in Culpeper -- "89.9 WPER" and the bigger "Spirit FM" simulcast in Roanoke (WRXT/90.3) and the surrounding areas. What will Positive Alternative Radio do with their new properties? Simulcast WPER? Simulcast "Spirit FM?" or go a new route? Stay tuned. By the way, Positive Alternative Radio is owned by the Baker Family -- Ed & Virginia, and Vernon..... (6/30/05) :// Johnny Crook update  When Johnny Crook left the airwaves in mid-May at Sinclair Communications WPYA and WROX, must folks thought he was gone for good. Nope. He's now selling for Sinclair's three FM stations in Hampton Roads -- WROX/96.1, WPYA/93.7 and CHR "The Zone@106.1" WZNR. Johnny Crook who did mornings with Eric Worden on Adult Hits "93-7 BOB FM" and middays with Kristi Michael on Alternative "96X," will still be heard from time-to-time, weekends on BOB..... (6/30/05) :// A segue to a new format?  We think so... Starting tomorrow, Max Media 70s-60Hits "92-9 WFOG" begins their "92.9 WFOG Becomes a Thing of the Past!, 20 Years in 20 Days!" promotion. The station will "count down 20 years of hits in 20 days!... playing the Top 100 of every year from 1965 to 1985. The best American hit music back to back... more than 2,000 hits!" Well, we think if the station planned on staying around, it wouldn't touch any of the late 70s and 80s music it plans on playing for a whole week. So... what happens on Thursday, July 21? Stay tuned..... (6/30/05):// LOGO inks more carriage deals Viacom’s gay-themed digital network, LOGO, has inked new carriage deals with Charter, Cablevision and DirecTV. Along with previously announced deals with Adelphia, Time Warner and RCN, LOGO launches today in 13 million homes. DirecTV will carry the net in its Total Choice Plus and Total Choice Premiere packages on channel 263..... (6/30/05) :// 3 has new AND Bill Dobilas has started the duties of Assistant News Director for New York Times-owned "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) in Norfolk. His first day was Monday. Dobilas hails from Knoxville TN; from Young Broadcasting's WATE/6 (ABC). Previously to that, Dobilas was News Director for Pegasus Broadcast Television's "FOX61" WDSI Chattanooga TN..... (6/29/05) :// 89.5 a tiny step closer in Fredericksburg The FCC had two mutually exclusive applications for permits to construct new noncommercial educational (NCE) FM stations serving different communities for a Class A radio station on 89.5, SE of Fredericksburg. Using a FCC methodology for competing applications, the Commission "tentatively selected" to award a construction permit to Educational Media Corp (EMC) on 89.5 to be licensed to Spotsylvania, Virginia. The FCC says, "Petitions to deny the tentative selectee are due within thirty (30) days following the issuance of a subsequently issued public notice announcing the tentative selection of this application." EMC, headed up by Pete Stover, is based in Spotsylvania..... (6/29/05)  "13NEWS" WVEC (ABC) Hampton/Norfolk meteorologist Evan Stewart turns 32 today... Happy birthday! (6/29/05):// Virginia DTVs face channel deadline According to station consulting firm BIA Financial Network, there are still 6 TV stations licensed in Virginia that haven't received their "post-transition" DTV channel assignment. The FCC says most of these stations can't keep their current analog channel allotment as their DTV channel without resolving "impermissible interference" issues. Some stations didn't chose a post-transition channel. BIA said the affected stations will have only 60 days (from June 8) to get back with the FCC with a plan "for resolving that conflict if they want to get the channel." The affected stations in Virginia:
:// Cox Radio ups three  Cox Radio Richmond has named Tim Baldwin the new Operation Manager for the cluster (Country "K95" WKHK, Classic Rock "96.5 The Planet" WKLR, AC "Mix 103-7" WMXB). Baldwin will continue as Program Director for Mix...Bob Willoughby, former Director of Sales for Cox Radio Richmond, becomes Vice President and General Manager of WKHK and WDYL and will report to cluster VP/Market Manager Steve McCall. McCall continues to run operations for WKLR and WMXB. And, Amy DeVries is now the cluster's Agency Sales Manager; being promoted from the General Sales Manager of Mix 103-7..... (6/29/05) :// PAX to change it's name July 1  Paxson Communications Corporation, the owner and operator of the nation's largest broadcast television station group, today announced that it will be changing the brand name of its primary television network from PAX TV to "i." The new "i" brand reflects (Paxson's) new network programming strategy - to provide an independent broadcast platform for producers and syndicators who desire to reach a national audience. (Paxson) will begin using the "i" brand name on July 1, 2005, and during a transition period, will run on-screen identities featuring both the new and existing brands and on-air promotional spots informing viewers of the change. (read more - Business Wire..... (6/28/05) Don't adjust your radios... That IS Jack Prater on Sinclair Communications' "NewsRadio 790" WNIS Norfolk. He's co-hosting with Tony Macrini all week on "Macrini's Morning News Team." Could this lead to something more? (6/28/05) :// New website launchedCumulus Media recently launched a brand new website for CHR "Hot 100" WFNR/100.7 Christiansburg/Blacksburg at allthehitshot100.com..... (6/28/05) A brand new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Clear Channel Richmond is looking to add to their Production/Creative Services team. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (6/28/05) Gray Television Charlottesville has launched its third television station in the market, "FOX27" WADA-LP (to be WAHU). The station will be carried by Adelphia Cable on channel 19. Gray also runs full-power "CBS19" WCAV and low-powered "ABC16" WVAW-LP in the market..... (6/27/05):// VAB Awards/update Sinclair Communications brings home five First Place awards this past weekend at the Virginia Association of Broadcasters awards banquet...
 Mid Atlantic Network, Inc. stations AM 1400 WINC, 92.5 WINC FM and Real Classic Rock 104.9/105.5 won four awards for broadcast excellence at the 68th annual Virginia Association of Broadcasters (VAB) awards banquet held in Virginia Beach of June 24, 2005. The awards bestowed upon the stations were as follows:
WINC AM, WINC FM and Real Classic Rock 104.9/105.5 are locally owned and operated by Mid Atlantic Network, Inc. and serve communities throughout the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, The Washington, DC metropolitan area, the eastern panhandle of West Virginia and western Maryland..... (6/27/05) :// Holiday music and activities  Fredericksburg's home for the SuperHits of The 60's & 70's is also your home for the 4th of July. For years, 95.9 WGRQ-FM has been the Fredericksburg area's official station for the 4th of July and 2005 will continue with that great tradition. We've got the area's official soundtrack for the 4th that will air Saturday July 2, Sunday July 3 and Monday July 4th.Each night at 9:15, no matter where you're watching fireworks in the area, tune your radio to 95.9 WGRQ for a patriotic montage of music, speeches and television and film clips that depict the best of our country as we salute another birthday for the USA! Whether you're in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Orange, Caroline, King George, Westmoreland, Stafford or just watching at Kings Dominion, lock your radio in to your hometown radio station and your official station for the 4th Of July, 95.9 WGRQ! Also, be sure to join in the family fun on Saturday, July 2nd at Salem Fields Community Church on Gordon Road in Fredericksburg for the Grand Finale of The Ultimate Free Ride. There'll be games, moon bounces, displays, contests and more for the whole family culminating with our giveaway of our 2005 Mark Long American Ironhorse Teyhaus Motorcycle to one lucky winner. A huge fireworks show follows at 9:15 with the official soundtrack aired on 95.9 WGRQ!..... (6/27/05) :// Murphy not on the air  Contrary to what Larry Bonko of The Virginian-Pilot said in his Sunday column, Pat Murphy is not the afternoon personality on Delmarva Educational Association's (a Salem Communications Inc subsidiary) "Word In Praise" WWIP/89.1 Cheriton. No one is. The station is completely automated. WWIP's studios are in Cheriton but all of the on-air material/production, including Murphy's pre-recorded voice-overs, is done on this side of the water at Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting's (a Salem Communications Inc subsidiary) WPMH/WRJR studios. WWIP's format is Praise and Worship, specifically targeting the 35-54 year old adult demo; a la an Adult CCM..... (6/27/05):// LOGO is coming  Thursday, June 30, cable channel VH1 Mega Hits will be replaced with the gay and lesbian general entertainment network "LOGO." LOGO is also owned by MTV Networks. Only a handful of cable systems are picking up the new network... but it does include Adelphia which will replace VH1 Mega Hits with LOGO on it's Digital Basic service (channel 161 in throughout Virginia), according to their website at logoonline.com. Neither satellite provider, DirecTV or DISH, will initially carry it. For now, LOGO will also not be carried in Hampton Roads on Cox's system or in Richmond on Comcast..... (6/26/05):// VA stations pick up awards  Fredericksburg's top-rated B101.5 (WBQB-FM) scored top honors at the Virginia Association of Broadcasters Summer Convention Friday night. B101.5's popular Breakfast Flakes - Baxter, Heather and Robert - won Best Morning Show in Virginia. It's the 3rd consecutive year that the Breakfast Flakes have been voted one of the Top 2 morning shows in the state.Mid Atlantic Network sister station, News Talk 1230 (WFVA-AM), also took home a top honor: the Outstanding Feature News Reporting plaque for their coverage of Fredericksburg's Embrey Dam explosion. "I'm very proud of our Fredericksburg team," said OM Brian Demay. "We came away with two top awards out of the four we were nominated for, which is a better showing than any other chain in the area. It's nice to see the hard work from this group of dedicated professionals pay off. They deserve it." Demay adds that B101.5 also received runner-up honors for Best Editorial, while News Talk 1230's "Blues In The 'Burg" series also was runner-up in the Best Public Service category..... (6/26/05) :// More awards given Two Virginia Clear Channel stations picked awards given out at the Radio & Record's National Industry Achievement Awards this weekend held in Cleveland, Ohio. Soft AC "Lite 98" WTVR/98.1 Richmond picked up "Station of the Year" for markets 26 thru 100 and "Smooth Jazz 107.5" WCJZ Charlottesville was presented the same award for markets 101+. Max Media's Contemporary Inspirational "Star 94.1" WXEZ Yorktown/Hampton Roads/Richmond was nominated for "Station of the Year" and the station's PD, Dale Murray, for "Program Director of the Year." The complete list of winners and nominees from around the country can be found at radioandrecords.com.... (6/26/05) :// More on the WRIR planned move, The Q's and The Beat's hi-def sound  If you're having trouble receiving WRIR-FM (97.3), Richmond's 6-month-old alternative, low-power radio station, relief may be in sight.The nonprofit station plans to move its studios and antenna from their Fan location on Broad Street near Lombardy to the corner of Ownby Lane and Overbrook Road near The Diamond. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch..... (6/25/05) :// Sinclair adds another Sinclair Communications is now streaming all three of the FM outlets online, recently adding Alternative "96X" WROX/96.1. Already online is Adult Hits "93-7 BOB FM" WPYA at bob-fm.com and CHR "The Zone@106.1" WZNR at zone1061.com. 96X's webstream can be found at 96x.fm..... (6/23/05) :// Oops!, in a big way The article below... just ignore it. It's wrong. The very first Adult Hits station in the country was "99.5 BOB FM" KHUI Honolulu HI. They signed-on September 16, 2003, almost six months before SInclair's "BOB FM." Here's a great history background of the format in Honolulu from Lou Pickney's VarietyHits.com..... (6/21/05) :// Who's first??? Ever since it was printed on VARTV that Sinclair's "BOB FM" WPYA was the first Adult Hits (or Variety Hits, JACK-like format) station in the US, we've received numerous emails and Instant Messages stating that is not correct...  Well, for the record, NRC Broadcasting's "105-5 JACK FM" KJAC Timnath/Denver was the first JACK FM in the US, signing on April 14, 2004. BUT, five weeks earlier, Sinclair Communications signs on "106-1 BOB FM" WPYA Poquoson on March 7, 2004, the first Adult Hits station in the country..... (6/21/05) :// JAMMIN JJS Mornin' Mess host Rich Minor is tired of silly auctions on Ebay...
With recent talks of Governor Warner possibly running for some sort of presidential post in 2008 or 2012, this is your chance to own a nametag worn by a future President of the United States and plastic cup from which a future President of the United States drank. Money raised from the auction will be donated to a charity of the Governor's choice. To bid, go to www.wjjs.com..... (6/20/05) Davis Media's new Triple A "107.9 The Tide" WYTD Williamsburg is now on the air... stunting/testing. The station expects to be on the air with regular programming by the Independence Day holiday weekend..... (6/20/05):// Richmond TV sweeps, Ellen switching channels May TV sweeps results for Richmond, Ellen moving in the Fall of 2006 and other TV news in the Richmond Times-Dispatch..... (6/20/05) :// More hi-def radio Clear Channel Richmond has announced that CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 and Urban "106-5 The Beat" WBTJ are now broadcasting digitally with iBiquity's HD Radio™ technology. "Q94" went on the air digitally just before 10 a.m. yesterday (6/18) with "The Beat" following later on in the afternoon. There are now three stations broadcasting in hi-def in Richmond. Gee Communications' WXGI/950 (ESPN Radio) was the first Virginia-licensed station to do so..... (6/19/05) A brand new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Tidewater Communications Inc (Saga Communications) is looking a Promotions Director for "FM99" WNOR/98.7 and "106.9 The Fox" WAFX. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (6/16/05) TV/Entertainment reporter Larry Bonko of The Virginian-Pilot highlights the nationwide move toward the "we play anything" radio format with such naming schemes as "Jack," "Bob," "Sam," and a dozen others. The article appears in the Paper tomorrow. And a bit of trivia... What was the very first such station in the United States? "106-1 BOB FM" WPYA Poquoson (now "93-7 BOB FM" WPYA Chesapeake)..... (6/16/05):// MAX FM adds Alice Cooper for nights  UPDATED: Max Media Mainstream Rock "100.5 MAX FM" WXMM announced this morning just after 7:20 a.m., with much fanfare including numerous on-air announcements and wiping clean their website, that the station has hired it's first DJ. It's actually nationally syndicated Alice Cooper who is heard on over three dozen stations around the country. Cooper's show is done LIVE. MAX FM airs it's "first DJ" beginning Monday, June 20. In case you missed the on air announcement, click hereFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The first ‘official’ air personality was announced this morning, on 100.5 MAX-FM … ALICE COOPER. Alice Cooper is a longtime rock icon with hits like "Eighteen", "School's Out", and "No More Mr. Nice Guy". “Nights with Alice Cooper” will broadcast exclusively live via satellite every weeknight on 100.5 MAX-FM from 7 until midnight. “MAX-FM signed on November 2003 without DJ’s, so we figured why not make our first hire a genuine rock star: Alice Cooper”, comments Jay Slater, Program Director of MAX-FM. “It’s great to be asked to be on the air here on MAX-FM. I can’t think of a better rock station in Hampton Roads on this frequency”, says Alice Cooper..... (6/16/05) A brand new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Clear Channel Charlottesville is looking a Color Commentator for "SportsRadio 1400, The Ticket" WKAV. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (6/15/05) :// Scott Media launches new On-Air Radio Review website Certainly a first of its kind in the area, Scott Media Group launches a different kind of website today. This one is geared toward radio listeners throughout Hampton Roads' seven cities and two counties, and (eventually) all of Virginia too. "This started out as one of those wild ideas, to see what listeners actually think of their radio stations, no matter the format. It seemed an interesting idea to try, to see how people would rate the jocks they listen to every day," begins David Lyons, Scott Media's Owner/President. "Naturally, to keep it balanced there has to be a more professional critique as well, and we are providing for that while allowing the public to do the same on a separate page." The site also provides voting polls where visitors can vote on who has the best Morning Show, Best Afternoon Show, and Best Radio Station overall. "It simply occurred to us that stations just do not listen to their listeners, they only pay attention to advertisers and consultants. Now listeners have a voice," Lyons continued. The site can be found at freewebs.com/ratevirginiadjs. It will soon be expanded to include television news stations as well..... (6/15/05) :// New paint thrown at The B website Mid-Atlantic Network's Hot AC "B101.5" WBQB Fredericksburg launched a completely redesigned website this week at b1015.com, with cutting-edge graphics and features not seen anywhere in the Greater DC area. "We had some definite ideas about how to improve the site, and we also took into account the suggestions of our listeners, and incorporated them into the design," said OM Brian Demay. "We're very happy with the result."Demay adds that sister station "NewsTalk 1230" WFVA Fredericksburg is next to add a fresh new site, sometime this Summer. "We're going to make it the area's leading online news source, to complement our award-winning on-air news product." (6/14/05) Entercom Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ/104.5 Norfolk just introduced a new on-air jingle package..... (6/14/05):// Football net coming to Cox Cox Communications Hampton Roads has announced that the National Football League's NFL Network is coming to it's Hampton Roads cable system. The net will be added to Cox's Digital Cable Sports & Information Tier on channel 224 on July 14th..... (6/14/05) A brand new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Max Media Hampton Roads' Mainstream Rock "100.5 MAX FM" WXMM is looking for an Imaging Producer/Personality. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (6/14/05) :// Lights out for repeater station Clear Channel was ordered by the FCC to shut down their translator in downtown Charlottesville for "Country 99.7" WCYK Staunton. The translator, at 105.1 (W286AF), was causing interference with the signal of "Big Country 105.3" WBNN Dillwyn in the Charlottesville metro area. One source says, "Now that WBNN can be heard in downtown Charlottesville and the surrounding area, will it remain a country station or tackle another format?" Clear Channel really wants a repeater in Charlottesville doing Country. So, they applied for and was just granted today(!) a new translator at 104.9 (W285EF) and will use their other Country outlet in the area, WKCY/104.3 Harrisonburg, as it's "parent" or main station for programming. The new repeater antenna is practically in the same place as the one that was at 105.1 and will do 46 watts..... (6/14/05) :// Slater named PD, a new classified ad posted A brand new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Can Columbia School of Broadcasting graduates still succeed in today’s radio industry? BAY FM’s (WKWI/101.7 Kilmarnock VA) morning show host, Josh Slater, would seem to be a great example. After nearly a year as a rookie announcer, he’s been named as Program Director at East Carolina Radio Classic Rock "95-3 The Rock" WOBR Wanchese. This leaves BAY FM with an open slot for Mornings and Operations responsibilities. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (6/14/05) :// Hot damn! Congratulations to former CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 Richmond PD and morning guy Billy Surf and his wife Jen for a new baby girl born on Saturday. Ellie Adair Martin was born 6 pounds, 11 ounces and 20 inches long. Billy has decided to breast feed..... (6/13/05) :// Another WFOG puzzle piece? It appears Barry Michaels of "Michaels In The Morning" on Max Media's 70s-60s Hits "92-9 WFOG" it looking for a new gig. Michaels' name has appeared in several places looking for a new job including Radio and Records. We are hearing that Michaels will leave WFOG at the end of July... It is strongly rumored that WFOG will go Adult Contemporary with Damb Lamb and Paul Richardson in the mornings sometime late Summer or early Fall..... (6/13/05) A brand new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. The City of Newport News VA is looking for a Senior Video Productions Specialist. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (6/13/05) Without any fanfare, Raycom Media's WTVR-DT (6/CBS) Richmond is now showing The Tube music video network (a la VH1) on 6-2. All Raycom owned stations are or will be carrying this network on one of their digital subchannels..... (6/13/05):// 70 years on the air  VerStandig's "NewsRadio 550" WSVA Harrisonburg just celebrated its 70th anniversary this weekend. The official date was June 9th, but the station opened the studios to visitors Saturday for a couple hours. Thursday, WSVA replayed stuff from the archives including a news report from WSVA announcer Lee Dechert reporting the liberation of Paris, France and an interview from the 50's with a mink farmer in Elkton. An official said, "It was a great opportunity to pay homage to the guys and gals that went before us and made the station what it is today." (6/12/05):// WLEE goes Gospel  Davidson Media's WLEE/990 Richmond switched programming on late Friday afternoon to Southern Gospel "JOY 990." It had been doing Adult Standards. A station official says, "we feel it will really compliment Rejoice 1540 (WREJ) AM, our urban gospel powerhouse." The format comes from the Salem Radio Network based in Nashville TN."We expect to blend many local programs in with the fine music programming. WLEE will continue to carry BIg Band Jump, CBS News, VMI Football, " said the station rep. Davidson Media Group, which makes up most of the former RadioRichmond cluster, will now have four formats in Richmond -- the new Southern Gospel on WLEE/990, Urban Gospel on Rejoice 1540/WREJ, TalkRadio 1480/WTOX, and Spanish on Selecta 1320/WVNZ..... (6/12/05) :// 95.9 WGRQ-FM announces the return of an old friend FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Telemedia Broadcasting Inc.'s Fredericksburg, VA station playing the SuperHits of The 60's & 70's, 95.9 WGRQ-FM will soon be making an adjustment to it's current morning show with the return of an old friend to the area's airwaves.Soon, morning's in the Fredericksburg and Northern Virginia area will begin with a familiar voice to the area from 5 - 10 that will still include all the local news, weather, sports and information that you have relied on for years from Your Hometown Radio Station. Be sure to listen in for the reunion as July kicks off with plenty of fireworks on your Home For The SuperHits of The 60's & 70's, 95.9 WGRQ! Current morning show personality Mike Terry will be taking over the mid-day reigns at a station in Louisiana. Telemedia Broadcasting, Inc. also owns Fredericksburg's Thunder 104.5, WGRX-FM, Country That Rocks! (6/10/05) :// Eastern Shore gets "jacked"  The "we play anything we want" format has hit the Eastern Shore. Bay Broadcasting welcomed "SAM FM" (WKHW/106.5 Pocomoke City MD) at 3 p.m. on Monday. Station manager Mike Powell says "the transmitter had a tube blow up the day before we switched so it was touch and go at first but it's kick'n now. Lots of positive response. No bubble gum, lots of 80s-90s and even female friendly... geared toward 25-54 (demo)." They are using Westwood One's new satellite-delivered format "Simply About Music."Bay Broadcasting, which has a LMA from Great Scott Broadcasting to run WKHW, had been running a simulcast of "Bay Country" on 106.5 when their other signal was on 96.9 (WBEY/Crisfield MD). WBEY has since moved to 97.9 with a much bigger coverage area; hence the no need for a simulcast signal and the new format on 106.5..... (6/10/05) A brand new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Saga Communications' Classic Rock "106.9 The Fox" WAFX has a rare opening... for a part-time Board Op/Announcer. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (6/9/05) :// WVEC raises record amount for CHKD This past Sunday, WVEC-TV (13/ABC) held its 22nd annual "Telethon Celebration" to raise money for the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk. Thanks to the contributions of local companies and organizations, along with the financial support of viewers like you, the 12-hour telethon raised over $3.6 million! This year's total blew away last year's amount by almost $1 million ($2.7 million in 2004), setting a new record total. A couple local radio folks also made appearances to present checks. Representing 94.9 The Point (WPTE) were morning personality Mary Katherine, aka Woo-Woo, and midday guy Mark McCarthy. Also in attendance was the new morning team from 101.3 2WD (WWDE), of Jennifer Pulley and Ted Alexander. Interesting how just weeks removed from his sports director position at WTKR, now Ted's showing up on WVEC airwaves..... (6/8/05) :// Earthquake about to hit Comcast Richmond  The cable company, this weekend, is about ready to move some 70 channels around their channel line-up for viewers south of the James River, including WTVR and WRLH shifting channels. On Saturday, June 11th, 2005, Comcast will be "rearranging more than 70 channels into categories for easier viewing–news, sports, kids, etc. will be grouped together... Two of Richmond’s local broadcasters have asked Comcast to move their stations to new cable channel locations. WTVR-6 (CBS) and WRLH-35 (FOX) will move to channels 9 and 11, respectively. WRIC (8/ABC) will move from channel 8 to channel 10. Now, all five local commercial TV stations will be grouped together on cable channels 9-13."A few channels will move to new levels of service, which the company says it will affect "a very small number of customers." WGN will move from the Value Pak to Limited Service. HSN, C-SPAN2 and America’s Store will move from Expanded Service to Limited Service. TNT, TBS and GSN will move from Value Pak to Expanded Service. Here's the link to all the channel changes..... (6/7/05) A special thanks to WAVY (10/NBC) meteorologist Jon Cash for speaking at my step-daughter's high school graduation this past Friday. Mrs. VARTV says Cash is a great motivational speaker..... (6/7/05) A brand new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. The Free Lance-Star radio properties (WFLS, WYSK, WWUZ) is looking for a part-time news reporter/anchor. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (6/6/05) :// The deck gets shuffled at WTKR No one loses their job but there are losers. "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk News Director Jeff Parsons makes multiple changes in front of and behind the camera to be implemented within the next three weeks. Here's what we know.
 Pamal Broadcasting has announced that Triple A WRNX/100.9 Springfield MA Music Director and sister Triple A "105.3 The Peak" WEBK Killington VT PD/MD Lesa Withanee has exited the Group. Withanee left to join her old boss Tom Davis (who formed Davis Media) at new start-up Triple A "107.9 The Tide" WTYD Williamsburg effective tomorrow, June 3. It's not known what her capacity will be at the station...A station official stated that, "We are going to be a local station, heavily focused on the community, and featuring hand-picked music... (o)ur sign-on date is (Friday,) June 17..... (6/2/05) :// CP issued for Channel 21 Virginia Beach It has been a very long process, but a CP (construction permit) has finally been awarded to Robert Copeland (Copeland Channel 21, LLC) to build analog channel 21 to be licensed to Virginia Beach. The latest hurdle that was jumped was the FCC's denial of "petitions to deny" by WBOC-TV/DT Salisbury MD. WBOC argued that Copeland's NTSC (analog) channel 21 would cause interference to WBOC's ATSC (digital) channel 21. WBOC said it was safe to assume that since WHRO-DT (ATSC 16) was causing inference to WBOC-TV on analog channel 16. This was one of several arguments WBOC presented to the FCC. The FCC wasn't persuaded. Read the entire notice from the FCC here..... (6/1/05) :// Cox NOVA to dramatically boost Internet speeds... ... and at no additional charge to customers. Cox Communications NOVA announced late last month it will again instantaneous increase the speeds of its Cox High Speed Internet service at no additional charge to its customers. HSI customers of both the Preferred and Premier packages will see dramatically faster speeds starting this month. Cox’s Preferred package will soon increase to speeds of up to 5Mbps down and 2Mbps up (simply known as 5/2). The price remains the same at $39.95/mo for bundled customers (video and/or telephone in addition to HSI). Cox’s Premier package will offer speeds of up to 15/2, for $54.95/mo to bundled customers. Cox's Value tier remains the same at $24.95/mo for 256/256Kbps. “We recognize that consumers in Northern Virginia have a choice in Internet providers, so it’s important for us to constantly look for ways to meet their needs,” said Clara Long, VP of Sales and Marketing for Cox Northern Virginia. Gary McCollum, VP and Region Manager for Cox Northern Virginia said, “While other telecommunications companies are promising to build the ‘network of the future,’ Cox is delivering on our commitment to bring advanced services to local residents today. With Cox, the future is now.” This is all in response to Verizon's rollout of FTTP (fiber-to-the-premises) which the company calls FiOS (fiber optic service) in Northern Virginia. FiOS will be able to handle video, telephone and Internet services. Verizon FiOS is charging $39.95/mo for 5/2 service, $49.95/mo for 15/2 service and $199.95/mo for 30/5..... (6/1/05) :// WRIR seeking clearer channel Less than six months after flipping its on-air switch, Richmond’s independently run, low-power radio station, WRIR 97.3 FM, has decided to move in search of a clearer sound.“Just a hair over a mile to the northwest, 15 degrees west of north really,” says Chris Maxwell, one of the station’s founding members and its operations manager. (read more - Style Weekly)..... (6/1/05) :// Hampton Roads May 2005 TV Sweeps  NOTE: The chart covers April 28 to May 25, 2005 (M-F, 5-day avg)..... (6/1/05) DirecTV subscribers today are receiving two new channels -- FOX Reality on channel 250 and another woman-targeted Lifetime spinoff called Lifetime Real Women on 261..... (6/1/05) Bob Sinclair of Norfolk-based Sinclair Communications gets some ink in the San Francisco Chronicle about the "We Play Anything" format popping up around the country..... (6/1/05):// Gray names new ND, Barrick chooses not to renew with cluster  Gray Television Charlottesville has named Jeremy Settle its new News Director. He'll oversee the newscasts on "CBS19" WCAV, "ABC16" WVAW-LP and on the soon to be "FOX27" WAHU-LP (currently WADA-LP/55). Settle also serves as the 7 & 11 p.m. news anchor for the cluster's ABC newscasts... The cluster's former ND, Ric Barrick, exited the cluster after his one-year contract expired. Barrick declined to renew. He heads out West to do weather. More on this later..... (6/1/05) :// Ric Barrick out at Gray Charlottesville  Ric Barrick was the News Director for three new TV stations owned by Gray Communications in Charlottesville. He also did weather for the cluster's CBS affiliate "CBS19" WCAV. The other two stations are low-powered outlets - "ABC16" WVAW-LP and WADA-LP/55 (to be "FOX27" WAHU). All mentions of Barrick have been wiped clean from WCAV's website - CharlottesvilleNewsplex.tv - a new website that is an all-inclusive news source for the three stations. One source says, "Ric, went on to bigger and better things, so he is no longer with us." (5/31/05) :// Tally Germaine exits This past Friday, after 13 years of broadcasting in Hampton Roads, including her latest stints at Entercom Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE Virginia Beach and Westwood One's Metro Traffic, Tally Germaine signed-off. Germaine is leaving for Florida. Her signoff at 2:44 p.m. was, "Goodbye, Hampton Roads." (5/31/05) :// Q94 PD featured Wayne Coy, morning co-host of CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 "Q Morning Zoo" and the station's PD, is featured this time around in the Richmond Times-Dispatch's Player's Corner..... (5/30/05) :// Former Richmond jock guests on Oldies 107.3 Kevin Connors, a fixture in Richmond radio from 1974 to 1986 (WEET, Q94, Richmond Braves Baseball, Ray Sports Network, WSSV and a stint at Z104/Norfolk) was a guest on Matt Nichols nighttime shift on "Oldies 107.3" last Friday night. Kevin and Matt reminisced about the music and broadcasting in the Capital City from those days. Since 1985, Connors has been working almost exclusively in sports broadcasting -- moving on to CNNRadio Atlanta, WKNR Cleveland, Shadow Sports in New York (currently doing both WBBR and WCBS) and freelance work for Westwood One. But, Connors hasn't completely abandoned his DJ roots, occasionally doing fill-in work at a New Jersey "oldies" station (WNNJ, Newton). Due to a 14-year-long battle with Multiple Sclerosis, Connors has gradually had to scale back his activity to part-time and fill-in work, but he retains his close friendships with the many people he came up in the business with. For Connors, Richmond's where it all began. Thirty five years later, he still loves to come back as he did last week..... (5/27/05) :// Doug Aronson's last day  Chief Investigator Reporter Doug Aronson exits Belo Broadcasting's WVEC (13/ABC) today. He exits a station that just wrapped up some impressive ratings for its newscasts. Aronson plans on selling commercial real estate on a full-time basis. This may not be the last time we hear Doug's professional news abilities. We hear he has promised to occasionally do morning news on Active Rock "FM99" WNOR/98.7 while News Director Nikki Reed is on vacation..... (5/27/05) :// Lite 98 and the Seven Seals Award Clear Channel Soft AC "Lite 98" WTVR's morning show host Bill Bevins and morning show Producer Shelly Perkins were awarded the Seven Seals Award this morning, on the air, at 7:45. The Seven Seals Award is awarded to "individuals who have demonstrated meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women who serve America in the National Guard and military Reserves, in addition to those serving in our active military components." Bevins and Perkins were selected "for your leadership and development of on air programming and personal involvement in Lite 98's many initiatives that proactively support these men and women and their families." (5/26/05) Our condolences and best wishes to the family and friends of On Top Communications Urban "Hot 102.1" WWHV Production Director Slimmcutz. His mother passed away yesterday, May 25, 2005..... (5/26/05):// "Holy crap!" After an incredible 32 years (!), and countless and countless ratings periods, WTKR (and the former WTAR) 3/CBS has officially lost the noon news ratings crown to WVEC (13/ABC) (4.7 vs 4.25, 7-day avg). The rest comes later today..... (5/26/05) The Hampton Roads TV sweeps end today. Unless WTKR (3/CBS) has an exclusive interview with Osama Bin Laden on their noon newscast today, they will lose the title of most watched noon newscast (to WVEC) in nearly three decades..... (5/25/05):// Station owner, or is it former owner, blasts Pilot writer New press release adds more to the mix Ronn Cowan, owner of WBVA/1450 Bayside (Virginia Beach) and WVAB/1550 Virginia Beach, blasts Larry Bonko, the entertainment writer for The Virginian-Pilot, for a story that ran in the Paper earlier this month. Both stations have been off-the-air since late March. Cowan rebuts many things said in the article on WBVA's website. It's definitely interesting reading... FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... BANKRUPTCY COURT APPOINTS ROSENBLUM AS BROKER FOR SALE OF VIRGINIA BEACH RADIO STATIONS U. S. Bankruptcy Court Judge David H. Adams of Norfolk, Virginia has appointed Ray H. Rosenblum of Pittsburgh, Pa. as the exclusive media broker for the liquidation sale of the licenses and assets of 2 Virginia Beach, Virginia AM radio stations. The stations are WVAB-AM-1550 licensed to Virginia Beach and WBVA-AM-1450 licensed to Bayside, Virginia. The stations are under the supervision of Bankruptcy Trustee R. Clinton Stackhouse, Jr. of Norfolk. Prior to the Bankruptcy Court action under Chapter VII of the Bankruptcy Code, the former station licensee was Ronald W. Cowan, Jr...... (5/25/05) :// Diamond anniversary for Danville station From our friends at Radio-Info.com, WBTM/1330 Danville celebrated their 75th anniversary yesterday May 24th. The writer of the post says "(a)t the time of their sign-on in 1930, they were the Commonwealth's 10th radio station." (read more - NewsRadio 1330 WBTM) (read more - Danville Register & Bee) ..... (5/25/05) :// The mother of all Dopplers is unveiled Click here to see it first! (5/24/05) :// Charlie Daniels to be interviewed Today (Tuesday, May 24) at 3:45 p.m. on 95.9 WGRQ-FM Fredericksburg, Jim Herring will be interviewing the legendary Charlie Daniels about his new album (Songs From The Longleaf Pines - A Gospel Bluegrass Collection), politics, America, our troops and his upcoming show tomorrow night (May 25) at The Innsbrook Pavilion in Richmond (gates open at 6 p.m. and tickets are just $10 at the gate). Check out his conversation with the Grammy-Award winning artist and hear the story behind the music..... (5/24/05):// 3WD vs 2WD in Hampton Roads Rumor has it that Max Media Hampton Roads was/is negotiating with Flinn Broadcasting Memphis for the call letters WWWD. They are currently parked on a new station yet on the air for Flinn in the Macon GA market. Supposedly, these calls would replace the WFOG call letters on 92.9, the station would eventually go Adult Contemporary (a la Entercom AC "2WD" WWDE), have Dick Lamb and Paul Richardson in the morning (former "2WD" morning hosts) and go by... get this... 3WD (sounding awfully close to "2WD"). Is this all true? Stay tuned..... (5/23/05) :// Entercom Norfolk playing games Sonny Andre of "Sonny In The Morning" on Urban AC "95-7 R&B" WVKL was back on the air today as if nothing happened last Thursday or Friday. There was no mention at all on-air that Brion O'Brion and Chase Thomas were "filling-in" while Andre was out. Carla Fox subbed for O'Brion's midday shift and mentioned numerous times that she was filling in for him. And to make things more interesting, Thomas was heard this weekend on sister Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ/104.5. Question is, where does Chase land within the Entercom cluster? (5/23/05) :// Richmond broadcasters honor Jon Barry, more on Floyd Henderson In 1967, Jon Barry was making $1.25 an hour at his first radio job in South Hill. Earlier this week, Barry became the ninth inductee into the Richmond Broadcasters Hall of Fame as Broadcaster of the Year. "I love my job. It's what I wanted to do when I was 14 years old, and I'm a lucky man to still be doing it now," a humble Barry said during his acceptance speech. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)..... (5/20/05) :// Bomb scare at WVEC & WTKR Earlier today at WVEC (13/ABC) in Norfolk, a man described as Middle-Eastern-looking stopped by the station lobby and dropped off a suspicious package. Word is the same thing happened around the same time at WTKR's (3/CBS) studios. No word on WAVY. Norfolk Police bomb squads have cordoned off Woodis Avenue (Channel 13) and are currently using robots to pick apart the package. From what staffers could see on the inside of the box, appeared to be a video cassette and a ripped-up book of some sort. We hearing is Boush Street in front of WTKR's building has also been cordoned off. WVEC is currently on a lockdown, of sorts, with station officials and police checking employee credentials for all arriving and leaving the premises..... (5/20/05) A brand new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Clear Channel Harrisonburg CHR "93-7 KISS FM" WAZR is looking for an Afternoon Drive Jock. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (5/19/05) :// Chase finds new home, Sonny Andre gone?  Chase Thomas, one half of the now defunct Supreme Team, has resurfaced, again, on Hampton Roads radio. Thomas was heard this morning on Entercom Urban AC "95-7 R&B" WVKL. Morning co-host Karen Parker-Chesson welcomed Thomas to the radio station with Thomas commenting, 'It's great to be back on the radio." The Supreme Team was let go at On Top Communications' Urban "Hot 102.1" WWHV two months ago with just a one year stint there. They were previously heard on Clear Channel Urban "103JAMZ" WOWI/102.9...Also, midday personality Brion O'Brion was heard in the morning with Chase and Karen. There has been no mention of Sonny Andre who headed up the "Sonny In The Morning" show..... (5/19/05) :// Two stations online Clear Channel CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 Richmond is now streaming their audio over the Internet. You can go to q94radio.com to register (if not already) to listen or go to the Richmond market page on VARTV for a direct link... Sinclair Communications' Adult Hits "93-7 BOB FM" WPYA Chesapeake can now be heard worldwide, online. Go to bob-fm.com for the listen LIVE link. You'll need the latest version of Winamp (5.09) and make sure the THOMSON mp3PRO decoder (if installed) has been disabled..... (5/18/05) What in the world do radio operators Flinn Broadcasting Memphis and Max Media Hampton Roads have in common? We know. Stay tuned..... (5/18/05):// Radio changes happening in Richmond, Part 1 Floyd Henderson, after more than 30 years on Richmond radio, is retiring Friday, May 27. Henderson can be heard in the mornings on Davidson Media (formerly RadioRichmond) WLEE/990-WHAP/1340. We hear the station is going Gospel around July 1. Davidson Media closed on the sale of the station Friday, May 13. This all begs the question... "Will the Gospel format on sister WREJ/1540 shift to WLEE/990 with a new Spanish format appearing on 1540?" Stay tuned..... (5/18/05) :// Radio changes happening in Richmond, Part 2 MainQuad Communications has closed on the sale from RadioRichmond of radio station WHAP/1340. Speculation is MainQuad will now sell the entire cluster (WJZV/93.1, WARV/100.3, WBBT/107.3, WCUL/98.9, WHAP/1340), hence the reason the new move-in signal, WCUL/98.9, is yet on the air. We're hearing one of two well known groups could get the MQ cluster soon, very soon. Stay tuned..... (5/18/05) Chuck Milkis, OM of RadioRichmond, exited the cluster Friday, May 13 with the closing of two sales to Davidson Media and MainQuad Communications..... (5/18/05) Sebago Broadcasting Rock AC "96-5 CTG" WCTG Chincoteague has their new website up and running including info on new morning host JJ "Hitman" McKay. Check it out at myctg965.com..... (5/18/05):// Classical outlet starts HD Radio™ broadcasts  Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association's (HRETA) NPR/Classical WHRO-FM 90.3 began digital HD Radio™ broadcasting at 4:45 p.m. yesterday. WHRO-FM is using a new Nautel V-20 solid-state transmitter. Sister NPR/News/Talk WHRV/89.5 will follow later this week.WHRO is the second station Hampton Roads to broadcast with HD Radio™ technology. Clear Channel Urban "103JAMZ" WOWI/Norfolk was the first. WHRO's RDS service will return as soon as the new digital units are received by the station. A WHRO source also tells me that WHRO-FM and WHRV-FM have received FCC authority for second streams on both stations, which HRETA will launch later this year... Staying with the folks at 5200 Hampton Blvd but on the TV side, a new kids-targeted channel is coming to Cox Digital Cable and WHRO-DT/15.4 this fall from WHRO-TV. The new channel will be "a fully local family-responsible, commercial-free service, replac(ing) PBS Kids, which is going commercial." (5/18/05) :// 13th Annual Richmond Broadcasters Hall Of Fame Many broadcasters to meet and see last night at the 13th Annual Richmond Broadcasters Hall Of fame dinner. Check the photo gallery for a slide show of the event at KirbyCarmichael.com..... (5/18/05) :// Bevins, Trimble earn DJ honors The radio business is transient. Stations change owners and formats, and disc jockeys come and go. Only the best stay in the business for a long time. Tonight, two of the best and longest-lasting jocks in the business, Bill Bevins and Big John Trimble, will receive the Frank Soden Lifetime Achievement Award from the Richmond Broadcasters Hall of Fame. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)..... (5/17/05) :// Commentary  Entercom Norfolk OM Don London emailed staffers last with some highlights from the Winter 2005 Arbitron ratings; praising all the stations in the cluster (WWDE, WNVZ, WPTE, WVKL) on multiple accomplishments made. He noted that Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE jumped up to third in Persons 18-34 (up 15%), up 30% in All Persons 25-49 and the fact The Point was number one in Women 18-49 and the station posted its highest numbers in a year in Women 25-54. Well, congrats to PD Steve McKay and staff for a great job done. McKay's "atta boy" gift? A pink slip..... (5/13/05):// Hampton Roads TV Sweeps... so far The following are observations at the halfway point of the May TV sweeps for Hampton Roads...
A brand new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Gee Communications' "ESPN Radio 950" WXGI Richmond is looking for an Account Executive. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (5/13/05) Some commentary, not ranting, and Hampton Roads May TV ratings sweeps, well half of it, coming up a bit later. Stay tuned..... (5/13/05):// Shuffling at WPER UPDATED: Eric Summers has come back to the area after seven years to hold down mornings at Positive Alternative Radio's CCM "89.9 WPER" Culpeper. It was PD Frankie Morea teamed up with recently added Bob Jones. The new "Summers and Jones" morning show started this morning with Morea already shifting to the open 3-7 p.m. slot. Summers also becomes the station's Assistant Program Director..... (5/13/05) :// Crook-ed When you turn your knob on BOB, you won't hear Johnny. Johnny Crook, mornings with Eric Worden on Sinclair Communications' Adult Hits "93-7 BOB FM" WPYA and middays with Kristi Michael on sister Alternative "96X" WROX/96.1, is off the air, effective today..... (5/11/05) :// Verizon to install fiber lines Area residents may get video, Internet, phone service on a single bill A high-fiber digital diet will be available to some computer and phone users in the Richmond area, making way for consumers to have all their communications services plugged onto a single bill. Verizon Communications Inc. announced yesterday that it is building a fiber-optic network in and around Richmond and the counties of Henrico and Chesterfield. The "fiber-to-the-premises" project will install the system directly into homes and businesses, linking both to the Verizon fiber network. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch) (read more - Verizon)..... (5/11/05) Maranatha, Inc's CCM "Joy 102.5" WOLC Princess Anne MD has begun LIVE streaming of their audio over the Internet. Go to wolc.org to listen LIVE..... (5/9/05):// FM99 naked billboards get “Censored” Controversial billboard babes to get bikinis and “Censored” signs  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Not since “Desperate Housewives” star Nicholette Sheridan dropped her towel during an NFL pre-game skit has there been this much controversy over a bare backside.FM99 raised the hackles of some locals last month when the radio station erected billboards featuring the naked backs of three women, and the words “Go Rock Yourself” covering their bottoms. City officials in Norfolk reportedly received complaints from citizens. Norfolk spokesman Bob Batcher told one local TV station that the biggest concern was, “perceived partial nudity.” Eventually, Norfolk officials asked the billboard company, Adams Outdoor Advertising, to take the billboards down. FM99 and Adams obliged, but not without making a point.  Today, May 9th, at 8AM, FM99 is having bikini tops painted on all three barebacked women on one of their billboards. It’s located at the corner of Indian River Road and Military Highway in Virginia Beach, right near the Norfolk border. Over the weekend, Adams Outdoor Advertising began putting large “Censored” signs over the women’s bare backs on the billboards. “It’s cost prohibitive to paint bikini tops on every single billboard,” said Adam’s sales executive John Abraham... All three local news affiliates have picked-up on the story. WTKR (3/CBS) will run a piece on it's noon newscast today (5/9) which also will be streamed LIVE at WTKR.com..... (5/9/05) :// Steven Soldinger named VP/GM of WGNT Norfolk Former Chief Operating Officer of Equity Broadcasting Corporation To Oversee All Operations of UPN Station  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Steven Soldinger has been named Vice President and General Manager of WGNT Norfolk, it was announced today by Fred Reynolds, President and CEO of the Viacom Television Stations Group, and Dennis Swanson, the division's Executive Vice President/ Chief Operating Officer. Soldinger, most recently Chief Operating Officer/ Vice President, Television of the Little Rock-based Equity Broadcasting Corporation, will oversee all operations of the UPN station.Meg LaVigne, who formerly oversaw operations of WGNT, will now focus exclusively on WUPA-TV, Viacom's Atlanta UPN station, where she is Vice President and General Manager. WGNT is the top rated UPN station in the country. In addition to strong local programming and community outreach, WGNT is home to many of the top rated syndication programs on television, and will began airing "Dr. Phil," the second highest-rated talk show on television, in 2006. Soldinger has close ties to Norfolk – his father was once Vice President/ General Manager of CBS affiliate WTAR-TV (later renamed WTKR) for 18 years, as well as another 18 years as Vice President of NBC affiliate WAVY-TV. "Getting someone of Steven's caliber and ties to Norfolk is a huge benefit to our company," said Reynolds. "Steven has a phenomenal 30-year track record in television, including experience in news, sales and operations, and has demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit in everything he has done. He helped build Equity Broadcasting from one full powered station to over 35 in just five years, and his work in overseeing operations of those stations and other subsidiaries of the company is incredible experience. Dennis and I are very pleased to welcome him to our group and to WGNT, which not only is the country's #1 UPN station, but a leader in community activism and outreach." (5/9/05) :// New do's Hampton Radio II's "1490 The Outlaw" WLRT Hampton has a brand spanking new website for Race Talk Live at RaceTalkLive.com... After some tinkering, the WFLS News page has been redesigned... same location, but some upgrades. Find it at wfls.com/news..... (5/9/05) :// GSM to exit Entercom Norfolk announced last week that Yvonne Hagen has resigned her position as General Sales Manager for Urban AC "95-7 R&B" WVKL. Hagan has decided to go back to Richmond. Her last day at WVKL is Thursday, May 12..... (5/9/05) :// New Triple A coming this Summer Davis Media's newly acquired silent WWBR/107.9 West Point has announced that new Triple A start-up, "107.9 The Tide" WTYD (new call letters) plans to be on-air by mid-June. WTYD's offices and studios are located in Williamsburg. Some of The Tide's staff has already been assembled. Owner Tom Davis is the station's Program Director, Amy Miller is Music Director, and Derek Mason is Sales Manager. The station is in search of air talent for all day parts, including morning news. As a new sign-on, there will be plenty to do so make sure you are willing to work hard and multi-task. If you are a team player who loves radio, and would like to come live in beautiful Williamsburg, send MP3s (preferred) and resume to amyerinmiller@gmail.com or snail mail package to:
WTYD 5000 New Point Rd Suite 2102 Williamsburg VA 23188 Larry Bonko of the Virginian-Pilot gets the scoop as to why "1450 The Buzz" WBVA Bayside (Virginia Beach) and "CNN Headline News" WVAB Virginia Beach have been off the air. They have been in bankruptcy since March 23. Bonko says that a trustee for the bankruptcy court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Clinton Stackhouse, said he has received offers for the two stations as high as $500,000. One such bid came from Henry Hoot of Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corp who owns Religious outlets WPMH/670, WTJZ/1270 and has a LMA from ABC Radio to run WRJR/1010. The current owner of WBVA and WVAB, Ronald W Cowan Jr, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2004 and converted to Chapter 7 in March. Stackhouse told Bonko he's eager to sell the stations in the state's largest city, Virginia Beach... "Put out the word... I'm looking to sell." (5/8/05) A brand new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. MainQuad Communications is looking for a Production Director. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (5/7/05) :// Happenings at WFLS  93.3 WFLS is proud to announce that our 2nd Annual Children’s Miracle Network raised over $83,000, and with a matching contribution from ReMax, the total came to a whopping $166,000+ !!! The weekend event was co hosted by morning man Brian Strobel and PM drive guy Mike Vincent, who together endured 28 hours on the air to raise funds for Children’s National Medical Center in Washington DC. Children’s National Medical center helps thousands of children in the Fredericksburg, and Northern Virginia region, and will treat children with any ailment, disease, or trauma, regardless of their parent’s ability to pay. It is through the goodness of benefactor’s that Children’s remains open to the public, and will continue to provide the research to help fight many childhood diseases such as ALS, Cystic Fibrosis, and Cancer. More details can be found online at wfls.com.93.3 WFLS is also proud to announce that we have been nominated for R&R’s Country Radio Station of the Year, for markets 101+!! More details can be seen in R&R Magazine this week..... (5/6/05) I just received a telemarketing call telling me to listen to Clear Channel Soft AC "92-1/107-7 Lite FM" WCDG/WJCD and the John Tesh Morning Show. I believe he gets credit for completed calls because when I tried to interrupt, he stated "If I can just read this last paragraph..." and immediately segued into the rest of his speech. At least he doesn't have to find Lite listeners in Hampton Roads, he would be up all night..... (5/5/05):// No stopping Lite, Kiss soars  Clear Channel Soft AC "Lite 98" WTVR/98.1 continues to be the most listened (12+) to station in Richmond. The radio ratings firm, Arbitron, released it's quarterly measure of the listening audience for Richmond yesterday. The period covers January 6 thru March 30. Lite was followed by Radio One's soaring Urban AC "Kiss FM" WKJS/WKJM. The signal now on two frequencies might have actually helped the station. Third was Cox Radio Country "K95" WKHK, 4th a tie between CC sister Urban "106-5 The Beat" WBTJ and "NewsRadio 1140" WRVA, 6th Radio One Gospel on it's new frequency "Praise 104.7" WPZZ with sister Urban "Power 92-1JAMZ" WCDX placing 7th, CC CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 was eighth, Cox Radio Soft AC "Mix 103-7" WMXB was 9th with CC Alternative "102-1 The X" WRXL and Cox Radio Classic Rock "96.5 The Planet" WKLR with a tie at 10th...Other notables... The Alternative war has quieted down. The X has opened up it's lead against Cox Radio "Y101" WDYL/101.1. Y's numbers were steady or slightly off from the Fall. MainQuad Country "93-1 The Wolf" WJZV mustered up just a 1.4. There's been talk if The Wolf did well, MQ could move the format to the cluster's new and best signal at 98.9. The armchair PD in us says The Wolf says put at 93.1 with 98.9 doing some kind of Adult Hits. The new format, a la BOB FM, Jack FM, Sam FM, Charlie FM, etc, has been popping up everywhere in the country with Baltimore getting theirs yesterday (Jack FM). Preliminary research says that the format has "legs" and could stick around for awhile. We'll see. The Capital City's two Sports stations are now neck-and-neck, CC "SportsTalk 910" WRNL and Gee's "ESPN Radio 950" WXGI..... (5/4/05) :// Alexander officially announced...  Entercom Norfolk OM Don London officially announced Monday that Ted Alexander is the new co-host with Jennifer Pulley for The Breakfast Bunch on "2WD" WWDE/101.3. Alexander started the same day. He's still serving as Sports Director for New York Times-owned "NewsChannel 3" WTKR Norfolk, but will exit the station May 25, the end of May (ratings) Sweeps..... (5/4/05) :// ... and so does Nathan James His resignation. James has resigned his position with Entercom Norfolk effective May 17. He will become Entercom Scranton's new Promotions and Marketing Director for CHR "98.5KRZ" WKRZ//WKRF on June 1. We also hear that James will now be closer to his son..... (5/4/05) :// WOWI back on top, tied with Star Both Clear Channel Urban "103JAMZ" WOWI/102.9 and Max Media Contemporary Inspirational "Star 94.1" WXEZ saw good bumps in the latest Arbitron ratings (+1.0, +0.8 respectively) to put both stations on top of the most listened to (12+ demo) in Hampton Roads. The Winter "Book" covered January 6 through March 30. Rounding out the rest of the Top 15 were CC Urban AC "105.3 KISS FM" WKUS giving up the top spot (-0.6) for third, Max Media Country "97.3 The Eagle" WGH was fourth (+0.4), Entercom Urban AC "95-7 R&B" WVKL a good jump to 5th (+1.0), tumbling to 6th was sister Mainstream AC "2WD" WWDE/101.3 (-1.3), 7th was Saga Classic Rock "106.9 The Fox" WAFX (+0.6), 8th Sinclair "NewsRadio 790" WNIS (-0.7), 9th Entercom Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ/104.5, 10th sister Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE (+0.5), 11th Sinclair Adult Hits "93-7 BOB FM" WPYA (+0.8), 12th Max Media 70s-60s Hits WFOG/92.9 (-0.4), 13th Saga Active Rock "FM99" WNOR/98.7 (-0.1), cross-town competitor "100.5 MAX FM" stumbles for 14th (-0.7) and On Top Urban "Hot 102.1" WWHV was 15th (+0.2)... Other demos... 25-54 All Persons: WKUS/105.3, WVKL/95.7, WXEZ/94.1, WAFX/106.9, WGH/97.3, WWDE/101.3, WPYA/93.7, WPTE/94.9, WFOG/92.9, WNOR/98.7, WOWI/102.9, WNIS/790, WXMM/100.5 and WNVZ/104.5. Mornings, 25-54 All Persons: WKUS/105.3 (4.2 lead over second place), WNOR/98.7, WGH/97.3, WWDE/101.3 (-1.9), WAFX/106.9, WXEZ/94.1, WPTE/94.9, WVKL/95.7, WFOG/92.9, WPYA/93.7, WOWI/102.9, WCMS/1310, WNVZ/104.5, WXMM/100.5, WROX/96.1... More to come later..... (5/4/05) :// Nationals on Hampton Roads TV?  If you're a DirecTV satellite subscriber you can already watch Major League Baseball's newest team -- the Washington Nationals on MASN (Mid Atlantic Sports Network), channel 626. But that's it. No over-the-air (OTA) TV, cable or radio station coverage. But MASN is in negotiations with Hampton Roads' largest cable system, Cox Communications, to possibly bring the new net to Cox's Digital Cable tier. The games being broadcast on a local TV station is not being considered right now..... (5/4/05):// Post Script: At 79, ''Voice of Franklin'' Augie Bender signs off one last time Everyone in town knew the smooth, bass voice. For 28 years, it popped out of radios in homes up and down streets at 6 a.m. “Beatin’ With Bender” was on the air. “This is Augie Bender, your turntable tender,” the voice on WYSR-AM would intone, as if he had to identify himself. Bender, who died April 29 at age 79, first came on the air in Franklin and environs in 1960 with his blend of easy listening music, big-band sounds and what he called “just yakking.” (read more - The Virginian-Pilot) (5/4/05) Early radio ratings for Richmond and Hampton Roads can be dropped off painlessly and effortlessly but most importantly anonymously at editor@VARTV.com..... (5/3/05) A brand new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Independent "SKY4" WSKY Manteo/Hampton Roads is looking for a full-time Master Control Operator. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (5/3/05) :// PD of the Year nominee  Brian Demay, Mid-Atlantic Network Operations Manager of Fredericksburg's top-rated WBQB-FM (B101.5), is nominated for Hot AC Program Director Of The Year by Radio And Records, the industry trade magazine. When asked to comment, Demay was too stunned to answer. According to R&R, these industry achievement awards were created "to honor individuals and companies whose contributions exhibit unparalleled levels of hard work, creativity, dedication, and passion. They are that much more special because the nominations are solicited from within the industry." Awards will be handed out June 24th at the R&R Convention in Cleveland..... (5/3/05) To add on to the above... Kat Simons was nominated for Medium Market Music Director of the Year by R&R in the AC format for Soft AC "Lite 98" WTVR/98.1 Richmond. The station has been nominated as Medium Market AC Station of the Year..... (5/2/05):// Whatever happened to ... TV weatherman Duane Harding? Dr. Duane Harding doesn’t make long-term forecasts anymore, professionally or personally. It’s been more than nine years since he lost his job as WTKR-TV Channel 3’s weatherman. He was one of the top local personalities, and the firing set off an avalanche of viewer protests. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot) ..... (5/2/05) News Archives.....  |
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