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 :// New News Director announced  | Monday, October 31, 2005LIN TV's WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth and "FOX43" WVBT Virginia Beach, nab a new news director, Kathy Hostetter. She is formerly the EP (Executive Producer) for NBC O&O KNTV (11) San Francisco. Hosteller is Gary Stokes' replacement who exited in August. Stokes was let go, says the station, for "philosophical differences." Stokes told The Daily Press that is was probably WAVY's declining ratings for the evening and late night newscasts for his dismissal.
| Monday, October 31, 2005So this is what the Triple Dopplers look like at New York Times "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk?  (l-r Traffic Reporter Jennifer Cooper, Meteorologist Patrick Rockey, Anchor Bianca Martinez)
| Monday, October 31, 2005  Salem Communications has changed the call letters, back, on AM 780 Arlington to WAVA. The daytimer had those same calls some 30 years ago. WABS became WAVA on Tuesday. And with that change, sister station WAVA/105.1 Arlington became WAVA-FM.
| Saturday, October 29, 2005 "The Big Kahuna" AC Walker lands at Windmill Communications Standards/Talk "Windy 105" WNDJ/104.9 White Stone. Walker is the station's new Program Director and just completed the first week of his new morning hosting duties (AC In The Morning). Walker was with Bullseye Broadcasting's Oldies "Surf 92.3" WSRV Deltaville doing nights until Davis Media agreed to purchase the station. Most staffers, including Walker, were let go.
| Friday, October 28, 2005 The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) has signed another cable distributor to broadcast Washington Nationals baseball games during the 2006 season, as Charter Communications, Inc. has agreed to carry the network home of the Washington Nationals. (read more - Charter Communications). Note: Charter has several systems in Hampton Roads including Suffolk and parts of the Eastern Shore, and on the Outer Banks.
 Several new classified ads have been posted on VARTV. Main Line Richmond is seeking an Air Personality for Adult/Variety Hits "98-9 Liberty" WWLB and a Production Director for the cluster (WWLB, WBBT//WARV, WJZV), and Viacom O&O "UPN27" WGNT Portsmouth seeks a New Business Account Executive. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (10/27/05)
Kiss on top, Power beats The Beat, Praise up | Thursday, October 27, 2005 Radio One "Kiss FM" WKJS/105.7, WKJM/99.3 soars to the most listened to radio station (12+) in Richmond during the Summer. The radio ratings firm, Arbitron, released it's quarterly measure of the listening audience for Richmond yesterday morning. The Summer period covered June 30 through September 21. Behind Kiss, was CC Soft AC "Lite 98" WTVR/98.1, 3rd Cox Country "K95" WKHK/95.3, 4th Radio One Urban "Power 92-1 Jamz" WCDX, 5th CC Urban "106-5 The Beat" WBTJ, 6th CC "NewsRadio 1140" WRVA, 7th Radio One Gospel "Praise 104.7" WPZZ, 8th CC CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5, 9th Cox Classic Rock "96.5 The Planet" WKLR and 10th Alternative "102-1 The X" WRXL.Other market notables... WRXL's audience has almost doubled (12+) Cox Alternative "Y101" WDYL/101.1 listenership. Gee Communications Sports "ESPN Radio 950" WXGI squeaked by CC Sports "SportsRadio 910" WRNL by one-tenth of a ratings point. That's the first time WXGI has bested WRNL in Richmond's "sports-formatted radio wars..." :-)
2WD slips, The Wave cracks Top 10, Too early for Cool trends | Thursday, October 27, 2005  Max Media Country "97-3 The Eagle" WGH again was the most listened to radio station (12+) in Hampton Roads during the Summer. The radio ratings firm, Arbitron, released it's quarterly measure of the listening audience for Hampton Roads yesterday morning. After WGH, it was CC Urban "103Jamz" WOWI/102.9 with sister Urban AC "105-3 Kiss FM" WKUS closely behind. Fourth was Contemporary Inspirational "Star 94.1" WXEZ, 5th Urban AC "95-7 R&B" WVKL, 6th Saga Active Rocker "FM99" WNOR/98.7, 7th Entercom Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ/104.5, 8th Entercom AC "2WD" WWDE/101.3, 9th Sinclair Communications Adult/Variety Hits "93-7 BOB FM" WPYA and 10th Max Media Classic Hits/AC "92.9 The Wave" WVBW.
  | Wednesday, October 26, 2005Wayne Coy, nearly two years as Clear Channel CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 Program Director and morning co-host, has resigned. His last on-air date is Wednesday, November 2. Coy chose that date to coincide, to the day, with his first day ever behind the mic at KOKX/1310 Keokuk/Hamilton IA. Coy's morning co-host, Darrin Stone, takes Interim PD duties and afternooner/MD will move to Assistant PD on Thursday, November 10.
| Wednesday, October 26, 2005 It was close but the National Football League Washington Redskins' blowout over the San Francisco 49ers on "FOX43" WVBT at 1 p.m. had more Hampton Roads TV viewers than WTKR (3/CBS) which was showing the Pittsburgh Steelers/Cincinnati Bengals matchup. With many western Pennsylvanian transplants here, the Steelers game fetched a 9.4 rating/18 share compared to the 11.0/21 garnered by the Redskins' rout. A lot football fans flocked to WTKR after 4 p.m. where CBS had the second game. Overall, the Denver Broncos/New York Giants on WTKR did a 16.9 with a whopping 30 share.
 A new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Growing radio company is seeking a Chief Engineer. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (10/25/05)
| Tuesday, October 25, 2005Grab your rotten tomatoes and mark Wednesday, November 9th on your calendars. That night, FM99 News chick Nikki Reed will try her hand at stand up comedy at the Funny Bone in Virginia Beach. She'll be trying out for Nick at Night's "America's Funniest Mom 2" competition. It's a chance to win $50,000, develop a TV show, and make numerous appearances (be used by) the cable channel. It's not like Reed doesn't have material. She has four children, ages 2 to 15, and has been married four times. Not to mention, she works with two of the biggest kids in radio: Tommy and Rumble. But she's not necessarily a shoe-in. Nikki says she heard most of last year's finalists had stand up comedy experience, "The closest thing I have to stand up was when our morning show broadcast live from the Funny Bone, and I read my news on stage. I added a few punch lines." So why stick her neck out? "My daughter Genevieve saw the ads and begged me to try out." Nikki explained. "I think she wants a cut of the action if I win."
| Tuesday, October 25, 2005UPDATED: Morning man Charlie Padgett has left Cox Radio Alternative "Y101" WDYL/101.1 Richmond after being with the station for over five years. He was told Friday that the station was making "programming changes." Padgett told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, "I wish my friends at Y101 the best of luck. And they know who they are." According to the paper, Charlie returned to Richmond from a radio station in Boston five years ago to join "B103" WMXB/103.7. In May 2001, he joined WDYL as morning DJ. You can check out more about Charlie on his website at charlieontheradio.net.
| Tuesday, October 25, 2005 Changes continue at Cumulus New River Valley CHR "Hot 100" WFNR/100.7 Christiansburg/Blacksburg. The open weekday midday slot is now closed. Night guy JJ Ryan at sister CHR "Power 105-7" KCMK Siloam Springs/Fayetteville AR is now voicetracking for Hot. PD Gizmo is in the afternoon; Heather is heard at night with Maximum Music mornings.
| Tuesday, October 25, 2005Congratulations go out to Scott Media Group's President, David Lyons, who just graduated from Hampton Roads Criminal Justice Training Academy after completing 16 weeks of intensive training. He will also graduate from Kaplan University in March 2006.
WBQB makes gains in target demos | Monday, October 24, 2005Free Lance-Star Radio's Country WFLS/93.3 continued to be the most listened to station (12+) in Fredericksburg during the Summer. The radio ratings firm, Arbitron, released it's quarterly measure of the listening audience for Fredericksburg last week. The Summer period covered June 30 through September 21. 
A new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Davidson Media Richmond (WLEE, WVNZ, WTOX, WREJ) is looking for a Receptionist/Sales Assistant and Sales Executives for its cluster. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (10/22/05)
Congrats to night slaver Alex Dahm on Saga Communication's Classic Rock "106.9 The Fox" WAFX who recently married and is back in Hampton Roads from the honeymoon..... (10/20/05)
| Thursday, October 20, 2005Don Burke has left Metro Traffic Norfolk for a position with Radio Shack. His last day was Tuesday. There's been no announcement as to who will be taking his spot there on a permanent basis. We do hear Burke will be on limited stand by for fill in.
Tom Becker, GSM; Ted Hand, CE previously exited | Wednesday, October 19, 2005Frank Chebalo, President & General Manager of New York Times "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk, announced to staffers that Lori Leblanc, the station's Controller, will exit Sunday, November 16. She becomes the Business Manager for Meredith Broadcasting's WFSB (3/CBS) Hartford CT. Leblanc has been with WTKR for 13 years. We also hear that Channel 3's Senior Promotions Producer and LSM (Local Sales Manager) are exiting the station on October 21 and 28, respectively.
| Wednesday, October 19, 2005 Vox Communications has filed papers with the FCC to have Oldies "Magic 106.3" WBOP Churchville relicensed to Keswick. Churchville is located about 10 miles to the northeast of Staunton. Keswick is 5 miles east of Charlottesville.To make this happen, Vox proposes to allot channel 292A (106.3) to Marlinton WV (in Pocahontas Co), as its first local aural transmission service. In order to prevent this proposed allotment from being short spaced to WBOP, Vox wants to reallot WBOP, channel 292B1 (106.3), from Churchville to Keswick and substitute channel 291A (106.1) for channel 292B1 (106.3) at Keswick. Licensed Class B1 stations have a maximum 25kW of ERP (effective radiated power) and an antenna height of 328' HAAT (height above average terrain) or any equivalent. With Class A's, it's up to 328' HAAT and 6kW or equivalent. Even though WBOP is proposing to downgrade, its new proposed signal would have no trouble covering Charlottesville. Interested parties have 60 days to comment on this proposal. Read the entire proposal at fcc.gov.
A new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Clear Channel Norfolk (WOWI, WKUS, WJCD, WCDG) is looking for a Traffic Reporter/Production Assistant. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (10/17/05)
| Sunday, October 16, 2005 Richmond's newest radio station, WWLB-FM (98-9 Liberty), is like a really good second date. You've decided you've met the love of your life ('cause who has time to waste time these days), and now you want that person to hear all your favorite songs. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Several new classified ads have been posted on VARTV.
 | Friday, October 14, 2005Virginia Beach Educational Broadcasting Foundation's WJLZ/88.5 Virginia Beach (97.9/Portsmouth, 103.7/Chesapeake, 103.9 Norfolk) repositions as a Christian CHR. WJLZ is using the on-air moniker "Positive Hit Radio, The Current." The on-air personality line-up stays intact:
Middays - Liz Lane Afternoons - Anne Verebely (GM) Nights - Missy Miss
Saga Communications Charlottesville snags up the WVAX call letters for its recently acquired CP (construction permit) for AM 1450 Charlottesville. The new station will do 1kW day and 1kW night non-directional.
| Thursday, October 13, 2005 Capitol Broadcasting signed-on "99.9 Genuine Country" WFXQ Creedmoor/Raleigh NC (with requested call letters of WCMC) at 3 p.m. today. This frequency was licensed to Chase City VA. In order to do this, WFXQ's previous owner, Tom Joyner, requested that MainQuad move WZAX Nashville NC from 99.7 to 99.3. With that move, they also requested Max Media's Country WQDK be relicensed from Ahoskie NC to 15 miles NE to Gatesville NC at 99.3.The new station will battle with Curtis Media’s market leader, monster signal "94.7 QDR" WQDR Raleigh. Country radio veteran Joe Wade Formicola, OM/PD of sister AC "Mix 101.5" WRAL Raleigh, adds similiar duties at WCMC. Capitol also owns "FOX50" WRAZ Raleigh.
| Thursday, October 13, 2005 The University of North Carolina has filed papers with the FCC to change the community of license (COL) of PBS affiliated WUND-TV/DT (analog 2/digital 20) from Columbia NC to Edenton NC. The FCC granted the wish late July 2005 but UNC-TV had to wait out a 60-day public comment period.This move takes WUND out of the Greenville/Washington/New Bern TV DMA and puts it into the Norfolk/Portsmouth/Newport News TV DMA. UNC-TV requested the change, they argued, to get carriage on direct broadcast services (DBS/satellite providers) for residents in NE North Carolina; who are considered to be in the Norfolk TV market. The COL move to Edenton will essentially force DirecTV and DISH Network to carry WUND for ALL Norfolk DMA residents. The granted request was a blow to Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunication Association's (HRETA) PBS affiliated WHRO-TV/DT (15/Norfolk). The station requested the proposed COL move be denied (as did Echostar's DISH Network). One of the arguments of WHRO was UNC-TV's move was just a smoke screen to move into the Hampton Roads TV market. WHRO fears UNC-TV's move will hinder its fund raising efforts in Hampton Roads. WUND is already seen on the area's largest cable provider, Cox Cable Hampton Roads (Southside-only), on channel 6. As we mentioned before in July, does UNC-TV press its luck with the FCC and try to move its antenna closer to Hampton Roads? This move would virtually have no effect on UNC-TV viewership. The southern parts of WUND's coverage area are also in UNC-TV's WUNM (19/Jacksonville) coverage area. To the southwest, WUNK (25/Greenville) overlaps WUND's coverage area and to the west, WUNP (36/Roanoke Rapids) reaches east into WUND's area. Hmmm...
| Thursday, October 13, 2005Night slammer/Imaging Gizmo heard on Cumulus Media's CHR "Hot 100" WFNR/100.7 Christiansburg/Blacksburg gets the Program Director stripes and moves to afternoons. Gizmo, who has been with Hot since August, replaces Captain Connors (Jeff Brown) who has already exited for sister station CHR "Z102" WZAT/102.1 Savannah GA. With Gizmo's move, Heather slides into the night slot.
| Thursday, October 13, 2005Cox Radio Richmond has announced the appointment of Tracy Saxton to General Sales Manager (GSM) of the cluster's Soft AC "Mix 103-7" WMXB. She was most recently with Clear Channel Tampa (CHR WFLZ, Urban WBTP, Rock WXTB, Hot AC WMTX, Country WFUS, News/Talk WFLA and News/Talk WHNZ) as the cluster's Sales Manager. She'll report to Market Manager Steve McCall. Saxton said, "I am very excited to be joining the Cox family. Richmond is a beautiful and growing city, and I'm glad to be part of Steve and WMXB's team."
| Wednesday, October 12, 2005Morning co-anchor Kerri Furey with LIN TV's WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth/Norfolk returns to the air tomorrow at 5 a.m. Furey has been on maternity leave since the beginning of August. She gave birth to a baby boy, Samuel, on August 8... New York Times "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk is having an open house this Friday in their Virginia Beach newsroom at Town Center. From 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., the public can meet their "favorite Your NewsChannel 3 personalities," and "enjoy free food and fun..."
 | Wednesday, October 12, 2005Karla Fox recently started handling the overnight and afternoon on-air duties at Entercom AC "2WD" WWDE/101.3. She replaces Ted Alexander who did overnights before moving to co-hosting the "Breakfast Bunch" in the morning and replaces Jeff Moreau in the afternoons. Fox did middays with Clear Channel Urban AC "105.3 Kiss FM" WKUS back in April 2004 when that station reimaged from "Vibe 105.3." In 2002, Fox was PD/mornings for then Barnstable-owned Contemporary Inspirational "Star 94.1" WXEZ Yorktown.
| Wednesday, October 12, 2005FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... FM99's (WNOR/Norfolk) Tommy & Rumble continue their 10th anniversary, 10-city tour of Hampton Roads with a stop in Hampton this Friday, October 14th. Amazingly, Hampton Mayor Ross Kearney has agreed to join the FM99 crew and their listeners that morning at Hooters, 1801 West Mercury Blvd, Hampton. Surrounded by hot wings and equally hot babes, Kearney declare Friday “Tommy & Rumble Day” in Hampton. So far, Portsmouth officials proclaimed a day in September "Tommy & Rumble Day," and Virginia Beach city leaders named the pair Honorary Animal Control Officers. What next? Junior Auxiliary Firefighters?
| Monday, October 10, 2005 Jefferson-Pilot Corporation, owner of 18 radio stations and three TV stations (including "NBC12" WWBT Richmond), is merging into Lincoln National Corporation (parent of Lincoln Financial Group) in a deal worth approximately $7.5 billion in cash and stock. The deal gives Lincoln National a majority of the merged company's board with the top-tier executive landscape looking like this: Lincoln's Chairman/CEO Jon Boscia remains in that role, Jefferson-Pilot CEO Dennis Glass becomes President/COO of the combined companies. (read more - FMQB.com)
| Monday, October 10, 2005 UPDATED: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Richmond radio legend Dick Hungate returns to the Capital City airwaves this (Monday) afternoon. Hungate steps into the 2PM-7PM slot on Free Lance Star Radio Group’s classic rock format 96.9, WWUZ.“When Dick Hungate became available, it wasn’t a matter of if, but when,” said FLS Operations Manager Paul Johnson. “His knowledge of the music and his love for central Virginia make this a puzzle piece that fits perfectly. We owe it to our listeners to continually upgrade our product. Adding Dick to a roster that includes our engaging morning announcer Rich Creeger and rock legend Alice Cooper at nights gives our listeners a hugely entertaining lineup.” Hungate’s history in Richmond radio dates back to 1982 when he joined rocker WRXL. He spent the past several years at 96.5 The Planet, but was let go this summer in favor of voice tracking. “Dick was not only instrumental in the growth of the classic rock format in Richmond,” said Johnson, “he invented the format nationally. The proof is on the website inventorofclassicrockradio.com. It’s a great story in the history of radio and we’re thrilled to be writing a new chapter.” Hungate noted, "This is a radio marriage literally 'made in Heaven'...so I'd like to give God all the credit. I put Him in charge of my life and things did, indeed, work out great! Classic rock 96.9 has terrifically-talented people I can learn a lot from. While general manager John Moen and operations manager Paul Johnson have long and impressive resumes... morning man Rich Creeger and midday guy Mr. Cornelius are, in my opinion, major-market-caliber personalities. It'll be an honor to follow them daily 2-7 pm. To any station that tries to "spin" 96.9 as out-of-market and, therefore, irrelevant, let me say this--- We fire a grade-A signal into Richmond, all the way down I-95 to Bell's Road. Your employees, friends and neighbors have listened to us for years and just haven't admitted it. I gave Clear Channel, Cox Radio, Main Line and consultant Fred Jacobs a long time either to hire me locally or stick me in another market. I would have moved practically ANYwhere. They all used the convenient excuse of 'things are tough in our business right now'. Hear this: you will regret not grabbing me while the grabbing was good. I'm looking forward to a long and productive relationship with my new "family" at Free Lance-Star Broadcasting. There's nothing like good old-fashioned, privately owned-and operated radio...where the almighty stock price doesn't mandate lowest-common-denominator, stale programming!"
| Friday, October 7, 2005Because of tomorrow's live gubernatorial debate originating from the WWBT-Channel 12 studios at 7 p.m., the Sunday edition of NBC's "Dateline" will air on a delayed basis at 2:30 a.m. Monday. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
 | Friday, October 7, 2005Sinclair Communications' CHR "The Zone@106-1" WZNR Poquoson shuffles its on-air line-up beginning Monday, October 10. 6 a.m.-9 a.m. Music In The Morning9 a.m.-noon Chris Bates (formerly afternoons) noon -3 p.m. Anna (formerly middays/weekend parttime) 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Haze (up from nights) 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Kevin (from Clear Channel Hurban "Mega101" KLOL/101.1 Houston)In addition to the changes on-air, Bates gets Assistant Program Director AND Music Director stripes. He'll report to Jay Michaels.
| Friday, October 7, 2005Mel Wheeler Talk WFIR/960 Roanoke is dropping FOX News Radio's Alan Colmes show heard 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. WFIR adds Jones' Liddy and Hill on tape-delay during the week.
 | Friday, October 7, 2005Jason Goodman, former Assistant Program Director/Music Director/nights at Entercom Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE Virginia Beach, was just named Program Director for Dick Broadcasting's CHR "107-5 KZL" WKZL Winston-Salem/Greensboro. Goodman, who also can be heard on KZL weekday afternoons, has been with the station since March of this year.
| Friday, October 7, 2005 Jefferson-Pilot's "NBC12" WWBT has a gubernatorial debate, between Republican Jerry Kilgore and Democrat Tim Kaine, scheduled to air Sunday night at 7 p.m. At the same time, the network, NBC, has the highly publicized disappearance and recently determined murder of Virginia Commonwealth University student Taylor Behl on its Dateline news program.
Two new classified ads have been posted on VARTV. Clear Channel Richmond is looking for a Sports Talk Producer for "SportsRadio 910" WRNL and a Traffic Reporter the entire cluster. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (10/7/05)
 | Friday, October 7, 2005We reported almost a month ago that "13NEWS" WVEC (ABC) Hampton/Norfolk weekend anchor/investigative reporter Ramona Parks would be leaving the station at the end of September. She was plucked to work (in an unknown role) at Belo sister station "11NEWS" KHOU-TV (CBS) Houston. She has changed her mind and will stay put in Hampton Roads. Her tenure at WVEC began back in 2001, coming from Richmond, rising from general assignment reporter to investigator and weekend anchor.
| Friday, October 7, 2005 Davidson Media Group's Spanish "Selecta 1050" WVXX Norfolk adds to their morning show. Beginning Monday, October 10, Carmen Laguna joins Ricardo Alegria with the new show being known as "Ricardo and Carmen." In addition to co-hosting, she will also report the news for the station.Laguna has been a radio/TV reporter in Venezuela, worked in Washington DC for Radio Capital Network, worked in Caracas and was a Reporter/Writer for "Tiempos del Mundo." And at one time, she was a Press Officer for the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington.
| Friday, October 7, 2005 Virginia Center for Public Press (VCPP), WRIR-LP/97.3's parent organization, signed a long term lease yesterday that will keep WRIR's studios and offices at their current location of 1621 West Broad St "for the foreseeable future." The group announced in May that they were planning to move to Plan 9 Music's new office and warehouse on Ownby Lane.Bill Lupoletti, a member of the board of directors for VCPP said ,"(t)he most important reason for moving was to secure a long term lease that allows WRIR to plan for its future. Until now, we have had a series of short term leases at 1621 West Broad. This was appropriate before WRIR went on the air, and when its viability was in doubt. But today WRIR is an undeniable success both esthetically and as a non-profit business." Lupoletti went on to say, "Rob Ritchie, the owner of Richmond Finance Company and of 1621 West Broad, encouraged us to work with him in figuring out a way that we could stay permanently in his building. We have now done exactly that. We want to thank Rob for his support and vision, and we look forward to our new relationship with Richmond Finance Company as our long term landlord." WRIR also wants to improve the "quality" of their signal. The plan now is to locate their transmitter and antenna away from the studio from a site that is "both central to our targeted listeners and is free of obstacles that block our transmission." The station is currently in discussions with the representatives of several antenna sites.
| Friday, October 7, 2005Waitt Radio Networks (WRN) and Commonwealth Radio (Bob Sinclair of Sinclair Communications, WPYA/WZNR/WROX/WNIS/WTAR) have signed a deal allowing Waitt to exclusively syndicate Bob FM. Commonwealth is the U.S. rights holder for the Canadian-born format. Consultant Joel Folger will also be involved. “After visiting the Waitt facilities and learning about the operation, I was extremely impressed,” Folger said in a statement. “Localization is a key component for Bob FM. When it comes to incorporating local station content, Waitt Radio Networks is absolutely the best." (read more - Billboard Radio Monitor)
A new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. LIN TV's WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth, WVBT (43/FOX) Virginia Beach is looking for a weekend Sports Producer-Reporter. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (10/6/05)
| Thursday, October 6, 2005We're hearing Billy Surf has been hanging around the halls of Entercom Norfolk in Virginia Beach. Could Surf eventually replace departed APD/MD/afternooner Jeff Moreau on AC "2WD" WWDE/101.3 Hampton? We know Surf has much respect for OM Don London. With rumors of a format change in the air at Apex Broadcasting's Hot AC "92.3 The Coast" WCSQ Charleston SC, Surf resigned from that station earlier last week. 92.3 did indeed go CHR as "B92" WIHB. Surf was previously PD of CC CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 Richmond from March 2001 to April 2004.
SAM-FM broadcast to start Friday | Thursday, October 6, 2005 Michael Savage and Bill O'Reilly have been replaced by ABBA, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Quiet Riot on local radio. Massachusetts-based Vox communications bought the struggling 95.5 WZXI-FM talk-radio station from Easy Radio Inc. and changed the format. The station's new name is SAM-FM. (read more - Staunton News Leader)
Anchor leaps 88 markets  | Wednesday, October 5, 2005News Director Jeff Parsons at New York Times "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk announced that Matt Keller has accepted the position to co-host the station's morning newscasts with Bianca Martinez. Keller will also report for WTKR. Keller hails from Catamount Broadcast Group's KHSL (12/CBS) Chico CA, the nation's 130th largest TV market where he anchors the 5, 5:30, 6:30 and 11 p.m. newscasts. He's currently KHSL's main anchor and managing editor.
A new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Cox Radio Alternative "Y101" WDYL/101.1 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 oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (10/5/05)
| Wednesday, October 5, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... October 7 won’t be just another casual Friday, at Max Media of Hampton Roads. The denim worn on this date will have significant meaning to the employees electing to join millions of others across the country by participating in Lee National Denim Day. The grassroots event, created to raise funds for breast cancer, will celebrate its ten-year anniversary, and Max Media employees will in turn celebrate their FIRST year of participation.Each year, Lee Jeans designates one day as Lee National Denim Day and invites people to wear denim to work in exchange for a $5 donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. “Lee National Denim Day is extremely important to us, as many of us have been personally touched by the disease,” said Karen West, Middays at 97-3 The Eagle. “We enjoy our participation tremendously because it empowers everyone to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer, it’s a great educational program within our work walls, and it is so easy for us to implement.” “The enthusiastic support we get from companies, organizations and schools every year is overwhelming,” said Kathy Collins, vice president of marketing communications for Lee. “The $5 you might normally have spent on lunch has an amazing impact when combined with the donations from people nationwide. It is millions of individuals that make this program a success.” One hundred percent of every dollar raised through Lee National Denim Day goes directly to the Komen Foundation to support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs that might otherwise go unfunded.
| Wednesday, October 5, 2005Lynchburg’s longest running radio station has yet another opportunity to entertain the masses. After being off the air for a year, a deal has been struck for Truth Broadcasting to buy WLVA (590 AM). (read more - The News & Advance)
| Tuesday, October 4, 2005Saga Communications Charlottesville has purchased the CP (construction permit) for AM1450/Charlottesville from Chuck Anderson's Anderson Communications for $150,000. The station will do 1kW day and night.
| Tuesday, October 4, 2005Nights/weekends Dave Weaver, formerly of Cox Radio Soft AC "Mix 103-7" WMXB Richmond, gets the PD stripes at Lake Powell Communications AC "Z93" KXAZ Page AZ/Kanab UT and "Lake Powell Country" KGPE/1340 Page. Weaver will also be heard afternoons on Z93. Weaver said, "I enjoyed over 20 years with the fine folks of Richmond, from the old XL102 to 106.5 WVGO to the fine folks with Cox Radio and especially my friends who stood by me at Mix 103.7. I will miss that market dearly... Richmond treated me wonderfully.
 | Monday, October 3, 2005Cindy Crawford, the on-air personality, that is. Max Media Classic Hits/AC "92-9 The Wave" WVBW fills their middays with Crawford. She hails from Pittsburgh, most recently with Steel City Media's "Lite Rock 92.9" WLTJ where she did news and traffic for the station's morning show then got her own shift doing weeknights. Crawford will also be doing morning traffic for all the Max Media Hampton Roads stations. Today is her first day on The Wave.
| Friday, September 30, 2005Tomorrow morning at 6 a.m., Hometown Broadcasting's WAMM/1230 Woodstock VA will go Hispanic as "Radio Latino;" to cover both Harrisonburg and Winchester. Hometown recently agreed to sell the station to Jason Rodriguez of Harrisonburg. Rodriguez, who already has an area Spanish newspaper franchise, plans to air original Spanish-language programming from the station's new home on South Main St beginning this weekend. WAMM had been silent since Spring. It previously was doing Adult Standards... Vox Communications newly acquired WZXI/95.5 Buffalo Gap/Staunton, from Easy Radio, we think could go Adult Hits/Variety Hits. Easy Radio previously programmed Talk on that frequency. :// Station is sold | Friday, September 30, 2005From Radio-Info.com's Virginia Board... Stu Epperson's religious chain Truth Broadcasting, which owns, among others, the most powerful signal in the Triad of North Carolina, is picking up a station in Virginia. It's the currently dark WLVA/590 Lynchburg. The station has run standards, oldies and even an all-news simulcast of WOWK/1280 in Appomattox, and has been mostly dark the past 3 years or so. The reported price - $275,000. At one time, it was a sister station of 97.9 FM, and a long time ago, presumably, a sister of now-WSET "ABC 13" (then WLVA-TV). :// PD takes over mornings | Friday, September 30, 2005 Sam Walker, PD of East Carolina Radio Group's AC "Mix 96" WKJX/96.7 Elizabeth City and "Music Of Your Life" WCNC/1240 Elizabeth City, WZBO/1260 Edenton... as well as News Director for all of ECRG's properties, has just added another hat, moving from middays to morning drive on Mix as of this past Monday (9/26). We hear middays and afternoons to be filled soon at WKJX. Also, Tino has left the building at Mix. Could he land in Virginia somewhere?:// FM99 talks WTKR into moving their broadcast site! | Thursday, September 29, 2005FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The Tommy & Rumble Ten city-10th Anniversary Tour continues. Tomorrow (9/30), FM99's Morning team will broadcast live from the Virginia Beach Funny Bone at Town Center. More than 1,600 listeners showed up at the last two Friday shows, signing up to win some of the 10,000 gallons of gas they're giving away, and getting free T-shirts and other trinkets. This week's special: Tommy & Rumble Balls! (Beach Balls, that is) PLUS, folks get a chance to be on live TV! Newschannel 3 morning anchor Bianca Martinez agreed to broadcast from WTKR's Town Center Bureau tomorrow. Twice an hour, from 5-7AM, she'll grab a microphone and go outside talk to FM99 listeners. Great chance for folks to rub her pregnant belly! WAVY 10's Andy Fox is promising to show up at the Funny Bone at 9AM, unless someone runs into him in the parking lot. Five new classified ads have been posted on VARTV.
:// Flying could be his true passion | Thursday, September 29, 2005Jeff Moreau, former APD/MD afternoon host at Entercom Mainstream AC "2WD" WWDE/101.3, as of Monday, has been flying a King Air for Piedmont/Hawthorne. We hear that Moreau recently earned his commercial pilot's license. He'll exit 2WD this Friday. :// Slow news Former CC Richmonders move around | Thursday, September 29, 2005:// Vipers get radio broadcasts | Wednesday, September 28, 2005 The Roanoke Valley Vipers, member of the United Hockey League (UHL), announced today that they have formed a partnership with 3WR Family Radio, which will carry all 76 regular season game broadcasts in 2004-05, as well as all playoff games. 3WR (WWWR AM) Family Radio is broadcast on 910 AM in Roanoke and 990 AM in the New River Valley. (read more - valleyvipershockey.com):// Cool video of a station tower being felled | Wednesday, September 28, 2005UPDATED: Easy Radio's "Big Raa Country" WRAA/1330 Luray is temporarily off the air while a new tower is being built. The old 400 foot tower built around 1963 was "dropped" on Monday. The station hopes to return to the air next week. Click here for the video. Max Media Classic Hits/AC "92-9 The Wave" WVBW is now streaming their audio over the Internet at 929thewave.com..... (9/28/05):// Programming note | Tuesday, September 27, 2005Elizabeth City State University's Urban "89-9 ECSU" WRVS is off the air today and most likely tomorrow. The station is getting it's tower painted. :// More on Mike Murphy being named WHFS/105.7 PD | Tuesday, September 27, 2005Infinity Broadcasting/Baltimore has named Mike Murphy as Program Director for Talk-Modern Rock hybrid WHFS. Previously, Murphy programmed WDYL/Richmond and was an Assistant Program Director at FNX Radio Network in Boston and WWRX/Providence. (read more - FMQB.com) (read more - Radio & Records) :// Helping hands | Tuesday, September 27, 2005Since Jeff Moreau resigned as APD/MD/afternoon host at Entercom AC "2WD" WWDE/101.3 Friday, Paul McCoy has temporarily moved from middays to afternoons. Barry McKay, PD at sister station "94.9 The Point" WPTE, goes down the hallway to voice middays, for now, on WWDE. :// Former WTKR CE lands new gig | Tuesday, September 27, 2005 Viacom O&O "UPN27" WGNT Portsmouth has announced that Ted Hand, CPBE has joined the station's engineering staff. Hand will serve as WGNT's Assistant Chief Engineer and main transmitter engineer. Hand has an extensive background in television engineering; certified by the Society of Broadcast Engineers as a Professional Broadcast Engineer and has just been elected to the National Board of Directors of that organization. He also holds engineering degrees from Old Dominion University and the College of Albemarle (Elizabeth City, NC).Hand was previously with New York Times' "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR Norfolk as the station's Director of Engineering. His contract there was not renewed. Before Channel 3, Hand was the Engineering Maintenance Supervisor at Capital Broadcasting's WRAL (5/CBS) Raleigh and the Chief Engineer at LIN Broadcasting's (now LIN TV Corp) WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth. :// More babies | Monday, September 26, 2005Jennifer Roberts, co-host on "Dick Lamb & The Morning Wave" show (Max Media Classic Hits/AC "92-9 The Wave" WVBW), announced that she is pregnant with her second child. Her due date is March 2006. :// New non-broadcast net debuted at 6 a.m. | Monday, September 26, 2005 PBS Kids Sprout, a joint venture of Comcast, and minority partners Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and the Sesame Workshop, debuted this morning at 6 a.m. The new net is geared for children under the age of six. Sprout, which replaces PBS Kids, will offer reruns of PBS and other children's fare 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A video-on-demand (VOD) component, where digital cable subscribers can choose to watch any of the network's programs anytime they want, was launched in April of this year.DBS (direct broadcast service) providers DISH and DirecTV are carrying the new channel along with Insight Communications and Comcast's cable systems. On Cox Cable's Hampton Roads system, PBS Kids is being replace with "WHRO Kids" on channel 108. UNC-TV, in North Carolina, already had a UNC-Kids channel. :// Ch-ch-changes | Monday, September 26, 2005 East Carolina Radio's Oldies "102.5 The Shark" WERX Columbia has tighten its playlist, dropped the 80s music and now is using "Killer Hits of the 60s & 70s" on the air. We hear "The Shark" isn't the only ECRI station to get a tweak. Our guess would be "Mix 96" WKJX/96.7 Elizabeth City. With WERX focusing on the "older" stuff, we could see Mix dropping their older tracks for newer ones. More on that soon...:// [insert headline here] | Sunday, September 25, 2005We hear that Mike Kavanaugh, who oversees the 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts on New York Times' "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS), has turned in his resignation. Word has it he got a job in New York City. :// Market vet resigns  | Friday, September 23, 2005We hear that Jeff Moreau, APD/MD afternoon host at Entercom Mainstream AC "2WD" WWDE/101.3, has resigned from his position. Moreau had been with 2WD for nearly 13 years; many more in the market (WGH-F and WNOR). Question is... "What is he going to do now?" Is he staying radio? In Hampton Roads? Will he be BOBBIN' along or catching a WAVE? :// FM auction delayed | Friday, September 23, 2005 The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) FM Auction No. 62 has been iced, for now. It was set for November 1, but will now be held mid-January 2006. At stake, is the potential for 171 licenses for new FM stations around the country, mostly in the Midwest and West. The frequencies up for grabs were put into two tiers with hot properties (first tier) carrying a minimum opening bid of $200,000. In the second tier, a Class C1 (a combination of an antenna height of 981 feet and 100kW of effective radiated power) is on the block for 92.7 and to be licensed to Ocracoke, NC. That one carries a minimum opening bid of $150K.:// How they do that? | Friday, September 23, 2005We're not sure how they pulled it off, but Tommy and Rumble, mornings on Saga Communications' Active Rocker "FM99" WNOR/98.7, are having the Vice Mayor of Portsmouth, William E Moody, on their show today (9/23) at 6:30 to declare it "Tommy and Rumble Day" in that city. The "FM99" morning duo will be at the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame on High Street. Their second stop of a weekly 10 city tour of Hampton Roads. Despite airing a parody song about the antics of Portsmouth Sheriff Gary Waters, called "I Did Shots with the Sheriff," Waters promised to visit the show this morning and chat live on the air , something he refuses to do with many TV reporters. And even though FM99 will be passing out "dime bags" (change purses) with pun intended, the Vice Mayor laughed about it, and plans to read a "Tommy and Rumble" proclamation this morning. The Tourism Bureau gave T&R shirts to wear with "P-Town" on them. :// Bragg returns as WTVR co-anchor  | Friday, September 23, 2005Starting Oct. 17, (Richmond) TV viewers can wake up to a familiar face -- Julie Bragg, formerly of WWBT-Channel 12, soon to be of WTVR-Channel 6. Bragg, who left WWBT last year, is joining WTVR as its new morning co-anchor, teamed with Greg McQuade. She replaces Reba Hollingsworth, who left the station this summer. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch) A couple of new classified ads have been posted on VARTV. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (9/22/05) :// Jock exits the building | Tuesday, September 20, 2005 UPDATED: Herkules, heard weekday afternoons on On Top Communications' Urban "Hot 102.1" WWHV Virginia Beach, is now off the air. We heard he submitted his resignation yesterday; and was to stay-on thru the end of this month. Herk had been with Hot since March 2002, serving as the station's first Promotions Director. The following month, he was on the air doing late nights then was moved to afternoons in January 2003. In addition to his time at Hot, Herk is heard Friday nights and on weekends (since 2003) on Infinity Urban WPGC/95.5 Morningside/Washington DC. :// On-the-air pressure rises | Tuesday, September 20, 2005 They came prepared to wait nine hours or more for the chance to make a lasting impression. Most wore their Sunday best -guys in shirts and ties, ladies in dresses and suits.Only about 30 of the students and community residents who showed up at Hampton University's journalism building would eventually get a job. Yet, earlier this month more than 90 of them packed two classrooms in the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications in an effort to join the family, also known as WHOV-FM, the university's 24-hour, noncommercial radio station. (read more - Daily Press) :// Anyone notice? Jazz is gone in C-ville | Monday, September 19, 2005What's new is old again at Clear Channel WCJZ/107.5 Charlottesville. At midnight this morning, the station flipped back to "Mix 107.5;" not as a Rock-based AC (former call letters were WUMX) as in its previous incarnation but closer to a Hot AC presentation. "Smooth Jazz 107.5" last just 18 months. "Mix 107.5, The 80's 90's and Today" has no jocks - yet, just sweepers and jingles. :// Congrats! | Monday, September 19, 2005 WVEC (13/ABC) morning and midday anchor Janet Roach is set to become a mom all over again. She recently revealed that she is now five months along on her second child. Her first child, Gabrielle, was born in July 2003, in a situation where Roach went into labor during the morning newscast and no one knew about it. Her new child is expected around the new year or shortly thereafter. :// KYS using KISS, again | Monday, September 19, 2005 Radio One Urban WKYS/93.9 Washington DC just recently started using "93.9 KISS FM" on air. Previously, the station simply went by "93.9 WKYS." WKYS used the KISS positioner in the 90s and earlier and always has had the "kiss" in the KYS logo.:// Shipley recovers from a stroke | Monday, September 19, 2005Red Shipley who does mornings on Piedmont Communications' Country WJMA/103.1, Culpeper, had a stroke September 11 and is off the air. He had been hospitalized in Culpeper, but is now in the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlottesville. His condition, as we understand it, is improving and he remains hopeful that he can return to "Stained Glass Bluegrass" Sunday mornings on American University's WAMU/88.5 and WJMA. Bob Webster from WAMU came to Orange this past Sunday to do "Stained" and will do the same on the 25th. After that, the program will originate at WAMU. Cards can be sent to Red's home address:
Orange VA 22960 Or you may visit "Red's Ramblings" blog on his website sgbginfo.com | Monday, September 19, 2005Yeah, we were peeking at the daily Hampton Roads TV ratings, again, for Friday (9/16) and it's the same 'ol, same 'ol for New York TImes' "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk. It's 6 p.m. newscast finished sixth(!) behind the news on WVEC (13/ABC) and WAVY (10/NBC), Judge Judy on "UPN27" WNGT, The Simpsons on "WB33" WTVZ and Jerry Springer's new timeslot on Independent "SKY4" WSKY. :// Scholar-athlete Jessica Beck dies Jeff Beck's (PD of "93.1 The Wolf") daughter was 21 | Saturday, September 17, 2005Jessica Beck, a champion synchronized swimmer who graduated from Douglas Freeman High School in 2002, died in her sleep Thursday in Columbus, Ohio. The 21-year-old senior at Ohio State University had gone back to school early to continue a public-relations internship at the Columbus Red Cross, said her mother, Joyce Beck of Richmond. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch) Editor's Note: Our thoughts and prayers are with you Jeff and for your family. :// Spanish-language station finds its voice WVNZ offers wide variety of radio programming to satisfy diverse tastes of its listeners | Friday, September 16, 2005 Some want bachata, others want salsa, reggaeton, regional Mexican nortena, merengue or cumbia. Some demand more cultured programming and music."It's difficult to be the only station and try to please everybody," said Demetrio Flores, on-air personality and senior producer for AM radio station WVNZ, Selecta 1320. Yesterday, WVNZ, the only Spanish-language radio station in metro Richmond, celebrated its second anniversary of being on the air seven days a week. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch) A new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Telemedia Broadcasting's Country "Thunder 104.5" WGRX and WGRQ/95.9 is looking a Production Assistant/Board Operator. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (9/16/05) :// "Tony Mercurio Show" starts it's 20th year on ESPN Radio 1310 WGH-AM | Friday, September 16, 2005"The Tony Mercurio Show" has started it's 20th year on "ESPN Radio 1310" WGH Newport News. It all began on September 15, 1986 when Tony Mercurio opened the microphones at WGH-AM, at the time located in Hampton. Now Mercurio, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, has begun his 20th year as host of his own afternoon sportstalk show in Hampton Roads. "The Tony Mercurio Show" is heard weekdays from 3-7 p.m. Mercurio has also been the "voice of the ODU Lady Monarch team" for 15 years, and honored by winning 12 "Sportscaster of the Year Awards." When it all began in 1986, a local paper said that Mercurio would be lucky to last one month hosting a sportstalk show in Hampton Roads. It's been 229 months and counting. :// Three to exit NBC29 | Thursday, September 15, 2005 Today is the last day for Adam Longo to anchor the news on "NBC29" WVIR Charlottesville, who says he will leave the station following the 11 p.m. newscast tonight, September 15. Longo has been with WVIR since October 2001, anchoring the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. news. Longo heads for Young Broadcasting's WATE (6/ABC) Knoxville as an anchor and reporter. He told the Charlottesville Weekly, “I’ve been able to talk to and meet so many people, either through stories or people stopping me at grocery stores who say, ‘Hey, it’s the news guy!’ And they appreciate what we do.”Longo also confirmed with the paper that today is the last day for reporter Joe Holden who's headed to Nextstar Broadcasting's WBRE (28/NBC) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Longo's 5 p.m. co-anchor Sara Gavin, who is off to "CBS13" WOWK, Charleston, WV. Longo and Gavin anchored that newscast for the past two years. :// Newport News to create radio station for disaster news | Thursday, September 15, 2005A low-power AM radio station won't provide weather updates, evacuation orders or other disaster-related news before Hurricane Ophelia hits, but Newport News officials expect it to broadcast in time for next year's hurricane season. The City Council voted Tuesday to spend about $150,000 for radio equipment, including repeater stations so the weak signal reaches all parts of a city that's more than 20 miles long. (read more - Daily Press) As the article mentions, the City of Virginia Beach has a similar set-up which was used during Hurricane Isabel. It's a TIS (Traveller's Information Station), broadcasting on AM1680 at 10 watts from four locations (Seatack Park, Kemps Landing Magnet School, Municipal Center, and Pungo/Creeds) around city. Right now, the station is relaying NOAA Weather Radio out of Wakefield. :// Tommy & Rumble celebrate 10th anniversary with 10-city tour Giving away 10,000 gallons of gas beginning Friday | Thursday, September 15, 2005 Some couples celebrate their anniversary with flowers, cards, and jewelry. Tommy & Rumble celebrate their 10th anniversary by giving people GAS! With gas prices hitting all-time highs nationwide, FM99’s top rated morning team feels your pain at the pump. Tommy & Rumble will be broadcasting live from a different city in Hampton Roads each Friday for the next ten weeks, giving away gas at each stop.Tommy & Rumble make their first stop this Friday, September 16th, at the Hooters, 12640 Jefferson Avenue, in Newport News. The following weeks, the pair will be in Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, and Suffolk. More cities to be announced later. Listeners are invited to the broadcast site, where they'll receive a free commemorative T-shirt and will register to win 1,000 gallons gas. The first 99 people will also receive a special prize this Friday: Tommy & Rumble shot glasses. The ten-city tour gives Tommy & Rumble a chance to highlight each city’s business and cultural sites as well as military installations. It also gives the FM99 crew a chance to meet (and offend) listeners all over Hampton Roads. :// Richmond radio, TV station fundraisers | Thursday, September 15, 2005Richmond radio stations continue to do their bit to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Today, all three Radio One stations (WPZZ, WKJS/WKJM and WCDX) will host "12 Hours of Relief," a radio-thon with the goal of raising at least $14,000 for the American Red Cross. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch) :// Another departure at WTKR | Thursday, September 15, 2005Health Reporter Cynthia Brooks at New York Times "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk had been on medical leave for the past several months. Last Friday, she told management that she will not be returning to the station due to her health. Brooks joined the station on-air on October 28, 2002 with Chris Hopkins for WTKR's new morning newscast. Both had been in Florida -- Brooks from WPEC (12/CBS) West Palm Beach and Hopkins from WINK (11/CBS) Ft Myers. Since then, Brooks was demoted to Reporter early this year with Hopkins getting bumped to weekend anchoring in July and recently learned that his contract would not be renewed and was taken off the air at the end of August. :// Hispanic Heritage Month | Wednesday, September 14, 2005To celebrate Mexican Independence Day, Thursday, September 15th, Davidson Media Group's Spanish "Selecta 1050" WVXX Norfolk will broadcast a special message from Mexico's President Vicente Fox. It is the beginning of a month long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. From September 15 through October 15, "Selecta 1050" will broadcast special programs and salute influential Hispanics in Hampton Roads.:// Area jocks featured | Wednesday, September 14, 2005Nick Taylor, mornings on Entercom Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ/104.5 Norfolk, is featured this week on AllAccess.com's "10 Questions With..." in the site's Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover section and Julien Nieh, nights on Clear Channel CHR "Hot 99-5" WIHT" Washington, DC is featured in the Top 40/Mainstream section. :// Booth moves down I-64, Imus to be dropped on 1480 | Wednesday, September 14, 2005Tony Booth, host of "AM Charlottesville" on Clear Channel WCHV/1260, leaves his position tomorrow, September 15. Booth is going back to Richmond, on Davidson Media Group's "TalkRadio 1480" WTOX Glen Allen to replace Don Imus from 6 a.m.- 9 a.m. The show will be structured much like "AM Charlottesville"...news, weather, sports and news/talk segments. The first day for Booth on WTOX could be Monday, September 19. The veteran broadcaster was transferred in 1985 to run the old 1480 with call letters WLEE. Booth was off the air from 1982 to 1999 when he started doing some weekend work at "Oldies 106.5" WRCL, WRVA/1140, and Country "K95" WKHK. In addition to his on air work, he also does extensive voice over work in the Atlantic Region and is partners in a successful advertising/public relations firm, Martin, Silver & Clients. :// Help wanted | Wednesday, September 14, 2005 UPDATED: Several brand new classified ads have been posted on VARTV. Vox Communications Harrisonburg (WSIG, WBOP, WZXI) is in need for an Account Executive; Tribune Interactive (DailyPress.com, VaGazette.com, 7cities.com) is looking for an Online Sales Representative; WVTF/89.1 Roanoke and Radio IQ is looking for a Reporter/News Producer; and Max Media Classic Hits/AC "92-9 The Wave" WVBW Suffolk/Norfolk is looking for an On Air Personality. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading... :// Jock returns | Wednesday, September 14, 2005Jerry Lee Scott has returned to the air on Hampton Radio II's "1490 The Outlaw" WLRT. Scott can be heard Monday thru Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. :// Photog exits 3 | Wednesday, September 14, 2005Photojournalist Aaron Pritchett, with New York Times "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk, has turned in his letter of resignation effective immediately. He's been with the station over seven years. Word has it he'll be staying in the market working for a city cable access channel. :// An update on Dick Hungate | Tuesday, September 13, 2005Here's an item that isn't breaking news but falls into the categories of history, education or "never-revealed-until-now format development details." Search this site for posts during the last six weeks relating to Cox Radio Richmond's decision on July 29th to save money by voice-tracking Dick Hungate's popular 10 a.m.-3 p.m. show on WKLR 96.5 "The Planet." Hungate since then did a week's worth of vacation fill-in (to tremendously positive response!) on WWUZ "Classic Rock 96.9" in Fredericksburg/Richmond. If you're a student of radio history and have followed only the Richmond portion of Dick's 36-year career, you'll enjoy this just-written account of how in 1981 he became the first person in America to program, pick the music for, and DJ on the original "classic rock" station --- www.americasfirstclassicrockDJ.com. Hungate currently is in talks with several companies and exploring his next possible air personality and/or programming position. He is at (804) 748-7472 or dickhungate@yahoo.com. Clear Channel Alternative "102-1 The X" WRXL Richmond has begun streaming their audio over the Internet..... (9/10/2005):// No Richmond TV outlet picks up Martha | Tuesday, September 13, 2005Good news for fans of Martha Stewart. Her new syndicated series, "Martha," is available to local viewers after all at least local viewers with cable TV. Although "Martha" wasn't picked up by any of the local stations, The Learning Channel (cable channel 47) will air same-day rebroadcasts at 6 p.m. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch) :// More streamers | Tuesday, September 13, 2005Entercom, as a company, is slowly rolling out audio streaming of their radio stations over the Internet. Two, in Hampton Roads, that are now up and running are Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ/104.5 (z104.com) and Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE (pointradio.com). Max Media will soon offer streaming for its new Classic Hits/AC "92-9 The Wave" WVBW (929thewave.com). :// Anchor returns, meteorologist leaves | Tuesday, September 13, 2005 UPDATED: "13NEWS" (WVEC/ABC) Anchor Regina Mobley has completed her "tour of duty," following Norfolk-based Navy ships on their relief and rescue mission in the Gulf Coast region. Regina resumes her anchoring duties at WVEC immediately, with great stories to tell.  In exchange, chief meteorologist Jeff Lawson has been sent down to Belo sister station "Eyewitness News" WWL-TV (4/CBS) to act as a "pinch-hitter" meteorologist for the station during their near-nonstop coverage of Hurricane Katrina and her aftermath. Starting this past Saturday, Lawson has been sharing in the weather duties at WWL. A live stream of WWL's coverage can be found at both WVEC.com and WWLTV.com.As to why Lawson (or anyone) would be needed to help out, WWL found themselves in a worst-case scenario. Of their original team of four weathercasters, two had recently left the station, and the wife of another went into labor as the storm approached. He stayed on during the worst of the storm, but then took leave to look after his wife and new child. That left WWL with only one available meteorologist to cover the aftermath. Lawson is one of a handful of meteorologists from across the Belo family of stations called upon to relieve WWL's strained one-man weather team. NEW: Lawson has returned to WVEC. Although he had been called down to Belo sister station WWL-TV (4/CBS) in New Orleans, the impending arrival of Hurricane Ophelia made him end his WWL stint early to come back and help out on the "homefront." :// Wave morning show debuts | Monday, September 12, 2005 UPDATED: Max Media Classic Hits/AC "92-9 The Wave" WVBW debuted their new morning show this morning after 6 a.m. Dick Lamb, Paul Richardson and Jennifer Roberts anchor a nameless morning show but they are asking listeners to give it one. "The Breakfast Bunch" name can't be used... it's the "property" of cross-town Entercom AC "2WD" WWDE/101.3, Lamb's and Richardson's former home. So for now, it's "Dick Lamb and the Formerly Original Breakfast Bunch." Here's how it sounded when Lamb cracked the mike for the first time on The Wave. Lamb welcomed several "guests" to his show this morning including Rita Bodine and former co-host LeAnne Rains.The station's website is now LIVE; which shows PD Mike Allen to getting his old slot on 92.9 at 3 p.m. and The Wave will unveil a new "Listen Live" link in the near future. :// Woes at WHRO mean the end of local TV programming WHRO's open-door policy in question | Sunday, September 11, 2005 Gallows humor is rampant these days at WHRO. It’s not uncommon for staffers to hail each other in the hallways of the public broadcasting station’s studios on Hampton Boulevard with the greeting, “Oh, you’re still here?”Present and former employees alike say there is a pervasive atmosphere of fear and insecurity at the station as its management responds to funding woes by shedding staffers. During the past four years, WHRO has cut its staff from 103 to 79, a 23 percent drop. The departed employees include engineers, announcers, fundraisers and producers, some with 20-plus years of service. (read more - The Virginian Pilot)... “WHRO will be an open, accountable organization,” the local public broadcasting outlet pledges in its strategic plan. But on two occasions in the past two years, that open-door policy has been called into question. In early 2004 David Wigand, a Pulaski County resident, submitted a request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act seeking the salaries of WHRO employees. Salaries of the station’s top executives are disclosed on its tax return, which is a public document. But Wigand wanted to know everyone’s salary. WHRO refused his request. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot) :// Norfolk Admirals announces multi-station deal for 2005-06 | Saturday, September 10, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... (T)he Norfolk Admirals (of the American Hockey League) announced they have signed a multi-station deal to broadcast all Admirals games for the 2005-06 campaign. This year, all regular season and playoff games will be simulcast on 670-AM WPMH, 1270-AM WTJZ and a third station to be added at a later date.“We’re very excited about the radio broadcast opportunities this season,” said Admirals’ Vice President Pat Dunn. “With a simulcast on three stations, we can reach more listeners throughout Hampton Roads than we were previously able. Admirals fans all over the Peninsula and the South Side will be able to enjoy our games.” 670-AM WPMH and the additional station to be added will cover South Side Hampton Roads and parts of the Peninsula, while 1270-AM WTJZ out of Newport News will be the first Peninsula-based station to carry Admirals hockey. In addition to all games, the stations will feature the weekly Admirals Hour Call-In show. “This is a great opportunity for us to broadcast the Admirals this season,” stated regional Vice President and General Manager for the radio stations, Henry Hoot, who previously worked with the Admirals at 1650-AM. “We’re looking forward to bringing Admirals hockey to many more listeners throughout the region than ever before.” Editor's note: As I wrote last year and more than ever applies now, the Admirals' radio broadcasts have been all over the AM dial. The first two seasons in the AHL (2000-02), the club was on "Timeless Classics" WHKT/1650 (now Radio Disney). For the 2002-03 season, it was Hot Talker "1450 The Buzz" WBVA (now silent). For the 2003-04 season, they were heard on Saga Communications' Standards "Hampton Roads' Joy" WJOI/1230. Last year, the team was on Barnstable Broadcasting's (now a Davidson Media Group Spanish outlet) "FOX Sports Radio 1050" WCMS... :// NBC12 antenna project | Saturday, September 10, 2005During September, NBC12 (WWBT/Richmond) will continue the transition to the digital era with the replacement of a section of our tower and the antenna. "Our timeline calls for the majority of the work to be done on weekends and in the overnight hours, weather permitting," explains Don Richards, NBC12 General Manager. (read more - NBC12.com) :// 'Good Morning' makes splash in Charlottesville TV scene | Friday, September 9, 2005 So you want to start a morning-news show, but you're not sure where to start. Well, OK, first, you need to find people whose idea of coming into work at midnight isn't no, not for me, sorry. Those people then need to be able to get along - the last thing that anybody wants when they wake up and turn on the TV for the local news is to see people with dour looks on their faces who appear to want to be anywhere but where they are. With checks in both of those columns, you would be on your way. (read more - Augusta Free Press) :// Willis stations lend a helping hand | Friday, September 9, 2005Willis stations WGPL/1350 Portsmouth, WPCE/1400 Portsmouth and WCPK/1600 Chesapeake are having daily broadcasts with Bishop L.E. Willis to raise money for the American Red Cross in support for the Katrina victims/survivors. Bishop Willis is on the air 2:30-3 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. :// WVEC news | Friday, September 9, 2005"13NEWS" WVEC (ABC) Hampton/Norfolk weekend anchor/investigative reporter Ramona Parks will be leaving the station later this month. She's been plucked to work (in a yet-to-be-known role) at Belo sister station "11NEWS" KHOU-TV (CBS) Houston. Her tenure at WVEC began back in 2001, coming from Richmond, rising from general assignment reporter to investigator and weekend anchor. Channel 13 says that they are still working out her departure date... You might have noticed two WVEC faces reporting from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Anchor Regina Mobley is down there, mainly following the efforts of local Navy ships in the disaster relief. Reporter Wayne Carter is also down there. A native of the area, he's on the ground reporting for both WVEC and lending a hand to crippled Belo sister WWL-TV (4/CBS). Carter has family in the area and, and it's believed, his folks are okay, although communications are very spotty at best. The WWL's studios were inundated after the levee breaches, and are currently broadcasting through the facilities of Louisiana Educational TV Authority's WLPB (27/PBS) Baton Rouge. Belo doesn't know how long it'll be until WWL can move back to their facilities, if at all. Oddly, though, it was recently announced that they would be getting a new building, scheduled for completion around 2007... :// CBS6 adds Sunday morning news | Friday, September 9, 2005 UPDATED: Raycom Media "CBS6" WTVR Richmond announced on air yesterday during its 5 p.m. newscast that the station plans to expand its weekend newscasts to include Sunday mornings. Starting this weekend, Lee Mahaffey and Meteorologist Ros Runner will anchor both Saturday and Sunday mornings. The weekend morning newscasts will broadcast from 6 to 8:00 a.m., directly competing with news on Young Broadcasting's "8NEWS" WRIC (ABC) Petersburg/Richmond. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch):// Owner pushes variety of new radio station | Friday, September 9, 2005With slogans like "the fun part is never knowing what's coming up next," Richmond's new radio station, 98.9 Liberty (WWLB), promises to play anything. By anything, the owners of the new FM station mean music from as recent as this year and as distant as the '60s. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch) :// Dick Lamb wakes up! | Thursday, September 8, 2005Dick Lamb was heard in a commercial early this morning on Max Media's Classic Hits/AC "92-9 The Wave" WVBW. In it, his name was never mentioned, but he spoke (as if waking up) about "six months isn't as long as it used to be, now I can't watch Katie and Matt...," and "this was a good idea (sarcastically)." Listen here. :// Nobody's watching | Wednesday, September 7, 2005UPDATED: We took a look at yesterday's ratings for Hampton Roads TV stations and it keeps getting worse for WTKR. Albeit just one day, WTKR's newscasts all placed last except at noon, sometimes placing fourth and fifth. At 5 p.m., the news on 3 placed fifth behind the news on WVEC (13/ABC) and WAVY (10/NBC) and entertainment programs Maury Povich (WVBT, 43/FOX) and Girlfriends (WGNT, 27/UPN) at that half hour. Same story at 6, placing fifth. For the half hour at 11, the station got beat by WAVY and WVEC plus Good Times on UPN27 and King of Queens on FOX43 (from 11:15-11:30 it was sixth, behind Will & Grace on "WB33" WTVZ). :// Randles off the air, can it get worse? | Wednesday, September 7, 2005We first reported that Tom Randles was stepping down as one of WTKR's (3/CBS, Norfolk) primary anchors after Friday, September 9. Well, his time came yesterday. He was taken off the air. Randles' contract expires at the end of the year but station management chose not to renew it. Randles was with Channel 3 for over 12½ years, most recently anchoring the “NewsChannel 3” newscast at 5 p.m. and co-anchoring the 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts with Barbara Ciara... :// New VP/GM named in C-ville | Tuesday, September 6, 2005 The Charlottesville Radio Group (Saga Communications Charlottesville) has announced that Dennis Mockler will serve as the cluster's new Vice President and General Manager, replacing it's former owner Brad Eure. Mockler recently resigned from a similiar position with NextMedia Group (Joliet, Aurora/Naperville IL) which has several stations in the Chicago suburbs (WCCQ/98.3, WERV/96.7, WSSR/96.7, WRXO/100.7, WJOL/1340). At CRG, he will run "NewsTalk 1070" WINA, Rocker "3WV" WWWV/97.5, Soft AC "Z95" WQMZ/95.1 and a "new AM station expected to go on the air in a few months.":// More Katrina relief | Tuesday, September 6, 2005The Mel Wheeler radio stations (WFIR, WSLC-FM, WSLQ, WVBE) did a radiothon last week and brought in over $525,000 from Roanoke/Lynchburg listeners. Danny Meyers and Zack Jackson from the "K92 Mornin' Thang" and Dick Daniels and Dave Page of Q99's "The Breakfast Club" did 12 to 30 hour shifts. :// WFLS jock featured | Tuesday, September 6, 2005Afternooner/Imaging Director Mike Vincent of Free Lance-Star's Country WFLS/93.3 Fredericksburg is featured this week on AllAccess.com's "10 Questions With..." in the site's Country section. :// Richmond JACKed | Tuesday, September 6, 2005Main Line Broadcasting just recently announced the acquisition of the MainQuad Richmond (WARV/100.3, WBBT/107.3 and Richmond Broadcasting's WJZV/93.1) stations last week including WCUL/98.9 Midlothian. Variety Hits "Liberty 98.9, The Freedom To Choose" is on the air, playing music from the 60s through today. Some sampling... Boston's "Amanda," Rod Stewart's "Love Touch," Pablo Cruise's "Whatcha Gonna Do," Tom Cochran's "Life Is A Highway," Peter Gabriel's "Solisbury Hill." More to come... Stay tuned.:// More on The Tide on 92.3 | Tuesday, September 6, 2005Davis Media, LLC is delighted with the acquisition of 92.3 (WSRV Deltaville/Gloucester) and excited to bring Triple A programming to Williamsburg and the (P)eninsulas. Davis Media President Tom Davis said, "There are a lot of listeners in this region starved for the music that never gets played (Dave Matthews, Counting Crows, Norah Jones, Bruce Hornsby!). In addition – no new music is heard out of the mostly corporately owned jukeboxes." Davis went on to say that once things are settled on 92.3, the new second home of the Tide, they will have "more, exciting plans for expanding programming options on 107.9 fm; which will happen around the first of next year." :// Former Breakfast Bunch to return | Tuesday, September 6, 2005The Virginian-Pilot's Larry Bonko says this morning that Dick Lamb and Paul Richardson will return to the air next Monday (September 12) on Max Media's Classic Hits/AC "92-9 The Wave" WVBW Suffolk/Norfolk. Richardson and Lamb will compete directly with the new Breakfast Bunch with Jennifer Pulley and Ted Alexander on Entercom's AC "2WD" WWDE/101.3. The Wave's yet to be named morning show, will have Jennifer Roberts as its third co-host/news person.:// WVHL disaster relief | Saturday, September 3, 2005FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Kickin' Country 92.9 (WVHL/Farmville) is having a disaster relief radiothon this coming Tuesday, September 6th, from 6AM to 12 Midnight. There are two ways you can give:
-or- 2. Give by credit card at www.redcross.org :// F-burg cluster provides help | Saturday, September 3, 2005FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... UPDATED: The Free Lance-Star Radio Group of stations (WFLS/93.3, WYSK/99.3, WWUZ/96.9) in Fredericksburg, Virginia began broadcasting from the Four Mile Fork Shopping Center Friday morning (video link) at 5 a.m. to raise money for the American Red Cross relief effort and load a tractor trailer -- or two - with bottled water, diapers, canned goods and hand can openers. It supposed to go until 1 p.m. and everyone thought that would be a stretch. BUT by popular demand it was continued into the afternoon and early evening wrapping up at 7 p.m. By that time, 12 tractor trailers and nine buses from locally based Martz Motor Coach Company had been loaded with the items and sent on their way. Martz, working with FEMA, had plans to send 15 buses to the Gulf Coast region to transport evacuees and decided why drive them there empty and offered to fill as many as necessary and then head south. As the day wore on, we realized this was getting big. No... this was getting huge. The call went out to local businesses for pallets and shrink wrap and they came through in flying colors as more trucks arrived to help. One D.C. area TV station, WTTG, learned of our project in advance and reported LIVE from the site throughout their morning program and again at noon. WRC-TV filed reports during their late afternoon newscasts. People who couldn’t get to the site and write a check, called the radio stations to ask how they could get a check to the Red Cross and we gave them the local address and phone number. The money came in all amounts and from people of all ages and sizes, from three year olds who had opened their piggy banks to senior citizens offering a few dollars to local business owners who wrote checks of $1,000, 2,000, $10,000 and one who wrote a check for $40,000. When it was over there was exhaustion on the part of those who had worked tirelessly from sun up to sun down, as they had loaded 12 tractor trailers, nine buses and had collected $460,000 for the American Red Cross. But there was also a sense of having done something for their fellow human being. :// Jock comes off the air | Saturday, September 2, 2005CORRECTED: Sandi Connor, middays on Centennial Broadcasting's Oldies "BOB FM" (WZZI/101.5 Vinton/Roanoke, WZZU/97.9 Lynchburg), is off the programming side and now in sales. According to her old station bio, she's been in the Roanoke/Lynchburg radio scene for over 20 years. :// As we speculated, Oldies gets blown up on The Pen | Friday, September 2, 2005 Davis Media recently announced the pending purchase of Bullseye Broadcasting's Oldies "Surf 92.3" WSRV Deltaville. We also knew Davis Media's The Tide took out two URLs (web addresses) for it's West Point/Williamsburg station Triple A "107.9 The Tide" WTYD - 1079thetide.com and tideradio.com. They chose to use tideradio.com, a generic name. We now hear that WSRV is simulcasting WTYD, bringing the Triple A format to the entire Peninsula. The Tide can be heard from Hampton/Newport News to east of Richmond. We also hear that the entire Surf staff has been let go including Steve Thomas, Ron Jeffries, AC "Kahuna" Walker, and Jimmy Steele...Could the Southside of Hampton Roads be next? Steve Hegwood's On Top Communications (WWHV/102.1 Virginia Beach) is in dire straits. :// Thank you to the Hampton Roads Broadcast Community from the Red Cross | Friday, September 2, 2005FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... A quick note to thank you and tell you how amazing the Hampton Roads broadcast community has been in supporting the Red Cross in the past week. The response has been overwhelming in helping us raise funds for those affected by Katrina and telling the story of our work down there. In your 'hard-hitting' industry, behind it all, we very well know about the big heart you and your stations have. :// Cool 92.1 announces on-air line up | Friday, September 2, 2005 Clear Channel Norfolk recently announced their on air personality schedule for the newly created Oldies "Cool 92.1" WCDG Moyock.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Gary Jeff Walker from Classic Rock "The Fox 92.5" WOFX Cincinnati 3 p.m.-7 p.m. – Scott Miller from "Oldies 108" WSRZ/107.9 Coral Cove/Sarasota 7 p.m.-midnight – Tom Kent (nationally syndicated) | Friday, September 2, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Hampton radio station WLRT-1490 (The Outlaw) will host a 50-hour marathon to raise money to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. The show (began) at 4PM on Thursday afternoon and conclude at 6pm on Saturday evening. All monies received will be passed directly to the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, or to the relief organization designated on the check... With the original broadcast from WLRT 1490 the Outlaw the entire broadcast will be streamed worldwide on the web on www.Racetalklive.com...Most of the 50-hour show will be live from the 1490 studios in the Russo Village Shopping Center at 2845 North Armistead Avenue in Hampton. The show will move to a remote studio at nearby Langley Speedway for its wrap-up on Saturday at 1pm. This is the station’s third such benefit marathon, coming seven years after its 1st telecast 50-hour effort provided money, cash, food and household goods for victims of wildfires in Florida. And most recently to aid those affected by Hurricane Isabel in 2003. General Manager Chuck Hall once again will anchor the broadcast, “Our area suffered extensively from Hurricane Isabel two years ago, when many families lost almost everything they had. We know something of what the Gulf States are going through. We want to reach out to them just as many areas reached out to us two years ago.’’ Hall said. The station’s local on-air personalities, plus racing celebrities from Langley Speedway, also other regional tracks will be involved. Some of them will be on hand to accept donations at the studio and at Langley Speedway. There also will be check drop-off locations at several businesses throughout Hampton Roads. Listeners are urged to make donations to help victims in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. “We’re reaching out to everyone in Hampton Roads to raise as much as we can to benefit the victims of this terrible natural disaster.’’ said Bucky Bennett, the station’s Programming Director. :// More Katrina relief | Friday, September 2, 2005FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Clear Channel Norfolk Stations 103 Jamz, KISS 105.3, LITE FM 107.7 and The New COOL FM 92.1 have all come together today, September 2nd, 2005 to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina…Beginning at 6am this morning, and concluding at 6pm tonight…Clear Channel Norfolk is working to raise over $100,000 with the support of the American Red Cross… In addition, on 103 Jamz with any pledge over $20 listeners can request and hear their favorite song…any song… The Clear Channel Request for Relief is live on the air until 6pm tonight… :// Katrina relief | Friday, September 2, 2005FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Clear Channel stations in the Roanoke/Lynchburg market, including JAMMIN JJS, Sunny FM, WYYD and The Bull held a water drive all day Tuesday and Wednesday in Roanoke and Thursday in Lynchburg. Listeners brought bottled water, gallons, jugs, etc. This truly was a sight to see... listeners driving up with pick-up trucks full of water they needed to be tied down... listeners who took up a collection at work... companies who sent their delivery trucks to Sam's Club and almost cleaned out their inventory. The idea was to pack a 48-foot semi truck with water. Once full, it would head south to the Gulf states. We also accepted cash donations which would be used to buy more water. The response was crazy. Here are the latest figures... FIVE semi trucks were filled from the 2 days in Roanoke!! And another THREE filled from the event in Lynchburg. YEAH...for a total of EIGHT!! A brand new classified ad has been posted on VARTV. Mainline Communications Richmond (WJZV/93.1, WARV/100.3, WBBT/107.3, WCUL/98.9) is looking for five people for advertising sales. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (9/1/05) :// Max Media helps the community fill-up their gas tanks | Thursday, September 1, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... With the recent increases in gas prices, Max Media wants to help take the sting out of people’s wallets. 97.3 The Eagle personality, Mark McKay will hit the streets today during lunch showing “Random Acts of Kindness” by stopping at several gas stations and simply giving individuals CASH to assist in filling up their gas tanks. 100.5 MAX FM ‘s personality, Jay Slater and STAR 94.1 personality, Stephanie Thomas will do the same on Friday morning and Friday afternoon. People at the pumps will be surprised when they are given CASH to help fill up their vehicles.:// Cox Communications Hampton Roads raising cable and telephone rates | Thursday, September 1, 2005 Beginning October 1, Cox is increasing the rate on all of its cable TV tiers. The Limited Service increases $1.26/mo to $11/mo. But for most customers, the increase is $2.06/mo to $43.35/mo for the Cox Standard Service, an almost 5% increase over the current rate.Other changes include an increase in the rental of digital cable and analog receivers to $5.50/mo, an increase of 10%. If you have more than one digital cable outlet, there is now a flat fee of $5/mo, unlimited outlets. No rate changes for premium channels (HBO, Showtime, etc), HD Service, or DVR Service. On September 22, On Demand channel 499 moves to channel 1, TV Guide Channel moves from 75 to 96 and TNT-HD is added to the HD Service. On November 16, Starz! will no longer be available on (analog) channel 53 (digital cable only). For Cox Digital Telephone customers, the monthly rate increases $1.80, an increase of ~12%. Entercom Norfolk (WPTE/94.9, WVKL.95.7, WWDE/101.3, WNVZ/104.5) raised more than $250,000. yesterday from its on air fund-raising efforts for Hurricane Katrina victims..... (9/1/05):// HD news | Thursday, September 1, 2005DirecTV has announced that the service will add ESPN2-HD to it's line-up on September 8. No word on the channel number... Cox Communications Hampton Roads has announced the addition of TNT-HD to it's high definition line-up on September 22. TNT-HD will be on channel 766. :// FCC grants CP | Thursday, September 1, 2005The FCC grants a CP (construction permit) to the religious outlet Educational Media Corp (EMC) for a new noncommercial educational (NCE) FM station on 89.5 Spotsylvania, SE of Fredericksburg. VARTV reported back in June that the FCC had two mutually exclusive applications for permits for 89.5 serving different communities for the Class A station. The FCC "chose" EMC's application. EMC, headed up by Pete Stover, is based in Spotsylvania. The station already has new call letters... WWED. News Archives.....  |
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