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 :// HD Radio: Clear potential, but uncertain future  | Sunday, April 30, 2006  HD Radio has spent most of this decade in the "huh?" category of customer awareness. In its early days, this technology for digital AM and FM broadcasts required $1,000 worth of hardware -- if you could find it -- and a search for a station that was actually serving up an HD radio signal.Today, you can buy an HD radio for $300, take it home and start tuning into almost 20 FM and AM stations offering HD in the Washington area. (read more - The Washington Post)
| Sunday, April 30, 2006Two Rivers Communications newly acquired Standards "Windy105" WNDJ/104.9 White Stone had the wind taken out of its sail yesterday when the Group dumped the format to start a simulcast with sister station AC "101-7 Bay FM" WKWI Kilmarnock. We hear, though, this is temporary and a new format for Northern Neck listeners on 104.9 could debut later this week. Stay tuned!
| Sunday, April 30, 2006Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corp (CPBC) is using its LMA with Chapter VII Bankruptcy Trustee R. Clinton Stackhouse, Jr on WVAB Virginia Beach to debut a new station called "AM 1550 The Praise." The Gospel formatted station debuted just a couple of days ago. WVAB was silent for almost a year before CPBC entered into the LMA with Stackhouse. When WVAB first returned to the air in February, it started with a simulcast of Adult Christian AC WWIP/89.1 Cheriton then went into a simulcast with Christian Talk WPMH/670 Claremont, WBVA/1450 Bayside (Virginia Beach).
| Sunday, April 30, 2006It's been a crazy two years for Clear Channel CHR "Jammin' JJS" WJJS/106.1 Vinton/Roanoke, WJJX/101.7 Lynchburg night slammer Jake Glenn. Good news is it was recently announced that Glenn earned his AMD (Assistant Music Director) stripes from WJJS/WJJX PD Cisqo.
| Saturday, April 29, 2006 Gray Television "TV3" WHSV (ABC) Harrisonburg 5 p.m. Anchor/Augusta County bureau chief Amy Kehm has left the station; moving on after nearly four years in the Shenandoah Valley. Kehm is jumping 140 markets for a reporting and producing job at Allbritton Communications "ABC27" WHTM Harrisburg PA. Kehm is no stranger to eastern Pennsylvania, prior to her work at WHSV, Kehm worked as a producer at Blue Ridge Cable in Lehighton; an assignment editor at WFMZ Allentown; and a news update anchor at WGAL Lancaster. She has also done internships at stations in Philadelphia and New York City. Kehm said her on-air goodbye to "TV3" viewers Friday afternoon.
Ingraham joins The Outlaw | Saturday, April 29, 2006 Laura Ingraham is joining the on-air line-up of Hampton Radio II's "1490 The Outlaw" WLRT Hampton. Ingraham will follow the "Imus In The Morning" show from 10 a.m. to noon. This is the same time slot her show had in Hampton Roads on Sinclair Communications "TalkRadio 850" WTAR Norfolk. That format was dumped for FOX Sports Radio at the end of January 2006. Ingraham's show debuts on WLRT on Monday, May 1.
| Friday, April 28, 2006 Paul Hecht, the former Chief Engineer at WAVY/10 Portsmouth, passed away Tuesday night. Hecht started at WAVY before it went on the air in September 1957. He retired from the station in 1987. Before that, he worked at WCPO/9 Cincinnati OH and worked the first Reds baseball showed on TV in 1949. More about Hecht can be found at sbe54.org
 Two new classified ads have been posted on VARTV yesterday. Max Media Hampton Roads is looking to staff up Rocker "100.5 MAX FM" WXMM with a new midday jock. Telemedia Fredericksburg (WGRQ, WGRX) is seeking a Sales Manager for the 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..... (4/28/06)
Canned from WAVY? | Thursday, April 27, 2006  Andy Fox, a television reporter or WAVY TV-10 who specializes in “road rebel” reports, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol early today by Virginia Beach police.Fox was stopped in the 200 block of 59th Street at about 4 a.m., according to Rene Ball, spokeswoman for the Virginia Beach Police Department. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot) (read more - Daily Press) (read more - WAVY.com) Editor's Note: This isn' t the first run in with the law for Fox with alcohol. And apparently, Wavy has had enough. Fox's bio had been pulled from wavy.com but now has been restored on a different page. We also hear that Channel 10 will be reporting on the arrest tonight at 5, 5:30 and 6... whoosh!!!.
| Wednesday, April 26, 2006Gray Television's "TV3" WHSV (ABC) Harrisonburg debuted its new news set on Monday. Check out the video of the deconstruction of the old set and construction of the new one.
| Wednesday, April 26, 2006UPDATED: Entercom and Clear Channel announced today (April 25) the new HD2 radio channels coming to its clusters in Hampton Roads.
| Tuesday, April 25, 2006AllAccess.com reports that night slammer Davis on Clear Channel CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 Richmond has landed a gig in Los Angeles to do voicework for Studio Center Worldwide Audio. Nights at Q94 are wide open.
| Tuesday, April 25, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Introducing... RadioInsight.com! Radioinsight is a new site dedicated to the discussion of the radio industry, formats, stations and personalities. Radioinsight takes the concept of a discussion board to the next level with a new board... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Several Virginia PDs are involved are with various channels, we hear | Monday, April 24, 2006Clear Channel Radio today announced it is making programming for some 75 entirely new radio channels available to rival radio broadcasters. The original audio, video and text programming will be the foundation for Internet channels, station Web sites, iPods, satellite broadcasts, in-vehicle navigation systems, and HD digital radio multicasts. The elements, developed by the company’s Content Research & Development Group, are the product of a previously secret initiative now called the Format Lab. (read more - Clear Channel)
Hampton Roads included in new announcement | Monday, April 24, 2006The HD Digital Radio Alliance, a joint initiative of leading radio broadcasters to accelerate the rollout of HD digital radio, today announced the second wave of local markets that will begin broadcasting HD2 multicast programming under the Alliance’s format-selection program.HD2 multicasts will now be available in 50 markets (including 42 of the top 50) – more than six months ahead of schedule. The number of new radio stations created under the initiative now tops 450. (read more - HDRadio.com)
A new classified ad has been posted on VARTV over the weekend. Free Lance Star Radio (WFLS, WYSK, WWUZ) is in search of their next Morning News Anchor/Beat 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..... (4/24/06)
| Monday, April 24, 2006 93.3 WFLS Fredericksburg raised $132,000 over the weekend in their 3rd annual Children's Miracle Network radiothon. The 30-hour campaign was spearheaded Morning Man Brian Strobel and Afternoon Driver Mike Vincent. This year set a record for WFLS, topping the $83,000 tote that marked the end of last year's event. Every dollar goes directly to Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. More details can be found online at www.wfls.com
Cost, likelihood of low use cited as reasons for not utilizing FM tower | Thursday, April 20, 2006 A plan to broadcast emergency messages to Henrico County residents is in distress.After two-plus years of studying enhancements to an FM station radio tower used by the schools -- and spending about $115,000 on the idea -- supervisors are expected to scrap it, citing the cost of the project and likely infrequency of use. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Wednesday, April 19, 2006Cox Radio Alternative "Y101" WDYL/101.1 Richmond has tapped Milwaukee Radio Alliance Alternative "102-One" WLUM Milwaukee WI middayer Jessica Lee for MD/afternoons. Lee replaces Fletcher who exited in February and resurfaced as Dustin Matthews at Adventure Radio "Rock 106.1" WFXH Hilton Head Island SC/Savannah GA as that station's new PD and afternoon guy. Lee starts her new duties at WDYL on Monday, May 15. To find out more about her, check out her page on MySpace.com.
| Monday, April 17, 2006Davidson Media Group with stations in Richmond (WLEE/990, WTOX/1480, WVNZ/1320, WREJ/1540) and Hampton Roads (WVXX/1050) has completely redone their corporate website at davidsonmediagroup.com... Free Lance Radio Group Alternative WYSK/99.3 Fredericksburg website gets a makeover at WYSK.com. The station is now streaming their audio over the Internet thru their new website... (4/17/2006)
| Monday, April 17, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Ira Titus "Buddy" Lowe Jr., 85, of Harrisonburg, entered into Paradise April 7, 2006, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg. Buddy was born May 26, 1920, in Shepherdstown, W.Va., and was the son of the late Ira Titus Lowe Sr. and Ethel Mauck Lowe. Buddy was chief engineer at WHSV-TV in Harrisonburg for 36 years. He served in the U.S. Navy and received his BS Degree from Georgia Tech. He was a member of the Harrisonburg Lions Club for 50 years, a member of the Elks Club, the American Legion Post in Luray, and the Muhlenberg Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg. His wife, Anna Batman Lowe, preceded him in death. He is survived by a son, Ira Titus Lowe III, Berryville; two grandchildren, Ira Michael Lowe and wife, Kim, Andrew Dylan Lowe; and two great-granddaughters. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, 2006, at the Muhlenberg Lutheran Church. The Rev. Joseph Vought will conduct the service. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Muhlenberg Lutheran Church, 281 East Market St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801. Arrangements are by Kyger Funeral Homes & Crematory in Harrisonburg.
| Friday, April 14, 2006Sinclair Communications CHR "The Zone @ 106.1" WZNR Poquoson/Norfolk afternooner Haze has accepted an offer for the new night slammer slot at Clear Channel CHR "Z107.7" KSLZ St Louis. The Zone PD Jay Michaels commented, "Haze has been a tremendous part of the Zone's success and to say the least (I) am extremely saddened by this. However I am excited to see such a talented and a genuinely great guy move up the ranks of the radio industry. I am very proud." Haze joined The Zone from Clear Channel CHR "Channel 96-3" KZCH Wichita KS on March 28 of last year. His first day at The Z is Monday, May 1. This leaves a great opening at WZNR. If you are living the Top 40 lifestyle, can work the phones, can make a lot of appearances, love to deal with the public, and can turn out some cool production from time to time, rush the MP3 and resume to JAY MICHAELS at jaymichaels@sinclairstations.com for this EEO post.
| Friday, April 14, 2006
Gray Television's "TV3" WHSV (ABC) Harrisonburg is undergoing a major on-air transformation. The station is building new sets in its Harrisonburg and Augusta County studios.We hear it's a project that has taken months of planning by WHSV management. The new sets will feature the latest technology and the most modern set design elements. Insiders promise it will "blow away the competition." Anchors will report the news from a temporary set in Harrisonburg while construction takes place. The word is that the new look will debut just in time for May sweeps. Stay tuned...
Main Line Broadcasting's Rockin' Country "93.1 The Wolf" Ettrick/Richmond has changed its call letters from WJZV to WLFV effective yesterday, Thursday, April 13..... (4/14/2006)
| Friday, April 14, 2006 The Washington Nationals are the big league baseball team closest to Hampton Roads. You'd never know it, though, by the TV coverage of their games. What coverage, you might ask? If you're a new Nats fan, or just a curious viewer, you've probably wondered why the team isn't on TV here. Even an ESPN game last week between the Mets and Nationals was blacked out in Southeastern Virginia. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)Editor's Note: Also covered in Bob Molinaro's column, the NFL's decision to ban local TV station cameras off of the football field.
| Thursday, April 13, 2006We lost a beloved colleague who's been a part of us for more than three decades. Photojournalist Ernie Moore passed away suddenly today doing the job to which he had dedicated much of his life, whether covering hurricanes on the coast or a community event with 12 About Town, Ernie was there working long hours to bring you the story. To say that Ernie will be missed is an understatement. (read more - NBC12.com)
Richmond's WPZZ, WKJS/WKJM, WCDX, WROU included in announcement | Wednesday, April 12, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Metro Networks, a Westwood One company, announced today a multi-year renewal agreement to be the exclusive provider of traffic content services to Radio One, Inc. As part of the agreement, Metro Networks renews all existing 63 station affiliations in 20 markets, as well as adds Radio One’s new station WVGC-AM News/Talk in Miami. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 East Carolina Radio Group's Country "Dixie 105.7" WRSF Columbia/Elizabeth City NC OM/PD/MD/afternooner (whoa...) Tom Charity recently announced that new morning co-host Uncle Ray Turner is the station's new Program Director. Charity now concentrates on his OM duties for the cluster (WRSF, WERX/102.5, WKJX/96.7, WOBR/95.3, WOBX/98.1, WCNC/1240, WZBO/1260, WOBX/1530) and continues as the station's Music Director.
| Tuesday, April 11, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... You will soon have more choices while watching television. NBC29 is proud to announce that we will be affiliated with the new CW television network coming this fall. CW29 will be a digital television station available to viewers on our digital channel 29.3.CW29 will be the exclusive home of the new network for the Charlottesville and Harrisonburg television markets. The CW Network will combine the best shows of the current UPN and WB networks including favorites like "Everybody Hates Chris," "Smallville," "The Gilmore Girls," and "WWE Smackdown." NBC29 will also produce a 10 p.m. newscast, seven days a week for the new channel. We will have much more information on the new network in the coming weeks.
A new classified ad has been posted on VARTV today. CBS O&O "UPN27" WGNT Portsmouth/Norfolk is in search of their next Master Control 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..... (4/11/06)
The CW Television Network officially announced yesterday that Waterman Broadcasting's "NBC29" WVIR Charlottesville will be The CW affiliate for Charlottesville and Harrisonburg. WVIR will carry The CW over-the-air on their digital station..... (4/11/2006)
| Monday, April 10, 2006 ... from radio, that is. Former 2WD (WWDE/101.3 Hampton) morning co-host and former WTKR (3/CBS) Norfolk anchor LeAnn Raines has been filling in for Jennifer Roberts on Max Media Classic Hits/AC "92-9 The Wave" WVBW Suffolk/Norfolk. Raines is teamed up with former on-air pals Dick Lamb and Paul Richardson on WVBW's "The Morning Wave" while Roberts is on maternity leave after having Baby Nicholas on March 21.  Beginning tonight, another former 2WD airstaff member will be filling-in all week for vacationing Kristi Michael on Sinclair Communications Adult/Variety Hits "93-7 BOB FM" WPYA Chesapeake. Jeff Moreau, the former APD/MD/afternooner at WWDE, will be heard on BOB FM from 7 p.m. to midnight. Interestingly, it's been just over six months since Moreau has been on the air in Hampton Roads. Will this fill-in turn into something more permanent?
| Sunday, April 9, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WFLS-FM's news team has been named the state's Outstanding News Operation of the Year by the Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters. The award for non-metropolitan stations was presented at the VAPB's annual awards banquet last night in Richmond. It was one of several awards won by the station and its news staff. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
The list of winners from the Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Banquet & Awards Presentation held last night at the Radisson in Historic Richmond can be found in the VARTV Press Room..... (4/9/2006)
| Saturday, April 8, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WFLS News is the recipient of three regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in electronic journalism. The Radio Television News Directors Association announced the 2006 regional winners on Friday. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Saturday, April 8, 2006 The Radio-Television News Directors Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Murrow's pursuit of excellence in journalism embodies the spirit of the awards that carry his name. Murrow Award recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence that Edward R. Murrow made a standard for the broadcast news profession.
| Friday, April 7, 2006We are hearing that Rene Clark is leaving the General Sales Manager (GSM) post at CBS Radio Spanish "El Zol" WLZL/99.1 Annapolis/Washington/Baltimore to take over the GSM duties for Cox Radio Classic Rock "96.5 The Planet" WKLR Fort Lee/Richmond. Clark was formerly an AE (Account Executive) for Cox Radio Richmond three years ago.
| Friday, April 7, 2006 Standards "EZ 100.5" WZEZ Goochland says it might not be able to stay on the air. According to their website, "If you are a resident of Goochland County, we need your help to keep EZ 100.5 FM, WZEZ on the air. We are currently in the process of getting permission from Goochland County to build a new tower site on a wooded area on Route 250 just west of Route 522, the Gum Springs exit off of I-64. Without a conditional use permit from the county to build this new tower, WZEZ-FM will be forced off the air..." (read more - WZEZRadio.com)
| Friday, April 7, 2006Lincoln Financial Media "NBC12" WWBT Richmond morning co-anchor Andrea McDaniel is still with the station. She's been out with a broken foot. A station official says, "She is in the process of healing and we look forward to her return soon."
| Friday, April 7, 2006 Media General "Newschannel 10" WSLS (NBC) Roanoke Sports Director Justin Ditmore announced last night that his 6 p.m. sports report this evening (Friday, April 7) will be his last at the station. His contract was not renewed after being with the station nearly 15 years. John Appicello, a sports reporter at Allbritton's "ABC27" WHTM Harrisburg PA is Ditmore's replacement.
Two new classified ads have been posted on VARTV recently. The Highland Springs Technical Center is looking for a Radio Broadcasting Teacher and Free Lance-Star Radio's WFLS/93.3 is looking for a morning show co-host. 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..... (4/6/06)
Reporter leaps from Left Coast to Right Coast | Thursday, April 6, 2006 Several sources are telling us that New York Times "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk has already chosen Pat McReynolds as its new primary co-anchor. McReynolds hails from Belo Corp's "KING5" KING (NBC) Seattle where he has been a general assignment reporter since joining the station over four years ago. McReynolds isn't new to anchoring with stints at FOX O&O "FOX6" WBRC Birmingham AL, "Lex18" WLEX (NBC) Lexington KY, WGEM (10/NBC) Quincy IL and KOMU (8/NBC) Columbia MO according to his KING5 bio. McReynolds replaces Tom Randles who exited WTKR early September 2005.
| Wednesday, April 5, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Gray television’s CBS19 (WCAV), ABC16 (WVAW-LP), and WAHU FOX27 will be adding another sister station to its Charlottesville Newsplex stable of stations. Fox Broadcasting Company has announced that the MyNetworkTV affiliation for the Charlottesville market has been granted to the Gray Television group. MyNetworkTV is the latest creation from Fox... (read more - VARTV Press Room)Editor's Note: Gray did not state how viewers in Charlottesville will be able to see the MyTV net. Gray did recently request from the FCC to flash-cut "ABC16" WVAW-LP from analog to digital. If granted, Gray would turn off it's analog transmitter on channel 16 and immediately fire up its digital broadcasts on the same channel. With this switch, Gray could carry ABC on 16.1 with MyTV on 16.2. Stay tuned...
| Wednesday, April 5, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV13 receives two 2006 EDWARD R. MURROW REGIONAL AWARDS. 13NEWS AT 5:00 wins Newscast: large television market and WVEC.COM wins Website (broadcast-affiliated). “I am thrilled that we have won two very prestigious awards. While each of these awards is special in its own right, the fact we are competing against stations in larger markets, including Washington D.C., and Baltimore make these accomplishments even more gratifying,” said President and General Manager Nick Nicholson. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, April 5, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... ESPN Radio 950 WXGI announced today they will air approximately twenty five Washington National broadcasts during the 2006 season. The first game of the season on the air in Richmond is scheduled for April 6th in New York versus the Mets. The Washington Nationals have begun their second season in the District of Columbia after competing in Montreal since 1969. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, April 5, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Two Rivers Communications, Inc., owners of 101.7 BAY FM, Kilmarnock, VA, and WNDJ-FM, White Stone, VA, announced the appointment of Jay Atkins as Program Director today (Monday, April 3). "Jay represents the type of employee all employers value" said Bill Sherard, Managing Partner at Two Rivers. "He has a real sense of radio's obligation to the community, he has proven skills in broadcasting, plus he grew up right here in the area." (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, April 4, 2006Lockwood Broadcasting's "UPN Richmond" WUPV/65 Ashland/Richmond will be the CW Television Network affiliate in Richmond.CW announced Tuesday it had signed long-term affiliation agreements with Freedom Communications for four digital TV stations and with Lockwood Broadcasting Corp. for two TV stations and one digital station... (read more - MediaWeek)
| Tuesday, April 4, 2006WHRE/21 Virginia Beach President/GM Robert Copeland tells us that he has requested channel 20 on Cox Cable Hampton Roads' line-up. Copeland recently signed on the full-power UHF station serving all of Hampton Roads with an affiliation agreement with religious TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network). WHRE bumps HBO2 East off of channel 20. It can still be seen on Cox channel 152.
| Tuesday, April 4, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... CapSan Media, LLC today (Monday, April 3) announced it has signed an Asset Purchase Agreement to purchase (Classic Hit 104-9) WFMZ-FM, (Soft AC, The Wind 97.1) WYND-FM, (Rhythmic, Power 92.3) WZPR-FM, and (AAA, 99.1 The Sound) WVOD-FM, serving The Outer Banks of North Carolina and Elizabeth City, (metro rank 244) from Convergent Broadcasting, LLC. The closing of this transaction is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2006. The deal was brokered by Kalil and Co. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
WWBT now under Lincoln Financial Media | Tuesday, April 4, 2006 Jefferson-Pilot Communications, a TV and radio-station owner as well as owner of a sports production and syndication business, has a new name: Lincoln Financial Media. The name change follows the merger of Jefferson-Pilot Corp. into Lincoln National Corp. effective Monday. (read more - MediaWeek)
A new classified ad has been posted on VARTV today. East Carolina Radio's Active Rock "98X" WOBX/98.1 Manteo NC is looking for a well-rounded person to do on-air show, production, remotes, etc. 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..... (4/3/06)
The musical chairs of morning meteorologists at Raycom Media "CBS6" WTVR Richmond appears to have ended. Jennifer Haynes, WTVR's new morning meteorologist, made her debut this morning..... (4/3/2006)
| Saturday, April 1, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Alternative Broadcasting is pleased to announce that we have secured a construction permit for a low power FM frequency; channel 244 at 96.7mhz WYQZ, located in Warrenton VA. The exact area the station will cover still has yet to be determined; we plan to make several modifications to the current permit which we hope will significantly improve the signal. The station will be on the air by September, and while the specifics of the format have yet to be determined, current plans do include a cretin syndicated programming from Charlottesville’s WNRN.It should also be noted that this station is in addition to our ongoing effort in other parts of Northern Virginia, as well as our ultimate goal of a full power FM signal in the Washington DC area. We were recently asked to assist in the construction and management of this station. We will be releasing further information about plans for this station shortly. Editor's Note: We did receive a clarification from the current licensee of 96.7/Warrenton: "They (Alternative Broadcasting) have not secured a CP/License. They have however secured a broadcast partnership with Clark Communications, holder of the CP/License. They will help build and manage the station."
| Friday, March 31, 2006LIN TV WAVY (10/NBC) anchor Les Smith is back at work. He's been on "personal leave" for over the past six weeks. Smith will be back on the air Friday, March 31 at 6 p.m.
| Friday, March 31, 2006News Corp/FOX's My Network TV announced yesterday 30 more station affiliations including stations owned by Gray Television. MyTV will be seen this Fall on a digital multicast channel of Gray's WHSV-DT (ABC) Harrisonburg. What's interesting is that Gray Television has signed to have seven multicast affiliates of The CW network. Gray will have both (The CW and MyTV) digital multicast channels on an existing major network affiliated station in Panama City FL, Dothan AL and Meridian MS. Will The CW be coming to Harrisonburg too, via WHSV?Viewers in the Tri-Cities (Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City) will see MyTV on Glenwood Communications "UPN Tri-Cities" WAPK-CA/30. MyTV will replace UPN on WAPK and two other simulcasting sister stations (WAPG-CA/51, WAPW-CA/31). The new net will also be seen on a digital multicast channel of "ABC19" WKPT-DT.
| Thursday, March 30, 2006A collection of 10 large and small radio companies, along with four public-interest groups, have a plan they think will increase broadcast diversity and they’ve asked the FCC to waive certain rules, requiring the return of some AM licenses, so that this plan can take effect. At present, licensees with a station in the expanded band (1605-1705 kHz) actually hold two AM facilities... (read more - Billboard) Editor's Note: Radio Disney has an expanded band station in Hampton Roads -- WHKT/1650 Chesapeake. As of now, they will need to choose either WHKT/1650 or WRJR/1010 Portsmouth to stay on the air.
Positive Alternative Radio's "Virginia's Positive Hits" WPER/89.9 Culpeper//WJYJ/90.5 Fredericksburg has launched their brand new website at positivehits.org.
| Thursday, March 30, 2006Sometime in the wee hours this morning, VARTV broke another record for the amount of visitors and "page views" to the site. Who's reading this crappy little "blog" anyways?
| Wednesday, March 29, 2006The CW, the new TV network to debut from the combination of The WB and UPN, has announced more affiliation agreements. Grant Communications will carry The CW on one of the digital subchannels of WJPR-DT Lynchburg//WFXR-DT Roanoke. It will also replace cable-only outlet WBVA (The WB) with The CW this fall.With this new agreement, it leaves "UPN24" WDRL Danville/Roanoke in the market to go with FOX's MyTV (My Network TV) or Independent.
| Tuesday, March 28, 2006 All day yesterday, "Big Country 105.3" WBNN Dillwyn/Charlottesville played a Buck Owens song once per hour in honor of the singer who passed away on Saturday, March 25. Buck Owens was best known for his role as co-host on the TV series "Hee Haw." He was also known in the broadcasting business as the owner of KUZZ-FM/AM in Bakersfield CA. Buck Owens was 76.
A new classified ad has been posted on VARTV today. Belo Corp's WVEC (13/ABC) Hampton/Norfolk is looking for a Graphic Artist. 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..... (3/28/06)
| Tuesday, March 28, 2006Brothers Linwood and Danny Wadsworth have agreed to unload all of their stations on the Northern Neck with two FMs going to Real Media Inc, headed up by Rich Morgan. Danny Wadsworth's Rappahannock Communications "Hot AC" WRAR/105.5 Tappahannock goes for $2.08 million. He gets a provision of health insurance for himself and his family on a 15-year $1.9 million promissory note, during the period the note is unpaid, a value of $180K. Danny also donates the AM side of WRAR, Gospel "Rejoice 1000," to the non-commercial outfit A.C.T.I.O.N. He maintains a "right of first refusal" if A.C.T.I.O.N decides to resell within a certain time. If A.C.T.I.O.N. takes the station commercial, they'll owe Danny Wadsworth $100K. Linwood Wadsworth's Northern Neck & Tidewater Communications "River Country 100.9" WNNT Warsaw goes for $1.58 million. He too gets a provision of health insurance for himself and his family, on a 15-year $1.4 million promissory note; valued at $180K.
| Monday, March 27, 2006Two contractors fell from a radio tower in Martinsville Monday afternoon. The two men had just finished installing an antenna on the 400 foot tall WMVA radio tower and were descending when a cable apparently broke. The men fell about 30 feet. (read more - WDBJ/7 Roanoke) (read more - WSLS/10 Roanoke)
Robert Copeland has signed-on WHRE/21 Virginia Beach. Hampton Roads' 10th TV station (11, if you count WUND/2 Edenton NC), signed on this morning with religious TBN - Trinity Broadcasting Network..... (3/27/2006)
| Monday, March 27, 2006Metro Traffic Norfolk Director of Operations/News Bureau Chief Frank Turner has announced he's leaving Friday, April 7, 2006. In an email to some of Metro's clients, Turner said, "After nearly fifteen years, I feel that it is time to move on... This was a tough decision since I have been working in the communications business since 1981. I am not leaving town but have decided to take a position working in my family's business, which is located in Norfolk and Virginia Beach."
We are hearing that former LIN TV WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth/Norfolk meteorologist Fred Yco has been arrested. His information can no longer be found on the Virginia Beach Crime Solvers website. More on Yco on VARTV news dated Tuesday, March 21, 2006.....
Several new classified ads have been posted on VARTV this past weekend including Vox Communications Harrisonburg seeking a morning host for "Real Country 96.9" WSIG and Independent "SKY4" WSKY Manteo/Hampton Roads is in search of a part-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 oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (3/27/06)
| Monday, March 27, 2006"Another talented photographer flies the coop at Channel 3!" says an insider. Anja Gilbert has decided "to give up the world of sensational news and the countless number of attempts to gain viewers with gimmick after gimmick, and constant feeling of being in the cellar (the dismal world of the 3) and take her sharp eye and creative bag of visual tricks to the Virginia Beach TV (City Channel 48)." She begins her new job Monday, April 3.
| Monday, March 27, 2006We hear that meteorologist Patrick McKee is now a permanent member of Media General's "StormTeam 10" WSLS Roanoke (NBC) and is taking over the 6 and 11 p.m. weekend roles.
| Monday, March 27, 2006The Richmond Broadcasters Hall of Fame is taking nominations now for the 2006 “Frank Soden Lifetime Achievement Awards” and “Richmond Broadcaster of the Year.” On-Air Broadcasters who work or worked in the Richmond market are eligible for nomination. Nomination forms are available from any Board Member, or contact Cheryl Miller at WTVR-CBS 6 or Bill Bevins at WTVR-Lite 98. The 14th annual dinner/awards banquet will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday May 16, 2006 at The Renaissance at 107 W Broad Street, Richmond. Tickets are $30.00 each, and are also available from any Board Member.
WTVZ-DT to carry music TV channel on a digital subchannel | Thursday, March 23, 2006 Les Garland, CEO, The Tube Music Network, announced a distribution agreement today with Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 58 television stations in 36 markets, including Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Tampa, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Nashville, Columbus, Cincinnati and Syracuse. Revealed just two weeks after a similar agreement with Tribune Broadcasting was announced... (read more - Sinclair Broadcast Group)Editor's Note: The Tube is already carried in Richmond on Raycom Media WTVR-DT (6-3). Sinclair Broadcasting owns "FOX Richmond" WRLH (35). Could The Tube move to WRLH in the future?
| Thursday, March 23, 2006On Wednesday, it was announced on Mid-Atlantic Network Hot AC "B101.5" WBQB Fredericksburg morning show -- Breakfast Flakes -- that Heather Harwood is relocating to Western New York with her husband and family. Harwood said, "While I'm looking forward to staying up later than 9 p.m., and spending more time with my husband and children, I'm going to really miss my friends here at B101.5, the beauty of Virginia, and just being a part of a great organization like this... The best part of my job has been meeting our listeners around the area. They made coming to work a joy, and they'll be missed." Harwood's husband is WBQB's Operations Manager (along with "NewsTalk 1230" WFVA Fredericksburg) Brian Demay. Demay accepts an offer he "just couldn't refuse." He's been named Program Director for Entercom Hot AC "Star 102.5" WTSS Buffalo. Both exit on Friday with Demay taking Star's PD duties on Monday, April 3.
 | Thursday, March 23, 2006News Blues is reporting that former New York Times "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk anchor Tom Randles has been called up to anchor weekends at Meredith Corp's "4 NEWS" WSMV (NBC) Nashville (market #30). Randles' demise started in late October 2004, when he was arrested, accused of assaulting his wife. He was charged with domestic assault, a misdemeanor, and released on bond. The following month, Randles was cleared of the charge in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Virginia Beach and was back on the air a week later. Late August 2005, station management decided not to renew his contract which expired at the end of the year. He was pulled off the air early September with three months left on his contract. Randles was with Channel 3 over 12½ years.
Verstanding's WBHB/105.1 Bridgewater/Harrisonburg last night, quietly, segued from "Classic Hits 105.1" to "Classic Rock 105.1." (3/22/2006) According to Cox Cable Hampton Roads' website (cox.com/hr), MTV Network's Logo will be premiering soon on the system's channel line-up. Logo is gear for the LGBT audience (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender)..... (3/21/2006)
| Tuesday, March 21, 2006On Top Communications, owners of Urban "Hot 102.1" WWHV Virginia Beach, have put up for sale sister station, Urban "Hot 104-5" KNOU Empire/New Orleans. On Top is going through United States Bankruptcy Court. The company, already financially strapped, took an even harder hit when Hurricane Katrina blew through New Orleans. If there is a sale of KNOU, On Top, for now, retains WWHV, Urban "Hot 97-7" WRJH Brandon/Jackson MS and Urban "Hot 106" WRXZ/106.1 Sylvester/Albany GA. WRXZ's simulcast partner WFFM/105.7 Ashburn/Albany GA has been silent since October 2005.
 | Tuesday, March 21, 2006Have you seen this guy recently or know of his whereabouts? If so, you're asked to call the Virginia Beach Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Former LIN Television WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth/Norfolk meteorologist Fred Yco is on Virginia Beach's "Most Wanted List," this charge for contempt of Court. More on Yco at Virginia Beach Crime Solvers.
Scott Hawthorne has been promoted to Assistant Sales Manager at Gee Communications' "ESPN Radio 950" WXGI Richmond. Hawthorne has been with the station for two years, and had previously been an Account Executive..... (3/21/2006)
 | Monday, March 20, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Westwood One is proud to announce the national launch of The Monica Crowley Show, the three-hour talk program hosted by author and news personality Monica Crowley. The show begins Saturday, April 1, 2006, and will air from noon to 3 p.m. ET. The Monica Crowley Show will debut on major market stations across the country including: WABC-AM New York, WTKK-FM Boston and WTNT-AM (580) Washington DC. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, March 20, 2006More than 18 months after he was pushed aside in the Allbritton Communications "ABC13" WSET Lynchburg/Roanoke weather department, former weekday forecaster Tab O'Neal is back in front of the camera. O'Neal is hosting a new lifestyle show on WSET called "Living in the Heart of Virginia." The new show, which is produced by the station, airs each weekday at 12:30 p.m., following WSET's "13 News Midday." O'Neil worked for "ABC13" as a morning show host and evening weather personality from 1990 until 2004, when he was mysteriously replaced by meteorologist Shane Butler.
| Saturday, March 18, 2006Bluestone's WCYB (5/NBC) Tri-Cities (Bristol/Kingsport/Johnson City) has signed a 10-year affiliation agreement with The CW Television Network. The CW will be seen on WCYB-DT 5-2, area cable systems and on DBS providers DirecTV and DISH Network. The new network and affiliation will replace The WB Television Network's local "WB4" when that net goes dark at the end of August... Editor's Note: We wonder if Tri-Cities residents will ever get to see The CW in high-definition???
Former morning guy Charlie Padgett with Cox Radio Alternative "Y101" WDYL/101.1 Richmond started his new gig on Monday. He's now doing wake-ups for Northeast Broadcasting Company's AAA "The Point" (WNCS/104.7, WRJT/103.1, WDOT/95.7)..... (3/17/2006)
 | Friday, March 17, 2006Charlottesville is a small television market-- but, even so, freshly minted college grads normally don't nab the anchor spot here. The beauty of start-ups, though, is that the norms don't necessarily apply, as Lauren Knight discovered when she signed on just 18 months ago with one of our three new TV stations, WVAW. (read more - The HooK)
 | Friday, March 17, 2006Managers at Gray Television's Charlottesville Newsplex are practically giddy with their latest hire, NBC29's popular former morning news anchor, Beth Duffy. And while non-compete clauses typically prevent on-air newscasters from going to another station in the same market, Duffy's move into sales neatly sidesteps that no-no. (read more - The HooK). The official press release from Gray Television from Monday, March 13 is in the VARTV Press Room.
| Thursday, March 16, 2006 Virginia Beach Educational Broadcasting Foundation Inc's Positive Hits "The Current" WJLZ/88.5 Virginia Beach welcomes Jeremiah St James to afternoons, 3-6 p.m. St James hails from Clear Channel Tri-Cities WA where he was an Assistant Engineer for the cluster. He replaces GM/afternooner Anne "Annie V" Verebely who concentrates on her off-air duties. St James starts on Monday, March 20.
| Thursday, March 16, 2006After 15 years, Justin Ditmore is out of a job. Ditmore has been dumped by WSLS-10, the NBC affiliate where he has been the sports director and weeknight sports anchor since 1998. Ditmore has been at the station since 1991. "I wanted to stay," Ditmore said Wednesday. "I'm disappointed. You've worked someplace 15 years and they come to you one day and say, 'We don't need you anymore.' " (read more - The Roanoke Times)
We've already reported who his replacement is | Wednesday, March 15, 2006From WSLS... "Sports Director Justin Ditmore is leaving in early April. Justin has been on the air here for nearly 15 years. He's won numerous sports awards including the Associated Press Best Television Sports Operation here in Virginia several times. In 2004 he received the award for Best Individual Effort by a Reporter for breaking the story of Virginia Tech entering the ACC." After praising his many efforts, the piece oddly continues with "Justin's contract has not been renewed. A replacement will be named later this month." John Appicello, a sports reporter at Allbritton's "ABC27" WHTM Harrisburg PA is Ditmore's replacement.
| Wednesday, March 15, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... With the free agency period upon us, Max Media of Hampton Roads has made a big splash in this market. Hampton Roads Sports Talk listeners just received the great news about ESPN 1310 and Tony Mercurio from Eric “Zero” Mastel, Max Media, President of the Radio Division, “Max Media of Hampton Roads proudly announces that effective today and beginning April 1 we have contracted to keep Tony Mercurio... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, March 15, 2006A brush fire takes over a live shot that WAVY (10/NBC) was doing with reporter Tina Kim on the noon news. Trying to move out of the way, it's seen on Channel 10, WVEC's (13/ABC) news van backing up -- getting out of harms way. The WVBT (WAVY) and WVEC LIVE trucks were not in the fire's path. Moments before Kim signed-on WAVY for her LIVE shot, reporter Velma Scaife on WVEC was very quickly signing-off from her LIVE shot from the same spot Kim was in.
| Wednesday, March 15, 2006Baker Family Stations has agreed to acquire Oldies "Cruisin' 101.3" WZFM Narrows/Blacksburg from Old Dominion Communications for $600K. Baker already had a LMA with the station. WZFM runs ABC Networks' "Gold" satellite feed.
| Wednesday, March 15, 2006Fifteen-year radio and TV veteran Kevin LaRue has been named news and program director at Bonneville news/talk KSL-AM-FM Salt Lake City. He gets started at the station on April 10. LaRue comes to KSL from a five-year stint as PD at Wheeler news/talk WFIR Roanoke, Va., which became the top-rated station in the market during his tenure. (read more - Billboard)
 | Tuesday, March 14, 2006Our friends at NewsBlues.com are saying that John Appicello, a sports reporter at Allbritton's "ABC27" WHTM Harrisburg PA, is the new Sports Director at Media General's "Newschannel 10" WSLS (NBC) Roanoke. Being Sports Director isn't new to Appicello. Before joining WHTM in March 2001, he was SD for Media General's WDEF (12/CBS) Chattanooga for three years and prior to that the SD at "NBC26" WAGT Augusta GA for two years.
| Tuesday, March 14, 2006Making good on its word to forge ahead with a portable people meter-based radio ratings service, Arbitron announced Tuesday it would begin rolling out PPM ratings to the top 50 markets beginning this July with Houston. The rollout plan calls for the top 10 markets by Fall 2008 and the rest of the top 50 by 2010-2011. Philadelphia, the site of the first PPM test, will be the second PPM market in the rollout. (read more - Billboard)
 | Tuesday, March 14, 2006Jennifer Haynes is the newest meteorologist to join Raycom Media's "CBS6" WTVR Richmond. Haynes is exiting Barrington Broadcasting's KRCG (13/CBS) Jefferson City MO to join Channel 6's weekday morning newscasts, a similar duty she had at KRCG. According to her KRCG bio, Haynes got her start on TV at Tribune's "WB11" KPLR St Louis as a news reporter/fill-in weather anchor. She also "has a degree in broadcast journalism from Webster University and will earn her meteorology degree from Mississippi State University in July 2006. She is a member of the American Meteorological Society. Jennifer is also a member of the Nat. Association of Black Journalists and Nat. Association of Hispanic Journalists."
Two shows can fairly claim to be No. 1 in the Roanoke/Lynchburg radio market | Tuesday, March 14, 2006Two morning programs are jockeying for bragging rights in the Roanoke/Lynchburg radio market: "The John Boy and Billy Big Show" on WROV (96.3 FM) and "The Breakfast Club with Dick Daniels and David Page" on WSLQ (99.1 FM). The syndicated "Big Show" is based in Charlotte, N.C., and carried on about 92 stations, predominantly in the South. "Breakfast Club" is a home-grown production. (read more - The Roanoke Times)
| Monday, March 13, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The Gray Television Group in Charlottesville, consisting of WCAV CBS19, WVAW ABC16 and WAHU FOX27, announces the hiring of popular morning news anchor Beth Duffy. Duffy will be working in the station group’s ever growing sales department. In a statement Duffy said “I am thrilled to get this opportunity to start a new career in this high energy and positive environment..." (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, March 13, 2006Belo Senior VP Rick Keilty announced to WVEC (13/ABC) Hampton/Norfolk staffers just after noon that Lawrence D "Nick" Nicholson, 44, has been named President and General Manager of WVEC and Local News on Cable (LNC5). Currently the GM at Belo's Tucson duopoly "FOX11" KMSB and "UPN18" KTTU, Keilty said of Nicholson, "Nick brings nearly twenty years of leadership as well as a distinguished track record of success with Belo to his new assignment." Nicholson has been "commuting" back and forth from Tucson and Hampton Roads for the last several weeks. He'll be here permanently, we hear, by June.As you may recall, former President and General Manager Mario A Hewitt resigned on Wednesday, February 8, 2006. It's greatly speculated the resignation came after Hewitt was arrested in late January 2006 on suspicion of drunken driving; refusing to submit to a breath or blood-alcohol test. Hewitt, who is also president of the Virginia Association of Broadcasters, joined WVEC in December 1995 as the station's Director of Sales and Marketing and was quickly upped to VP/GM in June 1997 then President/GM in January 2005.
| Sunday, March 12, 2006On March 9, 1946, radio station WTON wound up and went on the air. Ray Houser was there, an 18-year-old member of the station's entertainment staff. Sixty years later, he's still there with five Sunday morning programs ranging from community service to local profile interviews to sacred and gospel music. (read more - Staunton News Leader)
Several new classified ads have been posted on VARTV this past week.
If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (3/12/06)
Where in the world is LIN TV WAVY (10/NBC) anchor Les Smith??? (3/10/2006) UPDATED: Davis Media's AAA "92-3 The Tide" WTYD Deltaville/Peninsula started streaming their audio over the Internet today. For the link, go to tideradio.com. Speaking of their website, the announcement that their 107.9 frequency (WBQK/West Point) will become W-BACH has mysteriously disappeared. It was to become Classical music this month. A change of heart? A new direction? Stay tuned... (3/10/2006)
| Friday, March 10, 2006Belo WVEC (13/ABC) Hampton/Norfolk Executive News Director Rich Lebenson announced to staffers on Monday that Brian Farrell "will join 13 News as a full-time general assignment reporter." Lebenson said, "Brian has done an outstanding job on the weekends over the past couple of years. Brian's official full-time reporter start date is March 15th." Farrell has been freelancing with WVEC since exiting crosstown New York Times' "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk a couple of years ago.
| Friday, March 10, 2006 Gov. Timothy M. Kaine signed into law this morning legislation that is expected to bring consumers a choice of cable TV providers more quickly. The two bills were designed to ease regulation of the cable television industry and allow telephone and other companies to more quickly enter the largely uncompetitive market. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Says OD was isolated incident  | Friday, March 10, 2006Former WSLS Meteorologist Marc Lamarre admits it's possible he went on the air "under the influence." If he did, though, he says he doesn't think it was from using heroin. And he indicated his now-famous drug overdose was an isolated incident, not part of a long-running battle with illegal drugs. (read more - WDBJ7.com)
| Friday, March 10, 2006Main Line Richmond has announced the appointment Taylor Walet as its new and first Market Manager. He was previously with Citadel Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBSX, WMGS, WARM, WSJR, WBHD//WBHT) in a similar capacity. Walet will oversee Adult/Variety Hits "98-9 Liberty" WWLB, "Oldies 107-3" WBBT//WARV and Country "93.1 The Wolf" WJZV.
| Friday, March 10, 2006 Roanoke's WDBJ-TV (Channel 7) is hooking up with other area news outfits and trying new Web-based projects in an attempt to address shifts in how viewers get their news. Just days ago, the station began a news-sharing partnership with Main Street Newspapers Inc., publisher of The Salem Times-Register and six weekly area newspapers. (read more - The Roanoke Times)
| Thursday, March 9, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Tune in today at 12, noon to WRIR Richmond Independent Radio, FM 97.3. Mayor Doug Wilder will be appearing on Richmond Education Today, a weekly half hour program about the issues affecting Richmond’s schools. Host John Richmond discusses with Mr. Wilder a curriculum for the City of The Future, his relationship with the School Board his thoughts on what education means.Richmond Independent Radio is a local non-profit public radio station whose mission is to air news, views and music currently unheard on local airwaves.
| Wednesday, March 8, 2006Cox Communications Northern Virginia and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) today announced a programming partnership that will make available the network's telecasts of Washington Nationals games to Cox's nearly 260,000 cable customers in Fairfax County and Fredericksburg. Cox will carry MASN on its Expanded Basic programming service beginning April 1, 2006. (read more - MASN)
| Wednesday, March 8, 2006New York State attorney general Eliot Spitzer is bringing a lawsuit against Entercom Communications, accusing the radio company of illegally trading airtime for payments. In the latest twist of a lengthy, high profile payola probe that has already derived multi-million dollar settlements from two of the world’s four largest record companies... (read more - Billboard) (read more - Radio & Records) Editor's Note: Entercom has a four station cluster in Hampton Roads -- WPTE/94.9, WVKL/95.7, WWDE/101.3, WNVZ/104.5...
| Wednesday, March 8, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... ISP Sports and the Virginia Tech Athletics Department announced today that radio station WZBL (104.9 THE BULL) in Roanoke has joined the Virginia Tech ISP Sports Network and is the new home for Virginia Tech Hokie sports in the Roanoke Valley. Beginning with the 2006 football season, all Virginia Tech football and men’s basketball games... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, March 7, 2006The former announcers from WTTX/107.1 Appomattox VA, before Positive Alternative Radio agreed to purchase the station in July 2005, have banded together to form a new southern gospel radio station. With a blend of Christian Country, Bluegrass and local artists, Fellowship Community Church and Christian Schools is now broadcasting "Praise 94" on WRMV-LP/94.5 Madison Heights/Lynchburg and on a translator at 100.9 Rustburg VA. Station officials say they want "to reach out to a wide range of listeners, especially those who are in the 30-60 age bracket, and with the airing of Christian Country music, the hopes of reaching some country music fans with a positive message." More about Praise 94 can be found at praise94.com.
| Tuesday, March 7, 2006 Sean Gunn has joined the staff of Max Media of the Carolina's "Water Country 94.5" WCMS Hatteras NC. Gunn took over afternoons on WCMS yesterday. We also hear Gunn will wear a number of hats; assuming Production Director duties, acting as an Assistant to Operations Manager (and morning man) Steve Batton, as well as growing into the Music Director role on WCMS. He will also cover Saturday nights on sister Hot AC "Beach 104" WCXL/104.1 Kill Devil Hills NC.Gunn previously worked on the Outer Banks at East Carolina Radio AC "Mix 96" WKJX/96.7 Elizabeth City NC from July 2004 to March 2005. He left for what he thought were greener pastures at Country "93.5 The Wolf" WLFW Evansville IN.
| Tuesday, March 7, 2006 Satellite provider DirecTV announced three weeks ago that it would be dropping the "i" television network (formerly PAX) from its national channel line-up and all "i" O&O television stations from its locals-in-local packages on March 1. Well, that hasn't happened. The two sides have given themselves 30 days to work out the dispute out of the court.DirecTV previously stated "(w)hen DIRECTV agreed to carry iTV and PAX local stations, the owners promised that their programming would consist of general, family-oriented entertainment. Now, most of their programming consists of infomercials and other promotional shows. As a result, we have terminated our agreement to carry iTV and local PAX stations." If there's no resolution by April 1, it is back to court where DirecTV has asked for a declaratory ruling that the current programming on "i" violates the terms of their affiliation agreement. Interestingly, the Hampton Roads "i" O&O WPXV/49 Norfolk has been pulled from the sat provider's locals-in-local package. No word on "i" O&O WPXW/66 Manassas/Washington. Paxson Communications said if DirecTV drops "i," it will lose coverage of approximately 5.5% of US TV households.
 | Tuesday, March 7, 2006Steve Pardon, morning news co-host on WDBJ (7/CBS) Roanoke, says in his blog that he's exiting the station on March 31. He will be shifting his focus on his own business -- Maiden Properties, a small property management venture that's taking more and more of his time. Pardon has been with the morning news on Channel 7 for almost nine years.
| Tuesday, March 7, 2006Many of you have kept him in your thoughts and prayers for the past few weeks. February 2, emergency crews were called out to a suspected drug overdose, and found former Storm Team 10 Meteorologist Marc Lamarre, unconscious in a Roanoke City Home. (read more - WSLS)
Mix 103-7 morning show helps out | Monday, March 6, 2006 Adrian Chelliah is getting his legs back. Rehab Healthcare, a medical supply company at 2135 Staples Mill Road, at 2:30 this afternoon will present a loaner wheelchair to Chelliah to replace the one that was stolen from outside his home Saturday evening. Chelliah said he has been overwhelmed by the response to his story. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
 | Monday, March 6, 2006Former Gray Television "CBS19" WCAV Charlottesville News Director and meteorologist Ric Barrick was forecasting the weather Saturday evening for Raycom Media's "CBS6" WTVR Richmond. When he was introduced on air, Deborah Cox said that Barrick is filling in the next couple of weekends for Ros Runner, who has been handling the weekday morning weather duties. Interestingly, the position for weekday meteorologist at WTVR has been removed from the station's website (WTVR.com) and there's no word on who has officially filled this position. Barrick is the second substitute meteorologist Channel 6 has used since Marty Snyder left the station. Julie Watkins had been providing weather reports on the weekends while Runner covered the weekday morning shift.
| Monday, March 6, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... At the end of February, the arm of the beloved Ronald McDonald statue that has long greeted ill children and their families in front of the Ronald McDonald House in Norfolk was broken off in an act of vandalism. Z104 (WNVZ-FM Norfolk/Virginia Beach), in an effort to raise both awareness of the Ronald McDonald House, the crime and monies for a surveillance system to guard the newly privately donated “Ronald”... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Early Sunday morning, WVAB/1550 Virginia Beach completed a round of on-air tests using the audio of WWIP/89.1 Cheriton. We hear this is significant, since it means that WVAB did in fact resume operations during the calendar year following going silent last March. The program testing "preserves WVAB's license from revocation..." UPDATE: Again, WVAB is on the air this afternoon simulcasting WPMH/670 Claremont... (3/6/2006)
| Monday, March 6, 2006Back when Radio One Inc. began buying radio stations, hip-hop was unheard music. Not unheard of, but unheard on the radio in many major cities. Radio One put hip-hop and other genres of urban music on the nation's airwaves. (read more - The Washington Post) Editor's note: Radio One has a cluster of stations in Richmond and Washington DC.
Virginia stations, February 06 - metered | Saturday, March 4, 2006Rank | Station | Market | Hour | Rating/Share... Ranked by rating...
16 -- WVEC (13/ABC) Hampton Roads 5 p.m. 12.2/24 24 -- WVEC (13/ABC) Hampton Roads 6 p.m. 11.3/19 27 -- WVEC (13/ABC) Hampton Roads 5:30 p.m. 11.2/20 45 -- WWBT (12/NBC) Richmond 5:30 p.m. 10.5/20 72 -- WWBT (12/NBC) Richmond 5 p.m. 9.7/20 122 -- WWBT (12/NBC) Richmond 4 p.m. 8.2/20 146 -- WAVY (10/NBC) Hampton Roads 6 p.m. 7.5/13 146 -- WTVR (6/CBS) Richmond 6 p.m. 7.5/13 154 -- WTVR (6/CBS) Richmond 6 p.m 7.3/14 163 -- WRIC (8/ABC) Richmond 6 p.m. 7.2/13 169 -- WTVR (6/CBS) Richmond 5 p.m 7.1/15 169 -- WAVY (10/NBC) Hampton Roads 5:30 p.m. 7.1/13 193 -- WAVY (10/NBC) Hampton Roads 5 p.m. 6.6/13 197 -- WRC (4/NBC) Washington DC 6 p.m. 6.5/14 303 -- WRC (4/NBC) Washington DC 5 p.m. 4.7/11 336 -- WTKR (3/CBS) Hampton Roads 6 p.m. 4.3/7 357 -- WJLA (7/ABC) Washington DC 5 p.m. 3.9/9 366 -- WRC (4/NBC) Washington DC 4 p.m. 3.8/10 366 -- WTKR (3/CBS) Hampton Roads 5:30 p.m. 3.8/7 382 -- WTTG (5/FOX) Washington DC 5 p.m. 3.6/9 393 -- WTKR (3/CBS) Hampton Roads 5 p.m. 3.5/7 393 -- WJLA (7/ABC) Washington DC 6 p.m. 3.5/7 443 -- WUSA (9/CBS) Washington DC 6 p.m. 2.4/5 460 -- WUSA (9/CBS) Washington DC 5 p.m. 1.8/4
Jay Slater is out as Program Director at Max Media Rock "100.5 MAX FM" WXMM Norfolk. Operations Manager John Shomby puts on yet another hat, for the interim, while a search for a new leader takes place. We think the search is nearly complete and we think it's someone VERY familiar with Hampton Roads. Stay tuned..... (3/3/2006)
| Friday, March 3, 2006Dale Christopher, Internet production/on-air talent at Cox Radio Richmond, is moving to Cox Radio Tulsa (KJSR/103.3, KRAV/96.5, KRMG/740, KWEN/95.5) to do Internet marketing/production for the cluster and Assistant Program Director for Christian AC "Spirit 102.3" KKCM Sand Springs/Tulsa. KKCM is Cox Radio's first Christian AC station ever.
Is one Hampton Roads radio station about to replace its PD? Do they just have to change the last name on the nameplate? Is it thisclose to being a done deal? (3/2/2006)
MyNetworkTV and Sinclair Broadcast Group enter into affiliate agreement | Thursday, March 2, 2006FOX's new primetime television network MyNetworkTV has quickly secured affiliate agreements with major station group owner Sinclair Broadcast Group to launch the network on September 5, 2006. The announcement was jointly made today by Jack Abernethy, CEO of Fox Television Stations, and David Smith, President and CEO of Sinclair Broadcast Group.A total of 17 stations covering 11.9% of the U.S. owned or operated by Sinclair will officially become MyNetworkTV affiliates. (read more - Sinclair Broadcast Group)
WVEC has slight gains; WAVY, WTKR slightly lose ground | Thursday, March 2, 2006UPDATED: Oops! If you viewed VARTV before 4:15 p.m. and looked at the TV sweeps ratings for Hampton Roads below, they have been since corrected. Thank you for ALL the emails to point this out... :-) 
We hear that Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corp's (CBPC) Oldies WLES/580 Lawrenceville has been off the air since yesterday. The FCC recently granted the station to change its community of license from Lawrenceville to Bon Air (Richmond). WLES was doing 500 watts day and 51 watts at night. At Bon Air, WLES will do 250 watts day and 27 watts at night.:// Imus is back on the air | Thursday, March 2, 2006Imus In The Morning was heard today in its entirety this morning (6-10 a.m.) on Classic Country/Racing "1490 The Outlaw" WLRT Hampton. GM Chuck Hall/morning breaks told listeners that the station had signed an agreement to air the show for the next two years. Tony Snow, from FOX News Radio, will now be heard 10 a.m. to noon on WLRT.
| Thursday, March 2, 2006Belo WVEC (13/ABC) Hampton/Norfolk News Director Rich Lebenson announced that Mike Lopez will be joining the station as Assistant News Director. Lopez is currently the Executive News Producer at LIN TV WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth/Norfolk. Previous stops before Wavy included at Young Broadcasting's KRON (4/NBC - when it was affiliated with NBC) San Francisco and LIN TV WISH (8/CBS) Indianapolis. Lopez starts at WVEC in two weeks.
Virginia has one (and almost had two) stations above AM1600 | Thursday, March 2, 2006It's been nearly 20 years since the FCC began proceedings to expand the AM band with hopes of easing interference among existing stations, and the results appear close to meeting the commission's original goals, according to industry experts. This year is the deadline for most stations operating on the expanded band to decide whether to stay there and give up their original frequencies, or give up their expanded-band slot and remain on their old frequencies. (read more - Radio World Newspaper)
| Thursday, March 2, 2006TVPhotoBlog says that former "Newschannel 10" WSLS Roanoke/Lynchburg Reporter Tim Gehret is facing assault charges after an altercation before a live shot at his current station, Gannett Broadcasting's WFMY (2/CBS) Greensboro NC.
| Thursday, March 2, 2006 Charter Communications announced the signing of two separate definitive agreements to sell certain cable television systems... for an aggregate of approximately $896 million.Charter's cable systems located in West Virginia and Virginia are being sold to Cebridge Acquisition Co., LLC, while the (Charter's) systems located in Illinois and Kentucky are being sold to New Wave Communications. (read more - Charter Communications) Editor's Note: Charter has small systems scattered around Virginia and North Carolina. Their largest system in Virginia is Suffolk.
| Thursday, March 2, 2006Ohio Media Watch first reported that Matt Spatz, current PD/mornings at Cumulus Rock "Rock 104" WWIZ/103.9 Mercer PA/Youngstown OH has been tapped for the open PD slot at Clear Channel rocker WROV/96.3 Martinsville/Roanoke/Lynchburg. Former WROV PD Aaron Roberts headed to CC sister rocker, legendary WIOT/104.7 Toledo, back in January. Spatz starts at ROV on Monday, March 20.
| Thursday, March 2, 2006The Norfolk Tides and Max Media Radio have reached an agreement extending the Tides partnership with WGH-AM 1310. With the agreement, ESPN Radio 1310 will continue to be the flagship station for Norfolk Tides baseball through the 2011 season. (read more - Norfolk Tides)
It was a short month, but February brought a record amount of visitors to VARTV.com. Many thanks to all that read..... (3/1/06):// Wavy shifting anchors around | Wednesday, March 1, 2006 When LIN TV WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth anchors Don Roberts or Kerri Furey are not on the air in the mornings (5-7 a.m.) and on the noon newscast, their counterpart always went solo. Not today. In for Furey this morning was weekend anchor/reporter Natalie Arena. For the noon news, it was weekend anchor/reporter Shannon Powell. So what's going on?With anchor Les Smith off the air now for several weeks, is LIN TV looking to fill new permanent positions? "FOX43" WVBT Virginia Beach anchors Nicole Livas and David Nelson have been co-anchoring the evening newscasts on WAVY with Alveta Ewell. Will this become permanent? Stay tuned...
| Wednesday, March 1, 2006The nationally syndicated "Imus In The Morning" show was heard LIVE briefly this morning on Hampton Radio II's Classic Country/Racing "1490 The Outlaw" WLRT Hampton. Morning host/GM Chuck Hall told listeners that the station was running a technical test with the “Imus people.” Before Hall's show was over around 9 a.m., he teased listeners with "Will Imus be on tomorrow or not?" UPDATE: Imus is now listed on WLRT's website (1490theoutlaw.com) that Imus will be heard weekday mornings 6-10 a.m. Don Imus' show has been off the air in Hampton Roads since January 27 when Sinclair Communications dumped almost all of its Talk line-up on WTAR/850 Norfolk for FOX Sports Radio.
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