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 :// The Michael Baisden Show to Kiss Coco Butta exits  | Friday, June 30, 2006  Clear Channel Norfolk is set to launch The Michael Baisden Show on WKUS, 1053 KISS FM, beginning Monday, July 10.Soon the hottest new national personality in radio can be heard on the airwaves in Hampton Roads, weekdays... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
 | Friday, June 30, 2006  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Thurman Worthington joins the Max Media Sales Staff on Wednesday, July 5th as a Senior Marketing Manager. Thurman has over 30 years of experience in the broadcasting industry. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, June 29, 2006U.S. radio stations have chopped off one minute from their commercial stop sets, according to a new study revealed Wednesday (June 28) by Media Monitors president Philippe Generali at the Interp Radio Symposium in New York. (read more - Billboard Radio Monitor)
| Tuesday, June 27, 2006Centennial Broadcasting has announced Bob Abbott is its new OM for their Roanoke/Lynchburg cluster. VP Market Manager Harry Williams said, "(i)t gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of Bob Abbott as Operations Manager for the Centennial Broadcasting cluster in Lynchburg-Roanoke. Bob brings over thirty six years of broadcasting experience to his new position..." The Centennial cluster includes Oldies "BOB FM" WZZI 101.5 Vinton/Roanoke//WZZU/97.9 Lynchburg, Adult Standards "The Lake" WLEQ/106.9 Bedford and "NewsTalk 105.9" WLNI Lynchburg.
| Monday, June 26, 2006Today Richmond listeners were surprised to hear an old friend back on the radio filling in for Mahogany Brown on Clear Channel Urban "106.5 The Beat" WBTJ. Richmond legend Zxulu decided to have some fun and fill in for his friend Mahogany while she's on vacation this week.
| Monday, June 26, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Westwood One is proud to announce that CBS Radio News is the recipient of four national Edward R. Murrow Awards in the following categories: Best Continuing Coverage, Best Newscast, Best Spot News and Best Sports Reporting. The prestigious Edward R. Murrow Awards, presented by the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) to acknowledge superior achievements in broadcast journalism... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, June 26, 2006Entercom Norfolk has announced that Art Volpe is the new Director of Sales for the Hampton Roads cluster (WPTE/94.9, WVKL/95.7, WWDE/101.3, WNVZ/104.5). Volpe comes to Hampton Roads via Worcester MA where he served as VP/Market Manager for the Clear Channel cluster there. Volpe isn't new to Entercom. He was their Director of Sales (DOS) for the company's eight-station Kansas City MO cluster. Volpe replaces DOS Mark Warlaumont who announced he was exiting Entercom Norfolk on Friday June 16. Warlaumont was with the cluster for 15 months.
| Monday, June 26, 2006Cox Cable Hampton Roads makes several changes to their channel line-up. Cox added On Demand adult PPV on channel 590 on June 15. Back on June 7, MoreMax (channel 52) and The Movie Channel (53) were dropped on the analog tier and are now seen only on digital cable -- MoreMax on 162 and TMC on 178. On July 12, HBO2 will move from channel 20 to channel 52. The area's newest full-power, over-the-air TV station -- TBN affiliated WHRE/21 Virginia Beach, will be seen on Cox channel 20. The national feed of TBN on channel 263 will no longer be available in the Digital Faith & Values Package. Cox will add WWBT-HD (12/Richmond) on channel 710 for customers in Williamsburg, Upper York County, Gloucester and James City County.
| Sunday, June 25, 2006May's ratings book -- Nielsen Media Research's look at the local TV numbers -- was a book of firsts. WRLH's 10 p.m. newscast, helped by the "American Idol" magic, turned in its highest numbers ever -- a 7 rating and a 10 share, based on a five-day average. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Some Cox customers will get the new addition Thursday, but it's not Hampton Roads' NBC affiliate | Saturday, June 24, 2006Cox Communications will start carrying an NBC channel in high-definition in parts of the Peninsula and mid-Peninsula starting Thursday. The channel will be available in Williamsburg and West Point, as well as James City, York, New Kent and King and Queen counties. But the channel is not the Hampton Roads NBC affiliate, WAVY. Instead, Cox has reached an agreement to carry Richmond affiliate WWBT. (read more - Daily Press)
| Friday, June 23, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The "Tony Mercurio Show" on Max Media's "ESPN Radio 1310" WGH-AM Newport News/Norfolk was named the "Best Sports Coverage" in Virginia for 2005, by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters. The announcement was made at their annual Awards dinner last week in Virginia Beach. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, June 22, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WNIS 790 AM, Hampton Roads' leading news and talk radio station, is replacing its current network news provider, ABC News, with FOX News, effective Monday, 3rd July, 2006. WNIS station management reached this decision based on several factors... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, June 22, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The University of Virginia athletics department announced on Tuesday (June 20) plans to bolster its radio coverage in the Blacksburg and Radford markets by adding an FM station associated with the Sports Addict Radio Network. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, June 22, 2006 Looking for an under-served audience, WRIC is adding a new newscast at 9 a.m. weekdays beginning Tuesday. "Obviously, the people available to watch TV at 9 a.m. probably weren't watching between 5 and 7 a.m.," said Bob Peterson, WRIC's general manager. "So we thought it was an opportunity, like weekends, to serve an audience that wasn't being served." (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Thursday, June 22, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... ABC News Radio, the nation’s largest commercial radio news organization, has been awarded the 2006 Edward R. Murrow Award for “Overall Excellence,” it was announced today by Steve Jones, Vice President and General Manager of ABC News Radio. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, June 20, 2006 Looks like the torture from (Entercom Rhythmic) Z104's (WNVZ/104.5 Norfolk) "Torture Tuesday" stunt will last a little longer for the station's (co-)morning DJ, Shaggy. A stunt involving baby oil, trash cans and a plastic slip-and-slide sent Shaggy to the hospital with a dislocated shoulder. And HamptonRoads.tv's Craig Kimberley was there to capture it on video. Watch and wince.
| Tuesday, June 20, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV13 was recognized with 2 VAB Awards on Friday, June 16th. The Virginia Association of Broadcasters sponsored the annual Station Awards Program, honoring the best work of Virginia broadcasters for the 2005 calendar year. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, June 20, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The Virginia Association of Broadcasters have presented 1140 WRVA with 4 winning trophies, honoring the station for outstanding achievement in broadcasting for the year 2005. The presentation was made at Friday’s VAB 69th Annual Convention in Virginia Beach. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, June 20, 2006  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Mid Atlantic Network, Inc. stations WBQB-FM (B101.5) and WFVA-AM (NewsTalk 1230) won seven awards Friday night, June 16, 2006 at the 69th Annual Virginia Association of Broadcasters awards banquet held in Virginia Beach. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Veteran newsman exits CBS after 44 years with Tiffany Network | Tuesday, June 20, 2006Dan Rather is leaving CBS after 44 years with the Tiffany Network. Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports, made the announcement. “Of all the famous names associated with CBS News, the biggest and brightest on the marquee are Murrow, Cronkite and Rather...” (read more - CBS News)
| Tuesday, June 20, 2006 The Virginia Association of Broadcaster’s C. T. Lucy Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor accorded to a member of the association and is based on the individual’s broadcasting career and dedication to community service. This year they are very pleased to honor Denny Dee Royer, a native of Waynesboro, Va and is currently a resident of Forest, Va. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, June 20, 2006Last week, I packed up the Boston Acoustics Recepter Radio HD, the subject of my review in late April, and shipped it back to the company. I knew it was time for that after HD radio made me sleep late. Twice. (read more - The Washington Post)
 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..... (6/19/06)
| Monday, June 19, 2006In a Friday, June 16th memo to Entercom Norfolk (WWDE/101.3, WVKL/95.7, WPTE/94.9, WNVZ/104.5) staff members, a short message was delivered indicating that Director of Sales, Mark Warlaumont, has parted ways with the company. Apparently a successor has already been selected and will be introduced locally in a morning staff meeting today. Initial indications are that the new DOS is relocating from the Entercom properties in Kansas City. Warlaumont joined Entercom Norfolk just 15 months ago from Beasley Broadcast Group's "SportsRadio 560" WQAM. The 23-year broadcast vet came to Norfolk to replace Vonneva Carter who exited the cluster in late January 2005 to become Max Media's Corporate Director of Sales.
| Saturday, June 17, 2006Union represented employees at WJLA-NewsChannel 8, members of NABET-CWA (National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, Communications Workers of America) Local 31, have voted overwhelmingly to reject the Company’s “best and final” contract offer. With a 96% rejection, this sends a resounding "NO" to the management after almost a year and a half of tough negotiating. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Saturday, June 17, 2006Before the ink was dry on his new contract, Moondog Michaels has been terminated by the owners of Somar Communications, operators of FM 97.7, 98.3 and 102.9. Moondog was hired in from the West Coast as program director and morning DJ for the newly rededicated 97.7 The Rocket. (read more - The Bay Net)
| Friday, June 16, 2006Main Line Broadcasting, locally represented by the all new 98.9 Liberty, 93.1 The Wolf, and Oldies 107.3 is pleased to announce the arrival of it's new management team. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Friday, June 16, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Local broadcaster Chris "DiFazio" Shenk has found his way back on the airwaves every Saturday afternoon from 3-4pm on AM 1110 WYRM. His new program "The Lounge with Chris Shenk" is a live weekly variety show featuring his comedic talents. From topics ranging from race in America to women's rights, everyone is sure to be both entertained and offended. Each week, The Lounge has guests ranging from local musicians to politicians. Some of the regular segments include. "Jethro Bush from Gloucester", "Hashece Johnson's Equal Time", "Los Sopranos Southwest", and more. Shenk also sounds off at the beginning of each show about people that get on everyone's nerves. Sound clips from the show can be found each week on his website myspace.com/shenklounge.
| Friday, June 16, 2006Grant Communications has requested to change the call letters of WJPR (FOX/21) Lynchburg VA to WWCW. The new call letters will match the new affiliation agreement with The CW Television Network. The new net will appear on a digital subchannel of WWCW as well as a digital subchannel of simulcast partner WFXR (FOX/27) Roanoke. The FOX network will continue to be on the main channels of WFXR/27 and WWCW/21.
| Thursday, June 15, 2006 In the weeks preceding the town council’s expected vote on the Verizon franchise application, Adelphia, the primary cable provider in Leesburg, has raised several questions about the pending agreement, suggesting that Verizon’s proposed agreement with the town is less demanding than its own. (read more - Leesburg Today)
| Thursday, June 15, 2006 (AC) Lite 98 WTVR-FM (98.1), (Alternative) 102.1 The X WRXL, and Sports Radio 910 WRNL, all Richmond, join CC stations (CHR) WRVQ (94.5) and WBTJ (106.5) as the latest Richmond CC stations to make the leap to digital radio. Richmond Director of Engineering Mike Fleming flipped the switch officially at 6pm June 14th after running tests over the past five days, and receiving the official F.C.C. digital licenses.Clear Channel Regional Vice President of Programming Bill Cahill says: "The sound is amazing. Even on a standard radio you can hear the difference, as we've installed all new digital equipment from the studio to the transmitter. On an HD radio the improvement is even more significant. Hearing the improvement on AM is really exciting, WRNL-AM sounds incredible. We hope to have WRVA-AM in HD shortly. Then, we'll work on the HD-2 formats (FM only) for both Richmond and Norfolk. Our hope is that HD radios will be a hot Holiday gift this fall! Special thanks to Mike Fleming for his tireless work on getting these on the air, earlier than scheduled!"
| Wednesday, June 14, 2006Despite the threat of a defamation lawsuit by U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake, all three Hampton Roads network TV affiliates have refused to drop a controversial political ad attacking her. That contrasts sharply with the actions of Cox Communications, which permanently pulled the ad from its cable TV channels after receiving Drake’s threat. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| Tuesday, June 13, 2006 For the two owners in the Richmond area capable of receiving digital radio broadcasts (sarcasm), we hear that Clear Channel has been testing HD Radio on AC "Lite 98" WTVR/98.1 and "SportsRadio 910" WRNL. Interestingly, both area Sports stations; the other being Gee Communications (soon to be Red Zebra Broadcasting) "ESPN Radio 950" WXGI, will be broadcasting digitally using iBiquity's HD Radio. The FCC has not given its blessing for nighttime digital broadcasts so it's only clear daytime signals from sunrise to sunset. Sister stations Urban "106-5 The Beat" WBTJ and CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 can already be heard in HD Radio.
| Tuesday, June 13, 2006 The LIN TV WAVY (10/NBC) 16 (and a half) year veteran anchor has been MIA since early May missing most of the May TV Sweeps period for the station. The another veteran anchor at WAVY, Les Smith, went MIA for almost two months this past Winter and he too missed an entire TV Sweeps period for Channel 10. We hear Ewell is on medical leave and could be returning very soon. Smith was out for a personal issue.
| Tuesday, June 13, 2006 Lowell Pretlow heard on Willis Broadcasting's Gospel "Your Inspirational Leader" WPCE/1400 Portsmouth/Norfolk for 11 years doing overnights to Sunday's Gospel Classics can now be heard on Word Broadcasting Network's "Ministry Radio" WYRM/1110 Norfolk. Lowell is the new voice of Saturday Assisting with Ministries and a new program called "The Gospel Hour." Featuring music "national and local," "classics and new," guest and announcements can be heard the 1st and 4th Sundays each month from 5 to 6 p.m.
| Tuesday, June 13, 2006Norfolk, VA. WVEC-TV13 was the only Hampton Roads station to be recognized with 4 Emmy Awards for News, Creative Services and Production at the 48th EMMY Awards, held Saturday, June 10th in Washington D.C.. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Main Line Broadcasting is getting closer to a full launch of their website for Adult/Variety Hits "98-9 Liberty" WWLB Midlothian/Richmond at 989liberty.com... (6/13/2006)
| Monday, June 12, 2006IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE... Bankruptcy Trustee R. Clinton Stackhouse, Jr. has applied to the U. S. Bankruptcy Court in Norfolk, Virginia for approval to sell the licenses and assets of Virginia Beach AM Radio Stations WVAB-1550 and WBVA-1450 to Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corporation of Hampton, Virginia. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, June 12, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... CapSan Media today announced Bryan Costenbader has joined the company and will serve as an Account Executive for its four Outer Banks radio properties.This marks the first hire for the new media company since beginning operations in April. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, June 12, 2006 Gray Television "CBS19" WCAV Charlottesville 6 and 11 p.m. anchor Kory Raftery exited the station on Thursday, June 8. Raftery and Gray decided not to renew his contract as he was getting out of the business. All mentions of the anchor are now gone from WCAV's website at charlottesvillenewsplex.tv. Raftery, from KCWY (13/NBC) Casper WY less than a year ago, recently got engaged to "ABC16" WVAW-LP Anchor Lauren Knight. Raftery's replacement has not been officially announced, but we hear it is expected to be Dan Schutte who will come to Charlottesville from Duluth MN. Schutte was anchoring the 5 p.m. newscast for Hubbard Broadcasting's WDIO (10/ABC) Duluth for three years (with the station for five) when he resigned last October. He told the local newspaper, “My contract was up in November, and we just didn’t renew it...” The paper went on to say, "Schutte said he’ll return to Minneapolis to work in his father’s company to 'help him do some expanding.' He still professes love of TV news and hopes to someday return to his chosen profession." Looks like Charlottesville will be the place that it happens.
| Sunday, June 11, 2006The nighttime TV news war in the Roanoke/Lynchburg market largely is fought at 11 p.m., but there will be a new battlefront in early September. That’s when 7 Too, WBDJ (Channel 7)’s high-definition station, will begin a 10 p.m. newscast to take on Fox 21/27’s “10 O’Clock News,” which is anchored by Natalie Faunce and John Carlin. (read more - The Roanoke Times)
| Friday, June 9, 2006 Belo WVEC (13/ABC) Executive ND Rich Lebenson told staffers today that anchor/reporter Natasha Barrett will be exiting the station. Barrett has accepted "a wonderful opportunity" to report at Allbritton Communications "ABC7" WJLA Washington. She leaps from TV market #42 to #8. "Natasha joined us three years ago and has done an outstanding job. I will miss her excellent enterprise skills, tenacity and her great sense of humor. Natasha has worked hard and truly deserves this outstanding opportunity," said Levenson. Barrett leaves "13NEWS" Friday, July 7.
| Thursday, June 8, 2006 Cable operator Comcast says that on Friday it will begin carrying ESPN2 HD, the high-def simulcast of ESPN2, in several markets. The ESPN2 HD launch corresponds with the start of the 2006 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament in Germany... (read more - Broadcasting & Cable)
Ty McFarland begins his new duties at Columbia Union College Broadcasting's Christian Contemporary WGTS/91.9 Takoma Park MD/Washington this week, as Senior PD. McFarland hails from Christian Contemporary KTSY/89.5 Caldwell/Boise ID.
| Thursday, June 8, 2006 Soft AC "107-7 Lite FM" WJCD Windsor/Norfolk is the latest Clear Channel Hampton Roads radio station to make the leap to HD Radio. WJCD's HD-1 broadcast is a simulcast of WJCD's main programming. Within weeks CC's 60s-70s Hits "Cool 92.1" WCDG Moyock NC/Norfolk will also be broadcasting in HD Radio. As one source says, "that will finish the upgrade to all CC stations in Hampton Roads to digital, and will pave the way for HD-2 programming to be introduced in coming months."
| Thursday, June 8, 2006Clear Channel Country WYYD/107.9 Amherst/Roanoke PD Joel Dearing has gotten more responsibilities; adding PD duties for sister Classic Country "104.9 The Bull" WZBL Roanoke.
| Thursday, June 8, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The voice of the award winning Sheila Quinn has returned to the Fredericksburg airwaves on Thunder 104.5 (WGRX-FM) and 95.9 WGRQ. On Thursday, June 1st, listeners were treated to the familiar voice of Sheila Quinn bringing news and more to the region. Sheila has received numerous awards for her area news coverage from the Associated Press, the Virginia Association of Broadcasters and the Radio and Television News Directors Association. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, June 8, 2006Southern Maryland FM radio has undergone plastic surgery and a new spirit and face have emerged – and he goes by the name Moondog Michaels. 97-7 The Rocket FM is Southern Maryland’s newest rock station, as listeners of former Oldies 97-7 might have noticed. (read more - The Bay Net)
A new classified ad has been posted on VARTV today. Metro Traffic Richmond is seeking News and Traffic Reporters. 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..... (6/7/06)
| Wednesday, June 7, 2006Morning co-host/APD Darrin Stone at Clear Channel CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 Richmond says he's exiting the station Friday, June 30. Stone said in a press release, "I've done nothing but radio for nearly 25 years, and while it's scary to leave, this is great opportunity for my family to live near our extended family for the first time in Eugene, OR. And, I'm very excited to take the skills I have as a private pilot, and explore the commercial pilot arena. Meanwhile, I'll enjoy some fishing, and relaxing with the family and get involved with some local radio on a parttime basis." Stone has been WRVQ for the past two years.
Is Max Media rocker "100.5 MAX FM" WXMM Norfolk thisclose to filling their midday slot? (6/7/2006)
| Tuesday, June 6, 2006 SKY Television LLC has dropped the "Sky4" identifier for Independent WSKY/4 Manteo NC for "Channel 4 Hampton Roads." The station has also unveiled a complete new graphics and on-air package including a new logo. Stay tuned, more to come...
| Tuesday, June 6, 2006Sonny Andre, former morning host at Entercom Urban AC "95-7 R&B" WVKL Norfolk, has resurfaced at crosstown Max Media Hampton Roads (WVBW/92.9, WXEZ/94.1, WGH-FM/97.3, WXMM/100.5, WGH/1310). Andre was most recently hear this past weekend on the cluster's Contemporary Inspirational outlet "Star 94.1." We hear Andre will be doing weekends and fill-ins for the cluster. After four years doing mornings at WVKL, Andre exited the station at the end of the November 2005 when his contract expired. Andre had been WVKL's only morning host; the station dropped Oldies for Urban AC in January 2001. Andre had to sit out a six month no-compete to return to the air in Hampton Roads.
| Tuesday, June 6, 2006Reported last week on VARTV, The Star Radio Group (WFLS/93.3, WWUZ/96.9, WYSK/99.3) announced that Lisa Parker, currently middays at crosstown Mid Atlantic Network Hot AC "B101.5" WBQB Fredericksburg, has been tapped to do afternoons for "Classic Rock 96.9" WWUZ Bowling Green/Fredericksburg. She's replacing Dick Hungate at WWUZ beginning Monday, June 12. Parker's Music Director duties at The B goes to Mid Atlantic Network Fredericksburg Operations Manager and WBQB PD Chris Carmichael.
| Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Washington Redskins owner Dan Synder's Red Zebra Broadcasting announced last week that it's acquiring David Gee's Gee Communications "ESPN Radio 950" WXGI Richmond. We now know that Gee will be getting $1.4M and will have to avoid competing with the station for a year according to a FCC filing. Gee does have another property -- Classic Country "The Train" WSVS/800 Crewe VA. Red Zebra started a LMA with Gee on June 1 until the sale closes. By the way, Gee picked up WXGI in the late 90s for $650K.
| Monday, June 5, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV13 helps the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters raise $3,765,208 during its annual Telethon Celebration. This broke the 2005 record of $3.65 million dollars!The June 4th Telethon featured dozens of businesses, organizations and individuals raising money for CHKD and presenting donations during the broadcast, which aired live from the hospital lobby on WVEC-TV13. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Sunday, June 4, 2006The stork has arrived once again at Raycom Media "CBS6" WTVR Richmond. Stephanie Rochon gave birth to a baby boy Friday night. Ric Young made the announcement moments ago on WTVR's 6:30 p.m. newscast. Congratulations, Stephanie!
Our condolences go out to family and friends of Willis Broadcasting Gospel WCPK/1600 Program Director Lonnie Perry whose wife passed away yesterday, Saturday June 3. (6/4/2006)
| Sunday, June 4, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The morning show that launched 106.5 The Beat is back! Starting Monday the entire Doug Banks crew returns to WBTJ Richmond! Operations Manager Aaron Maxwell says "we've received hundreds of requests to bring Doug back, and we're happy to make that happen starting Monday!" The Doug Banks Show replaces the Star & Bucwild Morning Show. Star was suspended then eventually fired for making inappropriate comments about rival cross-town morning host Miss Jones' family at Emmis "Hot 97" WQHT/97.1 New York. Star & Bucwild were based at Clear Channel "Power 105.1" WWPR.
Hall of Fame adds four members, names year's best broadcaster | Sunday, June 4, 2006The Richmond Broadcasters Hall of Fame recently honored five area broadcasters, inducting four members and naming a broadcaster of the year. Greg Burton, afternoon drive host for WXGI-AM (ESPN Radio 950) and weekend sports anchor for WTVR-TV, was named 2006 Broadcaster of the Year. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Saturday, June 3, 2006 The new technology traditional radio hopes will be a satellite-radio killer has arrived in Fredericksburg. WFLS has become the first station in the 280,000-listeners (ages 12 and older) market to go high-definition digital, joining many stations in the Washington and Richmond areas. The country music station is announcing the change to its listeners this week during a rating sweeps period after going digital in April. (read more - The Free Lance-Star)
Debate on WYRM/1110 cancelled | Friday, June 2, 2006U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake claimed on Thursday that her Democratic opponent, Philip J. Kellam, is dodging head-to-head debates, most recently by canceling a weekend radio appearance. According to Drake's campaign, Kellam withdrew from an appearance scheduled for Saturday on WYRM-AM after learning that Drake would be included. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| Friday, June 2, 2006Maybe you've seen Ahmed Fareed on television. He's the No. 3 sports guy for WAVY. At 26, he's a relaxed, poised on-air talent. Unless you've been hunting moose in Alaska lately, you probably haven't caught Will Driscoll on the tube. The 23-year-old former Maury High student has done it all in the 9-1/2 months he's been at KXD-13 in Fairbanks: news anchor, weatherman and sports reporter. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| Thursday, June 1, 2006 The Star Radio Group announced today that Lisa Parker has been tapped to do afternoons for "Classic Rock 96.9" WWUZ Bowling Green/Fredericksburg. She was doing middays at crosstown Mid Atlantic Network Hot AC "B101.5" WBQB Fredericksburg. Parker replaces Dick Hungate who exited the station abruptly two weeks ago.
As promised, Rick Brady's Silver Dolphin Communications signed on silent WHAP/1340 Hopewell today with a Traditional Country format. Brady and the station's new morning host were on the air today at noon... (6/1/2006)
WXGI-AM to continue ESPN programming, add Redskins games | Thursday, June 1, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Red Zebra Broadcasting today announced the acquisition of 950 AM (WXGI-AM) from Richmond-based Gee Communications, Inc. This follows the completion of Red Zebra Broadcasting’s purchase of 94.3 FM (WBPS-FM), 92.7 FM (WBZS-FM) and 730 AM (WKDL-AM) last month. The acquisition of WXGI-AM represents Red Zebra Broadcasting’s first expansion outside the Washington, DC-area.“I am excited about our continued growth and our new ability to serve loyal Redskins fans in and around Richmond,” said Bennett Zier, CEO of Red Zebra Broadcasting. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, June 1, 2006 Nielsen Media Research, which tracks television and media viewing habits around the country, has announced Orange County VA will now be included in the Charlottesville (TV) DMA (Designated Market Area) from the Washington DC DMA. This is effective September 1.Charlottesville will grow to a 5-county DMA, and would move from market rank 186 to 181, just behind Harrisonburg, using this past season's rankings. This announcement has many ramifications including, but not limited to, advertising dollars, cable/satellite carriage, etc. Orange County, which has just over 11,640 TV HH (households), move to the Charlottesville DMA will have little effect on the DC DMA. The new rankings of all 210 DMAs for the 2006-2007 TV season will be released by Nielsen shortly. We received some insight how counties can move from one DMA to another. Counties are re-assigned only once each year, following the February Book (TV Sweeps). Assignments are based on the previous four Books. Assignments for 2006-2007 are based on the average of May '05, July '05, July '05, and Feb '06. For a county to move markets, the difference in total week audience share (6 a.m.-2 a.m.) between the current market assignment and the outside market must be "statistically significant." Usually, it can take two or even three years for an outside market to move a county. With Orange County, it only took one year because Washington (two years ago took the county from Richmond), only averaged a 2.74 share, while Charlottesville averaged a 11.81 share. The Washington DMA uses people meters (only three were in Orange) but Charlottesville uses the ol' hand-written dairy. Viewership could shift again. Interesting... yes? Question is "Will Charlottesville keep the county? Will it go back to Richmond? or will Washington rebound?" Stay tuned...
Lockwood Broadcasting's "UPN Richmond" WUPV (65) Ashland/Richmond has a new website for their new network affiliation with The CW coming this fall at cwrichmond.tv... (6/1/2006)
| Thursday, June 1, 2006Radio Disney Group (formerly ABC Radio) has silenced AM1010 (WRJR) Portsmouth permanently. The previous owner, Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corp (CPBC), was granted an expanded band (AM1610-1700) station in the late 90s (AM1650). That station was officially licensed in May 2001. Because of the FCC's "5-year rule" on expanded band stations, Radio Disney had the option to turn off AM1010 or AM1650. It chose to keep the Radio Disney outlet on AM1650 (WHKT) on the air. As soon as ABC Radio purchased AM1010 several years ago, they immediately turned around and entered into a LMA with the seller, CPBC. Since then, there had been several formats on 1010, mostly religion, but also featured Spanish programming. Within the past several months, CPBC entered into an LMA with silent AM1550 (WVAB) Virginia Beach. At the same time, CPBC introduced a new Gospel format on AM1010 as "Spirit 1010" and eventually simulcasted that on AM1550 as "AM 1550, The Praise."
| Thursday, June 1, 2006 Gray Television "TV3" WHSV Harrisonburg News Director and 6 p.m. co-anchor Van Hackett is retiring. We hear, he's leaving the station later this summer, once his replacement is found. Hackett joined WHSV in 2003 after stints in New York City, Houston, and West Palm Beach. His departure is on the heels of 5 p.m. co-anchor Amy Kehm, weekend anchor Tim Saunders, and reporters Chay Lee and Laura Speakman leaving TV3 in the past month.
Somar Communications has blown up (50s-70s) "Oldies 97.7" WMDM Lexington Park MD for Modern Rock; known now as "97-7 The Rocket, Southern Maryland's New Rock Alternative." (6/1/2006)
Condolences to Max Media Country "97-3 The Eagle" WGH Newport News/Norfolk afternooner Mark McKay whose father passed away last Friday in Arizona... (5/31/2006)
| Wednesday, May 31, 2006 The folks at "CBS6" WTVR Richmond announced on last Thursday's 6 p.m. newscast that Sports Director Lane Casadante and his wife, "CBS6" weekend anchor Deborah Cox, are the proud parents of a new baby girl. This is the couple's second child. This is the first of four(!) expected births for WTVR. Weeknight anchor Stephanie Rochon is expecting another child along with weekend morning anchor Lee Mahaffey and Chesterfield reporter Shelby Brown. Congrats to all!
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006We are hearing that Washington Redskins owner Dan Synder's new radio outlet Red Zebra Broadcasting has agreed to purchase Gee Communications "ESPN Radio 950" WXGI Richmond. An official announcement will come tomorrow with Red Zebra beginning a LMA (local marketing agreement) with WXGI on Thursday June 1, we hear. Stay tuned...
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Please join me in congratulating Zak Tyler as he, officially, begins to lose sleep and spend countless hours on Selector, among other things, as Assistant Program Director/Music Director for 100.5 Max-FM. Zak started at the cluster as the 7p-Mid personality on country WGH-FM (97.3 The Eagle) in May of 2003 and moved to middays in May of 2004. In August of 2005, Zak moved over to mainstream rock, WXMM (100.5 Max-FM) as morning drive host of the "Shut Up and Rock" morning show.
| Tuesday, May 30, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... As of June 1st, Mac Mcdonald will no longer be on the WINA Morning Show daily, as he has been for the past 10 years. The University of Virginia has expanded his role as the Voice of the Cavaliers, and thus he will no longer be able to devote five days a week to the show.However, Mac will still be heard broadcasting football, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse on WINA. He will also make periodic appearances as a guest on the show to discuss UVA athletics, and have fun with Dick and Jane. Jed Williams, WINA Sports Director and host of 'Then Best Seat in the House', will provide sports reports starting Thursday June 1st, on the WINA Morning Show. The WINA morning team will not be the same without Mac's wonderful humor and charm, but we understand the Universit(y's)ies need to fully utilize his talents, and we wish him all the best!
Several more new classified ads have been posted on VARTV the past several days.
If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (5/26/06)
| Thursday, May 25, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Norfolk, VA. WVEC-TV13 is the most watched station in Hampton Roads for local news, according to Nielsen Overnights for May 2006.13NEWS wins based on HH ratings. The 5:00-7:00 AM time period is up over last year; specifically, the 5:00 AM leaping +26% and the competitive 6:00 AM hour experienced a +7% increase. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, May 25, 2006 Channel 5 wins the late-night news race. Channel 7 news wins at 5 p.m. among a key demographic. Channel 4 wins just about everything else. Channel 9 struggles but breaks some big stories. And no one's watching Tony Danza. (read more - The Washington Post)
Barrick selected for position after six month search for candidates | Thursday, May 25, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The City of Charlottesville today named Ric Barrick as the new Director of Communications completing a six-month search to fill the position. Barrick replaces Maurice Jones who left the City to be Director of Major Gifts with the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. Barrick has been the Interim Director of Communications since Jones left the City in October, 2005. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, May 25, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Telemedia Broadcasting, Inc., which owns and operates radio stations WGRQ (95.9 FM) and WGRX ( 104.5 FM) in Fredericksburg, Virginia announced today that Edwin Pardue has been appointed the Director of Sales for the company and Karen Crosby has been named Local Sales Manager. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
WVEC has slight losses; WTKR slight gains | Thursday, May 25, 2006
| Thursday, May 25, 2006Our friends at NewsBlues.com say that former WVEC (13/ABC) News Director Michael Valentine arrival at Belo's "News8" WFAA Dallas hasn't gone too well -- "things have gone steadily downhill." NewsBlues says, " A recent blowup with Karin Kelly reportedly caused the veteran reporter to walk, and rumors are that more will follow her out the door." The site mentions ratings have dropped almost 25% for the station's 6 p.m. newscast.
Several new classified ads have been posted on VARTV the past several days.
If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (5/23/06)
| Tuesday, May 23, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Silver Dolphin Communications, Inc. of Midlothian, VA has agreed to purchase WHAP-AM 1340 from MainQuad Communications of North Carolina. Through an agreement with MainQuad, Silver Dolphin plans on having the station back on the air at noon on June 1, 2006 after it being off the air for nearly 10 months. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, May 23, 2006Cox Radio Alternative "Y101" WDYL/101.1 Richmond has picked up "Sludge" for mornings. The slot has been open since October when Charlie Padgett headed north. Sludge hails from Chicago, most recently from ABC Radio WZZN/94.7 (now defunct Alternative "94-7 The Zone"). Before jumping ship to The Zone, Sludge was a longtime jock with Emmis Alternative "Q101" WKQX/101.1.
MediaWeek profiles the Roanoke/Lynchburg media market..... (5/22/2006)
| Monday, May 22, 2006James Steele with CBS Radio Alternative "The Buzz 103.1" WPBZ Indian Town/West Palm Beach FL has been tapped as the new afternoon jock for Sinclair Communications CHR "The Zone @ 106-1" WZNR Poquoson/Norfolk. Steele replaces Haze who headed back to the Midwest as the new night slammer for Clear Channel CHR "Z107.7" KSLZ St Louis. Steele begins at The Zone on Monday, June 5.
| Monday, May 22, 2006Cavalier Telephone & TV today announced the launch of its new Broadband TV service in Richmond. The company is the first telephone provider in the United States to offer advanced MPEG-4 technology to deploy TV services over a broadband connection. AT&T has announced it won't launch its Broadband TV version until the end of the year. (read more - DMN NewsWire)
Enjoy photos of the Richmond Broadcasters Hall Of Fame 14th Anniversary Awards Celebration courtesy of KirbyCarmichael.com..... (5/19/2006)
Could Hot 102.1 be sold soon? | Friday, May 19, 2006 TVBR says Steve Hegwood's On Top Communications filed with the FCC to put all of its stations into Chapter 11, adding the debtor-in-possession suffix to the company name. Five stations in four markets are involved, and the sale of one has already been filed as well. Urban "Hot 104-5" KNOU Empire/New Orleans (recently gone silent and actively marketed for sale), Urban "Hot 102.1" WWHV Virginia Beach/Norfolk, and two Albany GA area stations, Urban "Hot 106" WRXZ/106.1 Sylvester and simulcast partner WFFM/105.7 Ashburn (silent since October 2005). Hegwood's very first station Urban "Hot 97-7" WRJH Brandon/Jackson MS is the station already to be sold.
| Thursday, May 18, 2006 With a performance by The Black Eyed Peas to warm up the crowd and a bit of standup from Chris Rock to break up the sales pitch, the new CW network jumped into the upfront mix this week in New York, unveiling its first schedule that, debuting Sept. 18, will combine top shows from The WB and UPN.The list includes fan favorites Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars paired together for Tuesday night “Girl’s Night” and America’s Next Top Model with teen soap One Tree Hill on Wednesdays. (read more - Broadcasting & Cable) Editor's Note: The CW's new logo is above with the new network debuting its website at CWTV.com
| Wednesday, May 17, 2006 It appears that Free Lance Star "Classic Rock 96.9" WWUZ Bowling Green/Fredericksburg afternoon jock Dick Hungate has exited the station. All mentions and pages about Hungate have been wiped clean from WWUZ's website. With much fanfare, Hungate landed at WWUZ just seven months ago after being let go from Cox Radio Classic Rock "96.5 The Planet" WKLR Fort Lee/Richmond. He was on The Planet, middays, for eight years.
| Wednesday, May 17, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The Richmond Broadcasters Hall of Fame awarded two members of the ESPN Radio 950 staff Tuesday night at its annual awards dinner.Afternoon drive host Greg Burton was named the 2006 Broadcaster of the Year. Burton, a 1992 graduate of the University of Delaware, also currently serves as the weekend sports anchor at CBS 6 (WTVR) in Richmond. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, May 17, 2006Dave Biery, President of the Valley Baseball League and Doug Barrett, President of Future Media Sports are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached to webcast all 210+ games of the 2006 Valley Baseball League season and postseason. The Valley League is one of the nations premier summer wooden bat leagues, with players from coast to coast. Future Media Inc. is one of the top webcast providers in the U.S. featuring top quality sporting events from around the world! (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Two new classified ads have been posted on VARTV today. Sinclair Communications Alternative "96X" WROX/96.1 is looking for a Producer/On-Air Personality to run "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" and Max Media Hampton Roads seeks a night slammer for Country "97-3 The Eagle" WGH . An ad for middays at Max Media Rock "100.5 MAX FM" WXMM has been revised. 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..... (5/16/06)
| Tuesday, May 16, 2006 MyNetworkTV, owned by News Corporation (FOX), announces two new affiliations in Virginia. Sinclair Broadcasting's "FOX Richmond" WRLH/35 will carry the new net on one of its digital TV station's subchannels. MyTV will also come to Charlottesville via Gray Television's "FOX27" WAHU-CA. Gray announced back in April that it did secure the MyTV affiliation for Charlottesville but didn't mention how the market would receive the network. As of now, WAHU is an analog only TV station, unable to carry multiple streams (programs) simultaneously unlike digital TV stations. Gray did request from the FCC to turn off the analog transmitter of WVAW-LP Charlottesville ("ABC16") so it could immediately go digital but no such request has been made by WAHU... yet. Once digital, "FOX27" could run high definition (HD) programming from the FOX network on channel 27-1 while running standard definition programming from MyTV on channel 27-2.By the way, MyTV is scheduled to launch a day after The CW premieres, on Tuesday, September 5. MyTV will air programming between 8-10:00 p.m., every night of the week, except Sunday. As NewsBlues.com reported today, "(i)nitial series will include the telenovelas 'Desire' and 'Secret Obsessions,' each airing Monday to Friday with one-hour recaps on Saturdays. Telenovelas will air in continuous cycles of thirteen-week seasons - when one story ends, another, unrelated story, should begin the next week."
| Tuesday, May 16, 2006Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE Virginia Beach General Sales Manager (GSM) Ken Wente resigned last week after just four months on the job. Wente is now back into sales.
Media Can Experience HD Radio at Broadcast Center | Monday, May 15, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVTF Public Radio is now testing and broadcasting its 89.1 signal in HD Radio and members of the media are invited to Broadcast Center for a demonstration.What’s unique about the new digital format is that WVTF is able to broadcast three distinct formats on one frequency (89.1). (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, May 15, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... On Friday May 19 from 9-10 a.m. Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Harris Miller and James Webb will appear together for a taping of WVEC-TV13’s “On the Record”. At this time, this is the only scheduled televised debate (see below for actual format) between the two men prior to their June 13th statewide primary. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, May 15, 2006Former Clear Channel CHR "Q102" WIOQ/102.1 Philadelphia jock JoJo lands at sister CHR "98-3 Kiss FM" WKSI Stephens City/Winchester. JoJo is the station's new Music Director and takes over afternoons from 2-6 p.m. He continues his voice tracking duties for CC CHR "Variety 97-7" WVRT Mill Hall/Williamsport PA (middays) and CC CHR "99-3 Kiss FM" WHKF Harrisburg PA.
| Sunday, May 14, 2006JJ "Hitman" McKay most recently the morning air personality with Sebago Broadcasting's Adult/Variety Hits "96.5CTG" WCTG Chincoteague left the station after one year. Just five days after his "retirement," he's offered the morning show on the station he once built from the ground up -- "X106.9" WRXS Ocean City MD. Hitman and two female co-hosts (to be named later) will hit the air beginning Monday, May 22. Hitman says he met with station VP Crystal Layton this past Friday and within an hour the deal was done. McKay says he hated to give up the 96.5 CTG gig because the morning show was so much fun for four hours, Monday thru Friday, but the three hour commute was just too much. Now with a ten minute drive to the station until his home studio is complete, he can't believe he said "yes" but it was too convenient to turn down. McKay also admitted the main reason for leaving CTG is that he was afraid of falling asleep at the wheel at 4 a.m. and killing another commuter. McKay says when one door closes another pops open and you just have to keep on rockin'.
| Thursday, May 11, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... James Madison University football and men's basketball fans in the Hampton Roads area will continue to hear the Dukes' games on ESPN Radio 1310-AM as JMU and Max Media announce a three-year agreement through the 2008-09 academic school year. ESPN 1310, the first all-sports radio station in the Commonwealth of Virginia, has been carrying the Dukes' games since 2000-01, including whistle-to-whistle coverage of the Dukes? 2004 NCAA Division I-AA National Football Championship. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
LIN TV WAVY (10/NBC) Reporter/Anchor Andy Fox's on air apology..... (5/11/2006)
106-5 The Beat carries show in Richmond | Wednesday, May 10, 2006Star, a.k.a. Troi Torain, of the syndicated Star & Bucwild Morning Show has been fired due to controversial statements he made on air about a rival DJ in the New York market. In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Clear Channel/New York SVP/Market Manager Rob Williams said, "Power 105 finds recent remarks broadcast by Troi Torain of the Star & Bucwild Morning Show to be wholly unacceptable. (read more - Radio & Records)
| Wednesday, May 10, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... This weekend kicks off the 15th Anniversary Celebration for 97-3 The Eagle, WGH-FM. To celebrate, we’re inviting our listeners to participate in the “Red Neck Olympics.” Contestants will vie for front row tickets and backstage passes to both Gretchen Wilson and Brooks & Dunn headlining this weekend at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Kiss explodes but still second | Wednesday, May 10, 2006 Arbitron released the radio ratings for Richmond last Friday covering Winter 2006 -- January 5 thru March 29. Clear Channel Soft AC "Lite 98" WTVR/98.1 continued its ratings leadership (12+ demo) for the most listeners. A very strong second, but a whole point behind, was Radio One Urban AC "Kiss FM" WKJS 105.7/WKJM 99.3. Third was Cox Radio Country "K95" WKHK/95.3, 4th was CC "NewsRadio 1140" WRVA, 5th CC Urban "106-5 The Beat" WBTJ, 6th Radio One Gospel "Praise 104.7" WPZZ with sister Urban "Power 92-1 Jamz" WCDX in seventh. Eighth went to Main Line Adult/Variety Hits "98-9 Liberty" WWLB, 9th Cox Classic Rock "96-5 The Planet" WKLR and 10th was CC CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5...Market notables... The Alternative war between CC "102-1 The X" WRXL and Cox's "Y101" WDYL evened up. While "Y" remained steady, the "X" took a big drop to even it up between the two stations (12+ demo). Davidson Media Group's Regional Mexican La Equis (The X) WTOX/1480 gets "on the board" with a 0.5. The Talk format on that frequency was dumped in late December. The last two rating periods as a Talker, WTOX didn't have enough listenership (12+) to register in the ratings.
| Wednesday, May 10, 2006Is Andy Fox really sorry? Or is he sorry he just happened to get caught by the police AND NOT hurt anyone... "I drank alcohol, I drove my car and I broke the law..." What in the freakin' world was Fox, a family man married with three young children, doing in the middle of the week at 4 a.m.(!) drunk (and driving)??? Maybe more time devoted to thanking God no one was hurt and apologizing to his wife and family (not just thanking them for support) on air than thanking his lawyer and the officer that pulled him over, would have went a lot further. I had a friend back in the late 80s get killed by a moron just like Fox. He begged me to get off early (from work) for a trip to Charlottesville to see his family. I still think TO THIS DAY if he had just stayed a bit longer for his shift... There is a reader's poll on pilotonline.com that asks "Should WAVY-TV's Andy Fox continue his "Road Rebels" reports after his DUI conviction?"
| Tuesday, May 9, 2006 WAVY-TV reporter Andy Fox, whose “Road Rebels” reports have been a staple of local TV news for 10 years, pleaded guilty today to driving under the influence of alcohol. General District Judge W. Edward Hudgins Jr. suspended Fox’s driver’s license for one year and fined him $350. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)Editor's Note: WAVY aired an update about Fox at 5:24 p.m. with Fox going on-air stating what he did and offered an on-air apology to WAVY management while thanking friends and family. He ended his "apology" stating that he will return to work at WAVY tomorrow morning. Here's the transcript...
| Monday, May 8, 2006 After a two month delay, Davis Media has launched Classical "W-Bach, Williamsburg Classical Station" on WBQK/107.9 which replaces the simulcast of Triple A "92-3 The Tide" WTYD... DirecTV and Ion Media Networks (formerly Paxson Communications) have resolved their differences and will stay on the satellite TV service including all Ion O&O stations... Lincoln Financial Media's "NBC12" WWBT Richmond website has been completely redone at nbc12.com... Congrats to Allbritton Communications "ABC13" WSET Lynchburg/Roanoke a winner of the annual Service to America Awards (presented by the NAB Education Foundation) for teaming up with Gleaning for the World to form the Heart of Virginia Tsunami Lifeline for relief; raising over $119,000 in cash contributions and also broadcasting a special program: "Tsunami Lifeline: From the Heart of Virginia to the Heart of Sri Lanka."... The FCC has granted Great Eastern Radio's request to move the COL (community of license) of Oldies "Magic 106.3" WBOP from Churchville (just NW of Staunton) to Keswick (just E of Charlottesville) and downgrade the signal from a Class B1 to a Class A but it will still cover all of C-ville...
| Monday, May 8, 2006 Condolences to family and friends of Scott Swingle, Assistant Chief Engineer for Cox Radio Richmond, who passed away yesterday. Swingle was called in Friday to MCV for an organ transplant to be performed that day. He passed away from complications Sunday.Swingle was a long time Richmond radio & TV veteran, starting as a board-op at WRNL/910 in 1980 before moving on to on-air positions at WCDX & WMXB and later to the engineering department at WCDX and later adding the current Radio One stations to his responsibilities. He also worked at cable station "RICH-TV," WTVR (6/CBS) and WUPV (65/UPN) before going to Cox Radio Richmond. In his early 40s, Swingle leaves behind wife Deborah and two children.
WNDJ/104.9 requests new call letters -- WIGO | Monday, May 8, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Two Rivers Communications, Inc. officially switched formats and call letters today for its newly acquired property. 104.9 WIGO Country signed on at 6am today with a contemporary country format."We had the choice of any format for our new station" said Syd Abel, Two Rivers' managing partner. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
2WD continues slide | Saturday, May 6, 2006Arbitron released the radio ratings for Hampton Roads yesterday covering Winter 2006 -- January 5 thru March 29. Clear Channel Urban AC "105-3 Kiss FM" WKUS was the most listened to station (persons 12+). The 105.3 frequency received its highest rating ever in its history. Remaining second from the Fall "book" was Max Media Country "97-3 The Eagle" WGH. Slipping to third (from first) was CC Urban "103Jamz" WOWI. Fourth was Entercom Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ/104.5, fifth was Sinclair "NewsRadio 790" WNIS, sixth was Max Media Classic Hits/AC "92-9 The Wave" WVBW, seventh was Entercom Urban AC "95-7 R&B" WVKL, eighth was Saga Classic Rock "106-9 The Fox" WAFX, ninth was Entercom Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE and tenth going to Sinclair Adult/Variety Hits "93-7 Bob FM" WPYA.Market notables... Two stations took big hits... Max Media Contemporary Inspirational "Star 94.1" WXEZ (11th overall) which lost almost half of its audience (12+) compared to last winter and Entercom AC "2WD" WWDE/101.3 (13th overall). 2WD has had to react to the Wave's success. Gone is "The Best Variety of the 80s, 90s and Today" and hello to "Four Decades, Four Songs... One Station."
| Friday, May 5, 2006 In contradiction to what WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth/Norfolk management told the Daily Press about reporter/anchor Andy Fox returning to the air "soon," they are now saying it will be until at least June 13, Fox's scheduled court date in Virginia Beach. A continuance on either side in Court could push back Fox's return (if there's a favorable outcome for him) possibly into July.
| Thursday, May 4, 2006 County supervisors learned last week that an emergency generator supplied to WKWI radio by Lancaster County will be too small when another station begins using the same transmission tower in Kilmarnock.Bill Sherard, managing partner of Two Rivers Communications Inc., owner of WKWI, said the company recently acquired local radio station WNDJ, intending to move it to the WKWI location in Kilmarnock. (read more - Rappahannock Record)
| Thursday, May 4, 2006WAVY-TV 10 reporter Andy Fox will return to the airwaves very soon, WAVY News Director Kathy Hostetter said Wednesday. Fox has been off the air since April 27, when Virginia Beach police stopped him in the early morning hours and charged him with driving under the influence of alcohol. (read more - Daily Press)
| Wednesday, May 3, 2006 Continuing on with "many men will be sad in C'ville tonight" theme (see two stories down), those same guys point out that another C-ville TV looker was recently "taken off the market." "NBC29" WVIR Anchor Stephanie Cornwell was married on April 23 to an optometrist (Todd) in Charlottesville. She's now Stephanie Keppich. Cornwell, er, Keppich has been with WVIR since June 2002, according to her station bio.
| Wednesday, May 3, 2006 Several sources tell us that Chief Meteorologist Dave Parker, a 9-year station vet at New York Times "Your NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk, will exit Channel 3 in July. We hear Parker decided not to renew his contract with the station. One of the sources said that Parker is leaving TV altogether to pursue other interests and had nothing to do with station management. Parker has been in television for 17 years and got his big break at WSLS (10/NBC) Roanoke, according to his station bio.
| Tuesday, May 2, 2006 The newsroom that is three ("CBS19" WCAV, "ABC16" WVAW, "FOX27" WAHU), dubbed Charlottesville's NewsPlex is abuzz about the engagement of "ABC16" Anchor Lauren Knight and "CBS19" Anchor Kory Raftery. One VARTV reader says, "many men will be sad in C'ville tonight."
| Tuesday, May 2, 2006Only two months after announcing the start-up of the CW network — the result of a merger in January of two struggling part-time networks, WB and UPN — executives from CBS and Warner Brothers met with the marketing department of their new entity, expecting to make a radical change."We walked into that meeting ready to throw out the name CW," said Barry Meyer, the chairman of Warner Brothers. "We'd gotten so much grief from everybody. What does it mean? What is it?" Good question. (read more - The New York Times)
| Tuesday, May 2, 2006FOX's new My Network TV announced yesterday that WDBJ-DT Roanoke will carry its programming this fall on one of its digital subchannels. Grant Communications announced in late March it will carry the new CW Television Network on one of the digital subchannels of WJPR-DT Lynchburg//WFXR-DT Roanoke. The CW will also replace cable-only outlet WBVA (The WB) this fall. With these new agreements, it leaves "UPN24" WDRL Danville/Roanoke to go Independent.
| Tuesday, May 2, 2006Mid-Atlantic Network has announced that former VerStanding Hagerstown Director of Programming Chris Carmichael is named Program Director of Hot AC "B101.5" WBQB Fredericksburg and Operations Manager for the cluster which also includes "NewsTalk 1230" WFVA Fredericksburg. Carmichael replaces Brian Demay, who has been the PD for Entercom Hot AC "Star 102.5" WTSS Buffalo since April 3. The cluster also announces that Bonnie Phillips has joined The Breakfast Flakes morning show with Alan Baxter. Phillips replaces Heather Harwood who exited in March.
| Monday, May 1, 2006Sinclair Communications CHR "The Zone @ 106.1" WZNR Poquoson has picked up John Gagabedian's Open House Party for Saturday (7 p.m.- mid.) and Sunday (7-10 p.m.) nights (with Zane) but is getting the show from the distributor (SuperRadio) in a first for OHP. SuperRadio streamed the show to WZNR via the Internet this past weekend and not the usual satellite delivery. The Zone PD Jay Michaels said, "We'd run out of dish space, and this was the only technological alternative. We were hesitant at first, but we ran tests, and you cannot tell the difference in quality from that on a satellite."
| Monday, May 1, 2006 Dick Mountjoy has taken a temporary leave of absence from the WINA Morning Show. It is due to the fact that he has a malignant tumor at the base of his tongue, and is currently receiving treatment. We are anxiously awaiting and expecting his return at some point this summer on WINA. (read more - WINA.com)
Two new classified ads have been posted on VARTV today. Cox Radio Soft AC "Mix 103-7" WMXB Richmond seeks a full-time on-air personality/Promotions Assistant and The Star Radio Group is looking for P/T announcers for its cluster (WFLS, WYSK, WWUZ). An ad for a WFLS Morning News Reporter/Anchor has been revised. 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..... (5/1/06)
| Monday, May 1, 2006JJ "Hitman" McKay, mornings at Sebago Broadcasting's Adult/Variety Hits "The Island, 96-5 CTG" WCTG Chincoteague, is retiring from radio after 37 years. He's been doing mornings for WCTG for a year. McKay said, "I will be retiring after 37 years in this lovely biz, from San Diego to Denver, Mobile, Ocean City and other great cities and towns it's time to hang up the headphones... although I'm leaving the door open for some P/T stuff as I'm putting a studio in my home..." McKay will continue as the general manager of the "world famous" Purple Moose Saloon in Ocean City.
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