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 :// NFL games this Saturday moved to 100.5 MAX-FM  | Monday, December 31, 2007  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The Washington Redskins' NFL playoff game will be part of a doubleheader to be aired on 100.5 MAX-FM WXMM Norfolk. "We have the Admirals on ESPN Radio 1310 and ODU men's basketball on Star 94.1 FM WXEZ," stated Tony Mercurio, Program Director of ESPN Radio 1310 WGH."We are very fortunate to have other radio stations that are willing to carry these NFL games. We will carry the Redskins at Seattle at 4 p.m. this Saturday, followed immediately by Jacksonville at Pittsburgh at 8 p.m. on 100.5 MAX-FM." Mercurio added, "We will have two more NFL games on Saturday, January 12, on 100.5 MAX-FM as well. However, the NFL playoff games on Sunday, will remain on ESPN Radio 1310."
 Brian Strobel, morning show host on Free Lance-Star's Country WFLS/93.3 Fredericksburg, retired today. All the pics can be found at WFLS.com..... (12/31/2007)
| Monday, December 31, 2007Raycom Media's "CBS6" WTVR Richmond will start new anchor/reporter Angela Pellerano this weekend with the station's 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts. She previously reported for Hearst-Argyle Television's WXII/12 (NBC) Winston-Salem/Greensboro for over six years. Pellerano will also anchor the weekend additions of "CW News at 10" on WUPV/65 Ashland/Richmond and report for both stations three days a week.
| Monday, December 31, 2007Jeremy Crider, a reporter at Media General's WSLS (10/NBC) Roanoke, has been picked up by Local TV's "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk. Crider starts at Channel 3 in January.
| Wednesday, December 26, 2007 Sinclair Communications changes the call letters of its new Country outlet "US106" from WNRJ to WUFH, dated 12/20/2007. Yep, WUFH. But, a station legal ID just heard (on 12/21) stated "WUSH." According to the FCC database the WUSH call letters are still available (as of 12/21)...NEW: The "WUSH" call letters are now "requested" (12/26) by Sinclair Communications. So who goofed? The FCC or Sinclair...
| Wednesday, December 26, 2007 Central City Productions which produces the Stellar Gospel Music Awards recently announced that Davidson Media Group's Urban Gospel "Rejoice Radio 1540" WREJ Richmond (Medium Market) and Max Media Contemporary Inspirational "Star 94.1" WXEZ Yorktown/Virginia Beach (Large Market) were nominated for Radio Stations of the Year.The 23rd addition of the Awards will be announced at the Acuff Theatre right next to the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville TN on Saturday, January 12, 2008.
| Friday, December 21, 2007The Game radio (WXTG/1490AM and WXTG/102.1FM) has gained local rights to broadcast Westwood One's coverage of the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments, as well as about 45 regular-season and conference tournament games. (read more - Daily Press)
| Friday, December 21, 2007Sinclair Communications turned out the light on Hot Adult Contemporary station Energy 106.1 last week and formally hopped back in the country music saddle Tuesday afternoon with the launch of US 106 America’s Country. (read more - Lifestyles Magazine)
Bay Broadcasting Country WBEY/97.9 Crisfield is now broadcasting in HD Radio; Maryland and Virginia's Eastern Shore's first licensed HD radio station. Station owner Mike Powell says HD2 and HD3 channels will soon be available..... (12/21/2007)
| Thursday, December 20, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... William “Woody” Prettyman, CEO of Virginia Beach, VA based Studio Center Total Production announced today the acquisition of Tonic Studios, New York City. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, December 20, 2007Clear Channel Roanoke has announced that Helen Powers will join Barry Michaels in the morning on Country WYYD/107.9 Amherst. Powers was most recently doing middays at Citadel rocker KBER/101.1 Ogden/Salt Lake City UT when she quit after 10+ years with the station. KBER's PD told the local newspaper that "Powers and her husband have decided to travel the country." And they ended up in Roanoke. Powers starts at WYYD Wednesday, January 2, 2008.
| Tuesday, December 18, 2007 Sinclair Communications formally introduced its Country format today as "US106, America's Country" WUSH signing-on at 5 p.m. with Alan Jackson's (ft Jimmy Buffett) "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere."This is the Group's second attempt at the Country format. Kick-FM debuted December 2003 on Sinclair's 93.7. When Adult/Variety Hits "BOB-FM" did so well on the new move-in signal 106.1, the two stations swapped formats. Six months later (2/2005) Kick-FM on 106.1 was killed for a Contemporary Hit Radio format.
Sinclair Communications blows up Energy 106-1 for stunting Country. The new Country format debuts on Tuesday, December 18 at 5 p.m. as "US106, America's Country." (12/18/2007)
| Monday, December 17, 2007National syndicator Talk Radio Network has announced that "Mancow's Morning Madhouse with Mancow Muller" will return to Sinclair Communications' Alternative "96X" WROX/96.1 Exmore/Norfolk on Monday, January 7, 2008. Mancow was replaced by the station's afternoon show "The Mike & Bob Show" (Mike Powers and Bob Fresh) last June. Powers and Fresh will move back to their previous timeslot, weekdays 2 - 6 p.m. Damien then James Steele have been handling afternoons for the past six months. Steele will takeover nights.
| Monday, December 17, 2007Steve McKay, sales for Max Media Hampton Roads, has decided to leave the radio biz and return to New Jersey. McKay moves back home to take over the family's pharmacy business. In a statement to the trades, McKay said "I want to thank Max Media, which has been my home for the past 2 years. My decision to leave was about ME and my future, and is not a reflection on Max Media." McKay previously programmed Modern AC "94.9 The Point WPTE Virginia Beach for Entercom.
| Monday, December 17, 2007 The future of television is arriving for consumers in parts of Chesapeake as Verizon introduces FiOS TV over its revolutionary fiber-optic network here. FiOS TV currently is available to consumers in large parts of Newport News and Virginia Beach. (read more - Verizon)
After 48 years in the TV business and 30+ at WWBT/12 Richmond, Lincoln Financial Media Content Manager Harvey W Powers retired last Friday..... (12/17/2007)
| Monday, December 17, 2007Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting WRJR/1010 Portsmouth morning host Rodney Suiter has taken over the day-to-day on air programming for Christian Talk WPMH/670 Claremont/Hampton Roads. Suiter has been handling schedules and on air weather reports as well as producing some local talk for the fledgling Political talk station. He is still doing morning and afternoon on air shifts for WRJR.
| Sunday, December 16, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Tom @ 107.5 is pleased to welcome a new friend, Meg, who joins the station beginning Monday morning, December 17, 2007. “Meg in the Morning” will be heard on Tom @ 107.5 each weekday from 6:00am-10:00am. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Saturday, December 15, 2007Loyal radio listeners couldn't tell, but Brian Strobel was nervous. It didn't matter that he's been the voice of WFLS' morning show for 30 years, or that his day had begun in entirely normal fashion. (read more - Fredericksburg.com)
Frequency to try Country again as "US106" | Friday, December 14, 2007Two days after the Fall radio ratings ended, Sinclair Communications laid to rest the Energy name and format on 106.1 today just before 2 p.m. to go to Country. For now, it's "Garth 106." The last track on Energy was N Sync's "Bye, Bye, Bye." The first on "Garth" was "The Thunder Rolls" by Garth Brooks. Energy had been on auto-pilot since late August. The signal, doing whatever format, has suffered ratings-wise. VARTV reported back in August the short but active history of the 106.1 signal targeting the Hampton Roads market: Since the frequency signed on from Poquoson almost four years ago, the format has changed eight times. The station is ready to move its antenna to Portsmouth as soon as the FCC gives them the blessing. They hit a slight bump in the road when Tidewater Communications Inc (WNOR, WAFX, WJOI) filed an objection to the antenna move to Portsmouth.
| Friday, December 14, 2007Karen Parker Chesson, local morning host/news for the Steve Harvey Morning Show and Public Affairs Director for Urban AC "95-7 RnB" WVKL Norfolk, has left the building as her full-time position has been dissolved. VP of Operations, Don London, told his staff "After many great years with our cluster, Karen Parker-Chesson's full time position has been dissolved so she is no longer with us. Karen did a great job for us and is very talented."
| Friday, December 14, 2007Clear Channel Roanoke/Lynchburg shuffles formats and frequencies within its cluster. I was announced this morning that: Editor's note: The three Clear Channel sticks in Roanoke will probably have to go into trust early next year with the Clear Channel merger. It's public record that the Roanoke/Lynchburg frequencies slated to go into trust are 93.5, 101.7 and 106.1. Clear Channel is obviously making sure that they get to keep the bigger signals. If formats do need to be sold off, it appears that it will be the Sunny and Bull formats.
| Wednesday, December 12, 2007 The big debut finally happened. Wednesday, WSLS was the first television station in the Roanoke/Lynchburg market to air a half hour, local newscast in high definition. Starting with its noon newscast, all newscasts will now be high def. (read more - WSLS)
K95/WKHK upgrades tower signal from 17,500 watts to 47,000 watts | Wednesday, December 12, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... K95/WKHK morning show co-hosts Catfish and Lori announced at 8:20 a.m. this morning exciting news about the station’s signal. The FCC has approved a power increase of 29,500 watts in addition to an antenna height increase. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, December 12, 2007 The parent company of WSKY-TV (Channel 4) has sued the builder of a tower that toppled in high winds in Camden County, N.C., in March, saying its work was shoddy from start to finish. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| Wednesday, December 12, 2007Now that THE Old Dominion men's and women's basketball games are being carried by 94.1 FM, ODU's coverage area is three times larger than it was when broadcasts were on sister-station ESPN 1310. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
Red Zebra Broadcasting recently changed the call letters of its Sports "The Game" simulcast on AM1490 Hampton from WLRT to WXTG. The FM side on 102.1 is now known as WXTG-FM..... (12/11/2007)
| Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Cox Radio's Country "K95" WKHK/95.3 Colonial Heights/Richmond increased its power yesterday. The station is now considered a full Class B station doing 47kW at 512 feet. They were doing 17kW at 394 feet. WKHK transmits from an antenna near the Chippenham Pkwy and I-95 interchange.VARTV reported back in July 2005, for Cox Radio to make this upgrade, they compensated John Cole's JLC Properties to move their transmitter site of Hot AC WHLF/95.3 South Boston approximately five miles to the NW and power down to 4kW (from 6kW) and lower it's antenna to 50 meters/164 feet (from 75m/246ft) at the new site.
| Monday, December 10, 2007 Charlottesville’s NBC affiliate has received a waiver from the Federal Communications Commission granting it exclusive rights over a Richmond NBC affiliate to over-the-air broadcasts in the central Virginia area. (read more - The News Virginian)
Nearly a dozen classified ads have been posted on VARTV since November! Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for complete details.If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (12/9/2007)
| Saturday, December 8, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Riverdale Cinema Café, in conjunction with Selecta AM 1050 WVXX, is proud to announce a special print release of Disney’s National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets. In addition to the English language print of the film, we will also be offering a special print dubbed in Spanish. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Friday, December 7, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WAVY News 10 continues to dominate the late news race in Hampton Roads and was once again number one in November 2007. In fact, WAVY News 10 at 11PM has won 89 of the past 92 rating periods. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Friday, December 7, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Monday, December 10th marks the debut of WAVY’s new anchor, Tom Schaad. Schaad will anchor the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts for the #1 station, alongside Alveta Ewell and Nicole Livas. “I’m excited to join such a prestigious news operation,” said Schaad. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Congrats to Saga Communications Hampton Roads President/GM Dave Paulus for being named "Best Manager" in a medium market by Radio Ink..... (12/7/2007)
| Thursday, December 6, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Some of the area's top sports stars and entertainers will be on hand to meet and greet area supporters for 1073 BBT’s and the U.S. Marine Reserves “Toys for Tots” campaign Thursday, December 13 at Big Al’s Bar and Grill across from Innsbrook. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, December 6, 2007Continuing a trend started earlier this year, Comcast Cable has moved several more channels off its analog tier and made them digital-only. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Clear Channel Roanoke has an immediate opening for a Director of Sales for its 5-station cluster..... (12/5/2007)
Increase due in January will not apply to phone or high-speed Internet | Wednesday, December 5, 2007It's the end of the year, and Comcast cable subscribers know what that means. Rates will be going up with January billings. Depending upon the level of service, monthly bills in the Comcast greater Richmond area could increase by at least $1.75 to $5.75. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
WKHK, WMXB and WKLR to present $100 prizes from Western Union to listeners... | Wednesday, December 5, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Western Union and Cox Radio Richmond have teamed up to spread holiday cheer in support of The Salvation Army’s Silver Bells initiative. Beginning today and running through December 14, Cox Richmond stations, WKHK, WMXB and WKLR will run an on-air contest with a $100 prize... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, December 5, 2007Just in time for the holiday season, Verizon is unwrapping high-definition video-on-demand in many of its FiOS TV markets. HD VOD is now available over the FiOS TV systems in Richmond and Virginia Beach, Va.; Tampa, Fla.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Pittsburgh. (read more - Verizon FiOS)
| Tuesday, December 4, 2007East Carolina Radio Group (ECRG) has upped Classic Hits "102.5 The Shark" WERX Nags Head morning host Mark St. John to Program Director of the station. St. John will continue to handle morning duties as he has for the past 10 years on The Shark. Eddie James, the PD for Classic Rock "95.3 The Rock" WOBR Wanchese, moves on to explore avenues other than radio. His exit leaves Operations Manager (ECRG)/PD WOBX/98.1 Cuervo Curtis as the interim PD for The Rock.
Former Raycom Media "CBS6" WTVR Richmond staffer Anthony Davis moves to the #8 market. He will be working in the Operations Department at Allbritton Communications' "ABC7" WJLA Washington, DC. Davis left WTVR in September to work in the #9 market, Atlanta. He was the Associate Producer for "Virginia This Morning" on CBS6..... (12/5/2007)
Hampton Roads won't be waking up with Whoopi anymore | Tuesday, December 4, 2007 Entercom AC "2WD" WWDE/101.3 Hampton/Virginia Beach has dropped the "Wake Up With Whoopi" morning show. The link to her show has also disappeared from the station's website. In the latest ratings, the "Wake Up With Whoopi" show lagged behind other dayparts at the station and was a big reason for the program being yanked, we're told.This is the fourth station to drop Whoopi (down to eight now) who debuted on 2WD just over 13 months ago. Whoopi replaced "The Breakfast Bunch" with Ted Alexander and Jennifer Pulley. To fill the gap, MD/middays Mark McCarthy moves to mornings and PD/afternoons Barry McKay, at sister Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE, will get additional midday duties on 2WD. It all takes place January 2, 2008.
| Tuesday, December 4, 2007News Director Becky Bruce has recently exited Mel Wheeler "NewsTalk 960" WFIR Roanoke. She's now in Salt Lake City as midday anchor and the afternoon News Manager at Bonneville "KSL Newsradio" KSL/1160. Bruce's new boss at KSL, PD Kevin LaRue, was replaced by Bruce at WFIR back in April 2006.
| Tuesday, December 4, 2007After nearly half a century at the helm, evangelist Pat Robertson said Monday that he is passing daily management of the Christian Broadcasting Network to his son, Gordon Robertson. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| Tuesday, December 4, 2007For the first time in at least eight years, Cox Communications Inc. is not raising rates for its popular standard package. However, subscribers will pay more for premium channels, such as HBO, Cinemax and Showtime. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
On demand service offers serious and less oft-heard Classical Music | Monday, December 3, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WHRO will launch Connoisseur Classics, a new on-line on demand radio service for serious classical music lovers, on December 1, 2008. Programmed by WHRO veteran announcer Dr. Raymond Jones, Connoisseur Classics will offer programming not readily available from other classical outlets... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, December 3, 2007Cox Northern Virginia announced today the launch of 11 new high-definition channels to its Fairfax County programming lineup, effective immediately. (read more - PRNewswire)
| Monday, December 3, 2007 More Hampton Roads’ viewers turned to WVEC-TV13 making WVEC-TV13 the most watched station sign on to sign off for the 13th consecutive rating period, plus WVEC-TV13 grew it’s total news viewership over last year, out-delivering the combined audience of our competitors during 13NEWS AT 5:00 and 13NEWS AT 5:30. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Saturday, December 1, 2007 Cox Communications is not raising rates for its basic cable channels, but it is hiking the cost of some of the extras. The monthly rental cost of a Digital Video Recorder box will rise $2 from $9.50 to $11.50. (read more - Daily Press)Editor's note: Cox Hampton Roads is implementing several other changes not mentioned in the Daily Press piece. Some include the addition of a fourth High Speed Internet (HSI) tier to their offerings called Economy (512kpbs/256kbps). Other HSI options are Premier (15mbps/2mbps), Preferred (5/2) and Value (1.5/256). On the phone side, Cox has added the "Simply 3" package which includes service with Call Waiting and Caller ID and a new "Simply Worldwide" package for international calling. All the changes can be found on their new rate card...
| Friday, November 30, 2007Travis “Bagwell” Griffin has landed the nighttime gig ("the show") at Clear Channel Rock "DC101" WWDC/101.1 Washington. Bagwell was doing nights at sister CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 Richmond as "T-Bag" before being replaced by Otto Mation. After leaving Richmond, Travis was doing weekends and fill-in work at WWDC and sister CHR "Hot 99-5" WIHT.
| Friday, November 30, 2007Eric Romanowski, producer for Clear Channel Alternative "102-1 The X" WRXL's "Elliot In The Morning" show, will be exiting the cluster. He will become Entercom Norfolk's (WPTE/94.9, WVKL/95.7, WWDE/101.3, WNVZ/104.5) new Imaging Director. Romanowski, who produced the Washington DC-based morning show for WRXL, also handled imaging for The X and sister CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5. He exits Richmond Wednesday, December 19.
| Thursday, November 29, 2007Removed at the request of Nielsen Media...
| Thursday, November 29, 2007 The I-Man is back. When controversial shock jock Don Imus returns to the airwaves Monday, his nationally syndicated morning drive talk show will be heard locally on WTAR 850-AM weekdays from 6 to 9 a.m. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot) (read more - Daily Press)Editor's note: Contrary to what WTAR owner Bob Sinclair says, Don Imus' show WILL return to TV in a simulcast on RFD-TV. The net is only seen on DirecTV (channel 379) but is in discussions with major cable MSO's for carriage, most likely on cable's digital tiers...
| Wednesday, November 28, 2007WCTG Chincoteague VA-Salisbury-Ocean City MD has flipped to Triple A under the direction of GM/PD Robin Rothschild. Robin is a veteran broadcaster and former GM/founder of WOCM Salisbury-Ocean City (now a hybrid Alternative "Classic Rock"). (read more - Triple A Radio)
Max Media has completed the renovations in the main studio of AC/Classic Hits "92-9 The Wave" WVBW Suffolk/Virginia Beach. Check out all the pics at 929thewave..... (11/28/2007)
| Wednesday, November 28, 2007Radio One Richmond has made some behind the scene changes at its cluster. Cluster Operations Manager Jeff Anderson will take additional programming duties (he's already PD of Urban AC "KISS" WKJS/105.7 Richmond, WKJM/99.3 Petersburg) by taking the PD reins of the newly reformulated Urban "Power 92" WCDX/92.1 Richmond. Anderson replaces Reggie Baker at Power but Baker will continue to serve as PD/middays for Gospel "Praise 104.7" WPZZ Crewe and PD at Urban Talk "The People's Station" WTPS/1240 Petersburg.
| Tuesday, November 27, 2007Educational Media Foundation (EMF) recently signed on W245BB/96.9 Newport News. The new low-power repeater station is running 80 watts from an antenna just south of the Newport News line in Hampton, right off I-64. EMF is simulcasting it's K-Love programming from WAZP/90.7 Cape Charles.
Requests to swap frequencies are involved | Tuesday, November 27, 2007Nancy Epperson's Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corp (CPBC) and Stuart Epperson's Truth Broadcasting filed concurrent applications with the FCC to reduce the power of Truth's WLVA/590 Lynchburg and to swap frequencies with CPBC's WLES/580 Bon Air/Richmond. Right now, WLVA on 590 is licensed to do 5kW during the day and 1kW at night. They are requesting to move to 580 and power down to 250 watts day and just 15 watts at night. For WLES on 580, they are currently doing 201 watts day and 27 watts night. They are requesting the move to 590 and increase power to 600 watts day and 58 watts at night. WLES is simulcasting Christian Talk "830 The Truth" WTRU Kernersville/Greensboro NC; WLVA has been silent for several months.
| Monday, November 26, 2007 ZGS Communications has recently signed-on its low-power TV (LPTV) station WKYV-LP/45 in Richmond. The station is affiliated with the Spanish Telemundo network and is known as "Telemundo 45."ZGS was successful in moving the LPTV from Keysville to Richmond this past year. WKYV-LP does 75kW and serves the immediate Richmond metro. No cable system carries the new station.
| Monday, November 26, 2007 101.7 FM WLQM Franklin will begin their 18th season of “play by play” high school basketball on Friday November 30th. While most of the Hampton Roads radio stations focus on college and pro sports broadcasts, WLQM Radio Sports continues to be the voice for live local high school basketball in Western Tidewater. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, November 20, 2007There's another departure from the Main Line Richmond radio cluster (WLFV/93.1, WWLB/98.9, WBBT/107.3). This time its cluster Operations Manager and Adult/Variety Hits "98-9 Liberty" Program Director Laura Lee Bathje. She has resigned to return to Clear Channel Columbus (OH). Her last day in Richmond will be tomorrow (11/21). In the meantime, Country "93.1 The Wolf" PD Mike Murphy is the cluster's acting OM and for now will oversee programming at Liberty.
| Tuesday, November 20, 2007Millions of consumers now can take advantage of ultra-fast Verizon FiOS Internet upload speeds that blow cable away. Starting today, Verizon is offering its high-speed symmetrical FiOS Internet services to consumers in 16 states served by its advanced, all-fiber-optic network. (read more - Verizon FiOS)
| Monday, November 19, 2007 The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals sided Friday with Centennial Media, the owner of Lynchburg-based talk radio station WLNI, in its effort to block another talk station from broadcasting from Bedford. (read more - The Roanoke Times) (read more - The (Lynchburg) News & Advance)
| Saturday, November 17, 2007 It appears so. Earlier today we received several emails stating that WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth/Norfolk and "FOX43" WVBT Virginia Beach anchor David Nelson had exited the duopoly Friday. We checked both websites for WAVY (WAVY.com) and WVBT (MyFOXHamptonRoads.com) at that time and his bio was still on both sites. This evening, Nelson's bio had disappeared from WAVY's site but as of this writing is still on WVBT's website.Nelson co-anchored the WAVY 5 p.m. newscast and "FOX43 News at 10." He also hosted the weekly high school student quiz show "Battle of the Brains," which airs Saturday mornings at 10 on WAVY but Stephanie Harris took over those duties this season. His tenure was just short of five years at the LIN TV duopoly.
| Saturday, November 17, 2007Jamey Singleton will return to local TV in January. The popular but beleaguered meteorologist will present weather segments and cover community events for Franklin County’s Cable 12, he said. Singleton, 29, was previously a weatherman with WSLS (Channel 10). (read more - The Roanoke Times)
The Christmas music listings have recently been updated on the right side of the site including Clear Channel AC WASH/97.1 and Verstandig's Soft AC "Lite 96" WJDV/96.1 Harrisonburg. Check it out..... (11/15/2007)
| Wednesday, November 14, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Thursday, November 15th Max Media of Hampton Roads will host the 4th Annual Feed the Hungry Radiothon on 92.9 The Wave and 97.3 The Eagle. The Feed the Hungry Radiothon benefits Union Mission Ministries. The money donated throughout Hampton Roads will be used to prepare meals and care for those less fortunate this Holiday Season. To make your donation call 962-4599 Thursday, November 15th between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM or log on to www.929thewave.com or www.eagle97.com. Over the past 3 years, Hampton Roads has pledged over $134,000 through the Max Media Radiothons for Union Mission Ministries.
| Wednesday, November 14, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Monticello Media has announced the hiring of Melissa Neeley as News Director of their Charlottesville radio operation. Neeley is a native of Dayton, Ohio where she was recently a news anchor and reporter for WHIO-AM/FM. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, November 13, 2007In an effort to help educate television viewers in the Washington, D.C., market, all of the commercial broadcasters in the area have joined to offer the same message: “The transition to digital broadcasting is coming, so be prepared.” (read more - TVNEWSDAY)
Clear Channel Country WYYD/107.9 Amherst/Roanoke has named the station's afternooner Kenny Shelton as its new Program Director. WYYD fired PD Joel Dearing last week. He was with the cluster for four years..... (11/13/2007)
Raycom Media will acquire Richmond's WWBT, sell WTVR | Tuesday, November 13, 2007WWBT-Channel 12, Richmond's NBC affiliate, will be getting a new owner. So will WTVR-Channel 6, Richmond's CBS affiliate. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
106.9 The Fox conducts 11th Annual Mayflower Marathon, Fox personalities broadcast over 56 hours to benefit area Foodbanks | Monday, November 12, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Hunger and food security are impacting the lives of more Hampton Roads residents. The number of people served by local food banks increased 30% this past year. More than one-third of those recipients were children. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, November 12, 2007Lincoln Financial (LF) has announced that it is selling it's TV properties in Charlotte, Richmond, and Charleston to Raycom Media for $583 million. LF owns "NBC12" WWBT Richmond and Raycom Media owns "CBS6" WTVR Richmond. We hear Raycom has told staffers at CBS6 that they will dump WTVR in favor of WWBT when the sale is finalized. One owner can not own two stations in the Richmond market that are both affiliated with the Big 4 (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC). "CW Richmond" WUPV (65) Ashland/Richmond, which just recently completed the move to the WTVR studios, will eventually be re-moved to the WWBT site. WUPV is owned by Raycom subsidiary Southeastern Media Holdings. Who already has their eyes on WTVR? First name we are hearing is Gannett Broadcasting (The USA Today newspaper, WUSA/9 Washington)...
| Saturday, November 10, 2007According to its website they are. Is Local TV LLC's "NewsChannel 3" WTKR getting rid of the "old" and bringing in the "new?"
| Saturday, November 10, 2007Clear Channel Roanoke has dismissed at least two from its cluster there. The two names we're hearing are Program Director Joel Dearing, of Country "108" WYYD/107.9 (4 years at the station) and Classic Country WZBL-HD2/104.9, and Heidi middays at rocker WROV/96.3 (10+ years). Both have been let got. We also hear there are more on the list that have been pink slipped.
| Saturday, November 10, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Chris Wolf has been named Regional Director of Programming and Creative Services for WGNT-TV in Norfolk , Virginia , WTOG-TV in Tampa , Florida and WUPA-TV in Atlanta, Georgia . All three stations are affiliates of The CW Network and are owned by CBS Television Stations. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
The columns of longtime sports writer John Markon will no longer appear in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)..... (11/10/2007)
| Saturday, November 10, 2007 ... but will stay-on thru the November TV Sweeps period. Raycom Media "CBS6" WTVR Richmond informed chief meteorologist Mike Goldberg that he has been let go by the station. What's unsure is how it happened.We hear Goldberg was told after the 6 p.m. weather segment during the Thursday evening newscast. He has agreed to stay with the station thru the all-important November TV ratings period. News Director Chip Mahaney, in an email sent to staff Friday morning, said, "I'd ... like to take this opportunity  to thank Mike Goldberg for his more than nine years of service to WTVR and the Richmond community and to wish him nothing but the very best in the future."In that email, the station announces that Zach Daniel has been named CBS6's new chief meteorologist. He's currently the weekend meteorologist at Griffin Communications "NEWS9" KWTV (CBS) Oklahoma City OK. Daniel starts at WTVR Monday, December 3.
Ala.-based firm said to be interested in buying TV station | Saturday, November 10, 2007 Could WWBT-Channel 12 be changing hands again? In 2006, Richmond's NBC affiliate became a Lincoln Financial Media station after a merger between Lincoln National Corp. and Jefferson-Pilot Corp. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Saturday, November 10, 2007Several local radio DJs are missing of late -- four from WCDX (Power 92.1), a Radio One station, and one from WRVQ (Q94), a Clear Channel station. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Friday, November 9, 2007 The 2007-2008 Old Dominion University basketball games commence a new radio era in Hampton Roads... For the first time ever, all of the ODU basketball games can be heard on Star 94.1 FM. The first regular season broadcast will be this Saturday with the ODU Lady Monarchs hosting Middle Tennessee State at the Ted... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Doc Thompson wants WRVA talk show to be fun and topical | Friday, November 9, 2007Richmond has a new talk-show host -- Doc Thompson, 38, now heard 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays on WRVA (1140 AM). Thompson (his initials are M.D.) isn't exactly new to WRVA audiences. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Thursday, November 8, 2007Verizon FiOS Hampton Roads has added CBS O&O "CW27" WGNT-DT Portsmouth/Norfolk to it's HD line-up today. The station can be found on channel 807. This is big news for FiOS subscribers because WGNT is one of the highest ranked CW affiliates in the country.
| Thursday, November 8, 2007 Ion Media Networks today announced the launch of Ion Television HD, the high-definition version of the company's flagship network, Ion Television. Ion Television HD will air the network’s full lineup of programming in high definition beginning in the first quarter of next year. (read more - TVNEWSDAY)Editor's note: Ion has owned-and-operated TV stations in Hampton Roads (WPXV/49) and Washington (WPXW/66 Manassas)...
| Thursday, November 8, 2007 Allbritton ABC affiliate WSET Roanoke, Va., will began carrying Retro Television Network’s programming lineup of classic TV shows on a digital stream in the 67th DMA in April 2008.“We are excited to be a part of this growing network. It is ironic that our future success will be generated from primetime hits of the past..." (read more - TVNEWSDAY)
Mount Rich Media's Spanish Christian Contemporary "Radio Poder 1380" WBTK Richmond is now streaming their audio over the Internet at WBTK.com..... (11/8/2007)
24 basketball games to be televised | Thursday, November 8, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The audience for Old Dominion University Monarch and Lady Monarch basketball games will stretch from coast to coast, with a record 24 games televised this season. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, November 7, 2007Cox Radio Alternative "Y101" WDYL/101.1 Chester/Richmond PD/afternooner Eric Kristensen calls it quits. He's headed back home to Chicago to join his family business. Kristensen was with WDYL just over 21 months. He previously programmed (and did afternoons) at Journal Broadcast Group's Modern Rock "100.3 The X" KQXR Payette/Boise ID.
The VARTV master computer is back online after failing again for the upteenth time in the past three years including two monitor failures, a power supply failure, CD drive failure and yesterday afternoon the heat sink on the motherboard fell off... It's a Dell PC, by the way..... (11/8/2007)
| Wednesday, November 7, 2007Davis Media's Triple A "92.3 The Tide" WTYD Deltaville/Peninsula has ended the Internet streaming of the station. WTYD is running statement on their website at TideRadio.com.
| Tuesday, November 6, 2007Bill Lane, general manager of WRLH, Richmond's Fox affiliate, has resigned. His last day with the station will be tomorrow. Lane, who has been WRLH's general manager since 2004, was formerly the station's general sales manager. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Tuesday, November 6, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... RadioRichmond and Davidson Media Group are pleased to announce that Ed Stephens, Jr., Host of "Old School Gospel" on WREJ Rejoice 1540, has been inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio. Ed is also the president of the Virginia Gospel Announcer's Guild, and is the Urban Inspiration Consultant for Davidson Media Group and Account Executive for Radio Richmond.You can hear Ed Stephens Jr. playing the best Old School Gospel in Richmond every Saturday from 3-6pm on WREJ Rejoice 1540's "Old School Gospel."
| Tuesday, November 6, 2007Three Clear Channel Richmond employees, as far as we know, have been let go due to budget cuts. Rob Witham, the cluster's Continuity/Production Director, (Shelley) Desiree Escobedo in production and CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 night slammer T-Bag have received pink slips. Escobedo was originally brought into CC Richmond to do traffic when the cluster flipped to Total Traffic out of Charlotte. T-Bag (Travis Bagwell) is still doing weekends/fill-ins at sister CHR "Hot 99-5" WIHT Washington. For now, the shift will be filled with part-timers.
| Tuesday, November 6, 2007NewsBlues.com says that Gray Television Charlottesville "CBS19" WCAV, "ABC16" WVAW-LP weekend anchor/reporter Philip Stewart is headed for Albritton Communications' "ABC7" WJLA Washington and cable-only "NewsChannel 8" as a reporter.
That is… Anguz Black! | Monday, November 5, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Clear Channel Urban "103Jamz" WOWI/102.9 Norfolk and The Boodah Brothers Morning Show are happy to announce the newest member of the morning show, Comedian, ANGUZ BLACK. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, November 5, 2007As most of you know, Tracy Turner let us know last week that she has breast cancer and will be gone while she is seeking treatment. (read more - WHSV)
| Monday, November 5, 2007Sandy Jimerson, formerly of SNL Event Marketing in Richmond, has taken over sales management for Variety/Adult Hits "98-9 Liberty" WWLB Midlothian. John Kolesa, formerly the New Business Development Manager for Saga Communications in Charlottesville, has taken over Sales Management responsibilities for 70s-60s Hits "107-3 BBT" WBBT Powhatan and Country "93.1 The Wolf" WLFV Ettrick. A new Business Manager will be announced this upcoming week.
| Monday, November 5, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The Daily Break section of The Virginian-Pilot on Friday November 2, 2007, featured two success stories about (CBS O&O) "CW27" (WGNT Portsmouth/Norfolk). (read more - CW27)
| Monday, November 5, 2007The ODU Football Update, with head coach Bobby Wilder, is being moved to 5 a.m. this Wednesday, on Max Media ESPN Radio 1310 WGH Newport News/Norfolk. The show normally airs at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. "We had to move the show due to some conflicts," noted Tony Mercurio, Program Director of ESPN Radio 1310. "We have a golf outing with major league players on Monday, and we start the ODU men and women's basketball coaches shows this Tuesday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1310."
| Friday, November 2, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...In today’s disposable world the great music still lives on…the music that transcends all generations and it’s that music that is generations 102.3 & 94.1. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Friday, November 2, 2007Bonneville News WTOP/103.5 Washington has rolled out a third digital channel that strictly features traffic and weather.
| Friday, November 2, 2007 NewsChannel 3's Live VIPIR Radar is the world's most advanced weather system, allowing you to see severe weather in real time. It's the most complete, fastest, most accurate forecast in all of Hampton Roads. (read more - WTKR)
| Thursday, November 1, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Star Radio Group Country WFLS/93.3 Fredericksburg announces the hiring of Todd Grimsted as Afternoon Announcer/APD. Todd spent nearly 19 years at WPOC in Baltimore, one and a half years at KYGO in Denver, and was most recently PD/Morning show at WPKR Appleton/Oshkosh, WI. He replaces station vet Mike Vincent, who is on his way to San Francisco. Grimsted’s first day on WFLS will be November 12.
| Thursday, November 1, 2007 Radio One has yanked the entire air staff of Urban "Power 92-1" WCDX Richmond off the air. But... have they been let go?A statement on the station's website stated earlier today, "Coming Soon, The Rebirth of Power 921... check back daily to the website for updates on the Rebirth of Power 921 as we prepare to unveil a new wave of radio." A contest stunt? Tweaked format?? Stay tuned...
Local TV's "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk just blew up their "Triple Doppler Weather" today during their noon newscast. "Live VIPIR Radar" weather debuts this evening during the 5 p.m. newscast with meteorologist Mike Harvey..... (11/1/2007)
| Thursday, November 1, 2007Verizon FiOS TV customers will get even more of the high-definition content they love as Verizon today announced plans for a fivefold increase in the number of HD channels, to 150 channels, as well as plans for offering additional HD content through FiOS TV's video-on-demand service. (read more - Verizon)
| Thursday, November 1, 2007As the battle between Cox Communications and Verizon Communications over cable customers heats up, the companies are forcing each others' hands to add high-definition channels. (read more - Daily Press)
| Thursday, November 1, 2007The Federal Communications Commission shifted policy Wednesday, banning television service providers from gaining exclusive access to residential developments in Hampton Roads and elsewhere. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
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