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 :// Verizon plans Q2 rate hike for FiOS No details on price increase for ‘certain products and bundles’  | Wednesday, April 30, 2008Verizon Communications will raise prices on certain FiOS services sometime this quarter—its third such increase within the last 18 months—but the telco isn't yet providing specifics. (read more - Multichannel News)
| Wednesday, April 30, 2008  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... As licensees of the public airwaves, broadcasters have an obligation to further “localism” by serving the needs and interests of the specific local communities that they are licensed to serve. The Virginia Association of Broadcasters and WCAV-TV CBS 19, WVAW-TV ABC 16, WAHU Fox 27, WVIR-TV NBC 29 and the radio stations of Monticello Media believe that new localism rules being proposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hinder local stations. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
 Congrats to Max Media Hampton Roads Country "97-3 The Eagle" WGH Marketing Director Renee Fonner on the birth of her baby boy, Keagan Kojo. Fonner returns to the cluster late May/early June... (4/30/2008)
Business class Internet cervice boosted to 16.2 mbps downstream, 2 mbps upstream | Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Cable giant Comcast is stepping up its effort in the commercial market by doubling the speed of the high-speed-data service it sells to small business owners. (read more - Broadcasting & Cable)
| Tuesday, April 29, 2008If you've ever met disc jockey Mike Arlo, one thing is immediately obvious, aside from his trademark handlebar mustache: The Mike Arlo you hear from 10 to 3, mid-days on WAFX–FM 106.9 The Fox is the same upbeat Arlo off the air and in real life. (read more - Lifestyle Magazine)
| Tuesday, April 29, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Richmond’s Clear Channel Cluster responded quickly by immediately donating thousands of dollars of airtime for Public Service messages by Bill Harrison from the Greater Richmond American Red Cross. "The messages are running through this weekend and are designed to raise funds to help those affected by these terrible storms."
| Tuesday, April 29, 2008Hampton Roads viewers tuned-in bigtime to the severe weather coverage, including a tornado in Suffolk, that hit the area and Northeast North Carolina yesterday afternoon. WVEC (13/ABC) had the highest viewership of the evening, peaking 5:30 to 7 p.m. doing a 16.8/25.2, 16.7/25.5 and 16.1/24.1 for each half hour. During the 5:30 half hour, more viewers were actually tuned in to WTKR (3/CBS) 9.4/14.1 than WAVY (10/NBC) 8.0/12.0. Note that WVBT (43/FOX) was simulcasting WAVY's newscast most of the evening, up to 7 p.m. WVBT was averaging 3.2~3.4 during that time. When WAVY's "Chopper 10" started beaming pictures from Suffolk just after 6:30, viewers started tuning in. Viewership slipped on WVEC and WTKR during this time with WAVY peaking at a 15.0/21.3 during the 7:30 p.m. half hour.
| Monday, April 28, 2008 Verizon Communications is now within shouting distance of Mediacom and Suddenlink Communications as one of the biggest video providers -- and stands to soon surpass them -- as the telecommunications giant continues to add FiOS TV customers by the thousands. (read more - Multichannel News)
| Monday, April 28, 2008After a year of looking, Roanoke's Fox station has chosen a new anchor for the 10 p.m. news. Becky Freemal, who was most recently a reporter for Cincinnati's ABC station, signed on to WFXR/WWCW (Channel 21/27) on April 17. (read more - The Roanoke Times)
| Friday, April 25, 2008Les Smith, a familiar face on the local television scene for 22 years on WAVY, returned to the airwaves Friday as anchorman for rival station WTKR’s daily 5:30 p.m. newscast. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| Friday, April 25, 2008 Four more channels have left Comcast analog cable television for the greener - and more expensive - pastures of Comcast digital cable. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Friday, April 25, 2008Former WAVY news anchor Les Smith is returning to local television and will anchor a 5:30 p.m. newscast at local CBS affiliate WTKR, channel 3. (read more - Daily Press)
| Friday, April 25, 2008Cox Communications added WSKY TV-4 on Thursday to its lineup of high-definition channels. (read more - Daily Press) Editor's note: Connections at Charter Communications, whose largest system is Suffolk, and Verizon FiOS TV, tell me both are working on getting WSKY-DT added for its subscribers in the near future...
| Friday, April 25, 2008 It was one year and one day ago that VARTV reported that looongtime LIN TV WAVY (10/NBC) Anchor Les Smith quit the station after an afternoon meeting in the WAVY/WVBT newsroom. Smith will quietly debut on-air on Local TV's "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk for the station's 5:30 p.m. newscast today with Domonique Benn. He will also report for the station's 11 p.m. newscast. Smith joined WAVY in 1985, but quickly moved to the weekend anchor chair. In 1992, he joined the anchor team on "WAVY News 10 at Five," and in 1993 assumed his then current duties as 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. co-anchor.
| Thursday, April 24, 2008Arbitron has released ratings for satellite radio for the fall of 2007 and Howard Stern's Sirius channels are still the most-listened to stations on either service. (read more - FMQB)
WTVR (6/CBS) Richmond celebrates it's 60th anniversary on the air... (4/24/2008)
A second TV station in the Roanoke market started doing its newscasts in HD (behind WSLS/10). Schurz Communications' WDBJ (7CBS) flipped on the HD switch for its 5 p.m. newscast... For those of you keeping score, Richmond - 0 and Hampton Roads - 0 for stations doing HD news... (4/22/2008)
| Tuesday, April 22, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WAVY-TV is the proud recipient of two 2008 RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards. The stations won in the categories of Continuing Coverage for “The Michael Vick Investigation” and in the Feature: Hard News Category for “Growing Up Behind Bars.” (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, April 21, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The complete list of the 2008 Virginia Associated Press Broadcaster Awards: (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Sunday, April 20, 2008A compromise of three competing LPFM applications for the frequency, CFC and Glen Allen Community Church (GACC) will operate on 93.7 where "each station will operate from separate facilities specified in each application. Each station will pay it's own construction and operating expenses." CFC operating hours will be from 5AM to 5PM and GACC's hours will be from 5PM to 5AM. The third party withdrew its application...
| Saturday, April 19, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVIR-TV today announced that, effective Saturday, April 19, at 6 p.m., NBC29 News is available in high definition. This is the Charlottesville station’s first live, locally-produced, HD broadcast, and is the result of more than five years of planning and construction and an expenditure of more than 3 million dollars. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
“Richmond Radio Station Aids American Cancer Society” | Friday, April 18, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WMXB/The New Mix 103.7’s Morning Show host’s Jack and Jen, with the help of their listeners, replaced fundraising money stolen from a group of UVA students. The money was being collected for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Friday, April 18, 2008 WFXR FOX 21/27 is proud to announce that Becky Freemal is the new anchor for the FOX 21/27 Ten O'Clock News! Becky comes to FOX 21/27 with a wide and extensive list of accomplishments, including thirteen years working as a reporter and anchor, most recently at WCPO... (read more - FOX21/27)
| Friday, April 18, 2008Cox Communications Inc. plans to open two new service and retail stores where cable customers can pay their bills, drop off or pick up equipment, and ask questions. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
Licensee of a Charlottesville and Salisbury low-power TV station | Thursday, April 17, 2008John Richard Powley, 72, Altoona, died Sunday at Altoona Regional Health System, Bon Secours Hospital Campus. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Clyde Calvin and Helen Grace (Nancarrow) Powley. He was married to Sandra B. Beasom Nov. 20, 1965, in Altoona. (read more - The Altoona Mirror)
| Thursday, April 17, 2008It just won't matter. If you're watching over-the-air television in North Carolina -- anywhere in North Carolina -- at 7:30 PM on Saturday 4/19/08, you're going to find out just about everything you need to know about the DTV transition. (read more - TVBR.com)
The Retro Television Network, seen in several parts of Virginia, has just launched their website at RTNville.com... (4/16/2008)
Facebook users can interact with over 6,000 live traffic cameras worldwide and share live views of traffic, weather or event conditions with their friends | Wednesday, April 16, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... TrafficLand®, the largest, authorized aggregator of live traffic video, announced today the release of the TrafficLand Facebook application. Users of the popular social networking Web site can use the application’s features to share live images from the TrafficLand camera network. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, April 16, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... RaceTalkLive the radio show hosted by Chuck Hall and presented by Virginia Motor Speedway is coming to Red Zebra's Sports "The Game" WXTG (102.1//1490) Virginia Beach//Hampton. Saturdays from 10-11 a.m. starting April 19, RaceTalkLive features race tracks, drivers and different racing divisions. LIVE updates from NASCAR Sprint Cup Tracks with Hall of Fame Sports Writer Al Pearce, updates with Dave Seay, drivers from Virginia Motor Speedway and Langley Speedway, and much more!
Richmond included... (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) | Tuesday, April 15, 2008Dish Network added the HD signals of local TV stations in four more markets where it carries local-TV-station signals. (read more - Broadcasting & Cable)
Zak Tyler, former APD/MD/mornings on Max Media Rock "100.5 MAX FM" WXMM Norfolk, is off the beach. Tyler has accepted the PD position at New South Radio's CHR "Y101.7" WYOY Gluckstadt/Jackson MS. He takes the PD reins and afternoons effective Monday, April 21... (4/15/2008)
WVEC/13's parent company signs up but doesn't list the station to air the diginet | Tuesday, April 15, 2008 The upstart .2 Network has taken its first big strides toward becoming a viable digital network, landing stations belonging to three major TV groups—Post-Newsweek, Belo and Meredith—as charter digital affiliates.“These are some of the finest group television broadcasters in America and we are deeply honored to be affiliating and partnering with them,” said Richard Schilg, CEO of Guardian Enterprise Group, the parent of the movie-laden .2 Network... (read more - .2Network)
| Tuesday, April 15, 2008Listeners to local radio stations have noticed a change in the format of one of them. WOLD, created and owned by Bob and Ann Dix, was known for its light music programming. Now, fans of classic rock, Alice Cooper and bluegrass are tuning in. (read more - SW VA Today)
| Monday, April 14, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Eight candidates for Portsmouth’s City Council seats will speak at a forum tonight, Monday, April 14, 2008 at the CW 27 Studios in Portsmouth beginning at 7 p.m.The forum will be moderated by Kafi Rouse, public affairs director at WGNT-TV and host of "Here and Now on The CW”. Each candidate will have time to address the audience and answer questions. Doors will be open to the public at 6 p.m. and the forum will begin at 7 p.m. A portion of the forum will also be featured as a special episode of “Here and Now on The CW” which will air on Saturday, April 19 at 6:30 a.m. on WGNT-TV. Organizers have said all eight candidates plan to attend. The forum will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the studios of CW 27, 1318 Spratley Street, Portsmouth.
| Monday, April 14, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame, presented by ESPN Radio 1310, has announced it's committee...There are 18 members comprising the Hall of Fame... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, April 14, 2008 Hot on the heels of signing KBCS in Washington state, WRN, the international London-headquartered TV and radio transmission company has partnered with WHRV 89.5 FM, a public radio station in Norfolk, Virginia, USA, to re-broadcast its 24 hour news and current affairs channel overnight. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, April 14, 2008Blockbuster today announced that it has offered to acquire Circuit City Stores for at least $6 per share in cash, subject to due diligence. The offer was made in a letter sent to Circuit City chairman/CEO Phil Schoonover on Feb. 17 on behalf of Blockbuster’s board... (read more - TWICE)
| Monday, April 14, 2008The Radio-Television News Directors Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Murrow's pursuit of excellence in journalism embodies the spirit of the awards that carry his name. Murrow Award recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence that Edward R. Murrow made a standard for the broadcast news profession. (Region 12 winners)
| Monday, April 14, 2008 Cumulus Media on Monday (April 14) announced the invitation for qualified vendors to submit proposals to the Atlanta-based broadcaster for a new service designed to measure both quantitative and qualitative audience characteristics for its stations in markets 100+. (read more - Radio & Records)Editor's note: Cumulus has a 6-station cluster (WFNR/100.7, WWBU/101.7, WBRW/105.3, WPSK/107.1, WFNR/710, WRAD/1460) in The New River Valley.
| Monday, April 14, 2008COUNTRY BOY MAY BE pushing 90, but he is still at the console every Friday night, bringing listeners on the Eastern Shore his special blend of big band nostalgia. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
Preston Brown's Urban Oldies "Richmond Soul Network" WCLM/1450 Highland Springs/Richmond is now simulcasting "Chocolate Chip" (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) and Kirby Carmichael (2-6 p.m.) on sister station WHAP/1340 Hopewell/Petersburg Monday thru Friday... (4/12/2008)
Former Clear Channel Urban "103Jamz" WOWI/102.9 Norfolk jock EJ Greig gets picked up for afternoons on McDonald Broadcasting's Urban "Power 96-5" WQHH DeWitt/Lansing MI. Greig's broadcast career path includes other stops in Michigan (Battle Creek, Ann Arbor), Detroit, Chicago, Hampton Roads and most recently Atlanta... (4/11/2008)
| Thursday, April 10, 2008With the federal mandate to phase out analog television broadcasts approaching in early 2009, many consumers remain uncertain of what the change means for them. However, Verizon FiOS TV customers are ahead of the game. (read more - Verizon)
| Thursday, April 10, 2008No, this isn't another Local TV LLC "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk bashing but... Here are the 5-5:30 p.m. ratings for all the over the air stations in Hampton Roads for Wednesday, April 9: WVEC (13/ABC) 7.84 (news)
| Monday, April 7, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Kristen Nash, 8-year midday host on Star Radio Group's Country WFLS/93.3 in Fredericksburg took over the midday slot on WGRQ/95.9 Colonial Beach/Fredericksburg today. Nash will follow Dave Adler on the Super Hits station owned by Telemedia Broadcasting. In addition to her midday duties on WGRQ, which will rotate voice track and live shifts throughout the week, Nash will also be featured on Telemedia's Country station - WGRX Thunder 104.5. Director of Programming Jerome Hruska said, "Kristen's style and the way she connects with her listeners is a perfect match to our philosophy of presenting hometown radio. Her experience and knowledge of our community is a great asset to our company." Nash joins Penny Wack, another former WFLS'er at the Telemedia group. Wack has been doing mid-days on WGRX since the start of 2008.
| Friday, April 4, 2008WVEC-TV is celebrating its wins in the February ratings by moving two familiar on-air personalities into anchor roles. The 5:30 p.m. news slot will have an anchor team, as Janet Roach joins David Alan, who has been solo anchor. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| Friday, April 4, 2008 Equity Media Holdings Corp., the Little Rock-Ark.-based TV station group and owner of the upstart Retro Television Network, is in financial hot water, according to its annual report released Monday and amended yesterday (4/3). (read more - TVNEWSDAY)
| Thursday, April 3, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Starting April 14th, the best evening news team in Hampton Roads is about to get better! 13NEWS anchor Janet Roach joins David Alan on 13NEWS at 5:30pm. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, April 3, 2008Roanoke's NBC affiliate, WSLS (Channel 10), has won a Peabody Award for its coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings. The winning segment collected the station's first response to the shooting and aired April 16 and 17, 2007. (read more - The Roanoke Times)
| Thursday, April 3, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... On April 1, 2008, Birach Broadcasting Corporation of Southfield, Michigan closed on its Bankruptcy Court acquisition of the licenses and assets of Virginia Beach, Virginia AM Radio Stations WVAB-1550 & WBVA-1450 [Bayside] for $345,000 cash. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, April 3, 2008Star Radio Group midday Country announcer Kristin Nash heard on WFLS/93.3 Fredericksburg left the station on April 1. Cluster OM/PD Paul Johnson steps in for the long-term interim. Expect an announcement on the WFLS co-host position vacated by the retirement of 31-year morning man Brian Strobel within the next few weeks.
WSLS/10 Roanoke among winners | Wednesday, April 2, 2008In a repeat of last year, four commercial TV stations were among the 35 winners of 2008 Peabody Awards announced via Webcast this morning. (read more - TVNEWSDAY)
| Wednesday, April 2, 2008Entercom syndicates Kim Iverson's night show heard on Modern AC "Mix 94.7" KAMX Luling/Austin TX to the rest of the Modern/Hot AC it programs including Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE Virginia Beach. The show -- “Your Time with Kim Iverson” carries this description: “Women will find a welcoming oasis of relationship advice, celebrities, self-help experts, psychics and dream interpreters, fashionistas, therapists, and a peek into somebody else’s bedroom.” There’s even something for guys: “It’s like getting a look inside the other team’s playbook.”
Ala. company gets Richmond's WWBT and will sell WTVR | Wednesday, April 2, 2008With the sale of WWBT completed yesterday, the Richmond area now has two television stations with the same owner. But it will be only temporary. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Tuesday, April 1, 2008Effective today (4/1/2008), K2 afternoon drive host and MD for Country "93-1 The Wolf" WLFV Ettrick has been upped to PD. Mike Murphy has been upped to OM for the cluster and PD for Variety Hits "98-9 Liberty" WWLB Midlothian and 70s-60s Hits "107-3 BBT" WBBT//(WARV/100.3 Petersburg).
| Tuesday, April 1, 2008Richmond, VA Morning Hosts Jack Indigo and Jen Towner from Cox Radio’s WMXB/MIX 103-7 delve into the theatre of the mind and pulled off the “Spring into Spring Parade” kicking off on First and Monthfour Street (April is the 4th month…get it?)The parade featured 103 entries including: a Marching Band that Marched backward, The Mounted Miniature Horse Brigade, the World’s longest dachshund (4 feet long). Plus, special “guests” along the parade route including Virginia Governor Tim Kaine. Here is a link for audio and photos of the “parade.” (mix1037.com/mornings/springspring.html)
| Tuesday, April 1, 2008 VerStandig's "Rock 105.1" WBHB Bridgewater/Harrisonburg goes in a new direction today for the sixth time in six years. This time, the format knob is turned to Classic Country as "Country Legends 105.1." WBHB's Rock battle with Clear Channel's "98 Rock" WACL/98.5 Elkton/Harrisonburg lasted just six months.The station returns doing Country that it did six years ago, back in 2002. Since then, the frequency has seen Soft AC, Oldies, Classic Hits, Classic Rock, Rock and now Classic Country. An official from another station cluster says "Country Legends 105.1" makes the sixth Country station that is in or serves the market. Vox Communications' flip of WBOP Buffalo Gap/Staunton VA to New Country "Rebel 95-5" this past weekend was the area's fifth Country station. By the way, Bill Phipps will continue as the station's Program Director.
| Monday, March 31, 2008 The HD Digital Radio Alliance rolled out new messaging, logos and radio ads today. The Alliance says now is the time to convert consumer awareness into purchasing action using the tagline "It's Time To Upgrade." Their website says consumer awareness of HD Radio stands at 77%, according to a survey of radio listeners from Critical Mass Media. JD Powers says 31% of current or likely auto buyers say they want HD Radio in their next vehicle.We get a lot emails seeking advice on getting HD Radio or satellite radio. I hear things like all the hidden channels and iTunes tagging with HD Radio commercials on the air. Does any station do this right now? The most I've seen with HD Radio around here is the station's call letters... that's it. Also, there's a good chunk of stations in this market not even doing HD Radio let alone additional subchannels. So, for a listener in Hampton Roads or Richmond, why should I steer them towards HD Radio?
| Monday, March 31, 2008Today is Kat Simons' 10th anniversary as midday host at Clear Channel Soft AC "Lite 98" WTVR/98.1 Richmond. She is also heard via similarcast (at the same time LIVE) on sister stations Soft AC "Sunny FM" WSNV/93.5 Salem/Roanoke//WSNZ/101.7 Lynchburg and Soft AC "98.7 The River" WYKZ Beaufort SC/Savannah GA. Simons takes calls and emails from listeners in all three markets every weekday. On an additional note, Simons was also recently named Program Director of Clear Channel Format Lab's Love Songs Channel> She's also the channel's voice.
| Monday, March 31, 2008 Tony Mercurio, Program Director of Max Media Sports "ESPN Radio 1310" WGH Newport News/Norfolk, announced that five Norfolk Admirals hockey games were being moved from 1310 to sister station Rock "100.5 MAX-FM" WXMM Norfolk."We had to move the games due to conflicts with the Triple A Norfolk Tides baseball team being on ESPN Radio 1310," noted Mercurio. "The Admirals, who also own the Tides, elected to move the Admirals games and leave the Tides on ESPN Radio 1310." The five games being moved to 100.5 MAX-FM are: Friday, April 4, Admirals vs Albany at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 5, Admirals vs Albany at 7 p.m.; Wednesday, April 9, Admirals at Albany at 6:45 p.m.; Friday, April 11, Admirals at Binghampton at 6:50 p.m. and Saturday, April 12, Admirals at Wilkes Barre at 6:50 p.m.
| Monday, March 31, 2008 Virginia Beach Educational Broadcasting Foundation Inc's Christian CHR "Positive Hit Radio, The Current" WJLZ/88.5 Virginia Beach (W279AD/103.7 Chesapeake, W280CX/103.9 Norfolk, W250AE/97.9 Portsmouth) has a new morning show.Local Christian comedian Steve Mason has been tapped to host the station's weekday morning slot 6-10 a.m. "The Mason Jar" replaced the entire JP Morgan morning show last Monday when they exited The Current three weeks ago.
| Monday, March 31, 2008 After launching 20 months ago, Vox Communications blew up Classic Top 40 "Magic 95.5" WBOP Buffalo Gap/Staunton VA this weekend for... another Country outlet -- "Rebel 95-5." Rebel joins sister Mainstream Country "Real Country 96.9" WSIG Mt Jackson/Harrisonburg.A Vox official said Monticello Media's "Your Country" WCYK/99.7 Staunton/Charlottesville is solely focused on Albemarle County/Charlottesville and Clear Channel's WKCY/104.3 is solely focused on Rockingham County/Harrisonburg. "We simply saw a need and decided to super-serve Augusta County (Staunton, Waynesboro, Fishersville, etc.) and give them their own Country station playing only today’s hottest Country," the official stated. Rebel 95-5 will serve advertisers with the 18-34s in mind and the 35-64s on WSIG. WSIG is all live and local and the new Rebel 95-5 "will follow in Dad’s footsteps… introducing all local personalities on May 1st."
WTKR-TV's new face might look familiar; she grew up in Hampton | Monday, March 31, 2008 Juliet Bickford, the new name at the anchor desk at WTKR-TV Channel 3, isn't so new after all. Family members can trace their local roots back to the 1860s, when Bickford's ancestors first settled in the city. (read more - The Daily Press)
Over a half-dozen classified ads have been posted on VARTV this month alone! 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... (3/29/2008)
| Friday, March 28, 2008This morning, Cox Radio Country "K95" WKHK/95.3 Colonial Heights/Richmond celebrated Catfish's ("Catfish and Lori in the Morning") 20 years at the station. There were several thoughts and tributes from Richmond members of the media, as well as personal friends, Cox employees and callers. A local Richmond band even wrote a song for the celebration.
| Thursday, March 27, 2008 For the first time, Portsmouth residents will have a choice in cable television systems. The City Council voted Tuesday to allow Cavalier IP TV LLC to construct and operate a cable system in parts of Portsmouth. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| Wednesday, March 26, 2008A legend of Charlottesville radio has passed away. Dick Mountjoy died Wednesday (today) at the age of 61 following a long battle with cancer. (read more - 1070 WINA)
| Wednesday, March 26, 2008On Tuesday, a local radio station owner pleaded guilty to child pornography charges 33 year-old Jamie Clark, owner and news director of WHEO AM Radio in Stuart plead guilty to four counts of distributing child pornography and one count of possession... (read more - WSLS)
| Wednesday, March 26, 2008Since the start of this NASCAR season, The Daly Planet has been full of stories about Fox Sports, ESPN2 and SPEED. We talked about NASCAR Now's changes, the NASCAR on Fox Gopher Cam and the big crowds for SPEED's RaceDay chaos. Flying under-the-radar through all this network chatter is a little weekly TV show that has stood the test of time. (read more - The Daly Planet)
Also granted six-month waiver to operate duopoly in Richmond-Petersburg market | Tuesday, March 25, 2008The Federal Communications Commission approved the sale of three TV stations from Lincoln Financial Group to Raycom Media, including giving the latter a six-month waiver to operator a duopoly in the Richmond-Petersburg, Va., market. (read more - TVNEWSDAY)
Department of Justice approves XM and Sirius merger; says merger would not be anti-competitive. The FCC's decision is still pending... (3/24/2008)
Jack Armstrong from Edenton NC, a legend in Top 40 radio in the 60, 70's 80's and the Oldies format in the 90's and 2000's, passed away this past Saturday in High Point NC. More at Radio & Records... (3/24/2008)
| Monday, March 24, 2008It's just after 6 p.m., the day before Halloween, and Z104's Shaggy is e-mailing someone from a celebrity's camp on his cell phone. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| Monday, March 24, 2008 Starting this morning, the morning show "Murphy, Sam & Jodi," based out of Clear Channel AC "96.1 The River" KRVE Brusly/Baton Rouge LA, also begin airing (5:30-9 a.m.) on sister AC "Mix 93.1" WSVO Staunton/Harrisonburg. The trio replace Mix morning guy Dan Joyce who crossed the hall to Country WKCY/104.3 where he’s now teamed up with 20-year morning guy Dusty Rhodes.
| Monday, March 24, 2008More from Tom Taylor's (Taylor on Radio-Info) publication on Radio-Info.com: ...In fact – it probably sped up the FCC’s approval of Sima Birach’s purchase of WVAB (1550) and WBVA (1450), with the FCC rejecting the petition by previous owner Ronald Cowan. Virginia Beach police tell me they’re still investigating the destruction of the structure that held the diplexed signals of the two AMs that have been in receivership. But the FCC was willing to push the paperwork through and – says long-suffering broker Ray Rosenblum – the closing may come soon. The Commission acted on Friday morning, just six days after the malicious activity that doomed the tower. Detroit-based Sima Birach’s been on quite a little buying spree with AM stations lately – and even the surprise destruction of the Tidewater tower won’t halt his acquisition in Virginia.
| Friday, March 21, 2008LIN TV Corp. (sic) announced that Les Garrenton (former Director of Engineering for WAVY and WVBT) has been promoted to director, engineering/broadcast systems. Garrenton will be responsible for evaluating new broadcast technologies and applications for LIN 29 television stations... (read more - TVNEWSDAY)
| Thursday, March 20, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Luncheon is set for 1 p.m., Saturday, April 19 at the Crowne Plaza Richmond, West. Awards will be presented in a number of categories for television, large and small market radio news operations. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
“More than 15,000 people turn out for annual festival” | Thursday, March 20, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... On Saturday March 15th from 12p-6p, more than 15,000 people turned out to 18th Street in Shockoe Bottom for the 5th annual Shamrock the Block festival. A portion of proceeds from the event went to Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now.) (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, March 19, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... 93.3 WFLS is one of 50 finalists from across the country for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Crystal Radio Award. Since 1987, the NAB Crystal Radio Awards have recognized radio stations across the country for their outstanding year-round commitment to their community. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, March 19, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center Total Production announces Chris Karvellas as the new Creative Director/Director of Photography for Studio Center Total Production. He will be overseeing all aspects of direction and photography for the film and video division. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, March 19, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... 93.3 WFLS received word on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 that the station was named the 2007 Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) Small Market Humanitarian of the Year. The award was presented by Radio Ink Magazine during a luncheon at the 2008 Country Radio Seminars in Nashville. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Fredericksburg's WFLS/93.3 a finalist | Wednesday, March 19, 2008The National Association of Broadcasters announced the 50 finalists for the 2008 Crystal Radio Awards competition today. Since 1987, the NAB Crystal Radio Awards have recognized radio stations for their outstanding year-round commitment to community service. (read more - NAB)
| Tuesday, March 18, 2008The brand new Tom Kent Radio Network adds Clear Channel 60s-70s Hits "Cool 92.1" WCDG Moyock/Norfolk for the afternoon drive (2-7 p.m.) starting Monday, March 24. Cool will also air all of Kent's weekend specialty shows. Kent's show play songs from the late 60s, 70s and 80s with the core of the music being 70s based targeting and super serving adults between the ages of 35 and 54. Kent was first heard at night on Cool back in September 2005 when Clear Channel dumped Soft AC "Lite FM Norfolk for Oldies.
SpeakEasy to feature programs from NPR, PRI and WHRV local programming | Tuesday, March 18, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WHRO has added to its family of digital radio stations with the launch today of SpeakEasy. The new station will feature 24-hour a day programming from National Public Radio, Public Radio International and American Public Media, and will include a daily repeat of WHRV 89.5FM’s popular call-in talk show, HearSay with Cathy Lewis. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Monday, March 17, 2008The Entercom Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE Virginia Beach morning show gets broken up as the real life partners, Chuck and Jenna, decide to separate (in real life) according to a late afternoon staff meeting. Starting tomorrow, The Morning Point will be hosted by Chuck with Woo Woo and (former middayer) Heather. Jenna slides to the station's midday slot.
Virginia Beach Educational Broadcasting Foundation Inc's Christian CHR "Positive Hit Radio, The Current" WJLZ/88.5 Virginia Beach (W279AD/103.7 Chesapeake, W280CX/103.9 Norfolk, W250AE/97.9 Portsmouth) and the entire JP Morgan morning show have parted ways... (3/17/2008)
| Monday, March 17, 2008From Tom Taylor's (Taylor on Radio-Info) publication on Radio-Info.com: "WVAB (1550/Virginia Beach) and WBVA (1450, Bayside/Virginia Beach) were diplexed on a single stick and had been in trouble (part of the time in receivership) for several years now. They’d been sold once in a deal that didn’t close and most recently were awaiting FCC approval of the auction sale to Sima Birach. But here’s the latest: Virginia Beach police phoned broker Ray Rosenblum over the weekend to inform him that the tower had been vandalized and destroyed. R. Clinton Stackhouse, Jr. was the bankruptcy trustee – and now he and Rosenblum have the headache of a ruined technical facility to deal with, and perhaps the necessity to start a sale effort all over again."  Editor's note: The WBVA transfer from the Trustee to Birach has been held up somewhat since the former station owner, Ronn Cowan, objected to the transfer. Before this, WBVA hadn't been on the air for several weeks with many on air issues before that. More in The Virginian-Pilot.
| Friday, March 14, 2008Richmond radio enthusiasts beware. Your chances of contracting audio syphilis just jumped off the charts — and there’s no penicillin. For the last four years, local radio disc jockey Chris Bopst has been garnering kudos and critical acclaim for his eclectic program, “The Bopst Show...” (read more - Richmond Style Weekly)
| Friday, March 14, 2008A local radio talk-show host has been found guilty of embezzlement in Frederick County Circuit Court. William Randolph "Randy" Wray — who has been suspended as the host of "Fit-Talk with Randy Wray," airing on WZRV-FM 95.3 in Front Royal — pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanor count of embezzlement. (read more - The Winchester Star)
| Friday, March 14, 2008Schurz Communications' WDBJ (7/CBS) Roanoke has been honored with a 2008 National Headliner Award for its coverage of the Virginia Tech Shootings last April. WDBJ was first on the scene, first on the air and provided the most in-depth local coverage on the day of the shootings. Founded in 1934 by the Press Club of Atlantic City, the National Headliner Awards program is one of the oldest and largest annual contests recognizing journalistic merit in the communications industry. More information can be found at NationalHeadlinersAwards.com.
92.3 FM set to begin carrying sports programming 24/7 | Thursday, March 13, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... CapSan Media has launched the first full time sports radio outlet on the Outer Banks, on 92.3 FM. ESPN Radio began being broadcast on the frequency as of 7am, Thursday March 13th. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
WAVY (10/NBC) and WVBT (43/FOX) included | Thursday, March 13, 2008DISH Network Corporation, the leader in digital television and the nation’s third largest pay-TV provider, and LIN TV Corp., a local television and digital media company, today announced they have entered into an agreement for the retransmission of LIN TV’s broadcast stations in both standard and high-definition. The deal covers television stations owned and/or operated by LIN TV spanning 17 markets. (read more - BusinessWire)
| Thursday, March 13, 2008Capsan Media has ripped apart its Country simulcast Wilbur 92.3 (WZPR/Nags Head) & Orville 97.1 (WYND/Hatteras) and flipped the 92.3 frequency to Sports as "ESPN 92.3." Virginia Beach-based Capsan bought the station from Convergent Broadcasting in June 2006 and dumped the CHR format "Power 92-3" for the Country simulicast in October 2006. Country remains on 97.1 as "Your Country 97.1."
| Wednesday, March 12, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... In recognition of World Kidney Day, Radio Richmond is partnering with the National Kidney Foundation of the Virginias on Thursday, March 13 to broadcast a day-long radio-thon. Tune in to WLEE 990 AM, WVNZ 1320 AM, WREJ 1540 AM, or WTOX 1480 AM between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. to learn all about kidney disease, hear personal testimonies from transplant recipients, and participate in an exciting fundraiser. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, March 11, 2008 Kris Budden, weekend sports anchor/reporter at Gray Television's Charlottesville Newsplex (WCAV/19 CBS, WVAW-LP/16 ABC, WAHU/27 FOX), is leaving the station for the weekend sports anchor/reporter position at Gannett's "10 NEWS" WBIR (NBC) Knoxville TN. Just in time for March Madness. Budden was the first female sports anchor in Charlottesville, we're told.
| Monday, March 10, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... CH4 Hampton Roads, WSKY-TV is pleased to announce an expanded television package with the Norfolk Tides in 2008. The first game of the season will be the Tides home opener on Thursday, April 3 against the Buffalo Bisons, with a broadcast time of 7:00 pm. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Saturday, March 8, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... SportsRadio 1400 WKAV, Charlottesville’s only fulltime sports radio station, will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in a new way this year with the introduction of the Dan Patrick program to the station’s line-up. The Dan Patrick Show will be heard week days from 9:00am-noon. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Friday, March 7, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... East Carolina Radio is proud to announce the new on-air schedule. The long running "Breakfast Table" is now hosted by Les Humble with co-host Jennifer Maxwell. The Dixie 105.7 Breakfast Table with Les and Jenn. Legendary Dixie Announcer Senior Chief Rick Chamberlin segues to afternoons to serve his loyal listeners.Les joins us from Florida after other stops at WSM and WSUN. Co-Host Jenn is a well known morning show host from Wisconsin, both very proud to join the Dixie Heritage. The new line up is quite a shock to the well known Breakfast Table but has been positively embraced by the community. We have a extremely powerful line up on Dixie 105.7 and look forward to using that in growing and starting new relationships. Weekday Schedule:
| Thursday, March 6, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... 92.9 The Wave (WVBW-FM) kicks off their first-ever radiothon to benefit the childhood cancer program at Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters on Thursday, March 6, 2008.The “Wave Goodbye to Kids Cancer” Radiothon will consist of a live broadcast to take place from the lobby of CHKD in Downtown Norfolk from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Thursday, March 6th and Friday, March 7th... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, March 5, 2008Clear Channel CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 Richmond PD Boomer ups his morning co-host Melissa Chase to APD. Boomer said, "It’s awesome to see good things happen to great people. I’m totally thrilled to announce that Melissa Chase is taking on the title of Assistant Program Director of WRVQ. Melissa is doing very well as co-host of the “Melissa & Sid” Morning Show and has long-expressed an interest in growing her career into the programming spectrum. She has worked with me tirelessly behind the scenes over the past couple of years, doing the work of an assistant; it’s about time we officially sew the stripes on her sleeve. I couldn’t be more excited for the woman that may be the hardest working in radio today." Melissa adds “I am unbelievably excited to be moving up to Assistant Program Director at Q94! I grew up listening to Q when I was younger, growing up in Richmond…sneaking the radio under the covers with me at night to hear the hot hair bands back in the 80s. To start here as an intern years ago and now move into the assistant program director role is a total dream come true. Boomer, Ruth Stoutermire and Bill Cahill have given me an unbelievable opportunity to keep growing -- this time as a programmer. I am so excited to work on Team Boomer and continue to make Q94 the success he has brought to us today.”
| Tuesday, March 4, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Beginning Monday, March 17, 2008 Richmond broadcaster, Kirby Carmichael, will mark another milestone in his extensive career when he becomes the newest member of the WCLM – Radio-1450AM air staff. “It was an offer I could not refuse,” said the legendary broadcaster... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
An anchorman for 35 years, he spoke station's first words | Tuesday, March 4, 2008It was a man from the North who was the first to speak on the South's first television station. John Vincent Shand, a native of Darien, Conn., said the first words when Richmond's WTVR-Channel 6 signed on the air for the first time on April 22, 1948. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Monday, March 3, 2008Yes, that Billy Joel. This is according to Local TV LLC's "NewsChannel 3" WTKR Norfolk's website...  ... the same station that gave us spoofing Andy Fox from LIN TV's WAVY (10/NBC)...  ... and this was pulled from the station owner's website...  So, how effective is all this silliness? Simply scroll down this page a bit and take a look at Channel 3's ratings released late last week.
As the listening landscape changes, your ears and wallet have an array of choices | Monday, March 3, 2008How do you listen? In the car? In the shower? On an iPod? Are you a dedicated satellite subscriber because it's the only place you can hear Howard Stern? (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Monday, March 3, 2008 At WSLS (Channel 10), a list of changes to the station's on-air staff is bringing different faces to many newscasts.Two familiar names have already said goodbye, and viewers can expect two new reporters soon. Meanwhile, the Storm Team has shuffled its staff again. (read more - The Roanoke Times)
MASN coming at the end of month | Sunday, March 2, 2008Complaints about the quality of cable television came to a head Tuesday when the Staunton Cable Commission gave Comcast customers the opportunity to share concerns about channel availability, customer service and image quality. (read more - The News Leader)
| Saturday, March 1, 2008 Saga Communications CEO Ed Christian in his quarterly Wall Street conference call said, in smaller markets, the company is discontinuing subscribing to Arbitron ratings. "We did not renew our Arbitron contracts this year in Ashville, NC, and in Charlottesville, VA, because we still have substantial questions on the efficacy and validity of paper diaries in 2008," Christian said.Saga's cluster in Charlottesville is Soft AC "Z95" WQMZ/95.1, Rock "3WV" WWWV/97.5, AAA "106.1 The Corner" WCNR, "NewsTalk 1070" WINA and Talk WVAX/1450.
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