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VARTV News Archives - May & June
» If you have any news, updates, additions or corrections... e-mail them to editor@VARTV.com.


The Spot Factory

Studio Center

:// WGNT-TV wins numerous honors at Seventy-Second Annual Virginia Association of Broadcasters Station Awards
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CW27, WGNTFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... CW 27 WGNT-TV was a big winner at the 72nd Annual Virginia Association of Broadcasters Station Awards on Friday, June 26, 2009. More than 500 broadcasters from Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee attended the prestigious Fire & Ice Reception and Awards Banquet held at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel. (read more - CW27, WGNT)

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:// "More in the Morning" tapped Virginia’s Best Morning Show
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Thunder 104.5FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WGRX FM was awarded “Best Morning Show” for “More in the Morning” at the 2009 Virginia Association of Broadcasters annual awards ceremony on Friday June 25th. The show is hosted by nationally known comedian/hypnotist Denny More. More is accompanied each morning by Paul Hayden who provides local traffic information as well as veteran newscaster Sheila Quinn. (read more - Thunder 104.5, WGRX)

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:// Cox Radio Richmond receives state wide award recognition
Virginia Association of Broadcasters award Cox Radio

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Cox RadioFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Cox Radio Richmond (WDYL-FM, WKHK-FM, WKLR-FM & WMXB-FM) were recognized by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters during the 72nd annual awards ceremony on June 19th. Cox Radio Richmond competed in 4 categories in the state wide large market group of radio stations. (read more - Cox RadioRichmond)

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:// Hot 100.5 starts to staff up
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Hot 100.5Max Media CHR "Hot 100.5" WVHT Norfolk fills afternoons with Kendall Taylor beginning mid-July. She previously did middays at CBS Radio's Rhythmic AC "Movin 107-5" KWVK Dallas until being let go in December 2008 due to budget cuts (the station was blown up for Spanish AC two months later). Most recently, Kendall was doing part-time work at Citadel's Modern AC WDVD/96.3 Detroit.

At the same time, PD/MD Paul McCoy announces he will handle middays for Hot.

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The budget axe hits Belo Broadcasting's WVEC/13 Hampton/Norfolk again today with more than a half-dozen folks fired (not laid off)... (6/29/2009)

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:// WVEC meteorologist Lawson hurt in bicycle accident (again)
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Jeff Lawson, chief meteorologist for WVEC-TV News 13, is recovering from surgery following a bicycling accident on Saturday. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)

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:// Pat Bankzzz upped at Saga Communications
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Saga Communications Norfolk Operations Manager Mike Beck announced to staff late last week that part-timer Pat Banks has been upped to full-time status... beginning today. Banks will be doing news for Classic Hits "106.9 The Fox" WAFX, producing the public affairs programming for the cluster (WNOR/98.7, WAFX/106.9, WJOI/1230), helping out in the production department and filling in for vacations.

Beck said of Banks, "For more than ten years on the TCI staff, Pat has been one of our most dependable, flexible and versatile employees. We are fortunate to have someone with the work ethic, talent and experience that Pat brings."

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:// Jo Dee Messina joins the WFLS after-party
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Joe Dee Messina at WFLS after-party
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... After her show Friday night at Celebrate Virginia Live in Fredericksburg, Jo Dee Messina surprised fans with a 40 minute acoustic set at the WFLS’s after show party at Bailey’s Grille and Pub.

Club DJ’s quickly rigged a sound system for Jo Dee and her band, and approximately 400 club goers were treated to a bonus set of many of her hits.

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:// The MorningLine on NewsTalk 105.9, WLNI recogonized
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NewsTalk 105.9FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Congratulations go out to Brian Weigand and Mari White, the dynamic duo on The MorningLine, the live, four hour morning show on NewsTalk 105.9, WLNI, in Lynchburg, VA. On June 26, 2009, The Virgina Association of Broadcasters recognized The MorningLine the Best Large Market Morning Show in Virginia.

WLNI is the only 24 hour FM news and talk station in the Lynchburg market and also carries Neal Boortz, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Clark Howard, Mark Levin and George Noory, as well as weekend favorites, Glen Beck, Kim Komando, Leo LaPorte and Gary Sullivan.

WLNI is also the Lynchburg affiliate for Virginia Tech Sports and the Washington Redskins.

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:// Les Smith is back on TV news
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Former LIN TV WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth and Local TV LLC "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk anchor/reporter Les Smith was recently picked up as a reporter for "News 12 New Jersey," Cablevision's cable-only news channel in New York-New Jersey-Connecticut.

The Newport News native spent 22 years at "Wavy" before quitting the station in late April 2007. Exactly one year later, Smith was picked up at WTKR but his tenure there lasted less than two months when he abruptly quit that station.

Again, one year later, Smith is now a reporter covering the New Jersey State House for "News 12." Before "News 12," Smith did freelance anchoring for the all pets related zootoo.com website.

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:// Tony Mercurio - still firing away
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Even his harshest critics would have to admit that it's hard to imagine sports talk radio in Hampton Roads without Tony Mercurio. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)

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:// 92.9 The Wave honors the King of Pop
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92-9 The WaveFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... 92.9 The Wave (WVBW-FM) is saddened by the news of the passing of the legendary Michael Jackson. In order to remember and celebrate his life and the musical talents Michael shared with the world, 92.9 The Wave honors "The King of Pop" with a Michael Jackson More Music Weekend. (read more - 92-9 The Wave, WVBW)

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Pop icon Michael Jackson passed away today at the age of 50... (6/25/2009)

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:// One photograph and a student’s passion saved Virginia Tech’s radio station
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WUVT 90.7On April 16, 2007, photographer Alan Kim of the Roanoke Times snapped a photo of Kevin Sterne as four police officers hurriedly carried him from Virginia Tech’s Norris Hall after Seung-Hui Cho committed the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. (read more - Virginia Tech)

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ION Media changes the call letters of WPXV-DT/49 Norfolk to "WPXV-TV" and WPXR-DT/38 Roanoke to "WPXR-TV." Belo Broadcasting changes the call letters of WVEC-DT/13 Hampton to "WVEC" (6/24/2009)

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:// FiOS TV adds six MTVN HD channels
Verizon now offers up to 130 High-Def Channels depending on market

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The game of high-definition leapfrog continues, with Verizon Communications announcing the addition of six new high-definition channels from Viacom's MTV Networks' stable to FiOS TV. (read more - Multichannel News)

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:// Beach voice recording company is heard far and wide
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Studio CenterDon't tell the kids, but Dora the Explorer is right here in Virginia Beach. At least her voice is. "Dora," along with shows such as "Cash Cab" and the A&E "Biography" series, video games such as "Gears of War" and some popular radio jingles are all clients and products of Studio Center: Total Production... (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)

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Centennial Broadcasting's "NewsTalk 105.9" WLNI Lynchburg added talker Rush Limbaugh to its on-air line-up today at noon... (6/22/2009)

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:// Business talk show moves in Richmond
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NewsTalk 990FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Effective Sunday, June 28th, at 10:30 a.m., "Smart Money Solutions" is moving to WLEE NewsTalk 990 AM. Many will remember WLEE as one of Central Virginia's oldest and best known radio stations featuring national personalities like Dennis Miller, Don Imus and Dr. Laura Schlessinger.

NewsTalk 990 is also the "home" of Richmond's own Harvey Hudson / Passing Parade.

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:// Verizon amps up FiOS Internet with increased two-way speeds...
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VerizonVerizon FiOS continues creating the ultimate broadband and home-entertainment experience by introducing on Monday (June 22) new, faster broadband speeds - both downstream and upstream - for the most popular FiOS Internet services. (read more - Verizon)

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:// Market Eye: Ruling Hampton Roads
WAVY tops Virginia's biggest DMA

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WAVYThe Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News market, collectively known as Hampton Roads, is comprised of distinctive cities, each with a unique history. It also has an extraordinarily large military population, with hubs such as Langley Air Force Base and Naval Station Norfolk. (read more - Broadcasting & Cable)

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:// FCC sending engineers to six more cities to help stations with DTV outreach or tech issues
Richmond is included for reception issues with NBC12

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The FCC says that by the end of the week it will have engineers in Baltimore, Nashville, Raleigh, N.C.; Rochester, N.Y.; Miami, and Richmond, Va., to help stations who have asked it for assistance, either with DTV consumer outreach or technical issues with signal reception. (read more - Broadcasting & Cable)

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:// Cox (Hampton Roads) launches new HD channels in line-up...
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Cox Communications customers now have access to new HD channels, including two new family friendly high-definition channels with the addition of Disney Channel HD and ABC Family HD to Cox's lineup. (read more - FOX Business)

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:// WTKR confirms former anchor McReynolds was fired
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WTKR News Channel 3 reporter and former anchor Pat McReynolds was fired from the station Wednesday. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)

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:// Former anchor leaves local CBS-TV affiliate WTKR
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Former news anchor Pat McReynolds has left local CBS affiliate WTKR-TV 3, the station confirmed today. (read more - Daily Press)

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Local TV's "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk shuffles reporters, shifting Blaine Stewart to mornings and Marie Coronel moving from mornings to dayside duties... (6/18/2009)

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:// Cisqo to exit
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Clear Channel CHR "Jammin JJS" WJJS/104.9 Roanoke//WJJX/102.7 Appomattox/Lynchburg and Rock WROV/96.3 Roanoke PD Cisco has told AllAccess.com that he'll be exiting the stations next Friday, June 26. Cisqo is heading back to Pennsylvania to be closer to family.

Cisqo told AllAccess, "I'm helping with the search for my replacement. We're looking for someone to PD both WROV and WJJS. This person will also need to hold down afternoons on ROV. This is a great opportunity to work with some really first-class people."

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:// Cindy Crawford joins Entercom Norfolk
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Cindy Crawford, former personality on defunct Max Media Rock "100.5 MAX FM" WXMM Norfolk (now CHR "Hot 100.5" WVHT), has joined Entercom Norfolk. Cluster OM Don London said, "It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the addition of Cindy Crawford as WPTE Promotions Director and secondarily as a multi-station swing and fill in air talent."

Crawford has over 14 years of experience in radio in several formats, in television and as a talent at Studio Center. London went on to say, "Cindy is a career broadcaster and has done it all including marketing, promotion, special event planning, on air work, production, remotes, appearances, endorsements, and programming tasks."

Crawford started with Entercom on Monday.

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:// RTN rebrands as RTV
Vintage digital channel adds shows, partners

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Retro TelevisionIn a nod to the analog shutoff's "DTV" moniker, the digital channel Retro Television Network (RTN) has rebranded itself RTV--dropping the Network part of its name.

"We're Retro Television--it's what we are and what we do," says RTV principal Neal Ardman... (read more - Broadcasting & Cable)

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:// Gospel superstars come to Hampton Roads for Star 94.1's annual Outdoor Gospel Music Festival
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Star 94.1FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Star 94.1 (WXEZ-FM) launches their annual outdoor gospel music festival, Picnic at the Pavilion, on Saturday, June 20th at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Portsmouth. Headlining this year's event will be Integrity recording srat Israel Houghton of Israel and New Breed along with Verity recording artist Hezekiah Walker. (read more - Star 94.1, WXEZ)

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:// Reporter/former anchor exits WTKR
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Pat McReynolds
We hear that reporter and former anchor Pat McReynolds at Local TV's "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk was fired today. His bio is already gone from the station's website.

According to a cached page of his bio on the Internet, McReynolds started with Channel 3 in April 2006. He was brought in from KING/Seattle to anchor the evening newscasts with Barbara Ciara. In September 2008, WTKR shuffled its anchor line-up and McReynolds was demoted to general assignment reporter.

Pat is married to LIN TV WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth producer and morning reporter Allyson Blair.

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:// Tidewater Parent Magazine launches new initiative!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Tidewater Parent Magazine, the news and information resource for Hampton Roads families is proud to announce a new product, targeting local moms! (read more - mytidewatermoms.com)

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:// The search is still on for the NEXT “Face of FOX43”
Next audition set for Friday, June 19th

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FOX43FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Here’s another chance to audition to be the next FACE of FOX43. The new FACE of FOX43 will receive a one-year contract with the local FOX Affiliate representing the television station at local community events, on-air on FOX43 and online at FOX43tv.com. (read more - FOX43, WVBT)

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:// Viewers’ digital TV calls flood WWBT in Richmond
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Years in the making and days into the doing, television's conversion to a digital transmission system is baffling many local viewers. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)

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:// (Hampton Roads) television news stays strong despite draw of Internet, cable
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Local television news continues to attract a large number of Hampton Roads viewers, though cable and the Internet are eating into these numbers. (read more - Daily Press)

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:// (Richmond) Local radio station to change dial position and receive signal upgrade
WDYL-FM Y101 to change its position on the radio dial July 17th

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Y101FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WDYL-FM Y101, Richmond’s New Rock Alternative, announced today that its frequency will officially change from 101.1 FM to 100.9 FM, on July 17th at 2pm.

The dial position change will be in conjunction with the transition to a new tower. (read more - Y101, WDYL)

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:// FCC: No widespread DTV disruption
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The switch to digital by 971 full-power TV stations Friday prompted hundreds of thousands of consumers to call for assistance, but caused no widespread disruption of over-the-air television broadcasts, the FCC reported this morning. (read more - TVNEWSDAY)

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:// WAVY TV and FOX43 introduce free iPhone application
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Hampton Roads viewers can now download a free application that will bring WAVY News 10 and FOX 43 to their iPhone and iPod Touch. This expansion will allow immediate access to local news, sports, weather, national and world news from the Station on Your Side as well as entertainment news from FOX43. (read more - WAVY, WVBT)

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:// WAVY News 10 wins an Emmy
For Continuing Coverage of the Suffolk Tornado

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WAVY News 10FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WAVY TV 10 won a regional Emmy Award at the 51st Emmy Awards held on June 6th in Washington, D.C. The ceremony was sponsored by the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The station was recognized for its continuing team coverage of the Suffolk Tornado of 2008. (read more - WAVY-TV)

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:// WRIC anchor says she and her spouse lost $200,000 in Ponzi scheme
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In 2006, local television news anchor Gwen Williams Dandridge and her husband, Eric, began investing with Walkwood Properties, which offered a 50 percent return in 45 days. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)

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:// New FM granted for southwest of Richmond
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The FCC has granted Liberty University a new Class B1 FM radio station, to be licensed to Amelia Court House, on 90.7. The station is planned to do 6kW (11.8 vertical) at 460 feet from an antenna located in neighboring Chesterfield County. The new station should provide listenable coverage for most of the Richmond metro, especially the futher southwest one goes.

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:// HFS returns to the Nation’s Capital
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HFS2FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WHFS, the legendary rock radio station, marks its return to DC on Wednesday, June 10 when it launches digitally on 94.7 HD2. Available to consumers with an HD Radio receiver, HFS will feature D.J. Cerphe, an original alumni of WHFS from the late seventies, hosting the station’s debut (12:00Noon-2:00PM, ET). (read more - HFS2)

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:// PortFolio Weekly launches new local online music show
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PortFolioWeekly.comFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... PortFolioWeekly.com is pleased to announce the launch of our newest local online music show, The Alfredo Torres Debacle.

Who is Alfredo Torres? Alfredo was most recently the popular host of ‘The Local’s Lounge’ on 100.5 Max FM and was a regular on the infamous Mike & Bob Show on 96X. (read more - PortFolioWeekly.com)

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:// Need a Job?
WVBT FOX 43 searches for NEXT “Face of FOX43”

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FOX43FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... FACE of FOX43, Kelly Gaita will complete her year as FOX43 spokesperson this August. So, the search is on to find the next face to represent FOX43. The new FACE of FOX43 will receive a one-year contract with the local FOX Affiliate representing the television station... (read more - FOX43)

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:// Radio & Records to shut down
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According to R&R's Facebook page...

"The current state of affairs has left The Nielsen Company with no other alternative but to immediately cease all services, products and events related to Radio & Records. The magazine's final edition is the June 5 issue. Electronic products end today, the Web site will be taken offline soon.

Editor's note: The website is now offline...

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:// Principi joins Saga/Charlottesville
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Jim Principi is the new vice president and general manager of Saga Communications Charlottesville, Va., cluster... (read more - Radio & Records)

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:// WHRV HD-3 to offer LIVE video stream of a local radio program
June 7th Webcast is first of its kind offered to Hampton Roads listeners

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... radioNtenna (WHRV HD-3), one of the digital radio stations of public broadcaster WHRO, will offer the area’s first live video stream of a local radio show on the Internet on June 7th at 11am. (read more - WHRV-HD3)

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:// Latin festival is back at the Beach
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Selecta 1050FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The Hardees Latin Festival is back on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront at 24th Street Park June 5th and 6th and again this year it is free and open to the public.

The event is a joint venture between Beach Events and Selecta 1050 WVXX, Hampton Roads' only Hispanic Station. Friday's headliner comes from Miami Locos Por Juana and Saturday from NYC it's La Excelencia Orchestra named as the #1 Salsa Orchestra by Latin Beat magazine.

For more info go to selecta1050.com or beachstreetusa.com

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Condolenses to friends and family of Steve Schott, a long time Broadcast RF Transmission professional, who passed away Thursday in Dallas... (6/1/2009)

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:// US106 now has full market signal
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US106The 106.1 signal has quite a history in eastern Virginia. Another chapter begins today when Sinclair Communications cranked up the power to its Country "US106" WUSH Poquoson/Norfolk at 11:20 this morning.

The old tower location for WUSH was in Hampton with just 2.6kW. Now from a more central Hampton Roads location in Portsmouth, WUSH is pushing over 4X the power (11kW). US106 is in direct competiton with Max Media powerhouse "97-3 The Eagle" WGH. Eagle still has two big advantages over US106; it's the market's heritage Country outlet and it has a much, much stronger signal... 74kW.

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:// 9th Annual K95 Pontiac GMC CountryFest happening THIS weekend
CountryFest to take place at Innsbrook Pavilion this Sunday, May 31st

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WKHK-FM K95 is hosting the 9th Annual K95 Pontiac GMC CountryFest this Sunday, May 31st at the Innsbrook Pavilion. (read more - K95, WKHK)

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:// “Music for the Military” CD collection drive kicks off
Cox Radio joins forces with local businesses to collect CDs for the Troops

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Cox Radio Richmond (WKHK K95, WKLR 96.5, WMXB 103.7, WDYL Y101.1) has partnered with Pearson Signature Dealerships and Ashley Furniture Home Stores for “Music for the Military” campaign. (read more - Cox Radio Richmond)

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:// 21 additional HD Channels added to Cox line-up in Hampton (Fort Monroe)
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On May 22, Cox customers in Hampton will have access to an additional 21 high-definition channels. With these additions, customers can now receive up to 56 HD channels. U.S. Army base Fort Monroe is included in the expansion of service. (read more - PRNewswire)

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:// The Point morning show to move
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94.9 The Point WPTE"The Morning Point" with Chuck Doud and WooWoo heard on Entercom Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE Virginia Beach announced they are moving to afternoons.

The nationally syndicated Dallas-based "Kidd Kraddick In The Morning" show was already announced to be coming to the station. The new schedule is now set starting Monday, June 1:
Barry McKay -- 5-6 a.m.
Kidd Kraddick In The Morning -- 6-10 a.m.
Barry McKay -- 10-11 a.m.
Ryan Seacrest -- 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Afternoon Point -- 3-7 p.m.
Kim Iverson -- 7 p.m.-midnight
A station official said, "We’re very excited about this with essentially three morning – high personality shows on The Point. There’s a huge opportunity for the Point to completely dominate afternoon drive with Chuck and Woo Woo and further strengthen our already strong position in the market.

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Somar Communication's WMDM/97.7 Lexington Park, MD has flipped from Hot AC "Magic 97.7" to Mainstream CHR "97.7 The Rocket." The station was doing Hot AC for just two months... (5/21/2009)

97-7 The Rocket

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:// WTKR NewsChannel 3 continues ratings growth in May
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WTKR NewsChannel 3 finishes the May 2009 sweeps period #1 at Noon and continued its mission to be number one at 11pm. (read more - NewsChannel 3 WTKR)

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:// WAVY News 10 is number one in all key newscasts in crucial May 2009 ratings
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WAVY News 10, the station ON YOUR SIDE, is once again number one in Morning, Early Evening and Late Evening newscasts in Hampton Roads in the just completed May Nielsen ratings period. (read more - WAVY-TV 10)

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:// Comcast adds ESPNU and ESPN360.com to lineup
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Disney and ESPN Media Networks and Comcast announced an agreement to add ESPNU to its Digital Classic level of service and ESPN360.com to Comcast.net. Comcast will launch ESPNU in a majority of its cable systems in time for the start of the college football season. (read more - RBR.com)

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:// Ch-ch-changes at FM99 and 106.9 The Fox
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Since Labor Day last year, as a result of budget cuts, Mike Arlo has been pulling “double duty” on the Fox, covering the morning show in addition to his long running midday program. (read more - FM99, 106.9 The Fox)

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:// Ion Media files bankruptcy with deal to swap debt for equity
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ION TelevisionIon Media Networks Inc., saying it reached a restructuring agreement with a group of debt holders to convert all its debt to equity, filed for bankruptcy court protection in New York.

Ion, a West Palm Beach, Florida-based owner of television stations, listed liabilities of more than $1 billion and assets of as much as $10 million in its filing yesterday... (read more - Bloomberg)

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:// Time Warner Cable dropping HDNet channels nationwide May 31
Systems in NE NC to be affected

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Time Warner CableTime Warner Cable confirmed Monday it will stop offering HDNet and HDNet Movies across all of its systems effective May 31.

The move by Time Warner Cable, which has 8.7 million digital cable subscribers, is a blow to the Mark Cuban-backed HDNet, which was among the first HD services available to cable and satellite operators. (read more - Multichannel News)

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:// Cox Enterprises completes tender offer for Cox Radio
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Cox EnterprisesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Cox Enterprises, Inc., announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cox Media Group, Inc., successfully completed its tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock of Cox Radio, Inc. not otherwise owned by Cox Media Group. (read more - Cox Radio)

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:// Thursday “soft test” is a wake-up call for DTV readiness
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With only three weeks left until the nationwide digital television (DTV) transition on June 12, many local broadcasters will be participating in coordinated DTV “soft tests” Thursday. These tests are designed to alert analog viewers who are unprepared for the impending transition... (read more - FCC)

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:// ESPN Radio 950 hosts ballpark rally downtown
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEAASE... Buffalo Wild Wings will host ESPN Radio 950’s second “Bring Baseball to Shockoe Center” rally on Thursday May 21st, from 4 – 7p. (read more - ESPN Radio 950, WXGI)

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:// 9th Annual K95 Pontiac GMC CountryFest happening next weekend
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEAASE... WKHK-FM K95 is hosting the 9th Annual K95 Pontiac GMC CountryFest on Sunday, May 31st at the Innsbrook Pavilion. (read more - K95, WKHK)

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:// Big Al to broadcast LIVE from local billboard
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ESPN Radio 950 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Join Big Al Coleman, host of ESPN Radio 950’s “SportsPhone” as he broadcasts live from 8am to 10am on the billboard above Buz and Ned’s Real Barbecue (1119 North Boulevard) Friday, May 15th. (read more - ESPN Radio 950, WXGI)

Editor's note: Media coverage from CBS6, WTVR and 8NEWS, WRIC

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:// Capsan mixes it up again
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Capsan MediaWe told you just two days that Virginia Beach-based Capsan Media chucked "Your Country 97.1" WYND Hatteras for a simulcast of sister Sports "ESPN 92.3" WZPR Nags Head.

Well, to make sure that you're paying attention, yesterday Capsan moved Sports (ESPN Radio) to WYND/97.1 with WZPR.92.3 now simulcasting sister "Classic Hits 104-9" WFMZ Hertford. Untouched in the musical chairs of frequencies and formats at Capsan is Triple A "99-1 The Sound" WVOD Manteo.

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:// WSKY to produce program from 2009 Warbirds Over The Beach: VA Beach Air Show
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... CH4 Hampton Roads, WSKY-TV is proud to announce the production plans and broadcast schedule for the 2009 Warbirds Over the Beach : VA Beach Air Show. (read more - Channel 4 Hampton Roads, WSKY-DT)

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:// Big plans for low-power TV
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LPTV (low power TV) licensees are signing on for a proposal which will not only cover the cost of making the transition to DTV, but provide them with a major revenue stream more or less indefinitely. The project is moving ahead rapidly. (read more - TVBR.com)

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:// Country station blown up for simulcast
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ESPN 92.3Over the weekend, Virginia Beach-based Capsan Media has dumped "Your Country 97.1" WYND Hatteras for a simulcast of sister Sports "ESPN 92.3" WZPR Nags Head. The area is already being served with two bigger signals doing Country; Max Media WCMS/94.5 Hatteras and East Carolina Radio "Dixie 105.7" WRSF Columbia.

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:// Multiple changes at Rejoice! Musical Soul Food
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Rejoice! Musical Soul Food has recently experienced a great amount of programming and personnel changes, beginning with the network relocating its headquarters from Dallas to Virginia Beach, Va. Afternoon personality Cedric Bailey has been named VP of programming... (read more - Radio & Record)

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:// "Elvis Duran And The Morning Show" taking over Virginia
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Jammin JJSThe nationally syndicated "Elvis Duran and The Morning Show" show based at Clear Channel CHR "Z100" WHTZ/100.3 New York added yet another affiliate in Virginia. This time it's sister Rhythmic "Jammin JJS" WJJS/104.9//WJJX/102.7 serving the Roanoke/Lynchburg market.

Duran is now heard on three Virginia stations (sister CHR "93-7 Kiss FM" WAZR Woodstock/Harrisonburg, sister CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 Richmond) with Jammin' being the 16th station across the East to pick him up.

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:// The budget axe swings thru Fredericksburg
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DCRTV.com says that Telemedia has eliminated the Director of Programming position for its Fredericksburg cluster 70s-60 Hits WGRQ/95.9 Colonial Beach and Country "Thunder 104.5" WGRX Falmouth due to poor ad sales. GM Tom Cooper adds programming duties... (5/11/2009)

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Congrats to Virginia Center For Public Press' "Richmond Independent Radio" WRIR-LP/97.3 Richmond for the largest amount of money ever raised during a fund drive. Listeners and supporters contributed over $27,000 for the stations Spring 2009 Fund Drive... (5/11/2009)

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:// (The Virginian-)Pilot's staff moves from old Beacon building to new office
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The Virginian-Pilot’s 47-year-old Beacon building will be demolished next spring.

The good news? A few months remain of additional Town Center parking at the site on Virginia Beach Boulevard. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)

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:// WJMA radio reunion planned
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Current and former staff of WJMA in Orange are planning a reunion on Saturday June 20 2-6pm Cedar Hill Farm between Orange and Gordonsville (off US Route 15)

We're planning on a catered BBQ meal around 5 p.m. The cost will be $12-$15 per person for the BBQ.

A rough edit of the WJMA documentary will be available for viewing sometime during the afternoon.

To date, 30 have said they will attend. Questions, comments, reserve your space? Contact Ross Hunter: ross/at/dmrmail/dawt/com

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Happy Mother's Day... (5/10/2009)

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:// New morning co-host at Dixie
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Autumn Kozer has been named morning co-host at East Carolina Radio's Country "Dixie 105.7" WRSF Columbia/Outer Banks. She joins current "Breakfast Table" host Joe Wade Formicola. Kozer started at ECR as an intern.

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:// Master Control to move away for WAVY-DT/WVBT-DT
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We're hearing that the Master Control operations for LIN TV duopoly WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth and WVBT (43/FOX) Virginia Beach will be shut down in Portsmouth and moved to sister station WWLP (22/NBC) Springfield.

The Master Control facility, actually in nearby Chicopee, already handles MC operations for four other LIN TV stations outside of WWLP in the Northeast. The expected move will happen at the end of June.

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:// More on The Point's Heather Branch to Atlanta
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Lincoln Financial CHR/top 40 WSTR (Star 94)/Atlanta welcomes home prodigal daughter Heather Branch, who will assume the midday position, effective Tuesday, May 12. (read more - Radio & Records)

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:// Kidd Kraddick coming to Hampton Roads radio
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The Entercom Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE morning show crew announced this morning that the nationally syndicated Dallas-based "Kidd Kraddick In The Morning" show is coming to the station June 1.

Are they replacing "The Morning Point?" No one is saying except “Kidd Kraddick is joining the Morning Point on June 1st.” With middayer (and morning co-host) Heather Branch leaving the station soon for Lincoln Financial Media's Adult CHR "Star 94" WSTR/94.1 Smyrna/Atlanta, it's our guess Kidd Kraddock will be squeezed in between the morning show and Ryan Seacrest.

Stay tuned...

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:// CBS6 launches new newscast
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CBS6 WTVRCBS 6 WTVR-TV, The South's First Television Station, will establish another ‘first' in Richmond this fall when it launches Central Virginia's only 7 p.m. local newscast.

The 30 minute newscast will become Richmond's only locally-produced television broadcast during prime time access... (read more - CBS6 WTVR-DT)

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:// The CW to drop Sunday?
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The CWThe CW is in advanced conversations to give back its perennially low-rated block of Sunday programming to the affiliate stations, paring down its schedule from six to five nights. (read more - Mediaweek)

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:// Cox expands DOCSIS 3.0 reach to Northern Virginia
Ultimate Internet package allows download @ speeds up to 50 Mbps

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Cox CommunicationsCox Communications today expanded its fastest broadband service to residential and business customers in Northern Virginia. Powered by DOCSIS 3.0 technology, Cox’s Ultimate Internet service delivers some of the fastest broadband speeds available in Fairfax County and Fredericksburg at up to 50 Megabits per second (Mbps) downloads and 5 Mbps uploads. (read more - Cox Communications)

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With Rocker MAX-FM (now CHR "Hot 100.5") out of the picture, Saga quickly moves the (Classic Rock leaning) Alice Cooper show on Rock "FM99" WNOR/98.7 Norfolk to overnights. Chode is now live and local weeknights 7 p.m. to midnight... (5/5/2009)

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:// "Elvis Duran And The Morning Show" adds affiliates
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Elvis Duran And The Morning ShowNot only did the nationally syndicated "Elvis Duran and The Morning Show" show from CHR "Z100" WHTZ/100.3 New York debut on Clear Channel CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 Richmond yesterday, it is also now heard on sister CHR "93-7 Kiss FM" WAZR Woodstock/Harrisonburg... (read more - Premiere Radio).

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:// Richmonders mad about another syndicated morning show
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Q94 WRVQListeners in Richmond, VA are ticked off that Clear Channel pulled the morning show duo of “Melissa and Sid” yesterday from Q-94 (WRVQ-FM) and replaced it with The Elvis Duran Morning Show from Z-100 in NYC. So much so that they’ve organized an online petition... (read more - RBR.com)

Editor's note: We received a lot of emails over the weekend about the new "piped-in" personalities on Q94. Apparently, what aired over the weekend wasn't what Q94 listeners were used to hearing; the jocks and the music which leaned a bit more Rhythmic.

Melissa Chases's new shift is the only local presence on the station, that's 25 hours out of 168 total weekly hours...

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:// 95-7 R&B and KISS FM tops radio ratings in Hampton Roads and Richmond
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Arbitron just released the latest radio ratings for Hampton Roads and Richmond. The Winter 2009 survey period covered January 8 thru April 1. Find both listings at Radio & Records.

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After 4½ years at Waterman's "NBC29" WVIR-DT Charlottesville, 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. anchor Annie Scholz starts at Young Broadcasting's WTEN (10/ABC) Albany, NY Monday, May 18... (5/4/2009)

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Clear Channel Rhythmic "Jammin JJS" WJJS/104.9//WJJX/102.7 PD Sisco adds similar duties at Rock WROV/96.3 after Jay Prater's exit. JD is now APD (Assitant Program Director) at WROV and Jammin' JJS morning co-host Nicky is now that station's APD... (5/4/2009)

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Max Media CHR "Hot 100.5" takes the new call letters -- WVHT... (5/4/2009)

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Stu-Comm Triple/Modern Rock WNRN/91.9 Charlottesville News Director and mid-morning host Jerry Gerard left the station Friday to pursue opportunities outside radio. Tad Abbey has been named his successor to begin Monday, May 11... (5/2/2009)

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:// “The Jim Rome Show” returns to The Game 102.1 FM /1490 AM!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The Game 102.1 FM / 1490 AM is proud to announce that starting Monday May 4, The Jim Rome Show returns to the airwaves in Norfolk and surrounding areas weekdays from noon-3pm. (read more - The Game WXTG)

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Corpus Christi TX based Cleo Broadcasting agrees to sell the CP (construction permit) for AM1410/Midlothian to JR McClure's Richmond 1410 LLC for $10K. 1410 is planned to do 350 day and night. McClure's only other media interest is WWOK-LP/Greenville SC... (5/1/2009)

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:// Changes for some Cox Cable subs
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Cox CommunicationsCox Cable Hampton Roads will make several changes to its channel lineup within the next few weeks.

Cox customers in West Point, New Kent and King & Queen Counties will have access to Young Broadcasting's WRIC (8/ABC) Petersburg/Richmond HD signal beginning Tuesday May 12 on channel 708. CNN-HD moves to channel 707 in those three counties. The Richmond NBC, FOX and CBS HD affiliates and the Norfolk PBS HD affiliate have already been available.

Sometime during May 19 thru 22, customers in Hampton and Fort Monroe will get 21 new HD channels with York County following in the summer.

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