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VARTV News Archives - July & August 2012
» If you have any news, updates, additions or corrections... e-mail them to editor@VARTV.com.


Studio Center

:// Local TV LLC and DirecTV reach agreement
CBS6, NewsChannel 3 and CW27 stay on lineup

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We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Local TV LLC that we believe is fair and equitable for our customers, who will continue to enjoy Local TV-owned channels without interruption. (read more - DirecTV)

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:// Three stations are "testing"
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Three Virginia radio stations are "testing" their signals. Timber Ridge Ministries, which currently runs Gospel "Southern Light 91.3" WTRM Winchester, recently turned on a new signal at 103.3 -- Christian Contemporary "The Cross FM" WTCF Wardensville WV/Winchester. The station is asking its listeners to go to their Facebook page for signal strength reports...

Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association (WHRO) turned on a new station at 98.3 -- WHRF Belle Haven on the Eastern Shore. WHRF, at 6kW, is a satellite station for Classical WHRO-FM/90.3 Norfolk with its signal essentially picking up where WHRO-FM's signal starts to fade on the Eastern Shore. Also, WHRO increased the power of WHRX Nassawadox to 46kW. WHRX is a satellite station of NPR WHRV/89.5 Norfolk. Both stations' antennas are located at Nandua High School in Onley. The satellite stations are both doing HD Radio (but no side channels) and analog RBDS...

All three stations' official launch date is Tuesday, September 4.

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:// Important message for DirecTV customers from WTVR
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A dispute with DirecTV could knock your favorite programming off the air this weekend. (read more - CBS 6, WTVR)

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:// New 2012-2013 TV DMA® figures out
Mixed results for Virginia markets

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Nielsen Media ResearchNielsen Media Research just announced a new list of Designated Market Area (DMA®) TV rankings for the 2012-2013 television season.

The research company says the total number of TV households in the U.S. will DECREASE again to 114.2 million (114,173,690), slipping 1% from last year. The estimates are as of January 1, 2013 and effective September 22, 2012.

  • Washington DC remains at #8 with 2,359,160 TV homes, a decrease of 0.04%
  • Hampton Roads slips one notch to #44; 709,730 TV homes (-1.25%)
  • Richmond remains at #57; 553,390 TV homes (-1.07%)
  • Roanoke-Lynchburg slides two spots to #68; 445,470 TV homes (-2.3%)
  • Tri-Cities TN-VA (Bristol) drops a spot to #97; 319,060 TV homes (-1.4%)
  • Greenville-New Bern-Washington NC dips a spot to #100; 303,280 (-1.4%)
  • Salisbury MD is steady at #144; 157,830 TV homes (-1.1%)
  • Harrisonburg is even at #178; 90,260 TV homes (-1.5%)
  • Charlottesville stays at #183 for the third year; 74,340 TV homes (-0.39%)
Source: Nielsen Media Research

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:// At GOP convention, Va. radio host is making waves
Host is heard in Hampton Roads, Richmond and DC

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It's a sunny morning late in the radio drive time shift and John Fredericks is holding court with U.S. Rep. Tom Price of Georgia.

On air, Fredericks tells listeners that Price was his congressman when he called the Peach State home. (read more - New Orleans The Virginian-Pilot)

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:// (Hurricane) Isaac brings Lucy Bustamante back to WWL-TV
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Lucy Bustamante returns to WWL-TV for storm duty.

WWL-TV viewers arose Tuesday (Aug. 28) morning to see a familiar face on the anchor desk beside Mike Hoss. (read more - New Orleans The Times-Picayune)

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:// Hampton Roads anchor helping out New Orleans station
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Belo "13NEWS" WVEC (ABC) Hampton/Norfolk anchor Lucy Bustamante is now at sister station WWL (4/CBS) New Orleans, temporarily, to help out that station's Tropical Storm Isaac coverage.

Bustamante, a New Orleans area native, had been at WWL from 2004 to 2010. She decided to leave the station when her husband, a Navy Seal, was transferred to Hampton Roads.

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:// Centennial unloads some stations in Lynchburg
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Centennial Broadcasting has agreed to sell Active Rock "97-9 The Planet" WZZU Lynchburg and "Fox Sports Radio 106.9" WZZI Bedford to WVJT, LLC for $523,000. WVJT LLC, headed up by Todd Robinson, also runs Southern Gospel WXCF/1230 Clifton Forge, "Big Country 103.5" WKEY1340//W278BF/103.5 Covington, and Hot AC "93-7 KHF" WKHF Lynchburg//WIQO/100.9 Forest//WXCF-FM/103.9 Big Island.

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:// Sweet Pea Whitaker interviewed
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Norfolk native and International Boxing Hall of Famer, Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, will be the featured guest on the September edition of the interview show, Sports Highlights, on Newport News Public Schools TV. (read more - Newport News Public Schools TV)

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:// John Fredericks Morning Show set to debut in D.C., broadcasting live at RNC Convention
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The John Fredericks Morning Show – Common Sense for the Commonwealth - syndicates to Washington D.C./Northern Virginia on August 27. The show will broadcast live from the floor of the Republican National Convention in Tampa FL August 27-31. (read more - The John Fredericks Morning Show)

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:// ESPN 950 & Dial Global reach new sports agreement
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... ESPN 950 WXGI announced today that they have signed a two year agreement with Dial Global Radio Networks. This agreement will make ESPN 950 the exclusive home for its March Madness, NFL package including the NFL playoffs, the Super Bowl, plus golf’s Majors and the Olympics in the Greater Richmond area. (read more - ESPN 950, WXGI)

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:// Another conservative talk show expands
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"The Score" radio show -- BearingDrift.com's weekly, conservative program hosted by Scott Lee, will be adding a fourth station to its line-up on September 15: Centennial Broadcasting's "News/Talk 1400" WINC Winchester. The show is currently broadcast on sister station "News/Talk 105.9" WLNI Lynchburg, Davidson Media's "News/Talk 990" WLEE Richmond and WMBG/740 Williamsburg.

Podcasts are carried 24/7 at BearingDrift.com and can also be heard nationally on RedStateTalkRadio.com.

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:// Newton Media names Director of New Business Development
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Classic 3WZ, WWZWFormer First Media Radio Oldies/Classic Rock "3WZ" WZW Buena Vista/Lynchburg morning co-host Jim Quist, who left for Richmond to create 288 Media, is back. He started voice-tracking the show effective Monday, August 6.

Quist re-joins co-host Jim Bresnahan along with Jo Fairchild and General Manager "Big E" Eric Mason.

288 Media (Richmond) provides media consultation along with voice and on-camera talent.

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:// Newton Media names Director of New Business Development
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE… Steve Warnecke joins Newton Media Associates, Inc. as Director of New Business Development. Steve has over 20 years of domestic and international experience in programming, sales and media management in the broadcast and cable industry.

Newton Media, based in Chesapeake, specializes in creating and managing integrated television, radio, print, and interactive media campaigns for DRTV, corporate, and charitable organizations. (read more - newtonmedia.com)

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:// Sinclair (FOX Richmond) and Dish Network agree in principle on fees
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FOX Richmond, WRLHTelevision broadcaster Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. and Dish Network have reached an agreement in principle on retransmission fees, meaning the satellite television provider will continue to carry Sinclair's broadcast stations, including WRLH-Channel 35 in Richmond. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)

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:// WTVZ, Dish Network extend contract for two weeks
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MyTVZ, WTVZWTVZ and Dish Network have extended their existing transmission contract for two weeks to keep the local station’s programming on the satellite television provider’s lineup while they negotiate a new agreement. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)

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:// NNTV's Hurricane Special 2012: Newport News Get Ready! premieres Friday
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Newport News TV, NNTVFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... NNTV, the dedicated cable channel for Newport News on Cox Cable Ch. 48/Verizon FiOS Ch. 19, will debut its brand new Hurricane Special to help citizens be ready for the height of the 2012 hurricane season. (read more - Newport News TV)

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:// Savage to Fox Radio Roanoke
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Fox Radio 910, WFJXPerception Media Group's News/Talk "FOX Radio 910" WFJX Roanoke will begin airing nationally syndicated Michael Savage on Monday, September 3 from 6-9 p.m.

The addition of Savage to the weekday lineup pushes The Dennis Miller Show to weekends only -- 6-9 p.m.

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:// WHTI sews PD stripes on Marino
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Cox Top 40 WHTI (Hot 100.9)/Richmond APD/MD/afternoon host Marino is upped to PD. Marino has been in Richmond since February, assisting with the launch of Hot 100.9... (read more - AllAccess)

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:// Top TV markets for Olympics viewing
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The London Summer Olympics have become the most-watched event in TV history. The 17 days of the games drew 219.4 million viewers... (read more - TVSpy)

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:// Dish Network says Sinclair Broadcast Group calls for massive price increase
WTVZ (MNT) Norfolk and FOX Richmond could be dropped

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DISH Network vs SinclairDish Network Corp. said Monday that Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. has threatened to block Dish customers' access to television stations in 45 cities across the country unless Dish accepts a massive price increase. (read more - NASDAQ)

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:// Studio Center welcomes new National Sales Manager
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Studio CenterFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center Total Production, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., announces the appointment of Mark Bradley as the company’s new National Sales Manager. (read more - Studio Center)

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:// Which cities lead in Olympic viewing?
Two Virginia markets in the Top 10

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NBC's ratings are up for this year's Summer Olympics in London and each day the network releases specific data about those numbers. (read more - Awful Announcing)

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:// Talker clears DC station
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Morning Conservative talker John Fredericks, based and heard on "Conservative Talk Radio" WHKT/1650 Chesapeake, and "News Talk 990" WLEE Richmond, picks up another affiliate. Beginning Monday, August 27, Fredericks will be heard on Metro Radio's "The Truth" WTNT/730 Alexandria/Washington (and on FM translator W275BO/102.9 Chantilly).

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:// Chicago owners merge Radio-Info(.com) with talk radio publication
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The Chicago couple who generously financed and operated Radio-Info.com as a tribute to their late son are turning over the independent radio industry website to a competitor. (read more - Time Out Chicago)

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More new classified ads placed on VARTV. 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..... (8/2/2012)

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:// Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Harrisonburg announces the debut of the new 93.7 Hit Music Now
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93.7 Hit Music Now, WAZRFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Harrisonburg today announced the debut of its latest station, The New 93.7 Hit Music Now, effective immediately.

The Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) station will feature music from today’s music superstars... (read more - 93.7 Hit Music Now, WAZR)

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:// Popular Star Country DJ Robynn Jaymes returns to Roanoke airwaves today
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Popular country music disc jockey Robynn Jaymes returned to the Roanoke airwaves on Wednesday for the first time since a serious illness sidelined her in October. (read more - The Roanoke Times)

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:// Bob Peterson named Young VP of Station Operations, Corporate promotion for WRIC Richmond GM
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Bob Peterson, vice president and general manager of Young Broadcasting's WRIC Richmond, has been promoted to vice president of station operations for the group. His appointment is effective immediately. (read more - Broadcasting & Cable)

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:// Top 20 TV markets for opening ceremony viewing
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As you may have read, the London Games Opening Ceremony was the most-watched opening to an Olympics ever in the U.S. with 40.7 million viewers tuning in Friday night. (read more - TVSpy)

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:// Political windfall in Roanoke-Lynchburg television market
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With three months to go before Election Day, the winners of this year's political campaigns are already clear — Roanoke and Lynchburg's television stations. (read more - The Roanoke Times)

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From VARTV's Twitter page: "Low-power TV station Telemundo Richmond (channel 45 WZTD) is turning off its analog signal for good to go digital within days... #rva #VARTV"
(7/26/2012)

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:// Comcast debuts 305-meg internet, Doubles speeds for two broadband tiers
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ComcastComcast, looking to grab broadband bragging rights from Verizon Communications, announced it is launching a 305 Megabit per second service in markets in the Northeast U.S. -- priced at a hefty $300 per month -- while also doubling the speeds for current customers of its 25 and 50 Megabit per second services for no additional cost. (read more - Multichannel News)

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From VARTV's Twitter page: "Gray Television's new low-power CBS affiliate for Harrisonburg (WSVF) is scheduled to be on the air by October 1... #Harrisonburg #VARTV"
(7/25/2012)

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:// (Charlottesville) Radio station makes changes to programming lineup
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WTJU 91.1FMCharlottesville radio station WTJU 91.1 FM is making some changes to its program. The radio station put into effect a new programming schedule last Monday. (read more - Charlottesville Newsplex)

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:// Jones Broadcasting moving to Roanoke
The company has bought WDRL and will move its headquarters to Crossroads Mall.

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Channel 24 will be back on the air in Roanoke next month, nearly two years after the religious and family-focused station went dark following a legal dispute. (read more - The Roanoke Times)

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:// WSKY-TV - SKY4 - announces asset sale and FCC license transfer
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SKY4TV, WSKYFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... SKY4, WSKY-TV, is proud to announce the completion of an internal asset and FCC license transfer. The original investor group, led by current President W.T. Lamm III, has purchased all the company stock held by the former operating partner. (read more - WSKY)

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:// Cox Media Group purchases new TV stations in Jacksonville, Tulsa
Realigns its broadcast media portfolio (to sell Richmond cluster)

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Cox Media Group (CMG) is realigning its broadcast portfolio to focus on larger markets, cross-media collaboration, and heightened impact in fewer markets. (read more - Cox Media Group)

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From VARTV's Twitter page: "Hearing Cox Media Group to sell off Richmond radio cluster (WKHK/95.3, WKLR/96.5, WHTI/100.9, WURV/103.7). Stay tuned... #rva #hrva #VARTV"
(7/20/2012)

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:// Virginia classic rocker (WOLD/102.5) found liable for SESAC licensing fees
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SESAC has won a $276,000 court judgment for use of its music by a Virginia station. (read more - Radio-Info)

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:// WHSV-TV3 adds CBS to family of stations in the Valley
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CBS announced today that it has signed affiliation agreements with Gray Television, Inc.’s stations WECP in Panama City, FL; WSVF in Harrisonburg, VA; and WIYE in Parkersburg, WV. (read more - WHSV)

Editor's notes: WSVF/Staunton-Waynesboro will be a digital low-power station on channel 43. TVNewsCheck says, "The affiliations for the three stations will be effective in the fall. All three new affiliates will be viewed over-the-air, on cable and on satellite television."

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:// WDBJ urges viewers to look up porn online
Station gets slammed by viewers on Facebook

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For a story about a former porn star who is now volunteering as a local EMT, Roanoke CBS-affiliate WDBJ urged viewers to check out her adult films online. (read more - TVSpy)

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:// For 50 years, Richmond's Tony Booth has been inside the music and behind the microphone
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Having a live Tony Booth in the car is not unlike traveling around with his voice in the speaker. Sooner or later, there will be music trivia. (read more - Style Weekly)

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:// The John Fredericks Show expands to Richmond VA
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The John Fredericks ShowFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The John Fredericks Morning Show - Common Sense for the Commonwealth, which airs M-F, 6AM-9AM on WHKT AM 1650 in Hampton Roads will debut on WLEE AM 990 in Richmond on August 11. The local news/talk show will replace Imus In The Morning... (read more - The John Fredericks Show)

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:// Studio Center partners with customer magnetism
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Studio CenterFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center Total Production, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., announces a partnership with Customer Magnetism, one of the top ten search engine optimization firms in the country. (read more - Studio Center)

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:// Former CCM&E Norfolk Operations Manager to Georgia
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After much time needed off, Travis Dylan, former OM of CCM&E Norfolk (WOWI, WVMA, WMOV, WKSA) is headed for Georgia. Dylan will have similiar duties there but overseeing two CCM&E markets, Savannah and Augusta. That should keep him busy. The two Georgia markets have 12 stations. Dylan was in Hampton Roads for eight years.

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:// Julie Bragg returns to WTVR as 5 p.m. anchor
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The 5 p.m. newshour is getting even more interesting: Julie Bragg is returning to WTVR-6 to anchor the news at 5 and 5:30, just as Gene Cox — her former co-anchor at WWBT-12 — announced his plans to host WRIC’s 5:30 p.m. newscast. (read more - Richmond Magazine)

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:// Channel 13 reporter now in St Louis
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Emily Rau
Emily Rau, reporter for Belo's WVEC (13/ABC) Hampton/Norfolk, is now in St Louis, MO. Rau will become a general assignment reporter for sister station KMOV (4/CBS).

Rau is climbing the ladder quick. She was with Channel 13 for just 18 months after getting her first on air gig at University of Missouri's KOMU (8/NBC) Columbia. She starts at KMOV on Monday (7/9).

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:// Big opening at The River in Richmond
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103.7 The River, WURVKevin Begley, Music Director/PM Drive for Cox Media Group's "103.7 The River" WURV Richmond, is going digital. Begley will be moving to a new role as Internet Director for a new digital property for Cox Media Group Connecticut. Begley was instrumental in launching the new brand of hybrid Hot AC/Alternative 103.7 The River and "will be incredibly missed."

A station offical said, "(W)e are looking for someone to fill his position. Must be a musicologist, total social media junkie, sound great on air and love living in the 5th most tattooed city in America -- Send demos/resumes to: RICJobs@CoxMG.com."

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:// Mark McKay promoted to PD at WGH
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Max Media Country (97-3 The Eagle) WGH/Norfolk-Virginia Beach, VA APD/MD Mark McKay has been promoted to PD. Dir./Programming and Operations John Shomby had formerly been handling day-to-day programming for WGH. (read more - AllAccess)

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:// (Aaron Justus') apocalyptic forecast goes viral after he leaves station
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A strange video from WTVR popped up online recently in which weathercaster Aaron Justus delivers an apocalyptic forecast for the Richmond CBS-affiliate. (read more - TVSpy)

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:// Gene Cox changes channels
Veteran WWBT newsman now at WRIC

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What is that cloud in the sky? Is it … a swarm of flying pigs? May as well be: Veteran WWBT anchor Gene Cox will be behind the desk at Channel 8. He will co-anchor WRIC’s 5:30 p.m. news on a temporary basis beginning Aug. 1. (read more - Richmond Magazine)

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Saga Communications' "106.9 The Fox" WAFX Suffolk/Chesapeake quietly shifted back to Classic Rock from Classic Hits. Nothing new for the station. It's gone back and forward between the two formats since going Classic Rock (from Country) in March 1989... (7/3/2012)

The websites of WHRO got a redo today... (7/1/2012)

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