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VARTV News Archives - January & February 2013
» If you have any news, updates, additions or corrections... e-mail them to editor@VARTV.com.


Studio Center

:// WTKR NewsChannel 3 keeps growing!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WTKR NewsChannel 3 completes a very successful February sweeps period continuing to increase its’ share of the local news audience. (read more - NewsChannel 3, WTKR)

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:// Entercom to deploy Jelli platform in a group-wide deal
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Jelli, the social radio platform, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Entercom Communications to deploy the Jelli Platform in 104 of its radio stations across 23 markets. (read more - Jelli)

Editor's note: Entercom's cluster in Hampton Roads is Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE, Urban AC "95-7 R&B" WRNB, "2WD" WWDE/101.3 and Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ/104.5...

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:// CCM&E Harrisonburg names Chris Kash Program Director and Afternoon Host for WAZR 93.7 NOW
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93-7 NOW, WAZRFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Harrisonburg announced today that Chris Kash has been named Program Director and Afternoon Host for WAZR-FM 93.7 NOW, effective March 11, 2013...

(read more - 93-7 NOW, WAZR)

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:// FCC says no to WHRO-TV's COL change
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The FCC just ruled that Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association's (HRETA) PBS-affiliated WHRO-TV Hampton-Norfolk can not change its COL (community of license) to Norfolk-Elizabeth City. You can read all the gory details (as far as WHRO is concerned) on the FCC's website.

Editor's note: If the FCC granted the change, WHRO would have been able to push for mandatory cable coverage farther into NE NC including Manteo which Charter Communications balked at...

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:// Long-time William and Mary broadcaster Bob Sheeran dies
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Bob Sheeran, who retired last fall after nearly forty years as part of the broadcast team for College of William and Mary football, died Saturday afternoon from complications following a stroke. (read more - The Virginia Gazette)

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:// Richmond traffic reporter to move up I-95
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A tweet from an Allbritton Communication's "ABC7" WJLA Washington employee says that Local TV, LLC "CBS6" WTVR Richmond traffic repoter Amanda Meadows is headed for the station beginning March 18.

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:// Cox bumps up Internet usage limits
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Cox CommunicationsCox Communications has raised the monthly data-usage limits on most broadband packages nationwide, as it also boosts connection speeds.

Earlier this month, the Atlanta-based MSO began increasing connection speeds for major tiers in markets... (read more - Multichannel News)

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:// WVEC to air special on Sequestration impact in Hampton Roads
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV, a Belo Corp. station, announced today that “Sequestration: Finding Our Future” will air at 7pm on Friday, March 1. The show’s title is an extension of earlier 13News investigations into the economic future of Hampton Roads. (read more - 13NEWS, WVEC)

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:// CCM&E busy with Virginia translators
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The Alt Project RoanokeClear Channel Media & Entertainment is using (leasing?) translator W245BG/96.9 Cave Spring from Brent Epperson (Tri-County Broadcasting's WBRG/1050//W283AZ/104.5 Lynchburg) for its new "The Alt Project" in Roanoke.

Last week, Epperson filed FCC papers to move the signal closer to Roanoke and increase the power from 10 watts to 250 watts. That will give the translator city grade coverage in Roanoke and the immediate surrounding areas. The translator is being fed by WROV-HD2.

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:// More Richmond translator news
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Last week, we reported that Clear Channel Media & Entertainment was buying Liberty University's W295BF/106.9 Midlothian for $50K, moving the signal down the dial to 96.1 and increasing the power. Another possible piece of the deal was filed with the FCC a couple of days later. Liberty wants to increase the power to its W235AI/94.9 Richmond translator from just 10 watts to 220 watts and rebroadcast the signal of CCM&E's WRXL-HD3. WRXL has no HD3 signal now but... we believe Liberty's religious "Victory FM" will soon be heard on it.

Last week we also stated that a listenable signal of 96.1 will cover metro Richmond. Looks like Liberty's juiced-up 94.9 will have even better Richmond-metro coverage.

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:// (ABC13) TV meteorologist, 2 others hospitalized after Bedford County crash
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Authorities this morning shut down all lanes of Virginia 122 in Bedford County following a traffic crash that sent three men to the hospital, said state police Sgt. Rob Carpentieri. (read more - The Roanoke-Times)

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:// JBS to sell off three LPTVs in Virginia
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Newport News, VA- based JBS (Jacobs Broadcasting System) is selling off three locally-based LPTVs to pay back defrauded investors, creditors and debt. Samuel B Jacobs II, who formerly headed JBS, was found guilty in federal court 4/12 of money laundering, mail fraud, forgery and engaging in monetary transactions derived from unlawful activity (an illegal investment scheme). (read more - TVBR)

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:// Are DirecTV’s customers about to lose Sinclair’s TV stations?
Includes WTVZ/33 Norfolk and WRLH/35 Richmond

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Here we go again. Sinclair Broadcast Group has begun to warn DirecTV customers that its 87 stations in 47 markets may go dark on the No. 1 satellite broadcaster after February 28... (read more - Deadline)

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:// Mason exits XL102
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AllAccess.com is reporting that (Michael) Mason exits Clear Channel Media & Entertainment's Rock "XL102" WRXL/102.1 Richmond. Mason was with the station for 2½ years.

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:// Max Media announces immediate mobile Community Engagement app
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Max Media Hampton RoadsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Max Media of Hampton Roads remains at the forefront of the digital era with the debut of new technologies in order to connect with its listeners in a “mobile” world. On Friday, February 15th a new mobile application will launch for iPhone,Windows and Android devices...
(read more - Max Media Hampton Roads)

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:// (WAVY/10 NBC Anchor) Alveta Ewell announces retirement
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WAVY-TV 10 Anchor Alveta Ewell announced her retirement Wednesday after more than 24 years at the WAVY anchor desk. (read more - WAVY)

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New classified ads continue to be 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..... (2/13/2013)

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:// Clear Channel to pick up Richmond signal
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Clear Channel Media & Entertainment is buying Liberty University's W295BF/106.9 Midlothian for $50,000. There's an application filed with the FCC to move the low powered signal to 96.1, broadcast from Bon Air and increase the height of the antenna. A listenable signal will cover metro Richmond.

According to FCC paperwork, CCM&E will use WBTJ/106.5 as the originating station for the translator. We think CCM&E will use one of its digital HD channels to introduce a new format to the analog FM dial.

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:// Cox Media Group reaches ... agreements to sell radio stations in six markets
Richmond cluster goes to SummitMedia

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Cox Media Group (CMG) has reached a definitive agreement with two companies to sell radio stations in six markets as part of its broadcast portfolio realignment. (read more - Cox Media Group Richmond)


Editor's note: The Richmond cluster is Country "K95" WKHK/95.3, Classic Rock "Rock 96.5" WKLR, CHR "Hot 100.9" WHTI and Modern AC/AAA "103-7 The River" WURV. The new SummitMedia is led by former Heftel Broadcasting executive Carl Parmer and 16 year Cox Media Birmingham market manager David DuBose. Price tage for the deal? $66.25M

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:// WTRM/91.3 Winchester sold
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AFR, American Family RadioTimber Ridge Ministries has agreed to sell its Class B licensed Southern Gospel "Southern Light 91.3" WTRM Winchester to Tupelo MS-based American Family Association (AFA). The price tage of $1.1M includes two translators in Pennsylvania -- W211AA/90.1 Harrisburg and W215AA/90.9 Millersburg (19 mi north of Harrisburg).

AFA runs two formats, one Talk and one Inspirational music, so it's uncertain what format WTRM will go to. AFA has a big signal in NE NC (WBKU/91.7 Ahoskie) and two stations in Richmond (WRIH/88.1 and WAUQ/89.7).

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:// WTVZ (33/MNT) Norfolk to stay with current owners
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Last May, Sinclair Broadcast Group signed a major FOX affiliation agreement. In it, FOX Television Stations (FTS) had an option to purchase several Sinclair large market TV stations including WTVZ. WIthin the past week, FTS notified Sinclair that it would NOT exercise that option, set to expire March 30. WTVZ is affiliated with FOX's MyNetworkTV.

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:// ‘Super’ Super Bowl for WTKR NewsChannel 3
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WTKR NewsChannel 3 broadcast the most unforgettable Super Bowl in recent history; complete with a sibling rivalry, a 30-minute stoppage, Beyonce and a second half comeback that almost won the 49ers their 6th Super Bowl. (read more - NewsChannel 3, WTKR)

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:// AT&T launches 4G network in parts of Hampton Roads
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AT&TAT&T announced Tuesday that it has upgraded parts of its Hampton Roads wireless network to fourth-generation technology, known as 4G LTE.

(read more - The Virginian-Pilot)

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:// WVEC promotes Doug Wieder to Executive News Director
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13NEWS, WVECFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV, a Belo Corp. station, announced today that Doug Wieder has been named Executive News Director, effective immediately. Wieder served as Interim News Director at WVEC since October, and prior to that he was Executive Producer at the station since 2007. (read more - 13NEWS, WVEC)


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:// The top TV markets for Super Bowl viewing were…
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The Baltimore Ravens’ win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII earned an average rating/share of 48.1/71, the highest-rated Super Bowl in the metered markets in history. (read more - TVSpy)

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:// Rock jock lands in Atlanta
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Former Cox Media Group Richmond midday host Madison James at "Rock 96-5" WKLR Fort Lee/Richmond get afternoons on sister Atlanta station AC "B98.5" WSB.

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:// 3 Daughters Media files to block sale of WLNI to Mel Wheeler...
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Gary Burn's 3 Daughters Media, which previously challenged the renewal of Clear Channel and Aloha Station Trust licenses in the Roanoke and Lynchburg markets over concentration concerns and slowness in spinning off excess stations, is now challenging the deal under which Centennial Licensing, LLC is selling Talk WLNI/Lynchburg, VA to Mel Wheeler, Inc... (read more - AllAccess)

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:// Cox lights up 750 Wi-Fi hotspots in Northern Virginia
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Cox Communications has deployed more than 750 Wi-Fi hotspots throughout Fairfax County, Va., to provide Internet access for most of its broadband subscribers in high-traffic areas for no additional charge, but initially the MSO won’t connect customers of other operators in the Cable WiFi program. (read more - Multichannel News)

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:// Sky4-TV teams up with the Norfolk Tides to bring baseball into thousands of homes during the 2013 season
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... SKY4-TV has partnered with the Norfolk Tides to be the Official Television Station of the Norfolk Tides for the 2013 baseball season, beginning with the first televised game on Friday, April 5, against the Durham Bulls. (read more - SKY4-TV, WSKY)

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:// Two Christmas stations end up keeping 95-7 R&B as the most listened to station in Hampton Roads again
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The all-holiday music stations (Entercom AC 2WD/WWDE and CCM&E Rhythmic AC Movin 107-7/WMOV) garner nearly a combined 15 rating (6+ demo) in the latest Hampton Roads radio ratings!

That keeps CCM&E Urban AC "95-7 R&B" WVKL on top followed by 2WD then CCM&E Urban "103Jamz" WOWI, Movin 107.7, Max Media Classic Hits "92-9 The Wave" WVBW, Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ/104.5, Max Media Country "97-3 The Eagle" WGH, Max Media CHR "Hot 100.5" WVHT, Sinclair Adult Hits "93-7 Bob FM" WNOB and Sinclair News/Talk 790 WNIS.

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Henrico CTE (Career & Technical Education) is hosting an internship fair Tuesday, May 7th, 2013 from 6:00-8:30 PM at Glen Allen High School. More information can be found at the following address: blogs.henrico.k12.va.us/internships... (1/25/2013)

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:// Station changes positioner
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Clear Channel Media & Entertainment's CHR WVMA Windsor is now known as "Now 105-3" instead of "The New 105-3." The change happened today.

In addition to a new logo, the station's new web address is now1053.com according to on-air announcements. WVMA has been doing CHR for 9½ months.

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:// NewsTalk returns to WFVA-AM on 1/28/13
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NewsTalk 1230, WFVAFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Centennial Broadcasting’s WFVA-AM 1230 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, returns to the News/Talk format on Monday, January 28th at midnight. The new weekday lineup will include talk radio giants like Don Imus, Glenn Beck, Mike Huckabee, Dennis Miller, Mark Levin, Michael Savage, and a host of other great names in talk radio. (read more - NewsTalk 1230, WFVA)

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:// (WXDM 90.3) On the air in Front Royal
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WXDMChristendom College in Front Royal has a new method of sharing God’s word with the local community thanks to a new radio station, WXDM 90.3 FM. The station, which was made possible by the support of anonymous donors, will broadcast Catholic programming 24 hours a day in and around Front Royal. (read more - Arlington Catholic Herald)

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:// HRBMP announces ... Byron Pitts as emcee for inaugural Hall of Fame event
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Hampton Roads Black Media ProfessionalsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals – the region’s oldest and largest organization for minorities in media and communications – announced today that award-winning journalist, author and national broadcast correspondent Byron Pitts will be the featured emcee for its inaugural Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, February 16, 2013, in Norfolk, Va. (read more - HRBMP)

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:// Cox offers home security service in Hampton Roads
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Cox Communications Hampton RoadsCox Communications Inc. is adding home security to its telecommunications services, making use of the technology that it already uses in Hampton Roads homes. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)

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:// New voice for middays on 98.9 Liberty
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98-9 Liberty, WWLBFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Main Line Broadcasting is proud to announce that Richmond veteran Kay Thomas will be the new voice in middays on 98.9 Liberty (WWLB-FM). (read more - 98-9 Liberty, WWLB)

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:// Studio Center kicks off nationwide voice over talent search contest tomorrow
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Studio CenterFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center Total Production, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., is kicking off the first nationwide voice-over talent search tomorrow in Richmond, VA.

(read more - Studio Center)

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:// Dog looks like lion but is.....a dog
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Charles The Monarch, WPTE
(Entercom, WPTE/Virginia Beach) 94.9 the Point’s morning show Chuck and Woo Woo welcomed Charles the Monarch to their show recently. You may have caught Charles on GMA, Jay Leno, or The Today show as the dog people thought was a lion roaming the streets of Norfolk Virginia. Residents thought the lion has escaped from the Virginia Zoo. 9-1-1 calls were made and the police arrived to find a dog, a 3 year old Labradoodle.

His owners love local college Old Dominion University and they shaved their dog to look like a the schools mascot! Charles made his first local appearance back home on 94.9 the Point with Chuck and Woo Woo (woof!)


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:// New WAVY anchor debuts
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Anita Blanton made her on-air anchoring debut this evening on LIN Media's WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth. She was most recently with Hearst Television's KOCO (5/ABC) Oklahoma City since 2008. Before that she was morning anchor and reporter for Young Broadcasting's WRIC (8/ABC) Petersburg/Richmond.

Blanton, an alumna of Hampton University, will anchor Saturday and Sunday evenings on WAVY and sister station "FOX43" WVBT Virginia Beach.

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:// Chincoteague's WCTG gets new operator
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A new sound is filling the airwaves of lower Delmarva. 96.5WCTG Radio transitioned to new management on Dec.29. The station’s new operator, Greg Bojko, spent the last few months building a new studio and office for the radio station and creating the new format. (read more - Salisbury The Daily Times)

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:// Wheeler picks up final station from Centennial Lynchburg
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Mel Wheeler Inc has agreed to pick up Centennial Broadcasting's "NewsTalk 105.9" WLNI Lynchburg for $1,025,000. Centennial exits the market with this sale.

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:// WGTS GM, John Konrad, dies
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John Konrad, Vice President and General Manager of Washington’s contemporary Christian music station, WGTS 91.9, passed away this morning (1/2/2013) after a short illness. (read more - Adventist Connect)

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:// Verizon FiOS could drop NBC and FOX stations from Hampton Roads line-up
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Verizon’s contract to carry WAVY-TV and WVBT-TV will expire. We are working hard to reach a new agreement with Verizon... (read more - WAVY-TV)

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:// Cox subs dark in six Raycom markets
NBC12 and CW Richmond off of Cox

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Eight Raycom-owned stations in six markets are dark for Cox cable subscribers, as Raycom and Cox have failed to reach a retransmission agreement. The markets are Baton Rouge, Tucson, Cleveland, Lake Charles (La.), and small slices of Richmond and Panama City. (read more - Broadcasting & Cable) (read more - Cox Hampton Roads)

Editor's note: Cox customers in West Point, New Kent and King & Queen Counties are affected...

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:// Meteorologist returns to CBS6
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Meteorologist Mike Goldberg has returned to Local TV, LLC's "CBS6" WTVR Richmond, giving the station four meteorologists. He had been freelancing at cross-town Young Broadcasting's "NEWS8" WRIC (ABC) Petersburg/Richmond and LIN Media's WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth/Norfolk.

After nine years of service, Goldberg was let go in late 2007 by then owners Raycom Media who also announced his replacement, Zack Daniel (still Chief Meteorologist). Goldberg will do weekend evenings/nights.

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