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:// We had to go there | Now Calling on ALL media outlets -- radio and TV stations, personalities, sales reps, back office -- VARTV is on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Tweets by @VARTV :// New 2018-2019 TV DMA® figures out DC remains #6 TV market, Hampton Roads bounces back, Richmond drops one | Wednesday, September 12, 2018 Nielsen Media Research recently announced a new list of Designated Market Area (DMA®) TV rankings for the 2018-2019 television season. The research company says the total number of TV households in the U.S. will be 110.244M (-1.7%). The estimates are as of January 1, 2019 and effective September 22, 2018.
| back to top | :// New 2017 Nielsen radio market rankings/population figures out| Monday, September 25, 2017 Nielsen just announced a new list of Metro Population estimates (12+ persons) for radio markets for the Fall 2017 to Summer 2018 ratings periods...
| back to top | :// New 2017-2018 TV DMA® figures outDC up one to #6 TV market, Hampton Roads tumbles, Richmond steady | Monday, September 25, 2017 Nielsen Media Research recently announced a new list of Designated Market Area (DMA®) TV rankings for the 2017-2018 television season. The research company says the total number of TV households in the U.S. will be 119.6M (+1%). The estimates are as of January 1, 2018 and effective September 21, 2017.
| back to top | :// New 2016 Nielsen radio market rankings/population figures out| Thursday, September 15, 2016 Nielsen just announced a new list of Metro Population estimates (12+ persons) for radio markets for the Fall 2016 to Summer 2017 ratings periods...
| back to top | :// New 2016-2017 TV DMA® figures outDC stays at #7 TV market, Steady for Hampton Roads, Richmond up one again | Thursday, September 1, 2016 Nielsen Media Research recently announced a new list of Designated Market Area (DMA®) TV rankings for the 2016-2017 television season. The research company says the total number of TV households in the U.S. will be 114,695,130 (+1.22%). The estimates are as of January 1, 2017 and effective September 24, 2016.
| back to top | :// New 2015 Nielsen radio market rankings/population figures out| Friday, September 11, 2015 Nielsen just announced a new list of Metro Population estimates (12+ persons) for radio markets for the Fall 2015 to Summer 2016 ratings periods...
| back to top | :// New 2015-2016 TV DMA® figures outDC now #7 TV market, Steady for Hampton Roads, Richmond up one | Thursday, September 3, 2015 Nielsen Media Research recently announced a new list of Designated Market Area (DMA®) TV rankings for the 2015-2016 television season. The research company says the total number of TV households in the U.S. will be 113,314,340 (-0.44%). The estimates are as of January 1, 2016 and effective September 26, 2015.
| back to top | :// WSLS 10 Earns National Edward R. Murrow Award| Wednesday, June 24, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WSLS 10 wins prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award given out by the Radio Television Digital News Association. WSLS 10 continues the awards season as Southwest Virginia’s most honored broadcast news organization. The coveted Edward R. Murrow Award represents outstanding achievement in journalism. (read more - WSLS) | back to top | :// Corey Crockett and Tyler Layne Join NOW 105 For Nights| Tuesday, May 26, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... iHeartMedia Norfolk announced today Corey Crockett as new night host and Tyler Layne as late night host on NOW 105 (105.3 FM). Crockett will host evening from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, beginning June 1, 2015 and “Tyler’s Trending” will air evenings from 10:00 PM to Midnight, effective immediately. (read more - NOW105, WNOH) | back to top | :// WGRX-FM Introduces New Morning Show| Thursday, May 21, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... May 21, 2015– Telemedia Broadcasting announces the launch of the all-new “Blue & Grey Mornings. The show commences on June 1, 2015. This announcement comes on the heels of the retirement of long-time morning man, Denny More. More will take to the air one last time on Friday Morning May 29th. (read more - Thunder 104.5, WGRX) | back to top | :// Chuck Doud joins Movin 107-7 as new morning show host| Thursday, May 7, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Norfolk, Va. – May 7, 2015 – iHeartMedia - Norfolk announced today Chuck Doud as the new host of MOVIN 107-7’s morning show effective Monday, May 11, 2015. (read more - Movin 107-7, WMOV) | back to top | :// American Idol Live in Studio on Play Mornings with Melissa & JackRichmond’s American Idol Star, Rayvon Owen, Returns To Film TV Homecoming | Thursday, April 30, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... SummitMedia, LLC announced today that 103.7 Play will be one of only three places that American Idol Star Rayvon Owen will visit during the show’s Homecoming special for the Top 4 contestants. (read more - 103-7 Play, WURV) | back to top | :// Paul Hayden Celebrates 20 years in Radio at Telemedia Broadcasting, Inc.| Monday, April 27, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... On-Air Personality/Producer Paul Hayden has begun his 20th year in Fredericksburg radio at WGRQ/WGRX. Hayden celebrates not only 20 years in radio, but 20 years all at one company - Telemedia Broadcasting, Inc. (read more - Telemedia Broadcasting Fredericksburg) | back to top | :// WVEC ABC13 Announced as Regional Edward R. Murrow Award Winner13News Now recognized for Best Newscast | Friday, April 24, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...WVEC-TV, a Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) station, announced today that 13News Now has been honored with a 2015 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence from the Radio Television Digital News Association. The Best Newscast award was for a 5:00pm newscast in July of 2014... (read more - ABC13, WVEC) | back to top | :// WSLS 10 Earns Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards| Thursday, April 23, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...The Radio Television Digital News Association awards WSLS 10 with 2 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. Continuing the 2015 awards season as Southwest Virginia’s most honored, WSLS 10 receives 2 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, more than all other television stations combined. (read more - WSLS) | back to top | :// The Virginias Associated Press Honors WSLS 10| Monday, March 30, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...Continuing excellence in broadcast journalism, The Virginias Associated Press has awarded WSLS 10 with six distinctions of merit. (read more - WSLS) | back to top | :// Movin 107-7 brings back Christmas music| Wednesday, November 5, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... MOVIN 107-7 announced today the launch of its Christmas music programming, an annual holiday tradition, featuring holiday favorites around the clock through December 25. (read more - Movin' 107-7, WMOV) | back to top | :// Alpha Media Richmond announces Major Changes| Monday, October 20, 2014 Alpha Media, owners of radio stations WLFV 93.1 the Wolf, Big Oldies 107.3, and Liberty 98.9 announced some format and frequency changes, effective Monday, October 20th. (read more - Alpha Media Richmond) | back to top | :// New 2014-2015 TV DMA® figures outBig jump for Hampton Roads | Wednesday, September 10, 2014 Nielsen Media Research recently announced a new list of Designated Market Area (DMA®) TV rankings for the 2014-2015 television season. The research company says the total number of TV households in the U.S. will be 113,808,820. The estimates are as of January 1, 2015 and effective September 27, 2014.
| back to top | :// Chuck the Intern to exit FM99/106.9 The Fox| Monday, July 14, 2014 Tidewater Communications' Brand Manager Mike Beck says,"The world’s longest running internship has finally come to an end! Chuck the Intern is getting a real job!" Beck continued, "Chuck’s been working with us for 24 years, starting as an intern from ODU and moving up the ranks from morning show producer to Production Director. One of the nicest guys in the business, and the most conscientious person you’d ever hope to work with, Chuck will be dearly missed. At least we’ll still be able to enjoy his work as drummer for AudioSauce!" | back to top | :// CW RICHMOND IS THE #1 CW AFFILIATE IN THE COUNTRY:HOUSEHOLDS & ADULTS 18-49 MAY SWEEP 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WUPV, The CW Network’s Richmond affiliate earns top spot as the number one CW affiliate in the country – with winning ratings in households and A18-49! WUPV also ranked highly among all CW affiliates, coming in #2 for A18-34, #2W18-34 and #2W18-49! (read more - CW Richmond, WUPV) | back to top | :// Max Media stations holding auctions to benefit Norfolk Police Officer Brian Jones and Mark Rodriguez| Wednesday, June 4, 2014 When Norfolk Police Officer Brian Jones was shot and killed in the line of duty on May 30th and Mark Rodriguez, student of Norfolk Christian, lost his life that same evening, the Max Media family was moved to take action and assist. (read more - Max Media Hampton Roads) | back to top | :// Centennial Broadcasting Names Director of ProgrammingMike Herald Assumes Duties for Winchester/Northern Virginia Stations | Thursday, May 29, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Centennial Broadcasting II, LLC announced today Mike Herald has joined the company as Director of Programming for their Northern Shenandoah Valley/Northern Virginia radio stations. (read more - Centennial Broadcasting Winchester) | back to top | :// Bianca Martinez to step down as WTKR News AnchorWill remain with station for military coverage and special reports | Tuesday, May 27, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Bianca Martinez, News Anchor for WTKR’s 4, 5, 6, and 11pm newscasts will step down from her position effective May 30. In a joint announcement, the Station and Martinez confirm that she will remain with WTKR continuing her coverage of the Military and providing special reports as needed. (read more - NewsChannel 3, WTKR) | back to top | :// WVEC ABC13 Continues to Dominate in Evening Newscasts13News Now Wins 6:00pm News Sixth Sweep in a Row | Friday, May 23, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV, a Gannett Co., Inc. station, announced today that 13NewsNow continues to lead in early evening newscasts with three wins in the just completed May Sweep. WVEC.com also saw significant gains, with the most digital growth among any media outlet in the market. (read more - ABC13, WVEC) | back to top | :// SummitMedia announces New Richmond StationWHTI FM invites listeners to “relax…” | Friday, May 23, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... SummitMedia, LLC is introducing a new radio choice for Richmond listeners. EASY 100.9 will focus on the underserved Adult 35+ audience with “relaxing, refreshing music.” (read more - Easy 100.9, WHTI) | back to top | :// Beverly Kidd Returns Home to WTKR NewsChannel 3| Friday, May 23, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WTKR NewsChannel 3 welcomes home Beverly Kidd. You may remember Beverly anchoring WTKR’s 5pm newscast for a few years in the late 90’s. Now, she’s returning home to Norfolk, Virginia where she started her broadcasting career. (read more - NewsChannel 3, WTKR) | back to top | :// NewsChannel 3 Takes Action and Gets Results| Thursday, May 22, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... This May, a NewsChannel 3 Investigation exposed cyber bullying of military wives, Chief Meteorologist Patrick Rockey warned viewers of dangerous storms and flooding... (read more - NewsChannel 3, WTKR) | back to top | :// Larry Printz Joins WVEC ABC13 as Automotive Editor| Wednesday, May 21, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV, a Gannett Co., Inc. station, announced today that leading automotive journalist Larry Printz will join WVEC ABC13 as Automotive Editor, and will appear regularly on 13News Now and WVEC.com reporting on automotive topics including new models, technology trends, and consumer issues. (read more - ABC13, WVEC) | back to top | :// On-air staff changes at Telemedia Broadcasting, Fredericksburg| Monday, May 12, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... After the departure of long-time APD/PMD Braden Smith, Telemedia Broadcasting is excited to announce the promotion of More In The Morning Co-host, Christal Blue, to Assistant Program Director. (Contact Christal at christal@thunder1045.com ). (read more - Telemedia Broadcasting Fredericksburg) | back to top | :// Over 16,000 Lunatics attended FM99 Lunatic Luau 14 May 2| Thursday, May 8, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... On May 2, 2014, FM99 hosted the biggest party of the year – FM99 Lunatic Luau 14 presented by Cycle World – at Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach. (read more - FM99, WNOR) | back to top | :// WVEC ABC13 announced as Regional Edward R. Murrow Award Winner| Tuesday, April 22, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV, a Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) station, announced today that 13News Now will receive a 2014 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence from the Radio Television Digital News Association... (read more - ABC13 WVEC) | back to top | :// Studio Center adds new Client Service Rep/Receptionist in Richmond| Thursday, April 10, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., is pleased to announce the addition of Nancy Kamal to the double duty position of Client Services Rep/Receptionist. (read more - Studio Center Total Production) | back to top | :// Hampton Roads AMer wants FM presence| Friday, April 4, 2014 Delmarva Educational Association wants to move it's translator at 96.5 (W243DD/Suffolk) to 96.9 (probably receiving interference from Sinclair's new 96.5 translator in Norfolk). The translator would go from 80 watts at 143ft to 250 watts at 1094ft. If the move is approved, the translator will rebroadcast Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corp's Christian Talk WPMH/1010 Portsmouth. | back to top | :// Chris Roth to exit Winchester for Salem Communications DC| Friday, April 4, 2014 Chris Roth, Director of Programming for Centennial Broadcasting II, LLC (Hot AC WINC-FM, Country WXBN-FM, and News/Talk WINC-AM), will exit the cluster effective April 11. The following Monday, Roth becomes Creative Services Director for Salem Communications in Washington DC (WAVA-FM, WAVA-AM, WWRC-AM, WKDL-AM and SiriusXM Family Talk 131). He will "remain with Centennial part time to help ease the transition to the next Director of Programming." Roth said, "WINC-FM has been a part of my life for a long time. I worked here when I was a kid, and it was a thrill to return as the Director of Programming. I’m moving on, or should I say back, to Christian radio. It is in my roots (WCTN/Potomac and WGTS/Washington) and I truly believe in what Salem Communications does." | back to top | :// WVEC ABC13 Presents Google Glass Week on 13News Now at DaybreakA unique, behind the scenes look at our morning newscast | Tuesday, April 2, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV, a Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) station, announced today that during the week of April 7th – April 11th, 13News Now at Daybreak will give viewers a different look at our newscast using the cutting edge technology of “Google Glass.” (read more - 13NEWS Now, WVEC) | back to top | :// Jimmy Ray & Jen and Dick Lamb to leave their stations at Max Media| Tuesday, April 1, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Jimmy Ray & Jen, Dick Lamb and all of the on air DJ’s, at Max Media radio, leave their stations—well just for the day! Its April fool’s Day and Max Media radio stations are having some fun! (read more - Max Media Hampton Roads) | back to top | :// Studio Center adds new Video Producer in Virginia Beach| Thursday, March 27, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center Total Production, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., is pleased to announce the addition of Michael Seabolt to the position of Video Producer. (read more - Studio Center Total Production) | back to top | :// WVEC ABC13 Continues to Lead in Evening Newscasts13News Now Wins 6:00pm News Fifth Sweep in a Row | Thursday, February 27, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV, a Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) station, announced today that the station saw three newscast wins, and continued growth in late night newscasts during the recent February Sweep. (read more - 13NEWS Now, WVEC) | back to top | :// Super sister stations!| Thursday, February 27, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WTKR NewsChannel 3 and WGNT 27 dominate the afternoon. It's that simple. At Noon, NewsChannel 3 continues to dominate! Laila Muhammad, Blaine Stewart and VIPIR Meteorologist Myles Henderson continued their winning streak, finishing more than a full rating point and 3 shares ahead of the next closest program. (read more - NewsChannel 3, WTKR; WGNT) | back to top | :// Studio Center adds a new Production Coordinator/Receptionist in New York City| Friday, February 14, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., is pleased to announce the addition of Margaret Horning to the double duty position of Production Coordinator/Receptionist. (read more - Studio Center Total Production) | back to top | :// ESPN Radio in Richmond to become available on the FM dial starting February 1st, 2014| Monday, January 27, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... ESPN 950 (WXGI) announced expansion of its broadcast signal, adding 100.5 FM (WZEZ) starting February 1st, 2014. The agreement between Red Zebra Broadcasting and Delmarva Educational Association will extend the market reach for Richmond’s ESPN Radio broadcast on the FM signal... (read more - ESPN 950, WXGI) | back to top | :// WNRN owner sells a translator to VT for a buck| Tuesday, January 21, 2014 Stu-Comm is selling its FM translator W201CN/88.1 Afton/Waynesboro for $1 and "release of debts." Concurrently, Stu-Comm will lease the HD3 channel of VT's WVTU/89.3 Charlottesville and tower space on Bear Den Mt (from VT) for Stu-Comm's translator on W266BQ/101.1 Crozet. | back to top | :// Veteran media executive promoted at SummitMedia Richmond| Thursday, January 16, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... SummitMedia, LLC announced the promotion of Julie Monafo to Director of Sales of the Richmond cluster, which includes WKHK-FM, WKLR-FM, WURV-FM and WHTI-FM. (read more - SummitMedia Richmond) | back to top | :// Hot 100.5 (WVHT) is getting a musical upgrade| Monday, January 13, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Hot 100.5 (WVHT) Hampton Roads, first true, CHR Top 40 station is getting a makeover. In an environment cluttered with imitators, your premiere Top 40 station is about to change the music environment, once again. (read more - Hot 100.5, WVHT) | back to top | New classified ads have been placed on VARTV the past month! 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... (1/7/2014) | back to top | :// 94.9 The Point helps the kids| Wednesday, December 11, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... 94.9 The Point in Norfolk, Virginia packed up their microphones and coffee pot and headed to the lobby of the Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters for their annual Radio-thon. (read more - 94.9 The Point, WPTE) | back to top | :// Studio Center donates $3,325 to children's charity| Wednesday, December 11, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., is proud to announce that the company will be donating $3,325 to “Canines for Disabled Kids” (CDK), a small non-profit that helps children discover, apply, and obtain service dogs to help with a variety of disabilities. (read more - Studio Center Total Production) | back to top | :// Radio sites join forces to fill discussion board void| Tuesday, December 10, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The operators of some of the radio community's most popular web destinations have partnered to provide a new home for the conversations that were left hanging by the abrupt closure in early December of the popular forums at RadioDiscussions.com. (read more - RadioInsightCommunity) | back to top | :// WVEC ABC13 makes it a “Clean Sweep” in the Evenings13News Now at Daybreak Also Grows Across the Board | Tuesday, December 3, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV, a Belo Corp. (NYSE: BLC) station, announced today that the station saw four newscast wins, and significant growth in the morning and evening newscasts, during the recent November Sweeps. (read more - ABC13, WVEC) | back to top | :// WGNT News Powered by NewsChannel 3 rules local news from 7am – 9am.| Thursday, November 28, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WGNT News, anchored by NewsChannel 3 personalities Laila Muhammad, Blaine Stewart, Meteorologist Myles Henderson and Beat the Traffic reporter Kristen Crowley, doubled its audience share over last November and beat out the closest local competition by as much. (read more - CW27, WGNT) | back to top | :// WTKR NewsChannel 3 has a monster November!| Thursday, November 28, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WTKR NewsChannel 3 finishes the November 2013 Nielsen sweeps period with major increases in almost every newscast, while owning Hampton Roads #1 newscasts at Noon, 4pm & 5pm. (read more - NewsChannel 3, WTKR) | back to top | :// Over 577,000 meals served - FM99 & 106.9 The Fox Mayflower Marathon Food Drive sets a new record...| Monday, November 25, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... A new record of 577,678 meals will be served thanks to donations to the 17th Annual FM99 & 106.9 The Fox Mayflower Marathon Food Drive. (read more - FM99 WNOR, 106.9 The Fox WAFX) | back to top | :// Studio Center named as one of the best places to work in Virginia...| Wednesday, November 20, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., has recently been named as one of the 2014 Best Places to Work in Virginia. (read more - Studio Center Total Production) | back to top | :// Stuff The Police Car to benefit kids in Pasquotank County| Friday, November 15, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The Elizabeth City Police Department has started their annual Santa Cop Toy Drive and donations are being accepted at the ECPD offices, Big Lots! In Elizabeth City, radio station WRVS-FM 89.9 and television station W18BB-TV studios on the campus of Elizabeth City State University. (read more - WRVS) | back to top | :// Lite 98 top-rated morning team signing off| Friday, November 8, 2013 They are the best in the biz. And they are leaving – at the least the airwaves. Bill Bevins, perennially the top-rated radio personality in metro Richmond, and his faithful sidekick of 13 years, Shelly Perkins, tell CBS-6 that they haven’t renewed their Clear Channel contract and will be signing off Lite 98.1 sometime around Christmas. (read more - CBS6) | back to top | :// Studio Center grows hair for children's charity| Tuesday, November 5, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center Total Production, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., launched a month long contest Friday to benefit “Canines for Disabled Kids” (CDK), a small non-profit that helps children discover, apply, and obtain service dogs to help with a variety of disabilities. (read more - Studio Center Total Production) | back to top | :// Sports Scene to air on 1650AM WHKT| Tuesday, November 5, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Greg Bicouvaris, owner of GJB Productions & Marketing (a full service broadcast agency) and former radio host of 102.1 FM/1490 AM The Game, will host his radio show on 1650 AM, WHKT, a CBS Radio affiliate. (read more - GJB Productions & Marketing) | back to top | Over a half dozen new classified ads were placed on VARTV the past month! 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..... (11/5/2013) | back to top | :// Drive For The Dream unites Hampton Roads radio in pro-bono campaign to benefit HRADA scholarshipsUnprecedented station cooperation given | Tuesday, November 5, 2013 Hampton Roads radio groups cooperated in an unprecedented display of civic effort to assist the Hampton Roads Automobile Dealers Association (HRADA) raise funds for its Youth Automotive Training Program. (read more - HRADA) | back to top | :// $300,000 is the price Gary Burns is paying for another signal in Roanoke-Lynchburg| Friday, October 25, 2013 (B)ut if he switches his intended talk format to something music-based, he’ll have to cough up another $200,000. That’s in the sales contract for Burns’ purchase of WIQO... (read more - Tom Taylor Now [scroll to "On The Block"]) | back to top | :// 65 years!| Monday, October 21, 2013 Congrats to veteran broadcaster Howard Keller, marking 65 years as a radio professional - still active as a consultant in Richmond. Keller started as an announcer while attending Penn State. He has spent almost all of his broadcast career in Virginia. Keller, married in 1953, has three sons. Reach out to Howard at kjandh@verizon.net. | back to top | :// Longtime anchor Les Smith returning to TV - for a bit| Saturday, October 19, 2013 Former television anchor Les Smith will be returning to the air this election season. Smith will start Monday as a reporter for WTKR, covering races around Hampton Roads. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot) | back to top | :// Shuffling the deck at East Carolina Radio| Wednesday, October 16, 2013 East Carolina Radio Group's Operations Manager Cliff Curtis has stepped down. Curtis is pursuing full time independent production with BobBrown.com. He stays with ERCI, voicetracking the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on rocker "The Pirate 95.3" WOBR-FM Wanchese/Outer Banks. Curtis has been with ECRI for the past nine years, five years as the Ops Manager. Speaking of the Pirate, the station gets a new PD, Cindy Crawford... 'member her? Crawford was a well known on-air talent on Max Media's now defunct rocker "100.5 MAX FM" WXMM Norfolk. Crawford will also handle afternoons for the station. For the rest of the weekday on-air lineup, mornings are still anchored by the syndicated "John Boy & Billy" morning show with "shiploads" of rock during nights and overnights. Down the hall at Urban "96-7 The Block" WKJX Elizabeth City/Outer Banks, PD Brion O' Brion has exited due to realignment changes in the company. Newly hired on-air nights and Production Director JJ Solomon adds APD stripes and moves to afternoons. O' Brion is seeking his next opportunity having experience in Top 40, Urban, Urban AC, Oldies and Rhythmic CHR formats. He can be reached at 757-376-8810 or by email at radiodjbob@gmail.com | back to top | :// Paul Grimsted leaves WFLS...| Tuesday, October 15, 2013 APD/MD Todd Grimsted has left WFLS/Fredericksburg, VA after six years. He is looking for his next opportunity. Grimstead's career includes stops at KYGO/Denver and close to 20 years at WPOC/Baltimore. (read more - AllAboutCountry) | back to top | :// Four Studio Center actors appear in new Tom Hanks' film “Captian Phillips”| Monday, October 14, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center Total Production, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., is proud to announce that four of the company’s actors have roles in the biographical thriller “Captain Phillips” which opened nationwide on Friday. (read more - Studio Center Total Production) | back to top | :// K-92 evening DJ injured in wagon accident...| Sunday, October 13, 2013 An evening disc jockey for WXLK-FM (K-92) in Roanoke was one of the three people injured in a serious wagon accident at Layman Family Farms Friday night. (read more - WSET) | back to top | :// WSET-TV introduces Bob Cashen as news boss| Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Bob Cashen has been named news director at WSET-TV (Channel 13), the ABC affiliate in Lynchburg. (read more - The Roanoke Times) | back to top | :// WSLS: "Dish Network Dispute: What you need to know"| Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Beginning at midnight viewers who normally watch WSLS on Dish Network will no longer be able to do so. (read more - WSLS) | back to top | :// Reporter Curtis McCloud to join (NBC12) WWBT...| Monday, September 30, 2013 Curtis McCloud is joining WWBT, the NBC affiliate in Richmond. McCloud, who has spent the past three years as a reporter at WTVM in Columbus, Ga., announced the news on his blog... (read more - TVSpy) | back to top | :// (Roanoke/Lynchburg) Area radio companies spar over pending acquisition| Tuesday, September 24, 2013 Roanoke radio company Mel Wheeler Inc. wants to buy a Lynchburg talk-radio station, but a rival company has filed an appeal with the Federal Communications Commission to try to block the deal. (read more - The Roanoke Times) | back to top | :// WAVY's (chopper pilot) John Massey awaits organ transplant| Saturday, September 21, 2013 Bittersweet news about a member of the WAVY TV 10 family. Chopper 10 Pilot John Massey will move to the top of the organ transplant waiting list on Friday. (read more - WAVY) | back to top | :// The (Virginian-) Pilot to start a pay meter for online content| Friday, September 20, 2013 The Virginian-Pilot, joining an industry trend, next week will begin phasing in a system to charge online and other digital readers. Subscribers to the print edition will not be affected... (read more - The Virginian-Pilot) | back to top | :// Nights filled on The Block| Wednesday, September 18, 2013 East Carolina Radio Group's Urban "96-7 The Block" WKJX Elizabeth City picks J.J. Solomon for nights beginning on October 7th. He will also serve as the station's Production Director. J.J. was most recently doing nights at Cox Media Urban "107-3 JAMZ" WJMZ Anderson/Greenville SC. Program Director Brion O' Brion said he is excited to have the "NEW Mr. 6 O'clock join his team." DJ Shuk from the H, who was handling nights, will segue to weekends beginning this Saturday. | back to top | :// Ch-ch-changes at WYYD| Monday, September 16, 2013 Clear Channel Media & Entertainment's "Country 107-9" WYYD Lynchburg/Roanoke went thru some changes today. The Kenny and Judy morning show has been replaced with the Nashville-based "The Bobby Bones Show." Former morning show co-host Kenny Shelton moves to afternoons and weekends. The station has also rebranded as "New Country 107-9 YYD," focusing on Country hits and tracks from the 2000's and on. The station was playing music as far back as the 1970's. | back to top | :// New 2013 Arbitron radio market rankings/population figures outHampton Roads moves up a spot | Friday, September 13, 2013 Arbitron just announced a new list of Metro Population estimates (12+ persons) for radio markets for the Fall 2013 to Summer 2014 ratings periods...
| back to top | :// Roanoke Times lays off 11 percent of work force| Thursday, September 12, 2013 The Roanoke Times eliminated the jobs of 31 employees Wednesday, as the newspaper's new corporate owner announced a series of job reductions and restructuring... (read more - The Roanoke Times) | back to top | :// Winchester stations readjust again| Thursday, September 12, 2013 Centennial Broadcasting Winchester has blewn up two stations today. Country "Z104.9" WZFC Strasburg/Front Royal and WXBN/105.5 Berryville/Winchester are now known as "Big Country 105." A station official says, "The format remains the same, but the station skews a bit younger now. Almost a “CHR Country”." They added, "We hope to have a new staff announced soon." | back to top | :// Brian and Mari leaving WLNI for another radio station| Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Popular Lynchburg radio talk show hosts Brian Weigand and Mari White are leaving WLNI for another radio station. The duo will launch a new morning show on WIQO 100.9... (read more - WSET) | back to top | :// John Cochrane named GM of WSKY-TV| Tuesday, September 10, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Lockwood Broadcast Group today announced the appointment of John Cochrane as the new General Manager of WSKY-4 TV in Chesapeake, Virginia (DMA #43). He has lived in the area since 1992, and has served in various Sales management roles since 1998. (read more - Lockwood Broadcast Group) | back to top | :// 95-7 R&B on top| Tuesday, September 10, 2013 Make it 12 #1 finishes for Entercom’s urban AC “95-7 R&B FM” WVKL, going 9.3-9.2-8.7. Next is Max Media’s classic “Wave” WVBW with its best topline since November 2010, 6.6-6.9-7.0. Clear Channel’s urban WOWI holds onto third place, 6.2-6.3-6.0. The formerly-tied country stations head in opposite directions, with Max Media’s “Eagle” WGH-FM up 6.3-5.3-5.7 and Sinclair Telecable’s “US 106” WUSH back down, 4.3-5.3-4.6. A rarity in cume – two stations are exactly tied at 364,000. Those are urban AC WVKL and Entercom’s rhythmic CHR “Z104” WNVZ, which ranks #6 in AQH. Right behind them at 362,900 cume is Entercom’s “The New 101.3” WWDE. It ranks tenth in share with a lowish-looking 3.8. (Tom Taylor NOW) | back to top | :// New 2013-2014 TV DMA® figures outMixed results for Virginia markets | Tuesday, September 10, 2013 Nielsen Media Research recently announced a new list of Designated Market Area (DMA®) TV rankings for the 2013-2014 television season. The research company says the total number of TV households in the U.S. will increase for the first time in three years to 115.8 million (115,810,740), up 1.434% from last year. The estimates are as of January 1, 2014 and effective September 28, 2013.
| back to top | :// The John Fredericks Morning Radio Show Expands in Hampton Roads| Monday, September 9, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE REELASE... The John Fredericks Morning radio show, Common Sense for the Commonwealth, heard locally in Hampton Roads on WHKT AM 1650 since its debut in January 2012 is adding one hour per day to its live programming schedule starting September 9. (read more - WHKT 1650) | back to top | :// The Bone is dropped in Winchester| Sunday, September 1, 2013 Early this morning, Centennial Broadcasting dropped Rock "105-5 The Bone" WXBN Berryville/Winchester in favor of a simulcast with sister Country "Z104.9" WZFC Strasburg/Front Royal. The Rock format lasted just under a year. 104.9 and 105.5 have been simulcast partners since 1989. | back to top | :// ESPN 950’S Greg Burton voted Best Sports Radio Show in 2013 by the readers of Richmond Magazine| Thursday, August 29, 2013 FOR IMMEDAITE RELEASE... WXGI AM/ ESPN 950 is proud to announce that Greg Burton was voted Best Sports Radio Show in 2013, by the readers of Richmond Magazine annual “Best of Richmond” issue. (read more - ESPN 950, WXGI) | back to top | :// (Petersburg) Progress-Index newspaper up for sale| Tuesday, August 27, 2013 After nearly 150 years in business, Petersburg's oldest newspaper is going up for sale. The Progress-Index announced it is looking for a new owner... (read more - NBC12) | back to top | :// Dan Dennison leaves WDBJ| Sunday, August 25, 2013 Dan Dennison’s new job as a roving reporter at WDBJ put him on the move — right out the door. (read more - The Roanoke Times) | back to top | :// Damaged (Richmond) TV broadcast antenna could be fixed in October| Saturday, August 24, 2013 The long-running saga of the damaged broadcast antenna used by three Richmond television stations could be drawing to a close. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch) | back to top | :// Studio Center Total Production Richmond meet-and-greet| Friday, August 23, 2013 Are you an actor? Studio Center Total Production will be holding an open "Meet and Greet" in our Richmond location on Friday, August 30th. Come meet and chat with us! Learn what we have to offer as a talent agency and production company! Call (757-622-2111, Ask for Genevieve or Tiana) or email us to reserve your time slot for the following times: 11am - 3pm - 5pm. Space is limited, so please reserve your time slot ASAP. 1707 Summit Ave Richmond, VA. 23230 Feel free to bring your headshots and resumes. Hope to see you there! | back to top | :// 106.1 The Corner's Brad Savage: Best Local DJ according to C-Ville Weekly| Tuesday, August 20, 2013 In music, a “sweet spot” is a term used to describe the point between two speakers where a musician is able to hear the audio mix just as the mixer hears it. For The Corner, the sweet spot is that segment of Charlottesville listeners who want music that’s newer than classic rock, but older than poppy top 40, and the man responsible for such programming, Brad Savage... (read more - C-Ville Weekly) | back to top | :// Richmond's Tony Sposa has passed away| Monday, August 19, 2013 Sposa, Anthony Joseph Jr. "Tony," a popular Richmond radio personality sent his final send off on Thursday, August 15, 2013. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch) | back to top | :// Former 13News Now anchor Mike Lewis chases his dream in Nashville| Friday, August 16, 2013 Mike Lewis was telegenic, articulate and street smart. He made a name for himself as a news anchor and reporter in the Hampton Roads television market from 1985 to 1999. (read more - WVEC) | back to top | :// Comcast's X1 rolls into Richmond...| Thursday, August 15, 2013 Comcast has unleashed its X1 platform in Richmond, Va., expanding on earlier deployment in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. With Richmond now in the fold, Comcast has rolled out its IP-capable, next-gen video platform to 28 markets. (read more - Broadcasting & Cable) | back to top | :// Gray puts blinders on Fox O&O in Harrisonburg| Thursday, August 15, 2013 Fox Television’s WTTG-TV Washington is a big fish, but it will have to swim with most of its fins tied behind its back in the small pond that belongs to Gray Television’s WHSV-TV in Harrisonburg VA, which successfully enlisted the FCC to enforce its exclusivity rights. (read more - RBR) | back to top | :// PAR and CCM&E in an interesting deal| Wednesday, August 14, 2013 Blacksburg-based Positive Alternative Radio (PAR) is swapping its FM translator at 98.7 Belmont/Charlotte (W254AZ) to Clear Channel Media & Entertainment for an eight year lease on the HD3 channel of WBTJ/106.5 Richmond and WEND/106.5 Salisbury/Charlotte plus "a lease amendment." A CP (construction permit) has the 98.7 signal covering all of metro Charlotte. | back to top | :// Gary Burns to ARB, FCC, DOJ: “Total Line” policy unfair| Tuesday, August 13, 2013 The owner of 3 Daughters Media stations in the Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA penned a letter to the FCC, FTC, DOJ and Arbitron CEO Sean Creamer, claiming Arbitron’s new Total Line Reporting of radio listening policy is unfair because it limits the reporting to only the stations that subscribe to Arbitron. (read more - RBR) | back to top | :// Scott Leamon leaving WSLS-TV for job with Roanoke police| Thursday, August 8, 2013 Scott Leamon is switching his job from covering the police to working for the police. Leamon, a reporter for WSLS (Channel 10), said he will leave the Roanoke station on Aug. 9 to become a spokesman for the Roanoke Police Department. (read more - The Roanoke Times) | back to top | Nearly a dozen new classified ads were placed on VARTV the past 30 days! 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..... (8/6/2013) | back to top | :// Cox launches "Contour" personal TV experience| Monday, August 5, 2013 Today, Cox Communications introduced Contour, a new video experience that could eliminate aimless channel surfing and solve the chronic problem of what to watch. (read more - Cox Communications) | back to top | :// Raycom cuts WWBT, WUPV for Dish Network subscribers| Saturday, August 3, 2013 Some local (Richmond-area) television viewers were unable to watch WWBT on Thursday because of an ongoing contract dispute between the NBC affiliate’s owner and the satellite provider Dish Network. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch) | back to top | :// Cox (Communications) said to discuss merger with Malone-backed CharterCox has systems throughout state, Charter small systems in eastern parts of VA | Friday, August 2, 2013 Cox Communications Inc., the third-largest U.S. cable provider, has held talks about combining with Charter Communications Inc. (CHTR), according to two people with knowledge of the matter. (read more - Bloomberg) | back to top | :// Layoffs at CCM&E Norfolk| Friday, August 2, 2013 The RAMP online newsletter says several layoffs have hit Clear Channel Media & Entertainment Norfolk. Urban "103JAMZ" WOWI/102.9 and Urban AC "92.1 KISS FM" WKSA Program Director Kashon Powell is out. Also Promotions Director Toni Jones (22-year radio vet), longtime 103JAMZ then KISS FM jock Chris Caliente and "a person in the business department" have been let go. | back to top | :// The Game splits up| Friday, August 2, 2013 Yesterday afternoon at 4 p.m., Local Voice Media (LVM, formerly Davis Media) dropped Sports "102.1 The Game" on WXTG-FM/Virginia Beach for a simulcast of its Triple A formatted "The Tide" WTYD Deltaville/Williamsburg. The format "flip" is on our Facebook page. Local Voice Media owner Tom Davis decided to keep Sports on its AM acquisition as "1490 The Game." We hear that 1490 will NOT be totally automated but no word on a local morning and/or afternoon drive show. The seller of the two stations, Washington Redskins owner Dan Synder's Red Zebra Broadcasting, paid $5.2M for both. He's selling them for $1.2M. For instant updates follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter... | back to top | :// 3 Daughters CEO (Gary Burns) sees new Arbitron policy hurting small broadcasters| Friday, August 2, 2013 Yesterday (Net News 8/1), All Access tipped you that Arbitron had updated its policy for single-line simulcast reporting, limiting Total Line Reporting only to subscribers. (read more - AllAccess) | back to top | :// Erica Parkerson joins Spirit FM| Thursday, August 1, 2013 Positive Alternative Radio (Christian) Contemporary WRXT (Spirit FM)/Lynchburg-Roanoke, VA (also heard on a regional network of stations) has inked Erica Parkerson as morning co-host alongside Michael Brown. (read more - AllAccess) | back to top | :// Newport News Public Schools TV football schedule| Thursday, August 1, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... NNPS TV Sports (Cox Cable Channel 47 in Newport News & Verizon Fios 17) will celebrate its 23rd anniversary this fall of showcasing high school football and other prep sports on cable TV and online. (read more - NNPS) | back to top | :// Video Producer joins Studio Center in Virginia Beach| Wednesday, July 31, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center Total Production, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., announces the addition of Ashley Walker to the position of Video Producer in its Film and Video Division. (read more - Studio Center) | back to top | :// Derrick Martin named Market Manager for CCM+E/Norfolk| Wednesday, July 31, 2013 Clear Channel Media and Entertainment/Norfolk has named Derrick Martin as Market Manager, effective August 12th. (read more - AllAccess) | back to top | :// Two radio stations may go from sports to rock in sale| Wednesday, July 31, 2013 It's a victory for alternative music and Bruce Hornsby lovers, a loss for sports fans. Local Voice Media, based in Williamsburg, announced Tuesday that it plans to purchase two sports radio stations - WXTG 102.1 FM, known as The Game, and 1490 AM - and play alternative music. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot) | back to top | :// The Tide expands with purchase of two radio stations| Tuesday, July 30, 2013 A music format known for innovation, going deeper than the top 40 hits and being first to bring new artists onto the airwaves, will debut on Virginia’s Southside and the lower part of the Virginia Peninsula when Local Voice Media takes control of WXTG 102.1 FM and 1490 AM and turns both into The Tide... Williamsburg Yorktown Daily) | back to top | :// WDBJ names Kelly Zuber news director| Tuesday, July 30, 2013 Kelly Zuber has been named news director at WDBJ-TV (Channel 7). Zuber succeeds Dan Dennison, who will become a roving features reporter for the station... (read more - The Roanoke Times) | back to top | :// Ch-ch-changes coming to Hampton Roads TV stations| Monday, July 29, 2013 On August 1, 2013, Local TV's "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) and WGNT (27/CW), LIN Media's WAVY (10/NBC) and "FOX43" WVBT, and Belo's "ABC13" WVEC have a gentlemen's agreement to start sending letterboxed SD (standard-definition) signals to the area's MVPDs [cable, satellite, fiber to the home (FiOS) providers]. If you watch a SD feed of these stations, you'll now see the whole picture with black bars at the top and bottom, similar to what most cable networks like CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, etc are doing. Theoretically, these stations can now fill the entire screen with graphics without being cut off. A great example is how 7-day weather forecasts are currently displayed, centered in the middle of the screen. Now they could extend all the way to the left and right of the screen. Plus, station "bugs" (station logos) can be pushed to the lower right hand corner. | back to top | :// Agreement reached in sale of WSET| Monday, July 29, 2013 WSET is closer to having a new owner. In May our parent company, Allbritton Communications, announced it decided to sell its seven ABC affiliates. (read more - WSET) | back to top | :// WINC-FM introduces new APD/MD| Monday, July 29, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Centennial Broadcasting II, LLC has hired Scott Brady as Assistant Program Director / Music Director for AC WINC-FM in Winchester VA. Scott was last with Total Traffic and 94.7 Fresh FM in Washington, but has also had APD/MD stripes with KESZ/Phoenix and WASH/Washington. Brady is looking for music service and will take music calls Wednesday afternoons from 3 to 5 at 540 667 2224 x212 – or anytime at scott@winc.fm. | back to top | :// David 'Kidd' Kraddick dies at 53Was heard on stations in SW VA and Maryland's Eastern Shore... | Sunday, July 28, 2013 David "Kidd" Kraddick, the high-octane radio and TV host of the "Kidd Kraddick in the Morning" show heard on dozens of U.S. radio stations, has died at a charity golf event near New Orleans, a publicist said. Kraddick was 53. (read more - USA Today) | back to top | :// WSET gives News Director special send-off| Thursday, July 25, 2013 On Foy’s last day at the Lynchburg-Roanoke, VA, ABC affiliate, the newsroom filled his office with balloons. “We as a team worked harder on that than any about other project over the past three years,” said 6:00 p.m. anchor Len Stevens on the 5:00 p.m. news... (read more - TVSpy) | back to top | :// Raycom Media announces promotions of Nancy Kent-Smith and Frank Jones...| Wednesday, July 24, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The Raycom Media family of stations, announce the promotion of two of its Management Team in Richmond. (read more - NBC12 WWBT, CW Richmond WUPV) | back to top | :// Studio Center actors host Emmy Ward show| Wednesday, July 24, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center Total Production, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., is proud to announce that two of the company’s actors are the hosts of an Emmy Award winning show, NASA 360. (read more - Studio Center) | back to top | :// Longtime Virginian-Pilot columnist Guy Friddell dies| Sunday, July 21, 2013 He found poetry in tomatoes, corn bread, in old dogs and the scent of magnolia blossoms. He found romance, adventure and inspiration in the past and its stories. He found dignity, and decency, in practically everyone he met. And in a newspaper career that spanned 60 years, Guy Friddell found a place in history: He died early Saturday at age 92... (read more - The Virginian-Pilot) | back to top | :// (Fredericksburg/Lynchburg) Classical music station will sign off by Aug. 1| Thursday, July 18, 2013 Classical music station WWED–FM (89.5) will go off the air by Aug. 1. The independent non-commercial, nonprofit station in Spotsylvania County will continue as a webcast on ClassicsRadio.org, as will sister station WWEM–FM (91.7) in Lynchburg. (read more - The Free Lance-Star) | back to top | :// Tie for tops in F-burg radio ratings| Thursday, July 18, 2013 The Fredericksburg radio ratings (12+ demo, in-market stations only) were released a bit earlier today. The "Spring 2013" period saw Star Radio Group's Country "93-3 WFLS" and Centennial Broadcasting's Hot AC "B101.5" WBQB tied for first. Telemedia's Country "Thunder 104.5" WGRX was third, sister Classic Hits "95-9 WGRQ" fourth and Star Radio Group's Rhythmic "99-3 The Vibe" WVBX in fifth. (read more - Radio Online) | back to top | :// KISS FM tops in Richmond| Wednesday, July 17, 2013 Urban “106.5 the Beat” WBTJ turns in an 8.6 share – the highest ever in the commercial frequency’s 25-year history. Tracking back to last Summer, the Clear Channel station moves 6.3-7.7-6.0-8.6. The Beat is ranked #2, behind Radio One’s urban AC “Kiss” combo of WKJS/WKJM (10.1-9.7-10.4-9.4). This is the sixth straight quarterly win for Kiss, with age 12+ AQH shares. Clear Channel’s talk WRVA also rises, 4.8-6.1-5.8-6.7, and now ranks fifth. Main Line’s “We play anything…and lots of it” variety hits “Liberty” (WWLB) scores a recent high age 12+ AQH share (1.9-2.1-2.5-3.0). All shares in this section are age 12+, and the Arbitron survey month of “June” was May 23-June 19. Remember that the ratings service’s “subscriber only” policy is in effect, so we see only the shares of stations that subscribe to the book. (Tom Taylor NOW) | back to top | :// Studio Center adds new Video Editor in Richmond| Wednesday, July 17, 2013 Studio Center Total Production, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., announces the addition of Nathan Burns to the position of Video Editor. (read more - Studio Center) | back to top | :// Liberty University broadcast engineer wins SBE honors| Tuesday, July 16, 2013 Liberty University's senior video maintenance engineer Richard “Al” Stephens received a certificate from chapter chairman Paxton Durham recognizing him as “Engineer of the Year” for Chapter 78 of the Society of Broadcast Engineers... (read more - TVTechnology) | back to top | :// WZFC's Roth, Gunning swap| Monday, July 15, 2013 Centennial (Broadcasting) Country (Z104-9) WZFC/Winchester, VA afternoon personality Dave Gunning has swapped shifts with PD/morning host Chris Roth... (read more - AllAccess) | back to top | :// Channel 4 Hampton Roads to get new owner| Monday, July 15, 2013 Sky Television has agreed to sell its Independent "SKY4TV" WSKY Manteo/Chesapeake to Richmond-based Lockwood Broadcast Group for $1.105M. The license will be held under a new subsidiary, Tidewater TV LLC which Lockwood will have a 51% ownership and the current ownership will have 49%. Lockwood is actually no stranger to the market. The company ran three low-power stations in Hampton Roads in the 80s thru 2002. The main station, WPEN-LP/68 Hampton, had Cox Cable carriage which greatly helped with exposure. When Cox dropped them on November 1, 1998, all general entertainment/local programming was replaced with the all-video service The Box. Then GM Dave Hanna said of Cox's decision, "It kills my station..." | back to top | :// Roanoke's WDBJ adds a meteorologist, sports reporter to its staff| Thursday, July 11, 2013 WDBJ-TV (Channel 7) has some new faces on air. The Roanoke-based station has added a new meteorologist and sports reporter to its staff, according to a release from WDBJ. (read more - The Roanoke Times) | back to top | :// Studio Center names college student new Next Great Voice Talent $100,000 winner| Thursday, July 11, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., has named Morgan Meadows of Richmond, VA the First Ever Grand Prize winner of the nationwide talent search, Studio Center’s Next Great Voice Talent. Meadows will receive a $100,000 voice-over contract with Studio Center... (read more - Studio Center) | back to top | :// 103 JAMZ listener, Lauren Pryor, wins $25,000 scholarship through wale "The Gifted" tuition contest| Wednesday, July 10, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WOWI 103 JAMZ, Norfolk's No.1 for Hip Hop and R&B, announced today that its listener, Lauren Pryor, is the winner of the Wale "The Gifted" Tuition Contest which includes a $25,000 scholarship. (read more - 103JAMZ, WOWI) | back to top | :// Studio Center adds new Associate Producer in Virginia Beach| Wednesday, July 10, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center Total Production, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., is pleased to announce the addition of Matthew Polson to the position of Video Producer. (read more - Studio Center) | back to top | :// WVEC to become "ABC13"| Tuesday, July 9, 2013 Belo Broadcasting's (soon to be Gannett Company) WVEC (13/ABC) Hampton has made two on-air branding changes. Beginning yesterday, Channel 13 started branding their newscasts from "13NEWS" to "13NEWS NOW." Outside of newscasts, the station will be known as "ABC13." The "ABC13" branding is slowing rolling out. We first heard "ABC13" today during a station promo for "Train" tickets at Farm Bureau Live. The current station logo will continued to be used. | back to top | :// John Carlin back as WSLS anchor after 5-year absence| Monday, July 8, 2013 When John Carlin last sat behind an anchor desk, he read the news from a paper script. When he returns to television on Monday (today), the script will be on an iPad. (read more - The Roanoke Times) | back to top | :// Spirit FM founders announce retirement| Sunday, July 7, 2013 The founders of Spirit FM will retire later this month. Linda and Barry Armstrong founded the radio ministry in 1994. (read more - WSLS) | back to top | :// Former (Hampton Roads) TV anchor Les Smith: "God wanted me to live"| Sunday, July 7, 2013 Les Smith took a reporting job at WAVY-TV in 1985. He did well there, breaking stories, winning awards and eventually moving up to the anchor desk. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot) | back to top | :// FMQB profiles Z104's (WNVZ/Norfolk) Mike Klein| Wednesday, July 3, 2013 Mike Klein sleeps, eats, and breathes radio! He loves everything about being on the radio and nothing could any be better than returning to the place where your broadcasting career got jumpstarted… (read more - FMQB) | back to top | :// Scott Hawthorne named ESPN 950 Sales Manager| Wednesday, July 3, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Scott Hawthorne has been named Sales Manager at WXGI/ESPN 950. Hawthorne has been with the sports radio station since 2004, and previously employed as an Account Executive with RightMinds Advertising in Richmond, and Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos Advertising in Boston. (read more - ESPN 950, WXGI) | back to top | :// (Local TV LLC) Acquisition to make Tribune Co. largest U.S. TV station operatorIncludes WTKR 3/CBS Norfolk, WGNT 27/CW Portsmouth, WTVR 6/CBS Richmond... | Monday, July 1, 2013 Tribune Co. has agreed to acquire Cincinnati-based Local TV LLC for $2.725 billion in cash, the companies announced Monday. (read more - Chicago Tribune) | back to top | A dozen new classified ads were placed on VARTV this month! 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..... (6/28/2013) | back to top | :// B101.5 and AM1230 WFVA win 5 Virginia Association of Broadcasters Awards| Thursday, June 27, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Centennial Broadcasting II, LLC Fredericksburg, Virginia, Hot AC WBQB (B101.5) and NewsTalk 1230 WFVA (formerly adult standards AM 1230 WFVA during the contest period), won five 1st Place awards at the 76th Annual Virginia Association of Broadcasters Awards Banquet... (read more - Centennial Broadcasting Fredericksburg) | back to top | :// WCDX wins two Station Awards| Wednesday, June 26, 2013 Radio One Urban WCDX (Power 92.1)/Richmond picked up two first place awards at the recent 76th annual Virginia Broadcasting Awards event. (read more - AllAccess) | back to top | :// Hot 100.5 wins VAB Outstanding Website Award| Wednesday, June 26, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Hot 100.5 (WVHT-FM) won first place in the 76th Annual Virginia Association of Broadcasters Awards for Outstanding Website – Large Market. The awards were announced during a ceremony at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront on Friday, June 21st, 2013... (read more - Hot 100.5, WVHT) | back to top | :// Selecta 1050 WVXX makes broadcasting history| Wednesday, June 26, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... For the first time in the 76-year history of the Virginia Association of Broadcasters Awards, a Spanish station has captured a top prize. Those involved say the win by Norfolk-based Selecta 1050 WVXX radio reflects Virginia’s changing demographics... (read more - Selecta 1050, WVXX) | back to top | Congrats to Brady, morning show host on Star Radio Group's Classic Rock "96.9 The Rock" WWUZ Bowling Green/Fredericksburg/Richmond, for winning Best Morning Show in a medium size market recently at the The Virginia Association of Broadcasters awards ceremony... (6/26/2013)| back to top | :// ABC13 News Director Bill Foy leaving WSET| Tuesday, June 25, 2013 In a staff meeting Tuesday, WSET General Manager Randy Smith announced to ABC 13 employees that WSET News Director Bill Foy will be leaving the station for a new job at Virginia Tech at the end of July. (read more - WSET) | back to top | :// CCM+E/Seattle names Katerina Perez VP/Sales| Monday, June 24, 2013 Clear Channel Media & Entertainment Seattle has appointed Katerina Perez VP/Sales for its seven-station cluster, effective August 1st. Most recently, Perez was Market President for Clear Channel Norfolk... (read more - AllAccess) | back to top | :// (Richmond) TV reporter suspended after DUI charge| Sunday, June 23, 2013 WTVR reporter and commentator Mark Holmberg was suspended from his job after he was charged with driving under the influence in New Kent County early Friday... (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch) | back to top | :// Bob Prather resigns as Gray President-COO| Friday, June 21, 2013 Robert Prather is out as president and COO of Gray Television, which he and partner J. Mack Robinson took over in 1994 and built into a major group through a series of acquisitions. (read more - TVNewsCheck) | back to top | :// Texas reporter to WVEC| Thursday, June 20, 2013 Belo "13NEWS" WVEC Hampton/Norfolk has picked up Nick Ochsner as a General Assignment Reporter. He just left Mission Broadcasting's KAMC (28/ABC) Lubbock TX last Friday where he was an executive producer and investigative reporter. Ochsner starts at WVEC on Monday, June 24. | back to top | :// Talk radio: (Coy) Barefoot jumps WINA ship for FM -- and TV| Wednesday, June 19, 2013 Something was missing for listeners of WINA's "Charlottesville Right Now" tuning in to the AM station since late last week: Coy Barefoot, the show's longtime host. Here's a hint. Try FM on your dial. (read more - Charlottesville The HooK) | back to top | :// Meteorologist Jamey Singleton fined $200 for February wreck| Tuesday, June 18, 2013 Well-known area (Roanoke) television meteorologist Jamey Singleton was ordered by a judge Monday to pay a $200 fine for causing a February wreck that sent three men to the hospital. (read more - The Roanoke Times) | back to top | :// #shaggfest was trending on Twitter| Monday, June 17, 2013 The 2013 Coastal Edge Shaggfest (Shaggy from Entercom Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ/104.5 Norfolk) featured three stages of non-stop music from over 20 local and national artists this past Saturday at Farm Bureau Live. We hear the show was trending on Twitter locally for six days straight but on Saturday "#shaggfest" was trending nationally. Pix are at Z104.com or check out the man who created #shaggfest... @shaggy757. | back to top | :// WVEC wins five Regional Emmy Awards| Monday, June 17, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV, a Belo Corp. (NYSE: BLC) station, was recognized by the National Capital and Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences with several awards the night of June 15th in Baltimore, Maryland. (read more - WVEC-TV) | back to top | :// Steele stays in market| Sunday, June 16, 2013 Clear Channel Media & Entertainment Norfolk has picked up James Steele as Assistant Program Director/Music Director/ Imaging Director for CHR "Now 105" WNOH/105.3 Windsor/Norfolk and Rhythmic AC "Movin' 107-7" WMOV Norfolk. He'll also handle weekday afternoons 3-7 p.m. on "Now 105." Steele previously held the PD position with Sinclair Communication's Alternative "96X" WROX/96.1 Exmore/Norfolk and was the cluster's Imaging Director. | back to top | :// Congrats from The Lumineers| Friday, June 14, 2013 Right before their concert this week, The Lumineers presented Entercom Modern AC "94.9 The Point" WPTE Virginia Beach with a plaque in grateful recognition for WPTE’s contribution of sales of more than 1,000,000 copies of the album, “The Lumineers.” With the band (L to R) on air jocks Ashley, Woo Woo and PD Barry Mckay. Plus promo staffers Stephanie, Bridgette and Matt. | back to top | :// Gannett (WUSA-TV/DC) agrees to buy Belo (WVEC-TV/Hampton Roads) for $1.5B...| Thursday, June 13, 2013 With this deal Gannett — which is already the top owner of NBC affiliates — will also have the No. 1 independent CBS station group and No. 4 for ABC. It will control 43 stations, up from 23, that will reach about a third of the country... (read more - Deadline) | back to top | :// 2013 National Edward R. Murrow Award winnersWRVA and WVTF from Virginia included | Wednesday, June 12, 2013 The Radio Television Digital News Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. (read more - RTDNA) | back to top | :// Media General, Young Broadcasting to merge| Thursday, June 6, 2013 Media General Inc. and privately held New Young Broadcasting Holding Co. today announced a definitive agreement to combine the two companies in an all-stock merger transaction. The new company will retain the Media General name and will remain headquartered in Richmond, Va. (read more - TVNewsCheck) | back to top | :// Va. road trip site puts more adverts on map| Wednesday, June 5, 2013 When local media outlets want to broaden their advertising base, sometimes they need to take a road trip. Such was the thinking behind In A Day’s Drive, a microsite from WSLS, the Media General-owned NBC affiliate in Roanoke/Lynchburg, Va. (read more - NetNewsCheck) | back to top | :// Studio Center welcomes new Production Supervisor/Senior Editor| Wednesday, June 5, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Studio Center Total Production, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., proudly announces the addition of Nicholas Kleczewski as the company’s new Production Supervisor and Senior Editor. (read more - Studio Center) | back to top | :// John Carlin back on the anchor desk at WSLS TV news| Wednesday, June 5, 2013 Longtime newsman John Carlin, who ended a 21-year stint on the anchor desk of WSLS in 2008, said it took time away from his broadcast career to realize it is where he truly belongs. (read more - The Roanoke Times) | back to top | :// Radio Disney stations up for saleWDZY/1290 Richmond included | Tuesday, June 4, 2013 In the latest cost-cutting move at Disney, the company is seeking buyers for six AM and one FM radio station that are part of the Radio Disney portfolio in the United States. (read more - Variety) | back to top | :// Kiss 98.3/Winchester PD to exit| Monday, June 3, 2013 Adam Rivers, PD/Afternoons at Clear Channel Media & Entertainment CHR "KISS 98.3" WKSI Winchester and the cluster's Digital Content Director, is set to exit the station for sister CHR "KC101" WKCI New Haven CT. Rivers will get that station's APD stripes and handle afternoons. He starts at KC101 on Monday. | back to top | :// Warren Buffett's newspaper group to buy The Roanoke Times| Thursday, May 30, 2013 Warren Buffett’s BH Media Group will purchase The Roanoke Times from Landmark Media Enterprises on Friday. The acquisition was announced today at an employee meeting by Landmark Chairman and CEO Frank Batten Jr. Landmark has owned The Roanoke Times since 1969. (read more - The Roanoke Times) | back to top | :// Richmond television stations’ antenna fix faces more delay| Wednesday, May 29, 2013 Fixing the antenna serving three Richmond television stations has run into another problem — the company that was to repair the large antenna is going out of business. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch) | back to top | :// (WVEC reporter) Cleve Bryan joins KYW in Philadelphia| Wednesday, May 29, 2013 Cleve Bryan is joining KYW in Philadelphia as the CBS O&O’s New Jersey reporter. Bryan, a New Jersey native, joins the station from WVEC in Norfolk, Va. where he has been a reporter and anchor since 2011. (read more - TVSpy) | back to top | :// Rachel Lucas moving to WSLS| Wednesday, May 29, 2013 Rachel Lucas is joining Roanoke, VA, NBC affiliate WSLS. The move was announced by Bluefield, VA, NBC affiliate WVVA on its facebook page... (read more - TVSpy) | back to top | :// Healing in the Heartland| Tuesday, May 28, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Thunder 104.5 WGRX (Fredericksburg, VA) will join with country stations all over the U.S. tomorrow night (5/29) with live coverage of Blake Shelton's "Healing in the Heartland" concert... (read more - Thunder 104.5, WGRX) | back to top | :// Centennial Broadcasting donates $1001.50 to Oklahoma victims| Tuesday, May 28, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Over the Memorial Day weekend, Centennial Broadcasting donated $1001.50 in support of Operation: Help Moore, a one-day Oklahoma tornado relief supply drive hosted by Centennial’s Fredericksburg, Virginia, radio outlets, B101.5 and NewsTalk 1230 WFVA... (read more - Centennial Broadcasting) | back to top | :// ESPN 950’s Greg Burton voted Best Richmond Broadcaster or Reporter in 2013| Tuesday, May 28, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WXGI-AM/ESPN 950 is proud to announce that Greg Burton was voted Best Local Sports Broadcaster or Reporter in 2013 by the readers of Style Weekly’s annual “Best of Richmond” issue. (read more - ESPN 950, WXGI) | back to top | :// WVEC wins five weekday newscasts in May 2013 Sweeps period13News delivers double-digit growth in all shows | Thursday, May 23, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV TV, a Belo Corp. (NYSE: BLC) station, announced today that the station saw significant increased growth in all weekday newscasts during the recent May Sweeps. (read more - 13NEWS, WVEC) | back to top | :// It’s On! WGNT27| Thursday, May 23, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Steve Harvey and Dr. Phil rule the afternoon on WGNT27! The Steve Harvey Show took over at 3pm last September and has performed magnificently. This May, The Steve Harvey Show won the time slot; finishing with a 3.5 rating, 8 share... (read more - WGNT27) | back to top | :// WTKR NewsChannel 3 @ 4 – Hampton Roads local news powerhouse| Thursday, May 23, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WTKR NewsChannel 3 has created Hampton Roads new local powerhouse at 4pm. NewsChannel 3 @ 4, anchored by Barbara Ciara, Bianca Martinez, Juliet Bickford, Kurt Williams and VIPIR Meteorologist Patrick Rockey has set the new standard at 4 o’clock. (read more - NewsChannel 3, WTKR) | back to top | A dozen new classified ads were placed on VARTV this month! 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..... (5/20/2013) | back to top | :// PD opening in Winchester| Friday, May 17, 2013 The PD slot at Clear Channel Media & Entertainment's CHR "Kiss 98-3" WKSI Winchester is open. Current PD/Afternoons Adam Rivers is getting something bigger within the company. | back to top | :// Stubbs on the loose| Friday, May 17, 2013 With Summit Media closing on Cox Media Group's Richmond cluster (Country "K95" WKHK/95.3, "Rock 96.5" WKLR, "Hot 100.9" WHTI, "103-7 The River" WURV), CMG-R's afternoon Traffic/News Reporter and K95 personality/Promotions Director Adam Stubbs was not retained for employment. Stubbs is a 25+ year Richmond market vet and is available immediately. For over 16 years, Stubbs at Clear Channel Soft AC "Lite 98" WTVR/98.1 was the top-ranked afternoon personality and Promotions Director before the position was eliminated in December 2010 as part of a work force reduction. You can reach Stubbs at AdamStubbs@verizon.net. | back to top | :// Benita Adams to fill-in on 3| Wednesday, May 15, 2013 Benita Adams, who was the traffic reporter for Belo's "13NEWS" WVEC Hampton/Norfolk for 10 years and let go earlier this year, will do fill-in work at crosstown Local TV LLC's "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk and WGNT (27/CW) Portsmouth/Norfolk. That was announced this morning when current Channel 3 / Channel 27 traffic reporter Kristen Crowley goes on maternity leave next week. Adams will appear on Channel 3 from 5-7 a.m. and on Channel 27 from 7-9 a.m. | back to top | :// WVEC receives six Regional Emmy Award nominationsNational Capital and Chesapeake Bay Chapter recognizes 13News for News and Creative excellence | Tuesday, May 14, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV, a Belo Corp. (NYSE: BLC) station, announced today that the National Capital and Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences has announced the list of Emmy Nominees for 2012. (read more - 13NEWS, WVEC) | back to top | :// 55th Annual National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter Emmy Awards nominees announced| Tuesday, May 14, 2013 Congratulations to all the Emmy® Award Nominees from the Awards Committee and Board of Governors of the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. [read more - National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Chesapeake Bay Chapter)] | back to top | :// Roanoke's CBS affiliate receives four regional Emmy nominations| Monday, May 13, 2013 Roanoke’s CBS affiliate garnered four regional Emmy nominations this evening in the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ annual competition. (read more - The Roanoke Times) | back to top | :// Nielsen national TV household universe up 1.2%| Wednesday, May 8, 2013 The universe of U.S. television homes is growing—and so is the TV audience. According to Nielsen’s 2014 Advance National TV Household Universe Estimate (UE), there are 115.6 million TV homes in the U.S., up 1.2%... (read more - TVBR) | back to top | A half dozen new classified ads were placed on VARTV in the past week! 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..... (5/7/2013) | back to top | :// WDBJ7 anchor talks about cancer diagnosis| Monday, May 6, 2013 You may be used to seeing me behind the anchor desk on Saturday and Sunday mornings. But for last few months, a lot of my time has been spent at the Blue Ridge Cancer Care. (read more - WDBJ7) | back to top | :// FMQB's eQB cover story: WNRN/Charlottesville GM/PD Dave Benson| Friday, May 3, 2013 In 2011, after decades at storied commercial Triple A outlets including WXRT/Chicago, KBCO/Denver-Boulder, KFOG/San Francisco and, most recently, KMTT/Seattle, Dave Benson took some time off and re-evaluated where he wanted to head professionally. The result was a move across the country to Charlottesville, VA... (read more - FMQB) | back to top | :// Allbritton puts itself on the blockIncludes ABC7 DC and ABC13 Lynchburg/Roanoke | Wednesday, May 1, 2013 Allbritton Communications, owner of seven full-power ABC affiliates including WJLA Washington, said today that its considering selling the group, among other "strategic alternatives." (read more - TVNewsCheck) For older news, visit VARTV's News Archives... |
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