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 :// It’s Miller Time!  | Thursday, February 28, 2008  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... NewsTalk 1260 AM WCHV radio has announced the addition of the Dennis Miller Show to its line-up. The five-time Emmy award winner and four-time Writers' Guild award winner will offer his unique take on the day's topics with comedy and satire starting Monday, March 3, 2008. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
 Sinclair Communications looks from within to fill nights at Country "US106" WUSH/106.1 Poquoson/Norfolk. Zach Foxx (96X, WROX) gets the slot weekdays 7-midnight... (2/28/2008)
| Thursday, February 28, 2008Removed at the request of Nielsen Media...
| Wednesday, February 27, 2008  Gray Television Charlottesville Newsplex (WCAV/19 CBS, WVAW-LP/16 ABC, WAHU/27 FOX) reporter Jummy Olabanji is leaving the cluster this week. She has taken a reporter position at Local TV LLC's "Newschannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk. Olabanji starts next month at Channel 3... Lindsey Ward, a general assignment reporter at Charlottesville Newsplex, has accepted a reporting position at Media General's WSLS (10/NBC) Roanoke. She starts there in March. Ward started her news career at "NBC12" WWBT Richmond.
| Tuesday, February 26, 2008 Rachel DePompa, the New River Valley Bureau Chief for Schurz Communications WDBJ (7/CBS) Roanoke, has exited the station for reporting position at Lincoln Financial's "NBC12" WWBT Richmond. She was with Channel 7 since November 2003. DePompa has reported at WCYB (5/NBC) Bristol was also a news anchor at Benedek (now Gray Television) WHSV (3/ABC) Harrisonburg. Sinu Abraham has joined Channel 7 this week as a general assignment reporter. She was most recently with Bonneville News WTOP/103.5 Washington DC.
Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association's WHRO-DT/15.1 Hampton/Norfolk, we believe, ran the area's first local HD "spot" last night during PBS programming for the station's local produced hi-def documentary "Civil War in Hampton Roads: The Peninsula Campaign." The local HD spots are running off the station's new full HD server bank... (2/26/2008)
| Tuesday, February 26, 2008 In a move that could end the Daily Press' longstanding content-sharing agreement with WAVY-TV 10, the newspaper said Monday it was close to finalizing a similar agreement with local CBS affiliate WTKR NewsChannel 3. (read more - Daily Press)
| Monday, February 25, 2008 For the second year in a row, MASN will televise every available Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles game on one network, and will begin broadcasting key match-ups in High-Definition during the 2008 season. (read more - MASN)
It's all over for Rich Roth and Larry Richmond's "The Sportsline." (2/25/2008)
Allbritton Communications’ "ABC13" WSET Lynchburg/Roanoke has begun carrying the classic TV service Retro Television Network (RTN) on its digital subchannel -- 13-2... (2/25/2008)
| Thursday, February 21, 2008 Allbritton Communications’ ABC affiliate WJLA Washington will offer Retro Television Network’s programming lineup of classic TV shows on a digital subchannel in the 9th DMA beginning late this year. (read more - TVNEWSDAY)
| Thursday, February 21, 2008Three weeks down, one week to go. LIN TV's WAVY (10/NBC) has a very comfortable lead during the morning and late night news ratings for February so far. Belo's WVEC (13/ABC) has a slight lead at noon over WAVY with Channel 10 closing the gap, ever so slightly, in the evenings. Local TV LLC's WTKR (3/CBS) is last in every half hour but is especially far behind during the 6 a.m. hour and 5 p.m. hour. From 5 to 6 p.m., during the week, WTKR sits in 6th place behind the news on 13 and 10, and Dr Phil on "CW27" WGNT, Maury Povich on "FOX43" WVBT and The Simpsons on "MyTVZ" WTVZ/MNT.
| Thursday, February 21, 2008  Local TV LLC "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk ND Shane Moreland taps Media General WSLS (10/WSLS) Roanoke morning anchor Juliet Bickford for Channel 3's new morning anchor. Jeremy Crider, a former reporter at WSLS, started reporting for Channel 3 in January. Moreland left there in July 2007. With Bickford coming to do mornings at WTKR, Domonique Benn will move to co-anchor the station's 5:30 p.m. newscast.Bickford, a Hampton Roads native from Hampton, was with WSLS for 5½ years. She replaces Matt Keller who's now reporting for ABC O&O "ABC7" KGO San Francisco.
Speaking of WTKR, anchor Bianca Martinez recently announced to staff members that she is pregnant with her second child. She's due in September... (2/21/2008)
Cox Communications Hampton Roads added nearly a dozen new HD channels to its line-up this morning. The system has 32 linear HD channels... (2/21/2008)
| Wednesday, February 20, 2008According to AllAccess, Local TV LLC's weekend meteorologist and Sinclair Communications News/Talk WNIS/790 morning co-host Dave Parker will have additional duties at Sinclair's Country "US106" WUSH/106.1 Poquoson/Norfolk as the station's new weekday midday host.
| Wednesday, February 20, 2008 More residents of Chesapeake are a step closer to having choice for their cable television services, thanks to a unanimous vote by the Chesapeake City Council Tuesday night (Feb. 19) authorizing Verizon to offer its fiber-optic-powered FiOS TV. (read more - Verizon)
| Wednesday, February 20, 2008Appalachian Educational Communication Corp (AECC) has agreed to sell Classic Country/Bluegrass "Wind In The Mountain" WITM/1330 Marion to Staley Creek Broadcasting for $82,000. AECC picked up the station (formerly WOLD-AM) from Bob (Robert) and Ann (Patricia) Dix's now defunct Emerald Sound for $35K in June 2003. AECC will continue to program the station under a $1K/mo TBA (time brokerage agreement) until the transfer is complete on or before June 1.
| Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Sinclair Communications has its first on-air personality for its new Country "US106" WUSH/106.1 Poquoson/Norfolk. "Jackson," now doing afternoons on US106, hails from Citadel's CHR "Magic 93.1" KZMG New Plymouth/Boise ID where he (known as Valentine) was that station's APD and did afternoons.
| Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Toshiba said Tuesday it will no longer develop, make or market HD DVD players and recorders, handing a victory to rival Blu-ray disc technology in the format battle for next-generation video. (read more - TVNEWSDAY)
American Media Services has listed a new ad for "New 50,000 watt AM daytime signal Richmond, VA market." Contact AMS President Todd Fowler for details (tfowler@ams.fm)... (2/18/2008)
| Thursday, February 14, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... 92.9 The Wave (WVBW-FM) is proud to offer Hampton Roads it’s only local request and dedication show. “Night Waves” with market veteran Suzanne Snowden begins on Thursday, February 14th. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Tina George, web developer for Sinclair Communications Hampton Roads, has exited the cluster. She continues her major work at tinageorge.com. Sinclair is on the prowl for their next web developer star... (2/13/2008)
Perception Media Group (PMG) has agreed to sell Religious/Talk WCQV/880 Moneta/Roanoke to Smile Broadcasting for $125K. Perception Media used WCQV to simulcast sister WWWR/910 Roanoke.PMG still owns Bluegrass WNRV/990 Narrows-Pearisburg and silent WOWZ/1280 Roanoke (formerly on 1290/Appomatox)... (2/13/2008)
| Wednesday, February 13, 2008Comcast said yesterday that it purposely slows down some traffic on its network, including some music and movie downloads, an admission that sparked more controversy in the debate over how much control network operators should have over the Internet. (read more - The Washington Post)
| Tuesday, February 12, 2008 E.J. Greig has accepted a position with Clear Channel Atlanta's Total Traffic Network. As an Anchor/Producer, TTN Atlanta covers nine markets with 21 total stations. Greig most recently hosted Clear Channel Urban "103Jamz" WOWI/102.9 Norfolk's "Da Night Show" before CC's budget cuts last year. He has also worked for WJLB/Detroit, WHTA/Atlanta, WVEE/Atlanta, and WEJM/Chicago.
Clear Channel Richmond continues to tweak its HD2 formats. A new name for WBTJ/106.5-HD2 -- "Heat." Just like its predecessor "Da Trend," "Heat" features New Hip-Hop and R&B with artist interviews heard on the channel... (2/12/2008)
| Tuesday, February 12, 2008Kay Thomas, formerly afternoons with Cox Radio Country "K95" WKHK/95.3 Colonial Heights/Richmond for 20+ years, has landed at Centennial Broadcasting's Hot AC "B101.5" WBQB Fredericksburg doing middays. Thomas, who was let go mid-September 2007 from WKHK, replaces MD/afternoons Crystal Presley. She exited "The B" in November.
| Tuesday, February 12, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... 97.3 The Eagle/WGH-FM presents the 17th Annual St. Valentine’s Day “Mass Wedding”, Thursday, February 14, 2008 at Grand Affairs in Virginia Beach. 97.3 The Eagle, morning show personalities Jimmy Ray Dunn and Jennifer Lewis, selected couples on the air that requested to get married on Valentine’s Day. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, February 12, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Max Media Country "97.3 The Eagle" WGH hosted it's 17th Annual Country Cares for St Jude Kids Radiothon. This year the Hampton Roads area pledged over $337,000 to St Jude Children's Research Hospital. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Entercom's WNVZ/104.5 Norfolk launched their HD2 channel today, All Comedy Radio Network from Hollywood... (2/11/2008)
Richmond’s Country station continues 18 year commitment to St. Jude | Monday, February 11, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WKHK/K95 held the 18th annual “K95 Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon” February 7th and 8th. K95 raised $222,613 in donations during the two day event.“I am so proud of the K95 air staff for their heart and effort in supporting an organization that helps child victims of cancer everywhere,” said K95 Program Director Buddy Van Arsdale. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Former Somar Communications' Mainstream Rock "97-7 The Rocket" Lexington Park/California MD morning host Mojo has landed back in radio in his hometown Fargo ND as Mike Waters at James Ingstad Broadcast Group's Classic Hits "Mojo 104" KMJO/104.7 Hope/Fargo ND... (2/11/2008)
| Monday, February 11, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Red Zebra Broadcasting’s WXTG, THE NEW 102.1 FM and 1490 AM “THE GAME” is pleased to announce the addition of the Dan Patrick Show and the Jim Rome Show to its’ Monday through Friday line up. The Dan Patrick Show and the Jim Rome Show will debut on “THE GAME” Monday, February 18th. Patrick will air from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Friday, February 8, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Olive C. Ezell, a radio veteran, brings her unique talent to WRRW/100.9. Caribbean Diaspora is a new radio program focusing on Caribbean, African and Latin-Caribbean music, history and culture. This radio program airs on Sunday evenings on 100.9 FM at 6:00 p.m. in James City County, Williamsburg and surrounding vicinity. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Over a dozen classified ads have been posted on VARTV since January! 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..... (2/7/2008)
| Thursday, February 7, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... No, he is not 1,000 years old. But CBS Television Distribution talker Dr. Phil McGraw, the last big first-run hit in syndication, will celebrate episode No. 1,000 on Monday, February 11 at 5 PM on CW 27, WGNT-TV.With guest stars Oprah Winfrey, Jay Leno, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, the University of Southern California's drum line and the Laker Girls, this is a celebration you don’t wanna miss! (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, February 5, 2008Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. announced that Steven Genett has been named General Manager of WRLH-TV (FOX 35) in Richmond, Virginia. The announcement was made by Steve Marks, Chief Operating Officer of Sinclair's television group. (read more - Sinclair Broadcast Group)
| Monday, February 4, 2008First Media Radio AC "3WZ" WWZW/96.7 Lexington PD Steve Williams has been promoted within the company, returning to “the original 3WZ,” Hot AC WZWW/95.3 Bellefonte/State College PA as Operations Manager. Jackie West takes the PD reins at the Virginia "3WZ."
Royal Broadcasting's Classic Top 40 "The River 95.3" WZRV Front Royal/Winchester just launched their new website at theriver953online.com..... (2/4/2008)
Second most watch TV program ever behind 1983 M*A*S*H finale | Monday, February 4, 2008 The upset victory of the New York Giants over the New England Patriots in last night's Super Bowl XLII, was a ratings bonanza for the FOX network and its affiliates.Nationally, the game averaged 97.5 million viewers, beating the previous audience high of 94.1 million set by Super Bowl XXX in 1996 on NBC, according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research national data. The game scored a 43.3 household rating and 65 share. In Hampton Roads, LIN TV's "FOX43" WVBT Virginia Beach averaged a 48.1 rating, 65.1 share for the game. During the 10-10:15 p.m. quarter hour, the station garnered a 56.72 rating and a whopping 72.8 share.
What you need to know about high definition | Sunday, February 3, 2008For some Super Bowl fans, the picture on their television tonight will be much clearer compared with the ones flickering on their neighbors’ analog sets. (read more - Charlottesville's The Daily Progress)
| Saturday, February 2, 2008 First Media Radio AC "3WZ" WWZW/96.7 Lexington has tapped Jackie West as its new Program Director.West hails from sister station Country "The Big Dawg" WJLS/99.5 Beckley. She was that station's afternoon-drive personality.
| Saturday, February 2, 2008Almost two years ago, we told you that Clear Channel Norfolk had submitted a proposal to the FCC to reassign WKUS/105.3 from Norfolk to Windsor and WJCD/107.7 from Windsor to Norfolk. The new 107.7 signal would come from a tower just north of Tidewater Dr and E Little Creek Rd in Norfolk, essentially covering the immediate Hampton Roads area, picking up an additional 1M potential listeners. The new proposed signal of 105.3 would come from an antenna location 8 miles to the east of Windsor -- near downtown Suffolk -- still covering the Hampton Roads area quite well. 105.3 would remain a Class B and 107.7 would stay a Class A. In July 2006, the FCC finally ruled on the proposal, saying no. The FCC stated it would essentially give WJCD a population gain of 1,000,000+ persons but nothing more for "public interest benefit." But Clear Channel didn't give up, filing a "reconsideration" to the denial last year stating additional facts to its case. On Thursday, the FCC agreed with the Clear Channel comments and granted the swap. Expect Clear Channel to file "minor change" applications within the next 90 days. When will WKUS and WJCD broadcast from their new locations? That can end up being years...
| Friday, February 1, 2008Max Media Rock "100.5 MAX FM" WXMM Norfolk has left go the station's APD/MD and morning drive host Zak Tyler after his shift today. Cluster Operations Manager John Shomby, we understand, said "the station will be going in a new direction." Mornings? Formatically?? Needless to say, Tyler is on the prowl again... on air, programming, coffee making, mens room concierge... Hit him up at shutupnrok@gmail.com or 757-737-0973 (anytime!).
| Thursday, January 31, 2008Sinclair Communications in its quest to move the antenna of its Country "US106" WUSH/106.1 Poquoson to Portsmouth has dropped the online petition form to the FCC for a new one. It's aimed directly at crosstown competitor Max Media President Eric Mastel and his Country outlet "97-3 The Eagle" WGH Newport News. The new petition simply states, "Dear Mr. Mastel... We like having a choice for Country Music. Please drop your protest to the FCC so US106 can have more power. This is America - competition is good for our country!". Editor's note: Is Max Media's objection filed with the FCC that compelling? Ultimately, it's the FCC's decision to rule on the move to Portsmouth, not that of Eric Mastel's (and Max Media) or Saga Communications. But on the hand, it makes Eric Mastel and The Eagle the "bad" guys that don't want to play fair. To get caught up on this whole story just quickly scroll this page...
Hampton Roads 20 to countdown top Country music songs every Sunday | Thursday, January 31, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Cox customers in Hampton Roads can now watch as the top 20 country music songs are counted down on a new COX 11 show called Hampton Roads 20 that will air every Sunday night. The top 20 songs will be determined each week in a website vote by Eagle 97 listeners. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, January 31, 2008Hampton Roads' two FM country music radio stations are battling over whether the more recent arrival to the format should receive FCC approval for a new broadcast tower location that would give it a stronger signal. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
“Dean” of local TV sportscasters to do daily report on top-rated FM99 morning show | Wednesday, January 30, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... A major media partnership has been created between FM99’s Tommy & Rumble and local TV sports icon Bruce Rader. Rader, a fixture in Hampton Roads for three decades, will do a daily live sports report to air on 98.7 at 7:30am. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, January 30, 2008Emerald Sound has sold Soft AC "Lite 102" WOLD/102.5 Marion to cross-town owner TECO Broadcasting, headed up by Tom Copenhaver, for $400,000 effective December 1. The FCC just gave the sale its blessing. The sellers, Bob (Robert) and Ann (Patricia) Dix, will receive $100,000 for "agreement not to compete." Also in the agreement, the Dix's are entitled to 8 spots per day at no charge for five years to run at the best available times on the station. This is for any business they own or will acquire. The Dix's acquired WOLD-AM1330 Marion back in September 1965. It signed-on 4/25/62. The couple sold it to Appalachian Educational Communication Corp in October 2003. It's now WITM. WOLD-FM/102.5 hit the air almost 40 years ago on March 14, 1968. The new owner of WOLD-FM, TECO Broadcasting, also runs CHR "Z103.5" WZVA Marion. On Friday 2/15/2008, TECO dropped the Soft AC format for Classic Rock -- "Rock 102..."
| Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Our friends at NewsBlues.com say that "a (weekend) sports anchor (Adam Shadoff), a weekend editor, and some production staff" have been let go at Young Broadcasting's WRIC (8/ABC) Petersburg/Richmond yesterday.Rumors are that CEO of Young, Vincent Young, has mandated a $20M cut in expenses across the board. Broadcasting & Cable says that "(h)igh-priced talent are among the first to be let go."
| Wednesday, January 30, 2008Cox Radio Richmond is looking to fill the PD positions at Alternative "Y101" WDYL/101.1 Chester/Richmond and Classic Rock "96.5 The Planet" WKLR Fort Lee/Richmond. Send your packages to Fisher at Cox Radio Richmond, 812 Moorefield Park Dr, Suite 300, Richmond VA 23236, or to fisher@coxradio.com. EOE.
| Tuesday, January 29, 2008Radio One's repackaged Urban "iPower 92-1" WCDX Mechanicsville/Richmond has inked TT Torrez for middays (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) beginning Friday, February 1. Torrez hails from Clear Channel Urban "Power 99" WUSL/98.9 Philadelphia where she was on the air on weekends. The rest of the new line-up on iPower is the Russ Parr Morning Show (6-10 a.m.), TT Torrez, King Tutt (3-7 p.m.) and Sean Anthony & Big Keith (7 p.m.-midnight).
| Tuesday, January 29, 2008Landmark Communications Inc. said Tuesday it will sell its two broadcast television stations in Las Vegas and Nashville, Tenn. but is still mulling options for its other businesses, including cable television's The Weather Channel. (read more - TVNEWSDAY)
| Tuesday, January 29, 2008Somar Communications' Mainstream Rock "97-7 The Rocket" WYRX Lexington Park/California MD has picked Joe Sanchez for its new morning host, the third different one this month. Sanchez just exited mornings on Centennial Broadcasting's "Rock 104.9/105.5" WWRT/Strasburg/Front Royal, WWRE/Berryville/Winchester. "Smokin' Joe" debuts tomorrow morning (1/30). Speaking of WWRT//WWRE, Ron Baker is now doing mornings from afternoons. Replacing Baker is Mike Evans, formerly overnights on sister Hot AC WINC/92.5 Winchester.
Station debuts new logo and look | Monday, January 28, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RLEASE... Today marks the debut of FOX 43’s new anchor, Eric Harryman. Eric teams up with Nicole Livas Monday through Friday for FOX 43 News at 10pm. He will also be seen on WAVY News 10 in a reporting role.Eric’s debut mirrors bigger changes on the FOX 43 newsroom as the station debuts a new logo for the FOX affiliate and a new graphics and music package. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Sunday, January 27, 2008Earlier this month, we told you that Local TV "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk anchor/reporter Matt Keller's last day at the station was Friday, January 4. He decided not to renew his contract at Channel 3 even though the station offered. We now know where Keller has landed, San Francisco's "ABC7" KGO as a reporter. Before arriving in Hampton Roads, Keller worked in the Chico CA market, about 100 miles north of San Francisco.
| Saturday, January 26, 2008 Sinclair Communications has set up the new website for Country "US106" WUSH/106.1 Poquoson at US1061.com. Though nowhere near complete, one thing is for sure the station is asking for the public's help to get the FCC's approval to move its antenna to Portsmouth from the Peninsula. The homepage has a petition for visitors/listeners to fill out which will automatically be sent to the FCC. If Sinclair's application is approved, WUSH would provide a very strong signal within the Seven Cities.So what's holding everything up? Well, Tidewater Communications (TCI; "FM99" WNOR, "The Fox" WAFX, WJOI) filed an Informal Objection to the application way back on September 7. Sinclair filed an Opposition to Informal Objection twelve days later. Two months later, TCI filed a supplement to its original objection which Sinclair turned around a month later and filed a Opposition to Supplement to Informal Objection. Max Media has joined the effort against Sinclair filing its own objection to the move. The two companies have fought hard over the 106.1 signal which was first licensed to Exmore on the Eastern Shore. Sinclair was successful in moving the COL (community of license) to Poquoson in early 2004 and signed-on a very new format at the time, Adult Hits "BOB-FM." Editor's Note: Part of the online petition to the FCC on the WUSH website states,"I love this station and I know that with a better signal, I will be able to listen to US106 wherever I go. Finally, Hampton Roads will have a choice for country music." Ummm... the FCC doesn't care if listeners have a choice for Country music. They don't care if all the stations in a market play Country music, for that matter. But, they do care how the licensed facility serves the city of Poquoson as to news, information, emergencies, etc.
| Saturday, January 26, 2008Bob Carey, the president of Syndicated Solutions, which syndicates The Rick & Bubba Show heard on Main Line's Country "93.1 The Wolf" WLFV Ettrick/Richmond, stated in an email sent late last night that Rick Burgess will return to his show on Monday. On Saturday, January 19, Rick and Sherri Burgess lost their three year old son Bronner in an accidental drowning in the family pool.
| Saturday, January 26, 2008With less than two weeks on the air, Somar Communications' Mainstream Rock "97-7 The Rocket" Lexington Park/California MD has let go its morning host, Ripley. Ripley replaced Mojo (Mojo In The Morning) who exited the station three weeks ago for Fargo ND. The Rocket has also changed its call letters back to WYRX. The calls were WRKZ for the past three months.
Waterman Broadcasting's "NBC29" WVIR Charlottesville started broadcasting their newscasts today in digital widescreen (16:9 standard definition)..... (1/25/2008)
| Friday, January 25, 2008Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced the appointment of Paula I. Otto as the new executive director of the Virginia Lottery. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Friday, January 25, 2008 LIN TV announced last week that Eric Harryman is its new co-anchor for "FOX43 News at 10" on WVBT/Virginia Beach. He replaces David Nelson who disappeared from the duopoly in mid-November 2007. Harryman jumps 71 markets from Journal Broadcast Group's "Today's 6" KIVI (ABC) Nampa/Boise ID where he was the weekday morning co-anchor for the past 3½ years. According to a bio, he began his career "in the business of news working for an independent news station in Los Angeles, then crossing the street to CBS2 (KCBS)..."
| Thursday, January 24, 2008 For the second consecutive quarter, WVKL-FM 95.7 R&B bested all other Hampton Roads radio stations with listeners ages 12 and above, according to Arbitron, which published its fall ratings Wednesday. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| Thursday, January 24, 2008Rick Brady, who did nights at The Star Radio Group's Country WFLS/93.3 Fredericksburg two years back, is now with Traffic.com as the Traffic Editor for the Metro Richmond area. Brady's duties include updating the Traffic.com website and working with "NBC12" WWBT Richmond anchor Tracy Lynn during the morning news show. Though working for Navteq (Traffic.com), Brady works out of NBC12.
| Wednesday, January 23, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Fifth Estate Broadcasting's WHAN/1430 Ashland VA and CRIME TALK LLC are proud to announce their new partnership as they bring in Mark Majors from a crosstown radio group. Mark has a new show airing Monday - Friday from 11AM - 12PM & 4PM - 6PM called MARK MAJORS TALKS.com!This is Richmond's first and only completely interactive news talk LOCAL show! This show is a completely different kind of talk, as Mark delves into issues other than just politics!
| Wednesday, January 23, 2008 Clear Channel dumped the 80's Hits formatted "My 80s" on WRVQ-HD2/94.5-2 Richmond for New CHR "Hot Spot." The change occurred yesterday at 2 p.m. with Loverboy's "When It's Over" as the last track heard on My 80's. Hot Spot, which features new Hit music and interviews, debuted with "Wanna Be Startin' Something" by Akon/Michael Jackson.The 80s format was first heard on WRVQ-HD2 in late October 2006, as The Cube, when Clear Channel started doing HD2 streams for their four FM stations in Richmond.
Our condolences to the family and friends of Ken Johnson, a long time radio personality in Hampton Roads the market, whose father passed away last week after a long battle with illness..... (1/22/2008)
Time Warner has several small systems in Eastern North Carolina | Tuesday, January 22, 2008An arbitrator has decided that Time Warner Cable deliberately discriminated against the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network and must offer the network on terms yet to be determined by the arbitrator. (read more - Raleigh's The News & Observer)
Richmond's new Spanish Telemundo TV affiliate has changed their call letters from WKYV-LP to WZTD-LP. Channel 45 is owned by ZGS Communications..... (1/21/2008)
| Sunday, January 20, 2008The following email was sent out by Bob Carey, the president of Syndicated Solutions, which syndicates The Rick & Bubba Show heard on Main Line's Country "93.1 The Wolf" WLFV Ettrick/Richmond... Rick and Sherri Burgess lost their three year old son Bronner last evening in an accidental drowning in the family pool. Rick was away in Tennessee speaking at a teen retreat/seminar when he received the news and immediately returned home. Bronner is the youngest of Rick’s five children. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Friday, January 18, 2008 Radio One Urban WCDX/92.1 Mechanicsville/Richmond relaunched as "iPower 92-1, Interactive Hip-Hop and R&B" at 5 p.m. yesterday afternoon. The station yanked the entire air staff off the air in late October. In November, WCDX got a new PD, Jeff Anderson, who also serves as Radio One Richmond's Operations Manager.The new line-up on iPower 92-1 during the week looks like this, so far: Russ Parr Morning Show (6-10 a.m.)The station's new web site is iPower921.com.
| Friday, January 18, 2008Thirteen new channels are coming to the Cox Hampton Roads line-up, 10 being in HD. The new channels debut on Thursday, February 21: Digital cable channels to be added to the Variety Tier:Cox is also adding a new premium channel, GMA Pinoy TV (Filipino, channel 393).
| Thursday, January 17, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Portsmouth, VA: WAVY-TV announces that Esther Pierre has been named late news reporter and will serve as part of the “10 On Your Side” political team. Esther Pierre is new to WAVY-TV, but not new to Hampton Roads. She was morning feature reporter for WTKR-TV in 2001. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Thursday, January 17, 2008LIN TV Corp. (WAVY/10 NBC, WVBT/43 FOX) today announced the launch of local political websites in each of the company's 17 television markets. (read more - TVNEWSDAY)
| Thursday, January 17, 2008 Somar Communications' Mainstream Rock "97-7 The Rocket" WRKZ Lexington Park/California MD has a new morning host, Ripley.Ripley replaces Mojo (Mojo In The Morning) who exited the station on Friday, January 4 to attend to family issues in Fargo ND.
Raycom Media's "CBS6" WTVR Richmond continues to blog the winter storm at WTVR.com..... (1/17/2008)
Barbara Hamm assumes new position; Bobbie Fisher to head Communications | Wednesday, January 16, 2008  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Barbara L. Hamm has assumed the position of WHRO’s Chief Community Affairs Officer, effective January 9th. She will produce programming for WHRO’s public television station, including a new public affairs program hosted by Cathy Lewis, and a magazine-style program geared toward the interests of the African American community in Hampton Roads. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, January 16, 2008After 30 years of writing about television - the good, the bad, but all too often, the mediocre - I (Douglas Durden) am retiring. Now I'll only watch the shows I want to. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Wednesday, January 16, 2008 WHSV-TV3 is proud to announce that all three of its major networks are now available to DirecTV viewers in Rockingham and Augusta counties in Virginia and Pendleton County in West Virginia. WHSV-TV3, The Valley’s FOX and myValley have been added to the DirecTV channel lineup.(read more - WHSV.com)
| Wednesday, January 16, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Star 94.1 (WXEZ-FM) was named 2008 Stellar Awards Large Market Radio Station of the Year. This is the first year that the station has been nominated in the category.Stations across the country are nominated based on their market size... (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, January 15, 2008 Charlottesville’s newest radio station, generations 102.3 & 94.1, has announced that Steve Walker will be joining the generations team as morning host. Walker’s 35-year radio career has spanned Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia with most of his career spent getting up early to welcome listeners to another new day. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, January 15, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Monticello Media operations manager Vinnie Kice is will be roasted in honor of his 30-years in radio on January 26. The roast, to be held at the Hilton Garden Inn on Route 250 in Pantops, will feature a number of former co-workers and Charlottesville radio personalities, including Tom “Evans in the AM” and Larry “The Legend” Taylor, along with some additional “famous people..." (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, January 15, 2008Florida-based HSN (Home Shopping Network) recently moved it's owned and operated low-power TV station licensed to Portsmouth VA (under the name Ventana Television) from channel 56 to channel 14. The station, W56CS, also increased its power from 9.5kW to 65.5KW. The LPTV current airs HSN. It previous did HSN's outlet store, America's Store before that network was dissolved in early April 2007... The religious network Daystar now has its own TV station in Hampton Roads. It has agreed to buy KM Broadcasting's LPTV, W25CS/Chesapeake for $200,000 under the name Word of God Fellowship. On January 1, the station flipped to the Daystar network after airing South Florida-based (Urban) VideoMix TV for nearly a year. Daystar also owns LPTV WRID-LP/48 in Richmond...
Public Radio host and Jazz artist Jae Sinnett to produce and host | Tuesday, January 15, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The R&B Chronicles – a weekly 60-minute radio retrospective of classic African American R&B and Soul music – which debuted on WHRV 89.5FM on January 5, 2007, will begin its second year with a stellar lineup of artists whose music will be explored by popular jazz artist and WHRV producer/announcer/educator Jae Sinnett. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Tuesday, January 15, 2008The staff cuts that have besieged the Daily Press in recent years amidst a publishing industry decline continued Monday as the newspaper announced it is eliminating 14 positions. (read more - Daily Press)
| Tuesday, January 15, 2008Stephanie Thomas dreams of fluffy sweaters, figure-hugging skirts and dainty dresses. Then she wakes up, puts on her pajamas and goes to work. Last Feb. 1, Thomas christened herself the PJ Deejay - she hosts a weekend show on WVKL-FM (95.7) - and vowed to wear pajamas every day for a year to raise awareness of the difficulty people with disabilities have finding comfortable, easy- to-wear clothing. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| Monday, January 14, 2008Ion Media Networks and Comcast today announced that they have reached an affiliation agreement regarding distribution of Ion Media Networks, including Ion Television, qubo and Ion Life. (read more - TVNEWSDAY)
| Monday, January 14, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WVEC-TV13 is the first to deliver every newscast, presented in digital widescreen.“Studio and field cameras, graphic elements, etc. are now seen in a widescreen (16x9) aspect ratio which matches the screens on high definition television sets...,” said Director of Technology John Dolive, WVEC-TV13. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
Over a half-dozen classified ads have been posted on VARTV during 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..... (1/14/2008)
| Monday, January 14, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... World Wrestling Entertainment® fans will soon be getting their weekly doses of high-energy entertainment delivered in stunning high definition. Beginning January 25 Friday Night SmackDown® on The CW will be delivered in HD. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Saturday, January 12, 2008Belo Broadcasting's WVEC (13/ABC) Hampton/Norfolk started offering their newscasts in "digital widescreen" with their 6 p.m. newscasts this evening. Though not true high definition, WVEC Director of Technology John Dolive says, "Studio and field cameras, graphic elements, etc. will be switched into a widescreen (16x9) aspect ratio which matches the screens on high definition television sets... WVEC will become the first television station in the market to offer high definition viewers this enhanced, widescreen picture on local newscasts."The widescreen picture will be available to viewers who watch WVEC directly off air on channel 13.1, on Cox Cable on channel 713, on Verizon FiOS on channel 813, and news video on WVEC.com.
| Saturday, January 12, 2008 Jim Kent has joined WFIR-AM 960 as news director and co-anchor for its weekday morning news, the radio station announced Friday.He's expected to be on the air by late next week. (read more - The Roanoke Times)
DTV Trekker in Richmond | Friday, January 11, 2008Still don't know your digital TV from your digital clock? Maybe you'll want to pay a visit to the DTV Trekker this weekend. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Thursday, January 10, 2008Comcast Corporation, the nation’s leading provider of entertainment, information and communications, today (1/8/2008) announced it has become the fourth-largest residential phone service provider in the United States. The announcement comes less than three years after having officially launched Comcast Digital Voice®... (read more - BusinessWire)
Blood drive raises more blood than any other in Richmond | Thursday, January 10, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Virginia Blood Services and Cox Radio-Richmond partnered together on Monday, January 7th for a record setting blood drive raising 322 qualified blood donations. (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Wednesday, January 9, 2008(Telemedia's) WGRX (Falmouth/Fredericksburg), Thunder 104.5, has replaced the nationally syndicated John Boy & Billy Show with its own "More in the Morning" with Denny More, a morning-show veteran and nationally known stand-up comic. (read more - The Free Lance-Star)
| Monday, January 7, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... At noon on Monday, January 7, 2008, the Free Lance Star’s WYSK-FM Fredericksburg pulled the plug on its Alternative Rock format. The station then launched into its new incarnation, 99.3, The Vibe, with Justin Timberlake’s “Sexyback.”OM Paul Johnson described The Vibe as “A blend of contemporary Urban, Rythmic, and Top 40. Our tag line is Fredericksburg’s New #1 Hit Music Station.” (read more - VARTV Press Room)
| Sunday, January 6, 2008 East Carolina Radio has named Jennifer Maxwell as its new co-host for mornings on its Country "Dixie 105.7" WRSF Columbia/Outer Banks NC. She replaces Kris Richards who has exited the station. WRSF will name a new "lead" host soon.Maxwell was previously heard on NRG Media's Soft AC "Lite 107.3" WSJY Ft Atkinson/Madison WI for the past four years. She starts at Dixie on "The Breakfast Table" on Monday, Jaunary 14.
| Friday, January 4, 2008VARTV reported back in early November 2007 that CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 Richmond night slammer Travis "T-Bag" Bagwell was let go from the station due to budget cuts. At the time, he was also doing weekends/fill-ins at sister CHR "Hot 99-5" WIHT and Rock "DC101" WWDC/101.1 Washington DC. Looking for a permament "gig," Bagwell landed the nighttime slot ("the show") at DC101 at the end of November. Well, T-Bag is back at The Q, via voicetracking, doing the same shift he lost back in November. He resumes his role as Q94's night host on Monday, January 14.
| Friday, January 4, 2008 In a major move in the ongoing high-definition disc format war, Warner Bros. Entertainment said it has decided to release high-definition optical discs exclusively in the Blu-ray disc format beginning later this year. (read more - TWICE)
Shuffled syndicated shows change local viewership numbers | Friday, January 4, 2008 Rankings for local newscasts held steady in November -- meaning WWBT maintained its lead. Less stable were time periods with syndicated shows that were shuffled in the fall. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| Friday, January 4, 2008 Local TV "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk anchor/reporter Matt Keller exits the station today. VARTV hears he chose not to renew his contract at Channel 3 even though the station offered. Keller was with WTKR just over three years. Former ND Jeff Parsons announced back in October 2005, that Keller had accepted the position to co-host the station's morning newscasts with Bianca Martinez. He previously hailed from Catamount Broadcast Group's KHSL (12/CBS) Chico CA (market #130) where he anchored the 5, 5:30, 6:30 and 11 p.m. newscasts and was that station's managing editor.
| Thursday, January 3, 2008After 48 years in the broadcast engineering business, Jon Bennett, CPBE Chief Engineer for Cox Radio Richmond, retired at the end of December 2007. Gary Harrison, CPBE, is the new Chief Engineer. Jeff Tharp CSRE joined Cox Radio on Tuesday (1/1/2008) as Assistant Chief Engineer. Bennet will keep his retirement days busy by being a Contract Engineer and pursuing other hobbies.
| Thursday, January 3, 2008Max Media Hampton Roads says huge celebration plans are scheduled for its All-Sports "ESPN Radio 1310" WGH Newport News/Norfolk in the coming year. WGH will celebrate its 80th birthday in 2008. "We are the second oldest radio station in the Commonwealth of Virginia," noted Program Director Tony Mercurio. "I have only been here for 22 of the 80 years, however the history of WGH-AM is widely known throughout the radio industry." The station plans several promotions throughout the year including sending fans to see the Orioles play the Yankees and the Red Sox in Baltimore and will have at least one major promotion every month this year. Mercurio commenting on WGH's history added, "We went from one of the best top 40 AM radio stations in the country to one of the best all-sports radio stations in the United States. 2008 will be the best ever for WGH... ESPN Radio 1310."
| Thursday, January 3, 2008Mojo, of "Mojo in the Morning," on Somar Communications' Mainstream Rock "97-7 The Rocket" WRKZ Lexington Park/California MD announced this morning on-air that he and his wife need to attend to family issues back in Fargo ND.Mojo went on to say that tomorrow (1/4/2008) will be his last day on The Rocket.
| Thursday, January 3, 2008You’ve probably woken up with Jack. The morning voice of Mix-103.7, he lends his support to dozens of local charities: The Richmond Animal League, Central Virginia Foodbank and The Faison School for Autism, to name a few. (read more - skirt! magazine)
| Thursday, January 3, 2008 Landmark Communications Inc., parent of The Virginian-Pilot (and The Roanoke Times), has hired national investment firms to explore selling the Norfolk-based company, including The Pilot (and The Times). (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| Wednesday, January 2, 2008 Centennial Broadcasting announces the return of Heidi Tate to the market on their rocker "The Planet" WZZI/101.5 Vinton/Roanoke, WZZU/97.9 Lynchburg.Bob Abbott, VP of Operations, says, "We are extremely pleased to announce that Heidi has joined the Planet in her familiar mid-day slot 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday... We knew that Heidi was the perfect addition to the Planet and would help take the Planet to the next level in the Roanoke/Lynchburg radio market." Heidi was previously heard on Clear Channel Rock WROV/96.3 Martinsville/Roanoke for over 10 years before getting let go in November.
| Wednesday, January 2, 2008 Welcome, Southwest Virginia, to the world of high-speed wireless.Verizon Wireless announced Wednesday the opening of a multimillion-dollar switching station in Roanoke that essentially puts Southwest Virginia in a designated lane of the high-speed Internet highway. (read more - The Roanoke Times)
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