     
|
 |
... |
For the latest official media Press Releases, visit the VARTV Press Room...
:// We had to go there
| Now
Calling on ALL media outlets including radio and TV stations, personalities, sales reps, office folk around the country, VARTV is now on MySpace and Facebook and follow us on Twitter.Pad your lists at myspace.com/VARTV and facebook.com!
:// New programmer at Winchester rocker
| Thursday, July 16, 2009
Brian Beddow is the new PD at Centennial Broadcasting's "Rock 104.9/105.5" WWRT/Strasburg/Front Royal, WWRE/Berryville/Winchester.Beddow was with Metro Traffic Washington (covering the Mid-Atlantic region) for the past three months as an anchor/repoter and he previously programmed Regent Communication's Active Rock "Banana 101.5" WWBN Tuscola/Flint MI and sister Classic Hits "US 103.1" WQUS Lapeer/Flint MI
Beddow replaces PD/morning host Ron Baker who left at the end of June after just six months at the station.
| back to top |
| Thursday, July 16, 2009WVEC-TV, Channel 13, is looking for a new president and general manager after the dismissal of Jim Berman this week. His last day will be Friday. (read more - Daily Press)
| back to top |
WDYL-FM Y101 is recognized for its 10 year anniversary
| Wednesday, July 15, 2009FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WDYL-FM Y101, Richmond’s New Rock Alternative received official recognition by the Richmond City Council on its 10th year anniversary and for its service to the Richmond-Metro Area Community. (read more - Y101, WDYL)
| back to top |
| Wednesday, July 15, 2009A veteran broadcaster who played a big part in bringing radio to the Eastern Shore passed away Saturday in Blacksburg. Vernon H. Baker who along with Brooks Russell built WESR in 1958 was 87 at the time of his death. (read more - WESR News)
| back to top |
Stock hovers around a buck
| Wednesday, July 15, 2009Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. said in a regulatory filing that it may file for bankruptcy protection, reports the Associated Press. A miserable advertising market and crippling debt burden may force the Baltimore-based broadcaster into Chapter 11. (read more - Broadcasting & Cable)
| back to top |
Cancellation may reflect weak interest in stations
| Wednesday, July 15, 2009Young Broadcasting, set to auction off its 10 stations this morning (7/14), has filed a Cancellation of Auction notice with the United States Bankruptcy Court. (read more - Broadcasting & Cable)
| back to top |
| Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Jim Berman, the president and general manager of WVEC-TV, has been fired. His last day at Channel 13 will be Friday, he said Tuesday night.
“We talked about the future, and the company felt a change needed to be made,” said Berman, who joined the station in August... (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| back to top |
We're hearing that GM/President Jim Berman of Belo Broadcasting's WVEC (13/ABC) Hampton/Norfolk has been let go. Stay tuned... (7/14/2009) | back to top |
| Tuesday, July 14, 2009As the nation’s enthusiastic appetite for sports continues to grow at a feverous pitch, CBS RADIO announced today it is launching all-sports formatted stations in Washington, D.C. and Boston on Monday, July 20 and Thursday, August 13, respectively. (read more - CBS Radio)
| back to top |
| Tuesday, July 14, 2009FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... When it comes being acknowledged for its work, WFLS news is in good company joining The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Newsweek, Businessweek and MSNBC as winner of one of this year’s Clarion Awards.
The Fredericksburg station, owned by The Free Lance-Star Company, has won in the Radio Newscast category for the fourth consecutive year. The award is for the 7:30 a.m. newscast that was broadcast on February 27, 2008. with stories from the staff’s reporters Niche Herman, Deirdre Blake and Bill Dubensky. The newscast was anchored by Frank Hammon, news director.
The highly regarded Clarions will be presented at the Annual International Matrix and Clarion Reception in Seattle on October 17 when NBC’s Ann Curry will be honored with the International Matrix Award.
| back to top |
Charlottesville LPTV included
| Monday, July 13, 2009That’s as in low power. Gaspar Cota’s non-profit Hosanna Apostolic Ministries Broadcasting Corporation has filed four contracts to buy five low power TVs and four TV translators located in seven states from three different sellers. (read more - TVBR)
| back to top |
| Saturday, July 11, 2009FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... This Monday, FOX 43 WVBT-TV will debut the nationally syndicated talk show “The Wendy Williams Show.” (read more - FOX43, WVBT)
| back to top |
| Saturday, July 11, 2009
FROM WHFS: We’ve finally launched the website for HFS2, the recently reborn WHFS alt rocker on 94.7's HD2 digital subchannel. At hfs2.com. There’s a link to listen on-line. Live music, including music from past HFSTivals from 12p- 1p Monday-Friday, and Friday’s at 4p. Guest appearances from time to time from HFS alumni, as well. | back to top |
| Saturday, July 11, 2009
Cox Radio's WDYL-FM is Richmond’s rock alternative with true personality programming. Nationally-known “Bubba the Love Sponge” and the locally-produced “Sludge Nation” highlight each weekday with topical humor and a focus on listener interaction. (read more - Radio Business Report) | back to top |
| Friday, July 10, 2009Dear K-LOVE Family,
We wanted to start this update by saying thank you. Thank you for the encouraging e-mails, notes and your prayers for us as a family. (read more - K-Love)
| back to top |
Everett DeCarlo, Digital Sales Director for Saga Norfolk (WNOR/98.7, WAFX/106.9), has left the building. DeCarlo was there only six months. His position was eliminated due to more budget cuts at the cluster... (7/10/2009) | back to top |
| Thursday, July 9, 2009Hometown Broadcasting of Mt Jackson is selling Talk WSVG/790 Mt Jackson/Woodstock to Shenandoah Valley Group (SVG) for $175,000. SVG had being LMA-ing the station for the past year.
| back to top |
CW27's "America's Next Top Model" holds open casting call...
| Wednesday, July 8, 2009FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... OWN YOUR INNER FIERCE along with Tyra Banks and her dominant show AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL! An open casting call for The CW Network’s hit reality series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL (ANTM) will be held at The Gallery at Military Circle, 880 North Military Highway, Norfolk on Saturday, July 11, 2009... (read more - CW27, WGNT)
| back to top |
| Wednesday, July 8, 2009If parties in the Young Broadcasting bankruptcy were betting an auction would ignite a bidding war, they'd be better off playing the slots in Vegas.
"My sense is they have very short list of people interested," said a source in the financial community. (read more - TVNewsday)
| back to top |
| Tuesday, July 7, 2009FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Late last year, The Center for Sales Strategy (CSS) and Cox Radio sued Mainline Broadcasting and one its employees in Federal Court in Richmond, Virginia for unauthorized use of CSS materials. The long-awaited, and closely-watched settlement of this suit is now in place. (read more - The Center for Sales Strategy)
| back to top |
| Monday, July 6, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... CBS 6 WTVR-TV, The South’s First Television Station gained audience in 7 of its 9 daily local broadcasts during the May 2009 Nielsen measurement period versus the previous year.“At a time when many stations around the country are losing audience, it is reassuring to see that so many Central Virginians are switching to CBS 6 News,” said CBS 6 WTVR-TV President and General Manager Peter Maroney. (read more - CBS6, WTVR)
| back to top |
| Monday, July 6, 2009
Young Broadcasting, owner and operator of television stations in ten DMAs (including WRIC/8 Petersburg/Richmond), is headed for the Chapter 11 auction block. It filed for protection back in February, and now has a date with the auctioneer on 7/14/09. (read more - TVBR.com) | back to top |
| Monday, July 6, 2009In a glass-enclosed space the size of a New York hotel room -- which is to say, twice the size of a typical radio studio -- TT Torrez works the phones, a blur of jangling bracelets and curly dark hair. (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)
| back to top |
| Sunday, July 5, 2009The Star Radio Group in Fredericksburg (WFLS/93.3, WWUZ/96.9, WWVB/99.3) was featured in a BBC America news story about the pending Performance Royalty Tax. The story ran Tuesday night on the half hour BBC America newscast on PBS TV stations, and the hour long newscast on the BBC America network. The story can be found on the BBC's website.
| back to top |
| Friday, July 3, 2009Get set for some changes in your local broadcast media options as two of the Valleys longest-running broadcasting stations will undergo major changes within the next week. The stations are changing hands programming will be restructured. (read more - Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald)
| back to top |
| Tuesday, June 30, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... CW 27 WGNT-TV was a big winner at the 72nd Annual Virginia Association of Broadcasters Station Awards on Friday, June 26, 2009. More than 500 broadcasters from Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee attended the prestigious Fire & Ice Reception and Awards Banquet held at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel. (read more - CW27, WGNT) | back to top |
| Tuesday, June 30, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WGRX FM was awarded “Best Morning Show” for “More in the Morning” at the 2009 Virginia Association of Broadcasters annual awards ceremony on Friday June 25th. The show is hosted by nationally known comedian/hypnotist Denny More. More is accompanied each morning by Paul Hayden who provides local traffic information as well as veteran newscaster Sheila Quinn. (read more - Thunder 104.5, WGRX) | back to top |
Virginia Association of Broadcasters award Cox Radio
| Tuesday, June 30, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Cox Radio Richmond (WDYL-FM, WKHK-FM, WKLR-FM & WMXB-FM) were recognized by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters during the 72nd annual awards ceremony on June 19th. Cox Radio Richmond competed in 4 categories in the state wide large market group of radio stations. (read more - Cox RadioRichmond) | back to top |
| Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Max Media CHR "Hot 100.5" WVHT Norfolk fills afternoons with Kendall Taylor beginning mid-July. She previously did middays at CBS Radio's Rhythmic AC "Movin 107-5" KWVK Dallas until being let go in December 2008 due to budget cuts (the station was blown up for Spanish AC two months later). Most recently, Kendall was doing part-time work at Citadel's Modern AC WDVD/96.3 Detroit.At the same time, PD/MD Paul McCoy announces he will handle middays for Hot.
| back to top |
The budget axe hits Belo Broadcasting's WVEC/13 Hampton/Norfolk again today with more than a half-dozen folks fired (not laid off)... (6/29/2009) | back to top |
| Monday, June 29, 2009Jeff Lawson, chief meteorologist for WVEC-TV News 13, is recovering from surgery following a bicycling accident on Saturday. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| back to top |
| Monday, June 29, 2009Saga Communications Norfolk Operations Manager Mike Beck announced to staff late last week that part-timer Pat Banks has been upped to full-time status... beginning today. Banks will be doing news for Classic Hits "106.9 The Fox" WAFX, producing the public affairs programming for the cluster (WNOR/98.7, WAFX/106.9, WJOI/1230), helping out in the production department and filling in for vacations.
Beck said of Banks, "For more than ten years on the TCI staff, Pat has been one of our most dependable, flexible and versatile employees. We are fortunate to have someone with the work ethic, talent and experience that Pat brings."
| back to top |
| Monday, June 29, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... After her show Friday night at Celebrate Virginia Live in Fredericksburg, Jo Dee Messina surprised fans with a 40 minute acoustic set at the WFLS’s after show party at Bailey’s Grille and Pub.
Club DJ’s quickly rigged a sound system for Jo Dee and her band, and approximately 400 club goers were treated to a bonus set of many of her hits.
| back to top |
| Monday, June 29, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Congratulations go out to Brian Weigand and Mari White, the dynamic duo on The MorningLine, the live, four hour morning show on NewsTalk 105.9, WLNI, in Lynchburg, VA. On June 26, 2009, The Virgina Association of Broadcasters recognized The MorningLine the Best Large Market Morning Show in Virginia.WLNI is the only 24 hour FM news and talk station in the Lynchburg market and also carries Neal Boortz, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Clark Howard, Mark Levin and George Noory, as well as weekend favorites, Glen Beck, Kim Komando, Leo LaPorte and Gary Sullivan.
WLNI is also the Lynchburg affiliate for Virginia Tech Sports and the Washington Redskins.
| back to top |
| Monday, June 29, 2009Former LIN TV WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth and Local TV LLC "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk anchor/reporter Les Smith was recently picked up as a reporter for "News 12 New Jersey," Cablevision's cable-only news channel in New York-New Jersey-Connecticut.
The Newport News native spent 22 years at "Wavy" before quitting the station in late April 2007. Exactly one year later, Smith was picked up at WTKR but his tenure there lasted less than two months when he abruptly quit that station.
Again, one year later, Smith is now a reporter covering the New Jersey State House for "News 12." Before "News 12," Smith did freelance anchoring for the all pets related zootoo.com website.
| back to top |
| Sunday, June 28, 2009Even his harshest critics would have to admit that it's hard to imagine sports talk radio in Hampton Roads without Tony Mercurio. (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)
| back to top |
| Wednesday, June 25, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... 92.9 The Wave (WVBW-FM) is saddened by the news of the passing of the legendary Michael Jackson. In order to remember and celebrate his life and the musical talents Michael shared with the world, 92.9 The Wave honors "The King of Pop" with a Michael Jackson More Music Weekend. (read more - 92-9 The Wave, WVBW) | back to top |
Pop icon Michael Jackson passed away today at the age of 50... (6/25/2009) | back to top |
| Wednesday, June 25, 2009
On April 16, 2007, photographer Alan Kim of the Roanoke Times snapped a photo of Kevin Sterne as four police officers hurriedly carried him from Virginia Tech’s Norris Hall after Seung-Hui Cho committed the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. (read more - Virginia Tech) | back to top |
ION Media changes the call letters of WPXV-DT/49 Norfolk to "WPXV-TV" and WPXR-DT/38 Roanoke to "WPXR-TV." Belo Broadcasting changes the call letters of WVEC-DT/13 Hampton to "WVEC" (6/24/2009) | back to top |
Verizon now offers up to 130 High-Def Channels depending on market
| Wednesday, June 24, 2009The game of high-definition leapfrog continues, with Verizon Communications announcing the addition of six new high-definition channels from Viacom's MTV Networks' stable to FiOS TV. (read more - Multichannel News)
| back to top |
| Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Don't tell the kids, but Dora the Explorer is right here in Virginia Beach. At least her voice is. "Dora," along with shows such as "Cash Cab" and the A&E "Biography" series, video games such as "Gears of War" and some popular radio jingles are all clients and products of Studio Center: Total Production... (read more - The Virginian-Pilot) | back to top |
Centennial Broadcasting's "NewsTalk 105.9" WLNI Lynchburg added talker Rush Limbaugh to its on-air line-up today at noon... (6/22/2009) | back to top |
| Monday, June 22, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Effective Sunday, June 28th, at 10:30 a.m., "Smart Money Solutions" is moving to WLEE NewsTalk 990 AM. Many will remember WLEE as one of Central Virginia's oldest and best known radio stations featuring national personalities like Dennis Miller, Don Imus and Dr. Laura Schlessinger.NewsTalk 990 is also the "home" of Richmond's own Harvey Hudson / Passing Parade.
| back to top |
| Monday, June 22, 2009
Verizon FiOS continues creating the ultimate broadband and home-entertainment experience by introducing on Monday (June 22) new, faster broadband speeds - both downstream and upstream - for the most popular FiOS Internet services. (read more - Verizon) | back to top |
WAVY tops Virginia's biggest DMA
| Monday, June 22, 2009
The Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News market, collectively known as Hampton Roads, is comprised of distinctive cities, each with a unique history. It also has an extraordinarily large military population, with hubs such as Langley Air Force Base and Naval Station Norfolk. (read more - Broadcasting & Cable) | back to top |
Richmond is included for reception issues with NBC12
| Friday, June 19, 2009The FCC says that by the end of the week it will have engineers in Baltimore, Nashville, Raleigh, N.C.; Rochester, N.Y.; Miami, and Richmond, Va., to help stations who have asked it for assistance, either with DTV consumer outreach or technical issues with signal reception. (read more - Broadcasting & Cable)
| back to top |
| Friday, June 19, 2009Cox Communications customers now have access to new HD channels, including two new family friendly high-definition channels with the addition of Disney Channel HD and ABC Family HD to Cox's lineup. (read more - FOX Business)
| back to top |
|