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 :// Last hole gets filled Entercom Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ/104.5 Norfolk has announced that Nikki Lane has accepted the open midday slot (10AM-3PM). She'll begin her full-time duties tomorrow, May 1. The station's new on-air line-up is now complete:
10AM-3PM - Nikki Lane (new) 3-7PM - Mike Klein (from nights) 7PM-midnight - Justin "The New Guy" Wright (from CHR "K92" WXLK Roanoke) :// Zak Tyler gets midday gig at Eagle, new night jock opening   A brand new classified ad has come into VARTV. Barnstable Broadcasting's Country "97-3 The Eagle" WGH Newport News-Norfolk has shifted night jock Zak Tyler to the midday slot vacated by Nikki Landry. She bolted for Entercom's Country WBEE Rochester NY. Tyler starts his new shift on Monday. This means the night shift (7PM-midnight) is wide-open at Eagle. By the way, Diane Letterman was filling in for middays and will continue on a part-time basis with Barnstable. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (4/30/04):// BOB looking for help A brand new classified ad has come into VARTV. Sinclair Communications' Adult Hits "106.1 Bob FM" WPYA Poquoson is looking for a co-host for a hot, new morning show plus seeking part-time airstaff. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (4/30/04) :// Free help A brand new classified ad has come into VARTV. Henrico Country Public Schools have students that would love to intern at a media outlet -- for free. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading (4/30/04) :// Many upset over radio host calling meeting ''Freak Show'' Many in Lynchburg say a radio talk show personality has crossed the line. You remember that big public forum in Lynchburg earlier this month to discuss the budget? People with disabilities came out in force, to lobby for public transportation. Wednesday, WLNI's Brian Weigand referred to it on the air as a - quote - “freak show.” That has some in the disabled community asking for an apology. The whole story can be found on ABC13's website -- wset.com..... (4/30/04)  A brand new classified ad has come into VARTV. Matt Nicholls is helping a new LPFM get on the air in Henrico County. Equipment and expertise are needed. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading (4/30/04):// Another Mid Atlantic Network sweep for VAB's "Best Morning Show" award Baxter, Heather and Robert at Fredericksburg's popular "B101.5 Breakfast Flakes" WBQB and Joe Sanchez of Winchester's "Real Classic Rock" 104.9/105.5, again swept the Best Morning Show nominations for the upcoming VAB Awards. Both stations are owned by Mid Atlantic Network. Who's #1 and #2 will be decided June 25th at the VAB Awards ceremony held in Virginia Beach..... (4/30/04) :// Mikenna back with Clear Channel... Miami?  Mikenna formally of CHR "Q94" WRVQ (Wicker in the Morning) and defunct Rocker "XL102" WRXL (Jeff and Jeff) has left Clear Channel Richmond for better scenery and weather to join the family of Clear Channel Miami Alternative "94.9 ZETA" WZTA. Miami is Market #12. Along with 94.9 ZETA, Mikenna will be at Metro Networks Miami as a Traffic Anchor. Mikenna was last heard with WRVQ and WRVA in 2003, as the afternoon show producer on "NewsRadio 1140" WRVA, and had also done mornings and weekends at Q94..... (4/30/04):// "Q94 is dead. Listen today at 5 for details..." That's the promo CC CHR "Q94" WRVQ Richmond is running after every song that's played on air. Is Q94 going anywhere? We doubt it. Stay tuned at 5..... (4/30/04) :// WWBT ran a package on WRLH's Fox News at 10 about Q94 In the package, "NBC12" WWBT Richmond interviewed Betty Bodine who stated she wished Clear Channel had given them one more week, so their sign off would be at the same time with the sitcom "Friends" that way she said, people would remember the two events. OK... Bodine also told Channel 12 that despite being let go from Q94, she might end up on another Richmond radio station. Bodine had been at WRVQ for 21 years, including 10 years with Billy Surf (2 of which they shared together in the morning drive). Travis Dylan, former afternooner on Q, told WWBT he has had offers both here in VA and other markets on the East Coast..... (4/30/04) :// Ex-WAVY anchor now on CBN Former WAVY-TV Norfolk news anchor Carolyn Castleberry has landed a job with the Christian Broadcasting Network. Castleberry began work this week as a producer and on-air personality with "Living the Life," a half-hour magazine-style program geared to women. It airs locally at 9:30 a.m. weekdays on the ABC Family Channel, Cox Channel 19. "It came out of the blue," said Castleberry about the new job offer. "CBN called the same day I got on my knees and prayed for God's guidance." From 1990 until March of this year, Castleberry worked as co-anchor of WAVY's noon and 5:30 p.m. newscasts. She decided to leave after the NBC station told her they were taking her off the noon newscast and offering her a pay cut. Castleberry will be developing features for "Living the Life" on topics such as family life, health and beauty, and financial issues for women. The new job will allow Castleberry and her family to stay in Hampton Roads. Source: David Nicholson/Daily Press..... (4/30/04) :// Wavy's new on-air look A badly needed overhaul of LIN TV WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth/Norfolk on-air graphics happened today with the station's noon newscast. Also new is the station ID package..... (4/29/04) :// Massive changes at Q94; Surf, Betty Bodine, Travis Dylan and Jake Glenn all fired New PD, APD to do wake-ups plus a new MD  Massive changes at Clear Channel CHR "Q94" WRVQ/94.5 Richmond which has hired veteran programmer and air talent Wayne Coy as its new PD/morning man, beginning today. He's replacing PD/morning man Billy Surf. Also joining Coy as morning co-host is new APD Darrin Stone, in-bound from KZPT Tucson. They worked together at CHR "Sweet 98" KQKQ Omaha NE and WABB Mobile AL for many years. Current WRVQ morning co-host Melissa Chase remains aboard and will join Coy and Stone on Monday, while Betty Bodine exits.Other changes include new MD/afternooner Jonathan Reed (formerly with WZEE Madison WI, KSLZ St Louis, WABB and WDBT Jackson MS) replacing Travis Dylan. New to nights at Q94 is WZEE APD/Promotion Dir Joey Hoops, who will replace Jake Glenn. Hoops starts May 24. Jason Page remains in middays, as does late nighter Kirby Carmichael. Coy said, "I'm happy to be returning to Virginia and stoked about the team that we have built to return this great set of call letters to the top. Q94 has been a major part of Richmond's culture for a long time and we intend to keep it that way. This is gonna be fun". Clear Channel RVP/Virginia trading area and Richmond Market Manager Ruth Jones adds, "Wayne is the perfect choice for this situation. His winning track record as a programmer and personality was key. We're all looking forward to the future under his leadership". Surf told AllAccess.com, "WRVQ-Q94 was such a pleasure to program. I grew up listening to this station as I traveled from DC to Tampa on summer vacation as a kid. I will miss the great people I've worked with over the last 3 years and wish Wayne Coy and his new staff the best. Q94 is such an incredible radio station to have been a part of. I was blown away by all the calls and e-mails I received today and am very lucky to have so many wonderful friends in this business. I have a few things already on the table and am looking forward to my new challenge. I think I'll sleep in past 4:30 tomorrow morning." Source: AllAccess.com..... (4/29/04) :// WSKY-DT digital channel will be Channel 4  Sky Television, headed up by Glenn Holterhaus, has filed an application with the FCC for a CP (Construction Permit) for a digital TV station. WSKY-DT will be on Channel 4. Interestingly, the antenna will be located in Moyock NC, just over the Virginia line -- the same tower that Sinclair Country "93-7 Kick-FM" WKCK uses. This is a good distance from its COL (Community of License) of Manteo. But the digital station's 35 dBu coverage line does encompass the town -- barely. WSKY-DT will broadcast on Channel 4 at just 10kW at 899 feet but will cover all of Hampton Roads including Williamsburg, Eastville and past Franklin and Wakefield to the west. Is this application in anticipation of the analog to digital TV transition or will WSKY become a digital only station -- turning in its analog license. Stay tuned..... (4/29/04):// Tanglewood Mall ex-merchant sues over WSLS story It is the second lawsuit filed this year against "NewsChannel 10" WSLS (NBC). Both identify John Adams, who no longer works at the station, as a defendant. WSLS-TV's "Problem Solvers" segment is causing a legal problem for the television station. A former Tanglewood Mall kiosk operator claims in a lawsuit filed in Roanoke Circuit Court that Channel 10 lied about his business and broadcast a telephone conversation with him after he asked a reporter not to air it. Harry Patrick Frizzell, acting as his own attorney, is asking for $500,000 from station owner Media General, the station itself, reporter John Adams and anchorman John Carlin. He claims defamation and breach of privacy in the lawsuit, filed Friday. Tad Dickens of the Roanoke Times has the whole story..... (4/29/04) :// New station takes calls Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corp's new station in Heathsville/89.1 on the Northern Neck takes the WCNV call letters. It will be a directional Class A doing 5kW at 305 feet. WCNV will be a satellite of WCVE-FM. The FCC has waived the "main studio rule" for the station. That rules states that the main studio must be located either (1) within a station’s principal community contour; (2) within the contour of any other broadcast station licensed to its community; or (3) within 25 miles of the center of its community. WCNV doesn't fill any of those requirements. WCNV's call letters were effective on April 27..... (4/29/04) :// LIN going company-wide with delay  It seems that "Live at Five" or similar statements won't apply anymore to newscasts at LIN Television. LIN owns WAVY-TV/DT Portsmouth and WVBT-TV/DT Virginia Beach. The company has ordered video delay equipment from Prime Image for all 24 of its stations - - an investment totaling about $200,000. The equipment will provide delays of three-to-five seconds in live news so producers can dump anything which might run afoul of the FCC's crackdown on indecency. Such systems were selling like hotcakes last week in Las Vegas, and have been since the Super Bowl controversy, but it appears that LIN is the first group to mandate delay usage on all live news segments. The reason is simple. CEO Gary Chapman says he doesn't want to risk a half-million-dollar fine. "Obviously it's going to take some learning on our part to produce this thing and use it effectively, but the law's the law and unfortunately this is! the [FCC's] interpretation even on live news broadcasts, which adds a new degree of complexity to the news presentation," Chapman told TVBR. Asked whether it would require additional personnel to monitor the delay equipment, he said that will vary from station to station. Source: Television Business Report..... (4/28/04):// WFLS still #1, WTOP soars Arbitron released the Winter Book for Fredericksburg yesterday. As usual, Free Lance-Star Country WFLS was on top. Second was Mid Atlantic Network Hot AC "B101.5" WBQB, 3rd Bonneville News WTOP-AM/FM which almost doubled their Fall numbers. 4th was Free Lance-Star Alternative WYSK/99.3 and 5th ABC "Smooth Jazz 105.9" WJZW. Other market notables... tied at 6th (five total stations) Telemedia "Oldies 95-9" WGRQ, sister Country "Thunder 104.5" WGRX and Free Lance-Star "Classic Rock 96-9" WWUZ, tied at 16th was Mid Atlantic Network "NewsTalk 1230" WFVA and MainQuad Country WJMA/98.9 (now WCUL and off-the-air) and tied at 23rd with six other stations was Piedmont Communications' Country WCUL/103.1 (now WJMA)..... (4/28/04) :// Major Miller to exit Barnstable's Traffic Reporter/On-Air Personality Clay "Major" Miller will be exiting the cluster. Miller is heading back to his hometown of Duncan Oklahoma to be closer to his family. Retired from the Navy after 22 years, Miller "ended" up in Hampton Roads. With his exit, the Cluster is looking for someone to fill his shoes. Fire off your tapes & resumes or MP3's to John Shomby. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. And remember, if your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (4/28/04) :// Entercom's equipping all its music stations with RDS capability  That allows stations to send info about artist and song title to RDS-equipped radios -- and many of today's new vehicles come RDS-capable. Entercom's David Field tells his conference call that the idea with RDS and other tech improvements like HD Radio is to "enhance the listening experience." Entercom has a four-station cluster in Hampton Roads -- WWDE, WVKL, WPTE and WNVZ -- which all are using RDS. Source: InsideRadio..... (4/27/04):// WZFM Narrows is NOT gone... yet VARTV reported back on April 12 that the FCC has cancelled WZFM/101.3 Narrows VA license and deleted its call letters for a lack of a broadcast signal for more than 12 consecutive months. Over the last several years the station has had anemic broadcasts -- basically to satisfy FCC rules. Well, the owners, Old Dominion Communications, have filed a petition for reconsideration with the FCC. The want their license renewed and call letters reinstated. Time will tell if that is granted. They were granted a CP (Construction Permit) to increase their coverage area but never got it off the ground due to site problems. WZFM's signal generally covered a very economically-challenged area between Blacksburg and Bluefield VA..... (4/27/04) :// Delilah set to delight Premiere? Rumors were swirling throughout the industry yesterday that after nearly nine years with Jones Radio Networks, syndicated AC goddess Delilah is ready to join rival Premiere Radio Networks by inking a multimillion dollar deal with the Clear Channel-owned syndication company. While Premiere execs had no comment on the matter at this time, Jones EVP/COO Jim LaMarca told ST, "We don't comment on rumors, and that item is a rumor." LaMarca promised to have more info as the week progressed. Delilah is heard on about a million radio stations across the US. Source: Radio & Records..... (4/27/04) :// "Oldies" is gone from 92.9  Well, the word "Oldies." The Barnstable Broadcasting property is now referring to itself as simply "92-9 WFOG." The "Oldies 92-9" is still in their legal ID. From what we can tell, the format hasn't been tweaked. There is a trend around the country for Oldies formatted stations to drop references to "decades" or the word "oldies" altogether i.e. "The Greatest Hits of the 60s & 70s," or "Great Times, Great Oldies." The reasoning is simple -- to alienate the least amount of the potential listening audience as possible. A source close to the station says the logo will remain as will "Motown, Soul and Great Rock 'n Roll"..... (4/27/04):// Is 8's logo getting a makeover?  By going to WRIC.com it looks like they are going to be changing the "8" logo. It appears that Young Broadcasting's ABC affiliate will still be branded as "8 News" but the 8 is now in a square instead of a circle. This change has not occurred on air yet, except for a weather special they aired last week which also carried the 8 in a square logo. Raycom's "CBS6" WTVR went through something similiar last fall when the new brand -- CBS6 -- appeared on their website WTVR.com before on-air..... (4/27/04):// Position available in Richmond A brand new classified ad has come into VARTV. Clear Channel Richmond is looking for a Full-time on-air Traffic Reporter for their entire six-station cluster. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (4/26/04)  A brand new classified ad has come into VARTV. Hampton Roads Radio Group (Barnstable Broadcasting) is looking for a Full-time Traffic Reporter for the entire cluster plus a weekend shift at one of their properties. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (4/26/04):// Jon Barry doing mornings  Jon Barry is now doing mornings at Cox Radio Soft AC "Mix 103-7" WMXB. He was previously heard in the afternoons on the now defunct Hot AC "B103." Barry is not new to mornings, back in the 80s, he was part of the old "Q Morning Zoo" on crosstown CHR "Q94"WRVQ. Interestingly, just last week, an ad for a new morning show host for "Mix 103-7" was placed in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Is Barry getting a try-out? Is he permanent? Stay tuned. The rest of the line-up is Sherri Blanks, back in the midday shift, Tim Baldwin, aka Timmy B from his B103 days, is holding down the afternoon drive and Dave Weaver is now on at nights -- 7PM-midnight..... (4/26/04):// Kiss' new on-air line-up  The recently reimaged Urban AC "105.3 Kiss FM" WKUS (previously known as "Vibe 105.3" WSVY) has their new on-air schedule locked in. This is how it looks... Weekdays: 6-10AM - Tom Joyner Morning Show 10AM-3PM - Karla Fox 3-7PM - Big Dose (from 103Jamz/WOWI) 7-10PM - Jerry Carter's "Quiet Storm" 10PM-2AM - Al B Sure's "Secret Garden"
Eric Mychaels, Director Operations/PD for WOWI/WKUS told UrbanInsite "Big Dose's creativity and style will be a great addition to the KISS lineup." About EJ's promotion, Mychaels added, "EJ has worked very hard and is very deserving of this new opportunity." (4/26/04) :// 6 gets new ND Raycom Media "CBS6" WTVR has named Rick Howard as its new ND (News Director). Howard most recently was ND at Emmis' "Koin 6" KOIN/CBS Portland OR and replaces Mark Neerman. Neerman exited Channel 6 for a similar position at Meredith's "FOX 5" KVVU Las Vegas. KOIN ranked third (neck-in-neck with second) in all of the latest the newscasts ratings in market #24. Richmond/Petersburg is #58. Ironically (or not), WTVR's Peter Maroney, the new GM, also came from KOIN..... (4/26/04) :// LPTV gets big power hike JBS Inc's WYSJ-CA/19 Yorktown VA has been granted by the FCC to increase its power from 690 watts to 150,000 watts. To protect the new Channel 19 in Charlottesville, the station will use a directional antenna and will reduce its power by half towards the new station. Right now, WYSJ does NBC's ShopNBC shopping channel..... (4/22/04) :// Adelphia may go up for sale  Beleaguered cable operator Adelphia Communications said Thursday that it is exploring putting itself up for sale as part of its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The announcement comes amid speculation on Wall Street that a handful of MSOs are eyeing Adelphia and its 5.4 million subscribers in anticipation that the company will be ripe for a sale once it emerges from bankruptcy reorganization. Among those seen as best positioned to make a play for the company are Time Warner Cable and, to a lesser extent, Cox Communications. Comcast is also seen as a potential suitor, though many analysts discount the chances of a Comcast bid given the cable giant's interest in The Walt Disney Co."We were pursuing a plan of reorganization that called for an independent Adelphia because we believed it was in the best interests of our bankruptcy constituents," said Adelphia Chairman and CEO Williams Schleyer. "Increasingly, in our continuing dialogue with constituents after filing the plan, it became clear that a broad range of constituents preferred to allow the market to determine the appropriate value for Adelphia." Adelphia has smaller cable systems throughout Virginia and North Carolina..... (4/22/04) :// Virginia Associated Press Awards The AP awards are May 1 at the Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center -- 7pm. There will also be a series of workshops that afternoon starting at 1pm. · Diversity in the Newsroom – 1pm· How NOT to Get a Job – 2:45 pm · HIPAA – Challenges of New Medical Privacy Rules – 1pm · The 21st Century Newsroom – 2:45pm Those attending only the work shops have to pay $20 – a bargain. Those also attending the awards dinner are charged $10. They are also looking to attract some college students to the 1st and 2nd workshops on the list. There will also be the chance for students to have their tapes critiqued by media professionals. Need more information? Contact Terri Nelson at the AP 1-800-552-9935 or e-mail tnelson@ap.org..... (4/22/04) :// A change in TV news blends reporter and photographer — and saves money It’s 2:30 on a raw spring afternoon, and Jon Burkett, a reporter for WTVR-TV, wrestles Live 3 out of the parking lot behind Channel 6’s Broad Street studio. Live 3 is one of the station’s microwave trucks, equipped for a crew to produce a story in the field and feed it back to the station complete with a live opening and close. But there is no crew. Don Dale of Style Weekly has the rest of this interesting story..... (4/22/04) Jake Glen, Music Director/nights for Clear Channel CHR "Q94" WRVQ Richmond and CHR "93-7 Kiss FM" WAZR Woodstock/Harrisonburg, is this week's "10 Questions With..." feature in the Top 40/Mainstream section on AllAccess.com. Also, Glen plays "10 Questions with..." the Richmond Times-Dispatch in "Player's Corner" in the Flair section. Check them out! (4/22/04):// Coming back for more  Matt Nicholls has re-entered radio by being added to the weekend staff at MainQuad "Oldies 107-3" WBBT//WARV. Nicholls was last heard at former Clear Channel Oldies outlet "Cool 106.5" WRCL (now Urban "106-5 The Beat" WBTJ), as well as several years at Cox Radio's former Hot AC B103" WMXB. Nicholls, who's employed full time in the hotel business, has been a fixture in Richmond radio since 1985 when he did overnights and middays at "K95" WKHK and then later, overnights at Urban "Power 93" (now Power 92-1) WCDX..... (4/22/04):// Bay gets new GM  Oldies "Bay 101.7" WKWI Kilmarnock has announced the appointment of Ms. Charlie Lassiter as its new General Manager. Ms. Lassiter will replace Joseph Patton, who has managed the station for the past three years. Mr. Patton is also one of the partners in Buffalo Broadcasters, Inc. owners of WKWI. "It’s been a great experience" said Patton, "but when we had the opportunity to bring someone with Ms. Lassiter’s experience aboard, I jumped at the chance. Her reputation as a dynamic manager and successful broadcaster is well known in the Tidewater area."Ms. Lassiter joins WKWI from her current position as assistant General Manger of AC "Xtra 99" WXGM Gloucester, where she has been for seven years. "WKWI is one of the Northern Neck’s oldest stations and celebrates its 30th anniversary next year" said Lassiter. "I’m truly looking forward to the fun of helping Bay 101.7 build a great new future." Lassiter's appointment at the radio property was effective April 1st..... (4/21/04) A brand new classified ad has come into VARTV. Two Rivers Communications' newly acquired Oldies "Bay 101.7" WKWI Kilmarnock VA is looking for a Radio Marketer, a Morning Show Host and local News Radio Journalist, all to start in June. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who reading..... (4/21/04):// 12th Annual March of Dimes Walk for Healthy Babies  At 6AM this morning, Jimmy Ray Dunn of Barnstable Country "97-3 The Eagle" WGH and WAVY anchor Kerri Mattson, kicked-off the Virginia Beach/Norfolk WalkAmerica 2004. Dunn and Mattson started their walk this morning on Rte 60 at the Busch Gardens sign and will average 15 miles a day for the next five days. Both personalities will arrive at the 17th Street Park in Virginia Beach at 8AM Sunday April 25 where they will be joined by more than 3,000 volunteers, walkers, families for a 5-mile walk down the Boardwalk. The purpose of this walk is to bring attention to the growing problem of prematurity, and the struggle with chronic or lifelong disabilities in babies..... (4/21/04):// Fire victim support effort went well  Entercom Rhythmic Z104 WNVZ and the American Red Cross joined together to help the 17 displaced families from last Saturday’s TWO alarm fire at the Latitudes Apartments in Virginia Beach (First Colonial Road and Donna Drive). Yesterday afternoon from 2-7PM, Z104’s afternoon drive personality, Mike Klein, broadcasted LIVE from the apartment complex that lost 20 homes to the fire. Z104 and the Red Cross collected food, housewares and monetary donations. New and gently used clothing and toys were accepted for the five children (boys – two 7 year olds and one 3) (girls – one 9 years old and one 11) who lost their homes and all of their possessions.Z104 ended up getting on all on the local TV newscasts, raised more than $3,000 in monetary donations and "tons" of household goods. Commenting on his broadcast yesterday afternoon, Klein expressed relief that no one was hurt as a result of the fire but cautions that the pain suffered by the loss of homes is very real and very devastating. He is happy to lend his time, talent and compassion to his Hampton Roads’ neighbors..... (4/21/04) :// Hampton Roads Lite FM news  Clear Channel's new Soft AC "92-1/107-7 Lite FM" WCDG//WJCD is still looking for a PD/PM driver for the station. The night shift has been filled with Glenn Hollis. His show started last week. Hollis' show which airs seven days a week from 7PM to midnight, is also heard on several other CC stations like WASH/Washington DC, WALK/Long Island and WSNI/Philadelphia...Kat Simons is now doing live contesting on Lite FM as the Hampton Roads phone lines are being transferred to the Richmond studios where she's based so listeners can talk to Kat live. The station is looking to have a toll free number in the next few months..... (4/20/04) :// Jocks to Mix 103-7? That's what we hear. Cox Radio's Soft AC "Mix 103-7" WMXB has been jockless since shifting from a Hot AC format and previously known as "B103." The jocks debut next Monday April 26th..... (4/20/04) :// WTVR anchor back on the big screen... "CBS6" WTVR weekend anchor Ric Young is back on the big screen in the new movie "Mickey" written by Charlottesville resident and writer John Grisham. Young plays the role of a TV reporter (something he has done before in other movies he has been in). The movie was shot over two and a half years ago, but is now just being released. Previews of the movie start tonight in Richmond, and the movie will be open to the public on April 30. The movie stars Harry Connick Jr as the main character..... (4/20/04) VARTV hears that Reporter Ray Daudani at Allbritton Communications "ABC13" WSET Lynchburg could be moving his way to Jefferson Pilot's "NBC12" WWBT Richmond soon..... (4/20/04):// Gospel/Christian music in Hampton Roads Jerome Barber couldn't believe his ears. As he was driving through Richmond, the gospel radio show he was listening to paused for a commercial break. That's when he heard a voice cry out: "Trojan Man!" How could it be? The same station that had been jamming with praise was now selling condoms, Barber said. "It was embarrassing," he said. "I know that radio basically lives and dies on sales … there are some standards you have to have." Barber, pastor of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple in Hampton, said it was a striking illustration of business interests taking precedent over the mission to minister to listeners. It was also an example of what he knew he'd never let happen if he ever ran a station. And now he's been doing just that for about year. Read the entire piece by Michael D Wamble at the Daily Press. A great article..... (4/19/04) :// Ex-Eagle 97 morning man running for Mayor Jay Francis Prendergast, formerly of the Jimmy Ray and Jay show, is running for Mayor of Chesapeake on May 4th. After almost 12 full years as part of the popular Eagle 97 morning show, Jay, a father of four and concerned Chesapeake citizen, is running against eight other candidates for the mayoral position. Check out the Jay for Mayor website at jayformayor.com and/or email Jay at jayformayor@cox.net..... (4/19/04) :// 103Jamz makes changes  Clear Channel Urban "103Jamz" WOWI has made more program changes. The station recently added "Kickin' The Hits with Doug Banks" countdown show Saturday mornings 8-10AM, and "Live in the Den with Big Tigger" Sunday evenings 6-8PM. 103Jamz drops "The CD Go-Go Music Mix" heard Saturday mornings 3-7AM and "The Baka Boyz Hip-Hop Master Mix." A VARTV reader commented that 103Jamz is now almost a splitting image of CC sister "106-5 The Beat" WBTJ Richmond..... (4/19/04):// Star City media news Say goodbye to Lex and Terry. The Jacksonville FL-based radio jocks, semi-famous for their Friday morning radio program in which young women get drunk on the air, will no longer be broadcast on the "The Bear," 105.3 and 106.9 out of the New River Valley, said a show spokesperson. Peter Welpton, director of syndication for the Lex & Terry Morning Radio Network, claimed the show was axed by Cumulus Media of Atlanta due to a long-standing business grudge. "The Bear" was among seven New River Valley stations purchased by Cumulus in January. Once Cumulus bought the New River Valley stations, Welpton said, "I knew our days were numbered there." John Dickey, Cumulus Media EVP (executive vice president,) said that's nonsense. Local ownership remains in charge of "The Bear" until the station license is transferred, which has not happened yet, Dickey said. "I was notified about that show coming off after it happened. It certainly wasn't our decision. Sounds like they've been staying up late at night connecting the wrong dots," he said of Welpton's comments. Lex & Terry are heard in Hampton Roads on Ronn Cowan's Extreme Talk "1450 The Buzz" WBVA... Speaking of getting cancelled, Bob Edwards, the long-time host of National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" news show, will talk about his new book and his life in broadcasting on May 5 at Shaftman Performance Hall in Jefferson Center. Edwards, who hosts the most popular morning radio show in America, has been in the news lately due to NPR's decision to replace him. Edwards will remain with NPR as a senior correspondent. The move has sparked a debate about aging baby boomers in the work force. Edwards, 56, has been host of "Morning Edition" since its inception in 1979. Edwards, whose visit is sponsored by WVTF Public Radio, will discuss his book "Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism." He will talk about stories covered by the legendary Murrow, including the Blitz, bombing raids over Berlin and the Liberation of Buchenwald. Edwards also will reminisce about his own career, answer questions and sign books. Tickets are free, but required. Call 345-2550 or (800) 856-8900. Source: Kevin Kittredge/Roanoke Times..... (4/19/04) :// New GSM announced at Windy 105  Windmill Communications Adult Standards "Windy 105" WNDJ White Stone VA has announced Laurel Taylor, who has previously worked as the Senior Sales Associate at WINDY for a number of years has returned as the station’s new GSM (General Sales Manager) effective immediately. “My job in radio sales was great fun and I’m glad to be back at WINDY105” said Taylor, who has decided to accept the GSM position after having been away from radio advertising sales at WINDY105 for ten months.Mitt Younts, President of Windmill Communications, Inc., the parent company of WINDY 105, is delighted, “Laurel has always had lots of energy and the creativity and a real concern for the success of, not just for our radio station, but for every client. She wants to help businesses understand how to make the best use of radio in reaching their target consumer audience with the best advertising schedule and budget for each one. Her integrity and caring attitude come through to her clients, and we are happy to welcome her back!” (4/19/04) :// NBC to launch digital weather channel  NBC and its affiliates agreed Wednesday to launch The NBC Weather and Alert Channel, the nation's first national digital network. The ad-supported network, broadcast over the local stations' digital signals, will be a 50/50 joint venture between the network and its affiliates. Both will share in the development and operating costs of the channel, also a first in the industry.The concept was hatched a year ago in the NBC Futures Committee, which has been exploring ways for the network and its 215 affiliates to take advantage of the ability of digital TV to broadcast multiple channels. Expected to roll out within the year, the channel will feature local weather segments hosted by the local station's weather team, as well as national and local breaking news. NBC said it expected widespread adoption by more than 92% of its affiliates. Would this spell the end of the "WAVY Weather Station," the local weather forecast loop seen on WAVY-DT and most cable systems? Dang it... Source: MediaWeek..... (4/19/04) :// Eric Turner to exit  Reporter/Anchor Eric Turner of 13NEWS (WVEC) is exiting the station. Turner told WVEC staffers "...confirm one of the worst kept rumors at WVEC, yes, I am in fact leaving to join the US government. I've been offered a job working at the Department of State, basically as a public information officer. It's a great career opportunity for me, and a wonderful chance for my kids to grow up all over the world. I'll be working at embassies, dealing with the media... Not a teary goodbye, at least not yet. I'm not leaving til mid-late June!" Turner just recently received the nod to anchor the10PM LNC5 (co-operation of The Virginian-Pilot, WVEC-TV/DT and Cox Communications) newscast..... (4/19/04) The Greaseman debuts on NASCAR/Oldies "1490 The Outlaw" WLRT Hampton. Grease is now streaming LIVE! on the Internet at 1490theoutlaw.com. Station officials tell VARTV that "...response this morning has been great or as the Grease would say sweeeetttt!" (4/19/04) Dave Greek, who won Y101's DJ contest and a weekend slot on WDYL, is the new night time guy replacing Chris Centore who left back in January..... (4/19/04) WCUL/98.9 Orange is silent today. We hear that the transmitter was turned off at midnight. More to come..... (4/16/04):// Roanoke TV news ratings WDBJ's (7/CBS) bragging rights continue for its 6PM local news slot, which was the state's most-watched local newscast in February for viewers 18 years old or older. In the Roanoke-Lynchburg DMA, WDBJ's 6PM newscast whipped competing efforts by "ABC13" WSET and "NewsChannel 10" WSLS (NBC). Read the latest from the Roanoke Times on how all the stations fared..... (4/15/04) :// Yet another RDS update Barnstable Broadcasting's Country "97-3 The Eagle" WGH has started using RDS. The entire cluster on the FM side is now utilizing it. Just two commercial Hampton Roads radio stations don't use RDS -- BBN's religious WYFI/99.7 and On Top Urban "Hot 102.1/107.9" WWHV//WWBR. Why did RDS take off so fast here? (4/14/04) Rich Creeger, APD/MD/Mornings at Free Lance-Star "Classic Rock 96.9" WWUZ, is this week's "10 Questions With..." feature in the Rock section on AllAccess.com. Check it out! (4/14/04):// 2WD has a new website Entercom's Mainstream AC "2WD" WWDE has unveiled a brand new website at 2wd.com. First MediaWorks produced the new site. Looking through the site, we stumbled on the fact that "NewsChannel 3" WTKR Sports Director Ted Alexander has two on-air shifts at 2WD. Who knew..... (4/14/04) :// Major ruling made on long-standing applications Multiple competing applications were filed in late 1997 and through 1998 for a new NCE (Noncommercial Educational/88.1~91.9) radio station at 89.1. The groups that filed were Delmarva Educational Association, American Family Association (AFA), Broadcasting for the Challenged, By the Cape Broadcasting, Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation (CPBC), Educational Media Corporation (EMC), Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association (WHRO-TV/DT, WHRO-FM, WHRV), Mary V Harris Foundation, and Stockton Christian Life College. To keep a long story short, it has been agreed that CPBC can modify its license for WCVE (88.9) to increase its power from 8.3kW to 17.5kW. Obviously this increases the station's coverage -- good news for them. Also, CPBC is granted a brand new station in Heathsville VA, on the Northern Neck, at 89.1. It will be a Class A doing 5kW at 305 feet. This new station will be a satellite of WCVE-FM. The FCC has waived the "main studio rule" for 89.1/Heathsville. That rules states that the main studio must be located either (1) within a station’s principal community contour; (2) within the contour of any other broadcast station licensed to its community; or (3) within 25 miles of the center of its community. 89.1/Heathsville doesn't fill any of those requirements. Finally, a brand new station has been granted to Delmarva Educational Association -- they also run "K-Love" WAZP/90.7 Cape Charles -- at 89.1/Cheriton (four miles NE of Cape Charles). 89.1/Cheriton will be a directional Class B doing 20kW at 449 feet -- protection given to the NE and North and some protection to the South. This station will be receivable in the immediate Hampton Roads area. The antenna will be located with sister station WAZP/90.7. All of the other applications will be dismissed. The entire ruling can be found at fcc.gov.... (4/13/04) :// Former WJCD PD lands gig in NY Larry "Le Kool" Hollowell, the former MD (Music Director) of CC Smooth Jazz "CD 107.7" WJCD, has landed similiar duties as the MD of Nextstar Media Communications' Smooth Jazz format. He will now be based in New York City on West 64th. Hollowell was let go at WJCD in late February when CC Norfolk eventually dumped the NAC/Smooth Jazz format on 107.7 for a Soft AC "Lite FM" simulcast with blown-up Hip-Hop "92.1 The Beat" WBHH. Hollowell starts at Nextstar on April 27..... (4/13/04) :// New reporter in F-burg A new voice was added to the news team at Free Lance-Star's WFLS/WYSK/WWUZ cluster starting yesterday. Kathy Stewart takes on part-time reporting duties, but was heard anchoring the afternoon newscasts on classic rocker WWUZ yesterday afternoon filling in for Niche Herman. Niche is anchoring mornings this week while Bob Jones is on vacation. Stewart who joined the Fredericksburg radio trio also does free lance TV news production work in Northern Virginia. She also has a regional Emmy on her mantel at home from work she did while in Philadelphia..... (4/13/04) :// Richmond TV news Chip Tarkenton returned on air today at Young Broadcasting's "8 News" WRIC (ABC). He was away from the station for over a year and a half. For now, Tarkenton is anchoring mornings and the noon newscast until this summer when he resumes the Sports Director's role. Also at 8, the new AM/noon Meteorologist Matt DiNardo made his first appearance..... (4/12/04) :// WZFM Narrows is gone Permanently... The FCC has silenced WZFM/101.3 Narrows VA for a lack of a broadcast signal for more than 12 consecutive months. The station had been silent on and off for awhile now. At one time, the Old Dominion Communications' station was doing Oldies. They were even granted a CP (Construction Permit) to increase their coverage area but never got it off the ground. WZFM's signal generally covered a very economically-challenged area between Blacksburg and Bluefield VA..... (4/12/04) Happy 8th Birthday to my daughter Hunter Alexis! (4/12/04):// Suffolk gets new radio station A 10 watt translator... Radio Assist Ministry was granted a CP (Construction Permit) for the signal at 97.7. From our understanding, Radio Assist Ministry is made up of current/past members of the Calvary Chapel in Twin Falls ID. The call letters for the translator is W249BH..... (4/12/04) :// Morning show out Jerry Lee Scott & The Wolf were let go from Oldies "Bay 101.7" WKWI Kilmarnock this past Friday April 10. The reason wasn't disclosed. Scott also served as the station's Program Director. By the way, the sale of WKWI to Two Rivers Communications from Buffalo Broadcasters was effective April 1..... (4/12/04) :// Save Bob in Williamsburg  The FCC recently "accepted for filing" a translator at 106.1 from the New Covenant Educational Ministries to be licensed to Williamsburg. This group is one of many headed up by Nancy Epperson. They propose a 30 watt (at 92') translator for Williamsburg, if granted would knock out the signal from newly moved Sinclair Communication's Adult Hits "106.1 Bob FM" WPYA Poquoson. Epperson wants to relay Christian "K-Love" WAZP/90.7 Cape Charles, another Epperson property, on the 106.1 translator. The folks at Sinclair have taken the "fight" to their website at bob-fm.com. They're asking listeners in the Williamsburg area to "fill in" a petition on the website with their name, address and phone number to be sent off to the Commissioner of the FCC -- Michael Powell -- to deny this application.VARTV observation... NCEM (New Covenant Educational Ministries) applied for this signal BEFORE the proposed changes and eventual move of WEXM (now WPYA) from Exmore to Poquoson. In the NCEM's Allocation Analysis, there's no mention of a 106.1 signal in Poquoson, just the translator's protection of WEXM's 54dbu contours when it was located on the Eastern Shore. The radio landscape has changed since. Is the proposed translator still outside all of WPYA's protected contours??? That's very hard to believe but Sinclair isn't taking any chances. We believe the translator will not be granted. Stay tuned..... (4/11/04) :// New reporter joins 13NEWS  WVEC (13/ABC) welcomes reporter Wayne Carter to the 13NEWS team. He will be joining WVEC from Hearst-Argyle's "ABC16" WAPT-TV in Jackson MS where he's been the past two years. Carter has also done time in Rochester at WOKR-TV, Washington DC, Syracuse, and at Belo sister station "CBS4" WWL in his hometown of New Orleans. Carter will begin on nights at WVEC in late April..... (4/10/04) :// Richmond February TV sweeps in April; 12 still dominates From today's Richmond Times-Dispatch... WTVR-Channel 6 (CBS) showed several small but significant ratings gains in its local newscasts during February, solidifying its news as the second-most watched in the area. Or at least that's the result of Nielsen Media Research's findings for February, one of four ratings sweeps a year. WWBT (12/NBC) still dominates local newscasts with the exception of the noon broadcast. Both WTVR and WWBT increased their share of viewers during the 6 a.m. news, supporting the national trend of more viewers tuning to the news earlier in the day. WWBT's afternoon newscasts of 4, 5 and 5:30 p.m. led their time periods, whether competing with other newscasts or syndicated fare. Oprah Winfrey's show on WRIC-Channel 8 (ABC) was a strong second place from 5 to 6 p.m. WRLH-Channel 35's (FOX) 10 p.m. newscast garnered a healthy 6 rating and 9 share..... (4/9/04) :// Greaseman to be heard in Hampton Roads  NASCAR/Oldies "1490 The Outlaw" WLRT Hampton has announced it will start carrying "The Greaseman Show" live beginning April 19. The Greaseman’s daily show will air LIVE Monday through Friday 6–10AM on WLRT/1490 and on racetalklive.com. WLRT Operations Manager Chuck Hall says, "The Greaseman will add even more depth to a unique programming philosophy at the station... (t)he Greaseman’s blend of humor and intelligent satire should fit nicely with our pledge of bringing our listeners a mix of GOOD TIME OLDIES & NASCAR, that is different from other radio choices in the area"..... (4/8/04):// Another RDS update Looks like Barnstable Broadcasting's "Oldies 92-9" WFOG has started using RDS though very intermittent. We only saw one artist and title of track name come up - Rolling Stones "Satisfaction." Only three commercial Hampton Roads radio stations don't use RDS -- BBN's religious WYFI/99.7, Barnstable's Country "97-3 The Eagle" WGH and On Top Urban "Hot 102.1/107.9" WWHV//WWBR..... (4/8/04) A brand new classified ad has come into VARTV. Piedmont Communications is looking for an Afternoon Drive Announcer for their station(s) in the Orange/Culpeper/Louisa market.. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You'd be surprised who reading..... (4/8/04):// Z104, the one in Hampton Roads, gets new night jock Justin "The New Guy" Wright, the night jock at Mel Wheeler CHR "K92" WXLK/92.3 Roanoke, is now voicetracking nights for Entercom Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ. Wright will leave "K92" permanently and will do live shows on "Z104" beginning June 28. Wright replaces longtime night slammer Mike Klein who will now battle Herkules at On Top Urban "Hot 102.1/107.9" WWHV//WWBR and The Boodah Brothers on CC Urban "103Jamz" WOWI. Klein replaced longtime APD/MD/Imaging Director Jay West in the afternoons. That leaves the midday shift still open at WNVZ. Speaking of Imaging, Wright also picks up those duties left by West's departure..... (4/8/04):// 104 segues back to Z104  Bonneville Modern AC "104" WWZZ/WWVZ reverts back to its original name of "Z104." Everything else remains the same including format except Erin Carman is out from the morning show. The new web address for the station is z104radio.com. The new "Version 4.0" was unveiled at 8AM. This is how it happened..... (4/8/04):// Lite stretches its lead in Richmond  The Arbitron Winter Phase II ratings for Richmond were released yesterday morning. This period covers December, January and February. On top was CC Soft AC "Lite 98" WTVR, almost 4 points ahead of Cox Radio Country "K95" WKHK. Wonder why Cox blew up "B103" for "Mix 103-7?" Third was CC Urban "106.5 The Beat" WBTJ. The Beat is ALL alone at third and just one full point out from second. Fourth was a tie between Radio One Urban "Power 92-1" and Urban AC "104.7 Kiss FM" WKJS. Sixth was CC "NewsRadio 1140" WRVA, 7th Classic Rock "96.5 The Planet" WKLR. Radio One's Gospel "Praise 99-3" WPZZ shoots up to 8th, 9th was Cox Radio former Hot AC "B103" WMXB and 10th was CC CHR "Q94" WRVQ. "Q94" could end up lower than they did in the Fall's final book. Other notables, MainQuad "Oldies 107-3" WBBT/WARV sours to the low 3s, probably the highest rating ever for that frequency and ties Radio One's Urban Oldies "Majic 105.7" WJMO which sinks. Surprisingly, RadioRichmond's recently converted Spanish "Selecta 1320" WVNZ wasn't even rated in the last book. It is now in the mid-2s just one-tenth of a point behind tied Cox Radio Alternative "Y101" WDYL and CC Alternative "102.1 The X" WRXL. Over at MainQuad, getting the new WCUL/98.9 on the air in Richmond isn't the only thing on their minds. "Smooth Jazz 93.1" WJZV continues to slide, now into the high 1's. They might not get a "2" when the final book is released early next month..... (4/8/04):// The Buzz announces new on air lineup, Don & Mike stay Hot/Extreme Talk "1450 The Buzz" WBVA Bayside (Virginia Beach) has announced a new on air lineup. The station was carrying some FOX Sports programs but those are eventually shifting to Barnstable Broadcasting's "FOX Sports Radio 1050" WCMS by May 1. The new weekday lineup:
10A-3PM All Comedy Radio Mid Days (new network picks up another affiliate) 3-7PM Don and Mike 7-10PM Tom Leykis 10PM-1AM Phil Hendrie 1-6AM John and Jeff :// The Jerry Lee Scott Band website is launched  Locals in the Hampton Roads area have no doubt heard of the Jerry Lee Scott Band. The band has been playing in this area for over 32 years... since 1972. Jerry Lee is a longtime veteran of broadcast radio as well, having served positions at many stations including GM/CEO of "Sunny Country" WPTG/107.9 Williamsburg, WMBG, WKEZ, WBYM and WLRT. Recently, he programmed WKWI/101.7 and served as morning host in Kilmarnock. The Jerry Lee Scott Band is a multi-talented group of musicians that play everything from Southern Rock to Country and Oldies. Many times they can be found at local Moose Lodges and outdoor events in the area. Their new website, still in the building/design stage, is temporarily located at wakeup.to/jerryleescott. "The permanent hosting and domain name are being purchased now," reports David Lyons, who worked several years as Production Director with Scott at WBYM and is handling the site launch. "The website has a full listing of Jerry's appearances, so with a simple click on the computer you can find out the times and dates, and even a map locater to give you directions," reports Lyons. "Those looking for a terrific band for their live entertainment should email the Band for Booking information: jerryleescottband@yahoo.com, or melanie_tony@cox.net." (4/7/04) Mike Klein, Music Coordinator and afternoon jock at Entercom Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ, is this week's "10 Questions With..." feature on AllAccess.com. Check it out! (4/6/04):// Fitzpatrick tapped for public-TV position Bev Fitzpatrick is making a career move again, and this time he says the job found him. Fitzpatrick will soon become the executive vice president and assistant general manager of Roanoke-based Blue Ridge Public Television - also known as WBRA-TV. Fitzpatrick, a member of Roanoke City Council now running for re-election, is currently chairman of the station's board of directors. He said he'll resign that volunteer post as of April 16 and begin his new paid role with WBRA shortly after. The rest of the story in the Roanoke Times...... (4/6/04) :// Free Cox High Definition Service Cox Hampton Roads is offering free high definition service through the rest of this year if you sign up by April 30. We are not sure if this includes current HD Service subscribers. The HD tier which includes WTKR-DT, ESPN-HD, WHRO-DT, HBO-HD, Discovery-HD, Showtime-HD and iDEMAND-HD I & II, usually costs $9.95/mo for the converter rental and additional $5.95/mo for Discovery and ESPN. More details at cox.com/hr/hdtv...... (4/6/04) :// MAX FM gets new PD Barnstable Broadcasting has named Jay Slater as the new Program Director for Rock "100.5 MAX FM" WXMM. Slater hails from Saga Communication's Active Rocker "Z95-7" WZZP Clarksville TN. He's a native of Roanoke (his Dad programmed WROV for years - Bart Prater). John Shomby, Director of Programming & Operations, said, "Jay brings the creativity, passion and competitive spirit that 100.5 Max-FM needs on an hourly basis to fight the rock battle (with Saga Active Rock "FM99" WNOR) in Hampton Roads. We are ecstatic to have someone of his caliber join the station." Slater replaces Steve King who bolted to the West Coast to head-up the Clear Channel Bakersfield cluster...... (4/5/04) :// A brand new area website launched  7cities.com (http://www.7cities.com), a new local entertainment web site, went live last week.7cities.com is produced by Tribune Interactive, modeling on similar non-newspaper entertainment sites in Chicago, Orlando and other Tribune Company markets. It combined the local resources of TI's Hampton Roads staff - including a hefty database of local restaurants, bars, nightclubs and other entertainment venues - with entertainment and pop-culture news from Tribune Broadcasting stations (such as KTLA, Los Angeles) and Tribune newspapers (including Newsday, the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and South Florida Sun-Sentinel). "We're not out to be all things to all people the way some web sites attempt to be," said Tom Davidson, TI's Hampton Roads general manager. "We believe the web is like radio - it's at its best when it superserves a chosen audience, and we intend for 7cities.com to become the definitive source for 18-34s trying to decide what to do with their free time." 7cities.com already has a agreement with UPN-27 (WGNT) to help produce and promote UPN Nightside powered by 7cities.com, a weekly entertainment magazine show, and will announce other promotional agreements in coming weeks..... (4/5/04) :// FOX Sports programs dropped from The Buzz Hot/Extreme Talk "1450 The Buzz" WBVA Bayside (Virginia Beach) has dropped the FOX Sports programming it was running in favor of Sporting News Network. The FOX Sports line-up will be heard on Barnstable Broadcasting's WCMS/1050 by May 1st. WCMS is dumping their Classic Country format. No word yet if any other program on The Buzz has been affected i.e. Lex & Terry in the mornings or Don & Mike in the afternoons... Stay tuned..... (4/5/04) :// Edwards fans blast NPR shift I'm bewildered. . . . I don't understand the decision. I was really taken by surprise." That's Bill Miller, GM of Richmond's WCVE-FM, talking about National Public Radio's recent decision to reassign longtime "Morning Edition" host Bob Edwards. Last week, NPR issued a news release stating that Edwards, the award-winning, 30-year NPR veteran broadcaster and host of "Morning Edition" since its debut in 1979, was announcing his departure from the program effective April 30. His new assignment would be senior correspondent for NPR News. The rest of the story is at the Richmond Times-Dispatch..... (4/5/04) Clear Channel's newly reimaged Urban AC "105.3 Kiss FM" WKUS Norfolk has a new web address at 1053kiss.com..... (4/5/04):// Another RDS update In Hampton Roads, Barnstable Broadcasting's Contemporary Inspirational "Star 94.1" WXEZ has fired up its RDS generator. The station is using the PS - Program Service to display STAR94-1. In Richmond, Cox Radio's Classic Hits "96-5 The Planet" WKLR and Alternative "Y101" WDYL are using RDS. Both stations are using PS to display PLANET on WKLR and Y101 on WDYL. Also in Richmond, Radio One Urban "Power 92-1 Jamz" WCDX is now using RDS displaying PWR 92-1. In Fredericksburg, Telemedia's Country "Thunder 104.5" WGRX is now displaying WGRX1045. The complete list using some form of RDS in Hampton Roads is WHRV/89.5, WHRO/90.3, WCDG/92.1, WKCK/93.7, WXEZ/94.1, WPTE/94.9, WVKL/95.7, WROX/96.1, WNOR/98.7, WXGM/99.1, WXMM/100.5, WWDE/101.3, WOWI/102.9, WNVZ/104.5, WSVY/105.3, WPYA/106.1, WAFX/106.9 and WJCD/107.7. In the Richmond area, WCVE/88.9, WCDX/92.1, WBBC/93.5, WXEZ/94.1, WKLR/96.5, WDYL/101.1, WRXL/102.1 and WAFX/106.9. Around Fredericksburg, WFLS/93.3, WYSK/99.3 and WGRX/104.5 and most station around Washington..... (4/5/04) :// More changes at 8 The subtle changes continue at Young Broadcasting's WRIC (8/ABC) with their newscasts. The lighting for the entire set has been altered, making things appear much brighter, including the blue backgrounds on the set. They have also upgraded their weather graphics, now branding the weather as "8 News StormTracker." The newscast format has changed, now including a "summary" of the top stories at the end of the newscast -- they refer to this like the "6 o'clock summary." Also at 8, a new reporter is now on air, Kim Schumaker..... (4/1/04):// Mike Klein upped Entercom Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ shifts night jock Mike Klein to afternoons. Klein replaces Jay West, who exited the station last week. Klein also adds Music Coordinator duties -- he'll assist the Music and Programming Directors when those positions are filled..... (4/1/04) :// RDS update Barnstable Broadcasting Rock "100.5 MAX FM" WXMM has started displaying Artist/Title information of the current track airing. Entercom Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ has done the same though it's intermittent. Sixteen stations (17 frequencies) in Hampton Roads use some form of RDS..... (4/1/04) :// New station website Convergent Broadcasting's "Classic Hits 104-9" WFMZ Hertford NC recently launched their new website at classichits1049.com. Convergent took over the former Maranatha Broadcasting station known as "Praise 105" last September..... (4/1/04) :// Dee "Boomin' Like a Cannon Shannyn" She's back! After a brief stint in Richmond, Dee Shannyn is back doing traffic in Hampton Roads. Not only is she heard on the Supreme Team morning show on "Hot 102.1/107.9," and Urban AC "95-7 R&B" WVKL but she can also be seen on 13NEWS (WVEC) at 5, 5:30 and 6PM newscasts with a quick glance at the evening commute..... (4/1/04) :// "Keep Hope Alive"...on the radio  Clear Channel Radio announced that the Rev Jesse Jackson will host a live, one-hour talk show airing Sundays from 8-9AM ET. "Keep Hope Alive With the Rev. Jesse Jackson" will debut April 4 exclusively on Clear Channel Radio stations and will originate from Chicago's WGCI-AM. "We will discuss the central issues -- local, national and international -- of our time," said the Rev Jackson. "We will offer information, inspiration, direction and many points of view." The show will initially air on "Power 105.1" WWPR New York, "106 KMEL" San Francisco, WGCI-AM Chicago, WDAS Philadelphia, "Mix 92.3" WMXD Detroit and "105.3 Kiss FM" WKUS Norfolk. Clear Channel Radio will consider syndicating the program nationally depending on listener response. Source: UrbanInsite..... (4/1/04) Entercom Mainstream AC "2WD" WWDE has been bought back by morning host Dick Lamb and has reimaged as "101.3 Dick FM" -- "Keep your stick on Dick," "We Play Anything... That Dick Likes." Listen to some of their new imaging. So, now there's "Max FM," "Kick FM," "Bob FM," "Lite FM," "Kiss FM" and "Dick FM" ........................................................................... April Fool's (4/1/04):// Oldies 107-3 debuts new morning show  MainQuad Communications "Oldies 107-3" WBBT//WARV debuted a brand new morning show at 6AM this morning -- "Mornings with Mike and Kelly." Mike Levay and Kelly Fever are very familiar Richmond voices. Levay did middays on Cox Country "K95" WKHK forever and is also the Public Announcer voice of the UHL Richmond RiverDawgs. Kelly was the midday host on the old "Star 107" and was part of the K95 "Catfish and Kelly" morning show a few years back..... (4/1/04) A brand new classified ad has come into VARTV. Free Lance-Star WFLS/WWUZ/WYSK is looking for a full-time Traffic & Continuity Assistant. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You'd be surprised who reading..... (3/31/04):// Cox Hampton Roads updates STBs  If you are Cox Cable Hampton Roads digital cable subscriber, you might have noticed a slight difference to how your converter box behaves. Cox Hampton Roads updated all of the converters to enhanced their On Screen Programming Guide among some other some details. The new Guide lets you tune to a specific channel on a "this instance," daily, weekly or M-F basis. Believe it or not, you previously couldn't do that. In addition to the Guide enhancements, users have more options to how the converter will output the audio -- mono, stereo, PCM or Dolby Digital 5.1.Speaking of Cox Hampton Roads, they have "soft" launched their tiered High Speed Internet pricing scheme. The product is already been rolled out in limited Cox markets around the country including parts of Fairfax. The new levels of service include a faster "Premiere" tier where download speeds are up to 4MB and upload speeds up to 384/kbps. Pricing for Premier is $79.99/mo for Cox customers. The current product now offered (3MB/256kbps) to all Cox customers is called "Preferred" priced at $39.99/mo for Cox customers. Rates are higher for non-customers. This tier stays put and becomes the default tier when the new offers are rolled out. We believe there's also a third tier designed for "lite" users. No word yet when the company will launch the services publicly -- "You gotta ask for it over the phone." VARTV signed up today for the Premier service which went pretty painless with speeds very close to the advertised "up to" speeds..... (3/31/04)  A brand new classified ad has come into VARTV. UPN Richmond WUPV/65 is looking for a Creative Services Producer. UPN Richmond is the seventh highest-rated United Paramount Network affiliate in the country. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You'd be surprised who reading..... (3/31/04):// FLS still on top Arbitron Winter Phase II trends were released yesterday for Fredericksburg with Free Lance-Star Country "93.3 WFLS" on top, 2nd Mid Atlantic Network Hot AC "B101.5" WBQB, 3rd Bonneville News WTOP, 4th Telemedia "Oldies 95.9" WGRQ and 5th a tie between ABC "Smooth Jazz 105.9" WJZW and Infinity Rhythmic WPGC. We hear that "Oldies 95.9" WGRQ did quite well in the 18-34 demo maybe because of small sampling in the market. We hear this will change in the near future when more diaries are sent out..... (3/30/04) :// Weston gets new gig Bill Weston, who served as PD for Cox Radio Classic Rock "96.5 The Planet" WKLR and OM for Alternative "Y101" WDYL, is headed for Philly. Weston has been hired on to be Greater Media's rocker WMMR/93.3 Philadelphia new PD. He starts at "93.3 WMMR" on April 19th..... (3/30/04) :// HD reaches 84 million homes High-definition television reaches 84 million homes or more than three-quarters of U.S. cable homes, according to the latest data from the National Cable & Telecommunications Association. That's a nearly 125 % increase since the beginning of 2003, when 37 million cable homes could get HD service. NCTA also said that 99 of the top 100 designated market areas now have HD programming from a cable operator. The total number of DMAs offering HDTV is 155 of 210. Source: TelevisionWeek..... (3/30/04) :// 105.3 Kiss FM gets new calls The recently reimaged Clear Channel Urban AC "105.3 Kiss FM" (previously known as Vibe 105.3) gets new call letters with its new name -- WKUS. They were effective yesterday. Kiss' new on-air lineup will debut soon with the Tom Joyner Morning Show anchoring mornings..... (3/30/04) :// The Rock Experience welcomes jock East Carolina Radio "The Rock Experience" WOBR 95.3//WKJX 96.7 welcomes seasoned vet Bam Bam. Bam Bam debuted last night and is LIVE and local in the studio 7PM-midnight weeknights on The Rock Experience..... (3/30/04) :// Sue Eure has passed on Condolences to veteran broadcaster Bill Eure, Eure Communications and the entire Eure family on the loss of Bill's wife and station ownership partner Sue at the age of 70 on Thursday (3/25). Sue was Eure Communications' co-founder and Secretary/Treasurer until her retirement in 2000; Bill and Sue's son Brad is currently President of the Virginia-based company. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Williamsburg branch of the Alzheimer's Assoc, 263 McLaws Cir, Suite 203, Williamsburg VA 23185. Source: AllAccess..... (3/29/04) The Supreme Team ended their first day on Hot 102.1/107.9. The show started slow but did get better later-on in the morning. Many callers welcomed Herm and Chase back who mocked Doug Banks several times throughout the morning. The bugs and jitters still need to be worked out. In an interview with Method Man, Method slipped out the word "shit" - LIVE on the air..... (3/29/04):// Device helped save life of T-D editor The value of having access to a defibrillator was underlined to Times-Dispatch Assistant Sports Editor John Markon on March 6, when Markon experienced full cardiac arrest in the press room at the Richmond Coliseum before a basketball game. Ninety percent of such arrests are fatal, but Markon was fortunate. An ambulance equipped with an automated external defibrillator was on the site, as were several athletic trainers and therapists trained in CPR. Markon was revived within 15 minutes with the use of the ambulance's AED. Future Coliseum visitors won't have to depend on the presence of a rescue squad. The facility was in line to receive several wall-mounted AEDs, which should be in place in the next few months. The devices have also been installed at The Times-Dispatch..... (3/29/04) :// Dave 'til Dawn joins 2WD  Beginning today, "Dave 'Til Dawn" (Dave Wingert) will host the AC "2WD" WWDE/101.3 overnight show from midnight to 5:30AM which is a major market, all night show syndicated by Jones Programming. They're the same provider "Delilah After Dark" heard on 2WD. Dan Reese will continue to oversee the night-time operation of all four Entercom stations (WWDE, WPTE, WVKL, WNVZ) and will continue to help the morning air talent prepare for their daily shows. Reese will also continue to perform all the duties he has in the past as well as making a bigger contribution in production during the overnight shift. This move places a major market talent on air for an early morning lead in, helping WWDE to be more efficient and productive behind the scenes and prevents CC Soft AC "92-1/107-7 Lite FM" WCDG//WJCD from using "Dave 'Til Dawn." The new show airs tonight on 2WD seven nights a week, midnight to 5:30AM weekdays and midnight to 6AM on the weekends. Speaking of syndication and 2WD, we hear that the station plans on adding more of it on the weekends; mostly to keep it off of the new Lite FM..... (3/29/04):// Supreme Team debuts  Herman Hurston and Chase Thomas of the Supreme Team debuted this morning on On Top Urban "Hot 102.1/107.9" WWHV//WWBR. The duo were previously heard on CC Urban "103Jamz" WOWI but were replaced by the Doug Banks morning show when that show was bumped off Hip-Hop "92.1 The Beat" WBHH when that station went Soft AC. Also new to Hot is traffic information. Hot 102.1/107.9 was Hampton Roads' only major station not to feature traffic in the mornings and afternoons. Dee Shannon of Metro Traffic will be heard alongside the Supreme Team. Hear how the Supreme Team debuted on Hot..... (3/29/04):// Radio IQ is back, for some Radio IQ, featuring BBC news and NPR talk programs, is now on the air in Roanoke and Charlottesville on 89.7 FM. Radio IQ is a service of WVTF, Virginia Tech, and Ferrum College. WVTF will remain on 89.1 FM in Roanoke, 89.5 FM in Lynchburg, 89.3 FM and 88.5 FM in Charlottesville, 91.9 FM in Marion, and 90.5 FM in Wise..... (3/29/04) :// 98.9/Midlothian update UPDATED: Another piece of the puzzle falls into place. Old Belt Broadcasting's Country WKSK/98.9 South Hill VA has made the move to the 101.9 frequency (now Kiss Country 101.9) to make room for MainQuad Communications new move-in signal WCUL/98.9 Midlothian. WKSK was a Class C3 doing 15kW at 312'. The station will be reclassified as a Class A doing 6kW at 315' (very close to maximum allotted facilities). Entercom's blowtorch Urban "102 Jamz" WJMH/102.1 Reidsville will need to be reclassified from a Class C to a C0 (no loss/gain in coverage area; facilities remain the same). Last week, 98.9 swapped call letters with Piedmont Communications' Country 103.1/Culpeper. 98.9 is now WCUL. Piedmont has agreed to sell 98.9 to MainQuad. WCUL/98.9 is currently simulcasting WJMA/103.1. MainQuad has settled on a location for the antenna for WCUL/98.9. It's in Lakeside, right off Basie Rd behind the Clear Channel Richmond complex. That tower also hosts Radio One Urban "Power 92-1 Jamz" WCDX, CC Alternative "102-1 The X" WRXL, LPTV WXOB/17 and CSN translator W219CX/91.7. Because this location is much different from the original application, MainQuad will need to use a directional antenna to protect WXGM/99.1 Gloucester, WNOR/98.7 Norfolk, WPZZ/99.3 Petersburg and WMZQ/98.7 Washington. If this minor change to a pending application is granted (which is highly likely), WCUL/98.9 will be a directional Class B1 station with an ERP (effective radiated power) of 7.3kW at 601' HAAT (height above average terrain). We hear that the target date for sign-on is sometime in the 3rd quarter with the format undetermined right now..... (3/28/04) Adams, Oscar William "Bill" Jr., of Richmond, a retired local radio announcer and television host and the human behind the puppet "Sooper Dog" on the former "Dandy (Don) Beagle and Super Dog Show" children's program during the 1960s and 1970s, an Army veteran, husband of Marian Adams..... (3/27/04):// Massive fire in Downtown Richmond  All Richmond TV stations are now LIVE since 1PM with breaking news for a huge fire in Downtown Richmond. The fire has jumped city blocks which began on the VCU campus at apartments under construction... black smoke could be see as far north as the I-95/I-295 Interchange. Both Henrico and Chesterfield Counties have had to send crews with a confirmed report that a fire truck has been destroyed by the fire -- due to high winds.WRIC (8/ABC) has a live truck with a mast cam which they have relied on for most of their pictures. At Channel 12 (WWBT/NBC), Sky 12 is in the air. WTVR (6/CBS) has a crew with mast cam and on the street camera shots. The fire was first reported at 12:32PM. WTVR was on-air about 12:45PM with the story. Most downtown streets are closed down in the northern VCU area. Four to five square blocks are engulfed in fire. More at WWBT, WRIC, WTVR and Richmond Times-Dispatch..... (3/26/04) :// New weekend shows on WWUZ  A new show debuts on Free Lance-Star "Classic Rock 96-9" WWUZ this Sunday morning from 7-10AM. It's called The Acoustic Storm and hosted by musicologist Jeff Parets. It features acoustic versions of Classic Rock songs. This week in the "Eye of The Storm" the words and music of Crosby, Stills and Nash are featured as well as acoustic music from Pink Floyd, Paul Simon, The Beatles and Billy Idol.The Acoustic Storm is the second programming upgrade in the last few weeks for "Classic Rock 96-9," following the addition of "Rogaine Rock" Saturday nights from 7-8PM. Hosted by Morning Guy Rich Creeger, Rogaine Rock features the best of the Hair Band rock from the 80's thru early 90's..... (3/26/04) :// 106.9 The Fox announces change in morning show  After over 10 years as the Morning Host at WAFX, Jeff Allen leaves “106.9 The Fox” to pursue other business opportunities. John Reynolds, formerly of WYMG Springfield IL, will join Leila Rice as Co-Host of the WAFX morning show on Monday April 12th. WYMG and WAFX are both owned by Saga Communications. PD Mike Beck of The Fox says, "Jeff Allen contributed a great deal over the past ten years to make the Fox one of the top stations in Hampton Roads. In particular, his support for the local food banks is a point of great pride for all of us at WAFX. I hope he is even more successful in this next phase of his life."Beck also added, "We’ve very excited to bring John Reynolds to Hampton Roads. John is one of the most talented stars in the Saga family and has hosted successful morning shows for the company for more than ten years." John will be partnering with Leila Rice to create “John and Leila in the Morning” on 106.9 The Fox..... (3/26/04) :// Nikki Landry to exit WGH  Midday personality Nikki Landry at Barnstable's Country '97-3 The Eagle" WGH will be exiting the station. Nikki says, "I'm moving on to another market. Stay tuned to find out when and where. I have fully enjoyed my stay with Barnstable Broadcasting and its staff. I will miss everyone here and I know for sure I will meet up with the management team again in the near future... Let's just say ... I may see them in Nashville one day. Stay tuned. My last day here at the Eagle is April 9th, 2004." (3/26/04):// Thank you Thank you to everyone who visits and reads VARTV. This month has had a record amount of traffic and visitors with six days (including today) still left in the month... amazing. Thank you again and as always keep sending the emails, faxes and Instant Messages... :-) (3/26/04) A brand new classified ad has come into VARTV. Barnstable Broadcasting (Hampton Roads Radio Group) is looking for a Midday On-Air Personality for Country "97-3 The Eagle" WGH. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You'd be surprised who reading..... (3/26/04):// A la carte cable channels? If some members of Congress had it's way... Read about it in today's Washington Post with Frank Ahrens..... (3/26/04) :// Familiar voice heard on KICK FM  The many thousands of Hampton Roads residents who were loyal supporters of WCMS will instantly remember a very familiar personality, who's now heard on Sinclair Communication's "93-7 Kick FM" WKCK. Dennis Reidy. Dennis was a longtime jock at WCMS under Marge Crump's leadership and brings extensive country music knowledge to "Kick FM." This makes five -- the number of personalities to resurface on Kick that served WCMS through the years: Joe Hoppel, Jack Prater, Rachel Lupton, Jackson Taylor, and now Dennis Reidy. Reidy can be heard weeknights 7PM to midnight, taking over from Johnny Crook, who moved to sister station Adult Hits "106-1 BOB FM" WPYA..... (3/26/04):// New Lite FM website is up CC Soft AC "92-1/107-7 Lite FM" WCDG//WJCD website is now online. It can be found at norfolklitefm.com. It's one of their better looking station websites. Speaking of Lite, they have several positions available, including a PD (Program Director) and GSM (General Sales Manager). Any addition information can be found on their website..... (3/25/04) :// Comcast acquires Tech TV; keeps getting bigger and bigger  Comcast has reached a deal to buy San Francisco-based cable channel Tech TV from Vulcan Programming. The 43 million-subscriber network will merge with Comcast's fledgling 15 million-sub G4 network, which is aimed at videogame enthusiasts, once the deal closes.Tech TV, which showcases the development, business and lifestyle of the technology world, launched in 1998, but subscriber growth stalled around the time of the Internet crash. Launched in 2002, G4 focuses on the $11 billion videogame industry and the gamer lifestyle. Financials of the acquisition were not disclosed. Source: Mediaweek..... (3/25/04) :// Imus Returns to New River Valley on the FM side  Cumulus Broadcasting has announced plans to add "Imus in the Morning" to the WFNR/100.7 Christiansburg VA lineup. It's already heard on sister WFNR/ Blacksburg. It sounds like they're blowing out the local "First Thing in the Morning" show with Scott Stevens and Wes Watson which has been running 6-9 AM on 100.7. Beginning, Friday, March 26, Imus will run from 6 to 9AM on WFNR. In addition, several promotions have also been announced. Marty Gordon has been named ND (News Director) over the entire Cumulus New River Valley operations, while Wes Watson will become the PD (Program Director) for the news and talk side on WFNR. Heather Logan has been named Promotions Director for "107 Country PSK" WPSK/107.1, and will be on-air at WPSK from 7PM to midnight..... (3/25/04):// Z104 going through changes Entercom Rhythmic "Z104" WNVZ has and is going thru a lot of on-air changes. Just heard -- APD/MD and afternooner Jay West has exited the building on Clearfield Ave in Virginia Beach after nine years. That leaves three positions open right there. Nick Taylor recently joined the Z Morning Zoo after doing middays for three weeks. He's now paired with Tricia and Shaggy. The morning slot was open due to Special Ed resigning. JJ Kincaid, his preferred on-air name, has now moved on to CC CHR "106-1 Kiss FM" KHKS Dallas to do afternoons. Middays have been "open" for awhile when Zack Daniels exited the station around the same time Special ED did. And not too long ago, the station had a 10PM-2AM shift that featured Jade. She didn't last long and the remaining jocks ended up with longer shifts with Mike Klein handing it off to the computer at midnight.Jay West, a 20-year vet including Houston, Philly, Buffalo & Milwaukee and in the Top 3 afternoon drive Women 18-34 at Z104, can be reached at (757) 749-7747 or vbch20@cox.net..... (3/25/04) A brand new classified ad has come into VARTV. Barnstable Broadcasting (Hampton Roads Radio Group) is looking for a General Sales Manager for "Oldies 92-9" WFOG. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You'd be surprised who reading..... (3/25/04) Color TV turns 50 today... In 1954, RCA built 5,000 sets with 12-inch screens, known as the model CT-100 color receiver. They sold for $1,000 each and quickly at that. Adjusted for inflation, those sets cost an equivalent of $6,500 in today's dollars..... (3/25/04):// WLSA update Piedmont Communications is in the process of acquiring Country formatted WLSA/105.5 Louisa to run with Country WJMA/103.1 Culpeper. Both stations are Country and Piedmont has made it clear it only wants one to do it. WCUL will stay Country but a new format still has yet to be determined for WLSA. Rumors have it going Oldies but the station hasn't settle on that just yet..... (3/25/04) :// WTOX update RadioRichmond checks in to give us an update on their new WTOX/1480 Glen Allen. Word is that the construction is going along well. The towers went up this past weekend. They expect to be on the air by the end of May, as planned. No format to announce yet. Stay tuned..... (3/25/04) :// AM stations filing window Stations and individuals have submitted applications for new or major changes to their existing licenses all over the country. And Virginia is no exception. The tech department here at VARTV has put together a list of the proposed stations or existing stations being relicensed to a new community: These are applications submitted to the FCC. There's no telling, if and when, any of these proposals will be granted..... (3/25/04) :// Richmond morning show rumors  Jeff Wicker, formerly of "Wicker in the Morning" on CC CHR "Q94," is rumored to take the morning show reigns at Cox Radio's new Soft AC "Mix 103-7" WMXB. A VARTV reader says, "Wicker probably would be one of a select few who could go head to head with Bill Bevins at (Soft AC) Lite 98 (WTVR) and have success in Richmond. Wicker was at Q94 for over six years before being replaced by PD Billy Surf who moved to mornings from afternoons.Over at MainQuad "Oldies 107-3" WBBT//WARV, there too is an opening for a morning show. Wicker has even guest hosted the morning show over there. But it will NOT be him. MainQuad already has that slot filled. Oldies will debut their new morning host/show on Thursday, April 1st... no fooling..... (3/24/04) :// ABC13 to carry Jimmy Kimmel show  Allbritton Communications, owners of ABC affiliate WJLA/7 Washington and "ABC13" WSET Lynchburg/Roanoke, has announced that all of its stations will eventually start carrying the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" late night show beginning next month. WJLA/7 will begin carrying it on Monday night at 12:05AM on April 12 while Allbritton's other stations will phase in Kimmel over the next few months, according to Fred Ryan, Allbritton president and chief operating officer. Allbritton's refusal to air Kimmel's show was generally seen in the TV industry as an effort to extract concessions from ABC; Allbritton signed its most recent 10-year affiliation pact with the network in 1996. It was unclear what those concessions are and Ryan declined to comment on the specifics of the negotiations. An ABC executive did not return a phone call placed late yesterday. Usually in these cases, a station group wants more money, more freedom to preempt network programs, a guarantee it won't be asked to ante up more money to help defray the cost of "Monday Night Football" -- there's a slew of possibilities. By running syndicated programming in the late-night time slot, Allbritton has retained more local ad time than it probably will get on Kimmel's show. Lisa de Moraes of The Washington Post has the rest of the story..... (3/24/04):// Tarkenton has returned to WRIC after a 19 month absence  Chip Tarkenton, who left WRIC-8 under somewhat mysterious circumstances about 19 months ago, has been rehired by the station in his old position of sports director and anchor. "I feel like I did in 1988 when I came strolling in to Richmond, and we were so excited," Tarkenton said. "We had a ball for a long time, and now I feel the excitement of what's going on has changed the whole demeanor of the building." From Athens, Ga., Tarkenton, 44, will serve as co-anchor of the station's "Good Morning Richmond" before resuming his sports duties about the first of June. Read the rest from the Richmond Times-Dispatch..... (3/23/04):// Cox Radio Richmond seeks GSM  Cox Radio is looking for a talented General Sales Manager for our heritage Adult Contemporary station (Mix 103-7 WMXB) in Richmond, Virginia. If you know how to sell a station that gets great results for its customers and you have a track record of developing your people, call us at (804) 327-0856 or email at Bob.Willoughby@cox.com. Source: InsideRadio.com..... (3/23/04) A brand new classified ad has come into VARTV. AC "Xtra 99.1" WXGM Gloucester is looking for their next great salesperson. Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for the complete details. If your station/organization has any positions available (media orientated), get them on VARTV! You'd be surprised who reading..... (3/23/04):// Oldies gets a PD Joey Butler will be named the new Program Director for the MainQuad simulcast "Oldies 107-3" WBBT//WARV. Butler also serves as the station's afternoon jock. WARV/100.3 Petersburg dropped Sports and WBBT/107.3 Powhatan dropped its 80s programming back in January for 60s-70s Oldies. The Butler announcement will be made later this morning..... (3/23/04) :// Cox Radio blows up B103  UPDATED: Cox Radio Richmond dumped the Hot AC format heard on "B103" WMXB at midnight and quietly launched "Mix 103-7," a Soft AC. The station will now battle Clear Channel monster Soft AC "Lite 98" WTVR with the flip possibly having an impact on what MainQuad does with the 98.9 frequency. The last songs heard on B103 were "Goodbye To You" by Michelle Branch and "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" by R.E.M. The new Mix 103-7 kicked off with "A New Day Has Come" by Celine Dion. Right now the station is using liners saying "Soft and contemporary - the new Mix 103-7." You can listen to "Mix 103-7" online at streamaudio.com or by going to their new website at mix1037.com. There is already speculation to what Cox will do with Mix in the near future. We hear that the jocks are on a two week to 30-day "sabbatical" and most will be back. One of the exceptions we hear is the morning team of Eric Summers and Tara Hart won't be returning when the jocks go back on-air. Both were fired. And now, Richmond has no Hot/Modern AC outlet. Will someone dump their current format to fill that hole??? More to come..... (3/23/04):// John Tesh profiled The John Tesh Show heard mornings on CC Soft AC "92-1/107-7 Lite FM" WCDG//WJCD is profiled this week on cnn.com in conjunction with Airplay Monitor. Since its April 2003 launch, the five-hour weekday program has picked up 76 affiliates. Most, but not all, of Tesh's affiliates air his show in the evening. One hundred fifty outlets already air the weekend edition of the program, which began in 2000. "92-1/107-7 Lite FM" was the first affiliate to air the program in the morning. Tesh is also heard in Richmond on CC's Soft AC "Lite 98" WTVR from midnight to 5AM. Read the rest at cnn.com ..... (3/22/04) :// DTV 75% simulcast deadline approaches Effective Thursday, April 1, FCC rules Section 73.624f specify that DTV broadcasters must simulcast 75% of the video programming on their analog channel on their digital channel. Starting April 1, 2004, stations that have been switching on their DTV transmitters only during (the day and) primetime hours (to meet the 50% simulcast requirement effective 4/1/2003) will have increase their DTV broadcast schedule to meet the 75% simulcast requirement. Stations that have been broadcasting the PBS HDTV feed will likely have to change their DTV programming to meet the new requirement. Source: TVTechnology ..... (3/22/04) :// Lights out for Channel 6 Raycom Media "CBS6" WTVR will sign off at 1:30AM tonight (tomorrow morning) for transmitter maintenance. Channel 6 will remain off air for at least three hours, and should be back broadcasting by the beginning of "CBS 6 This Morning" at 5:00AM..... (3/22/04) :// RTNDA announces Edward R Murrow Regional Awards  The Radio-Television News Directors Association & Foundation (RTNDA) has announced the 2004 Edward R Marrow Awards. "The Radio-Television News Directors Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Murrow's pursuit of excellence in journalism embodies the spirit of the awards that carry his name. Murrow Award recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence that Edward R. Murrow made a standard for the broadcast news profession." For the complete list of winners, go to rtnda.org..... (3/22/04):// Carolyn Castleberry's parting gift After 14 years service that any professional broadcaster would appreciate, was (Carolyn) Castleberry sent off with a gold watch from WAVY and its rich corporate daddy, LIN Television? A $50 gift certificate from Wal-Mart? The Saturday shrimp feast at Golden Corral? Larry Bonko on the Virginian-Pilot says "Nope." "I received kinds words and hugs from the staff. It was sad to leave, " say Castleberry..... (3/22/04) :// Pat Murphy recovering  Pat Murphy tells VARTV that he is recovering from back surgery after a two day stay at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk. His surgery was on a broken vertebra T-9, from a motorcycle accident, September 30, 2003. Dr Michael Barnum, successfully, reconstructed the shattered vertebra and Pat should be back to "normal" in the next few weeks. The surgery performed is a new technique, called, Kyphoplasty, and has only been performed in the past few months, in Hampton Roads, by Dr Barnum of the Jordan Young Institute. Pat says, he's "enjoying the pain pills" and being "waited" on by his wife and two grown daughters..... (3/22/04):// The Supreme Team to return to the Hampton Roads airwaves On Top Communications' Urban "Hot 102.1/107.9" WWHV//WWBR has announced that The Supreme Team, dumped by CC Urban "103Jamz" WOWI, will be coming to the station's morning drive. The Supreme Team, with several incarnations over the years, was heard on WOWI for over 14 years before being canned for the nationally syndicated Doug Banks a couple of weeks ago. The Doug Banks Show was on Hip-Hop "92.1 The Beat" WBHH before that station shifted to Soft AC as "92-1/107-7 Lite FM."  Over the 14 years on WOWI, there were many times that the Supreme Team was #1 in mornings. On Monday March 29, Herman Hurston and Chase Thomas, the last members of The Supreme Team on WOWI, will form the new local show to be heard on Hot. They will replace the nationally syndicated "Russ Parr Morning Show" that has been heard on Hot since the end of January 2001. As a matter of fact, the Russ Parr Morning Show was the very first show/jocks to be heard on the brand new station launched in August 2001.Chase Thomas was still with CC Norfolk after The Supreme Team was let go at 103Jamz. He was slated to move over to the newly reimaged WSVY - "105.3 Kiss FM" - but turned in his resignation late last week. Is this a major score for Hot? A lot people think so. With Hip-Hop "92.1 The Beat" gone, the addition of the highly popular Supreme Team and mixer DJ Strez, formerly of The Beat, the station can only go up. The station's ratings have never been spectacular (hovering in the high 1s) and that's with two frequencies (102.1 and 107.9). With all of these changes, this is exactly what Hot needed. They should be a bigger player in the market..... (3/21/04) :// WWBT's Julie Bragg leaves co-anchor post Yesterday marked Julie Bragg's last day as co-anchor of WWBT's (12/NBC) 4PM newscast, a position she's held since its 2002 startup. Bragg, who has chosen to spend more time with her family, will remain at Channel 12 on a part-time basis. According to Nancy Kent Smith, vice president of news, Bragg will serve as a fill-in anchor for all of Channel 12's newscasts. Reporter Christina White will co-anchor the 4PM news with Gene Cox. Cheryle Rodriguez will take over the medical beat full time. Bragg had also been a health reporter. She originally co-anchored WWBT's weekend newscasts with Mychael Dickerson before moving to the 4PM newscast. Bragg is a native of Richmond, graduating from JR Tucker High School. Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch..... (3/20/04) :// Mac McClellan passes Randy "Mac" McClellan, who was a morning side kick of Henry Del Toro and the others, and also the host of Rockin' Roots on Sundays in the 80s and early 90s at FM99 WNOR, has passed away. He was 48. McClellan died late Friday night in Baltimore just before a performance at the Improv. McClellan is survived by his wife Peggy, his children Chloe, Caitlyn, Charles, Daniel, and Heather, as well as two grandchildren..... (3/20/04) :// More CC Norfolk changes  There have been sweeping changes at CC Norfolk lately and it continues. Urban AC WSVY Norfolk has just reimaged as "105.3 Kiss FM - Tom Joyner in the Morning and the Best R&B and Old School All Day." They were previously known as "Vibe 105.3 - Today's R&B and Jammin' Old School." VARTV hears that Kiss will be MORE local; dropping some, if not, all of its voicetracked shifts (except overnights) and maybe a big name..... (3/19/04):// Station keeps license Back in December, VARTV reported that a handful of area radio stations did not file to renew their licenses in time for whatever the reason. Henrico County Schools' WHCE/91.1 was one of them. Even though the FCC considered the station's license to be cancelled and call letters deleted, they were still on-the-air under a 30-day reconsideration. The license has been renewed and their original call letters - WHCE - have been reinstated..... (3/19/04) :// Mac Watson to replace Michael Graham UPDATED: Clear Channel "NewsRadio 1140" WRVA has hired sister "NewsTalk 1230" KWTX Waco TX PD/morning host Mac Watson to take over the afternoon slot vacated by Michael Graham when the latter left to join ABC's "NewsTalk 630" WMAL Washington. Douglas Durden of the Richmond Times-Dispatch talks with Watson who starts at WRVA on March 29..... (3/19/04) :// WWBT to go dark briefly  Late-night viewers might not find all their WWBT (12/NBC) shows this weekend. Because of maintenance to the building's electrical power system, the NBC affiliate must shut down power and be off the air for a portion of two consecutive nights, starting at 1:35AM tomorrow and 3AM Sunday. Power could remain off until 7AM tomorrow and 6AM Sunday, although the station could sign back on earlier if work progresses faster than expected. Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch.... (3/19/04) Steve McKay, the PD (Program Director) and afternoon guy for Entercom Modern AC "94.9 The Point," re-ups with the company for another three years..... (3/19/04):// A translator for a LPFM?  It appears so. The Christian Life Center (CLC) of Williamsburg, which runs WJRX-LP/102.5, has been granted a translator at 102.1/Grove VA (W271AK). The CP (Construction Permit) was granted to David McGovern; he's one of the Ministry heads at CLC. The translator, located 6 miles SE of Williamsburg, will be highly directional to protect CC's Alternative "102.1 The X" WRXL. All of its 19 watts will be thrown southeastward. WJRX-LP runs various religious programming..... (3/19/04):// Proposed Virginia advertising tax From Kari Philippi-Jacobs, President – Hampton Roads Ad Club Proposed Virginia Advertising Tax A proposal to tax advertising time and space (lifting the current sales tax exemption) is moving forward in the Virginia General Assembly. We need your help to defeat this proposal. The final draft of the bill is expected to pass the House and could be delivered to the Senate as early as this Sunday. We need you to contact members of the Virginia House of Delegates, the Virginia State Senate and Governor Warner today to voice your strong opposition to this proposed tax. Contact information is available at legis.state.va.us, or contact me directly at 757-222-2921 or kphilippi@wkck.com for a complete list of phone numbers for Virginia State Senators. If this tax passes, Virginia will be the only state in the nation to have an advertising tax. The effects will be devastating to not only our industry, but to our economy. Here are a few of the disastrous affects to expect if you do nothing today (use these as talking points with our Delegates and Senators): • National advertising dollars will leave the state. • Local media will suffer huge losses, as advertising is the primary source of revenue for print and the sole source for broadcasters. • Reduction of advertising will result in a loss of jobs and a decreased ability to provide quality content and programming • Ad tax is bad public policy as it creates a new layer of hidden taxes, multi-layer taxes, and double taxation • Ad Tax is an anti-business signal. Why would business move here if they can save that money by moving outside of Virginia? • Ad Tax would hurt small business as it would impact cooperative advertising programs developed with manufacturers and budget restraints • Advertising is the engine that fuels the economy. Less advertising means fewer sales, which means reduced revenue and fewer jobs. Fewer sales also result in less sales for the state. • Costs to administer the proposed taxes to the Virginia State Government will be exorbitant. Let’s look at Florida as an example. In 1987, Florida charged an advertising tax. Here are the results: • In 1987, national advertising increased by 3%. Florida’s national advertising decreased by 12%. • Media in markets close to the state line lost even more money to neighboring states. • In 1987, Pensacola broadcasters alone encountered revenue losses of 45%! • The Department of Revenue spent millions of dollars to hire over 200 new auditors to administer. The executive director said afterwards, “It was not enough.” The sponsor of the bill is Delegate Phillip A. Hamilton (R) of House District 93 from Newport News, Virginia. He, as well as your Delegate and Senator can be contacted at the above web address. The March 18, 2004, vote was 62 Yeas and 31 Neas to pass the bill. Without your intervention it has a strong likelihood of passing. Please take action right now and make a difference..... (3/19/04) :// Charlottesville to get its own CBS affiliate  The company that owns WHSV (3/CBS) in Harrisonburg plans to purchase the Construction Permit for channel 19 in Charlottesville. Gray Television announced Thursday that it will acquire the CP from Charlottesville Broadcasting. The sale is subject to approval by the FCC. Gray is building the broadcast facilities for Channel 19 and hopes to begin broadcasting in August, according to Tracey Jones, GM of WHSV and Gray’s Regional VP. The transmitter will be located on Carter Mountain, where Gray operates a translator for WHSV. Studios will be built in downtown Charlottesville."Most of the news content will be localized," Jones said. "However, we anticipate some sharing of resources, based on our proximity." Jones wouldn’t elaborate on how WHSV and the new station would cooperate. The new station will have local news content. Channel 19 will be a CBS affiliate, having agreed to a 10-year contract with the network and will be the second full-power television station serving Charlottesville, the 186th largest TV market in the United States. The other station WVIR, an NBC affiliate on channel 29. Source: Harrisonburg Daily News-Record..... (3/19/04) Antioch Baptist Church's LPFM (low power FM) at 102.3/Susan has taken the calls WSUV-LP. Susan is located on the Middle Peninsula..... (3/19/04):// Bopst Show LIVE remotes  The Bopst Show, which airs Thursdays & Fridays 6-9PM on WCLM/1450, will be doing 2 special live remotes the last weekend in March - the 27th & 28th. Saturday March 27th, The Bopst Show will broadcast live from Chop Suey Books (1317 W Cary St, Richmond) from 14PM during their semi-annual and popular Bizarre Market to benefit The Richmond Peace Education Center. On Sunday, The Bopst Show will broadcast live from Millie¹s Diner (2603 E Main St, Richmond) from 12:153PM during the restaurant¹s Sunday Brunch. WCLM also streams their audio on the web at wclmradio.com..... (3/18/04):// Several stations ink deals with DC United  MLS' (Major League Soccer) DC United has just inked a deal for all 30 games this season to be broadcast in Spanish on Entravision "Radio America" WACA Wheaton/Washington and on the Spanish simulcast "Radio Fiesta" WPWC/1480 Dumfries-Triangle//WYSK/1350 Fredericksburg (Latino Mix) beginning on April 3. Danilo Noel Dirón will be the primary personality on the Spanish United broadcasts. Dirón will be joined in the booth by Herbert Baires, who will handle the play-by-play duties for the sixth consecutive season. English broadcasts will be heard on IDT's Talker "Intelligent Radio" WMET/1160 Gaithersburg/Washington..... (3/18/04):// FOX to air most LIVE events in high-def  Beginning in third quarter, FOX Sports will air a majority of its live events in 720p high-definition. The complete schedule of events will be released at a later date, but it is expected that the premiere sporting events set to occur between July and next February, including NASCAR's Pepsi 400 from Daytona International Speedway and Major League Baseball's 75th anniversary All-Star Game from Houston, will be available in high-definition."Given the high-profile events that FOX Sports broadcasts later this year and beyond, the timing is perfect for us to begin our transition to the gold standard of high-definition television," said David Hill, Chairman, FOX Sports Television Group. "We were very pleased with FOX Widescreen, but after extensive research and testing, it became clear that we wanted our viewers to have access to the sharpest sports images in the world, and without question, the 720p format produces those images." FOX first experimented with digital broadcasting in 2002 when it aired Super Bowl XXXVI in enhanced definition, which was coined FOX Widescreen, but decided to switch to 720p, which stands for progressive, because it takes more pictures per second and has better resolution for moving pictures. Source: Mediaweek..... (3/18/04) :// Edmund Sylvers passes Edmund Sylvers, former lead singer of The Sylvers ("Boogie Fever," "Hot Line " and "High School Dance" were their biggest Top 40 hits in 1976 and 1977) passed away on March 12. Sylvers, just 47, died from lung cancer. Sylvers had been living in Richmond (where he also died) the recently, working for Supervalue/Richfood as forklift operator for the past several years..... (3/17/04) :// WHRV LONG-TIME RADIO ANNOUNCER BRISTOL TO RETIRE Public Radio Icon Was on Hampton Roads Airwaves for Three Decades  Norfolk: WHRV-FM announced today the retirement of long time radio announcer Rollie Bristol, who currently hosts the popular ROLLIE RADIO on 89.5FM, and is the voice of NPR's ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. Widely acknowledged as a leader in the presentation of alternative music, Bristol has been with public radio since the mid-1980's. When WHRO-FM split into two separate public radio stations in 1990, Rollie partnered with Art Williamson to host THE ART AND ROLLIE SHOW, marking the birth of WHRV-FM with an eclectic and alternative music program that quickly drew a devoted following. After Art's departure following a long illness, ROLLIE RADIO was born, and continued to develop its alternative music audience.Bristol, whose voice has been variously described as "coarse grade sandpaper" and "a fine old scotch", has several times been chosen as "the best DJ" in the annual "Best" editions of PORT FOLIO WEEKLY and HAMPTON ROADS MONTHLY, a tribute his fellow announcers at WHRO and WHRV wholeheartedly endorse. "I've had the pleasure of working with Rollie for three decades. I've never known anyone who cared more about his shows and about his station. He'll anguish about anything that might cause even the slightest blemish on his program - a real perfectionist," said Raymond Jones, who remembers Bristol from his old days at |
