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


The Spot Factory

Studio Center

:// New 2011-2012 TV DMA® figures out
Top 3 Virginia markets remain the same

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Nielsen Media ResearchNielsen Media Research just announced a new list of Designated Market Area (DMA®) TV rankings for the 2011-2012 television season.

The research company says the total number of TV households in the U.S. will DECREASE to 114.6 million (114,649,310), slipping 1% from last year.

  • Washington DC notches up one to #8 with 2,360,180 TV homes, a decrease of 1.24%
  • Hampton Roads is unchanged again at #43; 718,750 TV homes (0.38%)
  • Richmond remains at #57; 559,390 TV homes (0.16%)
  • Roanoke-Lynchburg is steady at #66; 455,860 TV homes (-1.9%)
  • Tri-Cities TN-VA (Bristol) stumbles five to #96; 323,640 TV homes (-4.1%)
  • Greenville-New Bern-Washington NC jumps two spots again to #99; 307,610 (4.4%)
  • Salisbury MD dips one to #144; 159,640 TV homes (0.006%, just 10 additional hshlds)
  • Harrisonburg drops back one to #178; 91,620 TV homes (-3.2%)
  • Charlottesville stays at #183, again; 74,630 TV homes (-2.7%)
Source: Nielsen Media Research

Editor's Note: The Oklahoma City and Albuquerque-Santa Fe markets are knocking on the door to Hampton Roads. They could push Hampton Roads down to #45 next season...

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:// New morning show at Hitkicker 99-7
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Hitkicker 99-7, WCYKFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Monticello Media’s Hitkicker 99-7 in Charlottesville and the Shenandoah Valley has a new morning show as Ops Manager Vinnie Kice slides into the 5a-10a slot with co-host Pam Garrison. Hitkicker 99-7 has two of Charlottesville’s long time radio vets on in drive times…. Vinnie Kice on mornings and Jay Lopez on afternoons.

Former Hitkicker morning guy Steve Walker slides over to fill Kice’s position on Monticello Media’s Classic Hits Generations 102-3/94 1.

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:// Flood waters and food safety from the Virginia Dept of Health
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... two statements from the Virginia Department of Health... (PLEASE read - FLOOD WATERS POSE HEALTH RISKS and (PLEASE read - VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ISSUES PRECAUTIONS FOR FOOD SAFETY DURING ELECTRICAL OUTAGES

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:// Hurricane coverage on Sinclair stations
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HURRICANEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Sinclair Communications is simulcasting live and local wall to wall coverage on am790 WNIS & 93.7 Bob FM hosted by a number of different on air staff members... including our in house meteorologist Dave Parker. In the event Hurricane Irene knocks out one of our signals, we will move the simulcast to the other frequencies. 96X, US 1061, and Funny 850 are running updates from the National Hurricane Center.

Our studios are located in Downtown Norfolk right on the Elizabeth River. The river is about to come up over the board walk, and heavy flooding is expected throughout our area. We are on generator and also on the fifth floor, so flooding won't be a problem up here. We will continue to update you on conditions as the hours pass.

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We’re a bit pre-occupied this morning… (8/27/2011)

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:// Bryant exits PD post at WVBX-WNTX
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Veteran programmer Justin Bryant exits the PD post at Free Lance Star Top 40/Rhythmic WVBX and News/Talk WNTX-A/Fredericksburg, VA. (read more - AllAccess)

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:// NewsChannel 3 it's on! WGNT 27 from 7-9AM
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WGNTFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... NewsChannel 3 successfully launches Hampton Roads only local news from 7am to 9am on its sister station, WGNT 27. WGNT News kicked off this morning, instead of its slated August 29th launch date, to help people in Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina prepare for Hurricane Irene. (read more - WGNT)

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:// MoJo joins WRXL as Production/Imaging Director
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Former Cox Radio Alternative WDYL (Y-101)/Richmond PD/PM-driver Mojo (a.k.a. Joe Rupp) joins crosstown Alternative WRXL (102.1 The X) as Production/Imaging Director/on-air. (read more - AllAccess)

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:// NewsChannel 3 This Morning on WGNT debuts today
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Local TV's "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk was set to extend its morning newscasts from 7 to 9 a.m. to sister station "CW27" WGNT Portsmouth on Monday. But becuase of Hurricane Irene, smoke from the Great Dismal Swamp and the earthquake, the newscast debuted today with the same on air team (anchors: Blaine Stewart and Laila Muhammad, weather: Myles Henderson, and traffic: Kristen Crowley) as the 5 to 7 a.m. show on Channel 3.

The newscast replaces the nationally syndicated "The Daily Buzz" morning show that aired on WGNT from 6 to 9 a.m.

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Steve Jobs resigns as CEO of Apple... effective immediately... (8/24/2011)

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EARTHQUAKE! (8/23/2011)

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:// Virginia stations roll after quake's shakes
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Within minutes of Tuesday’s Virginia earthquake, TV stations near the temblor’s epicenter went live with coverage letting viewers know what had rocked their world. (read more - TVNewscheck)

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:// The ten hottest TV traffic reporters (around the country)
CBS6 Traffic Reporter Amanda Meadows takes #5

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Traffic's somehow bearable when you consider that, without it, there would be no need for the warm smile of the always curiously attractive TV traffic reporter. According to Jalopnik readers, here are the ten hottest TV traffic reporters. (read more - Jalopnik)

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:// Congratulations Tracie Paige! The NEW Face of FOX43
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FOX43FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... The votes are in and the winner has been announced! Congratulations to Tracie Paige, the new Face of FOX43! Tracie competed with 104 hopefuls who submitted online entries and auditioned for the opportunity to represent FOX43 on air and online as the new Face of FOX43!

(read more - FOX43, WVBT)

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:// Rick Rumble and Carl Edwards visit USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... On Tuesday, August 16, FM99 WNOR Morning Show Host Rick Rumble and NASCAR driver Carl Edwards toured the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. (read more - FM99, WNOR)

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:// WDBJ-TV (Channel 7) 6 p.m. newscast no longer most-watched in region (Roanoke)
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For the first time in at least two generations, WDBJ-TV (Channel 7) does not have the most-watched 6 p.m. newscast in the region.

WSET-TV (Channel 13) overtook WDBJ in total number of viewers in July, according to the most recent figures released by The Nielsen Co. (read more - The Roanoke Times)

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:// WTKR rips WAVY reporter on Facebook: ‘This Guy Gives All Reporters a Bad Name’
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WTKR took to its Facebook page on Wednesday to criticize the “arrogance” of Andy Fox, a popular reporter with rival station WAVY. (TVSpy)

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:// Carol Commander named Director of Sales for FM99 WNOR, 106.9 The Fox & WJOI
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Veteran radio executive, Carol Commander has been appointed Director of Sales for WNOR, WAFX and WJOI Radio. The appointment puts Commander in charge of WNOR-FM (Rock), WAFX-FM (Classic Hits) and WJOI-AM (Adult Standards). (read more - Saga Communications Hampton Roads)

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:// Dustin 'Fletcher' Matthews named PD at WRXL
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102-1 The X, WRXLClear Channel Alternative WRXL (102.1 The X)/Richmond OM Dave Symonds tells All Access, "I couldn't be more pleased to announce our new PD for 102.1 The X ... Dustin 'Fletcher' Matthews. Dustin is currently doing mornings/APD at WFNX/Boston, but is no stranger to Richmond... (read more - AllAccess)

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:// Social media-heavy WSLS newscast scrapped, headed for revamp
Meagan Farley, who anchored "WSLS at 7," is no longer with the Roanoke-based TV station

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WSLSFor the second time in as many weeks, management at WSLS-TV (Channel 10) has announced a revamp of one of its programs.

The station will relaunch its 7 p.m. newscast with a new format and new anchor, news director Melissa Preas said today. (read more - The Roanoke-Times)

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:// Greg Burton voted most knowledgable sports radio host...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... ESPN 950 AM is proud to announce that Greg Burton was voted THE MOST KNOWLEDGABLE SPORTS RADIO HOST in 2011 by the readers of Richmond Magazine. (read more - ESPN 950, WXGI)

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:// Tom Kent gets nights at The Wave
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Max Media Classic Hits "92-9 The Wave" WVBW adds the highly popular nationally syndicated Tom Kent weeknights from 7 p.m.-midnight starting on Labor Day. Kent's 80's show "Lovin’ Life, Livin’ the '80s" will air on Sunday nights.

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Radio ratings for Virginia Beach-Norfolk were released by Arbitron earlier today with 95-7 R&B, 97-3 The Eagle, Z104, 92-9 The Wave, FM99, Hot 100.5, 106-9 The Fox, 103Jamz, 93-7 BOB FM filling out the Top 9 (6+ demo)... (8/11/2011)

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:// Richmond landlords sue WTVR for defamation
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A Richmond management company has filed a defamation lawsuit against WTVR and one of its investigative reporters, Catie Beck, after the station aired a series of reports on living conditions at their properties. (read more - TVSpy)

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Radio ratings for Harrisonburg were released by Arbitron yesterday with 104-3 Country KCY, Q101, Real Country 96.9, WSVA/550, 98 Rock, 96.1 Lite FM, Alice 93-7, 105.1 Bob Rocks and NewsTalk 1300 filling out the Top 9 (12+ demo)... (8/10/2011)

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:// The Hampton Roads Show moves
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LIN Media is moving its news/entertainment program "The Hampton Roads Show" (THRS) from "FOX43" WVBT to sister station WAVY (10/NBC) this Fall. In new WAVY promos, the actually start date (Monday, September 12) and time (11 a.m.) are now being announced.

THRS is replacing The 700 Club in the 11 a.m. time slot which we are hearing is going to Local TV's "NewChannel 3" WTKR (CBS). Timeslot? Unknown...

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:// WSLS (Channel 10) replaces 'Our Blue Ridge'
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WSLS"Our Blue Ridge," the talk show focusing on community and lifestyle news that launched with much fanfare 18 months ago but never achieved ratings success, is gone from the noon slot at WSLS-TV (Channel 10). (read more - The Roanoke Times)

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Radio ratings for Winchester were released by Arbitron yesterday with Q102, 98-3 KISS FM, 92.5 WINC-FM, 99-3 The Fox, The Bone 104.9/105.5 and The River 95.3 filling out the Top 6 (12+ demo)... (8/9/2011)

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I share this day with Whitney Houston and Melanie Griffith... ugh... (8/9/2011)

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:// Norfolk's Hot 100.5 turns up the heat with Elizabethany
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Max Media Top 40 WVHT (Hot 100.5)/Norfolk welcomes Elizabethany for nights, as Corey moves to mornings. (read more - AllAccess)

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:// Roanoke stations cover Virginia Tech incident
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At just 40 miles away from Blacksburg, VA, Roanoke is the closest market to Virginia Tech University, the site of a 2007 massacre that left 33 dead. This morning, Roanoke stations were called to action again... (read more - TVSpy)

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:// WHRO quickly acts on two new translators
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Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association (WHRO) recently announced the acquisiton of two Virginia Beach licensed translators for $140K from Liberty University. And just like that, quickly file paperwork with the FCC to maximize the power (250 watts) and use them as "fill-in" translators for two of its HD channels from WHRV and WHRO-FM.

W257BV/99.3 is currently doing 30 watts but will go 250 watts and rebroadcast WHRV-HD3/89.5-3 -- Alternative "AltRadio.org." W269BQ/101.7 is currently doing 1 watt relaying Liberty's "Victory FM" WRVL/88.3 Lynchburg but will go 250 watts and rebroadcast the main signal of WHRV-HD1 -- News/Public Affairs/NPR. A third translator at 98.3/Virginia Beach (W252CB), still licensed to Liberty, is being used by WHRO to relay WHRO-HD2/90.3-2 -- Connoisseur Classics. This signal is in the process of going to 250 watts.

All three new signals are/will be beaming from a tower site NW of where I-64 crosses Providence Rd in Virginia Beach.

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:// Charter inks pact for NFL Network, NFL RedZone carriage
Suffolk is Charter's largest system in Virginia

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Charter CommunicationsCharter Communications has signed a long-term pact with NFL Network for carriage of the pro football league's 24/7 channel, as well as its ad hoc scoring and highlights service, NFL RedZone. The MSO will launch NFL Network throughout its footprint in the weeks ahead... (read more - Multichannel News)

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:// The deck shuffled at The Vibe
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99-3 The VibeStar Radio Group's Rhythmic "99-3 The Vibe" WVBX Fredericksburg makes two on-air moves.

Since afternooner Derry London exited the station (for a TV gig at Gannett's WLTX 19/CBS Columbia SC), middayer Christal Blue now fills that slot. Blue is replaced by DJ 2Much in afternoons starting Monday, August 8.

DJ 2Much did nights for The Vibe previously before leaving the station last summer for Cox's Rhythmic "Hot 100.9" WHTI Lakeside/Richmond. He left Hot in April.

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:// Hampton Roads #1 news source WAVY-TV 10 and WVBT FOX43
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WAVY-TVFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WAVY-TV 10 and WVBT remain the number one choice for morning, evening and late news in Hampton Roads this summer! WAVY-TV 10 was #1 in household ratings Monday – Friday at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 11 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday 6 a.m. – 8 a.m., and 11 p.m. newscasts... (read more - WAVY-TV10)

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:// Versus set to become the NBC Sports Network
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So much for the Versus name in TV sports. Comcast's NBC Sports Group will announce Monday that it's jettisoning the Versus moniker and changing the name of the cable channel to NBC Sports Network. (read more - USA Today)

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:// No news at 4 for Channel 13
More local (Hampton Roads) changes coming this Fall

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Belo's WVEC (13/ABC) Hampton-Norfolk just started running a station promo for The Dr Oz Show to premiere on the station at 4 p.m. Monday, September 12. This ends speculation to what Channel 13 was going to replace The Oprah Winfrey Show with after signing off after 25 seasons. A handful of stations around the country that aired Oprah have started or will start to air news in its place.

Dr Oz currently runs at 2 p.m. on LIN Media's WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth (and on a 1-business day delay on sister "FOX43" WVBT Virginia Beach). The LIN cluster has been running station promos that The Hampton Roads Show (THRS) will move from Channel 43 to Channel 10 in the Fall. We also hear that The 700 Club could be moving from Channel 10 (airing at 11 a.m.) to "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk in the Fall. So THRS debuts on 10 at 11 a.m.? (or maybe 2 p.m.?)

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Radio ratings for Roanoke-Lynchburg were released by Arbitron earlier today with 94.9 Star Country, Q99, Vibe, K92 and WROV filling out the Top 5 (12+ demo)... (7/30/2011)

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Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association's (WHRO) to be acquired CP (construction permit) of 88.1/Emporia from Roanoke Valley Communications already gets new call letters -- WHRL... (7/29/2011)

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:// Yuna Lee exits TV3
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Yuna Lee
Yuna Lee, producer and co-anchor of Daybreak on Gray Television's WHSV (3/ABC) Harrisonburg, did her last show yesterday. The news program just won the 2010 Best Morning Show by Virginia AP Broadcasters.

Lee stated on air that she's getting married later this year and is moving to Ohio to be closer to her fiancé. She stays in the business; starting at Cox Media's WHIO (7/CBS) Dayton OH on Monday, August 1.

Lee was with Channel 3 for the past three years.

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:// Pandora releases AQH figures for the top 10 markets, going after ad dollars
AQH in DC market very close to 1.0 in 18-34 demo

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Edison Research analyzed July data from Pandora and converted it to AQH numbers, using the familiar broadcast radio standard of listening for at least five minutes during a given quarter hour. (read more - Radio-Info.com)

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:// Max Radio of the Carolinas names News Director
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Max Radio of the CarolinasFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Sam Walker, a well-respected reporter and radio news and sports anchor, will join the staff at Max Radio of the Carolinas on August 1. Sam joins Max after spending 12 years at East Carolina Radio in a similar capacity. (read more - Max Radio of the Carolinas)

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:// Familiar face does Sports for TV3
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JJ Davis, who spent a decade at Gray Television's WHSV (3/ABC) Harrisonburg from 1990-2000, has returned to the station as Sports Director. Davis replaces Damon Dillman who transferred to WHSV's sister station WCAV / WAHU / WVAW in Charlottesville as News Director.

Davis returns to TV-3 after working at stations in Roanoke and Omaha, Nebraska.

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:// FM99 morning host Rick Rumble signs new 5 year contract
Rumble voted favorite radio host in “Best of” Hampton Roads

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Rick Rumble, host of the Rumble in the Morning show on “FM99” WNOR, has signed a new five year contract. Rumble has been with FM99 since 1995. (read more - FM99, WNOR)

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:// Meet The Face of FOX43 top 10 finalists
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FOX43, WVBTFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... A panel of WVBT FOX43 judges made their selection and the public voiced their choice after participating in on-line voting for nearly a month! Now, it’s time to reveal the TOP 10 finalists in Hampton Roads most-watched spokesperson contest... (read more - FOX43, WVBT)

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:// New PD at The Block
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96-7 The Block, WKJXEast Carolina Radio's (ECR) Urban "96-7 The Block" WKJX Elizabeth City/Outer Banks has a new Program Director -- Brion O' Brion. O' Brion, who comes in from a non-industry position to replace Slimm Cutz, will also handle afternoons.

O' Brion is no stranger to radio; having made stops at several stations in the eastern US most recently exiting bankrupt Atlantic Broadcasting's WWAC/Wild 102.7 in NJ when the entire air staff was let go.

B.O.B. starts at The Block on Monday, August 1.

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:// Newport News Public Schools Sports TV announces football schedule
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Newport News Public Schools Sports TVFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... NNPS TV Sports (Cox Cable Channel 47 in Newport News & Verizon FiOS 17) will celebrate its 21st anniversary this fall of televising AAA Peninsula District Football and other prep sports. (read more - NNPS TV Sports)

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:// Jay Lopez joins HitKicker 99.7
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HitKicker 99.7, WCYKFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Long time Charlottesville radio personality Jay Lopez joins Hitkicker 99.7 today as the afternoon DJ and the station Program Director. Hitkicker – WCYK – is Central Virginia’s Country music Station, locally owned by Monticello Media. (read more - HitKicker 99.7, WCYK)

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Radio ratings for Fredericksburg were released by Arbitron earlier today with WFLS, B101.5, WTOP, 99-3 The Vibe and 95.9 WGRQ filling out the Top 5 (12+ demo)... (7/20/2011)

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:// Pandora, the leading personalized Internet Radio service, now streaming to Verizon FiOS TV
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Verizon FiOS TVFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Verizon continues breaking down barriers between TV and the Internet by becoming the first TV service provider to make Pandora - the leading personalized Internet radio service - widely available to subscribers. The company launched the service on Wednesday (July 20) to FiOS TV customers in California, Texas and Virginia...

(read more - Verizon FiOS TV)

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:// Power increase granted for Portsmouth translator
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The FCC has granted Educational Media Foundation (EMF) a power increase to its translator licensed to Portsmouth -- W227BR/93.3. Right now it's running the max for a translator (non-fill-in) at 19 watts but now can go 250 watts. EMF is running its Christian Contemporary format K-Love on it.

In the application to the FCC, EMF stated that the power increase request was to rebroadcast the signal of Clear Channel's WKSA-HD3 (92.1) Moyock/Norfolk which for now is non-existent. So this leads to the question "Does this mean CC introduces a new format or is it just a ruse and will use the HD2 channel from WKSA (Classic Country) or another one of its stations; either Smooth AC or Classic R&B?"

In the Minneapolis market, EMF has moved/will move three translators to downtown with Clear Channel using all three (eventually buying one of them) to rebroadcast HD channels.

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:// Norfolk Tides and ESPN Radio 94.1 reach new agreement
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ESPN Radio 94.1, WVSPThe Norfolk Tides, the Triple A baseball affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and Max Media Sports "ESPN Radio 94.1" WVSP-FM Yorktown/Virginia Beach have agreed to a new five-year deal. The Tides games will continue to be heard on ESPN Radio 94.1 thru the 2016 baseball season.

"This is obviously great news for ESPN Radio 94.1," stated Tony Mercurio, Program Director for WVSP-FM. The "voice of the Tides," Pete Michaud, will continue to call all games.

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:// WNRN's Friend no longer running the station he started
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WNRNMike Friend, who founded the alternative WNRN 91.9FM, is not currently in charge of day-to-day operations at the station. Reached by phone, the station’s assistant general manager Anne Williams confirmed that she is currently Acting General Manager. (read more - C-Ville)

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Radio ratings for Richmond were released by Arbitron earlier today with KISS-FM, 106-5 The Beat, Lite 98, K95, Power 92.1 filling out the Top 5 (6+ demo)... (7/19/2011)

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:// Magic morning host on Springer
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Tommy Griffiths, mornings on Clear Channel Classic Hits WBIG/100.3 Washington and "Magic 105.3" WVMA Windsor/Norfolk, appears on this Thursday's episode (You Ripped My Hair Out) of Jerry Springer. Griffiths is a "guest security guard" breaking up "real" fights.

The show airs in the Hampton Roads market at 3 p.m. on "FOX43" WVBT and in the Washington market at 8 a.m. on "DC50" WDCW.

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:// WWBT hires new General Sales Manager
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NBC12, WWBTFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Mr. Brian Ahladas joins WWBT/NBC12 as General Sales Manager. He was most recently the GSM of the three station Newsplex operation in Charlottesville with responsibility for WCAV/CBS19, WVAW/ABC16, and WAHU/FOX27... (read more - NBC12, WWBT)

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:// WHRO picks up another one
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Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association (WHRO) is picking up yet another FM radio station. The new FM to be licensed to Emporia at 88.1 is being acquired from Roanoke Rapids-based Roanoke Valley Communications for $217K. The station CP (construction permit) is listed as a directional Class C2 to do 30kW at 335 feet. WHRO can modify that right now if they chose to do so.

In addition to the Emporia FM, WHRO also has WHRO-TV Hampton-Norfolk, WHRO-FM Norfolk, WHRV Norfolk, WHRJ Gloucester Courthouse, WHRG Gloucester Point, WHRF Belle Haven, WHRE Eastville, WHRX Nassawadox and is picking up two Virginia Beach licensed translators.

According to a FCC filing, 88.1/Emporia will be a satellite station of News/Public Affairs/NPR WHRV/89.5.

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:// Hampton Roads TV market #5 watching Women's World Cup final
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Balitmore was the top market for (Sunday's) Women’s World Cup Finals, delivering a 12.3 rating. Rounding out the top five were: San Diego (11.8), West Palm Beach (11.7), Washington, D.C. (11.5), and Norfolk, Va. (11.1). (read more - Washington The Examiner)

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:// "Sports" station changes call letters
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Star Radio Group's Sports/Talk "1350 The Game" (W243BS/96.5) Fredericksburg has changed its call letters to WNTX (News, Talk Sports) from WYSK. The WYSK calls were on 1350 for 15 years.

The station recently added nine hours of daily Conservative Talk programs to its schedule.

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:// FCC announces deadlines for ending all analog and channel 52-69 LPTV operations
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Analog TV ShutoffIf you have an LPTV station operating on a channel higher than 51, you have until September 1 of this year to file an application to change to digital operation on channel 51 or below. Failure to file an application by that deadline means the station's authority to operate will terminate on December 31 of this year. (read more - CommLawCenter)

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:// WAVY-TV 10 and FOX43 announce new leadership in news room
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... WAVY-TV 10 and FOX43 are pleased to welcome Jim Gilchriest as News Director of Hampton Roads’ most watched source for local news. Gilchriest brings over 23 years of broadcast experience to LIN Media’s NBC / FOX duopoly. (read more - LIN Media Hampton Roads)

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:// Crouch to exit WAVY/WVBT
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Lori Crouch
Lori Crouch, anchor/reporter for LIN Media's WAVY (10/NBC) Portsmouth and "FOX43" WVBT Virginia Beach, has accepted the position of Manager of Public Relations for the City of Norfolk.

According to City Manager Marcus Jones, “Lori’s vast local media experience gives the City further exposure to a wealth of various media outlets and technological advances that will help the City to share its story. She will also be pivotal in helping the City articulate its vision for the future.”

Crouch, who has been with WAVY/WVBT for six years, begins her duties with the City on Monday, August 8.

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:// Radio IQ now on in Rockbridge County
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According to Radio IQ's (service of Virginia Tech and Ferrum College) website, the news/talk service is now on the air in Lexington. WRIQ/88.7 signed-on on July 12. The station is a Class A doing 3.9kW at 220 feet.

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Radio ratings for Hampton Roads were released by Arbitron Friday with 95-7R&B, 92-9 The Wave, Hot 100.5, Z104, 106-9 The Fox filling out the Top 5 (6+ demo)... (7/18/2011)

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:// Former owner of WBYM/WLRT 1490AM (now WXTG) has passed away
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Cristoforo Russo, Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Brother and friend; passed away on Friday July 8, 2011. (please read more - Daily Press)

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:// Former longtime WVEC-TV anchor Jim Kincaid dies at 76
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Sad news to report from the 13News family. WVEC.com has learned that longtime anchor Jim Kincaid died Sunday evening, at the age of 76. (read more - WVEC)

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:// NewsChannel 3 This Morning on WGNT
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Local TV's "NewsChannel 3" WTKR (CBS) Norfolk is set to extend its morning newscasts from 7 to 9 a.m. to sister station "CW27" WGNT Portsmouth.

In a recent sales client meeting, the station announced the new newscast will appear on Channel 27 sometime in late August. The two new hours will have the same on air team (anchors: Blaine Stewart and Laila Muhammad, weather: Myles Henderson, and traffic: Kristen Crowley) as the 5 to 7 a.m. show on Channel 3 with additional on air staff annoucements coming soon.

The newscast will replace the nationally syndicated "The Daily Buzz" morning show that currently airs on WGNT from 6 to 9 a.m.

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:// 13News news
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Belo's WVEC (13/ABC) Hampton-Norfolk recently added two reporters to its staff.

Cleve Bryan started a couple of weeks ago in from Media General's "News2" WCBD (NBC) Charleston SC. He's no stranger to beaches. Before the 2½ years in Charleston, he was a reporter/anchor fill-in for 2 years in Atlantic City NJ.

Arrianee LeBeau joined Channel 13 this week. She's in from Fisher Communication's "CBS13" KVAL Eugene OR where she reported for the station for 2½ years.

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Comcast Richmond adds OvationHD, the dedicated arts and contemporary culture programmed network, on channel 946 (SD channel 155)... (7/14/2011)

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:// Cox launches wireless in Roanoke and Northern VA
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Cox WirelessCox Communications today officially introduced its "Unbelievably Fair (SM)" mobile phone and high-speed Internet service in Roanoke and Northern Virginia. The addition of these markets completes Cox's rollout of wireless service in Virginia. Late last year, Hampton Roads, Va. was one of the company's first markets to launch... (read more - Cox Communications)

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:// Wheeler picks up new signal
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Mel Wheeler (WFIR/960, WXLK/92.3, WSLC-FM/94.9, WSLQ/99.1, WVBE/610, WVBE-FM/100.1) has agreed to purchase Radio Greenbrier's Oldies WKCJ/97.7 Lewisburg WV for $675,000. A new application has been filed to move the signal to just outside of Salem to do 260 watts at 1542 feet.

Speculation is that Urban AC "Vibe" will get a much stronger FM presence in Roanoke on the same 97.7 frequency. Several months ago, Wheeler purchased a translator at 97.7 from Bible Broadcasting Network and put The Vibe on it. An application to move the displaced translator to 107.3 has already been filed. That leads to more speclulation that Wheeler's other AM station "NewsTalkRadio 960" WFIR will be heard on the new 107.3 translator.

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:// London exits Fredricksburg's Vibe
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Free Lance Star Top 40/Rhythmic WVBX (99.3 The Vibe)/Fredericksburg, VA afternoon drive host Derry London will depart on August 12th... (read more - AllAccess)

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:// WHRO picks up two low power radio stations
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WHRO Public MediaHampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association, Inc. (WHRO) has agreed to purchase two translators licensed to Virginia Beach from Liberty University. W257BV/99.3 right now is relaying WHRV/89.5 Norfolk at 30 watts. The signal has a CP (construction permit) to move the antenna atop the Westin Hotel at Town Center doing just 13 watts. Price $70K.

W269BQ/101.7 is relaying Liberty's Christian Contemporary "Victory FM" WRVL/88.3 Lynchburg from an antenna located at 216 N Witchduck Rd, right near Virginia Beach Blvd. It's doing 1 watt and the price for it too was $70K (not a typo).

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:// Tom Scott exits WCYK/Charlottesville
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Monticello Media Country (HitKicker 99.7) WCYK/Charlottesville, VA Director of Interactive Media/afternoon personality Tom Scott has resigned his position... (read more - AllAccess)

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A "ton" of new activity in the classified ads section on VARTV the past several weeks! Click "Classified Ads" on the left navigation panel for complete details.

If your station/organization has any positions available (media oriented), get them on VARTV! You would be surprised who's reading..... (7/8/2011)

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:// WDBJ posts gains in key market areas
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That crowing you heard from Hershberger Road probably came from WDBJ-TV (Channel 7) after the latest ratings book came out. Or was it a sigh of relief? (read more - The Roanoke Times)

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:// CBS 6 News wins 4 Emmy and 6 Murrow Awards!
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CBS6, WTVR-TVFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... CBS 6 News continues to be the most honored local television station in Virginia. On Saturday, June 25th The South’s First Television Station received the Emmy award for overall “Station Excellence” in the 53rd Annual National Capitol Chesapeake Bay Emmy Awards ceremony in Washington, DC. (read more - CBS6, WTVR-TV)

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:// (Culpeper) Radio announcer recognized again
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For decades his voice has been heard over the airwaves and now news director, Phil Goodwin, at WJMA radio is adding another award to the wall. His crystal clear voice can be heard morning, day and night on 103.1 FM Culpeper. (read more -WVIR)

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:// WURV MD Kevin Begley adds afternoon drive duties
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103-7 The River, WURVCox Hot AC WURV (103.7 The River) and Top 40/Rhythmic WHTI (Hot 100.9)/Richmond PD Melissa Chase tells All Access she's pinning afternoon stripes onto 103.7 The River MD Kevin Begley beginning today... (read more - AllAccess)

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:// Congrats to (US106) WUSH's Brandon O'Brien and new wife Jessica
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Congrats to Sinclari Broiadcasting Country (US106) WUSH/Norfolk/Va Beach PD Brandon O'Brien and his new wife Jessica on tying the knot over the weekend. (read more - AllAccess)

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:// At work with (former WAVY-TV's) Kay Young
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I happened to meet Ken Young - no relation - and we were just talking. My contract was about to be up at WAVY, and I had decided almost a year ago that I was not going to sign another contract... (read more - The Virginian-Pilot)

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:// Sports anchor Chris Miles signing off from WDBJ
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Chris Miles is leaving the Star City for the Big Easy.

Miles, who has been the weekend sports anchor at WDBJ (Channel 7) since 2008... (read more - The Roanoke Times)

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