WICU to carry Superbowl in HD
Erie-Meadville: According to the Erie TImes News yesterday (1/30) WSEE 35-1 is temporarily moving it's HD service to sister station WICU 35-3 in order to bring Superbowl 43 in HD over the air to the entire Erie region. THis is good news for those with HDTV sets that do not have Armstrong or Time Warner cable where WICU is available in HD full time. This concept was done last year in Youngstown when WKBN 27-1 moved its HD to sister station WYFX on 27-3 since FOX had the Super Bowl last year. Kudos to Lilly broadcasting for bringing Erie its first Super Bowl in HD.Super Bowl hype tires even the best of fans
Musings From Eric:I received an email from an alert reader who appears to be a great fan of The Steelers, but says the coverage, "is over the top." He goes on, "Although it may alienate fans of certain regular shows, the stations hope to get a higher rating with the Steelers coverage given the percentage of those who claim Allegiance to the Steelers Nation." He goes on to say that when the Steelers make playoff runs, he cuts out the hype and waits for the game. Anything you need to know about a game that has any significance (other than injury reports) is made known within two or three days of knowing what teams will be playing. FWIW, we tend to agree with this alert reader. Enough is enough already! Then again, you have to think of the sales department. Especially with the current economic situation, stations may not care who they are disenchanting by creating new, temporary programming if they are making money with more ad dollars given the potential for excellent ratings. Ratings = better ad rates. (Oh and speaking of the economy, we hear that when the Steelers win big, you can almost expect good things on Wall Street.)
Now, what to watch if you're not watching the Super Bowl. "What? Someone in Pittsburgh isn't going to be watching tomorrow's Super Bowl?" I hear you cry. Believe me, it's possible and someone has to make sure the other stations don't slip into oblivion for three hours.
Quinn apologizes for remarks
Pittsburgh:WPGB morning man and syndicated talker Jim Quinn issued an apology Friday for comments made back in November. Quinn's comments paralleled public welfare with slavery and the comments were recently tagged by a media watchdog group who called Quinn "Radioactive" on their website.
"When you are on the air for as long as I have been, I suppose it's only a matter of time before you say something that cannot be adequately defended. My comments comparing welfare to slavery was one such event," Quinn said in the on-air apology. The Post-Gazette cites Quinn's website stating that he was not encouraged to apolgize by the station. Rather it was Quinn's conscience which moved him to make the apology.
TV Scorecard
Pittsburgh:Here's what is happening this weekend on your TV for the Super Bowl.
- WPXI - the NBC affiliate showing the game in Pittsburgh - has expanded 11 p.m. news coverage by 10 minutes all week. Darieth Chisolm, Gordon Loesch, Alby Oxenreiter, Bill Phillips and Rich Walsh are representing the station in Tampa.
- WTAE has pre-empted Inside Edition all week (irking most) as they bring further coverage of the event called the Super Bowl. Sally Wiggin, Andrew Stockey, Bill Hillgrove, Marcie Cipriani, Guy Junker and Merril Hoge are the station reps.
- KDKA sent Bob Pompeani and John Schumway.
Towel brings swirl of emotions for Cope family
Pittsburgh: Seeing all of those Terrible Towels this week, swirling in the breeze and decorating offices, is a bittersweet image for Elizabeth Cope, 38, according to the New York Times."It's actually been really hard for me, with the Steelers going to the Super Bowl," she tells reporter John Branch. "It's great. But it hurts."
Cope's father, longtime Steelers color analyst, former WTAE-TV (4) commentator, and WTAE (1250) talk show host Myron Cope, died last February after battling a series of illnesses. He was 79.
Cope invented the Terrible Towel in 1975 as a promotional gimmick for the radio station.
The trademark was eventually donated to the Allegheny Valley School in Robinson Township, a residential community for people with severe mental or learning disabilities. Cope's son, Danny, has autism and is unable to speak. He has been a resident of AVS since 1982.
Royalties collected by the school since 1996 totaled more than $2.5 million before this season, according to the Times. Sales of the $7 towels will likely generate another million dollars in income this year alone, the newspaper says.
DTV leaving seniors behind
National News:We thought this clip from Fox's "Talkshow with Spike Feresten" was an exaggeration, but it turns out that lots of older people are struggling with their converter boxes.
According to the New York Times, more than 6.5 million people who receive over-the-air TV broadcasts still haven't made any preparations for the upcoming transition of full-power signals from analog to digital.
Elderly viewers --- like the woman in the "Talkshow" spoof --- are hurting worst of all. Either they don't know how to get a converter box or don't know how to install them.
In Houston, Texas, "Meals on Wheels" volunteers are checking TVs and installing converter boxes for their mostly older, low-income clients. Some of the people have tried calling toll-free hotlines for help, but can't get through.
The head of the organization that oversees Meals on Wheels in Houston says he's "livid": "Most of them are sitting in front of their TVs. They're watching 'Price Is Right.' They're watching 'Judge Judy.' That's their company."
Digital delay overthrown...the countdown is nearly done...
Musings From Eric:If you're one of the 6-odd million people without cable and not ready for the switch to digital transmission, you darn well better get ready or come February 17 you're going to be hearing emergency dispatch on your TV. Well, ok, slight exaggeration, but I'm telling you it's not going to be long. You might have your Congressional Representative to blame, so you better bark up that tree as soon as you can...if you really care to. If you're confused about this transition now, you can thank the Republicans who said the delay would confuse consumers. So at least you won't get more confused. But further reason is that the wireless companies and emergency services which are supposedly chomping at the bit to take up the analog TV spectrum would be burdened.
Hold the cell phone, Charlie. (Read on)
(more)This just in...
Pittsburgh:Renda Broadcasting's WSHH-FM (99.7) and WJAS-AM (1320) ceased their online broadcasting feature on January 1, 2009 "due to escalating royalty fees for online streaming broadcasts." WMNY-AM (1360) remains online. You might recall that Renda Broadcasting was among the first to pull music from the internet a number of years ago when the RIAA challenged whether there should be further royalties incurred for broadcasting over the net.
House votes against DTV transition delay
National News:According to ABC News and CBS News, The US House of Represenatives (mostly on the Republican side of the isle) decided not to follow the Senate in approving the delay of the DTV transition. The transition which is to occur on February 17th would have been moved back to June 12th. The delay would have had some wiggle room as stations could have converted to digital before the proposed new deadline. More news as it becomes available.
WJST New Castle now Fox Sports
Misc. Pennsylvania: Scott Fybush (after Ohio Media Watch told him) reports that WJST-AM (1280) recently flipped from oldies to Fox Sports Radio.Digital delay approved by Senate
National News: KDKA-TV reports that the U.S. Senate voted today to delay the switch from analog tv to digital tv until June 12. The House is working on similar legislation and the Obama administration is calling for the delay over concerns that too many Americans relying on over-the-air signals won't be ready. The estimate is that 6.5 million households are not yet prepared for the switch.Experts don't expect "change on the talk radio airwaves
Pittsburgh:We all know that the combination of President Regan vetoing the Fairness Doctrine in the '80s and the Democratic leadership in the '90s helped to build the barage of conservative talk programming with hosts like Limbaugh, Hannity and others. WPGB program director Jay Bohannon thinks the new Obama Administration might keep things cooking for the talk format in 2009. He tells the Post-Gazette, "These guys are pretty much salivating over the whole state of politics at this point." He continues, "I do see the conservative genre of talk radio being extraordinarily popular over the next four years. When Bill Clinton was in office, Rush Limbaugh exploded."
Meanwhile Mike Pintek and Fred Honsberger of KDKA-AM (1020) don't see their jobs changing. Pintek, who recently returned to the station, calls himself a "political mutt". "If Obama does something right, I'm going to say good for him," he said, "and if he does something I think is wrong, I'm going to say that, too." He also maintains that not being entertaining and just pushing a "conservative Republican line" will probably doom a host as listeners are sick and tired of it.
Honsberger thinks it's not about who is in power because there is always something to talk about.
Quinn gets "radioactive" rating
Pittsburgh:Media watchdog groups are helping radio listeners find out what talk hosts are saying even without listening to them. Media Matters recently gave local host Jim Quinn a "radioactive" rating because they feel his speeches could be "hazardous to listeners." The organization usually monitors the nationally syndicted programs like Sean Hannity and others, but has recently taken on more regional programs such as Quinn's. (Quinn's program eminates from WPGB-FM - 104.7 - and is syndicated to 17 stations and Sirius-XM Radio.)
According to the Post-Gazette, Media Matters was founded in 2004 as a progressive/liberal organization keeping a watchful eye on all media. It was founded by David Brock whose conversion from a right-wing journalist is told in his book, "Blinded by the Right" The Conscience of an Ex-Conservative." The organization's mission is to "draw awareness to what is being said on the public airwaves and analyze and correct conservative misinformation in the media."
Jay Bohannon, WPGB Program Director, calls the protests from Media Matters "a non-factor" given that many of the emails generated to the station from the site are from people who never heard the actual broadcast. "Media Matters paints these guys as entirely mean-spirited and having no other agenda than to go on the air with malicious intent," Bohanon told the PG. "That's not the case at all. They have their opinions. They're conservative."
Media Matters claims that they aren't out to censor these hosts. Rather, "it's important to keep an eye on what's being said on the public airwaves. People should be aware what's out there. They can say whatever they want to say. But people are entitled to know that's what being said on their airwaves, and they're entitled to be offended about it."
Captain Dan is looking for some former Erie voices
Erie-Meadville: WYNE 1530 Program Director and a good friend to PBRTV Captain Dan Geary is looking for some former Erie radio voices. He is seeking those who once ruled the Erie airwaves to record some station liners for WYNE. For more details, you can contact the Captain at his e-mail address which is captdan1@aol.com or call him at WYNE at (814) 725-WYNE (9963) during the week. Among the former radio voices taking part will be yours truly. If you haven't checked out the website, it's http://wyne.mercyhurst.edu/ where you can listen online 24 hours a day.Circuit City going out of business
National News: With everyone tightening their belts due to the rough shape of the economy these days, the nation's second largest electronics retailer has become victim of of the economic downturn. After not being able to find a potential buyer last week, Circuit City has decided to go out of business. They are now running "going out of business" ads stating that their items are now up to 30% off, I'd expect that percentage to go even higher in order to attract more customers. Circuit City has made an effort to be competitive with the nation's largest electronics retailer Best Buy, but simply could not gain the momentum they have in the marketplace. Of course the closing of Circuit City will add more people to the status of unemployed, which is becoming a much too common scenerio these days. Will the closing of Circuit City bring more people into their stores in order to purchase big ticket items at a more reasonable price. Will you be one of those people looking for a great deal on an HDTV or a laptop computer. Feel free to share your thoughts here.WNEO is now full power
Youngstown: Our friends over at Ohio Media Watch have reported that Western Reserve PBS outlet WNEO DT 45 in Alliance, Ohio has finally received FCC approval to increase the station's power from 44kw to 500kw. The power was increased on Wednesday according to their article. The station is now coming in much better at my location with reading between 35-40%, which is about the same readings I can get for WYTV DT 33 (36) which is sending out 50kw with an application to increase power up to 1,000 kw.WWOW flips back to news talk
Misc. Ohio: From our Under the Radar department. After about a year carrying Catholic programming with EWTN, WWOW 1360 in nearby Conneaut, Ohio has flipped back to news talk as of January 5th. This brings the talk format back to Ashtabula county after WFUN dropped the format for sports as ESPN 970 a while back. The lineup is mostly syndicated outside of the morning show and noon until 2pm with various local programs. The W-WOW morning show is hosted by Marty Landon and Gary Gersin with weather from WICU TV 12 meteorologist Julie Coates. The syndicated fare includes Laura Ingraham, Dave Ramsey, Bill Bennett and Sean Hannity. The EWTN Catholic network can still be heard on the station in the evenings, overnights and Sundays according to the station's website at http://www.newstalk.1360wwow.com.Clear Channel wipes out 1850 - 9% of its workforce
National News:As expected, January 20 was the day for a super bloodbath at Clear Channel clusters throughout the country. The clearance happened differently in each market - some managers called the names over the intercom and asked them to return over the weekend to pick up belongings. Others were told the items would be shipped to them. Other locations had police on hand. One location was so cold, those who were asked to leave were told not to speak to their former co-workers on the way out.
In some clusters it was sales staff, in others it was programmers. One major loss Corporate Senior VP of news/talk/sports - Gabe Hobbs. Hobbs had been with Clear Channel (and before that Jacor) for 25 years. His hat was hung at the Tampa cluster.
No word on how the cuts affected Pittsburgh, yet.
Source: Tom on Radio-Info (Link not available at post time.)
Local Inaugural coverage makes one wonder
Musings From Eric: Is it a sign of the times? WTAE sent Andrew Stockey to DC, KDKA sent Jon Delano, but WPXI is using the Cox Enterprises resources already in DC. Sounds like funding is pretty tight on Evergreen Road.'JAS dead air due to line problem
Pittsburgh: If you were "listening" to WJAS-AM (1320) on Saturday, you might have noticed that the programming consisted of several hours worth of pantomiming. We undertand from a source at Renda Broadcasting that the Verizon line from studio to transmitter was down for the better part of the afternoon. All has been repaired and the station was back up and running by late evening.Clear Channel to make cuts on Inauguration Day
National News:In an attempt to reduce the amount of press it receives, Clear Channel will be slashing jobs in the radio, outdoor advertising and international divisions on Tuesday. Programming budgets and back-office consolidation is expected too, says the New York Post. The restructuring by the new owners is expected to cut $400 million in spending. This will move the company closer to a "national programming" model - fewer local staffers and more centralized jocks. An action similar to what the company was criticized over for having done in the past. This plan was in place by the new owners regardless of the economy, however the plans were pushed up because of it.
Clear Channel employs about 30,000 world wide.
Bryant on SLB as program adds new affilate
Pittsburgh:The Saturday Light Brigade has been building a network of stations since it moved to flagship WRCT-FM (88.3) in 2003. The latest addition is WMCO-FM (90.7) from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. This brings the station total to six - WRCT, WIUP, WMCO, WSAJ, WNJR and WCUC.
This weekend's program features Country music legend Slim Bryant who will remember his career including his appearances on The KDKA Farm Show. Tune in around 7:45 a.m. for this special event. Bryant, a centenarian, will be signing his new CD at the Borders Books and Music in Bethel Park later in the day.
Election - good for talk; Christmas - good for Wish
Pittsburgh:The Fall 12+ ratings are out in this non-PPM market.
Talk stations KDKA-AM (1020) and WPGB-FM (104.7) are near the top during the end of the election year. KD jumps up a little higher, whether it's a result of host changes or not it's too early to tell. WPGB holds steady with the 6.5 it has held since the spring book. WSHH-FM (99.7) saw a jump with the all-Christmas format it began in November. WKST-FM (96.1) sees its lowest numbers in a while as WBZW-FM (93.7) saw a pretty signficant increase.
Stations seeing a new spot on the list (the first time with measurable ratings on a Book as opposed to a Trend) are WKFB-AM (770) and WGSM-FM (107.1).
(Source: R&R)
Kevin Miller fans: Turn on Your TV
Pittsburgh: Kevin Miller, recently let go from KDKA-AM is hosting NightTalk on PCNC. The irony? Mike Pintek, recently re-hired by KDKA-AM, was the recent host of NightTalk.60 = "Ho-hum"
Pittsburgh: KDKA-TV (2) marked its 60th anniversary this past Sunday. A few "look back" reports aired throughout last week, but according to the PG, there are no plans for a big special. KD threw a party 10 years ago with an hour-long special by Dave Crawley. To our knowledge, it was the only special of its kind available for purchase in this market.Jet TV advising viewers to not hook up converter box just yet
Erie-Meadville: A report on Jet TV Tuesday evening addressed why most viewers are not yet able to get their digital signal. The mentioned that their digital signal is currently at low power on DT 58 and will not go to full power until February 17th (or possibly June 12th) when the station moves to DT 24. WJET TV GM Tim Dunst mentioned that several stations across the country have to wait until February before going full power on it's digital station. He even mentioned that another Erie TV station (WICU) is in the same boat as Jet. During the report, Jet is advising viewers to wait until February 17th before hooking up the converter box to their analog TV. Better advice would be to purchase a converter box with analog pass through so that viewers can get Jet TV analog when the box is off while enjoying other stations with use of the converter box. Currently, most off air digital viewers in the Erie region can watch WSEE (16) CBS on 35-1, WBEP CW on 35-2, WICU NBC on 35-3, WQLN (50) PBS on 54-1 (The only way viewers can watch WQLN over the air since the analog station is no longer on the air) and Fox 66 WFXP (22) on 66-1. The report did not mention that there could be a possible delay with the transition date but has been mentioned on WSEE in their reports regarding the transition. People with questions can stop by the Millcreek Mall on Thursday from 1-5pm where FCC represenatives will answer questions, help apply for coupons and show people how to hook up their boxes.Stefan, the Castle Prankster dies
Pittsburgh:Stephen Michael Luncinski died suddenly last week at the age of 52. He was at his Baldwin home when he died. Luncinski is best remembered for playing the role of Stefan, the Castle Prankster on "Chiller Theater". Bill Cardille remembered Luncinski as "a beacon for a lot of people that needed help, assistance, and a pat on the back." The pair met during a trip to Las Vegas for the Jerry Lewis Telethon and Cardille mentioned the idea of adding a castle family to his Chiller Theater. A few years later, Luncinski was one of those added. Cardille remembers him as a positive person who, despite his special needs, "was never down, never sad."
Luncinski and his family have owned and operated local businesses including V&S Auto Inc. and Pinnacle Auto Service in Carrick. The family was able to carry the business into a time when the advancement of computers had put other family businesses out of business. Luncinski also unsuccessfully ran for state Senate in 1996 and Allegheny County Council in 1999.
Luncinski is survived by two sons, his parents and a brother.
Ploeger leaving WTAE
Pittsburgh:
The on-air staff at WTAE-TV (4) just keeps dwindling. Jake Ploeger will be leaving the station in a few weeks on his own choice. He will be leaving to work for his in-laws at P.J. Dick, Trumbull Corp. & Lindy Paving. Construction? Yes. "For the first couple of years I'll be learning the business and get acclimated in the construction world," Ploeger told the Post-Gazette, "Hopefully in the next few years I'll move into more of a management role."
Ploeger joined WTAE in 2000 as a sports anchor before moving over to news in 2002. He was offered the seat recently vacated by Jon Burton, but turned it down. The decision to leave wasn't difficult. "While the work [in TV news] is fun, it's not always conducive to a normal life per se," he said. Ploeger is anchoring the sports segments in his final weeks and it is likely that he'll be there through the Super Bowl.
Verilli leaving; Moore takes over PCNC show
Pittsburgh:- KDKA-TV (2) news director John Verrilli is leaving the station for sister stations WBZ and WSBK in Boston. Verrilli has been with KDKA since 2004 and has watched the 4p.m. newsratings soar.
- Chris Moore will be taking over the PCNC program he's been hosting on a substitute basis. Beginning Monday, January 12, "Pittsburgh Now" will replace "Honsberger Live". Fred Honsberger has been unable to get to the studio because of some medical issues, but continues to be heard on KDKA-AM (1020) Monday-Friday from Noon - 3.
Source: PG
Erie's DTV update
Erie-Meadville: Here is some information regarding the status of Erie's digital TV stations according to files from the FCC. (Of course now pending if the DTV transition will be extended to June 12th.) I have already updated you earlier on the WQLN situation but I can also say that both WSEE DT 35-1 (16) and WFXP DT 66-1 (22) are up and running at full power. Meanwhile, there is some news regarding both WJET DT 24-1 (58) and WICU DT 12-1 (52). First, WJET which signed on in 1966 will be shutting down it's analog signal on February 15th, which is two days before the February 17th deadline. (The station will be moving to DT 24-1 since it's current station on DT 58 is out of the digital core of channels 2-51.) This is being done in order to facilitate the WJET DT buildout. A tower crew is expected to arrive around January 15th in order to prepare for antenna installation. Of course with Erie's weather, there could be some delays with the installation and time will be of the essence with the deadline a month away. Jet will also be getting a new transmitter for the higher powered digital signal. WJET is currently feeding both Time Warner and Dish Network it's digital signal. Meanwhile, WICU which first signed on as Erie's first TV station in 1949 will keep it's analog signal on the air up until February 17th. The station is installing it's new digital transmitter this month but apparently will be using it's current digital antenna since there is no notice of any antenna needed to be installed at the Donation Road tower site. WICU will also flash cut from DT 52-1 to DT 12-1, which will make WICU Erie's only VHF digital station.DTV coupon program broke?
National News: For several months, TV stations across the country have been airing promos regarding the upcoming digital TV transition. It appears that the notification has worked to the point that the program (which offers two 40 dollar coupons per address for two converter boxes) is officially broke. The program is still taking orders but it's hard to say if there will be additional money put back into the program. Some money has been put back with those who did not use their coupons within 90 days, otherwise it looks like Congress may need to look into a converter box bailout. The coupons are not required in order to purchase a converter box, it was a way to defray the cost of purchasing a box for digital over the air reception on your older existing analog TV. Hopefully some additional funding comes through, though it will probably be restricted to those who rely exclusively on OTA reception. Update: This recent news regarding the digital transition could cause it to be postponed. It appears that President Elect Obama will try to persuede Congress to pass a law in order to postpone the transition until June 1st. Are you for or against a postponement of the DTV transition. Feel free to share your comments here.Effort being made to name a street for Chedwick
Pittsburgh:From Ed Weigle:
Folks: I was made aware of an intriguing effort to get a street in Homestead named after Porky Chedwick. With some luck, this can be realized. Certainly, if ever there was an individual who was more deserving and globally influential, from that part of town, it's got to be Porky. For our generation, his influence is more identifiable than striking workers and overzealous Pinkerton guards, 100 years ago -- God Bless 'em all, just the same! My friend, Nick Pantano, who hosts a blog focusing on Pittsburgh oldies (I actually learned about it here), sent the link along. If the moderator doesn't mind, I'll share it with you.
By the way -- Several years ago, I wrote Mayor Murphy of Pittsburgh the same kind of proposal. I never received a response.
Let's see if we can make this happen.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/porkychedwick
Be well!
Ed Weigle
Syndicated Grayson for KDKA overnights
Pittsburgh: After a year or so of a delayed airing of Dennis Miller followed by the Premiere Midnight Radio Network, KDKA-AM (1020) now has a syndicated source from within CBS. KMOX (St. Louis) based Jon Grayson is being heard overnights. He has also picked up WBZ Boston and WCCO Minneapolis. According to Tom Taylor, Grayson has been with KMOX since 2000 and his program focuses on pop culture, current events and politics.WQLN DT reception now much improved
Erie-Meadville: Over this past week, WQLN DT 54-1 (50) had a tower crew on site in order to improve over the air reception of the station. The temporary antenna was moved much closer to the top of the tower than it was previously. The station is still at low power, but moving the antenna up has helped to increase the station's coverage area. However, it may take some time before WQLN is at full power due to it's permanent antenna issues.Retro Television NOT gone...
Pittsburgh: According to DCRTV, the Retro Television Network is not gone. There was a small dispute with one of the video distributors which took the channel off briefly. All's well and the service is back in service. See it on Channel 11.2.Jazz FM is on the air
Erie-Meadville: A follow up to a recent story regarding WMCE 88.5/104.9 flipping it's format from a mix of classical, jazz and adult alternative to become Erie's jazz station. Their website had stated that the flip would occur in February but it appears that they decided to move ahead with the format flip this month following a month of classical Christmas music. A lot of the programming appears to be syndicated but some locally based shows and weekend ethnic programs will remain on the Mercyhurst main campus station.Retro Television gone?
Pittsburgh: From DCRTV: The Retro TV Network (RTN) has apparently gone belly-up due to lack of advertising revenue. We're a little confused though because a check of the channel (A.K.A. "11.3") over the weekend still seemed to show classic programming from between the 1950s and 80s. If this is true, then it's a double whammy for WPXI and their digital subchannels. NBC discontinued its "Weather Plus" which aired on 11.2 up until the beginning of December 2008. Nothing has replaced it yet.Baughman also on WJAS; Shovlin shifts attention to Promotions
Pittsburgh:Alert reader Joe asked us as to the whereabouts of Chris Shovlin - and near as we could tell he hasn't gone far. But a check to the WJAS Website shows that Chris Shovlin is no longer a part of the Bogut in the Morning Show. Instead, Hank Baughman is now the regular newsman. A quick observation to all three Renda station websites - including 'JAS shows that Chris still holds the position of Director of Marketing and Promotions. PBRTV later found out from a reliable source that Shovlin's promotions assistant recently moved on and the position has not been filled due to budget concerns leaving Shovlin to focus his attention on that. He is also the voice for various Robert Morris University sporting events as well as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. He has been with Renda Broadcasting for over a decade.
Baughman has been with Renda Broadcasting and WSHH since the mid-1980s when the station was Pittsburgh's key beautiful music station.
(UPDATED: Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 8:48 a.m.)
1390 WNIO goes HD
Youngstown:Clear Channel chief engineer John Clarke has notified us that Nostalgia station 1390 WNIO is now broadcasting in HD as in HD Radio. He states that the carrier was turned on New Years Eve and will only be HD during the daylight hours due to the station using two different tower locations for day & night broadcasting. The 9.5KW power output should help with the HD signal covering the local area. Though I am getting it on my trip into Middlefield, Ohio as I type this on Saturday (1/3/09). Look for HD during the day on sister news talk outlet 570 WKBN in the near future as well.
"Klink and O'Brien?"..."O'Brien and Klink?"
Musings From Eric:In case you missed it - and it's likely you did - I was an impromptu guest on KDKA-AM (1020) Friday night around 9:30. Ron Klink - the former KDKA-TV anchorman-turned-Congressman-turned-government relations guru was the featured host keeping the seat warm for Monday's return of Mike Pintek. Klink had emailed me earlier in the day and had mentioned that Thursday night's program was made up of 3 hours of Pittsburgh broadcasting memories and that he intended on opening up the final hour of Friday's show to more of the same.
We had plans to go to Hartwood Acres for the lights, but figured we'd be home in time to listen to the show. Well, naturally the final Friday night of the light show was crazy and we ended up being only halfway through the show at 9. Nonetheless, we tuned in. The callers were mainly focused on the whereabouts of some of Pittsburgh's beloved radio hosts - everyone from Jack Wheeler to Joe Gearing. (Psst...Hi Joe!) Despite being closer to the KDKA transmitter than home, I decided that we needed to pull over and call in. The idea to pull over was good because that's when I became Klink's impromptu guest.
And who was that female everyone was thinking of who was at one time on KDKA from 10 p.m. - Midnight? It could have been Suzie Barbour (now at the Mountain Playhouse in Jennerstown), more recently Carol Lee Espy or even Elizabeth Day. The world may never know!
So, anyhow, if this is your first visit to PBRTV after having listened to the show, Welcome! The deadbeat webmaster is a little behind on updating some of the information, but he'll get it right someday. It's a 2009 resolution!
WQED Changes Schedule
Pittsburgh:Beginning Monday, WQED-TV (13) will become the place to be if you are kid. The new daytime lineup will consist of an 11-hour block of children's programming beginning at 6 a.m. Program Director Chris Fennimore tells the Post-Gazette that the switch reflects the available daytime audience. If you are looking for programs like "Sit and Be Fit" or "OnQ", they are moving to a new digital subchannel called "WQED Create Channel".
Apparently there were several possibilities from which to choose in creating the new subchannel, but Fennimore felt that "Create" had the most broadcast appeal. "Create" runs programming ranging from cooking to travel and will feature programs like "Ask This Old House" and "Best of the Joy of Painting". The channel will also be home to two blocks of programming - one at noontime which will feature "Charlie Rose" and a rerun of "OnQ"; the other beginning at 9 p.m. which will supply the West Coast feed of "The News Hour", "Black Horizons" and "Tavis Smiley".
If viewing over the air, WQED (as we've always known it) is 13.1; Create is 13.2 and the Neighborhood Channel is 13.3. Check your cable provider for channel numbers. Incidentally, WQED will be the only local station to remain on its channel after the February 17 switch to all-digital.