Cropper bumped (again); Morris headed out; Knowledge nutshell grows
Pittsburgh:- PBRTV let you know a week or two ago, that WTAE-TV (4) has hired meteorologist Mike Harvey from WTKR-TV on the Virginia shore. As a result, Stephen Cropper will be bumped to weekends come September. This is the second time Cropper has been pushed to weekends, the last time being when Don Schwenneker was the favored pick for weekdays. News Director Alex Bongiorno has named Mr. Harvey as the "new chief meteorologist". Mr. Cropper is taking the news rather well, telling the Post-Gazette, "I believe God opens and closes doors for a reason and I trust He will continue to guide and protect me and my family."
- Meanwhile KDKA-TV's Alison Morris is leaving the station in September. She will move closer to her home of Long Island, to work for Hartford's Fox affiliate (WTIC-TV). It just so happens that KDKA's former news director, Colleen Marren is news director there now. (Coincidence?)
- Dr. Knowledge (a.k.a. Charles Reichblum) is going national. The weekend, overnight KDKA-AM (1020) host is being syndicated by CBS Radio News Five 60-second "Knowledge in a Nutshell Minutes" will air throughout the week in about 30 markets. His program on KDKA has been on the air since 2004.
Dearborn begins show-prep blog
National News:Bob Dearborn, of WTAE Radio fame, recently began a morning show-prep blog - The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac. The site is free and is "meant to be a service for professional broadcasters who need an accurate and dependable source for this sort of information, another tool for the disc jockey's arsenal, an alternative to existing sources that [Dearborn has] found to be lacking in accuracy, inclusiveness and reliability."
"The inspiration for 'ODJ Almanac' was part boredom, part looking for something fun to do, part wanting to put to good use some of the information I've collected over the years," Dearborn told PBRTV. "Make no mistake, I'd rather be prepping a show for myself than disseminating stuff for others to use, but in today's youth-obsessed radio there aren't too many places that welcome someone of my age and appeal despite all the major-market experience and success I've enjoyed."
Dearborn has several databases full of interesting material which he figures somebody might as well get some use of. Despite being a free service, he does have a few ads on the site. "They pay pennies," he said, "but it's something." Nonetheless, money isn't the main issue right now and Dearborn is more interested in seeing how many repeat visitors there are after people take the first glance.
Depending on what needs to be done, Dearborn spends 20 minutes to 4 hours each day putting work into the Almanac. "[It] is put together in strips. The components are in their databases. Although they have to be monitored for changes (a celebrity dies, for instance), they are ready to be copied and pasted into the Almanac several days at a time," he said. "There's always a full week loaded with each day ready to update automatically at 4:00 a.m." Dearborn continues that there are about two weeks worth of drafts in different stages of readiness and each day is spent working on a particular section of each draft.
The prep information is lengthy, but Dearborn says it is meant to be "cherry-picked" to either be tied together or keyed off for songs and bits. In its first week, the blog enjoyed over 1000 hits from all over the world.
Bob Dearborn was on the air at WTAE-AM (1250) for a total of four years, but was only on premesis for about a year and a half when he hosted the afternoon drive from August 1977 to February 1979. The station carried his overnight RKO Network program, "Night Time America" for 2 1/2 years in the early 1980s after it was dropped by FM 97 (PBRTV guesses it was WFFM at the time...) when it changed format. "Add it all up and I'm proud to say that I was on the air in Pittsburgh for five-and-a-half years!" he said. Pittsburgh is also where Dearborn met his wife of 30 years and they return often to visit family. But, unless "some great radio opportunity elsewhere presents itself," the Dearborns plan on staying in southwestern Ontario where they have been for the last three years.
John Barbero: Voice of Penguins, WESA employee
Pittsburgh:The long-time public address voice of the Pittsburgh Penguins has died. John Barbero succombed to a battle with a brain tumor Monday night at the age of 65. He was a resident of Roscoe, Washington County.
Mr. Barbero took to the Igloo's microphone in the 1972-73 season and the last game he was in the booth for was Game 6 of the 2009 Stanley Cup. His medical leave began at the beginning of last season. Barbero's son, Brady, told the Post-Gazette, "He wanted to do them as long as he could. He really wanted to be able to announce in that new arena," adding that there wasn't a game he missed whether home or away.
Barbero began his broadcast career at the old WESA (98.3 Charleroi) and also worked dances as a mobile disc jockey. However, he was also a teacher having begun that career in the Ringgold School District and retiring from a principal position at Central Greene in 2004.
Bob Sprague dies
Pittsburgh:30+ year Pittsburgh broadcast veteran Bob Sprague passed away on Saturday, July 17 at his Squirrel Hill home. He was 70. Sprague spent his years at WTAE, KDKA and the majority at KQV-AM (1410). His roots are in Bellefonte, Centre County and he graduated from Penn State in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. His first job was at WMAJ-AM (1450) in State College. Sprague spent 2 years in the Navy and nearly 20 in the Navy Reserves, but once out, he worked at the Washington, DC ABC affiliate and subsequently the radio station in Lynchburg, Virginia purchased by the TV station.
KQV News Director, Frank Gottlieb, told the Tribune-Review, "You could always rely on [Sprague] to go out on a story, get it right, get it accurate. There are so many people, young anchors, who worked here on weekends who were nurtured along by Bob. He was their mentor."
In addition to his work, Sprague was also an accomplished singer and pianist. He performed with several groups including Pittsburgh's prestigious Mendelssohn Choir. He also gave up some of his time to WQED-TV (13) and served on the board of directors for River Quest.
A memorial service will be held in Pittsburgh sometime this fall.
Korch to KHB
Pittsburgh: Upon the retirement of Barry Banker, Broadcast Communications announced that Bill Korch would assume the morning duties at WKHB-AM (620), WKFB-AM (770) and WKVE-FM (103.1). Korch spent nearly 3 decades working at WEDO-AM (810).WKTL to add more Summit Programming
Youngstown: According to news from Ohio Media Watch and the Vindicator, it looks like Struthers High School owned WKTL 90.7 will add more programming from Cleveland area station WAPS 91.3 The Summit. School officials at the school state that students are not getting involved with the station like they used to thanks to MP3 players and I-Pods. The student run programming will be from 8:15am - 3pm instead of 7pm. All other hours will be a simulcast of The Summit's Adult Alternative format. All weekend ethnic programming will remain in place on the 12,000 watt signal in the Mahoning Valley.Sunnie Jennings Bates dies
Pittsburgh: Former KDKA-TV reporter Sunnie Jennings Bates died at her home in Roswell, Georgia after a battle with cancer. She was a reporter in the early 1960s where she would appear on the noon news with Bill Burns, Ron Rininger and Brace Gilson. Following her television career, Bates worked for the League of Women Voters and sold real estate. She is survived by her husband, 4 children, and several grandchildren/great grandchildren.New Meteorologist headed to WTAE-TV
Pittsburgh: via Robert Corbin/VARTV.com - Come September, WTAE-TV (4) will have a new meteorologist in Mike Harvey. Harvey is currently the Chief Meteorologist at WTKR-TV "News Channel 3", the CBS affiliate in Norfolk, Virginia. He made the announcement of his departure from that station on the air tonight. Harvey will arrive at about the same time WTAE Meteorologist Erin Kienzle will be going on maternity leave.More, more, more
National News:Paging Andrea True Connection...
Clear Channel filed comments in the latest rounds of the FCC's ownership proceedings suggesting that a single owner should be allowed to hold up to a dozen licenses in a single large market. The Telecom Act of 1996 only allows eight - up to 5 FM and 3 AM.
All-Access.com reports the company's comments included, "The terrestrial radio broadcast industry is in dire need of an economic jumpstart. Easing the local radio ownership limits, at least in the largest markets, will recapture investors' interest in radio broadcast companies. It will also stimulate the long-dormant market for radio station transactions." The company also suggests that broadcast radio remains one of the least consilidated of major industries in the country and faces robust competition from satellite radio and Internet-radio based services.
Pitt Athletics announces new broadcast partners
Pittsburgh:The University of Pittsburgh announced today that it has entered into agreements with CBS Radio and Renda Broadcasting Corporation to broadcast coverage of football and basketball games. KDKA-FM (93.7) will serve as the flagship for Pitt football and men's basketball broadcasts. Meanwhile, the new exclusive radio home for Pitt women's basketball will be WJAS-AM (1320).
In addition to the games, KDKA-FM will air a variety of ancillary programming focusing on the Panthers and will feature weekly shows with football coach Dave Wannstedt and basketball coach Jamie Dixon.
Athletic Director Steve Pederson said, "The University of Pittsburgh is incredibly proud to partner with KDKA, truly one of the legendary names in radio broadcasting. The launch of Sportsradio 93.7 The Fan has been a feast for sports fans throughout Western Pennsylvania and beyond. With 24-hour local programming, the Panther Nation will enjoy plenty of Pitt sports news and talk throughout the year." Pederson went on to say, "Our arrangement to have WJAS carry every women's basketball game live is also an exciting development. Whether it's a Pitt football Saturday or the excitement of March Madness, the Panthers are going to enjoy comprehensive and unprecedented radio coverage thanks to this new partnership."
Pitt football and basketball games will continue to be called by Bill Hillgrove who is considered "the Voice of the Panthers". His familar team of color analysts Bill Fralic (for football) and Dick Groat (for basketball) will also be in place. Curtis Aiken will contribute color analysis for home basketball games.
WIth WJAS providing live play-by-play broadcasts of all regular- and post-season women's basketball games for 2010-1, it will mark the first time the women's basketball program has received such coverage. The station will also air a regular show featuring Panthers coach Agnus Berenato.
The new relationship between Pitt and CBS Radio will feature a promotional platform to create awareness about the University through on-air, online and on-site at events.
Banker scales back
Pittsburgh: "It's retirement from full-time work, but I still intend to be active in the business." So says Barry Banker who has worked in some capacity for WKHB (and its predecessor WHJB-AM) 620 since the mid-1960s. Banker will scale back his duties on July 24 in order to spend more time with his family and "not be committed to a schedule". He intends to maintain a few duties including the public affairs program, "A Closer Look" which he has hosted for several years and airs on all three of Broadcast Communications' North Versailles-based stations. "I may do some sales too, but these are things yet to be worked out," he said. Over the years, Banker has also been a part of 620's sister stations, including the original incarnation of WHJB-FM (107.1) - later WOKU and WSSZ. More recently he has also been heard on WKFB-AM (770) and WKVE-FM (103.1). He also worked part-time for WKTQ-AM (1320) in the years that it was top-40 "13-Q" (now WJAS).Penguins now PPM customer
Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins will be receiving custom Arbitron reports for their individual games (plus pre- and post-game numbers). The team has a strong relationship with WXDX-FM (105.9). The Pens make the first NHL team to sign up for the custom PPMs and according to Tom Taylor, having non-radio customers allows Arbitron to spread its costs.Larry Miklas dies
Youngstown: Tom Taylor (Radio-info.com) reports today that Larry Miklas, who had quite a reputation for doing sports in the Youngstown area, has died. He was 60. Miklas had suffered from a "sudden ad short illness" according to Clear Channel's Youngstown Sports Director, Jim Campbell. Lately, Miklas called high school football games for WBBG (106.1) and high school basketball on WNIO (1390).Hembree Memorial to be televised
Pittsburgh: PBRTV received late word that the memorial service for former Cornerstone Television COO, Ron Hembree, is being held this morning at 11:00. The service will air on CTVN (WPCB-TV 40) at 7:00 this evening and again at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 10. The service takes place at Cornerstone Ministries in Export PA and is open to the public.PBS World now on WQLN
Erie-Meadville: It was announced yesterday that WQLN Public Media has dropped its PBS West schedule on 54-3 for "PBS World." The new channel to Erie region viewers offers news and current affairs programs offrered from PBS as well as some kids programs. You can catch PBS Newshour, Nightly Business Report and BBC News for starters. In my area, I am also able to watch "Worldview" from WNEO Western Reserve Public Media, which does differ from PBS World with more international programming. Currently "PBS World" is only available over the air to viewers in the Tri-State area.WTAE re-joins AFTRA
Pittsburgh: In relation to a story we reported on back in May, AFTRA's Twitter page reports that WTAE (4) anchors and reporters have rejoined the union effective this past Wednesday (June 30). WTAE decertified their memberships in the union back in 1997. An attempt to rejoin the union in May was met with an overwhelming majority of the reporters.KQV has sports lineup too
Pittsburgh:KQV has announced that it will be broadcasting over 100 football games between August 27, 2010 and February 8, 2011.
The schedule includes 12 WPIAL High School Games of the Week, 12 Notre Dame games, 9 additional NCAA Football games, 31 NFL Games of the Week including all 3 of the Thanksgiving Day games. 16 Monday Night Footballs, 4 NCAA Bowl games and 12 NFL Playoffs including Super Bowl XLV.
KQV-AM (1410) is an all-news station.