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Showing posts from November, 2011

VIDEO: Brad Byrd on the end of NEWS 25 and the beginning of Eyewitness News

During tonight's 10 p.m. newscast - the last as NEWS 25 under Gilmore Broadcasting ownership - NEWS 25 lead anchor Brad Byrd closed out the Gilmore era with the following statement:

Nexstar reaches retransmission deal with Dish Network

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Nexstar Broadcasting announced this afternoon that it has reached a new, multi-year retransmission consent agreement with Dish Network . The new deal allows Dish to carry 55 television stations and related digital programming channels owned by Nexstar and Mission Broadcasting. "We are delighted to enter into a new agreement with DISH as it validates the strength of our award-winning local content and leading national programming," said Perry Sook, Nexstar's chairman, president and CEO. "Dish Network is pleased to announce this new agreement to carry dozens of local broadcast stations owned by Nexstar and Mission around the country," added Dave Shull, Dish's senior vice president for programming. "We thank Nexstar for serving as a valuable partner and for respecting our customers' wishes to have uninterrupted access to their local channels throughout these negotiations. We pledge to work hard to offer the most channel choices and the

Scripps buyout of McGraw-Hill TV stations gets FCC OK

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The E.W. Scripps Co. , which owns the Evansville Courier & Press and Henderson Gleaner , has received final approval from the Federal Communications Commission for its $212 million purchase of McGraw-Hill 's TV stations. The FCC approved the deal yesterday. Among McGraw-Hill's stable of four ABC affiliates and low-power Spanish-language Azteca America stations is Indiana's oldest television station, WRTV-6 , the Indianapolis ABC affiliate. Scripps, which will become ABC's largest affiliate group when the deal closes soon, has much work ahead to revive the news fortunes of those stations; for example, in Indianapolis, WRTV's newscasts often finish behind those of its competitors, WTHR, WISH-TV and WXIN.

OFFICIAL: WEHT and WTVW to expand local news through Eyewitness News partnership

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UPDATE, 5:11 p.m.:  I've added a picture of the Eyewitness News logo taken by anchor Julie Dolan. EDITOR'S NOTE:  The following information comes from a press release issued this afternoon by Nexstar Broadcasting. Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. announced today that it will expand its Evansville television news operations under the title of Eyewitness News .  The expansion will take place on December 1, 2011 and will include newscasts on the recently re-branded WEHT Local and Local 7 WTVW .  Eyewitness News will feature a lineup of trusted and respected journalists who have decades of experience covering news in the Tri-State region, including anchors Brad Byrd , Randy Moore , Shelley Kirk and Julie Dolan , and meteorologists Wayne Hart and Ron Rhodes . Eyewitness News logo (From a photo by Julie Dolan) Nexstar Broadcasting’s Evansville operations Vice President and General Manager, Mike Smith commented on the expansion, “Our Tri-State viewers are directly

Several NEWS 25 staffers find new jobs

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There is good news to report today as several NEWS 25 staffers who were told earlier this month that their jobs at WEHT would be terminated have been able to find new positions in broadcasting elsewhere. The station's lead anchor, Brad Byrd, reports via his Facebook page the following: Jason Pumo , who produced WEHT's 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts, has been hired as an executive producer at WJTV , the CBS affiliate in Jackson, Miss. Producer Rachel Powers will move to Waterman Broadcasting in Ft. Myers, Fla. Reporter Danielle Lama , who joined WEHT's staff in September, will head north to ABC affiliate WKOW in Madison, Wis. Daniela Perallon , who has reported for the station since September, will move to WHNT in Huntsville, Ala. We wish Jason, Rachel, Danielle, Daniela, and all the other good folks who will wrap up their time with NEWS 25 tomorrow, the very best in the future.  Thank you all for the hard work you've done to keep the Tri-State informed.

Owensboro native Emmick is new chief meteorologist at South Bend, Ind. CBS affiliate WSBT-TV

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Owensboro native Paul Emmick has a new job after leaving Louisville's WDRB following a shakeup in that station's weather team earlier this year. Emmick has been named chief meteorologist at WSBT-TV , the CBS affiliate in South Bend, Ind., and he began telling folks in Michiana about the weather at the station yesterday, the station reports . “I’m excited to be in Michiana and look forward to the lake effect snow forecasting,” he said. “This area is meteorologically unique. WSBT has a great history of taking weather seriously to keep families safe and I can’t wait for the challenge! I’m excited to meet every one of our viewers in the years ahead.” In addition to WDRB, Emmick previously worked at WEHT here in the Tri-State, as well as WRTV in Indianapolis, along with a seven-year stint at The Weather Channel. Good luck, Paul!

Me-TV Tri-State now available on WOW! Channel 105

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Until last week, WOW! was the largest area cable company not carrying Me-TV.  Now all of the "biggies" serving Evansville and surrounding communities carry the channel. WTSN-LD , which has been known as Me-TV Tri-State since joining the fast-growing retro network earlier this month, became available on WOW! channel 105 last Tuesday. If you have a TV with a built-in digital tuner, you'll need to rescan your set, but you'll find it on channel 65.105 .

Cromwell seeks power reduction for Owensboro's WVJS

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If the Federal Communications Commission approves the Cromwell Group's request filed last week, Owensboro radio station WVJS-1420 will be allowed to operate with much less power. The station currently has daytime power of 5,000 watts and 1,000 watts at night, but since early October has been operating at 200 watts daytime and 20 watts during the night under Special Temporary Authority. Cromwell's application, which was accepted by the Commission last week, seeks approval to change WVJS from a Class B to a Class D station, lowering its power permanently from 5,000 to 980 watts daytime and from 1,000 to 20 nighttime.  Additionally, the station would broadcast nondirectionally instead of directed toward the north and south as it has in the past.  This would be done using just one of the four towers along Kentucky 331 (old U.S. 60) currently used to broadcast the station's signal on the west side of Owensboro. It's not clear why Cromwell has requested this c

SNEAK PEEK: See WEHT's new logo for the first time

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Nexstar Broadcasting has yet to release the full story regarding the changes coming to Local 7 WTVW and WEHT-NEWS 25 later this week, even though you've read about as many of them as I've been able to gather here already. Now here's another:  Meet WEHT's new logo.  Pretty nice, isn't it? The WEHT call letters, of course, remain the same as they've been since the station went on the air in September 1953, although for a number of years, they've been downplayed in favor of the NEWS 25 brand.  The addition of "Local," of course, ties WEHT to its new sister station, Local 7. Stay tuned, folks ... there's still more to come, and I'll bring it to you as soon as I have it.

The Weekender: Special Black Friday Edition for the week of Nov. 19-24

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Reporting from Olathe, Kan. ― Good morning, Tri-State!  I hope you've all survived Thanksgiving and the Black Friday shopping adventures. As you recover from both of those, I hope you'll take the time to check out all the TV and radio news of this abbreviated week; everything is linked below. Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend, and I'll see you back here again on Monday ... or sooner if news breaks! Oh, and one more thing:  GOOD LUCK to the Golden Aces and Wildcats today!!! Don't forget:  For the latest TV and radio news anytime, follow Jake's DTV Blog on Twitter and Facebook !  THANKSGIVING DAY, NOVEMBER 24 Prospect Park dumps plans to revive canceled ABC soaps online  TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 UPDATED: Is Eyewitness News making a comeback? Big changes coming to Local 7, NEWS 25 newscasts next week NATIONAL NOTES: TWC adding local channels to iPad app, DirecTV cutting spending, and more ESPN 106.7 to broadcast Mater Dei game and speci

Prospect Park dumps plans to revive canceled ABC soaps online

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Reporting from Olathe, Kan. ― Prospect Park , the independent production company which earlier this year purchased the rights to ABC's All My Children and One Life to Live , has ended its quest to revive the shows online. The move comes after Prospect Park ran into problems getting the writers, actors and financing in order, according to various news reports. "After five months of negotiations with various guilds, hundreds of presentations to potential financial and technology partners, and a hope that we could pioneer a new network for the future, it is with great disappointment that we are suspending our aspirations to revive One Life to Live and All My Children via online distribution," said the company's principals, Rich Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz, in a statement released Wednesday. "It is now becoming clear that mounting issues make our ability to meet our deadlines to get OLTL on the air in a reasonable time period following its Jan. 13,

UPDATED: Is Eyewitness News making a comeback? Big changes coming to Local 7, NEWS 25 newscasts next week

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UPDATE, 9:40 p.m. WEDNESDAY:   Local 7 will continue to have news each weekday morning, but instead of airing between 5 and 8 a.m. as it does now, it will run from 7 to 8 a.m. and will be anchored by Randy Moore and Julie Dolan. In addition, Local 7 Lifestyles will also continue from 8 to 9 a.m. and will be anchored by Stefanie Martinez and Julie Dolan.  Kayla Moody is moving to evenings. Drew Gardner and David Heckard will be the stations' morning reporters.  Heckard will report three days a week in addition to his weekend weather duties. ------------------------------------------- PREVIOUSLY:   Nexstar Broadcasting's purchase of WEHT-NEWS 25 and the move of Local 7 WTVW 's operations to Henderson is leading to big news changes for both stations. I'm told that the stations' newscasts will be known by a new name ― and the brand most often advanced by my sources is Eyewitness News , which was last used by WTVW before Channel 7 switched affiliations fro

NATIONAL NOTES: TWC adding local channels to iPad app, DirecTV cutting spending, and more

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TIME WARNER CABLE ADDING LOCALS TO APP:   Time Warner Cable's iPad app is fairly popular, but while viewers can watch their favorite cable networks on Apple's popular tablet, they have no access to local programming.  That could change in 2012, however:  The company's COO, Tim Marcus, told investors that TWC will roll out the option first in New York City before expanding availability next year.  [ MediaDailyNews ] DIRECTV TIGHTENING ITS BELT:   Should the economy turn (even more) sour in 2012, satellite provider DirecTV will be ready, says its CEO, Michael White.  "We'll cut back on overhead, hiring and programming," White said in an interview.  DirecTV is considering offering channel bundles that don't include sports networks to help subscribers save increasingly precious dollars, too.  [ Ad Age ] NBC GIVES GRIMM FULL SEASON, ORDERS 2 MORE UP ALL NIGHTS:   Struggling NBC likes what it sees in Grimm , and has ordered a full season of the odd n

ESPN 106.7 to broadcast Mater Dei game and special All About Sports Friday night

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WYFX-ESPN 106.7 will also be broadcasting Friday night's Mater Dei state championship football game. Beginning with a special 30-minute edition of All About Sports , Dan Egierski will broadcast live from Lucas Oil Stadium ahead of the pregame show and the game itself.  The local broadcast will also be streamed live at wyfxfm.com. Because of this special football coverage, the USI/Malone basketball game will move to WRCY-1590 , which will also carry the Class A football game Friday and the Class 5A game Saturday night. USI basketball returns to ESPN 106.7 on Saturday as the Screaming Eagles take on IU Southeast at 2:45 p.m. WRCY will carry the IU/Purdue Old Oaken Bucket football game Saturday afternoon beginning at 1:30 p.m.

KET’s Kentucky Life wins Biological Diversity Protection Award

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KET’s Kentucky Life has received the 2011 Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission’s (KSNPC) Biological Diversity Protection Award . The award recognizes the series for providing “the highest form of environmental education to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.” “By showcasing the natural heritage of our state in its many forms, Kentucky Life has proven itself to be a benchmark program,” says KSNPC director Donald S. Dott, Jr. The award specifically recognizes Kentucky Life host and producer Dave Shuffett and series producer Brandon Wickey for their work. “Dave and I are really honored to be a part of this award for KET and Kentucky Life,” Wickey says. “Many other staff members at KET were a vital part of the work on Kentucky Life and in receiving this award, including segment producers, production crews, editors, writers, educational producers, web content producers, photographers and more.”

UPDATE: Mater Dei state championship game to air on NEWS 25, not the Sports Channel

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As most of you know by now, Mater Dei will face off against Fort Wayne Bishop Luers for the Indiana Class 2A state football championship on Friday evening. There's a correction to make on the television coverage, however, and I apologize for steering you wrong. Instead of being on the NEWS 25 Sports Channel, as I reported on Saturday), the championship game will be televised on NEWS 25 itself, the station announced this afternoon.  Game time remains the same; kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Central time, which means that there will be no 6 p.m. newscast Friday. The other Indiana state title games will still air on the Sports Channel on Friday afternoon and Saturday.

Philip Koch to be special guest judge on Sunday's Food Network Challenge Christmas episode

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A well-known Tri-State businessman will make a special guest appearance on a popular Food Network show this Sunday night. Food Network Challenge has selected Philip Koch of Santa Claus, Ind., owner of Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort , the Santa Claus Christmas Store , and PersonalizedOrnaments.com , as a guest judge for their Christmas Classics episode, which will air Sunday night at 7 p.m. Central/8 p.m. Eastern on Food Network. The hour-long holiday segment pits four cake designers against each other in a race to make a classic Christmas cake about Christmas tales and carols. Two food experts, along with Koch, judge the designers on not only craftsmanship of the cake, but also how well they incorporate the Christmas theme.  Koch was chosen as a leading Christmas expert after a nationwide search. Food Network is available on cable and satellite systems across the Tri-State. For more information about the show, click here , and to see which channel Food Network is on

Some Southern Illinoisans to see a New York Christmas TV tradition again this year

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I know it's three days before Thanksgiving, but some Christmas items are just too good to wait for.  This is one of them. Some TV viewers in Southeastern Illinois will enjoy a New York Christmas television tradition again this year, as St. Louis CW affiliate KPLR-CW11 will once again broadcast the WPIX Yule Log from 4 to 7 a.m. Central time on Christmas morning. The famous film loop of a burning log in a hearth has warmed the hearts of viewers since it debuted on WPIX in New York back in 1966. On this, its 45th anniversary, the Yule Log is fully up-to-date; in recent years, the film has been digitally remastered and fully restored.  Ten years ago, it was color corrected and cleaned, and in 2003, the Log was up-converted to high definition. Subscribers of Mediacom in Clay City , Louisville and Iola , Ill. as well as customers of Wabash Independent Networks (WIN) and Hamilton County Communications will be able to enjoy this long-running and popular program, f

ABC releases midseason programming lineup; Cougar Town still absent, others going away

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UPDATE, 5:10 p.m.:   Cougar Town will return in March after Work It ends its run.  ABC may team the returning show ― which has had its order cut from a full 22-episode season to just 15 ― with Tim Allen's Last Man Standing on Tuesday nights, according to Deadline Hollywood . ABC has released its midseason additions to its schedule, and unfortunately for fans of Cougar Town, it's still not back (although New York Magazine reports that an insider says it's coming back in either February or March). Additionally, some of this season's heavily-hyped new shows like Man Up and Pan Am look like goners.  The network hasn't given extensions to either one, and unless that happens fairly soon, both shows' 13-episode runs will soon come to an end. On the bright side, though, most of ABC's lineup has been doing pretty well so far.  Ratings are good, viewers are happy, so that means only five new shows for midseason. Here's a quick look at those n

Mt. Carmel Golden Aces football team earns Ill. 3A state title shot; game to be televised next Friday afternoon

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UPDATE #2, 7:50 p.m.:  Aurora Christian will be the Golden Aces' opponent next week.  Thanks again to James for the update! UPDATE, 5:20 p.m.:  Comcast SportsNet Chicago will also carry the game.  Dish Network customers can tune to Channel 429; for DirecTV customers, it's Channel 665.  Thanks to James Hampsten for the info! The Mt. Carmel Golden Aces had Greenville's number throughout today's Illinois Class 3A semifinal football game, winning handily by the score of 49-19 to advance to the state championship game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign next Friday afternoon. As of 5 p.m., the Golden Aces' opponent has yet to be determined; it will be the winner of the Aurora Christian/Tolono (Unity) game that is just now getting underway. What we do know is this:  The game will be televised on three stations serving Southeastern Illinois -- WAZE-CW19 (ch. 22 on NewWave cable in the Mt. Carmel area), WUSI-PBS 16 (Olney) and WSIU-PBS 8 (Carbondale).  Kickof

Mater Dei advances to state finals; title game against Ft. Wayne Bishop Luers to be televised next Friday night

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The Mater Dei Wildcats overcame a scoring deficit early in their semistate football game on Saturday to reach the Indiana state finals in Class 2A, defeating Guerin Catholic 27-16 at the Reitz Bowl. Mater Dei will face Fort Wayne Bishop Luers for the title next Friday night (Nov. 25) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, with the game scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Central time . Television coverage of the big game will provided by the IHSAA Champions Network on the NEWS 25 Sports Channel (ch. 25.2).  Radio coverage will be on these IHSAA Champions Radio Network stations all across Southwestern Indiana: WBNL-1540 , Boonville WGBF-1280 , Evansville WBDC-100.9 , Huntingburg WITZ-104.7 & WQKZ-98.5 , Jasper WRZR-94.5 , Loogootee WRCY-1590 , Mt. Vernon WAXL-103.3 , Santa Claus WAMW-107.9 , Washington The IHSAA Champions Network/NEWS 25 Sports Channel and the IHSAA Champions Radio Network will also televise all of the other state championship games, starting

Insight franchises in Louisville could be terminated if new agreement isn't reached soon

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Insight Communications has been trying to reach a new franchise agreement with Metro Louisville for quite some time, but if a deal that is satisfactory to the city's leaders isn't reached soon, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer says Kentucky's largest city will cancel the company's franchises by the end of this year. If no new agreement is reached, Louisville plans to end Insight's franchise in the old city limits of Louisville on Dec. 19 and former areas of unincorporated Jefferson County on Dec. 31, Fischer said in a news release issued Friday. Even if the franchises are nullified, however, the city will allow Insight to continue providing service until a new provider is found, Fischer explained.  “My administration and the county attorney have worked to protect cable customers and ensure that the services that exist today will exist tomorrow.” Insight's agreements with Metro Louisville expired March 31, 2010 in the old city limits and Dec

The Weekender: Looking back at the TV & radio news of the week, Nov. 14-18

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It's Friday afternoon, and that means it's time for the Weekender. There's been quite a bit of news this week, so I hope you'll catch up on all of it by using the links below. Have a great weekend, and I'll see you back here again on Monday ... or sooner if news breaks! Don't forget:  For the latest TV and radio news anytime, follow Jake's DTV Blog on Twitter and Facebook !  FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18 FCC dismisses Morganfield group's application for Smith Mills FM station WBIO to broadcast Owensboro Catholic Class 2A regional final game against Murray tonight  THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17 CBS orders two more cycles of Survivor for 2012-13; next season of hit series to premiere Feb. 15 NEWS 25 chief meteorologist Wayne Hart programming weather radios in Owensboro today Townsquare Media to host "911 Gives Hope for the Holidays" Radiothon beginning Dec. 2  WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 107.5 WABX and 93.5 The Wolf personalities C

FCC dismisses Morganfield group's application for Smith Mills FM station

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The Federal Communications Commission appears to be getting closer to awarding a construction permit for a new noncommercial/educational radio station for Smith Mills, Ky. , but that station will not be built by the Saint Ann Radio Group of Morganfield. Earlier this year, the Morganfield group filed a Petition to Deny after the Commission settled on Music Ministries, Inc. (MMI) of Evansville as the preferred applicant.  MMI owns and operates four stations (in Evansville, Albion, Loogootee and Owensboro) which broadcast as the Thy Word Network .  Saint Ann Radio Group owns and operates WEUC in Morganfield. However, the FCC, after consideration of the arguments made by both sides, denied Saint Ann Radio Group's petition and dismissed its application for the following reasons earlier this week: Saint Ann Radio Group was established in March 2008, or less than two years prior to its application for the proposed Smith Mills station; FCC rules require a longer period of tim

WBIO to broadcast Owensboro Catholic Class 2A regional final game against Murray tonight

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WBIO-94.7 will have tonight's broadcast of the Kentucky Class 2A regional football final game between undefeated Owensboro Catholic and Murray . Airtime for tonight's game is 7:20 p.m., with kickoff scheduled for 7:30.  If you're outside the immediate listening area or just want to listen online, you can do so by visiting OwensboroRadio.com . Catholic comes into tonight's game, as mentioned, with a perfect record of 12-0, having defeated Butler County last week to advance to the finals.  Murray (11-1) beat Hancock County 35-21 last week. The winner of this game will face either Glasgow or Christian Academy-Louisville next week.

CBS orders two more cycles of Survivor for 2012-13; next season of hit series to premiere Feb. 15

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CBS announced today a February premiere date for the next Survivor and ordered two more editions of the series for broadcast during the 2012-2013 season.  The broadcasts next season will mark the 25th and 26th editions of television's longest-running hit reality competition series. Emmy Award winner Jeff Probst will return as host and executive producer for all three upcoming cycles. Probst has hosted SURVIVOR since its inception in May 2000. In its 23rd edition, Survivor continues to be a strong ratings performer, currently ranking as the #2 reality series on television in adults 18-49. This fall's Survivor: South Pacific is averaging 12.27 million viewers and ratings of 3.8/11 in adults 18-49 and 5.1/13 in adults 25-54. “Survivor is an outstanding franchise,” said Jennifer Bresnan, executive vice president of alternative programming for CBS Entertainment. “Its format guarantees fresh characters, exotic places and fascinating social dynamics every season.  And, the show is

NEWS 25 chief meteorologist Wayne Hart programming weather radios in Owensboro today

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NEWS 25 chief meteorologist Wayne Hart will be in Owensboro programming weather radios today from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Walgreens located at the corner of Highway 54 and Fairview Drive . You can bring in your existing NOAA weather radio for programming or pick up one of the new Midland radios, either the desktop model or the handy new handheld unit. Wayne will also broadcast live from the store during the newscasts at 4, 5 and 6 p.m. this evening.

Townsquare Media to host "911 Gives Hope for the Holidays" Radiothon beginning Dec. 2

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For this upcoming holiday season, the Townsquare Media radio stations (WKDQ, WJLT, WDKS, WGBF-FM, WGBF-AM) will once again team up with Henderson Chevrolet-Buick-GMC and the 911 Gives Hope charity to present the third-annual “911 Gives Hope for the Holidays.”  Last year the stations successfully filled a 53-foot trailer with toys that were distributed to the Children’s Wards at local hospitals. This year all 5 FM radio stations will again partner together for a mass broadcast radiothon to urge the public to donate toys, clothing, gift certificates and more to children’s wards at Deaconess Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, Methodist Hospital, Evansville Psychiatric Children’s Center and the Ronald McDonald House. The Radiothon will begin 5 a.m. on Friday, December 2 and will run thru 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 4.  The radio stations will broadcast live from the Walmart on Burkhardt Road the entire weekend with additional broadcasts, live from Henderson Chevrolet in Henderson, Ky.  Local

107.5 WABX and 93.5 The Wolf personalities Camping for Cans to benefit the Tri-State Food Bank

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Sean Roberts of 107.5 WABX and Tommy Mason of 93.5 The Wolf will be Camping for Cans at Town & Country Ford on the Lloyd Expressway in Evansville over the next couple of days accepting donations of non-perishable food items for the Tri-State Food Bank . You're invited to stop by and drop off canned goods and other non-perishables at the dealership.  In addition, you can stop at any area Buehler's IGA location and purchase “Feed the Need” donation bags for $5.00 that will also go to the Food Bank. Donors will be able to get some WABX and 93.5 The Wolf swag for their donations, too.  Sean will have WABX shirts available for a twenty dollar donation, and Tommy will have limited-edition Wolf "Red Solo Cup" T-shirts. Camping for Cans is sponsored by Town and Country Ford, American RV, Buehler’s IGA, 107.5 WABX and 93.5 The Wolf. █ Information for this story was provided courtesy of South Central Media.

MORE LAYOFFS? Nexstar reportedly turns attention to cutting jobs at WTVW

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UPDATE, 6:05 p.m.:  Aside from the master control layoffs and perhaps a very few others, it now appears that the layoffs at WTVW will not reach previously predicted levels.  If that is indeed the case, and at this point it appears to be, that would be good news for all concerned. More layoffs are reportedly underway, this time at Local 7 WTVW , as Nexstar Broadcasting continues to shape the team that will operate both WTVW and WEHT-NEWS 25 once the two stations are consolidated under Nexstar's management. This morning, WTVW's entire master control staff was let go, according to sources familiar with the situation.  Aside from those layoffs, it's not yet clear who else has been terminated, but I'm told that a total of around 70 jobs will be lost between the two stations .  (A total of 45 people were laid off at NEWS 25 last week, so the math would indicate roughly 25 people will be laid off at Local 7 . -Ed.) The layoffs are in preparation for the move of all WT

THURSDAY'S TOPICS: Classic TV is back, something new for Android users, and a new weatherman

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In tomorrow's Courier & Press , I'll bring you in-depth info on these interesting topics: The Tri-State has a new home for classic TV as WTSN and WYYW signed on as affiliates of the Me-TV network Monday morning. Time Warner Cable is developing a new app for Android tablet users, just months after introducing a popular app for the iPad. And if you've noticed someone new on NEWS 25 on the weekends, you're right.  I'll tell you more about the meteorologist who's filling in at the station this month. That's all in your Thursday morning paper and online at courierpress.com !

Need some pre-holiday cheer? Owensboro's WVJS flips to Christmas

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If there's a race among local radio stations to see who will be first to switch to all-Christmas music this year (and as far as I know, there is not), there's a winner. Owensboro's WVJS-1420/100.5 has begun playing the sounds of the season, and while it may seem early this year, it's not.  Unlike last year, when some stations across the country switched as early as October (!), the current trend is to make the switch later, at least among those stations moving at all. At this point, I'm not sure of 105.3 WJLT's plans, but if past years are any indication, they'll likely switch to Christmas full-time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Are you ready for Christmas music now, or would you prefer that they wait?  Let me know what you think in the comments section.

KET WinterPledge 2011 runs Nov. 26 through Dec. 4

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During WinterPledge 2011 , Nov. 26 through Dec. 4, viewers have the opportunity to help KET carry out its mission of guiding all Kentuckians on an exciting and fulfilling journey through life — to literally explore Kentucky and the world. Plus, those who donate during this special event will have the chance to receive tickets to the widest range of concerts and experiences that KET has ever offered. “After more than four decades on the air, KET’s high-quality programs and services are more relevant and essential than ever before,” says Michele Ripley, president of the Commonwealth Fund for KET. “Serving citizens is what distinguishes KET. Individuals can make a difference in their communities by giving through KET to impact the people of Kentucky.” During WinterPledge, viewers may call 1-800-866-0366 or go online at ket.org/support to make a contribution to KET. This gift allows KET to continue to deliver programming that provides insights, discoveries, issues, culture, exc

Not going to tonight's UE/IU game? Here's how you can keep up with the action

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UPDATE, 5:10 p.m.:  WOW! subscribers can also watch the game on ESPN3.com.  I inadvertently left them off the list of providers below. Tonight's big basketball game between the UE Purple Aces and IU at the Ford Center is sold out, so if you're not one of the fortunate Aces fans with a ticket, how can you keep tabs on the game? It's simple:  I've got three ways you can listen right here: ON THE RADIO:   WUEV-91.5 will, as always, broadcast the game beginning with Lance Wilkerson's pregame show at 6:40 p.m. STREAMING AUDIO:   You can listen to streaming audio of tonight's game by visiting wuev.org .  When you get there, look for the "Listen Live" section on the right side of your screen. ESPN3.com :   If your preference is to watch the game, you can do that by following the very detailed instructions found here .  Please note that in order to watch tonight's game, you will need to be a customer of one of the following internet servic