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Showing posts from June, 2012

Q102 makes minor programming changes

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Seacrest, American Top 40 added to lineup The Home of the Qmix - WQXQ-101.9 FM (Central City, Ky.) - has a slightly revised and improved program schedule to tell you about this weekend. For your weekday afternoon enjoyment, Ryan Seacrest from 1 to 5 p.m. CT.  Here's the rest of the weekday schedule (all times CT):   Q102 Breakfast Bunch - 5-9 a.m. Hunter - 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Noon hour is The Wayback Café, 90’s and 2000’s flashbacks) Ryan Seacrest - 1 p.m.-5 p.m. (AT Top 5 at 3 p.m.) Rick Daniels - 5-8 p.m. Kim Iversen - 8 p.m.-midnight LoveLine - overnights In the evenings, program director Rick Daniels , who hosts the 5-8 p.m. slot, is bringing back the Top 7 @ 7 , once a fixture on 96STO, which is familiar to many Tri-State listeners. The weekend lineup has also been enhanced for your listening enjoyment.  On Saturdays, American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest has been added to a schedule which also includes Round Trip with Dave O .  Sunday shows include Rick D

The Weekender for June 24-29

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It's Friday, and that means it's time to look back at the week in TV and radio! All of this week's headlines can, as always, be found below for your convenience. Once you're done catching up, be sure to check out JDTVB's Facebook page , which now includes special exclusive items which aren't posted here, and follow me on Twitter for all the latest information, as well as comments on a host of other topics, too.   Have a great weekend! WAZE owners file countersuit against Bank of America TIME SHIFT: NFL moving late games back 10 minutes Kentucky's public radio stations form new group The CW sets its fall premieres WOW! adds channels, loses Bloomberg VOD MAKING HEADLINES: Curry out at Today, Murdoch's News Corp. to split Help wanted: Nexstar posts WEHT/WTVW news director opening General Hospital moving to 1 p.m. CT beginning Sept. 10 NewWave adds more payment locations for customer convenience Cox Media Group,

WAZE owners file countersuit against Bank of America

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Roberts brothers say bank breached its contract, "interfered" with another loan that was in the works Michael (L) and Steven Roberts It's been fairly quiet when it comes to news from The Roberts Companies lately, but that's changed with the filing of a countersuit by the owners, brothers Michael and Steven Roberts , against Bank of America , which sued the St. Louis-based real estate and broadcasting magnates in April over a $34 million loan that the brothers defaulted on. The countersuit, which was filed this week, claims that Bank of America breached its contract with the Robertses by not allowing them to release their Shreveport, La. hotel from the original loan agreement.  The brothers were in the process of lining up a $12 million loan with Prudential Mortgage Capital for that hotel, but when Bank of America wouldn't cooperate, that loan fell through. The Roberts Companies have been in financial turmoil for quite a while, culminating in numero

TIME SHIFT: NFL moving late games back 10 minutes

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Move designed to reduce need for CBS and Fox to cut away from the final minutes of early games; CBS exploring options to avoid delaying primetime programs In a move that makes a great deal of sense, the NFL has decided to push back the start times for its late Sunday afternoon games from 3:15 p.m. CT to 3:25 p.m. (4:15 to 4:25 ET). The change should help prevent the networks which broadcast the games - CBS and Fox - from having to leave early games in their final minutes to carry the kickoff of the next one. About the only problem this move will cause is that it will likely increase the delay in the start of primetime programming.  Deadline Hollywood 's Nellie Andreeva reports that's less of a problem for Fox because of its "built-in cushion" of a postgame show and comedy reruns following its late games.  CBS, on the other hand, will have to tinker with its schedule, and is looking at ways to do just that, including later start times for shows like 60 M

Kentucky's public radio stations form new group

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KPRN to promote statewide collaboration, advocate for public broadcasting When it comes to public radio in Kentucky, several distinguished operations come to mind.  Right here in the Tri-State, you can scan the dial and find the product of two of those organizations - Murray State University 's WKMS (through its Madisonville station, WKMD-90.9 FM ) and Western Kentucky University 's WKYU Public Radio, which operates WKPB-89.5 FM serving the Henderson-Owensboro area. Now WKMS and WKYU have joined with the other public radio stations across the Bluegrass State, which also include Louisville Public Media (with its three stations - WFPL, WFPK and WOUL), Eastern Kentucky University (WEKU) in Richmond, the University of Kentucky (WUKY) in Lexington, Morehead State University (WMKY) in Morehead and Northern Kentucky University (WNKU) in Highland Heights, to form a new group - the Kentucky Public Radio Network , or KPRN , for short - which is intended to foster cooperat

The CW sets its fall premieres

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The network almost no one watches waiting until October to debut shows almost no one will watch The CW , which is the lowest-rated operation in all of broadcast television, announced its fall premiere schedule on Thursday. The network has three new shows for this season, but I can't tell you much about them except their names:  Arrow is one, Emily Owens, M.D. is another, and the third is Beauty and the Beast . The rest of the schedule is a rehash of the same CW lineup that's drawn ratings that start with the words "zero" and "point" with small numbers thereafter for quite some time. Don't look for any of the network's new fall shows until October, because they've decided to let everyone else get a jump on them.  Hart of Dixie will lead things off, with its premiere set for Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. CT. After the jump, you can see the full schedule ... if you're, you know, interested in that sort of thing.

WOW! adds channels, loses Bloomberg VOD

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WOW! customers in Evansville and the surrounding area have some new channels to choose from. Disney Jr. , Hallmark Movie Channel (SD and HD), E! (HD), HBO Comedy (HD), HBO Family (HD), Encore Action (HD) and Encore Drama (HD) are all now available.  (See below for channel locations.) To receive Disney Jr. and Hallmark Movie Channel (SD), customers who use digital tuner-equipped TVs will need to do a rescan. With all of the new channels being added, there is one subtraction to mention, and that will come Saturday, when Bloomberg does away with its video-on-demand (VOD) programming. WOW'S NEW CHANNELS Channel Name Ch. # Channel Name Ch. # Disney Jr. 48 HBO Comedy HD 782 Hallmark Movie Ch. SD 67 HBO Family HD 781 Hallmark Movie Ch. HD 778 Encore Action HD 776 E! HD 777 Encore Drama HD 775

MAKING HEADLINES: Curry out at Today, Murdoch's News Corp. to split

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Ann Curry : Staying with NBC in new role Ann Curry made it official to USA Today last night, and on air today:  She's out as the co-host of NBC's Today show. Don't worry about her, though.  With a new multi-year, multi-million-dollar deal to stay with NBC News, she's still going to be around.  "Today is going to be my last morning as a regular co-host of Today," she said. "I will still be a part of the Today show family, but I'm going to have a new title and a new role." That new role gives her the lengthy titles of "anchor at large" for Today, and national and international correspondent for NBC News.  According to NBC, Curry will lead a new team covering stories wherever in the world they happen, host primetime specials and report for NBC News' major programs.   "We're going to go all over the world and all over this country at a time where this country and this world needs clarity," she said,

Help wanted: Nexstar posts WEHT/WTVW news director opening

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ND experience, online/social media experience, solid journalism skills sought While we still don't know why Bob Walters was let go as news director at WEHT/WTVW earlier this week, there is now some clarity when it comes to what qualities Nexstar is looking for in his replacement. The company has officially posted the position on its website , and there are four duties and responsibilities that come with the job.  These are taken verbatim from that posting: 1. Hands on news manager 2. Coaches and develops talent 3. Leads news departments for two stations 4. Desire to own the big news story In addition, the ideal candidate must have a minimum of five years' experience managing a news department, 10 years in a news department, prior experience with online and social media, and preferably a degree in journalism. "Solid journalism skills" are listed under the heading of "Special Skills Required." WEHT/WTVW's news director pos

General Hospital moving to 1 p.m. CT beginning Sept. 10

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Long-running soap vacating 2 p.m. slot for Katie Couric's new talk show Mark your calendars, General Hospital fans:  The nearly 50-year-old soap is moving to a new time beginning Sept. 10 . ABC has announced that GH will begin airing one hour earlier - at 1 p.m. CT (2 p.m. ET) - on that date, making room for Katie , the network's new talk show hosted by Katie Couric, which will air at 2 p.m. CT. The most honored show of the 2012 Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards, GH will mark its golden anniversary on Apr. 1, 2013. General Hospital is the longest running American soap opera currently in production, and the third longest-running drama in American television history ... and the only soap left on the network. Currently, the 1 p.m. slot is held by ABC's replacement for One Life to Live , the disappointingly lackluster (and now canceled) lifestyle show, The Revolution .  Beginning on July 9 and running until GH moves in, Good Afternoon America will fill t

NewWave adds more payment locations for customer convenience

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Cable bills can be paid at numerous local businesses, including participating Walmart stores Any time bill payments can be made more convenient, it's a good thing, and to help out its customers, NewWave Communications has stepped up its effort to make paying your cable, internet and telephone bill even easier than before.   In addition to accepting payments at its own communications stores, the company now has made it possible to pay your bill at a number of local businesses in Southeastern Illinois and Southwestern Indiana using the Check Free Pay program. Several area Walmart locations (in Carmi, Fairfield, Flora, Lawrenceville, Olney, Bedford, Jasper, Paoli, Vincennes and Washington) are among the businesses now accepting payments for NewWave. Check out the list of new locations after the jump.

Cox Media Group, Emmis radio stations join forces with iHeartRadio

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Clear Channel's iHeartRadio app has been on a roll of late, with WAY-FM 's Christian radio stations added just days ago, and today even more have been added. Cox Media Group 's 86 stations (including four in Louisville) and Emmis Communications ' 20 stations (including six in Indiana) will now be available on mobile devices that have the iHeartRadio app installed. Interestingly, Cox's stations in Louisville will join their seven Clear Channel competitors in that market on the same app. “Our goal is to make sure that iHeartRadio continues to provide the best and most complete online radio experience for listeners,” said John Hogan, chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment.  “Adding 106 great station brands from Cox and Emmis is a win for iHeartRadio users and we are really excited to provide major broadcast companies, such as Cox Media Group and Emmis Communications, a broadcast-friendly platform that has the ability to offer the

WEHT/WTVW news director and production manager fired

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Departures are latest in series at Nexstar's Evansville stations Multiple sources have confirmed that WEHT Local and Local 7 WTVW news director Bob Walters and production manager John Payne have been relieved of their duties by Nexstar Broadcasting, which owns WEHT and operates WTVW for Mission Broadcasting. Both men have a number of years of experience in the Evansville TV market, and their firings were, I'm told, unexpected. Jeremy Moore, who has been operations manager at WTWO, Nexstar's NBC affiliate in Terre Haute, has replaced Payne.  Walters' replacement has not yet been named. Walters had been with WTVW for more than a decade, and became news director for both stations late last year when Nexstar's purchase of WEHT from Gilmore Broadcasting was finalized.  Payne had also been with Channel 7 for many years and, like Walters, had made the transition to the combined operation. The terminations of Payne and Walters are the latest in a leng

WKMS to broadcast live from ROMP this Friday and Saturday

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Murray State University 's listener-supported public radio service, WKMS , will present special live broadcasts from ROMP at Yellow Creek Park east of Owensboro this Friday and Saturday, June 29 and 30. Opening the live broadcast Friday at 6 p.m. are The Farewell Drifters , an alt-folk band known for their ‘60s era-inspired harmonies. At 7:20 p.m. Lonesome River Band performs with longtime band member and multi-award winning banjo picker, Sammy Shelor. The Deadly Gentlemen take the stage at 8:40 p.m. performing a blend of epic folk and unconventional bluegrass. Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile headline the night at 10 p.m. Saturday at 6 p.m. hear Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three and their creative mix of American roots, western swing, early jazz and country blues. The 23 String Band follows at 7:20 p.m. playing bluegrass fueled by high-octane rock-n-roll. Other bands may be added to the broadcast schedule in the days leading up to the event. Li

WWE returns to broadcast television: ION to air new weekly series beginning in Oct.

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WWE Main Event will air at 7 p.m. CT each Wednesday night WWE and ION Television have announced a new weekly original series airing Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET). WWE Main Event will debut Oct. 3, 2012, and the one-hour program will feature WWE Superstars and Divas from the rosters of Raw and SmackDown.  The new show will be available in 100 million U.S. television households on the ION Television network, which can be seen over the air in the Louisville (WBNA), Indianapolis (WIPX/WIPX-LP) and Nashville (WNPX) television markets, as well as on select cable and satellite systems. “WWE looks forward to this new partnership with ION Television,” WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon said. “We are excited about producing this new television show, WWE Main Event, and bringing our fans to ION Television every Wednesday.” “ION Television is delighted to begin a new partnership with such a successful and well-recognized franchise as WWE,” Brandon Burgess, CEO of ION Media

DirecTV cuts back on 3D: n3D no longer a 24-hour operation

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Satellite provider says there just wasn't enough programming available Two years after launching what it called the first network to air programming in 3D 24 hours a day, DirecTV has quietly backed away from running it full-time. n3D , which debuted in July 2010 and was sponsored by Panasonic, will become a part-time special events channel, airing tape-delayed programming from this year's Summer Olympics and other 3D specials, according to Broadcasting & Cable . 3D television has been slow to catch on with TV viewers, and only limited programs have been offered in three dimensions.  Both problems are unlikely to be solved soon, as the satellite provider itself seems to admit: "While 3D adoption continues to grow and more programming is being developed, DirecTV has decided to move n3D to a part-time channel," DirecTV said in a statement. DirecTV customers who want 3D programming can still find it - the lineup continues to include ESPN 3D and 3

WKYU-FM broadcasting at reduced power through Tuesday

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Tower maintenance requires reduction in power for Western's main station in BG WKYU-88.9 FM , the flagship of Bowling Green, Ky.-based WKU Public Radio , will operate at reduced power for several hours both today and Tuesday. The reduction comes as KET, which owns the tower near Bowling Green from which WKYU-FM's signal originates, performs maintenance on the tower. Listeners of WKU Public Radio will still be able to find the station's programming online at wkyufm.org , as well as on the network's other stations: WDCL-89.7 FM and W277AA-103.3 FM, Somerset WKPB-89.5 FM, Henderson/Owensboro WKUE-90.9 FM, Elizabethtown

Louisville's CW affiliate partners with WDRB/WMYO

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Viewers in the Louisville area should expect some major changes soon for their CW affiliate - and, if what the folks in charge say is true, those changes should be for the better. LM Communications , which recently announced its purchase of WBKI-TV (ch. 34), has inked an agreement with Block Communications , the owner of WDRB (ch. 41) and WMYO (ch. 58) regarding the operations of the CW affiliate.  Block will provide technical services for WBKI and apparently run the station as well. "For the viewer, WBKI is going to have a better signal and is going to look better over the air technically through their alliance with us," said Bill Lamb of WDRB/WMYO. "By pooling resources we feel like it gives us the ability to offer, as Bill says, better technical services, be able to have better programming on the air, being able to have it more available to us," said LM Communications' owner, Lynn Martin. The agreement takes effect immediately, and th

The Weekender for June 18-22

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It's Friday, and that means it's time to look back at the week in TV and radio! All of this week's headlines can, as always, be found below for your convenience. Once you're done catching up, be sure to check out JDTVB's Facebook page , which now includes special exclusive items which aren't posted here, and follow me on Twitter for all the latest information, as well as comments on a host of other topics, too. I'll see you back here on Monday. Have a great weekend! NBC News to finally get own website? WAY-FM now available on iHeartRadio Supreme Court vacates fines against ABC, Fox for "fleeting expletives" CBS teams up with Cumulus to create CBS Sports Radio For the fifth straight year, WGN Radio is Chicago's Station of the Year WTHI-TV posts pics of progress on its new home   Hearst, Time Warner Cable negotiating for new WLKY retransmission agreement RESOLVED: Transmitter power outage knocks CBS44,

NBC News to finally get own website?

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NBCNews.com tentatively set to debut in September, reports Politico 's Dylan Byers For years, NBC News has been forced to share the same news website as its sister cable network, MSNBC , but it looks like that's about to change. Politico's Dylan Byers reports today that the new NBCNews.com will be launched in September.  NBC wouldn't comment officially for the story, but Byers reports this interesting tidbit: NBC Universal has hired a new press representative and brand manager who tells POLITICO that her assignment will be to "ramp up political coverage through the November election for MSNBC.com and also introduce/promote/roll out/etc. what will be NBCNews.com." As I told you late last month , NBCUniversal has been negotiating with Microsoft to buy back the part of MSNBC.com that it doesn't own.  Negotiations there are said to be continuing but have not yet reached a conclusion.

WAY-FM now available on iHeartRadio

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If you have Clear Channel Media & Entertainment's iHeartRadio app on your mobile device, there's a new programming choice for you to try out. WAY-FM , a Christian radio broadcaster with translator stations in Evansville (92.1 FM, soon to return to 91.9), Central City (88.1 FM), Madisonville (90.3 FM) and Owensboro (91.3 FM), has inked an agreement with Clear Channel to carry its programming on the app.  WAY-FM's standalone stations and the national feed (which the Tri-State area stations broadcast) are available. "I am thrilled to have WAY-FM stations now available on the popular iHeartRadio platform," said WAY's founder and president, Bob Augsburg.  "This new relationship ... coincides perfectly with WAYMEDIA's 2020 Vision, which outlines the commitment we have to make our content available on as many platforms as possible."

Supreme Court vacates fines against ABC, Fox for "fleeting expletives"

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Justices say FCC didn't give networks fair warning, making standards vague The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the Federal Communications Commission's fines against ABC and Fox for what have become known as "fleeting expletives." In a unanimous decision, the high court vacated and remanded the Second Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling in the Fox v. FCC "fleeting expletives" case that found the Commission's indecency rules unconstitutional, and found only that the FCC gave inadequate notice of its rules.  Today's ruling left did not take up - at least for now - the constitutionality of the rules themselves. Here's the explanation of the decision from the Court in detail: "First, because the Court resolves these cases on fair notice grounds under the Due Process Clause, it need not address the First Amendment implications of the Commission’s indecency policy or reconsider PACIFICA at this time. Second, beca

CBS teams up with Cumulus to create CBS Sports Radio

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CBS- and Cumulus-owned stations to carry network; Cumulus to be responsible for adding affiliates, handling ad sales CBS Corp. today announced it has created CBS Sports Radio , a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week lineup of national programming from premier entities CBS Radio and CBS Sports. Cumulus Media , the largest pure-play radio broadcaster in the United States, is the network’s exclusive syndicator and sales partner to secure affiliate agreements and ad sales with radio stations nationwide through Cumulus Media Networks.  In addition, Cumulus will make CBS Sports Radio programming available on 67 of its owned stations. At launch, CBS Sports Radio will reach listeners in nine of the nation’s Top 10 markets, with a cumulative audience reach at debut close to 10 million listeners – nearly 90% of them located in Top 50 markets. “As one of the leading media companies in the world, and a dominant force in sports programming, we look forward to bringing to bear the full resources of CBS a

For the fifth straight year, WGN Radio is Chicago's Station of the Year

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WGN-720 AM in Chicago took top honors at the 2012 Illinois Broadcasters Association Silver Dome Awards , which were held on Wednesday. For the fifth year in a row, the IBA recognized WGN Radio as the Chicago Market Station of the Year at its annual ceremony. WGN also earned first place honors in six categories, the most of any station. The first place finishes included Best Local Radio Newscast, Best Sports Story, Best Station Website, Best Station Self-Promotion, Best Non-Humorous Commercial and Best Humorous Commercial. "As the voice of Chicago, we are incredibly honored to be recognized as Chicago Market Station of the Year by the Illinois Broadcasters Association," said Senior VP/GM Tom Langmyer. "This award is a testament to our dedicated team that works hard every day to serve listeners across Chicagoland with relevant, informative and entertaining radio." WGN Radio can be heard in the Tri-State online at WGNRadio.com and on air during the nighttime hour

WTHI-TV posts pics of progress on its new home

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WTHI-TV's new home, now under construction Terre Haute's CBS and Fox affiliate, WTHI-TV 10 , will soon be moving into its new home at 8th and Ohio streets in downtown Terre Haute, and the construction crew is really making progress. The station has posted photos of the construction in a special album on its website, and it really looks like it's going to be a beautiful facility. WTHI-TV's owner, LIN Media, announced last year that it would build the new studio building to replace the soon-to-be-demolished radio and TV studio at 918 Ohio St., which have served the TV station and its former radio sister stations since 1954. The radio stations (WTHI-99.9 FM and WWVR-105.5 FM), which are owned by Indianapolis-based Emmis Communications, are relocating to a new building at 925 Wabash Ave.

Hearst, Time Warner Cable negotiating for new WLKY retransmission agreement

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Hearst Television , owner of Louisville's CBS and Me-TV affiliate, WLKY 32 , and Time Warner Cable (the new owner of Insight Communications ) are negotiating for a new retransmission consent agreement involving WLKY. The existing agreement between Hearst and TWC ends at the end of this month.  Previously, the two sides had disagreed on its end date, with TWC saying the contract was good through July 25. There is a possibility - although we're several days from knowing whether or not it will happen - that WLKY could be removed from the cable lineup in the Louisville area, as was the case with WDRB for several days recently, although as always, both sides say they don't want that to happen. Stay with JDTVB for further information as it becomes available. For WLKY's take on what's happening, click here . For Insight/Time Warner's side of the story, click here .

RESOLVED: Transmitter power outage knocks CBS44, Fox44 off air

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Station in contact with Kenergy, hopes to have power back on soon UPDATE #2, 4:33 p.m.:  The stations are back on the air. UPDATE, 4:13 p.m.:   Fox44's HD channel, W47EE-D (ch. 47.1) is not affected by the power outage. Over-the-air viewers this afternoon have probably noticed that CBS44 and Fox44 WEVV are off the air. The problem, says WEVV GM Tim Black, is a power outage at the transmitter site in Henderson County. Black says that most cable customers in the Evansville area are NOT affected by the outage. Kenergy has been contacted and it is hoped that we'll know more about how long the outage will last shortly.

Second IceMen Live Summer Special to air Monday night

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The second installment of four Evansville IceMen summer radio programs will air on Monday night, June 25. IceMen Live presented by Coors Light will air from 6 to 7 p.m. CT from Show-Me's East , located on Morgan Center Drive directly across from the Showplace Cinemas in Evansville. WEOA-1400 AM will carry the program on air and online at 1400amweoa.com . Monday night's show will feature IceMen special guest Mark Cody along with sports reporter Aaron Hancock from 14WFIE. Cody will discuss the team’s outlook for the 2012-13 season and how the franchise move to the ECHL and subsequent affiliation with the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets will impact him and his teammates once training camp arrives in late September. Much like the regular, weekly in-season edition of the show, the monthly-formatted program for the summer off-season activities features guests from the IceMen organization as well as from pro hockey in general and local Tri-State media personalitie

HD Radio continues to make inroads - in vehicles, anyway

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Toyota, Ford, Cadillac, Hyundai, Lexus, Mazda, Porsche, Scion and Subaru expand HD Radio-enabled lineups New Cadillac XTS has HD Radio technology as standard equipment While there are only seven radio stations in the Tri-State offering HD Radio , more new-car buyers than ever before will have the chance to hear what those stations are playing on their additional multicast channels. For the 2012 and coming 2013 model years, automakers Toyota , Ford , Cadillac , Hyundai , Lexus , Mazda , Porsche , Scion and Subaru have expanded to nearly 140 the number of vehicles in their respective lineups now offered with the digital radio technology. HD Radio is now or soon will be either standard or optional on the following newly-released or redesigned vehicles: STANDARD EQUIPMENT: Cadillac XTS, Hyundai Azera, Lexus GS, Lexus RX, Lexus LX, Scion FR-S, Scion iQ and Subaru BRZ. OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:   Ford Escape, Mazda CX-5, Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Panamera, Porsche 911 and Toyota

FCC approves WAY-FM, Withers translator change requests

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Flora's 96.5 moving to Mt. Vernon, Evansville's WAY-FM moving back to 91.9 Two Tri-State area FM translators will be changing following the grant of their construction permit requests by the FCC. Withers Broadcasting received approval to relocate W243AV-96.5 FM to Mt. Vernon, Ill. from Flora.  The 250-watt station, when its move is completed, will simulcast Withers' news-talk WMIX-940 AM . In a separate move, Christian broadcaster WAY-FM 's Evansville translator, W220DV , will return to 91.9 FM.  The station, which currently broadcasts on 92.1 FM, has been subject to interference from full-power WZDM in Vincennes since it moved up the dial a few months ago. No timetables for completion of the two changes have been announced.  I'll keep you posted.

Gousman heads home: Former NEWS 25 reporter/anchor now at Chicago's WBBM

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Courtney Gousman The old saying just isn't true.  You can go home again. Chicago native and former NEWS 25 reporter/anchor Courtney Gousman is back in the Windy City and reporting for WBBM-CBS 2 , reports Time Out Chicago 's Robert Feder . Gousman worked at WEHT for four years before leaving for St. Louis' KSDK 5 in November 2010.  While there, she was also a reporter and anchor, and anchored STL Now on ABC 30, which is produced by KSDK for Sinclair's KDNL. She started her new job last week. Congratulations on the new job, Courtney!

NewWave2Go gives NewWave customers TV wherever they go

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NewWave Communications , which serves a number of communities in Southeastern Illinois and Southwestern Indiana, is introducing a new product for its cable TV customers who are on the move. Called NewWave2Go , the service allows users to watch their favorite programs on a laptop, tablet or smartphone.  Users of the service will also have the ability to access their DVR at home to watch recorded programs and record new ones. The service will cost $12.99 per month plus taxes and fees.  It should be noted that the service is not available in all areas. For more information on NewWave2Go, click here to see the company's informational flyer or call NewWave to find out if it's available in your area.  Their toll-free number is (888) 8-NEWWAVE . For a full list of communities in the Tri-State and surrounding areas served by NewWave, visit JDTVB's Cable/Satellite page and scroll down to the NewWave section.

Over-the-air only viewership rises 2.8% in the past year

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GfK Media report shows nearly 54 million viewers no longer using cable or satellite to watch TV Have you noticed more TV antennas popping up around your neighborhood lately?  Have you started using an antenna for your TV viewing? You're not alone. GfK Media reports that 17.8 percent of American households are now watching TV over-the-air only.  Breaking that down, that means about 53.8 million people in around 21 million homes now depend on an antenna for their favorite shows. That number has grown by 2.8 percent in just the past year, and GfK says that 70 percent of those who switched to antenna only cited cost-cutting as their main goal for making the switch. Having made the switch four years ago myself, I can say that cost-cutting was the #1 reason we went to over-the-air viewing.  However, the fact that we also receive between 18 and 22 channels on a regular basis (and sometimes more) certainly didn't hurt, either.  With a fairly inexpensive Netflix sub

Fox announces fall premiere dates

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Two-night season premiere for The X Factor kicks off Fox's season beginning Sept. 12 Fox has set the fall premiere dates for its new and returning series. The 2012-2013 season begins with the spectacular return of The X Factor , last fall’s No. 1 new unscripted series. The hit music competition series, featuring Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, L.A. Reid and Demi Lovato, will launch with a two-night season premiere event on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. CT and Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. CT. Featuring new cast members including Kate Hudson and Sarah Jessica Parker in multi-episode story arcs, the fourth season of Glee launches on a new night and time Thursday, Sept. 13 (8 p.m. CT), following The X Factor. With McKinley’s senior class graduated and Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) off to NYADA, change is in the air this fall for the Glee club.  Fan-favorite Bones will enter its eighth season on Monday, Sept. 17 (7 p.m. CT), followed by the series premiere of the compelling new drama Th