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Showing posts from July, 2012

BRIEF: WAMW-FM in Washington sustains storm damage

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Station to simulcast The General (95.9/1580 AM) until Wednesday morning Late word from Washington, Ind. tonight is that some storm damage was sustained at WAMW-Memories 107.9 FM when a severe storm rolled through the Washington area earlier this evening. According to the Memories 107.9 Facebook page , the station will simulcast WAMW-The General 95.9 FM/1580 AM until Wednesday morning.  "We hope to get our equipment fixed as soon as possible and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause," the station reports.

Local 7, KFVS and KTVI to air Rams' preseason games this season

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Are you ready for some football?  The St. Louis Rams are, and they've announced some new TV affiliates to carry their games, including right here in the Tri-State. Local 7 WTVW has signed on to carry the team's preseason games in the Evansville market, and if you live where you can watch KFVS 12.2 or WQWQ (in the southwesternmost corner of the area) or KTVI-Fox 2 (in the northwest), those stations will also be broadcasting the games. The Rams have four preseason games this year, and here are the dates and times: Sunday, Aug. 12 vs. the Indianapolis Colts at Indianapolis, 12:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Aug. 18 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs at home, 7 p.m. CT Saturday, Aug. 25 vs. the Dallas Cowboys at Dallas, 7 p.m. CT Thursday, Aug. 30 vs. the Baltimore Ravens at home, 7 p.m. CT

WNIN-FM expanding news and talk programming beginning Aug. 27

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"Next-gen WNIN" to feature more local news on weekdays, classical music from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. WNIN-88.3 FM is preparing to make big changes in late August. Starting Aug. 27, the public radio station will move away from classical music in the daytime hours to add two new talk programs, more local hosting, and news at the top of every hour from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT. First among the new programs is NPR's Peabody Award-winning program The Diane Rehm Show , a live call-in show featuring newsmakers, journalists and authors.  Newsweek has called it one of the most interesting talk shows in the country.  Rehm's program originated in 1970 when she took over the show formerly known as Kaleidoscope.  It was renamed The Diane Rehm Show in 1984 and has remained so since.  It will air every weekday morning on WNIN-FM from 9 to 11 a.m. CT. Also coming to WNIN will be On Point with Tom Ashbrook from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT.  This show, which "covers everything from

LIN Media second quarter revenue up 20%

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WTHI-TV owner reports big gains in interactive revenue, as well as political and automotive advertising dollars LIN Media reported its second-quarter results this morning, and the numbers look good for the owner of Terre Haute's WTHI-TV (and four other stations elsewhere in Indiana). The company's net revenue for the quarter came in at $121 million, a 20% increase over 2Q2011's $101 million.  Strong gains were seen in political revenue ($7.6 million versus $1.8 million a year ago), interactive revenue (up 50%), and automotive revenue (up 25%). During the quarter, LIN announced the purchase of 13 stations from New Vision Television, a transaction that is expected to close later in the year.  The company also completed its sale of Fox affiliate WUPW in Toledo, Ohio, to American Spirit Media. You can read LIN's full quarterly statement here.

Bruce Pearl hired by ESPN

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Bruce Pearl Former USI, Tennessee coach will be analyst for network's college hoops coverage Former USI basketball coach Bruce Pearl has a new job. Pearl, along with former Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg , have joined ESPN as men’s college basketball analysts and ESPN’s Jalen Rose will be added to the college basketball commentator team, the cable network announced Monday. Pearl and Greenberg will each serve as studio analysts throughout the season and will call select games from various conferences. Rose will be a featured analyst on the weekly College GameDay as well as other college basketball studio programming, and will work as a game analyst for a series of matchups. Additionally, all three will contribute college basketball commentary to ESPN Radio , which has two outlets in the Tri-State ( WYFX-106.7 FM in Mt. Vernon, Ind. and WLME-102.7 FM in Lewisport, Ky.), ESPN.com and other ESPN outlets. "I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to bring ESPN the

ABC News, Univision complete agreement to produce news for Hispanic Americans

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Joint venture to create 24/7 English-language network which will serve country's 50 million Hispanics ABC News and Univision announced Monday morning that they have completed a definitive agreement to enter into a joint venture that will create a 24/7 English-language network geared toward the 50 million Hispanics now living in the U.S. The as-yet-unnamed network, which was first announced in May, will make its TV debut in 2013, and will capitalize on Univision’s news leadership and expertise in reaching U.S. Hispanics and ABC’s global news leadership, Univision said in a statement. "ABC News and Univision News share a goal of serving the thriving Hispanic audience that makes up such an influential and essential part of America," said Ben Sherwood, president of ABC News.  "Our new joint venture will empower Hispanic Americans and connect audiences of all kinds to culturally relevant news, information and lifestyle programming.  The signature of the d

Regional Emmy winners announced

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WHAS11's six awards tops in Louisville; WLKY and Terre Haute's WTHI-TV win five each The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Ohio Valley Chapter honored several of its members Saturday night at the Belterra Casino, Resort and Spa in Florence, Ind.  The 48th annual edition of the Regional Emmy Awards saw the major Louisville stations, WTHI-TV in Terre Haute, WKYU-PBS in Bowling Green and KET honored with numerous awards. WHAS11 in Louisville and WTHI-TV were honored with awards for Station Excellence. Including its Station Excellence win, WHAS accounted for the most awards of the stations in Louisville with six; WLKY was next on the list with five, while WDRB and WAVE each grabbed three. WTHI-TV , Terre Haute's CBS/Fox affiliate, brought home five awards. KET , Kentucky's statewide public television network, earned three awards, and Kentucky Afield host Tim Farmer of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife won in the Program Ho

Compass Media Networks, Learfield Sports extend multi-year broadcast contract

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Agreement calls for Compass to air minimum of 20 home football games and 20 men's basketball games; exact number to be announced later Compass Media Networks and Learfield Sports have announced a multi-year extension whereby Compass Media Networks retains first right of refusal to broadcast any Learfield Sports home football and men's basketball games, retains the exclusive national radio rights to broadcast the Big Ten Football Championship Game and the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament, and will broadcast expanded coverage of regular season men's basketball and football games. Learfield Sports is the exclusive broadcast and sports marketing partner to over 50 of the nation's leading colleges and universities including Indiana University, Purdue University and the Big Ten Conference. Compass Media Networks holds an array of college and professional broadcast rights including the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders, in addition to the college spor

Still not fixed: Eyewitness News at 6:30 shut down by continued technical difficulties

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Newscast failures compounded for cable customers in part of the Tri-State by audio issues On Saturday night, production issues (which are believed to have been caused by an equipment failure) knocked Eyewitness News at 9 off of Local 7 WTVW , although the 10 p.m. newscast on WEHT Local went on as scheduled. And it's happened again tonight.  The 6:30 portion of this evening's newscast on WTVW just couldn't go on. Both WTVW and WEHT Local are scheduled to be switching their news production to HD this week.  Let's hope they don't have the same troubles after the change that they've been experiencing this weekend! IN OTHER NEWS FROM MARYWOOD DRIVE, THE SOUND ISN'T RIGHT:   Comcast customers in Muhlenberg County, Ky. have been telling me ( and the station, too ) that they're having trouble with low audio on WEHT Local.  I'm going to be in contact with Comcast on Monday morning and hope to have some answers for you from the cable company

Face the Nation's extension to one hour made permanent

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Fans of CBS' long-running Face the Nation can expect the Sunday morning political chat show to remain in its hour-long format permanently, host Bob Schieffer announced this morning. The test run of the show as an hour-long program was announced last December and officially began in April. "It was an experiment, frankly," Schieffer explained to his audience this morning, "and this week the CBS Network notified our affiliate stations that the experiment was successful." Don't expect a lot of flash and dash from the now-permanently lengthened show.  "(W)e don't intend to change much. No bells and whistles here," Schieffer said. "We'll just turn on the lights, sit the key news makers down and ask them the questions we think you would ask.  And if they don't answer, we'll try to point that out."

"Major technical difficulties" knock Eyewitness News at 9 off of Local 7

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UPDATE, 10:02 P.M.:   Eyewitness News at 10 started on time ... sort of.  They got the Forecast First on with Ron Rhodes in mid-sentence, but at least it's on. As I write this at 9:45 p.m., Eyewitness News at 9 p.m. is supposed to be on Local 7 WTVW. But it isn't.  The Andy Griffith Show is on. According to weekend anchor Lindsay Merwin, they're having "some major technical problems" and are trying to get back on before the 10 p.m. newscast on WEHT Local: No word on what the problems are.

Former Insight customers to lose NFL Network Tuesday night

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Time Warner Cable refuses to extend deal with league for continued carriage in former Insight areas If you're an Insight customer (which, as you know, is now part of Time Warner Cable ) and you enjoy watching NFL Network , get your fill this weekend, Monday and Tuesday, because it won't be available to you starting Wednesday. Since Time Warner Cable's recent purchase of Insight, which was finalized earlier this year, it's been a question of when , not if , the cable giant would take the network away from its customers.  The company decided to allow Insight's contract with the NFL to run its course, and that contract ends Tuesday night. NFL RedZone will also be removed from the lineup along with NFL Network. TWC is the largest pay-TV provider in the country that does not allow its customers access to NFL Network, and the company's refusal to cut a deal sticks in the craw of the NFL. "We are disappointed that Time Warner Cable has taken away

The Weekender for July 21-27

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It's Friday, and that means it's time to look back at the week in TV and radio! But before we get to the "meat" of the Weekender, I'd like to take just a moment to thank all of you for your kind words this week since I learned that my column will no longer be published each Thursday in the Courier & Press .  I don't have the words to tell you all truly how much I appreciate everything you've done to help "pick me up and dust me off," but I am truly and forever grateful. Now, for the reason you're here:  As usual, all of this week's headlines can 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! Flora native Laura Hettiger joins KMOV staff Fiber

Flora native Laura Hettiger joins KMOV staff

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Laura Hettiger University of Illinois grad to be station's morning reporter Flora, Ill. native Laura Hettiger has joined the news team at St. Louis CBS affiliate KMOV 4 . Hettiger, who is a graduate of the University of Illinois, is returning to the Midwest from Charleston, S.C., where she reported for WCBD, that city's NBC affiliate.  The university's alumni website shows that she will be working as a morning reporter at Channel 4. Prior to her time in Charleston, Hettiger interned at Us Weekly , American Cheerleader Magazine , WICD-TV in Champaign and the Big Ten Network, and also taught journalism at Illinois while working on her master's degree in broadcast journalism. KMOV can be seen in the Tri-State on Hamilton Co. Communications channel 104 , Mediacom channels 4 (Louisville, Ill.) and 10 (Clay City, Ill.), and Wabash Independent Networks channels 104 (Clay and Marion Counties, Ill.) and 4 (Flora and Xenia, Ill.). JDTVB Southern Illin

Fiber optic break disrupts Comcast service in Western Ky.

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The West Kentucky Star reports this afternoon that a fiber optic cable break near Hopkinsville is causing problems for Comcast cable and internet customers in a large swath of Western Kentucky. A Comcast technician says customers from Paducah to Madisonville are experiencing problems caused by the break.  In the immediate Tri-State area, Comcast serves much of Muhlenberg County, Ky., but it isn't known at this time if customers there are experiencing difficulties. It's not immediately known how soon the problem will be resolved.

CNN president Jim Walton steps down

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Boss since 2003, Walton says cable's first news network needs "new thinking" and "a new plan" After 31 years with the network and nine as its president, CNN 's Jim Walton is calling it quits. "CNN needs new thinking. That starts with a new leader who brings a different perspective, different experiences and a new plan," Walton, who has been president of CNN since 2003, wrote in a memo to the network's staff earlier today. CNN has been on the ropes for a good while now, falling behind both Fox News and MSNBC during the all-important primetime hours.  In the second three months of this year, the network posted its worst ratings in more than two decades and lost 35% of its audience from the same period in 2011. Part of CNN's problem is that its #1 and #2 competitors have turned blatantly partisan, which is seen by some as the secret to their success.  Walton wouldn't go there, and viewers began to turn away. It also

Comedian Tom Arnold in Evansville to tape new show for CMT

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Tom Arnold Redneck Rehab coming this fall to cable network Comedian Tom Arnold and his crew have been in Evansville this week to tape an episode of a new show for CMT called Redneck Rehab . WJLT's Johnny Kincaid reports that the episode filmed here will feature a man whose girlfriend is a 29-year-old pregnant grandmother, and they're bringing a son back home to reunite with the redneck family.  (Honestly. That's how Arnold has been describing the show.) Both Eyewitness News and 14 News caught up with the actor to talk about the new show. So ... what do you think about this?  Is it going to be good?  Bad?  "Meh?"  Leave a comment and sound off.

HEADLINES: Robin Roberts sets medical leave for bone marrow transplant

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Here are some national headlines this morning: 'GMA' Host Roberts To Take Medical Leave Robin Roberts, co-host of ABC's Good Morning America, will undergo a bone marrow transplant in late August, and while she will have to be away from the surging morning show for a few weeks thereafter, she's going to be getting a little help from her friends at the network, with substitute hosts including Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer, Kelly Ripa, Barbara Walters, and other panelists from ABC's The View. Roberts, who recently announced that she has MDS, formerly known as pre-leukemia, told reporters in Los Angeles on Thursday that GMA's resurgence against NBC's Today of late has been encouraging and healing for her personally.  "The run that we've had has truly energized me," she said. "It's pretty good medicine, I gotta say, to be taking!"  [ AP via TVNewsCheck ] Yunji de Nies Joins KITV Honolulu As Anchor Also at ABC, there's a

Belo Corp. 2Q revenue up 7% to $178 million; company declares dividend

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Owner of WHAS11 and KMOV sees big gain in political advertising, slight decline in spot revenue Belo Corp. , the Dallas-based owner of television stations WHAS11 (ABC/Louisville) and KMOV 4 (CBS/St. Louis), today reported net earnings per share of $0.24 in the second quarter of 2012 compared to net earnings per share of $0.17 in the second quarter of 2011. Dunia Shive, Belo’s president and CEO, said, "Second quarter total revenue increased 7 percent compared to the second quarter of 2011.  Political revenue totaled $9.5 million, with $5 million attributable to the Senate primary in Texas.  The company also received meaningful political revenue in Charlotte, Norfolk and St. Louis.  Core spot revenue was up in many of the Company’s markets in the second quarter of 2012, but was down slightly overall compared to last year due to softness in national spot in certain markets.  Third quarter total spot revenue is currently pacing up in the high-teens with strong core an

ABC announces fall premiere dates

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ABC has officially announced its premiere dates for the 2012-13 fall season. The action on the Alphabet Network kicks off on Friday, Sept. 14 with new episodes of Shark Tank , What Would You Do? and 20/20 , before the heart of the lineup comes into play starting Sept. 24 with the new season of Dancing with the Stars and Castle . All of the network's shows will make their fall debuts between that date and Nov. 2, when Last Man Standing and Malibu Country enter the scene and Shark Tank moves to a new time. You can see the full list of premieres after the jump.

Norah O'Donnell named CBS This Morning co-host

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Norah O'Donnell O'Donnell to join Rose and King this fall; current co-host Erica Hill "in discussions regarding a new role" CBS News' chief White House correspondent, Norah O’Donnell , has been named co-host of CBS This Morning , it was announced by CBS News chairman Jeff Fager and president David Rhodes. O’Donnell will join co-hosts Charlie Rose and Gayle King beginning this fall. “This is a very exciting development for our morning program and for all of CBS News,” Fager said. “Norah is an accomplished reporter with all the skills for the job. She’s a hard worker who knows her story and, as she has shown time after time at the White House, she can think on her feet on live television.” “Norah thrives on the kind of original reporting and newsmaker interviews that are the hallmark of CBS News and CBS This Morning,” said Rhodes. “She is the perfect addition to the best morning news program on television.” “Norah has earned the respect of global newsmakers

With NBC's Olympic coverage beginning Friday, 14 News adjusts schedule

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NBC will begin its coverage of the Summer Olympics from London tomorrow (Friday, July 27), and with that will come a few changes for viewers of 14 News . The station's 10 p.m. newscast will air one hour later than usual during the Games, at 11 p.m. each night.  This begins Friday night and will run for the duration, except for Aug. 8 (10:30 p.m.) and Aug. 12, the night of the closing ceremonies (10 p.m.). Those who can receive 14Xtra (which is available over-the-air on channel 14.2 and on several area cable systems) can still watch the 9 p.m. newscast, which will also be streamed live online at 14news.com .  A "mini" newscast will also be available at the website each night at 10. In addition to the late news change, beginning Monday, July 30, there will be no Midday program through Aug. 10.

PBS Digital Studios remixes Bob Ross

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Back in early June, PBS Digital Studios released a remix of Mister Rogers entitled "Garden of Your Mind."   Now they're back with a new video featuring Bob Ross , and it's called "Happy Little Clouds."   If you're having a bad day, this one should lift you up.  Enjoy!

Netflix stock takes a dive

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Analyst outlook gloomy for DVD/streaming company; shares down 79% since last year Shares in streaming and DVD video company Netflix took a steep drop Wednesday after Wall Street analysts cut their forecast for the company's stock, falling 25% to $60.28. That price is a whopping 79% under the price the stock was trading at just one year ago (over $281 per share). It's been a year since the company tried - and failed - to separate its product offerings, and growth in subscribers hasn't quite lived up to expectations.  Two years ago, Netflix said it would have 7 million new customers this year - and in a letter to shareholders, the company's bosses admit that might not happen unless they hit the upper end of their third-quarter estimates. Concerns among the analysts range from competition (from Redbox, Amazon, Hulu and cable TV) to the lower profitability of the streaming service versus DVDs, and whether or not it's a sound idea for Netflix to put its

KTVI reporter John Gadson dies after battle with ALS

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JOHN GADSON, 1952-2012 Longtime reporter had also worked in Evansville, Memphis and Greenville, Miss. KTVI-Fox 2 reporter John Gadson , who worked for the St. Louis Fox affiliate from March 2000 until he underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor and was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) two years ago, died Wednesday morning at a St. Louis assisted living center, the Post-Dispatch reports . Gadson, who was just days shy of his 60th birthday, taught high school before getting into TV news, and had worked at TV stations in Evansville, Memphis and Greenville, Miss. before returning to his hometown 12 years ago. "He had the most amazing laugh and wonderful smile, and the best sense of humor," said KTVI news director Audrey Prywitch. "I can't begin to tell you how much everyone here loved him." Fox 2 has set up a tribute page with video on its website. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Santa Claus, Ind. to be featured on Travel Channel's Best of the Road tonight

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Spencer County community chosen as one of America's "Most Fun Small Towns" The Travel Channel will feature the town of Santa Claus, Ind. , on its hour-long Best of the Road special this evening. The town of Santa Claus is one of the top "Most Fun Small Towns" chosen to compete in last month's "Best of the Road Rally" sponsored by USA Today and Rand McNally. A Best of the Road Rally team visited Santa Claus for two days in late June and enthusiastically experienced the fun at Santa's Stables , Santa Claus Museum , Santa Claus Christmas Store , Santa's Candy Castle , Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort , and Holiday World & Splashin' Safari . Travel Channel's Bert Kreischer , who also visited Santa Claus last year for his "Bert the Conqueror" series , hosts the special featuring the cross-county road rally of three teams in search of the best small towns for food, beauty, and fun. "It r

Pepsi, NFL ink deal for Super Bowl halftime show sponsorship

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Soft drink maker replaces Bridgestone, which has sponsored the program since 2008 For the first time since 2007, Pepsi will sponsor the halftime show during Super Bowl XLVII , which will be broadcast on CBS from New Orleans next Feb. 3. And that's not all. The soft drink maker announced a new multi-year deal with the NFL for halftime sponsorship today, although it did not disclose the terms of the deal or its length.  Pepsi replaces Bridgestone Tires, which took over sponsorship in 2008. Pepsi will have more input than previous sponsors with regard to stage design and which performers will be part of the show.  Previously, those decisions were made largely by the NFL. MORE READING: Associated Press via TVNewsCheck - "Pepsi To Sponsor Super Bowl Halftime Show"

DLC Media announces purchase of Rockville, Ind. radio station

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WAXI studio returning to Parke County; Crooks says news and local programming to be added soon DLC Media of Washington, Ind. announced Tuesday that it has reached an agreement to purchase WAXI-104.9 FM in Rockville, Ind. from Crossroads Investments LLC . Dave Crooks, president of DLC Media, said that he plans to relocate the station's studio back to its original home south of Rockville.  Under Crossroads' ownership, while WAXI has been licensed to Rockville, it has actually broadcast from a studio in Terre Haute. “I’m excited about investing in Parke County and I’m looking forward to providing great local programming and jobs to the community,” Crooks said. WAXI recently changed its format from classic rock to "The True Oldies Channel" format, which plays music from the 1950s through the 1980s. In addition, following the transfer of control of the station to DLC, WAXI will add a new morning show with local personalities and an extensive package of n

MOVING ON: Two leave 14 News

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Kendra Whittle (L) and Jasmin Embers (R) There are two departures at 14 News to tell you about this week. Kendra Whittle , who began reporting for WFIE in Oct. 2010 after working at WEEK in Peoria, is leaving at the end of this week.  She's returning to her home state and will work at WGEM-TV, the NBC/Fox/CW affiliate in Quincy. The move comes after Whittle's husband accepted a teaching job in the Quincy area. Also, Owensboro bureau reporter Jasmin Embers left the station recently.  I'm told that she left the station to spend more time with family. A new reporter is expected to join the station's bureau in Owensboro alongside Dave Kirk soon. We wish both Kendra and Jasmin well!

The Bill Cunningham Show preparing for CW debut

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Bill Cunningham After successful debut last year on Tribune stations, show is set for Sept. 17 nationwide launch Get ready, folks:  Bill Cunningham is coming to your TV screen. The attorney and conservative talk radio host, whose Sunday night radio program, Live on Sunday Nights It's Bill Cunningham , is distributed nationally to over 300 radio stations, is bringing his TV talk show to the CW television network and its more than 200 affiliates nationwide beginning Sept. 17. The Bill Cunningham Show debuted last fall on Tribune Broadcasting's TV stations throughout the country as well as two Local TV, LLC-owned stations and Raycom's WXIX in Cincinnati (Cunningham's hometown).  The expansion to the CW stations means that viewers in the Tri-State will now get to experience what's been described as a traditional conflict-resolution style tabloid show with Cunningham's viewpoints blended in. Stations which will carry the show in and around the Tr

Starlight Broadcasting surrenders WAIA license

Beaver Dam AM station had been off the air for some time There's now one fewer radio station - officially - in the Tri-State. Beaver Dam, Ky. talk station WAIA-1600 AM , which was owned by Starlight Broadcasting , no longer exists, as the company surrendered the station's license in a letter to the FCC dated June 26. WAIA had been off the air for some time prior to its official demise. The station was originally known as WLLS, and changed its call letters to WSNR in 1996.  It's been WAIA since early 2001, according to FCC records. Starlight also owns WNES-1050 AM and WQXQ-101.9 FM in Central City, Ky., which is currently operated by Virtual Formats LLC as Q102; WKYA-105.5 FM in Greenville, Ky.; and WXMZ-106.3 FM in Hartford, Ky.

HEADLINES: Louisville police searching for WDRB thief; ABC making a switch

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Here are some broadcasting stories making headlines this morning: Police searching for suspect who used credit cards stolen from news vehicle Louisville police are on the hunt for a man who broke into a WDRB news van at Riverfront Park late last month and stole credit cards and other items belonging to one of the station's reporters.  WDRB reports that the man used the cards at several locations in Louisville and Southern Indiana, and you can find information and photos of the suspect at their website. [ WDRB ] ABC’s ‘The Neighbors’ And ‘Suburgatory’ To Swap Time Slots ABC is said to be switching two of its shows on Wednesday nights this fall.  Returning Suburgatory and freshman comedy The Neighbors will swap timeslots, with Suburgatory moving to 8:30 p.m. CT and The Neighbors, which was to air at that time, moving to 7:30 p.m. CT. [ Deadline Hollywood ] Cable companies brace for new regulatory battles As I told you yesterday , the Senate Commerce Committee is open

A personal note

As most of you know, since September 2009, in addition to my daily work here at Jake's DTV Blog, I have written a weekly column on TV and radio for the Evansville Courier & Press . I've enjoyed it tremendously , and I've also enjoyed the interaction that I've had with those of you who read the column and touch base with me to ask questions, give praise, gripe at me, or just say hello. I'm grateful for all of the above. But there's a change coming, and I feel that I owe it to you to explain that change, even though I haven't exactly been able to wrap my mind around it yet. Unfortunately, due to budget cutbacks, after this week's edition runs in Thursday's newspaper, my column will no longer be published each week, but once a month instead.  I have also been asked, and have agreed, to narrow the focus of the column to only include Southwestern Indiana TV and radio. There may be occasions when I will be called upon to write additional art

NewWave changing channel lineups in part of the Tri-State

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Channels to be realigned by "interest groups," with new HD channels added If you're a NewWave Communications customer in parts of Southeastern Illinois and Southwestern Indiana (see the list below for the areas involved), your channel lineup is changing on Wednesday. The Sikeston, Mo.-based cable provider is changing its lineups to group channels by "interest groups," and is also adding more HD channels. You can download and print the new lineups from JDTVB's Cable/Satellite page or by visiting NewWave's website . As part of the changes, the cable company is also making its Whole Home DVR and Interactive Home Security and Monitoring services available in these areas.  You can learn more about those products at newwavecom.com . COMMUNITIES WITH CHANGING LINEUPS (click to see the official "To/From" lists showing which channels are moving): Newton, St. Francisville and Sumner, Ill. Bridgeport & Lawrenceville, Ill.; Bi

Coming soon to a TV near you: Eyewitness News in HD

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It's been just over a year since 14WFIE transitioned its newscasts to high definition, and now Nexstar Broadcasting is wrapping up the necessary work to do the same for Eyewitness News on WEHT Local and Local 7 WTVW , making Evansville - at last - an all-HD TV news market. I'm told that the first newscasts in HD on 25 and 7 will air next week. While I'm not privy to the details of the specific work that was involved on Marywood Drive, when 14 made the switch last year, they had to replace cameras, the set, and their entire master control, just to hit the highlights.  It seems certain that the same would be true of the work and WEHT/WTVW.   When Eyewitness News moved to its new set earlier this year, it was described as being HD-ready, so the remainder of the work likely involved the more technical behind-the-scenes stuff - the "guts" of the operation, if you will. Stay tuned ...

Senate Commerce Committee to examine Cable Act

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Mediacom boss proposes cable price freeze for 2 years - if program providers agree to freeze their rates as well The U.S. Senate's Commerce Committee will open a hearing Tuesday to review the Cable Act. The Act (which is formally known as the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act ), which was passed nearly 20 years ago, laid the foundation for retransmission consent and its associated fees, leading to disagreements between programmers and pay-TV providers which have caused numerous blackouts in the past few years, including the most recent ones between Viacom and DirecTV and between Time Warner Cable and Hearst Television . “We can’t look to the future of video without evaluating the Cable Act’s impact on the modern television marketplace,” said West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller, chairman of the committee. Representatives of pay-TV companies Time Warner Cable, Dish Network and DirecTV, and program providers Hearst Television, Viacom and AMC Ne