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Showing posts from August, 2013

Weekend Headlines - Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2013)

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We at JDTVB will resume our regular publishing schedule on Tuesday, Aug. 3. Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend! WJLA Meteorologist Jacqui Jeras to Undergo Double Mastectomy TVSPY - Jacqui Jeras, meteorologist for Washington, D.C. ABC affiliate WJLA (and formerly of WEHT and CNN) announced she’s taking time off from work to undergo a preventative double mastectomy. Retrans: When antennas help and when they don't SNL - When it comes to retransmission consent disputes, over-the-air antennas may not be the perfect solution, but they have gotten better. Thursday Night Is a Game Changer for NFL Network ADWEEK - Adding five Thursday Night Football games to its lineup has paid handsome dividends for NFL Network, enabling the league’s in-house TV outlet to boost its carriage fees by as much as 41 percent. Dr. Phil to Guest-Host 'The View' During Premiere Week THEWRAP - "The View" will be getting some down-to-earth advice wrapped in a Southern drawl

ICYMI - Week Ending 8/30/13

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JDTVB will return to regular posting on TUESDAY after the Labor Day holiday. See you then! FRIDAY, AUG. 30 Townsquare Media solidifies its position as nation's 3rd-largest radio station owner Brian Williams returning to Nightly news next week Tribune revenue drops 10% in second quarter Friday Headlines - 8/30/13 THURSDAY, AUG. 29 Evening Headlines - 8/29/13  FCC Report - 8/29/13  Belinda Babinec is WIKY's new news director and morning anchor  Morning Headlines - 8/29/13  WEDNESDAY, AUG. 28 Evening Headlines - 8/28/13  FCC Report - 8/28/13  Gibson out, Allen in as WIKY/South Central Media shakes up news department  TWC TV app for Xbox 360 launches  Morning Headlines - 8/28/13  TUESDAY, AUG. 27 Evening Headlines - 8/27/13  "Totally 90s" coming soon to Q102  FCC Report - 8/27/13  BRIEF: Former 14 sports anchor Danneman named sports director at Cincinnati's WXIX  Morning Headlines - 8/27/13  MONDAY, AUG. 26 Evening Headlines - 8/

Townsquare Media solidifies its position as nation's 3rd largest radio station owner

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Company picking up 71 stations from Cumulus and Peak Broadcasting as Cumulus absorbs national syndicator Dial Global Townsquare Media , which owns seven radio stations in the Tri-State ( WKDQ , WGBF AM and FM , WJLT , WDKS , WBKR and WOMI ), announced Friday morning that it will be purchasing an additional 71 radio stations from Cumulus Media and Peak Broadcasting . The move comes as Cumulus announced it will be purchasing syndicator Dial Global for $260 million (see below). Both parts of the deal had been rumored earlier in the week. From Cumulus outright, the company will acquire 53 stations (three of which will go into a divestiture trust) in the following markets: Battle Creek, Mich.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Danbury, Conn.; Faribault-Owatonna, Minn.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; Lansing, Mich.; Portland, Maine; Portsmouth-Dover-Rochester, N.H.; Quad Cities, Iowa-Ill.; Rochester, Minn.; Rockford, Ill.; and Waterloo, Iowa. The Peak stations are in Fresno, Calif. and Boise, Idah

Brian Williams returning to Nightly News next week

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NBC'S BRIAN WILLIAMS : Coming back after knee replacement surgery Anchor of nation's top-rated network newscast underwent knee replacement surgery Aug. 6 Brian Williams will return to the anchor desk at NBC Nightly News on Tuesday, Aug. 3, just under a month after undergoing surgery to replace his knee. Williams, in an interview with Dr. Nancy Snyderman that aired Thursday , called himself "a motivated patient" who was ready to end the decades of pain caused by a high school football injury. Lester Holt has been anchoring Nightly News during Williams' recovery.

Tribune revenue drops 10% in second quarter

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Tribune Company has released its consolidated financial statements for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013. (The full set of information is posted on the Company’s website, along with management’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations.) Here are a few of the company's second quarter highlights compared to the second quarter of 2012: Consolidated operating revenues of $730 million declined 10%, or $86 million Broadcasting revenues of $260 million declined $66 million; excluding one-time copyright royalties, the drop  was $25 million, or 9% Publishing revenues were off by 4% Operating expenses were trimmed by 7% "While our second quarter financial results reflect many of the same challenges faced by the other companies in our sector, we have made substantial progress strategically repositioning Tribune for long‐term growth." said Peter Liguori, Tribune's president and CEO. "We have stabilized our publishin

Friday Headlines - 8/30/13

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LPTV Coalition Threatens FCC With Lawsuit TVNEWSCHECK - A new coalition made up of low-power television station operators is threatening the FCC with a lawsuit if it doesn’t conduct an impact study on how the pending spectrum auction would affect its members’ business. Cable’s summer winners and losers MEDIA LIFE MAGAZINE - Cable’s summer can be summed up in one word: Sharks. Whether it was Discovery Channel’s annual Shark Week, which pulled the best numbers in network history, Syfy’s schlocky Twitter hit “Sharknado,” or a shark of a meth dealer who brought record ratings to AMC, sharks were without question one of this summer’s biggest hits. June Foray To Receive TV Academy Governors Award VARIETY - June Foray will be presented with the Governors Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Board of Governors at the Creative Arts Emmys on Sept. 15. Bad news: CNBC hits 20-year ratings nadir NEW YORK POST - TV viewers continued to trade out of CNBC in Augus

Evening Headlines - 8/29/13

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Blind Comcast exec developing a talking TV channel guide PHILLY.COM - How does a blind person find what to "watch" on a TV with 200 channels and 46,000 video-on-demand choices of movies, shows, and clips? Tom Wlodkowski, a blind executive at Comcast Corp., thinks he has the answer: a talking TV channel guide. 'Idol' Judge Search Could Delay Show Production THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER - The collapse of songwriter and producer Dr. Luke’s deal to judge American Idol was a tough setback for Fox, Fremantle and the show's producers that has left little time to fill a judge’s slot before the show begins taping, which originally was set for next Tuesday but could be delayed. WGN-AM/Chicago Announces New On-Air Line-Up RADIO ONLINE - Talk WGN-AM/Chicago Radio has announced changes to its weekday and weekend lineups. When Will The Big Deal Happen? RADIO INK - All sides of the rumored Cumulus/Dial Global/Townsquare deal are declining to comment today as the in

FCC Report - 8/29/13

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FM Translator Applications for Original Construction Permit Accepted for Filing NEW , 98.7 FM, Carbondale, Ill.; W. Russell Withers, Jr. CP New Station. Petitions to deny this application must be on file no later than 15 days from the date of the notice accepting this application for filing.  (If approved, translator would simulcast WKIB, Anna, Ill.) FM Translator Applications for Original Construction Permit Tendered for Filing NEW , 92.9 FM, Victoria, Ky.; WAY Media, Inc. CP New Station. NEW , 99.1 FM, Masonville, Ky.; WAY Media, Inc. CP New Station. NEW , 95.3 FM, Brentwood, Ky.; WAY Media, Inc. CP New Station.  (If approved, all of the above translators would simulcast KJWA, 89.7 FM, Trinidad, Colo., a translator for KRWA, 90.9 FM, Rye, Colo., which itself serves as a translator for KXGR, 89.7, Loveland, Colo. [Got all that???])  

Belinda Babinec is WIKY's new news director and morning anchor

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WIKY (104.1 FM, Evansville) has a new news director and morning news anchor. The station's parent company, South Central Media, announced this morning that Belinda Babinec will take over the role vacated by former news director Mark Evans, who left WIKY earlier this year. Belinda is a Chicago native and a graduate of Illinois State University, and is a veteran of radio newsrooms, most recently as the morning news editor for WIQI-FM in Chicago. She has also worked as an anchor, reporter and editor at WBBM Newsradio and FM News 97.5 in Chicago, and in Houston at KRTH. She begins her duties at WIKY immediately and will join the WIKY Morning Show as news anchor sometime in September. Welcome to the Tri-State, Belinda!

Morning Headlines - 8/29/13

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'The Queen Latifah Show' Lines Up All-Star Guest List (Exclusive) THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER - Queen Latifah has lined up an impressive list of guests for the first week of her new daytime talker, which bows Sept. 16 on CBS stations, including John Travolta, Sharon Stone, Jake Gyllenhaal and pal Jamie Foxx. Will Smith, who is an executive producer on the Sony Pictures Television-produced talker along with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, will also make an appearance. 'Right This Minute' Clearances Hit 85% TVNEWSCHECK - Right This Minute, the half-hour syndicated video clip show distributed by MGM Domestic Television Distribution, has boosted its clearances to 85% of U.S. TV homes, including in all top 30 DMAs, for its third season premiere on Monday, Sept. 16. The show will air on 147 stations in 127 DMAs. Small-Market Broadcasters Concerned RADIO INK - It hasn't even happened yet and there's already concern across the countrry about the rumored deal betwe

Evening Headlines - 8/28/13

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The Rumors Get Louder: Are Cumulus, Dial Global And Townsquare Set To Pull Off The Deal Of The Year? ALL ACCESS - In multiple moves that would reshape the industry, several sources are telling ALL ACCESS that a major deal is brewing between Cumulus, Dial Global and Townsquare Media. (Townsquare owns and operates seven radio stations in the Evansville and Owensboro radio markets.) FCC Works on Impasse Between CBS and Time Warner Cable BLOOMBERG - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission says it’s working to resolve a fee dispute that has kept CBS Corp. programming off Time Warner Cable Inc. systems serving more than 3 million viewers since Aug. 2. ‘CSI’s George Eads On Leave Of Absence Over On-Set Altercation DEADLINE - Original CSI cast member George Eads will miss at least portion of the crime series’ upcoming 14th season over a personnel issue. Raycom, Auburn U. In Journalism Collaboration TVNEWSCHECK - Raycom Media and Auburn University’s school of communication a

FCC Report - 8/28/13

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Digital TV Applications for Amendment Received WBNA , ch. 8, Louisville, Ky.; Word Broadcasting Network, Inc. Amendment filed 8/23/2013. (Amendment filed because station's children's programming report did not upload when the license renewal was filed earlier this year.) Digital Translator or Digital LPTV Applications for License to Cover Accepted for Filing WBKI-LP , ch. 28, Louisville, Ky.; Word of God Fellowship, Inc. License to cover construction permit no: BDFCDTL-20110426ABA, callsign WBKI-LP. FM Translator Applications for Original Construction Permit Accepted for Filing NEW , 102.9 FM, Mount Vernon, Ill.; Covenant Network . CP New Station. Petitions to deny this application must be on file no later than 15 days from the date of the notice accepting this application for filing. (If approved, translator would simulcast WIHM-FM, Harrisburg, Ill.) NEW , 98.7 FM, Owensboro, Ky.; WLME, Inc. CP New Station. Petitions to deny this application must be on file no la

Gibson out, Allen in as WIKY/South Central Media shakes up news department

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JDTVB has confirmed this morning that there has been a personnel change in the news department at Evansville's #1 radio station, WIKY (104.1 FM). John Gibson , who served with the station for more than two decades, is no longer with WIKY's parent company,  South Central Media . No reason was given for Gibson's departure. A new voice in the news department - although certainly a familiar one to listeners of WIKY - is longtime air personality Rick Allen . I'm told that he has been made a part of the news team "effective immediately." I will keep you posted as more information becomes available.

TWC TV app for Xbox 360 launches

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Will give subscribers access to as many as 300 channels Time Warner Cable and Microsoft have officially launched the cable giant's TV app for Microsoft's popular gaming console, and if you're a TWC customer and an Xbox Live Gold customer, it will give you access to as many as 300 channels. "For Xbox and our customers with Time Warner Cable, this is a landmark partnership and one that’s been a longtime in the making," wrote Yusuf Mehdi, Xbox VP of Marketing, Strategy and Business. "We couldn’t be more excited to see this relationship come to fruition today, especially with the Fall TV and sports seasons right around the corner. "The new TWC TV experience on Xbox is very compelling because it will bring more live TV channels to Xbox 360 than any other experience available on Xbox today." In addition to currently-available programming, Video On Demand will become available through the app later in the year. Time Warner Cable serv

Morning Headlines - 8/28/13

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IS CBS RADIO FOR SALE OR NOT? RADIO INK - The easy answer is that everything is for sale at the right price. Rumors have been circulating for years that the CBS stations are on the block and the latest centers around Cumulus kicking the tires. Fall Is The Time For Broadcast Nets To Shine THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - There's something antiquated about the custom long known as the Fall TV Season. It was born of a bygone era (and still harkens back to it) when fall signaled all things important in America: the much-anticipated return to school, the resumption of football and the grand unveiling of next year's car models. Ari Shapiro Named London Correspondent for NPR RADIO ONLINE - NPR News correspondent Ari Shapiro, who has covered the White House since 2010, will join the international desk as the network's new London correspondent.

Evening Headlines - 8/27/13

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WTHI Reporter Charged With Domestic Battery TVSPY - WTHI reports Jon Swaner, a reporter for the Terre Haute, Ind., CBS affiliate, has been charged with misdemeanor domestic battery. ESPN, Turner in talks to exit NASCAR early SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL - ESPN and Turner Sports are talking with NASCAR about getting out of their broadcast rights agreement a year early, a move that could allow Fox Sports and NBC Sports Group to become the sport’s broadcasters next year. In a game behind the games, Fox challenges ESPN — and the stakes are huge THE KANSAS CITY STAR - Fox Sports 1, the new 24-hour all-sports channel of Rupert Murdoch’s empire, is taking on reigning sports media behemoth ESPN in a way that has never happened — with deep pockets, plenty of programming and an edge. How the Time Warner Cable, CBS Standoff Could Set the TV Standard THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER - While Time Warner Cable subscribers watch closely as the CBS standoff enters its fourth week, TV distributors s

"Totally 90s" coming soon to Q102

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Husband and wife radio veterans to host new Saturday morning program The radio landscape in Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana is about to be transported back in time to the 1990s.   WQXQ ( Q102 – 101.9FM ) will be debuting a new show on Saturday mornings called “Totally 90’s.”  It’s co-hosted by two veterans of radio one of which has deep ties to Western Kentucky. Michael Davis  and his wife Casey  Holiday  have a combined 20+ years in radio.  Michael began his career after graduating from Muhlenberg North High School in Greenville in 1997.   His first “gig” in radio was at WMTA (1380 AM) in Central City, followed by WVHM (90.5 FM) in Hardin, Ky., WFMW (730 AM) in Madisonville, WVVR (100.3 FM) in Hopkinsville, WVLK (590 AM/101.5 FM) in Lexington, WLAC (1510 AM) in Nashville, and most recently at WKDZ (106.5 FM) in Cadiz, Ky. Casey began her radio career while in high school at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn.  She started out in promotions and on-air at W

FCC Report - 8/27/13

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FM Translator Applications for Original Construction Permit Accepted for Filing NEW , 98.3 FM, Philpot, Ky.; Bethel Fellowship, Inc. CP New Station. Petitions to deny this application must be on file no later than 15 days from the date of the notice accepting this application for filing. Applicant proposes this translator to rebroadcast WBFI, 91.5 FM, McDaniels, Ky. NEW , 98.7 FM, Owensboro, Ky.; WLME, Inc. CP New Station. Petitions to deny this application must be on file no later than 15 days from the date of the notice accepting this application for filing. Applicant proposes this translator to rebroadcast WXCM, 97.1 FM, Whitesville, Ky.

BRIEF: Former 14 sports anchor Danneman named sports director at Cincinnati's WXIX

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JOE DANNEMAN A former 14WFIE sports anchor is the new sports director at Raycom's Cincinnati FOX affiliate, WXIX-FOX 19 . Joe Danneman was named to the post that is being vacated by Brian Giesenschlag, reports Cincinnati.com's John Kiesewetter . Danneman, a native of the Cincinnati area, worked at Channel 14 from 2009 to 2011, in between stints at WXIX. Read more at Cincinnati.com.

Morning Headlines - 8/27/13

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TV Land Cancels 'Happily Divorced' BROADCASTING & CABLE - TV Land has opted to end its relationship with comedy series Happily Divorced after two seasons, a network spokesperson confirmed. 'Love, American Style' Gets Reboot At CBS DEADLINE - EXCLUSIVE: CBS has put in development Love, American Style, a contemporary version of the 1970s comedy anthology series. The FM Chip Push Is On RADIO INK - With the NAB/RAB Radio Show in Orlando less than one month away, and Sprint rolling out the new NextRadio app on phones, Emmis' Paul Brenner and his team are letting stations know exactly what to expect from the app and what they need to do to keep consumers interested. Sinclair, Several Others Submit ATSC 3.0 Proposal PLAYOUT/TVNEWSCHECK - There’s big interest from several organizations in the next-generation television standard. The Advanced Televisions Systems Committee received 10 proposals from 19 organizations for the physical layer of what’s be

Evening Headlines - 8/26/13

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WTHR to boost tower power on signal gripes INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL - The city’s top-rated news station wants to crank up its signal, saying it’s had more than 40 complaints about reception from over-the-air viewers since the conversion to all-digital broadcasting. 101ESPN Announces 2013-14 Rams Radio Analysts RADIO ONLINE - Hubbard Radio's WXOS-FM (101ESPN)/St. Louis, the flagship station for St. Louis Rams football, has announced the 2013-2014 Rams radio analysts and insiders team. Are ads ruining baseball on the radio? CNN - Baseball. The radio. Summer. There is something about the connection between the three of them that nothing can tear apart. Linda Ronstadt Reveals She Has Parkinson's Disease ALL ACCESS - Linda Ronstadt has said in an interview with AARP that she is battling Parkinson’s Disease and is unable to sing.

Bill Murray, Late Show's first guest back in '93, to help Letterman celebrate 20th anniversary on CBS

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Bill Murray and David Letterman are pictured at the American Comedy Awards in March 2011.  Murray, a frequent guest on Letterman's Late Show, will appear again this Thursday night as the show marks its 20th anniversary on CBS. Bill Murray , the first guest to visit CBS’s Late Show with David Letterman when it premiered on Aug. 30, 1993, reminisces with Letterman when the actor helps celebrate the Late Show's 20 years on CBS this Thursday night (Aug. 29). Murray, who was not only the first guest on the show when it premiered in 1993, but also the inaugural guest on Letterman’s Late Night show when it debuted in 1982 on NBC, will make his 26th appearance on the CBS late night talk show. As of Aug. 29, 2013, the multiple Emmy Award-winning Late Show with David Letterman will have broadcast 3,897 episodes and four primetime specials in its 20 years on CBS. Since its debut on the network on Aug. 30, 1993, the critically-acclaimed show has been honored with nine Emmy

Don't mess with ... Missouri? St. Louis station rejects Texas guv's ads

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AT IT AGAIN: Texas Gov. Rick Perry (left) is once more trying to poach businesses from other states with radio ads, but this time he's messed with the wrong station as KTRS in St. Louis has pulled the ads from its airwaves. Missouri Gov.  Jay Nixon (right) says the GOP leader's priorities are all wrong. Missouri's governor decries Perry's "state-against-state pettiness" Not too long ago, Texas Gov. Rick Perry put some commercials on the air in Illinois aimed at luring businesses in the Prairie State to the Lone Star State. That didn't go over too well (particularly with Illinois leaders), but it appears the one-time GOP presidential candidate didn't learn his lesson ... and now he's back with similar spots in Missouri. But at least one St. Louis radio station has decided to send Perry a message: "Don't mess with Missouri, and don't mess with St. Louis." KTRS (550 AM) pulled the spots - which were apparently pas

FCC Report - 8/26/13

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FM Translator Applications for Original Construction Permit Tendered for Filing NEW , 102.9 FM, Mount Vernon, Ill.; Covenant Network . CP New Station.  NEW , 98.3 FM, Philpot, Ky.; Bethel Fellowship, Inc. CP New Station. Petitions to deny this application must be on file no later than 15 days from the date of the notice accepting this application for filing.

Morning Headlines - 8/26/13

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DOJ Asks for More Information About Gannett's Purchase of Belo ADWEEK - The Department of Justice asked Gannett and Belo for more information about Gannett's $1.5 billion purchase of Belo, the companies said Friday. Super Bowl Ads: General Motors To Return To Big Game After 2013 Split VARIETY - General Motors, the nation’s third-largest advertiser, is set to rejoin the ranks of Super Bowl advertisers after making a colorful exit from the big event in 2013. Tired of cable TV disputes, bills? More are cutting the cord LOS ANGELES TIMES - A lot of people are sick of the money-grubbing spat between Time Warner Cable and CBS, which has resulted in CBS, Showtime and other channels being unavailable to the cable company's subscribers since Aug. 2. Pandora Removes 40-Hour-Per-Month Limit RADIO INK - With cost of content down and revenue up, Pandora CFO Mike Herring said the company is lifting the 40-hour-per-month listening limit it instituted six months ago.

ICYMI - Week Ending 8/23/13

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FRIDAY, AUG. 23 FCC Report - 8/23/13  Friday Headlines - 8/23/13   THURSDAY, AUG. 22 Evening Headlines - 8/22/13   FCC Report — 8/22/13   INDIANAPOLIS: Tribune elevates Rennie to VP/GM of WTTV and WXIN   Morning Headlines — 8/22/13 WEDNESDAY, AUG. 21 Tina Stein named new Eyewitness News anchor  WMSK's Don Sheridan dies  Evening Headlines — 8/21/13  NBC News to rebroadcast Aug. 25, 1963 edition of Meet the Press this Sunday  Cardinals broadcaster Shannon recovering from heart surgery  FCC Report — 8/21/13  News Talk 1280 set to air 10 high school football games  From the files of Indiana RadioWatch — 8/21/13  USI students to broadcast EVSC football games on WPSR  FXX will be in 72 million homes when it launches Sept. 2  Morning Headlines — 8/21/13  TUESDAY, AUG. 20 Helgenberger returning to CSI for show's 300th episode  Evening Headlines — 8/20/13  Morning Headlines — 8/20/13  MONDAY, AUG. 19 Evening Headlines — 8/19/13  FCC Report —

FCC Report - 8/23/13

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FM Translator Applications for License to Cover Accepted for Filing W267BM , 101.3 FM, Tell City, Ind.; WAY Media, Inc. License to cover. FM Translator Applications for Original Construction Permit Accepted for Filing NEW , 97.9 FM, Whitesville, Ky.; Hancock Communications, Inc. CP New Station. Petitions to deny this application must be on file no later than 15 days from the date of the notice accepting this application for filing.

Friday Headlines - 8/23/13

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Moonves: Verizon Deal Proof It's Them, Not Us TVNEWSCHECK - CBS CEO Leslie Moonves says its newly signed retransmission consent agreement with Verizon FiOS shows that CBS is "prepared to move decisively and thoughtfully to achieve a good conclusion" with all cable and satellite operators. TWC Offers Customers Free Antennas During Retrans Battle MEDIAPOST - Time Warner Cable (TWC) will offer free antennas starting Friday, allowing customers to receive blacked-out CBS stations over the air. Customers will be able to collect them at local TWC offices. Super Bowl Ads: Fox Seeks $4M for 30-Second Slot in Big Game VARIETY - Fox is seeking around $4 million for the privilege of running a 30-second spot in Super Bowl XLVIII, according to buyers and other executives familiar with the situation, a slight tick up from the average price secured by CBS – between $3.7 million and $3.8 million – in 2013.

Evening Headlines - 8/22/13

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5.4 Million HD Radio Receivers Will Be Sold In 2013 Blogs iBiquity CEO ALL ACCESS - iBiquity Digital Pres./CEO Bob Struble sees 5.4 million HD Radio receivers being sold in 2013, a growth rate of 50% since 2010. Consumers Stand to Lose as CBS Battles Time Warner Cable THE HUFFINGTON POST COMMENTARY - The Wall Street Journal posted a comically inaccurate editorial by Gordon Crovitz over the weekend on the "retransmission" fight between Time Warner Cable and CBS. Reliving the Dream, Fifty Years Later COMCAST - The speech that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom 50 years ago is clearly one of the greatest orations of our time. Commonly known today as the "I Have a Dream" speech for its powerful and iconic calls for racial equality, its prophetic beginning is, perhaps unsurprisingly, overlooked. Photo Agency Sues Townsquare Media ALL ACCESS - BWP Media USA INC. and National Photo Group, LLC have sued

FCC Report — 8/22/13

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FM Translator Applications for Original Construction Permit Tendered for Filing NEW , 97.9 FM, Whitesville, Ky.; Hancock Communications, Inc. CP New Station. Petitions to deny this application must be on file no later than 15 days from the date of the notice accepting this application for filing.  (Hancock proposes a 250-watt translator simulcasting WKCM , 1160 AM, Hawesville, Ky.)

INDIANAPOLIS: Tribune elevates Rennie to VP/GM of WTTV and WXIN

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PAUL RENNIE has been named VP/GM at WXIN and WTTV in Indianapolis Move is a return to Indy for former WRTV general sales manager Tribune has announced that  Paul Rennie  has been named VP and GM of the company's Indianapolis-market television stations, Indiana's 4 WTTV and FOX 59 WXIN . Since 2004, Rennie has served as general sales manager for Tribune's Seattle television stations, KCPQ and KZJO; he previously worked in the Indianapolis market as general sales manager at WRTV 6.  "Paul brings significant industry experience, including time spent in Indy, and he understands the variety of opportunities and challenges generated by a major-market duopoly," said Tribune's president of Broadcast, Larry Wert. "He is a strategic and innovative thinker whom people trust and enjoy — Paul is the perfect fit for Indy." "I'm happy to be returning to Indianapolis, which is a great market that offers a lot of opportunity," said

Morning Headlines — 8/22/13

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TV's Highest Paid Stars: What They Earn TV GUIDE — There is a new king of late night, according to TV Guide Magazine's annual survey of star salaries. And he's a very rich king. Local TV facing increasing competition in weather and traffic LOST REMOTE — The most popular mapping and navigational tool on the planet, Google Maps, is expanding its traffic coverage. Sylvester Stallone in Talks for 'Rambo' TV Series THEWRAP — Sylvester Stallone could soon be blowing stuff up and mangling people on the small screen. iTunes Radio Already A Hit With Advertisers RADIO ONLINE — While you could argue that "the jury's still out" regarding the pending September debut of iTunes Radio, one group already seems quite convinced the venture will be successful — big name advertisers.

Tina Stein named new Eyewitness News anchor

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TINA STEIN Award-winning anchor for Rockford, Ill. CBS affiliate set to begin duties here Sept. 16 Eyewitness News has hired a new evening anchor to fill the spot vacated when Whitney Ray departed earlier this month. Tina Stein , currently anchor of the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts on Gray Television-owned WIFR , the CBS affiliate in Rockford, Ill., will begin working at WEHT/WTVW on Sept. 16. "I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of journalism produced by Eyewitness News," Stein said. "I look forward to joining such a strong group of professionals dedicated to telling the “people” stories that truly make a difference in the community." A University of Iowa graduate and winner of 11 Illinois Associated Press awards, Stein has worked at WIFR since 2006, advancing from reporter to weekend anchor in 2008 and then to evening anchor three years ago. In 2012, she was named the Illinois Broadcasters' Association Best Anchor. Stein, her husb

WMSK's Don Sheridan dies

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DON SHERIDAN UPDATE #2, 1:20 p.m. Thursday: Funeral information has been posted below. UPDATE #1, 5:55 p.m.: The Gleaner 's Chuck Stinnett has much more on the life and work of Don Sheridan. Be sure to check it out. There is sad news from Union County, Ky. this afternoon as we have learned that WMSK-AM/FM 's Don Sheridan lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday. Sheridan, who was 80, spent some 50 years working for the radio stations which serve Morganfield, Uniontown, Sturgis and all of Union County and beyond, and his passing has been met with an outpouring of love and respect from the community he was a part of. WMSK posted the following message on the stations' Facebook page earlier today: Tuesday, our community lost a dear soul; a man almost everyone in this area grew to know and love.   Don Sheridan lost his battle to cancer Tuesday. As we remember the joy and wisdom he bestowed upon each and every one of us every day, we grieve the tremendous

Evening Headlines — 8/21/13

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Weather Network Looking To Defy Forecasts MEDIAPOST — No matter how far-fetched breakout success might be — or even getting off the ground — media entrepreneurs should generally be applauded. Where would cable TV be without Ted Turner and Bill Rasmussen (the ESPN founder) gambling all those years ago? So, why not appreciate the dreams of a group looking to challenge the Weather Channel by focusing on, well, weather? No programming about the Coast Guard in Alaska or guys hunting icebergs. Apparently, the emphasis will be on just reporting the weather – what’s happening and what’s coming. Sony to launch PlayStation 4 on Nov. 15 USA TODAY — We now have a launch date for Sony's upcoming PlayStation 4 video game console. During a press conference at the Gamescom event in Germany, Sony revealed the PS4 will launch in North America on November 15, and Nov. 29 in Europe. The console will sell for $399. Big Owners Worried Over UHF Discount TVNEWSCHECK — With the FCC making cl