Note: EMGR has moved to its own domain name. This site will remain online (but with closed comments) until roughly July 1, 2007. Please update your bookmarks to visit EMGR at its new location: eriemediablog.com.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Who Are The People In Your (ERIE MEDIA) Neighborhood?

The Editorial Staff at EMGR (as a public service to you, our readers) have decided to list the addresses, management staff and ownership details of Erie's Commercial TV Stations.

WICU-TV Channel 12 (NBC)
SJL of Pennsylvania, Inc. (A Subsidiary of Montecito Broadcast Group, LLC)
3889 Long St., Ste. 200
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
George D. Lilly - President & Chief Executive Officer
Sandra G. Benton - Chief Operating Officer
www.Montecitobroadcast.com
Station Address: 3514 State Street - Erie, PA 16508 (814)454-5201
WICU General Manager: Brian Lilly
News Director: Phil Hayes
Chief Engineer: John Wilkosz

WJET-TV Channel 24 (ABC)
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.
909 Lake Carolyn Parkway - Suite 1450
Irving, TX 75039
Perry A. Sook - President, Chief Executive Officer & Director
www.nexstarbroadcasting.com
Station Address: 8455 Peach Street - Erie, PA 16509 (814)864-2400
WJET General Manager: Tim Dunst
News Director: Lou Baxter
Chief Engineer: Lorne Earle

WSEE-TV Channel 16.1 (CBS) & WBEP 16.2 CW
Lilly Broadcasting of Pennsylvania, LLC
2 Eastleigh Lane
Natick, Mass. 01760
Kevin T. Lilly - President & Director
Station Address: 1220 Peach Street - Erie, PA 16501 (814)455-7575
WSEE: General Manager: John Christiansen
News Director: ?
Chief Engineer: ?
WSEE-TV is operated (under terms of an LMA) by WICU-TV. WSEE-TV News is a separate operation.

WFXP-TV Channel 66 (FOX)
Mission Broadcasting, Incorporated
7650 Chippewa Rd., Ste 305
Brecksville, OH 44141
David S. Smith - President, Treasurer & Director
Station Address: 8455 Peach Street - Erie, PA 16509 (814)864-2400
WFXP-TV is operated (under terms of an LMA) by WJET-TV

The above information is public knowledge and is easily accessible through FCC records and internet database search. The EMGR Editorial Staff encourages you to write the above companies and let them know your opinion on the lack of Digital Television in the Erie marketplace. It is also your right to inspect each station's public file as mandated by the Federal Communications Commission.


Flag Called On Erie TV... Penalty For No HD! Back To B&W!

Upcoming HD Football
NOTE: Subject to change! (All NCAA rankings are official from the BCS. All times are PM and Eastern)NFL Weekly Coverage Maps Nov.26 maps are now available:http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/

Thursday Nov. 30

Baltimore at Cincinnati 8 NFL Network-HDNCAA Mac Championship: Central Michigan (8-4) vs. Ohio (9-3) 7:30 ESPN HD

Friday Dec. 1

C-USA Championship: Houston (9-3) vs. Southern Mississippi (8-4) 8 ESPN2-HD
Saturday Dec. 2

Connecticut (4-7) at #5 Louisville (10-1) 12 noon ESPN-HD
ACC Championship: #17 Wake Forest (10-2) vs. #22 Georgia Tech (9-3) 1 ABC-HD
Army (3-8) vs. Navy (8-3) 2:30 CBS-HD
Stanford (1-10) at #18 California (8-3) 3 FSN-HD
#2 USC (10-1) at UCLA (6-5) 3:30 ABC-HD
SEC Championship: #4 Florida (11-1) vs. #9 Arkansas (10-2) 6 CBS-HD
Big XII Championship:12 Oklahoma (10-2) vs. #20 Nebraska (9-3) 8 ABC-HD
#13 Rutgers (10-1) at #15 West Virginia (9-2) 7:45 ESPN-HD

Sunday Dec. 3
Kansas City at Cleveland 1 CBS-HD
New York Jets at Green Bay 1 CBS-HD
Indianapolis at Tennessee 1 CBS-HD
Seattle at Denver 8:15 NBC-HD

Monday Dec. 4
Carolina at Philadelphia 8:30 ESPN-HD

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Erie Football Fans are treated second string! Go HD.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Sign-On’s…Sign-Off’s!

O.J. Flap Puts Fox Execs in Hiding.
BY BEN GROSSMAN (Broadcast & Cable November 28, 2006)

In step with Fox’s marked silence in the wake of the cancelled O.J. Simpson special and book, the network has pulled reality head Mike Darnell from a planned panel discussion at the National Association of Television Programming Executives (NATPE) convention in January. Darnell was scheduled to be the subject of a chat hosted by Fox scheduling chief Preston Beckman.

Hollywood Pushes back on FCC
By John Eggerton (Broadcast & Cable November 28, 2006)

The Center for Creative Voices in Media filed an amicus brief in support of CBS'challenge to the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake Super Bowl reveal.

Working Mom’s Using Less TV & Newspaper and More Radio and Internet!
Center for Media Research November 29, 2006

Working mothers, according to The Media Audit, are spending less and less time with television and newspapers but, radio, the Internet and direct mail still command their attention.

YouTube Teams with Verizon
By Anne Becker (Broadcast & Cable November 29, 2006)

YouTube has partnered with Verizon to make some of its video available via wireless phones.

EMGR Hits Set Personal Record!
By Jack Tirak (EMGR November 29, 2006)

EMGR will have recorded almost 10,000 hits for the month. I think that is pretty good for a 142nd market media blog. Erie represents 60% of the hits. The second most noticed city, Washington, D.C. (You figure it out)

EMGR Thank You’s
By Jack Tirak (EMGR November 29, 2006)

The recent posts about Charley Gray (Smith) were given to him by his friend Jay Christy. Jay said it really brought a smile to his face. As for his air checks. Kenny Olowin called me yesterday and said that he remembered Charley very well. Charley actually gave him his first paying broadcast job at the old WWGO.

I knew that Kenny throws nothing away and so, as I thought, he thinks he may have some air tapes of Charley. I put them in touch. Thanks to all that commented and feel free to add more reflections you may have about Charley Gray-- the on-air DJ, or Charley Smith-- chief engineer.

Exit Stage Right (Temporarily)
By Jack Tirak (EMGR November 29, 2009)

For the next few days, I will be away from EMGR taking care of certain pressing personal needs. I hope to be back by the weekend. The crack EMGR editorial staff will be monitoring and posting your comments as well as their own special posts in my absence.

The Passion Of Being A D.J.!

Before I studied broadcasting and had the opportunity to know many great D.J.’s I used to think that ego was the D.J’s prime motivator. As I got to know more of them, and talked to them and really listened to what they said “off-the-Air,” I could tell they were so much more.

In television you are part of a team and you are only as strong as the weakest link that supports you behind the cameras. In radio, you really are a one-man band. Sitting mostly alone in a studio unless you have duo or more like the Breakfast Club on Classy or the Morning Show on Froggy. It is you and the listener. The real art of a D.J. is not spinning a certain play list that consultants tell you to do, but envisioning the invisible faces inside that microphone; knowing that you are having a conversation with just that one person. That takes art, imagination and tremendous skill.

The D.J.’s that I have known have a passion about their craft and an appreciation for their brothers who also share in this unique industry. I can see all this in the comments that come down the pike on EMGR from you D.J.’s. (Anyone guess the classic D.J. pictured here)

The format doesn’t matter. It is the sense of timing that comes with practice in years of hard work. I worry that the industry has become so mechanized that we no longer have a true training ground for the next generation. Jack…Bob… ETC formats as well as satellite are taking away the opportunities for young people to have that opportunity to make mistakes and learn from their older piers.

The D.J. is fast becoming the unsung and maybe disappearing hero of broadcasting. So many D.J.’s give more than music to the audience they serve. They are also great public motivators to get an audience behind a worthy cause. Most of them do it, not because management tells them to, but because they want to make a difference. That’s where the personal satisfaction comes from. They do this with many more hours than they get paid. They do it from the heart.

When Captain Dan and others say they “love radio with a passion,” they mean it. Sitting in that studio, they are the masters of their domain. (Not to be confused with a certain Seinfeld episode of the same name.)

The great D.J.’s I have known often have a shy side to their personality that changes the moment they hit the on-air button. The studio is their real home and the audience their real sustenance.

For any students in communications who read EMGR, take the opportunity to find, meet and learn from the vintage masters of the platter at WOLD.

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

A day without the Breakfast Club, Captain Dan and Alan or the other Erie radio personalities, is like a day without an enema.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Joey Gives Fidel The Bird!

(Editor’s Note: I am guessing that most people who read EMGR are aware that WSEE also broadcasts their signal to the Caribbean on Primetime 24 for the English speaking people of the region as well as those traveling. Of course, the weather is of a significant interest. Last year, the New York Times travel section did a feature on our own Joey Steven’s growing Caribbean image. Here is an edited version of that story that ran in August 2005. This may have been reprinted in the Erie Times-News…I can’t remember.)


A Caribbean Audience for an Erie, Pa., Weatherman

By JIM SCHACHTER
Published: August 14, 2005--The New York Times Travel Section



Local television in Jamaica runs to reggae music videos and local talk shows with less-than-professional production values. So it is surprising, if not a little disorienting, for a visitor to stumble upon Joey Stevens, above, a meteorologist in Erie, Pa., as he delivers the Caribbean weather forecast decked out in his version of island appearance: a flowered shirt, with a toy parrot named Bob on his shoulder or a stuffed monkey named Jocko wrapped around his neck.

Since February (2005), his station, WSEE - Channel 35 in Erie, the 143rd (now 142)-biggest television market in the United States - has taped four Caribbean weather reports daily. It has fed them to the Primetime24 satellite, which WSEE provides with CBS network programs.

"I probably have more viewers all through the Caribbean than I do in Erie," said Mr. Stevens, who is WSEE's chief meteorologist. "I tell my buddies I could probably walk into any bar in the Caribbean and get a free drink." (The station's viewers in Pennsylvania do not see the Caribbean forecasts; a seven-day outlook, is available at www.35wsee.com/caribbean.cfm.)

Most evenings, Mr. Stevens, a meteorologist in the Erie area for 28 years, shows pictures of sunsets and beach scenes submitted by his Caribbean fans and does goofy dances to leaven forecasts that often consist of monotonous strings of sunny, hot days.

..."I have a very strong concern for those folks down there on those islands," said Mr. Stevens, who sometimes scrambles to tape the island weather after doing reports for 11 local radio stations. "They've got nowhere to go."

Brian Lilly, who owns WSEE with his brother Kevin, explained that he got the idea for the Caribbean forecasts from traveling in the area and recognizing a lack of local English-language programming.

Lilly Broadcasting has no ratings information about how widely the Caribbean forecasts are being watched, but WSEE has received favorable e-mail messages from across the region: Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Belize, Turks and Caicos, Costa Rica and Panama. There is even a concentration of viewers at the Guantánamo Bay naval station in Cuba, where the cable operator uses WSEE as its CBS station.

The Navy has its own meteorologists, of course, and their forecasts are available on the Internet 24 hours a day. But "it's not the same as seeing it on TV," said Stacey Byington, a civilian spokeswoman for the base.

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Need to post a comment that's off topic? Do it in "Shout-It-Out!" See Sunday!

Monday, November 27, 2006

FCC Orders Top 10 After Being Slapped By Courts!

(Editor’s note: In response to court rulings that questioned the FCC’s 2003 rules relaxing ownership, the FCC is revisiting the topic of allowing duopolies by surveying the impact it has had so far and what the effect may be in the future.. The FCC has ordered 10 very specific surveys’s to assess the potentail damage on everything from free speech, diverse news coverage points-of -view and undo influence.

Many broadcasters see the writing on the wall especially with Rep. John Dingle now in charge of the powerful commerce committee which oversees the FCC. Many radio and TV properties have been rushed to the market. It should be an in interesting two years.)


FCC Names Economic Studies to Be Conducted As Part of Media Ownership Rules Review

The Commission will be conducting 10 economic studies as part of its review of its media ownership rules. Each of these studies will be peer reviewed.

Study 1: How People Get News and Information

Description: This study will survey consumers about their use of media. It will identify consumers’ primary, secondary, and tertiary sources of news and information; whether these sources change depending upon the time of day or day of the week; and the frequency with which consumers access these sources.

Author: Nielsen

Study 2: Ownership Structure and Robustness of Media

Description: This study will describe the ownership structure and robustness of current media, including broadcast television, cable television, satellite television, broadcast radio, satellite radio, newspapers, and the Internet. The information gathered concerning the current media marketplace will be compared to the state of the media marketplace when the Commission last reviewed its ownership rules in the years 2002-2003.

Authors: C. Anthony Bush, Kiran Duwadi, Scott Roberts, and Andrew Wise, FCC

Study 3: Effect of Ownership Structure and Robustness on the Quantity and Quality of TV Programming

Description: This study will analyze the effect of ownership structure and robustness (as described in Study 2) on various measures of the quantity and the quality of different types of TV programming, including local news and public affairs, minority programming, children’s programming, family programming, religious programming, and violent and indecent content.

Author: Gregory Crawford, University of Arizona

Study 4: News Operations

Description: This study will collect data on the size and scope of the news operations of radio and television stations and newspapers. It will also analyze the relationship between the nature of the news operations and market characteristics, including ownership structure and robustness.

Authors: Kenneth Lynch, Daniel Shiman, and Craig Stroup, FCC

Study 5: Station Ownership and Programming in Radio

Description: This study will use station-level data to examine how ownership structure affects the programming and audience of radio stations.

Author: Tasneem Chipty, CRAI

Study 6: News Coverage of Cross-Owned Newspapers and Television Stations

Description: This study will examine the effect of newspaper cross-ownership on television news coverage using matched pairs of cross-owned and non-cross-owned television stations.

Author: Jeffrey Milyo, University of Missouri

Study 7 & 8: Minority Ownership

Description: These two studies will examine levels of minority ownership of media companies and barriers to entry.

Authors: Arie Bersteanu and Paul Ellickson, Duke University
Authors: Allen Hammond, Santa Clara University and Barbara O’Connor, California State University, Sacramento

Study 9: Vertical Integration

Description: This study will examine levels of vertical integration in the media industry.

Author: Austan Goolsbee, University of Chicago

Study 10: Radio Industry Review: Trends in Ownership, Format, and Finance

Description: This study will update a study done during our last review of the media ownership rules. That study was titled “Radio Industry Review 2002: Trends in Ownership, Format, and Finance.”

Author: George Williams, FCC

-FCC-

(EMGR editorial staff: It would appear that the current process is not to the likeing of all commissioners. According to Broadcast and Cable Michael Copps was one of those unhappy commisioners.)

Copps saw the same potential problems as last time, saying the the studies raise more questions than answers, which he proceeded to supply: "How were the contractors selected for the outside projects? How much money is being spent on each project—and on the projects collectively? What kind of peer review process is envisioned? Why are the topics so generalized rather than being targeted to more specific questions?

"When the majority of the previous FCC voted to loosen the ownership rules in 2003, a federal court took them to task for inadequate justification of their handiwork. My hope has been that the Commission would not head off on the same tangent again—especially at a time when many people already doubt the credibility of the research we do."

--Broadcast & Cable November 22, 2006--

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Need to post a comment that's off topic? Do it in "Shout-It-Out!"

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Shout-It-Out!! November 26-December 2, 2006

(Editor’s Note: EMGR created” Shout-It-Out!” for anyone who has a need to go off-topic in the posted subject. It should still be a media topic...meaning about newspaper, radio or TV. A new “Shout-It-Out!” will be posted each week for you to comment or reply to a comment made in that week. All weeks will stay active if you feel you need to comment further. All the usual rules still apply as to language, personal courtesy and appropriateness. Any off topic remarks from another thread, maybe moved to “Shout-It-Out!” for that week. Let me know if this is something you like.)

Friday, November 24, 2006

Can You Help An Old Erie D.J. Find his Air-Checks?

I received an email and a phone call from one of our Canadian readers who is a friend of an old Erie D.J. by the name of Charley Gray (Smith). Charlie is not doing very well right now and it would mean much to him and his family if he could find an air-check or even a commercial his voice might be on.

He is from the days of WWGO -AM radio and was the morning man from about 1963-1967. The one thing I found out is that classic D.J.'s usually keep air tapes of themselves and others forever. If you have memories of Charlie you would like to share or you think you may have something with his voice on it. Let EMGR know. Thanks Jay Christy of 102.3 FM Belleville, Ontario.

NBC says "No Deal"… on ABC's "Dancing …""Housewives"…"Anatomy!"

Last week's Top 10 Network Programs

CBS Takes 5 of 10

\(Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television for the week of Nov. 12-18 as compiled by Nielsen Media Research. They are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 283.5 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions.)



Rank Program Network Viewers

1 Dancing With Stars Results ABC 27.52
2 Dancing With The Stars ABC 26.80
3 CSI CBS 24.11
4 Desperate Housewives ABC 21.63
5 Grey’s Anatomy ABC 20.92
6 60 Minutes CBS 19.16
7 CSI: Miami CBS 18.77
8 Deal or No Deal (Mon) NBC18.07
9 Criminal Minds CBS 16.48
10 CSI: NY CBS 16.18



• Source: ABC-TV and Nielsen Media Research data as posted on www.AFSFORUM.com by Fredfa


"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/


New Regular Feature Begins Next Week..."Shout-It-Out!"

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Turkey Is Just Chicken in High Definition! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Upcoming HD Football

NOTE: Subject to change! (All NCAA rankings are official from the BCS. All times are PM and Eastern)

NFL Weekly Coverage Maps Nov.26 maps are now available:http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/
(Photo from www.NFL.com/photo )

Thursday Nov. 23

Miami at Detroit 12:30 CBS-HD
Tampa Bay at Dallas 4:15 Fox-HD
Denver at Kansas City 8 NFL Network-HD
NCAA:Boston College (9-2) at Miami (5-6) 8 ESPN-HD

Friday Nov. 24

Texas A&M (8-3) at #13 Texas (9-2) 12 noon ABC-HD
Colorado (2-9) at #22 Nebraska (8-3) 3:30 ABC-HD
Fresno State (3-7) at Louisiana Tech (3-8) 9 ESPN2-HD

Saturday Nov. 25

South Carolina (6-5) at #24 Clemson (8-3) 12 ESPN-HD
Kansas (6-5) at Missouri (7-4)12:00 (Regional) ABC-HD
South Florida (7-4) at #7 West Virginia (9-1) 12 ESPN2-HD
#15 Oklahoma (9-2) at Oklahoma State (6-5) 2:30 FSN-HD
#16 Georgia Tech 9-2) at Georgia (7-4) 3:30 CBS-HD
#9 Louisville (9-1) at Pittsburgh (6-5) 3:30 ESPN-HD
# 11 Boise State (11-0) at Nevada (8-3) 4:15 ESPN2-HD
(Division I-AA First Round Playoff)
James Madison (9-2) at Youngstown State (9-2) 7:30 ESPN2-HD
#21 Wake Forest (9-2) at Maryland (8-3) 7:45 ESPN-HD
#5 Notre Dame (10-1) at #3 Southern California (10-0) 8 ABC-HD

Sunday Nov. 26

New Orleans at Atlanta 1 Fox-HD
Pittsburgh at Baltimore 1 CBS-HD
Cincinnati at Cleveland 1 CBS-HD
Arizona at Minnesota 1 Fox-HD
San Francisco at St. Louis 1 Fox-HD
Carolina at Washington 1 Fox-HD
Chicago at New England 4 Fox-HD
Oakland at San Diego 4 CBS-HD
New York Giants at Tennessee 4 Fox-HD
Philadelphia at Indianapolis 8:15 NBC-HD

Monday Nov. 27

Green Bay at Seattle 8:30 ESPN-HD

(From Marc Berman’s Wednesday, Nov. 2s, 2006, Programming Insider blog at Mediaweek.com )
As posted on www.avsforum.com by Fredfa.

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

If You Haven't Seen Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC in High Definition...You Haven't Seen Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
(What An Opportunity Missed)

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

CBS Shows It Does Have Options!

CBS Signs Affiliation Agreement for Louisiana Station

(Editor’s Note: There have been several comments over the past few months that CBS doesn’t have any options in Erie. The following story from Broadcast and Cable seems to indicate that digital can change everything; like carrying two major networks in high definition on the same channel at the same time. This also provides SJL/Lilly an option if they intend to stay in Erie. But will time be on their side? We thank the new EMGR editorial staff for discovering this story)

By Caroline Palmer -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/15/2006 5:50:00 PM
Digg This add to Del.icio.us

CBS announced Wednesday that the network has entered a long-term affiliation agreement with Media General Broadcast Divisions KALB-DT located in Alexandria, Louisiana that begins in January 2007.

Under the agreement KALB--which is the station with the highest viewership in the area--will send two signals from it's digital transmitter. …. One will continue to air NBC programming and other shows while the other will carry CBS programming and introduce new programs to the area.

John Cottingham, Senior Vice President, Broadcast Stations, Media General Broadcast Division, said, "This is our first CBS-NBC dual affiliation and we look forward to maximizing the new sales and marketing opportunities presented by this powerful combination.”

(Editor’s Note: KALB-Alexandria, LA is in Nielsen market #179. Erie is #142. Since this is still just one station, it would not be considered duopoly even though it transmits two networks. It also has been pointed out that multicasting, which the above points to, may limit the quality of the two HD signals within the limited bandwith available. This past July, KALB began broadcasting NBC in high definition. Future compression technology is expected to improve that efficiency)

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

If You Haven't Seen Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC in High Definition...You Haven't Seen Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
(What An Opportunity Missed)

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Can Erie TV Be Poised For Growth?


At last, one major acquirer of local TV stations says “absolutely.”

New Vision Television, which last week purchased WKBN and WLFX in Youngstown to add to its new and growing stable of stations, is on an ambitious program to acquire even more.

According to a July 13, 2005 MediaVillage.com interview with one of the dynamic duo of New Vision John Heinen, his company is on a quest to convince investors that there is still plenty of profit in local television with a major potential for more.

Heinen explains, “Right now," he adds, "TV stations are getting 250 horsepower from 400 horsepower engines. There is no reason we can't make these engines better tuned. These are big engines that have won a lot of races and still have a tremendous drive chain. They control valuable real estate in the digital band and good real estate investments are always winner.”

The Team at EMGR has learned that New Vision has done a very creditable job of convincing investors and financial concerns of the profit potential in the new digital bands for TV. They can strut a little taller and boast of their plans to acquire more stations for good reason. Informed sources tell EMGR that their checkbook balance has swollen to nearly 700 million for new acquisitions and plant improvements.

"Anybody who looks at TV stations as dinosaurs assumes they will stick with the way the industry operated 25 years ago. That's not the case. TV stations are poised to be better business enterprises. Stations on the leading edge that accept interactive and are creative in presenting advertisers with something new and fresh beyond how many spots they get, can significantly increase revenues and margins,” said Heinen.

I personally believe that Erie can match that potential if given a chance and a few decent creative operators who have “Vision.”

HD Sports….The New Viagra!

(Editor’s Note: The following was sent to me from an EMGR reader. It shows that HD TV is increasing viewers and keeping them in front of their TV longer rather than in the bedroom.. Local TV stations take note. Thanks to an EMGR Team reader who found and sent this story from CNET News.com)

From CNETNews.com November 16, 2006

SAN JOSE, Calif.--The numbers are in, and it appears that high-definition television is getting Americans to spend more time glued to their TV than ever before.

Yay, says Bryan Burns, vice president of strategic planning and development at ESPN HD. HD popularity means better TV sales and more advertising, of course.
Special report

Kickoff for HDTV

Sports programming is helping high-def TV become a mainstream phenomenon and a big moneymaker.

At a minimum, consumers seem to find high-definition TV a more compelling experience. In a survey conducted on behalf of ESPN, 22 percent of sports fans said they watched sporting events they would not have watched because they now have HDTV, while 22 percent of those who do not count themselves as sports fans reported that they watched more sports after going HD.

Meanwhile, 27 percent of viewers described as sports fans said they watched "significantly" more sports, while 44 percent said they watched somewhat more sports after getting HD. Sports fans, he added, spent an average of $2,400 on HDTV sets, while ordinary humans spent $1,525.

Thirty-two percent of respondents said whether a program is in HD influences what they watched.

Burns, who spoke at the Samsung Semiconductor Executive Summit here Wednesday, added that consumers spend a lot of time on ESPN radio and TV properties.

Self-described sports fans consume 1.43 hours of ESPN media a day. When only men who are self-described sports fans are taken into account, the number jumps to 2.08 hours a day.

By 2010, roughly 80 million HDTV sets will have been sold in America. That's a lot of people singing, "Are you ready for some football?"
ESPN has been one of the leaders in HD broadcasting. Back in 2002, the company was in the midst of switching from running its operations on standard analog video to digital broadcasting. Since it realized that it would have to upgrade to HD right afterward, it made both moves at once. Now, 95 percent of the programming that comes out of its Bristol, Conn., facility is in HD.

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

EMGR Quick Observation: How come it took almost a week for the Erie Times-News to know it had a story (Cable Customers Could Lose Shows) that first appeared in an ad in their own paper and then on EMGR? (thanks to an observant EMGR Team reader) That's a real bad slip by ET-N.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Fox Says Yes...Affiliates May Say No!


(From Broadcast and Cable)

Monday, November 20, 2006

TODAY'SNEWS
Fox Stations Kill OJ Special

By Jim Benson

After worldwide condemnation of Fox’s two-part sweeps special, O.J. Simpson: If I Did It, Here’s How It Happened, North Dakota’s Prime Cities Broadcasting is refusing to air the interview. Historically, affiliates topple like dominoes after the first bows out. That could leave the fate of the Nov. 27 and 29 special, dubbed by one critic as "the most despicable sweeps-month stunt in history," up in the air. Nov. 29 is the last day of sweeps.

For the full story... click on above link.
Update: FOX Says No J. to O.J. TV and Book both Cancelled

Sunday, November 19, 2006

10 Tips For Buying 'Black Friday'… HDTVs

(Editor’s Note: Lots of deals on HDTV’s as prices continue to fall. Wal-Mart has declared war on Best Buy and Circuit City when it comes to HDTV prices but they are not prepared to give up market share either. All this plays into the consumer’s hands this holiday season. Find out how to get the best deal from Phillip Swann of TV Predictions.)

Consumer advice group offers help for bargain shoppers.
By Phillip Swann

Washington, D.C. (November 15, 2006) -- By now, you've heard that retailers will offer sharp discounts on High-Definition TVs on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

However, the bargains are usually available for short periods of time. So, how can you make sure that you don't get shut out.

Consumer World, a non-profit consumer advice group, has released 10 tips for landing that great deal on Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.And here they are:

1. Read the Ads

Consumer World suggests that you carefully review your local newspapers on Thanksgiving Day. Usually, they will be stuffed with Black Friday ads and coupons. Bring them with you on the big day.

2. Evaluate the Deals

Don't assume every "deal" is a deal. Compare the "Black Friday" special price with the HDTV's normal price before buying. You can do that at various e-commerce web sites such as Amazon.com and BestBuy.com.

3. Buy a Good Product

A low price doesn't guarantee a high-quality television. Do some research and read product reviews at sites such as CNET.com.

4. Look For More Discounts

Some stores issue coupons or rebates on high-def sets. Find out if the discounts apply to the Black Friday specials.

5. Come Early

Some stores will offer special prices if you come in at a specific time, such as between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. Check out those Thanksgiving ads for "time restricted" specials.

6. Beat the Early Birds

Some Black Friday deals may be available at the store's web site. Check out the site in the wee hours of Friday morning and you might save yourself a trip to the store.

7. Check the Return Policy

Before buying, find out the store's return policy. Consumer World says some stores are discouraging returns by imposing restocking fees or placing frequent "returners" on blacklists.

8. Get a Gift Receipt

You can make a return easier for gift recipients by asking the store to place a receipt in a gift box. Without it, the store may not accept it.

9. Use the Right Credit Card

Some credit cards offer free benefits such as a return protection guarantee or purchase points that can be redeemed for other products. When you're buying a big-ticket item like a HDTV, that could pay off.

10. Save More With Price Guarantees

After buying the high-def set, keep your eye on the TV's price at other stores in the next month. Some stores will give you the difference between your price and a competitor's price during the holiday season.

(Editor's Number 11:)

When you buy your HD, then call WICU, WSEE, WJET and WFXP and demand they get their ass in gear and deliver the HD that you just paid out your hard earned money to get.

Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.

© TVPredictions.com

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Tuesday.... HD Sports....The New Viagra!

Friday, November 17, 2006

Did O.J. Outfox Fox?


Erie Media-Go-Round Chat Down.

The Fox network, who is no stranger to controversial programming, announced that they bought into O.J. Simpson’s new book “If I did it…here's how it happened” In a two part series, Fox says “O.J. Simpson, in his own words, tells for the first time how he would have committed the murders if he were the one responsible for the crimes."

The program has caused a major uproar across all media. NBC was known to have turned it down and the program was shopped at other networks as well. Good old Fox put up the money.

The Fox network has scheduled the two parter to run November the 27 and 29.

The book will be released simultaneously with the program. It has been reported that Simpson will receive 3 million in advance royalties.

Another EMGR Chat Down.

If he did it…should advertisers buy…and do you plan to watch?
Or as one EMGR reader wrote....

Should Erie Fox WFXP 66... not carry the program?

(Editor's Note: I had planned for this post earlier but with all the local stuff happening, I decided to change priorties)

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/


Relax... HD Is Just Television On Viagra.

Is ABC’s Lost… Housewives..Dancing With… CBS Criminal Minds?


Last week's Network Average Ratings

Nielsen network average prime-time ratings for week six of the 2006-2007 season, November 6-12, 2006.

Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television last week as compiled by Nielsen Media Research. They are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 283.5 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions.


Rank Program Network Viewers

1 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ABC 22.27
2 DANCING WITH THE STARS ABC 21.98
3 CSI CBS 20.83
4 DANCING W/STARS RESULTS ABC 20.69
5 GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM ABC 20.65
6 NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL NBC 19.39
7 DANCING WITH-STARS-RECAP(S) ABC 18.16
8 CRIMINAL MINDS CBS 17.57
9 LOST ABC 17.15
10 CSI: MIAMI CBS 16.80

• Source: ABC-TV and Nielsen Media Research data as posted by Fredfa on AVSFORUM.com

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Monday...How To Plan Your HD Buying Attack for "Black Friday."

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Yes... There is a History Between SJL and New Vision... and New Vision and Erie

For those looking for any kind of connection between SJL and New Vision, you can stop looking. (The FCC records are really great)

In 2002, after owning KSBY in Santa Barbara, California for about 6 years, SJL sold the station to New Vision Television for 39.5 million.

Two years later, New Vision sold the KSBY to the Evening Post Publishing Company for over 67 million. (I would say that was a healthy return on investment) At the same time New Vision sold all their other stations to various other groups.

Now they are back again in a big way into the TV business.

Of additional interest is that Jason Elkin of New Vision and his advisers had visited WICU before it was sold to SJL. At the time, many insiders thought that New Vision was going to be the buyer. He would be generally familiar with the station and, at the time, was impressed.

However, all this is circumstantial speculation in light of the New Vision purchase in Youngstown yesterday. But Elkin says that they are definitely in a buying mood.

(Let's see Atlanta...Pittsburgh...Erie. Not a bad flight.)

SJL/Lilly/ or Nexstar…Who Will Score The First HD Touchdown?

This Week’s Football In HD

(Last update: 9:08 AM PT Wednesday, Nov. 15 -- Tuesday's Fast National and Metered Market ratings added) •
NOTE: Subject to change! (BCS 1-25 rankings are official. Rankings #26-42 are from Jerry Palm's collegebcs.com. All times are PM and Eastern)NFL Weekly Coverage Maps Nov. 19 maps are now available:http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/

(Photo from www.NFLPLAYER.com)


(Posting on AVSFORUM.COM )
(Thursday, Nov. 16

#8 West Virginia (8-1) at Pittsburgh (6-4) 7:30 ESPN-HD

Saturday Nov. 18

Yale (7-2) at Harvard (7-2) 12 noon HD
NetMichigan State (4-7) at #27 Penn State (7-4) 12 noon ESPN2-HD
#19 Maryland (8-2) at #20 Boston College (8-2) 12 noon ESPN-HD
#17 Oklahoma (8-2) at Baylor (4-7) 12 noon FSN-HD
Army (3-7) at #5 Notre Dame (9-1) 2:30 NBC-HD
#2 Michigan (11-0) at #1 Ohio State (11-0) 3:30 ABC-HD
#14 Auburn (9-2) at Alabama (6-5) 3:30 CBS-HD
#21 Virginia Tech (8-2) at #16 Wake Forest (9-1) 7 ESPN-2 HD
#6 Rutgers (9-0) at Cincinnati (5-5) 7:45 ESPN-HD
#15 California (8-2) at #3 Southern California 8:00 ABC-HD
UCLA (5-5) at Arizona State (6-4) 10:00 FSN-HD

Sunday Nov. 19

Atlanta at Baltimore 1 Fox-HD
St. Louis at Carolina 1 Fox-HD
New England at Green Bay 1 CBS-HD
Cincinnati at New Orleans 1 CBS-HD
Chicago at New York Jets 1 Fox-HD
Washington at Tampa Bay 1 Fox-HD
Detroit at Arizona 4 Fox-HDI
Indianapolis at Dallas 4 CBS-HD
Seattle at San Francisco 4 Fox-HD
San Diego at Denver 8:15 NBC-HD

Monday Nov. 20

New York Giants at Jacksonville 8:30 ESPN-HD

Tuesday Nov. 21

Bowling Green at Toledo 7 ESPN-HD

Yesterday...Rush Limbaugh said nobody should go without HD!

Congratulations to WICU News For its Recent Food Drive and Current Phonecard Fund for the Troops!

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Breaking News! (Maybe There's Future News for Lower Peach and State?).

Broadcast and Cable tonight just broke the story that New Vision Television has bought WKBN-TV and WFLX-TV (Youngstown, Ohio) from Peadmont Television Holdings.

In a bulletin Wedensday night by John Eggerton of B&C on-line edition he reported...

"That makes four stations for New Vision, which bought WIAT(TV) Birmingham, Ala., and KIMT Mason city, Iowa, both CBS affiliates, for $35 million back in August."

"CFO Eric Simontis says that the fact three of the first four stations were CBS affiliates is coincidence and the company is hunting for affiliate and geographic diversity in medium to large markets. It has offices in L.A. and Atlanta."

"Look for more announcements in the next month. Simontis says they are in due diligence on a number of other stations."

(Update: The Youngstown-Warren Business Journal reports in tonight's on-line edition that the sale price of the two stations was 47M.

Is SJL/Lilly in a selling mode? They just sold Altoona and a few others stations in the East.


Tirak Apologies to Poster for Removal!

With all the spamming that occurred yesterday, I have to admit... I got a little sensitive.

When a poster pointed to a legal notice in Tuesday’s Erie Times-News regarding Time-Warner having a notice that current carriage agreements with WICU and WSEE were running out and T-W may have to cease carrying one or both stations, I checked the legal notices and could not find it.

So I deleted the original notice and asked the poster to contact me. He or she did and pointed me to the correct location in Tuesday’s paper to page 5A. It was there.

The information he or she posted was correct, but it was a display ad and not a legal notice. It is easy to mix the terms.

Again, I apologize to the poster and thanks for the information.

Are Advertisers Cowards?

(Editor’s note: The following is from MediaPost’s TV Watch. I can confirm that usually advertisers are genuinely cowards when it comes to controversy. The trend is to test the public wind first. That is why advertisers rarely lead in forming public opinion, but usually follow it and the current trends)

The Price Of Cowardice ….

A media critique by Wayne Friedman, Wednesday, November 8, 2006

SHOULD TV NETWORKS push advertisers to pay more coward's fees?
In an episode of "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," Jordan McDeere, the president of entertainment for the fictional NBS network played by Amanda Peet, sticks to her guns, not caving to corporate pressures to remove a sketch called "Crazy Christians." Corporate executives are worried about preemptions from affiliates, as well as some nervous national advertisers who will leave the show.

McDeere's response is to stand her ground. Somewhat half-kiddingly, she says when the show does even better ratings, and the advertisers want to return, the network will just charge them more. They'll pay a "coward's fee."

In TV's past history, networks have gotten these coward fees. In the first weeks of the first year of "Desperate Housewives," a couple of advertisers were surprised about the show's scandalous content, and departed. All that did was give ABC an opening to sell freed-up inventory at higher prices, because the show was almost instantaneously successful, with better-than-expected ratings.

Back in the late '80s, Fox had a struggling show, "Married with Children." Then a Bloomfield Hills, Mich. housewife complained that the show's content was not right for family viewing in the early prime-time hours. Major national magazines covered the story, and advertisers pulled out. The result? The show got higher ratings due to all the press, and Fox got the chance to charge higher prices to other advertisers.

In the rear-view mirror, "Married with Children" and "Desperate Housewives" seem somewhat tame and not terribly profane versus the rest of TV programming. Truth is, networks haven't been able to get many coward fees these days for racy shows that get press, lose advertisers, and then get better ratings. Overall, few TV shows are that edgy--except for perhaps a handful on cable, on FX, for example.

It's doubtful broadcast or cable networks go into a season pushing shows to be in a position to get a coward's fee. But, in the spirit of more edgy creative content (as well as new competition for many digital platforms) they should shake off their timid notions and be brave.

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

It's time that Erie TV announced their digital/HD plans and quit making Erie broadcasting a laughing stock.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

"Go Ahead....Make My Day!"


Warning!!!

In the last 24 hours, there has been an invasion of SPAM to spread rumor, gossip, false information, threats and inappropriate language. EMGR is about opinion, exchange of ideas and debate, but not about unconfirmed rumor or personal character attacks by name. (If you have information.. email me or note in your post that it is confidential)

If you have an issue with a coworker or management, resolve it internally and move on. Don’t even try to use EMGR for trying to even a score or spread rumor.

Each such post that I reject for violating those simple principles will be saved. I do record the IP address of that poster’s computer and can ping that computer for verification.

I can reveal that several federal agencies have monitored EMGR. I have no hesitation to report those offending IP addresses accordingly based on the severity. I keep identities confidential of anyone who writes me privately, but will not tolerate SPAMING of this site for any reason.

If you think I have been over sensitive in editing your post, I am sorry but even code words have been used and I would rather edit than allow something unintentional.

If you don’t believe me….TRY ME! But you better stay close to the phone.

Old Erie DJ’s Become Young Again On The WEB!


As Rocky and Bullwinkle live on for new generations, apparently so can old DJ’s according to Chris Tarbell. Chris is now entering the latter category himself as he pursues his job with Adelphia in Virginia, but his love is old Erie radio and radio DJ’s in Erie.

Chris has created a website of some of the classic days of Erie radio (Click Erie radio to visit) complete with pictures and station logos. Most of it is from the 80’s (his period) He is actively looking to add more. Posted here are just some of the examples you can find in his collection. They also include, who they are and what they are doing.

Chris has seen on EMGR that there are lots of fans of old Erie radio, especially WJET and K104 (his alma-mater). Yet he isn’t content to leave it there. He is actively seeking more pictures, stories of DJ’s and any other information to update his site. You can write him at musicofthe80s@hotmail.com.

Chris heard about EMGR and has been following some of the posts to know that a lot of you have pretty sharp memories. I couldn’t exactly remember Chris until I saw his picture.

The site brings back what many of you consider the “good old days” of Erie radio. (so do I). Right now it is confined to just WJET and K104 but I think he would like to expand it to others with your help.

I want to thank Chris for writing me. Go to the site yourself and see some real memories and send him any information and pictures you might have on file.


"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/
Wedneday...Who are the Cowards in Media?
Seeing CSI In SD Is a Crime In Itself... Unless You Can See It in HD!

Monday, November 13, 2006

What Could The FCC Be Thinking?


ANOTHER EMGR CHAT DOWN!

DT Channel 16... Where are you?

On August 17, 2005, Lilly Broadcasting of Pennsylvania(licensee of old analog channel 35) filed a CP extension request for their digital channel 16 with the FCC. The reason…. Request to move transmitting facilities to WICU towers on Donation Rd. The move would help them save substancial money in operations. The FCC granted that request on September 12, 2005. The FCC took 26 days to approve that request for CP extension.

On January 13, 2006, Lilly Broadcasting of Pennsylvania filed another extension request for their digital CP with the FCC. The reason for the request….bad Erie winters and loosing $400,000 the previous year. The FCC granted that request on March 1, 2006. The FCC took less than 60 days to approve that request.

On August 31, 2006, Lilly Broadcasting of Pennsylvania filed still another extension request for their digital CP with the FCC. This time…”no money honey.” Losses in the first 6 months of this year over $690,000. Today, it is fast approaching 90 days without formal action by the FCC. In the meantime, Lilly Broadcasting of Pennsylvania has had almost 3 more months of free time to construct their digital channel 16. No construction at the Donation Road site has occurred. (It would be interesting to see if equipment was ordered or delivered and construction crews reserved. That would have shown intent, but you would think they would have divulged that in their filing or in a subsequent exhibit)

SJL/Lilly can still pull it out and take the lead as a proud CBS affiliate. You have to act like a number one to be a number one. It is my hope they make a public announcement of their intentions. They made no promissory date in their FCC filing or even gave much hope for the FCC to hang its license on. (Should I hold my breath?)

The EMGR Chat Down Question?

Would you say that the “public’s interest, convenience and necessity” would be served by delaying this construction indefinitely or what do you think the FCC should consider?

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Tuesday…Chris Tarbell and his lean mean WJET/K104... DJ way back website machine!

Saturday, November 11, 2006

ABC's "Lost"..."Houswives" keep "Dancing."


October 30-Nov. 5, 2006



NFL Lands NBC #2

(Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television last week as compiled by Nielsen Media Research. They are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 283.5 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions.)

Rank Program Network Viewers

1 Desperate Housewives ABC 22.65
2 NBC Sunday Night Football 21.95
3 Grey’s Anatomy-THU ABC 21.02
4 CSI CBS 20.77
5 Dancing With/Stars ABC 20.51
6 Dancing With/Stars Results ABC 19.22
7 Criminal Minds CBS 16.97
8 Deal or No Deal NBC Mon 16.90
9 CSI: NY CBS 16.64
10 Lost ABC 16.07

• Source: ABC-TV and Nielsen Media Research data as posted by FREDFA on AVSFORUM.com

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Paul Wagner has always been one of WICU's best Journalists. Where is he on the big Erie stories now?

Friday, November 10, 2006

Breaking News! NBC's 'Studio 60' Gets Full Season


(Congradulations to EMGR reader, Shannon, for finding and breaking this bit of news of interest to interested EMGR readers.)


The Hollywood Reporter confirms Studio 60 Being Saved!

By Nellie Andreeva

Nov 10, 2006

After days of speculation, NBC has handed a back-nine order to "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," bringing the order to Aaron Sorkin's critically praised drama set behind the scenes of a late-night sketch comedy show to 22.


Sources said the deal for the back-nine episodes was made at a lower license fee than the original one, said to be in the range of $2.5 million-$3 million per episode, and the episode guarantees for the members of the show's ensemble cast have been reduced by one.


NBC and producer Warner Bros. TV declined comment.


Airing behind the breakout new hit of the season, NBC's "Heroes," "Studio 60" got off to a promising start, but the ratings substantially tapered off, settling into the low 3 rating point range among adults 18-49. This week, the series starring Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford and Amanda Peet averaged a 3.3 rating/8 share in the demo and 7.7 million viewers overall, finishing third in the hour.


"I've never wavered in my belief in the show," NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly said. "With the talent we have in front and behind the camera and with the direction Aaron is taking the relationships, I think the show's passionate core audience will be excited, and the other viewers who sampled it can be won over."

"Studio 60" was taken off its 10 p.m. Monday slot last week when the network tried out another critically praised but low-rated new drama, "Friday Night Lights."Reilly wouldn't say whether "Studio 60" will remain in its Monday berth. He said the network is looking at several possible scheduling moves, with a new midseason schedule set to be announced next week.

12…24…35…66… Hike HD!


Upcoming HD Football

(AP Photo/Don Heupel)

NOTE: Subject to change! (BCS 1-25 rankings are official. Rankings #26-42 are from Jerry Palm's collegebcs.com. All times are PM and Eastern)NFL Weekly Coverage Maps Nov. 12 maps are now available:http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/

Friday Nov. 10

Texas-El Paso (4-5) at Alabama-Birmingham (3-6) 8 ESPN2-HD

Saturday, Nov. 11

Cincinnati (5-4) at #10 West Virginia (7-1) 12 ESPN2-HD
#15 Wisconsin (9-1) at Iowa (6-4) 12 ESPN-HD
DePauw (6-3) at Wabash (7-2) 1 HDNet
#2 Michigan (10-0) at Indiana (5-5) 3:30 ESPN-HD
South Carolina (5-4) at #4 Florida (8-1) 3:30 CBS-HD
#1 Ohio State (10-0) at Northwestern (3-7) 3:30 (Regional) ABC-HD?
#26 Nebraska (7-3) at #25 Texas A&M (8-2) 3:30 (Regional) ABC-HD?
#16 Tennessee (7-2) at #11 Arkansas (8-1) 7 ESPN2-HD
Alabama (6-4) at #12 LSU (7-2) 7:45 ESPN-HD
#5 Texas (9-1) at Kansas State (6-4) 8 (Regional) ABC-HD
#19 Wake Forest (8-1) at Florida State (5-4) 8 (Regional) ABC-HD
#20 Oregon (7-2) at #7 Southern California (7-1) 10 FSN-HD

Sunday, Nov. 12

San Diego (6-2) at Cincinnati (4-4) 1 CBS-HD
Buffalo (3-5) at Indianapolis (8-0) 1 CBS-HD
New York Jets (4-4) at New England (6-2) 1 CBS-HD
San Francisco (3-5) at Detroit (2-6) 1 Fox-HD
Green Bay (3-5) at Minnesota (4-4) 1 Fox-HD
Washington (3-5) at Philadelphia (4-4) 1 Fox-HD
St. Louis (4-4) at Seattle (4-3) 1 Fox-HD
Dallas (4-4) at Arizona (1-7) 4 Fox-HD
New Orleans (6-2) at Pittsburgh (2-6) 4 Fox-HD
Chicago (7-1) at New York Giants (6-2) 8:15 NBC-HD

Monday, Nov. 13

Tampa Bay (2-6) at Carolina (4-4) 8:30 ESPN-HD

Tuesday, Nov. 14
Ball State at Toledo 7 ESPN2-HD

Wednesday, Nov. 15

Miami of Ohio at Bowling Green 7:30 ESPN2-HD

Thursday, Nov. 16

West Virginia at Pittsburgh 7:30 ESPN-HD


(Posting from AVSFORUM.com)


"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/



Monday...What Could The FCC Be Thinking?

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Breaking News! Changes In the Wind?


(Fom MediaDailyNews)

New House Commerce Head Looks At Media Ownership
Thursday, Nov 9, 2006 8:00 AM ET

U.S. REP. JOHN DINGELL, D-MICH.--THE incoming chairman of the House Energy and Commerce committee in January--isn't keen on easing media ownership rules, and is concerned about whether the public interest is being served. He's said that his panel will examine telecom measures, and will be less accommodating than the Republicans.

(Editor's Note: Translation...Duopolies may be in trouble. NEXSTAR and SJL/Lilly better think twice about buying twice.)

VJ?...Or Is It Really CJ?


This last week has been full of posts about various people who have left Erie television stations. This is hardly new nor is it unusual in the broadcast business. It goes with the territory. The old saying goes that “you are only as good as your last (rating) book. " That is true.

Most leave to advance to a bigger market or they leave because they committed a “no..no” at their current station. (Hey, reporters are people too and they make mistakes…big mistakes. Stations, and yes even the newspaper, know how to hide their dirt under the rug.)

But something new is happening in broadcast journalism that hasn’t happened before. We wrote about it many weeks ago. It is called Video Journalism. (VJ)

This is a new cause celeb for some who have left the broadcast nest and others who are thinking about it. A few posts have been written about Jennifer Boresz who recently left WSEE for WTOL in Toledo. (An economy as dormant or worse than Erie but still they have HD)

Let's get the story straight. Jennifer Boresz went to Toledo not because she was recruited and wanted to leave Erie. She left because of the planned move to VJ next year by SJL/Lilly.

To repeat.. VJ is the latest in technological advances that shrinks today’s ENG video cameras to a very small size, light weight while keeping the quality very high. It can allow a two person news team to be cut to one. These latest cameras don’t even use tape… just memory. But is that all good?

The VJ Advantage

If a station had 5 teams of 2 persons crews and you kept all positions, you could have twice the stories being covered. This is a real advantage in large markets with a great deal of news to cover. The reporter is also cameraperson and editor all in one. That puts a great deal of pressure on the reporter to not only get the story with interviews, but also to get it on camera. We talked about the burn-out factor that this is already creating in the field and that it is a real problem. I am sure that weighed on Jennifer’s mind but perhaps for another reason as well.

Is VJ Really CJ?

In Erie and a few other far west cities, the acronym VJ has changed to CJ…Cheap Journalism or Journalism on the Cheap. Some broadcast corporations have turned a technological advantage into another way to reduce costs at the expense of viewers and staff. The goal is not better or more news but better profits or just reducing costs. (Like 40% profit margin is not enough.) Instead of a 5 person two man team…it is just 5 persons.

I don’t really think reporters are against VJ as a tool to cover news, but they do resent it when they are asked to carry the expense and responsibility as well as the camera. They have to make a decison on the spot about the video or the story conent quality. Then hurry up to the next event. Burn-out.

My humble opinion

Many stations are integrating both kinds of journalism. The two man crew goes out on the big stories that require the concentration of the reporter as well as the cameraperson. (I still think a two person team brings twice the brainpower to the story if it is done right.) The VJ reporter covers the quick and dirty events in the community. Perfect for the young reporter who wants to learn and still get some on camera time.

The upcoming introduction of VJ or CJ in Erie could mean that more reporters may leave the Erie airwaves and be replaced by neophytes. (another way to cut the salary load) Not because they want to…but because management has lost its mission with the viewers. They still haven't learned that really serving the viewers with quality content also leads to a greater bottom line. It is all ass backwards.

When we reach this point, we will find better coverage done by the students of the Millcreek and Erie School District. (And that is a compliment to the students)

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Save WSEE News...Write to the station and then ask to inspect their FCC "public" file

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Erie Is Not The Only Market To Deal With Journalistic Ethics!

Guess What? VJ Was Not Involved.

(Editor’s Note: Thanks again to an EMGR reader; we have another example of how things that can go wrong. This one is also close to home. The following was a commentary published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. I am sure they enjoyed doing their own “gotcha story” on their broadcast brother. Thanks again to the poster for pointing it our way. If anyone else has any posting ideas or has seen something that would interest EMGR readers, send them to emgr@verizon.net. All confidential and no Poster's names will be used. )

Tuned In: After suicide, stations should rethink 'gotcha stories'

Monday, November 06, 2006
By Rob Owen, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The "sweeps" months, when local TV news promotions and "special reports" are at their most over-the-top, have become a routine annoyance to discerning television viewers. Less than a week into the current November sweeps period, they've taken a tragic turn.

The Rev. Brent Dugan, pastor of Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon, committed suicide last week after KDKA-TV aired a series of promotions for a Marty Griffin report that suggested Dugan was involved in illicit behavior.

Some viewers sent me understandably emotional e-mails that were as hyperbolic as the TV news promos they decry (one subject line: "KDKA's Assassination of Ben Avon Pastor"). That goes too far. It was Dugan's choice to overdose on aspirin and alcohol in a Mercer County motel.

But this tragic outcome ought to make reporters and news directors in all newsrooms, particularly KDKA management and Griffin, take a contemplative look at the impact salacious, fear-mongering sweeps-month promos and reports can have.

TV news has an obligation to uncover wrongdoing, but too often stations appear to be more excited about reporting stories that bring themselves attention. Were the accusations in Griffin's investigation true? Did the report merit airing? There's no way of knowing because the story never aired.

KDKA general manager Chris Pike said the station would have no comment beyond a statement released Friday night that expressed condolences to Dugan's family and friends and explained that KDKA had "conducted a monthlong investigation into reports of public and illegal sexual behavior by Pastor Dugan. The results of that investigation were scheduled to air [Thursday] evening. ... That evening the station received information from someone close to Pastor Dugan that indicated that he was considering doing harm to himself. As a result, the station made the decision not to air the story."

News director John Verrilli would not say whether Griffin's story will air; on Friday afternoon Pike said it was unlikely to air. Griffin did not respond to a message on his work voice mail seeking comment.

Promos for the report were broadcast for several days last week. They showed Griffin confronting Dugan about his alleged visits to an adult bookstore. It was unclear from the promos what other details the report would reveal.
During the 11 p.m. news Thursday, Griffin said his investigation "uncovered illicit, possibly illegal, activity by a local minister, activities which, at the very least, violated the rules of his denomination."

It's the use of key words -- possibly illegal, at the very least -- that call into question whether the report was worth doing in the first place. If the best Griffin could dig up was a trip to an adult bookstore (not illegal) and violation of church rules, then there's not much in it to serve the public interest. It comes off looking like another "gotcha"-style story designed for no benefit except the TV station's ratings.

What aired Thursday did not mention Dugan by name; he wasn't shown on screen. His church and denomination were not named. But Dugan was pictured in promos that aired for several days earlier on KDKA. The damage was done.

Even if you give station management the benefit of the doubt that they were unaware of Dugan's threat to himself when they chose to air the promos, you have to ask, do TV station promos for stories of wrongdoing have to be so licking-their-chops sensational? They're designed to lure viewers, but clearly they can have unintended consequences as well.

The possibility of the harm they can cause -- not only to the person under investigation, but to his family and community -- needs to be considered. (It should be noted, someone could just as easily be provoked by newspaper stories, but, tabloids aside, you don't usually see the print media stoop to scare tactics to promote upcoming reports.)

And why did KDKA air the promos and Thursday night's non-report and choose not to cover Dugan's suicide? Verrilli wouldn't comment on that, either.

For Griffin, provocative reporting is nothing new. During last November's sweeps -- a four-week period during which Nielsen Media Research measures viewership so stations can set advertising rates -- Griffin ventured onto Port Authority property while reporting on lax security at a bus garage. He was eventually found not guilty of trespassing on appeal.
Griffin worked at KXAS-TV in Dallas in the 1990s, when he reported on sexual assault allegations against two Dallas Cowboy football players by a former topless dancer. She later recanted, according to a 1997 Dallas Morning News report, and the players sued KXAS and Griffin. The station settled with the players for $2.2 million, according to the Dallas paper. Griffin's attorney told the paper that the reporter admitted no wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

One would hope the death of a human being would cause station management and staff to re-evaluate the way they cover and promote news, particularly sweeps- month features. Disgusted viewers may choose not to watch KDKA, but there's a problem with that approach: The lower that stations' ratings go, the more desperate for attention they tend to get and the greater the lengths they'll try. (Remember the tawdry tone of WPXI's newscasts when they were a perennial third place?)

With a thirst for profit driving media conglomerates' news coverage, this sort of thing could happen again. That may be the greatest tragedy of all.

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Thursday... VJ? Or Is it Really CJ?

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Web Users Tend to be Politically Moderate Regardless of Party


Happy Election Day

(Editor's Note: Yesterday, the Center for Media Research reported on a study done by Nielsen//Net Ratings (Not your friendly TV ratings people) The study found that slightly more Republicans were web savvy than Democrats. However, the web users don’t skew left or right but are generally in the center. Here is CMR’s report. Check the political temperature. )

Monday, November 6, 2006 (Center for Media Research)

More Republicans than Democrats Online, But Web Users Leaning "Moderate"More Republicans than Democrats Online, But Web Users Leaning "Moderate"

Nielsen//NetRatings finds that 36.6 percent of U.S. adults online are Republicans, 30.8 percent are Democrats and 17.3 percent are Independents in a recent release.

Nielsen//NetRatings analyst Ken Cassar, said "The fact that the online population is more heavily composed of Republicans than Democrats is principally a function of the Republican party's higher composition within the overall electorate. This is exacerbated by the fact that online penetration continues to be deeper among affluent households, which have historically skewed Republican."

The Web site with the highest concentration of Republicans was RushLimbaugh.com, then NewsMax.com and Bill O'Reilly.com. The Drudge Report and Salt Lake Tribune rounded out the top five Republican sites.

Among Democrats, the top three sites were BlackAmericaWeb.com, AOL BlackVoices and BET.com. Salon.com and Village Voice ranked fourth and fifth among Democrats.

Source: Nielsen//NetRatings, Fall 2006 Release

More Online political party variance...

Political party members also have distinct tastes in online newspapers:

WSJ.com has predominantly Republican readers, at 40.2 percent
Democrats make up 25.8 percent of WSJ.com's readership
Independents are at 24.3 percent

The New York Times online is a favorite among Democrats:
Democrats make up 52.3 percent of its readership
Independents compose 22.6 percent
Republicans are at 18.3 percent

When respondents were asked about their political leaning:
36.1 percent, identified themselves as "Moderate"
32.5 percent, identified themselves as "Conservative/Very Conservative"
19.8 percent of respondents identified themselves as "Liberal/Very Liberal"

With regard to party allegiance demographics, neither party seemed to favor a particular gender or age group. Among racial groups:

African Americans skewed Democratic; with a composition index of 231, they were over twice as likely to be Democratic as the average Web user
Asians were 36 percent more likely than the average Web user to be Democratic
Hispanics were 28 percent more likely to be Democratic
White people were slightly more likely to be Republican
For more information, please visit here.

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Save WSEE News...Write to the station and then ask to inspect their FCC "public" file.

Want To Really Wakeup The Political Establisment Today? Vote Out All Incumbents…Regardless of Party.

Monday, November 06, 2006

More Or Less News...That Is The Question.

A Special Erie Media-Go-Round Chat Down.

Do you believe the local media (newspaper, radio and TV) should increase its human resources to report the news or is the current level sufficient? If you think resources should be increased what, in your opinion, could the media do with the increased resources?

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Save WSEE News...Write to the station and then ask to inspect their FCC file.

Want To Really Wakeup The Political Establisment Tomorrow? Vote Out All Incumbents…Regardless of Party.