It’s Done!

As you can see from the top red banner, Erie Media-Go-Round’s new home is ready for old friends and new guests. Just click on the new address location and you will be taken there in a jiffy (http://www.eriemediablog.com/). While you’re at it, take a moment and save the new address to your favorites. If you have subscribed to this current site, you will have to subscribe again to the new RSS feeds if you want to receive automatic notices of posts and comments.

While there will be no further postings or comments at this site, you will still be able to read old posts and comments if needed. Because of recent changes made by Blogger, the old posts and comments could not be transferred. If that capability becomes possible in the future, EMGR will do it.

Thanks and welcome to the future.

New Year’s Week Bowl Games In HD!

If you haven’t seen fooball in HD…you haven’t seen football.

Subject to change! All times Eastern. Coverage maps are now available at GribbleNation.

Monday New Years Day

Outback Bowl
Tennessee (9-3) vs. Penn State (8-4) Tampa, FL 11 a.m. (ESPN HD)

AT&T Cotton Bowl
Nebraska (9-4) vs. Auburn (10-2) Dallas, TX 11:30 a.m. (FOX HD)

Toyota Gator Bowl
Georgia Tech (9-4) vs. West Virginia (10-2) Jacksonville, FL 1 PM (CBS HD(

Capital One Bowl
Arkansas (10-3) vs. Wisconsin (11-1) Orlando, FL 1 PM (ABC HD)

Rose Bowl
Southern California (10-2) vs. Michigan (11-1) Pasadena, CA 5 PM (ABC HD)

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Oklahoma vs. BCS Boise State Glendale, AZ 8 PM (FOX HD)

Tuesday, January 2nd

FedEx Orange Bowl
Wake Forest (11-2) vs. Louisville (11-1) Miami FL 8 PM (FOX HD)

Wednesday, January 3rd

Allstate Sugar Bowl
Louisiana State (10-2) vs Notre Dame (10-2) New Orleans LA 8 (PM FOX)

TV's Top 10 for December 18-24

Rudolph Still has Magic for CBS.

Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television for the week of Dec. 18-24, 2006 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 / Net / Viewers

1. CBS National NFL Post Game CBS 17.23

2 Deal Or No Deal - Monday NBC 15.37

3 CSI CBS 12.95

4 Identity - Monday NBC 12.27

5 CSI: Miami CBS 12.15

6 CSI: NY CBS 12.14

7 NCIS CBS 10.92

8 60 Minutes CBS 10.86

9 Two And A Half Men CBS 10.70

10 Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer CBS 10.58

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

EMGR New Look And Features Begins New Year's Day!

Breaking News! Solo Bites The Wolf On Tuesday!

Shannon Solo finds love and happiness with modern country.

The New Year brings many changes in the air, but the first we heard about was at The Wolf at 93.9 FM.

Shannon Solo hits the Wolf den starting this Tuesday in morning drive. As a country singer and songwriter, Shannon feels home at last. He is more than a “little bit country” and promises to show it live with his own variety of fun including celebrity interviews and his classic, "Coffee Break Trivia."

I am the first to say that country is not my first format of choice, but after listening to The Wolf since it started, I am appreciating the newer artists and music better.

Kenny Olowin was my country music teacher and made it possible for me to interview and photograph several legends in Country Music such as Dolly Parton when she was just 22. (One of my prize photos that I just had signed a few years back was of Dolly herself on her last performance in Erie)

Solo has a lot going on right now with this new gig. It should be very interesting how he handle’s this juggling act between radio, performing, writing music and weekend weather on WICU.

New EMGR Look And Features Begin Monday!

Gotta See Football In HD? Live Somewhere Else.

Upcoming HD NFL Games

NOTE: Subject to change! (All times are PM and Eastern) NFL Weekly Coverage Maps Dec. 31 maps are now available:http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/

Saturday, Dec. 30
New York Giants (7-8) at Washington (5-10) 8 NFL Network-HD

Sunday, Dec. 31
Detroit (2-13) at Dallas (9-6) 1 Fox-HD
St. Louis (7-8) at Minnesota (6-9) 1 Fox-HD
Carolina (7-8) at New Orleans (10-5) 1 FOX-HD
Oakland (2-13) at New York Jets (9-6) 1 CBS-HD
Seattle (8-7) at Tampa Bay (4-11) 1 Fox-HD
New England (11-4) at Tennessee (8-7) 1 CBS-HD
San Francisco (6-9) at Denver (9-6) 4:15 Fox-HD
Miami (6-9) at Indianapolis (11-4) 4:15 CBS-HD
Atlanta (7-8) at Philadelphia (9-6) 4:15 Fox-HD
Green Bay (7-8) at Chicago (13-2) 8:15 NBC-HD

As posted by fredfa on www.AVSFORUM.com

The Big Man Goes Podcast!

Hold On Erie...He's Back!

For 17 years Bob Patrick (real name Bob Martin) was a familiar voice on Erie radio. Everything from weekends at WWGO-AM to middays at WWYN-AM, he was the voice of WLVU-FM, he brought a whole new format to WMDI-FM and finally, hosted the highest rated show (adults 25-54) middays on the original WLKK, "Great Lake Country". Everyday he brought his brand of casual humor and fun to his loyal audience. One morning in 1980, he decided that he had just run out of things to say and so he said goodbye to his on-air show and quietly joined the voiceless majority. Now, after 27 years, he’s stored up the stories and anecdotes and he’s coming back to let you know what he’s learned.

Inside The Mind of Bob Patrick is a daily (Monday through Friday) "podcast" designed to bring back fun to your day. This light-hearted 5-10 minute show will spotlight the positive things in life and especially why Erie, PA is the best place to live / visit in the US. What is won’t be is negative, downbeat or full of "frat house" humor. It’s time to bring back fun, clean radio. It’s time to feel good again!

When asked to describe the show, Bob Patrick replied, "It will be like you and I sitting at your kitchen table talking, having a cup of coffee and eating donuts... except, we’re really not in your kitchen, I don’t drink coffee, and let’s face it... neither one of us really need the donuts. Let’s just get together every day and share some fun."

The show will also feature interviews, contests and some surprises along the line.
The show will be produced by Martin Creative Consultants and will be downloadable as an MP3 file from

www.MartinCreativeConsultants.com or can be subscribed to at Apple iTunes. On-air date is Wednesday, January 3rd.

"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 New Look And Features Begin January 1st.

Iraq Goes “Classy.”

The Classy 100’s Breakfast Club trio will interview Major Christian Meeko of Erie from his station in Iraq this Friday December 29th.

The trinity of Erie broadcasting, Chuck Priestap, Brenda Savelli and Newsman Dave Benson will interview Major Meeko at about 7:45 EST Friday during their program. (I was told by an old nanny that “Newsman” was Dave’s given name at birth. His first diaper was the old Erie Times)

One thing has become very clear about our country's feelings, no matter how you feel about the war, Americans always honor and support the sacrifice of our troops and their families.

Major Meeko is expected not only to take the opportunity to talk to his Erie family, but to give tips and advice on what gifts our soldiers need that we can send. It is important to remember, even after the holidays, our men and women in uniform who are in harms way.

EMGR wants to thank Chuck Priestap and the “Classy” team for advising us on this event.

"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/"

You can still nominate your 2007 media pinups for newspaper, radio and TV.

Shout-It-Out December 26 January 1

(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 on a previous week. 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. )

Nominate your media pinups for 2007. See Last Wednesday's 12/20/06 post.

Hoping You Put Your Christmas In High Definition!

What do I mean by a High Definition Christmas? I am suggesting that everyone think clearly this holiday season. Think about family, friends’ co-workers and those that you may have grown estranged from. Try to look past their mistakes and see crisp and clean what made them so close to you.

Find the inner beauty that you once saw--for that may be their true essence. It is easy to dwell on the errors and foibles of people. I always wonder why it is so hard to see the good.

On this Christmas season, EMGR wishes all its readers a High Definition Christmas. May we all continue to have health, wisdom and patience in the coming New Year.

Finally, I want to thank the readers of EMGR for giving me purpose in this stage of my life. You have no idea what you have meant to me.

The regular Shout-It-Out feature that usually begins on Sunday will instead start for the week on Tuesday. If you feel you still want to address an issue, hold it or use the previous weeks “Shout.” They are always open for posting.

Merry Christmas!

Your TV Top Ten For December 11-17!

CBS Hits Lucky 7 With Survivor and CSI.

Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television for the week of Dec. 11-17, 2006 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 NCIS CBS 17.39
2 DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON NBC 16.70
3 SURVIVOR:COOK ISL. FINALE(S) CBS 16.42
4 HOUSE FOX 16.13
5 CRIMINAL MINDS CBS 16.06
6 CSI: MIAMI CBS 16.00
7 CSI: NY CBS 15.83
8 TWO AND A HALF MEN CBS 15.69
9 NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL NBC 15.26
10 CSI CBS 15.12

• Source: ABC-TV and Nielsen Media Research data as posted on 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/"


Erie Media-Go-Round Gets "Extreme Makover"---Coming Very Soon.

Studio 60 and Star Trek Have More In Common Than You May Think!

(Editor's Note: Below is an interesting critique by Wayne Friedman on how a small, loyal and advertiser desirable audience can keep a rather low rated program on the air. From an insider's point of view, the numbers quoted are a real education)

A Media Critique by Wayne Friedman, Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Reprinted with premission. (c) 2006 MediaPost Communications, 1140 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001

WE LIKE TV math--and maybe viewers need more of it. As the year comes to a close, we take heart that there are TV producers who are willing to share with their audience what it takes to stay in the business.

A lot has been written about "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" and how a middling 3.5 rating among 18-49 viewers, and an average of 7 million total viewers per episode, have given this show an air of disappointment.

NBC says--lest we forget--those aren't the only measures of success. "Studio 60" attracts those high-income people who make $75,000 or $100,000 and more. Why are these viewers more valuable than the assistant manager at 7-Eleven? Because not only do they spend more on products, they don't watch much TV. That gives them a premium price tag.

The fictional show may not have that same profile. Perhaps like the real-life "Saturday Night Live," "Studio"'s viewers are a bit more mainstream, in terms of salary and age--and certainly somewhat younger then that of most regular prime-time shows.

How can I tell? Aaron Sorkin tells me so. Make that Mr. Sorkin's fictional executive producer on the show, Danny Tripp, played by Bradley Whitford. Here's what he says to Jordan McDeere, president of entertainment for the NBS network, played by Amanda Peet, when confronted with the possibly of having to cut TV production costs: "'Studio 60' doesn't cost the network money, Jordan," says Tripp. "It makes the network money."

"I understand," says McDeere.

"You want to know how much?" asks Tripp. "Our license fee is two million per show. We are clearing $120,000 for a thirty-second spot. We air 26 minutes of commercials. Now five of those minutes are network promos and bumpers, eight are local. That's [all] revenue.

"But we'll only deal with the 13 minutes left over. Thirteen minutes of commercials at $120,000 for 30 seconds, times 22 shows minus the license fee, is a hard dollar profit of $24,640,000 per season.... So tell me again why we have to lay off 15 people?"

That's a lot of deep information about the business for average viewers. Then again, they might not understand all the medical science of an "E.R." or a "Grey's Anatomy." It's the details that give these shows credibility.

We don't know all the math for the real 60-minute show, "Studio 60." There's a reported $3 million per episode budget, an upfront-buying, 30-second-commercial price tag of about $140,000, those middling 3 to 4 ratings, and that upper income data. We could use more info.

The point is that TV and entertainment business news is fast become mainstream news.

Consumers are interested. For example, every Monday morning, newspaper, TV and radio stations regularly offer news about the weekend's top-grossing movies.

But if movie executives had their way, you wouldn't see too much of this scorecard for the public. Execs would rather keep that stuff quiet--as well as the amount of the media budgets actually spent on those movies.

TV executives are the same way. They'd rather not have all the bad news ratings blabbed around town.

But for viewers, understanding is the way to go. Just tell us more financial stuff. We'll feel sorry for you--and watch more.

"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 Media-Go-Round Gets "Extreme Makover"---Coming Very Soon.

More Profanity In Hearing Than On Fox’s Billboard Awards!

For those titillated with hearing judges and high priced attorney’s use profanity in a live courtroom, you weren’t disappointed in the Fox Vs FCC profanity hearing Wednesday on C-SPAN.

The debate came down to the issue of what is news and what is entertainment. The FCC previously has stated that an expletive uttered in the course of a newscast is permissible, but took exception to Cher doing the same thing during Fox’s live broadcast of the Billoard Awards.

Broadcast & Cable in their report said “The FCC case appeared to take its biggest hits from the judges' questions about whether its policy, in which the same words uttered by the same people were indecent in one context (entertainment) and not in another (news), makes it difficult for broadcasters to determine what might get them in trouble.”

The central question the 3 panel of judges on the second court of appeal have to decide is if the Billboard Awards counts as news or as entertainment. If they rule it is justifiably news, the FCC decision to censure and fine FOX could be reversed.

The Fox legal argument was that the FCC was not consistent in its application of the use of profanity in entertainment, news or live events.

C-SPAN will re-broadcast the one hour hearing on Saturday at 7 PM EST.

Erie...Are You Ready For Some HD?

Upcoming HD NFL Games

NOTE: Subject to change! (All times are PM and Eastern)NFL Weekly Coverage Maps Dec. 24 maps are now available:http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/

As Posted on AVSFORUM.com by Fredfa

Thursday Dec. 21

Minnesota at Green Bay NFL Network-HD

Saturday, Dec. 23

Kansas City at Oakland NFL Network-HD

Sunday Dec. 24

Carolina at Atlanta 1 Fox-HD

Tampa Bay at Clevelands 1 Fox-HD

Chicago at Detroit 1 Fox-HD

New England at Jacksonville 1 CBS-HD

New Orleans at New York Giants 1 Fox-HD

Washington at St. Louis 1 Fox-HD

Cincinnati at Denver 4 CBS-HD

San Diego at Seattle 4 CBS-HD

Arizona at San Francisco 4:05 Fox-HD

Monday Dec. 25 Philadelphia at Dallas 5 NBC-HD

New York Jets at Miami 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.. " FCChttp://www.dtv.gov/"

Who In radio, TV or newspaper media would you want to see in a 2007 Calendar?

Who Are Your Erie Media Pinups For 2007?

Lot’s of calendars in the bookstores for the New Year, but not one that features Erie’s men and women of media.

Help EMGR correct that little mistake.

If you were on the selection committee, who in Erie newspaper, radio and television would you want to see in a 2007 calendar and tell us why? (Be mindful of the usual rules of good taste and the diverse nature of the EMGR readers.)

"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.. " FCChttp://www.dtv.gov/"

Reality TV Turns Profane on C-Span Today at 10 AM!

Profanity TV Begins Wednesday at 10 Am EST...9 CST.

Breaking News

John Eggerton is reporting in Broadcast & Cable that C-SPAN said Monday it has decided to provide live coverage of the oral argument in broadcasters challenge to the FCC’s profanity crackdown.

The news channel asked and got permission from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York to cover the arguments to be presented on December 20. These arguments are more amenable to TV coverage than some of the others.

The arguments in five cases are set to begin at 10 AM EST. In addition to the television coverage, C-SPAN Radio and cspan.org will carry live broadcasts of the trial as well. Tune in for a profound - and perhaps profane - take on television.

WICU News: It’s Back To The Future! (A Review)

Not long ago, EMGR wrote about WJET Action News and its philosophy of the first 7 minutes focused on stories as a way they attempt to command and attract an audience. That philosophy was and is the hallmark of WJET since its beginnings in Radio but it was taken to a more refined approach by Eric Johnson and its current master, Lou Baxter.

WICU has similarly looked back into its own history to find a formula they feel works for them. As many of the comments on EMGR have noted, WICU had some of the greatest anchors and newscasters in Erie broadcast history. But WJET-TV’s 1980’s challenge and WICU’s panic reaction set it into the never- never land of fumbled opportunities. That is until the addition of news director Phil Hayes who is reshaping it back to its former roots.

In the opinion of this reviewer, WICU’s view of the news is very different from WJET’s. WICU’s coverage and order of the news seems to stem from a conscious decision as to what may affect the average viewer the most. Sometimes these are complex issues of local government which are not exactly as exciting as a crash or a fire. So the channel 12 news digest may not be as emotionally active as its competitors, but usually more detailed in its reporting.

The news team has been selected, for the most part, to appeal to the more involved viewer of the news. The staff is mature and seems to go out of their way to dig behind the standard news of the day..

Kevin MacDowell and Amanda post are co-anchors, but it is obvious that MacDowell is clearly the lead anchor. In the follow-up to a reporter’s story, he takes the roll of the viewer in asking the tougher and sometimes more revealing questions. Other competitors do this to some extent, but not to the intensity that MacDowell gives it.

In story count, WICU does not cover as many as WJET Action News, but those they do are covered with usually greater detail.

I already wrote about “Behind the Kitchen Door” so I won’t repeat myself except to say that Hayes does seem to seek news vehicles like it that attempt to separate and distinguish itself from the competition. That is what you have to do if you are to be successful. The ratings seem to support his judgment.

Much has been said on EMGR about MacDowell’s body language as being provocative and overdone. I still challenge that view. MacDowell is a seasoned anchor and knows that an anchor has to convey a sense of command. In my opinion, he uses his body language to help with that authority. Some may view that as arrogance.

The supporting cast at WICU News is mostly veterans. The Lisa Adams and the Paul Wagner’s are real old timers at the station and lend a sense of continuity with past glories. (I still wish Paul was used more effectively for his long time knowledge of the Erie political scene.) He and Lisa both bring a calmness and steadiness to the news they report. They don’t attempt to sensationalize or try to hog the camera.

Scott and Bo each bring a different view. They are a definite contrast of styles, looks and sound. The days of the NBC perfect voices are gone and have been replaced in today’s broadcasting with men and women who should be chosen for their news gathering knowledge rather than their looks and baritone voices. (There maybe some legitimate debate about the selection criteria of broadcast women.)

This is only a review of the main news areas and not the sports and weather. Those come later.

Overall, I hope that any possible move to VJ by WICU News enhances the experience for the viewer and not diminish the gains that Hayes and company have made.

Putting the well reported technical glitches aside, the local news scene has become competitive again.

"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.. " FCChttp://www.dtv.gov/"

New Look And Features Coming To EMGR Soon!!

Captain Dan’s “Holly Jolly Radio.”

(Editor’s Note: Captain Dan’s nose is a little redder than usual at this time of year. No… he hasn’t been hitting the sauce with Rudolf. He and the folks at Froggy started spreading the Christmas Spirit a little early this year with all Christmas music all the time. Something a number of stations have done in other markets in recent years. The effect in most cities has been an unusual jump in spending by consumers over cities that didn’t do 24/7 Christmas music.

I asked the Captain to write his thoughts on the experience so far.)

Dear Jack,

Happy Holidaze to you, your family and the cadre of fans of your blog.

I love it and I do "know Jack".

Having done mornings in Erie for 19 years now, and 19 Christmas Seasons I was a bit nervous that it would be too much, too soon. A great fan of Christmas and the music associated with it, Thanksgiving morn at 6:00 AM the tunes began much to the delight of most listeners...they carried through "Black Friday" and the Thanksgiving weekend.

Okay so far....when we were still pumping out the sound of Christmas the week after Thanksgiving with temperatures in the mid 60's and obviously no snow on the ground, there was a flurry of "Bah Humbugs".

When we hit December 1st and snow hit the ground, it was like the Christmas Miracle....everybody, well almost everybody except listener Ebenezer, was in the spirit. Initially I heard a fair amount of grumbling....but the tide has swung and now it's just “Good tidings to men and Peace on Earth.”

I was swamped by folks at the Barber Ball expressing their thanks and telling us to keep it up and play even more...tough to do since there are only 24 hours in the programming day.

I came across a little something I think you and your readers will like....just click on the link and enjoy. www.elfyourself.com/.

(Editor’s Post Script: Thanks Captain Dan. EMGR wishes you and your family a great Christmas season. You got us started right. I wasn’t sure myself if it weren’t too much, but I found myself turning it on in the car more often. Now…do you have a surprise for us on December 26th?)

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.." FCChttp://www.dtv.gov/"

Burning down is only one way to destroy a city. This time the people of Erie need help that can't be delivered from the nozzle of a hose."--Pat Howad Erie Times-News 12/10/06--

Shout-It-Out December 17 December 23

(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 on a previous week. 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. )