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. )

BREAKING NEWS! ABC Shows Door to "Show Me The Money."

According to Broadcast & Cable today, ABC gave the boot, the door and an Italian hand gesture to William Shatner’s game gig, “Show Me The Money.”

The show had been ordered to cease production immediately and will be replaced with “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”

B&C said “the show averaged just a 1.6 rating/5 share in the adult 18-49 demo Wednesday night at 8, hitting a new series low and falling 16% from its previous airing. "

Originally ABC had announced that it would pick up six additional programs with a strategic move to Tuesday nights in January. All for not.

Beam me out Scottie.

Coming Monday...Captain Dan's Take on "Holly Jolly Radio". New "Shout-It-Out" Begins Sunday.

"Extreme" "Survivors" Play "Sunday Night Football" In HD!

Last week's Top 10 Network Programs

(Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television for the week of Dec. 4-10 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. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CBS 23.3
2. Sunday Night Football NBC 19.9
3. Deal or No Deal NBC 17.4
4. 60 Minutes CBS 15.8
5. Survivor: Cook Islands CBS 15.7
6. Heroes NBC 14.9
7. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition ABC 14.2
8. Cold Case CBS 14.1
9. Shark CBS 14.0
10. Without a Trace CBS 13.9

• Source: ABC-TV and Nielsen Media Research data as Posted by Fredfa on www.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.." FCChttp://www.dtv.gov

Coming Monday...Captain Dan's Take on "Holly Jolly Radio". New "Shout-It-Out" Begins Sunday.

Sign-On....Sign-Off

Radio Revenue Up 6% in October
Center for Media Research December 13, 2006

According to the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), the grand total of spot and non-spot Radio revenue increased 6 percent in October of this year compared to last year. National ad dollars grew 14 percent October 2006 over October 2005. Total combined national and local ad sales dollars increased 5 percent for the month of October 2006 over the same month from 2005.

From a year-to-date perspective, grand total combined spot and non-spot dollars in Radio remained flat over the first 10 months of 2006 when compared to that same time period from 2005. National sales figures January through October 2006 increased 3 percent over January through October 2005, while total combined national and local ad revenue for the first 10 months of 2006 stayed flat compared to the first 10 months of 2005.

Local and national revenues are based on a pool of more than 150 markets, and the Ad Sales Index equates base year 1998 to 100.

More Money on ABC
By Jim Benson -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/8/2006 1:53:00 PM

In an expected move, ABC has picked up an additional six episodes of its new variety/game show, Show Me the Money, hosted by William Shatner.

The program has averaged 7.5 million viewers and averaged a 2.1 rating/6 share among adults 18-49, ranking second from 8-9 p.m. Wednesdays. It has risen from 7.5 million to 7.6 million viewers and 2.0/6 to 2.2/6 from the first to second half-hours.

As previously reported (B&C, Dec. 5), ABC has announced that it will move to a new time period at 8 p.m. Tuesdays starting Jan. 2 as part of its revamped midseason schedule.


by Erik Sass, Wednesday, Dec 6, 2006 8:00 AM ET Media Daily News
SATELLITE RADIO SUFFERED ANOTHER SETBACK on Monday with Sirius Satellite Radio's announcement that it was going to miss its subscription forecast for the end of the year, giving a jolt to the company's stock as it joined competitor XM in the missed-forecast doghouse.

Sirius reported that it will cut its year-end subscriber forecast from 6.3 million to a range between 5.9 and 6.1 million, due to sluggish post-Thanksgiving sales. At the end of the third quarter, Sirius had a total subscriber base of about 5.12 million.
According to Banc of America analyst Jonathan Jacoby, retail sales of satellite radio sets may fall by up to 20% in the fourth quarter.

Evening-News Ratings: NBC Sweeps It
By Rebecca Stropoli -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/5/2006 1:37:00 PM

NBC's Nightly News With Brian Williams took first place in the November sweeps in total viewers, homes and the adults 25-54 demographic, according to Nielsen Media Research.
During the sweeps period, Nightly News averaged 9.568 million total viewers, a good 7% more than ABC's World News With Charles Gibson (8.920 million) and 23% more than CBS' Evening News With Katie Couric (7.783 million in its first sweeps since Couric took the anchor chair in September).

In homes, NBC earned a 6.5 rating/12 share over ABC's 6.2/12 and CBS' 5.4/10.
And in adults 25-54, NBC scroed a 2.4 rating over ABC's 2.3 and CBS' 2.0.

Ad Spend Up, but Growth Lags Projections
By Ben Grossman -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/5/2006 3:29:00 PM

The growth rate in total advertising expenditures over the past six months is trailing projections, even as total ad spend in the first nine months of 2006 ticked up by 4% over the same period in 2005 to $108.4 billion, according to a study by TNS Media Intelligence.
"Record-setting levels of political advertising, which will also impact fourth-quarter figures, have not been enough to overcome continued weakness within the automotive, retail and travel sectors," says Steven Fredericks, TNS Media Intelligence president and CEO.

ABC Asks 'Lost' to Stay Up Later
Show moves to 10 p.m. Wednesdays in Feburary; comedies take on 'Idol'
Zapit2.com December 5, 2006

ABC has had trouble the past two seasons finding a show that will retain a good percentage of the audience from "Lost." Come February, that will no longer be a problem.The network has decided to move "Lost" to the 10 p.m. ET timeslot on Wednesdays, starting with its return from hiatus on Feb. 7. That should make ABC affiliates happy, as they'll have a much better lead-in for their local newscasts, and it's likely to give ABC's prime-time ratings a substantial boost in that hour.

The Governor Bares A Great Deal Of Responsibility In The Fiss Fiasco. He Twisted Enough Local Arms To Make The Loans To Fiss. Where Are You Carol Pella When We Need You?

HD. The Next Best Thing to Being There.

Upcoming HD NFL Games
NOTE: Subject to change! (All times are PM and Eastern)NFL Weekly Coverage Maps Dec. 17 maps are now available:http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/
(As posted on AVSFORUM.com by Frefa)

Thursday Dec. 14

San Francisco at Seattle NFL 8 Network-HD

Saturday, Dec. 16

Dallas at Atlanta 8 NFL Network-HD

Sunday Dec. 17 (Photo: WWW.NFLPLAYERS.COM)

Pittsburgh at Carolina 1 CBS -HD
Tampa Bay at Chicago 1 Fox-HD
Detroit at Green Bay 1 Fox-HD
Washington at New Orleans 1 Fox-HD
New York Jets at Minnesota 1 CBS-HD
Denver at Arizona 4 CBS-HD
Philadelphia at New York Giants 4:15 Fox-HD
St. Louis at Oakland 4:15 Fox-HD
Kansas City at San Diego 8:15 NBC-HD

Monday Dec. 18

Cincinnati at Indianapolis 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

EMGR Is Open 24/7 For Your Comments. Or Subscribe to Posts or Comments at Bottom for Instant Notice.

“Why Do I need or Want HDTV?”

Last week I received an email from John B. asking why he should want HDTV.
As you will tell from his letter, John is a technocrat in all other normal male ways.

I thought it was a very good and particularly insightful letter and did asked a good question for those that have not been exposed to HDTV in Erie. (That’s the majority)

I thought who better to answer John’s question than the readers of EMGR themselves. John is sincerely asking for your help. I know we will get both sides of the issue, but I would hope you would stick to answering his question as best you can and not make it a rant on this blog. My opinion is clear enough in my purpose.

But at the end of John’s letter, I will give 10 very attractive reasons for wanting HD as selected by the Swanni himself.

Jack

I'm apparently missing something in this entire discussion of HDTV
as I've followed your blog. Why do I need or would I want HDTV. What's
being broadcast that I would find so interesting or fascinating as to desire to have in a much higher priced format?

I'm not a Luddite. I pay a premium for satellite radio to gain what I can't get
over the public broadcast airways. I have top-of-the-line computers because I
can and do use the features they offer.

But, pray tell, what is on television that makes HD worthwhile. The shows on TV are hardly worth high def. As for sports, OK if you would rather sit and spend your time watching someone else do something rather than doing something yourself, I guess I can understand a desire to see it big screen, HD, or the movie, but is still is not the same as the big screen.Those of us who don't care will have to eventually help carry the cost for those who do.

I wouldn’t mind seeing some discussion on this on your blog….

Thanks,

John B.

(Editor's edition: Ok.. I may be sexist but here it is)

The 10 Sexiest Women In HDTV!

Buying a new high-def set? If you're a guy, here are 10 really good reasons.

By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (December 9, 2006) -- High-Definition TV can be most cruel. The picture is so clear that you can detect even the hint of a new wrinkle forming on an otherwise perfect face. However, celebrities who are naturally beautiful in real-life look even better in ultra-real HD. Their skin, hair and smile somehow take on an extra radiance, all but overwhelming the viewer with their raw physical attractiveness.So in honor of true beauty, I am now publishing the second annual, Swanni's 10 Sexiest Women in HDTV! These 10 TV actresses are so 'HDTV hot' that they could break up your marriage with a single flip of the remote. So here are Swanni's 10 Sexiest Women in HDTV! (Note: All programming times are eastern.)

1. Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty)

The 43-year-old Vanessa has cried that she hates HDTV because you "can see every pore, every line on an actress' face." And as the villainous Wilhelmina Slater in ABC's Ugly Betty, her aging signs are clearly visible in HD. But she's no Ugly Betty. In high-def, Vanessa's blue eyes shine bright and her Miss America curves could still wow any judge. She's crystal-clear proof that you don't have to be college-age to look sensational in high-def Ugly Betty, ABC, Thursdays at 8 p.m.

2. Evangeline Lily (Lost) The Lost star was discovered by male viewers in the show's premiere episode when she stripped to a bra and panties to take a dip in the ocean. Despite the show's ratings dip this season, Evangeline is still a 10. In high-def, her freckled complexion and sinewy but sexy form is a sight to behold. Lost returns to ABC in February at 10 p.m. on Wednesdays.

3. Elisha Cuthbert (24) As Kim, agent Jack Bauer's daughter in distress, Elisha has appeared in every season of 24 except for number four. However, due to 24's secretive nature, it's unknown if she'll return for season six starting in January. We sure hope so. The 24-year-old actress looks like a modern day Marilyn Monroe. In high-def, she might even look better.. 24 returns to Fox on Sunday at 8 p.m. on January 14 with a two-hour episode.

4. Molly Simms (Vegas) In NBC's Vegas, the green-eyed Sports Illustrated swimsuit model often gets under the covers. But in this week's episode, she hopped out of bed and strutted around the room wearing Evangeline Lily's favorite swimsuit. In high-def, the picture was so detailed that you could make out the crimson-color rose tattoo on her lower back. Not that we were looking, of course.

5. Autumn Reeser (The O.C.) In high-def, it's easy to Fall for Autumn who plays Taylor Townsend in Fox's The O.C. In this week's episode, Autumn was the subject of recurring sexual fantasies by Ryan (Ben McKenzie) who finally got the nerve to ask her out. What took him so long?

6. Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives) The Desperate Housewives vixen just got engaged to San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker. And in high-def, you can see why she would need a guard. Beautiful skin and luscious lips. Desperate Housewives, ABC, Sundays at 9 p.m.

7. Nikki Cox (Vegas) The 28-year-old once played the Special Events Director on NBC's Vegas. That makes sense. When Nikki walks into the room, it's always a Special Event. The buxomy actress makes high-def seem like 3-D. Vegas, NBC, Fridays at 9 p.m.

8. Poppy Montgomery (Without a Trace) Poppy plays special agent "Sam" Spade in the CBS crime drama. And her character has a tendency to "Bogart" her fellow cast members; she's had affairs with her boss and a fellow agent. But who can blame them? In high-def, her natural good looks are irresistible.Without a Trace, CBS, Sundays at 10 p.m.

9. Katie Daryl (Dateline; True Music) The ubiquitous HDNet hostess pulls double duty on the high-def network, fronting both Dateline and True Music. In HD, Katie is both sassy and sexy, a lethal combination for any male HD viewer.

10. Kate French (Wicked, Wicked Game) The Wicked, Wicked Game star looks "wicked hot" in high-def. Playing Brooke in the My Network TV primetime soap, Kate's dazzling blue eyes, freckled face and candescent smile are what high-def should be all about. The young actress made her debut in the unacceptable Accepted, but this could be her graduation.Wicked, Wicked Game, My Network TV, weeknights at 8 p.m.

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

Surely...There Must Be Other Reasons To Buy HD!

MORE BREAKING NEWS! C-SPAN Will Launch Profanity TV!

In the off again... on again war between broadcasters and the FCC on the use of the “7 dirty words,” the story has taken another new twist.

According to a late breaking story reported in Broadcast and Cable By John Eggerton , “The oral arguments in broadcasters challenge to the FCC's March profanity rulings against Fox Billboard Awards broadcasts will be allowed to be televised.”

C-SPAN will be carrying the hearings live on December 20th. The case revolves around the FOX broadcast where the "F-word" and “S-word" were used live by Cher and others. ( see EMGR Post FCC Says 7 Dirty Words are Still F***ing Dirty) C-SPAN has not received any requests from other news networks for direct feeds of the hearings.


Veteran First Amendment attorney John Crigler of Garvey Schubert Barer called the coverage news "super."

Other comments to B&C included those of Adonis Hoffman, senior VP and counsel for the American Association of Advertising Agencies He said "these kinds of cases don't come along often," and now that the fines have been statutorily increased, there are more than constitutional principles at stake. Plus, everyone wants to know where the lines should be drawn."

This promises to be HD (Highly Dirty) TV at its finest!

BREAKING NEWS!! FCC Gets Ass Kicked in Music Country!

FCC chairmen who attended the open hearings in Nashville on the current and proposed rulings on allowing even further broadcast consolidation were lucky to leave with out the old tar and feathers.

According to Broadcast and Cable today, the FCC was scolded for its current ruling on allowing duopolies and even contemplating further consolidation of broadcasting in local markets. Even country music legends, such as Porter Wagner, told the commissioners present that..

"If you relax ownership rules more than what they are today," says Wagoner. "You will not only strip the airwaves away from the American public, but also continue to change the way we will do business in the recording industry which will be bad for not only recording artists, but also for the very companies who seek to ease these ownership restrictions."

Again according to another story in Broadcast and Cable, the open mike portion was equally as vocal. “One man who took the mike to register his complaint said he owned the only local station in his town after the others were moved by a corporate owners, who he called "idiots in suits."

Another lectured the commissioners present on their responsibilities in a highly candid and emotional manner:

“Are you here to listen and act? he asked, or simply to humor us. Is this an example of true participatory democracy, he asked, or a mockery?

You are public servants and we are the public he said, your obligation is to us, not a handful of corporations. We are concerned citizens trying to believe we matter he said, his voice rising as the background buzz quieted. "Don't make fools of us. you know what we think. You know what to do. Do not let us down."

As our own Kenny Olowin can tell you, Nashville is one of the warmest welcoming communities in America., but the FCC reception was more like a lynch mob.

Welcome to the 2008 elections.

Breaking News! Buffalo Broadcaster Files for Chapter 11.

A new contributing member of the EMGR staff of volunteers found this story in today’s Buffalo Business First.

It had been rumored for quite sometime that Granite Broadcasting Group, which owns several stations in New York State, has had financial difficulties. According to the story, Gannett late Monday filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protections to reduce their debt by 275 million.

Granite Broadcasting operates station WKBW channel 7 the ABC affiliate in Buffalo. (They still completed HD to stay competitive) In 2002, they had purchased WBNG, Channel 12 in Binghamton, New York from SJL Broadcast Management.

According to Buffalo Business First…

The New York City-based company said in a statement it has also submitted a plan of reorganization that has been pre-negotiated with the Granite's secured debt holders. The company also expects to emerge as a privately-held entity. The reorganization is expected in the first half of 2007.

Granite (OTC Bulletin Board: GBTVK) will continue to operate its stations, including those in Binghamton and Syracuse, as well as WKBW.

Bill Ransom, general manager, said "no employee of WKBW will lose a job because of this filing."

Business First supplies business reports to WKBW-TV on the station's newscasts.

(What do you know?…They disclosed their business affiliation to their readers. That’s responsible journalism)

Here You Go. HD In the Home Means More TV Viewing!

…And More TV Viewing Means Higher Ratings and Ad Revenue.

(Editor's Note: SJL and Nexstar What Don’t You Get?)

News from TVPredictions.com

HDTV Owners: The New Homebodies?New study says watching high-def has become a social event, keeping more Americans at home.
By Phillip Swann

Washington, D.C. (December 7, 2006) -- Financially strapped movie theater owners may have a new reason to be concerned. High-Definition TV owners are more likely to stay home for their entertainment.

That's according to a new study by Synovate and reported by Marketing Daily. The research firm found that more than half of Americans are staying home more than they did two years ago. The biggest reason: HDTV. The widescreen, crystal-clear picture has turned watching television into a social event. Will HDTV keep movie lovers at home?

"The party is built around the wide-screen TV," says Steve Levine, senior vice president for technology, telecom and consumer electronics at Synovate.

Synovate surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults over the age of 18 and found that roughly 30 percent said they have a high-def set at home. Of this group, 47 percent said they are watching television in a social setting more often than before.

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--

Breaking Radio News: Another FM CP Awarded to Erie!

Today the Federal Communications Commission approved a construction permit for a new FM station for Erie, Pennsylvania, 107.3.

The station was licensed to Starboard Media Foundation, Inc. and it has been transferred to Michael Celenza and Carlos Lopez.

The FCC records list the station as a translator. No other information is known at this time.

Can anyone inform us if this has been an existing CP or is new? I know I can't seem to tell.

Website or “For Sale” Sign?

This blog and blogs in Oregon and Hawaii had noticed that when they tried to search for information on SJL or Lilly Broadcasting, there was no website. That has changed.

As reported on Erieblogs, SJL Broadcast Management does finally have a website and lists all their current 6 stations including WICU and WSEE. (KHIZ is a Kevin Lilly project and not considered in the same stable)

Because of this official website, EMGR will be changing its policy in referring to the two Erie stations. Previously we have been using SJL/Lilly and certain posters have taken exception to that because supposedly SJL is WICU and Lilly Broadcasting is WSEE.

Since SJL Broadcast Management does not make such a distinction and lumps them together under their own name, we have no choice in the future but to refer to them both as just SJL.

We have notice several things from their website. In their About Us section, they incorrectly list both WICU and WSEE as being CBS affiliates. Clearly it is an error on one page as they do have it correct in other references. (It might have been corrected by the time you read this) But where was Sandy Benton, COO, when this was proofed? You can’t let a 6th grader from the Montecito Union School do it all by themselves!

The links page isn’t even linked to their stations. That is inexcusable.

There is another Erie error. Erie DMA market rank is listed as 143 when it is now 142; Honolulu is 72nd (not listed on site); Topeka is 138 (not listed on site); Portland is 23 (not listed on site); Wichita is 67 (not listed on site).

Erie is the lowest ranking market in their current stable of stations. Why would they put them on top unless they wanted them noticed for a specific reason?

The description of their operating philosophy on the homepage looks more like a seller’s sales pitch:

“SJL believes that the core business of local television is a good investment and that the potential afforded by its digital spectrum and the opening of a new revenue stream from payment for carriage by satellite and cable companies makes it an extraordinary opportunity for experienced operators.”

I have to give SJL some credit that at least it is a start to looking professional.

They just need a “newer vision” and a few dollars to go with that wonderful digital spectrum they are developing.

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 10- December 16

(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. )

Grey's Anatomy Keeps ABC Sold in Number 1.

Last week's Top 10 Network Programs
(Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television for the week of Nov. 26-Dec. 3 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 GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM ABC 24.01
2 FOX NFL SUNDAY-PST GN-NAT FOX 21.89
3 NCIS CBS 17.96
4 CRIMINAL MINDS CBS 17.92
5 DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON NBC 17.70
6 HOUSE FOX 17.31
7 CSI: MIAMI CBS 17.13
8 OT, THE FOX 16.55
9 CSI: NY CBS 16.43
10 CSI CBS 16.08

• 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.." FCChttp://www.dtv.gov

Remember you can subscribe to EMGR at bottom of page for automatic notifications. A new "Shout-It-Out" available Sunday.

PA Taxpayers Get Chewed Out!

(Editor’s note: Want to know how Governor Rendell is spending the tobacco settlement money and some of the tobacco tax?

Take a look at the new campaign that will be wheeled out by The Pennsylvania Department of Health targeted to teens who chew tobacco.

Just click on the spots as indicated but don’t do it just before or after you eat.)

MediaDailyNews
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has launched two TV spots and two outdoor ads in an effort to curb the use of chewing tobacco. One ad shows a

depressed mouthful of teeth mourning the loss of their brethren from chewing tobacco. Watch the ad here.

Another ad shows the same teeth looking for their "friend" Pete. He's M.I.A. and the others will be, too if chewing tobacco stays in the equation. Click here to watch the ad.

TV ads are running on cable networks in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, Johnstown/Altoona and Erie. Outdoor ads are running in Philadelphia, Pitts

burgh and Harrisburg airports. The Neiman Group created the ads and Harmelin handled the media buy.

"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

/

This Christmas is an HD bonanza everywhere but Erie.

Cleveland and Pittsburgh Available In HD Only on Satellite in Erie.

Upcoming HD NFL Games

NOTE: Subject to change! (All times are PM and Eastern)NFL Weekly Coverage Maps Dec. 10 maps are now available:http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/



Thursday Dec. 7 (Photo: www.NFL.com/photo)

Cleveland at Pittsburgh 8 NFL Network-HD

Sunday Dec. 10

New York Giants at Carolina 1 Fox-HD
Minnesota at Detroit 1 Fox-HD
Baltimore at Kansas City 1 CBS-HD
New England at Miami 1 CBS-HD
Atlanta at Tampa Bay 1 Fox-HD
Philadelphia at Washington 1 Fox-HD
Seattle at Arizona 4 Fox-HD
Denver at San Diego 4 CBS-HD
Green Bay at San Francisco 4 Fox-HD
New Orleans at Dallas 8:15 NBC-HD

Monday Dec. 11

Chicago at St. Louis 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/

Friday...PA Taxpayers Get Chewed Out!

Breaking News! FCC Says 7 Dirty Words... are Still F***ing Dirty.

FCC Defends Cussing Crackdown
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/6/2006 5:54:00 PM

Saying broadcasters have "only limited First Amendment protection," that the V-chip is "ineffective," and that they gave the industry notice it was changing policy on swear words, the FCC Wednesday both defended its profanity findings against cussing in Fox's Billboard Music Awards and defended the underpinnings of its entire indecency enforcement regime.
That defense came in its filing (Editor's Note: click on "filing" for full story including a frank legal discussion of the "F"-word) to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals of a brief responding to a broadcaster challenge of four profanity rulings issued last March.

Saying that the Pacifica case--the so-called Seven dirty words Supreme Court decision--upholding its indecency enforcement powers was "good law," the FCC disputed Fox's contention that its definition of indecency is unconstitutionally vague.

Sign-On…Sign-Off

All The News Fit For Bits: Times Tests Digital Reader, Makes Desktops Look Like Print
by Erik Sass, Thursday, Nov 30, 2006 8:00 AM ET Media Daily News

LIKE THE REST OF THE newspaper industry, the nation's third largest publisher, The New York Times Co., is facing some major changes, as its industry is restructured financially and technologically. The Times Co. has been weighing the sale of major assets that would focus its core business around print and digital publishing, and on Wednesday it became the subject of a news story of its own: a potential takeover by private investor Maurice Greenberg. But beginning today, its flagship newspaper will introduce a new electronic reader that may help the paper accelerate the transition from print to digital publishing. The new reader, the Times claims, will deliver a more seamless, intuitive experience than previous digital or online editions have rendered before. The reader is a downloadable application compatible with Microsoft Vista and Windows XP that makes the entire newspaper

Erie TV Better Watch Out. More Competition from NFL.
by David Goetzl, Thursday, Nov 30, 2006 8:00 AM ET Media Daily News

THE NFL WILL OFFER LIVE regular-season games over the Internet for the first time in the U.S. next month. Six games broadcast simultaneously on the NFL Network will be available to a select group of Verizon Internet customers. (HD would give local TV an edge)

Newspapers Are Primary Shopping Medium for Most Americans
Center for Media Research Thursday, November 30, 2006

According to research by MORI Research for the Newspaper Association of America, almost two-thirds of American adults actively check advertising at least weekly for things they might want to buy, but they are selective about when and where they check advertising.

Sunday is by far the most likely day for about one half of shoppers to consult advertising, while Saturday is a distant second, noted by one-fifth of consumers. The only other days in double figures are Wednesday and Friday, at 13 percent each.

Despite readership declines, newspapers are, by a substantial margin, the leading destination for people interested in checking advertising and shopping information.

NBC Resets for Midseason

'Lights' moves to Wednesday, reality block on Sunday
Zap2it.com November 29, 2006

NBC is shuffling its schedule some at midseason, getting the critically acclaimed but ratings-challenged "Friday Night Lights" out of the path of FOX's "American Idol" steamroller.

Panasonic To Convert Cox TV Stations
By Caroline Palmer -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/30/2006 12:32:00 PM

Panasonic announced that the conversion of newsgathering operations at the television stations of the Atlanta-based Cox Television will also extend to P2 HD solid-state memory recording system.

The first stations to be set up with the new equipment are WSOC-TV, the ABC affiliate in Charlotte, N.C. and WSB-TV, the ABC affiliate in Atlanta. Both stations will be using the DVCPRO P2 HD equipment and starting in January 2007, their photographers will have AJ-HPX2000 shoulder-mount, multi-format 2/3" P2 HD converters.

Cox Television operates 15 TV stations and is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc.

ABC Reigns As Sweeps King, CBS Retains Second Place
by Wayne Friedman, Friday, Dec 1, 2006 7:45 AM ET Media Daily News

ABC SHOULD CELEBRATE ITS NOVEMBER sweeps victory--prudently.
ABC won the November sweeps outright over CBS--the first time in seven years. The last time the Alphabet net hit No. 1, it was pounding its prime-time schedule with back-to-back nightly episodes of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire." This November, it averaged a Nielsen preliminary 4.1 ratings/11 share. CBS came in second with a 3.8.

Mandel Says No to Syndie Deal
By Jim Benson -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/4/2006 3:35:00 AM

A deal by NBC Universal to bring Howie Mandel to a prospective 30-minute syndicated edition of Deal or No Deal has collapsed, according to people familiar with the situation.

NBC Gives 30 Rock a Full-Season Order
By Ben Grossman -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/1/2006 2:11:00 PM

NBC has given rookie comedy 30 Rock a full-season order as it continues to demonstrate patience with a trifecta of critically acclaimed but modestly performing freshman shows.
The Tina Fey-Alec Baldwin comedy was the last new NBC show with an undecided future, as network executives had wanted to see how it would perform on Thursday nights as part of a new two-hour comedy block.

The show turned in a 3.0 rating in the adult 18-49 demo, a 25% bump from its previous season average

Clooney Mourns Pet Pig
Actor's bulldog also died earlier this year (Ok a slow news day)
Zap2it.com December 4, 2006

George Clooney, who isn't big on commitment, has just lost the one person with whom he had an 18-year relationship."The Good German" actor revealed in an interview with USA Today that his nearly 300-pound potbellied pig Max died on Friday, Dec. 1 at the actor's Hollywood Hills home. Max was suffering from arthritis and was partially blind.

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/

Pittsburgh and Cleveland are playing in glorious High Definition Thursday at my house... and not at yours.

Meet The Morning News Anchors at KHIZ in Barstow, California !

As first hinted at last night by EMGR’s own Alan B. DuMont and reported this morning by Erieblogs, Ray Petelin and Raychel Vendett are really live at 7AM California time on KHIZ-TV. (Photo from KHIZ-TV Barstow)

The story appeared yesterday in the on-line edition of the Daily Press, a Victorville publication where the station is actually located in what locals call the high desert and the Inland Empire.

The production is all local except for one important thing. The hosts are in Erie. So when Ray reports today that it will be sunny and a high of 63 degrees in the desert, the locals don’t know that he had to walk in sub-freezing temperatures, snow and ice to get to the WSEE studios in Erie to deliver that forecast. The story makes it sound like Rachel may have been formally of WSEE, which is not true.

For a half hour show at 7 AM that is repeated at 7 PM, the show has an impressive staff assigned to it. “Aside from Vendetti and Petelin, the “IE Live!” staff includes one field reporter, two camera operators, one video producer, one graphic artist and a promotions director.” (I bet WSEE would like to have some of that staff here or maybe they share that staff too.) Lots of satellite shuffling goes on between Barstow and Erie. Of course some of that staff could be counting some of the Erie side as well.

I have to admit that Ray and Raychel do a very impressive morning show on WSEE so I am sure they do just as capable job on their simulated second home in California. (I am sure, if they had their way, they would rather do the reverse)

KHIZ makes a big point in their promotion that that program is local in everyway: (but one)

Local LA News that’s first and foremost about the Inland Empire
Join yourhosts Rachel Vendetti and meteorologist Ray Petelin, live weekday mornings at 7AM. Later-risers can catch our rebroadcast at 7PM.
"IE Live!" is a 30-minute daily live newscast complete with the latest in local news and weather focusing on the Inland Empire, but also covering the greater Los Angeles region, featuring:
Local Weather Forecast
Local Traffic and Airport Info
Local and Regional News
Local and Regional Sports
Hollywood Updates
Inland Empire Trivia
Cooking advice from Chef William
Weekly Contests and Giveaways
KHIZ-TV is the only television station broadcasting a daily news show focused on the Inland Empire.

But it does bring up the question of why with 2.5 million population in their coverage area, including the greater Los Angeles area, why wouldn’t they just higher a part-time team from there?

In checking, KHIZ was purchased in August by Sunbelt Television. (Not to be confused with Sunbelt Communications who has 8 stations in the west itself.) The FCC records indicate that one of the major owners of KHIZ is none other than Kevin Lilly, the man who has his name on the license for WSEE and makes his home in New England.

KHIZ is a totally independent station with no network affiliation. Its programming, besides the above mentioned program, is mostly the Direct Shopping Channel, paid infomercials and a mix of animal programs about termites, scorpions and related varmints from syndicated animal shows. (I am sure Ray and Raychel are not considered varmints but I do wonder what the locals would think if they knew their very local news and weather came from Erie, Pennsylvania)

Interesting that this independent station already has its digital on the air and their website seems to indicate a possibility of HD although I could see no shows actually tagged that way.

If you would like to write to the local hosts of “IE Live” you can do so at ray@khiztv.com and raychel@khiztv.com.

"In October, KHIZ-TV launched “IE Live! on KHIZ,” the only original, daily newscast based in the High Desert. " ---The Daily Press"

Would You Take WSEE On Your Honeymoon?

(Editor’s Note: After last week's posting about Joey Stevens doing weather highlights for a Caribbean English speaking audience, I received an email from an EMGR reader who not only told of his experience of seeing WSEE in the Caribbean but taped it and sent it to WSEE. Like many of you have experienced, it was not appreciated at 13th and Peach nor did they know how to show appreciation to a viewer.)

Jack, I’ve been a reader of your blog for awhile and when I saw your post about Joey I couldn't resist emailing you. Quick history of myself, I'm an Erie native who moved to Pittsburgh in 1998. I never expected the culture shock I had when I first watched Pittsburgh programming and then compared it to that of Erie.

Not only were the news stories of a higher standard but so was the production. The Internet took off and society became news hungry. Where to find it first? I was constantly refreshing local news outlet websites and would get the late breaking info when I wanted it.

Once in awhile I would search for Erie news so I could keep up with happenings back home. For the longest time there were no Erie sites besides goerie.com which was and still is an abomination itself.

Finally the news stations caught up with times and threw together disgusting websites all poorly coded and crammed with ads and flashy junk. They were 1/2 ass but started to serve a purpose. This always irritated me and made me thankful for what I have in Pittsburgh. 2004-5ish things turned around and the networks finally put money into a decent online experience. Finally my point of the email... I was married in October of 2005. We honeymooned in St Lucia. The first morning there my wife and I were flicking through the channels to see if there was a local forecast for the day and what do we find but WSEE in Erie.

We couldn't stop laughing from disbelief. Every day we would tune in for the simple fact that WSEE was on our honeymoon. I recorded this with my digital camera to show everyone back home.

When the trip was over and we arrived home I emailed WSEE about the experience and sent them a link to the video because I thought it was interesting. I never received a reply.
I emailed them again a few weeks later just in case my email didn't make it. I didn't even get a generic pre-written email. Nothing! nada! Months passed and I thought I'd give them one more shot.

There isn't one site that has updated scores past normal business hours and I wanted to know how Prep basketball did. I finally get someone on the phone and I'm told to watch the 11pm news. I said I couldn't since I was in Pittsburgh and the reply was "Oh, sorry... *click*" Anyways that's my random story I thought I'd share.

Thank you for the EMGR website because it has enlightened me about all of the bull that is still going on up there and glad I don't have to witness it firsthand.

Whenever I do spend the weekend back home with family I am more observant of broadcasts and your site has helped put it all into perspective. Cheers!DouglasP.S. here is the video I sent WSEE a link to:

(Editor’s Postscript: Thanks Doug for sharing your story; WSEE even hung up on you without even knowing you’re an EMGR reader. I hope you found other things to do on your honeymoon.)

"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/

Tomorrow… The Desert Speaks!

Does Erie TV Want To Charge More Just To Offer HD?

Last week I received an anonymous post pointing to a Canadian story that said that Canadian broadcasters are slow to go digital and HD because advertisers won’t pay a premium for being in HD programs.

“Take a look at this great discussion on Slashdot regarding the HDTV
"business case" ----- http://tinyurl.com/y8eue5. Verrrrrrrry interesting :-) We
now return you to our regularly scheduled discussion of fashions worn by female
on-air personalities in the Erie market.”

The story is right on two counts.

Canada has been much slower than the United States in converting to digital and, until last year, had only two stations (not networks) in all of Canada that offered an HD choice to consumers.

It is also true the advertisers feel they should not have to pay a premium to be in an HD program. Let’s examine both points very carefully as the poster may have been trying to allude to a point in favor of NEXSTAR and SJL/Lilly's position of no HD in Erie.

First Canada has been dreadfully behind the digital curve and has a lot of catching up to do. (NEXSTAR and SJL/Lilly must think that Erie is a suburb of Toronto)

The second issue of advertisers not wanting to pay an HD premium is really a no brainer. The advertising philosophy between television stations and advertisers is fundamentally different. Broadcasters (and I use the term very loosely in Erie these days) think they are just selling 30 second spots.

Advertisers don’t look at it that way. They are looking to buy viewers. It is the amount of viewers that determines what an advertiser will pay; the more viewers the higher the price. Schindler's List when it first aired was a black and white movie, but it fetched a very high premium from Ford who sponsored it because of the anticipated audience.

And what happens when a program doesn’t make the goal the network guarantees the advertiser? The network has to either rebate the difference in cost- per- point (rarely happens) or provide make-goods to make up the difference.

The Canadian story also makes this comment “The transition to HD has been likened to the shift from black and white to colour, (Canadians don’t like American spelling of color) or the
move to stereo in the 80s.”

Television history also tells us what happens when new technology is introduced. When NBC first aired Bonanza in color, the Chevy division of General Motors didn’t pay a “color premium.” CBS didn't charge a premium when it aired Red Skelton in color or ABC when it started colorcasting in the 60’s.

In fact, WICU, WSEE and WJET didn’t add a “color premium” charge to local advertisers in network programs or local programs they broadcast in color. They still don’t. Advertisers would never allow that because that breaks with the tradition of buying and paying for an audience. In all my 40 years, I never saw a color charge from any of the local stations or the networks. That was the cost of doing business and to meet the growing consumer demand.

If the local stations were going to use that as an excuse, it is a sloppy and a very poor one. As an example, KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh current rate card does not indicate an HD surcharge for advertisers. Neither does WKYC in Cleveland (An NBC O&O), or WABC, WCBS, WNBC In New York. Take any TV station that begins with W or K in the country and I challenge our current owners to prove that they are getting a premium surcharge from advertisers for being in a High Definition program, local or national.

The excuses will keep coming, but the the race is on. The fact is that with the record speed of sales of HD sets, the demand by viewers will be for more HD programming.

To paraphrase Moses or Heston in the Ten Commandments, “Surely they’ll be such a cry that you will have to let the people see the networks in HD.”

It is just like the advent of color. With that demand, the first station in Erie to go HD will be able to get a higher premium in the short term because the audience levels will grow in their favor. With everyone having HD, it will balance out just like after the color blitz of the 60’s.

That is how advertisers buy. The cost of going HD is the regular cost of doing business in broadcasting in the 21st century. If you don’t like those numbers….than get out of TV.

"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/

“Surely they’ll be such a cry... that you will have to let the people see the networks HD.”