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Contents - Contact Us - News Tips - News Archive - Mailbag - Rant - Support DCRTV NYC/Philadelphia - Boston/Hartford/Providence - Station List - Daveland - Dave TV YouTube - Twitter - Facebook - Classified Ads - Advertise On DCRTV - DCRTV Plus Local news at fuzface.com: Life Without Parole in Lululemon Murder..... Dozen Buyouts At WaPo's Gazette - 1/27 - A source tells DCRTV that the Washington Post-owned Gazette newspaper, which covers the suburban Maryland counties of Montgomery and Prince George's, saw about a dozen employees take buyouts this week. Some who had worked for the weekly for more than 18 years, we're told. More as we hear it..... More Cumulus Cuts Coming? - 1/27 - DCRTV hears that some programming gurus from Cumulus were in town this week eyeballing the operations of news talker WMAL and hot adult contemporary WRQX, Mix 107.3. Back in December, we reported rumblings of more cuts at Cumulus's DC radio cluster coming in January. But, so far, nothing. Might they instead be happening in February? Stay tuned..... CSN Debuts "My Life" - 1/27 - Comcast SportsNet will premiere "My Life 365: Kevin Plank" tonight at 7 PM. The Emmy Award-winning "My Life" series, which is hosted by Ron Thompson, chronicles the lives of the DC-Baltimore area's most influential sports figures, providing insight on their careers, families, and community involvement. Previous subjects of the series have included Ted Leonsis, Dominique Dawes, Grant Hill, and Allen Iverson. More at csnwashington.com..... Bankruptcy For Media General? - 1/27 - In its earnings call Thursday, execs of Richmond-based media giant Media General say they are hoping to modify the agreements for its $658 million in debt. If it can't successfully renegotiate the covenants, Media General could be at risk of bankruptcy. It's a threat that some analysts have been discussing quietly since last year, so reports TVNewsCheck. The firm, which owns 18 TV stations as well as 21 daily newspapers, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, reported a 12 percent decline in fourth quarter revenue. Locally, Media General owns the News And Messenger newspaper in Prince William County and the insidenova.com Northern Virginia news website..... No Plotkin-Less Politics For WTOP At 10 AM - 1/27 - It will be the news, traffic, and weather "wheel" in the 10 AM hour on Hubbard all-newser WTOP today after yesterday's big news that Mark Plotkin's Friday "Politics Program" had been cancelled now that the longtime political analyst is no longer with the station. It's "back to basics," WTOP top programmer Jim Farley tells DCRTV. So far, the local politics show will not be resurrected with a new host..... No Credit For Wemple's Scoop In Farhi's Plotkin Piece - 1/27 - Why is it that, while Washington Post media blogger Erik Wemple broke the story Thursday at noon at washingtonpost.com that political columnist Mark Plotkin had been fired by WTOP, fellow Postie and media writer Paul Farhi does the official write-up for the Friday print edition at washingtonpost.com without even crediting or linking to Wemple's scoop? Why couldn't Wemple have penned the Friday print edition piece, too? He does have a long writing/reporting history with his many years at Washington City Paper. Hmmm. More. Wemple Tweets us: "Thanks for paying close attention to the coverage. It's a quirky system, for sure, but I have no issue with fairness at all"..... WUSQ Tops Winchester - 1/27 - Clear Channel's country WUSQ, 102.5 FM, again tops the radio ratings heap in Winchester. More at radio-info.com..... More Woes For Discovery's OWN - 1/27 - A management shake-up at Silver Spring-based Discovery's low-rated OWN, Oprah Winfrey Network. At washingtonpost.com..... Rogers To Examiner - 1/27 - Jenny Rogers jumps from local entertainment news site TBD.com to join the Washington Examiner as one of its "Yeas And Nays" gossip columnists..... DCRTV's Classified Ads - 1/27 - WCBM is looking for a news director. Fredericksburg's Star Radio Group is looking for a radio marketing consultant. SFMSports is looking for play-by-play talent and an account manager. Strauss Radio Strategies is looking for an account exec and a senior account exec. And, WTOP is looking for an account manager, a freelance news assistant, and a digital account manager. Those are the latest DCRTV Classified Ads, where you can reach many thousands of media professionals for $35..... Support DCRTV & Get DCRTV Plus Flashbacks - 1/27 - DCRTV depends on your donations for a good chunk of our monthly operating expenses. If you haven't helped support DCRTV lately, this would be a great time to do so. Independent, one-man DCRTV is your best source of Washington and Baltimore area radio, TV, and media news, memories, and gossip. Make a donation via PayPal or the US Mail. Visit our Support page. Make your donation $29 or more and get a year of DCRTV Plus, which is loaded with DC and Baltimore radio and TV videos, jingles, tributes, tech specs, and more. Just added to DCRTV Plus - four new Photo Galleries, bringing the total to 90, with memories of Jim Vance, Ron Smith, Willard Scott, and Gordon Peterson. Today's DCRTV Plus Flashback is a 1959 memory of Channel 11/WBAL (right)..... Julie Wright To WNEW - 1/26 - DCRTV told you that Lisa Baden is the official morning traffic reporter for CBS's new all-news WNEW, 99.1 FM. And now we hear that Julie Wright is officially the afternoon traffic reporter at the CBS station. Wright, who works for Total Traffic, continues her morning traffic reports for Fox's Channel 5/WTTG..... Mondello & Stewart Guest With Arch - 1/26 - NPR's Bob Mondello and NewsChannel 8's Phillip Stewart guest on this week's edition of "The Arch Campbell Show," which airs on NewsChannel 8 Thursday and Friday at 8:30 PM, plus 11:30 AM and 9 PM Saturday..... CBS Ups Tillman - 1/26 - Thomas Tillman is the new deputy Washington bureau chief for CBS News. The University Of Maryland graduate has been at CBS News 22 years..... Plotkin "Fired" By TOP - 1/26 - DCRTV hears that Hubbard all-newser WTOP and political commentator Mark Plotkin (right) have parted ways. Plotkin has gone missing from WTOP's website. No official reason given. Erik Wemple at washingtonpost.com reports that Plotkin, who has been with WTOP for nearly 10 years, will no longer be doing his Friday at 10 AM local politics show, and that Jim Farley, head of programming for WTOP, has confirmed the departure. WTOP has issued the following statement: "We are cancelling the 'Friday Politics Program' effective immediately. WTOP and Mark Plotkin are parting ways. We wish him the best in his future endeavors." A local radio guru tells DCRTV that he classifies Plotkin's departure as being a "firing." Might Plotkin soon be heard on WTOP's new all-news rival, CBS's WNEW? More: WNEW ran a "breaking news" bulletin at 1:47 PM reporting that "WTOP has fired Mark Plotkin." And it made mention of a "shouting match" dispute Plotkin had last month with DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown at the studios of Channel 5/WTTG, which DCRTV first reported. We have video of that WNEW bulletin at DCRTV's Dave TV page. Carol Joynt has more on Plotkin's firing at washingtonian.com..... Dave TV: Money Demo Radio Ratings, TC's New Book, More - 1/26 - The "money demo" age 25-54 radio ratings for the 4th week of the "holiday" period for DC, and WTOP ain't on top. Plus, I take a look at some cool books from the DCRTV Library, including a new offering from DC radio vet TC called "Smoothies." Also, CBS finally closes on the 107.9 signal. And more in today's "Dave TV" at DCRTV's Dave TV page..... Fox's Jeanna Gibson To CBS - 1/26 - DC-based political booker Jeanna Gibson leaves Fox News for CBS's recently revamped "This Morning" team, where she will handle political guest booking and interview efforts..... News-Post To Restart Monday Edition - 1/26 - Three years after yanking it, the Frederick News-Post resumes publication of its Monday print edition as of February 6th. More at fredericknewspost.com..... WFRE Tops Frederick - 1/26 - More Frederick news. As usual, country WFRE, 99.9 FM, takes the top spot in the latest batch of Frederick area radio ratings. With DC all-newser WTOP in second place, via its 103.9 FM Frederick relay. News talker WFMD, 930 AM, places third. More at radio-info.com..... MHZ To Carry WikiLeaks Founder's TV Show - 1/26 - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will host a talk show on RT, an English language Russian TV network carried by Falls Church-based MHZ Networks on one of Channel 30/WNVC's digital subchannels. More at washingtonpost.com..... SOTU TV Numbers Down - 1/26 - More than 38 million watched President Obama's State Of The Union speech - down from previous addresses. More at washingtonpost.com..... Nats Cut Debbi Taylor - 1/25 - Nationals reporter Debbi Taylor will not be returning to MASN broadcasts for the 2012 season, so reports Adam Kilgore at washingtonpost.com. He adds that Taylor confirmed the news in an email. She wrote: "It seems they are eliminating the reporter position, unfortunately. It was great run"..... TC Releases Smoothie Book - 1/25 - TC (left), the DC radio morning personality last heard daily on Donnie Simpson's morning show on CBS's WPGC, but perhaps best known as a personality on "The Real DC Morning Show" on Howard U's WHUR, has a new book out. "TC's Real Talk And Real Meals - Smoothies" features more than 150 recipes "blended in" with her brand of "real talk womens' empowerment, anecdotes, and writings," TC tells us. The book is available now at TC's website, realtalkwithtc.com, and through her publisher, booklogix.com. The book will soon be available nationwide at Barnes And Noble stores. TC, who describes herself as a "foodie" and a photographer, took all the photos in the book..... CBS Closes On 107.9 Purchase - 1/25 - CBS Radio announces that it has closed the deal for 107.9 FM in Annapolis, acquiring the station from Family Radio. CBS had been leasing the station, which became Spanish El Zol, WLZL, which was moved from 99.1 FM to 107.9 on December 1, freeing-up 99.1 for new all-newser WNEW, which launched Sunday. CBS reportedly paid $8.5 million for the 107.9 signal. WLZL's studio remains at CBS Radio's DC area broadcast complex in Lanham. The four-decade WFSI religious format, previously heard on 107.9, can now be heard on Family Radio's 860 AM in Baltimore, which now sports the WFSI call..... Funds Missing From Local Emmy Board - 1/25 - Channel 9/WUSA's Bruce Leshan is reporting that potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars are missing from the local chapter of the National Academy Of Television Arts And Science. The non-profit organization, which stages the annual Mid-Atlantic region Emmy awards using funds contributed by local media outlets, has voted to proceed with filing criminal charges against Mike Cephas, a former Channel 5/WTTG accountant, WUSA reports. He was acting as the group's treasurer. The Emmy board funds, possibly more than $250,000, were discovered missing in November. However, an attorney for the board says that no charges have yet been filed and that the group has not yet contacted the FBI or local authorities, WUSA adds. More at wusa9.com..... 11 Moves Hamilton To 11 PM - 1/25 - DCRTV hears that Baltimore's Channel 11/WBAL moves Donna Hamilton to co-anchor with Rod Daniels on the NBC affiliate's 11 PM newscast, starting Super Bowl Sunday, February 5th. DCRTV broke the news midday Wednesday. The Baltimore Sun got the news hours later..... WTOP Back Atop DC Radio Heap - 1/25 - The DC radio ratings for the "fourth week" of the "holiday" period, just past Christmas, show all-newser WTOP jumping back to the top of the heap now that adult contemporary WASH is no longer running holiday tunes. Full-day, age 6+: 1) WTOP [1st in both drivetimes], 2) WASH [L&L 4th], 3) WAMU [ME 2nd], 4) WHUR [Harvey 3rd, Baisden 6th], 5) WIHT [Kane 5th], 6) WMMJ [Joyner 6th], 7) WPGC, 8) WKYS [Parr 10th], 9) WETA-FM, 10) WPRS [Yolanda 11th, Jackson 8th], 11) WBIG [Griffiths 17th], 12) WRQX [Diamond 8th, Carson 11th], 13) WMZQ [Boxer 13th] and WWDC [Elliot 8th], 15) WGTS, 16) WIAD [McFly 14th] and WMAL [MM 12th], 18) WTEM [M&M 13th, Korny 14th, Czaban 17th], 19) WJFK [Junks 17th, Wise 19th, Arrington 18th] and WLZL [Biagi 20th], 21) WAVA-FM and WFLS and WFRE, 24) WAFY and WNEW-FM, 26) WBQB and WINC-FM, 28) WPFW and WDCN. Arbitron ranked duplicative WMAL-FM at 20th and WMAL-AM at 21st. We have combined the shares in the above listing..... WLIF Tops Baltimore - 1/25 - Baltimore radio ratings for the four-week "holiday" period, full-day, age 12+: 1) WLIF [G&D 1st], 2) WWIN-FM [Joyner 2nd], 3) WERQ [Smiley 8th] and WPOC [DeYoung 5th], 5) WJZ-FM [N&D 3rd], 6) WIYY [M&A 6th], 7) WBAL-AM [Durian 4th], 8) WWMX [JJ&R 13th], 9) WZFT, 10) WCBM [S&F 7th] and WCAO and WQSR, 13) WZBA [Klug 10th], 14) WRBS-FM, 15) WYPR [ME 11th], 16) WBJC, 17) WASH, 18) WHUR, 19) WPGC, 20) WAMU..... 500 Podcasts For O'Meara - 1/25 - DC radio veteran Mike O'Meara celebrates the 500th "regular" episode of "The Mike O'Meara Show" podcast at mikeomearashow.com, with more than 11 million downloads. "It's almost surreal that today marked the 500th regular episode of TMOS, although I'm not sure ANY of them have been regular," writes O'Meara sidekick Robb Spewak on Facebook. "Time truly flies when you're having fun! My most sincere appreciation goes out to every listener, downloader, streamer and supporter that made it such a great ride so far." O'Meara started the daily podcasts from his Manassas area home in late 2009, just after he lost his afternoon gig at WJFK, when the station flipped from "guy talk" to sports talk. He did mornings at classic rocker WVRX, 105.9 The Edge, until this past September, when that station was terminated in favor of an FM relay of news talker WMAL. Also on O'Meara's podcast: Buzz Burbank and Oscar Santana..... Celeb Newsers Do White House - 1/25 - Top celebrity network TV newsers were guests of President Obama at the White House yesterday for a pre-State Of The Union speech dinner. Including ABC's Diane Sawyer, NBC's Brian Williams, CBS's Scott Pelley, Fox's Bret Baier, CNN's Wolf Blitzer, MSNBC's Chris Matthews, and ABC's George Stephanopoulos. More at huffingtonpost.com..... Gannett Buys Fantasy Sports Ventures - 1/25 - McLean-based Gannett has bought Fantasy Sports Ventures, a web sports network best known for its Big Lead Sports site. Gannett invested in Fantasy Sports back in 2008. Fantasy Sports has more than 19 million unique users, and Gannett says that combining them with the audience for its existing sports sites will make it one of the internet top five sites. More at allthingsd.com..... WAYZ Tops Hagerstown - 1/25 - Country WAYZ, 104.7 FM, tops the latest batch of Hagerstown radio ratings. More at radio-info.com..... Hot 99.5's Kane To Also Do Mornings On Tampa Station - 1/24 - Hot 99.5, WIHT morning man Kane will also be heard in mornings on Tampa's WFLZ, starting February 20th. His WFLZ show will not be a direct simulcast of his Hot 99.5 show, we hear. Both are Clear Channel contemporary hit stations. Kane, who has been hosting the top-rated "Kane Show" on Hot 99.5 for the past six years, worked at WFLZ before coming to Washington. He's been voicetracking afternoons for WFLZ for the past eight years..... 5 Takes Blame For Xfinity Ad Goof During NFL Game - 1/24 - Channel 5/WTTG has officially acknowledged that those Comcast Xfinity ads that ran during the pro football action of the Giants-49ers game were a result of technical problems at DC's Fox-owned TVer. A station statement released Tuesday: "Sunday night, Fox 5 experienced technical problems that affected the airing of Comcast Xfinity commercials during the NFC championship game. We apologize for the impact these technical issues had on the viewing experience of Comcast subscribers and have taken additional steps to ensure that these problems do not happen again." More at washingtonpost.com..... WaPo To Cut 100 In Next 2 Years - 1/24 - Departing Washington Post Managing Editor Raju Narisetti recently caused an uproar at his paper when he told a journalism confab that the Post will likely eliminate about 100 positions in the next two years. The cuts do not necessarily mean layoffs and could come from buyouts like ones the Post has done in the past. Last week, Narisetti anounced that he'd be leaving the Post for a gig at the Wall Street Journal. Romenesko has more..... Even WaPo Ombud Makes Mistakes - 1/24 - Even the Washington Post's ombudsman, who is charged with pointing out errors among the paper's staff, makes mistakes. Patrick Pexton says he erred when he criticized the Post for not publishing MLK holiday closings in print. At washingtonpost.com..... Stiller To Produce DC HBO Show - 1/24 - Ben Stiller will star, direct, and produce a new HBO series set in the Nation's Capital. According to the Hollywood Reporter, "All Talk" is being described as a "politically, religiously, culturally, intellectually, and sexually irreverent" show that "revolves around the daily and life-altering dramas of a Jewish family" in DC..... Dave TV: WNEW Gag Reel, Those Mysterious Comcast Ads, More - 1/24 - A mysterious source provides an audio "gag reel" for all-newser WNEW's first few days. And, we try to figure out what caused those mysterious Comcast Xfinity ads that ran on Channel 5/WTTG during the Giants-49ers game Sunday. Plus, more rewriting in the Washington Post. All in today's "Dave TV" at DCRTV's Dave TV..... WTOPer: Should WNEW Be Comparing Itself To Pepco? - 1/24 - The Examiner does a story on new all-newser WNEW, which quotes CBS Radio DC czar Steve Swenson as saying: "I think we refer to it kind of like Pepco - you turn on the light switch and you get lights. Anytime you tune in you'll never be more than one minute away from news or information." To which a top suit at rival all-newser WTOP tells DCRTV: "You can tell they are from out of town - comparing themelves to the most hated company in the region." Pepco has been slammed for its frequent and lengthy storm-related power outages..... BAL Postpones Sandler Meeting - 1/24 - A meeting that was supposed to take place last week between management at news talker WBAL, 1090 AM, and "Detour Dave" Sandler to discuss the veteran traffic reporter's future was postponed, Sandler says. Rumors are swirling that the ailing Sandler was being dropped by the Hearst-owned station, including its sister, WIYY, 98 Rock. Sandler had heart bypass surgery in 2009 and subsequent procedures to deal with related medical issues. Baltimore Brew has more. More: DCRTV hears from a top WBALer: "The meeting was postponed by Dave. He is recovering from surgery"..... "This Week" Ratings Rise With Stephy - 1/24 - With George Stephanopoulos back in the saddle, ABC's DC-based "This Week" enjoyed its most watched broadcast in 10 months - up to 2.7 million last Sunday. Christiane Amanpour had averaged around 2.3 million viewers. More at washingtonpost.com..... Plante Gets "Daily Show" Shot - 1/24 - WMAL's Chris Plante gets a cameo shot on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show." Jon Stewart used a clip featuring an interview that Plante gave to Fox News earlier this month. More at wmal.com..... Politico Pro Moves Zapler - 1/24 - Mike Zapler leaves the deputy tech editor gig at Politico Pro to be deputy Congress editor at the Allbritton Capitol Hill news organziation. Keith Perine leaves CQ Roll Call to be Politico Pro's new deputy tech editor..... Ravens' Game Sets Record For 13 - 1/23 - Channel 13/WJZ says that almost 1.2 million Baltimore market viewers watched the Ravens-Patriots game Sunday. That's a viewership record for the CBS-owned station and about 78,000 more viewers than watched the Ravens-Giants Super Bowl in 2001. WJZ-TV's audience hit almost 1.3 million during the final minutes of the game, when the Ravens missed a 32-yard field goal, costing them a shot at victory..... Comcast Says Mistaken Ads Were 5's Fault - 1/23 - DCRTV hears from a Comcast spokesperson who says that the mysterious insertion of several Xfinity promotional spots, which interrupted coverage of last night's Giants-49ers game, was actually the fault of Channel 5/ WTTG. Apparently, the DC TV station sends out a feed of its programming to area cable systems, including Comcast. And the error occurred on WTTG's end, we're told. More at washingtonpost.com..... Curley To Leave AP - 1/23 - After nearly nine years leading the Associated Press through a media landscape reshaped by unprecedented upheaval, President/CEO Tom Curley announced Monday that he will step down. Before joining AP in 2003, he had been president and publisher of USA Today and senior vice president of its parent, McLean-based Gannett. AP has more..... Marsh Joins CNN Newsource - 1/23 - Rene Marsh will be a DC-based correspondent for CNN Newsource. She comes from WSVN-TV in Miami..... Comcast Runs Ads Over Fox 5's NFL Playoff - 1/23 - DCRTV hears that Comcast in the DC area ran ads for its Xfinity service at least four times during football plays of Sunday's Giants-49ers game. The ads were seen during Channel 5/WTTG's Fox coverage of the NFC championship game, a possible violation of FCC rules, which prohibit cable systems from running their content "on top" of local broadcast signals. "One aired during actual play, an OT punt, not just the time between plays," we're told by a viewer. More as we hear it..... WaPo Covers WNEW Launch - 1/23 - In a Monday article in the Washington Post, Paul Farhi catches up on all developments he hadn't yet reported during the two month ramp-up of CBS Radio's new DC area all-newser WNEW, 99.1 FM, which launched at noon Sunday - as DCRTV first reported. WNEW intends to spend less time reporting on developments at the Pentagon or Capitol Hill and more on a breakdown on the Red Line, according to former WTOPer Michelle Dolge, the station's news director. "The goal is not to be WTOP," said WNEW Program Director Robert Sanchez. "The idea is, you punch the button and you'll find out what's happening now. You don't always get that on WTOP. I hear a lot of process on WTOP - national security stories, political minutiae. They can sound like a very glossy magazine. That's great, but when something is happening, you don't pick up a magazine to find out about it." Adds Farhi: "Broadcasts over 99.1, which emanate from transmission facilities in Bowie in Prince George's, tend to come in stronger in Baltimore County than on the far western and southern fringes of the Washington area." WNEW has a news staff of 39, about one-third as many as Hubbard's rival all-newser, top-rated WTOP..... CBS Launches WNEW At Noon Sunday - 1/22 - CBS Radio launched new DC area all-newser WNEW, 99.1 FM, at noon Sunday. And we have live video/audio of the first few minutes of the new station at DCRTV's Dave TV page. The station was originally slated to launch last Thursday, but the date was later pushed to Monday. However, CBS pulled a surprise and launched it today. CBS announced that it would be starting DC's second all-newser, to compete with top-rated WTOP, back in November. Lots of first impressions about the new WNEW in DCRTV's Sunday Mailbag..... WaPo Corrects Story About Itself - 1/22 - The Washington Post finds the need to correct a story about its own managing editor joining the Wall Street Journal..... Ehrlich To Pen Column For Sun - 1/22 - Former Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich plans to write a weekly op-ed column for the Baltimore Sun, a newspaper with which he clashed while in office. The Sun reported that Ehrlich, a Republican who served as governor from 2003 to 2007, will focus on national politics. The Sunday column will debut January 29. Ehrlich had a strained relationship with the newspaper as governor, banning state employees in 2004 from speaking with two Sun reporters after a series of articles about a state plan to sell preserved forestland to a construction company owner. The Sun sued to lift the ban but lost in federal court. More at wbaltv.com. More: DCRTV hears that Ehrlich's wife, Kendel, may host a talk show for WBAL radio. She and her husband hosted a Saturday morning talk show for the station before his unsuccessful re-run for governor in 2010..... More: Brian Mitchell To CSN - 1/22 - In his Sunday Washington Post DC Sports Bog column, print page D2 and at washingtonpost.com, Dan Steinberg takes a look at Brian Mitchell's new Comcast SportsNet show, "SportsTalk Live," which debuts Monday at 10:30 PM. The former Redskin has hosted radio shows for WTEM and WJFK, and done TV work for CSN and WUSA. More: Jim Williams talks to Mitchell, who co-hosts with Ivan Carter, about the new show at washingtonexaminer.com..... Dave TV: 4 Pays Tribute To Mac McGarry, More - 1/22 - Channel 4/WRC pays tribute to Mac McGarry, the host of "It's Academic" for the past five decades. Including video of 4's Friday news report and video of Saturday's appearance by Mac on the 10 AM edition of the local high school quiz show. WTOP's Hillary Howard is now the new host of the program. This and more in today's "Dave TV" at DCRTV's Dave TV page..... WQHQ Tops Salisbury - 1/22 - Adult contemporary WQHQ tops the latest batch of Salisbury-Ocean City radio ratings. More at radio-info.com..... WaPo Hikes Price Without Announcement - 1/21 - Washington Post ombudsman Patrick Pexton says his newspaper should have notified readers that it was hiking the newsstand price earlier this week. At washingtonpost.com..... More: Mac Says Adios To "Academic" - 1/21 - WTOP checks in with DC TV legend Mac McGarry, who officially hands over the hosting duties for Channel 4/WRC's "It's Academic" to WTOP's Hillary Howard after five decades..... Ravens' Ratings Up, More - 1/21 - Big TV ratings for Ravens, new gig for former Capitals' radio voice Steve Kolbe, Nationals renegotitate TV deal with MASN, and more in this week's sports media column at pressboxonline.com..... PA's 106.7 Goes Country - 1/20 - Nearby news. A radio format flip in Hershey PA. WMHX, 106.7 FM, drops classic hits to pick up a "90s to now" country format as "Z Country"..... WaPo's Narisetti Returns To WSJ - 1/20 - Raju Narisetti leaves his managing editor gig at the Washington Post to become managing editor for the Wall Street Journal's digital properties, including WSJ.com, SmartMoney.com, and MarketWatch.com. Before joining the Post, Narisetti worked at the WSJ, including a gig as editor of its European edition..... Dave TV: Chenevey To 7, Segraves & McKenna, Mac Passes Torch, More - 1/20 - I check out Mark Segraves' interview running this weekend on Channel 50/WDCW with now-former Washington City Paper writer Dave McKenna, who comments on the lawsuit from Redskins owner Dan Snyder. Plus, more on Channel 5/WTTG's Steve Chenevey jumping to Channel 7/WJLA. And, more of my criticism of the old Washington Post. Also, Mac McGarry passes the hosting baton at Channel 4/WRC's "It's Academic." In today's edition of "Dave TV" at DCRTV's Dave TV..... McGarry Reflects On 5 Decades Of "It's Academic" - 1/20 - For 51 seasons, the Washington DC-based TV quiz show "It's Academic" has pitted three teams of high school students against each other in a sports game atmosphere - complete with chants and cheerleaders. The show first aired in the Washington area in 1961 and spurred similar programs in several other cities. Quizmaster Mac McGarry (right) has hosted the Channel 4/WRC program for five decades. He stepped down in November 2011, and officially passes the baton to the show's new host - WTOP's Hillary Howard - in January. McGarry talks with NPR's John Donvan about the show's evolution. At npr.org. More: WRC says that McGarry will make a guest appearance on Saturday's "It's Academic" at 10 AM. And, there will be a tribute to McGarry on WRC's 6 PM newscast Friday..... Comcast Adds BBC World News - 1/20 - The BBC says its BBC World News channel is now available on all Comcast Xfinity systems in the Washington area. It's part of the Digital Preferred tier on channel 171. The 24-hour news network's award-winning daily newscast, "BBC World News America," is anchored by Katty Kay in Washington. As part of the deal, Comcast moves BBC America, channel 114, to its cheaper Digital Starter tier..... Nat'l Journal Moves Garrett To White House - 1/20 - The National Journal moves Congressional correspondent Major Garrett to its White House team, as part of its ramped-up coverage of the 2012 presidential campaign and Obama's re-election efforts. Garrett, who will also cover the intersection of the White House and Congress, used to cover the White House for Fox News. He now does occasional morning show fill-in work and guest shots for Cumulus news talker WMAL..... McKenna Talks To Segraves - 1/20 - Former "Cheap Seats" writer Dave McKenna talks about why he quit Washington City Paper after 26 years and about the lawsuit from Redskins owner Dan Snyder. On WTOPer Mark Segraves' "NewsPlus" program Friday at 7:30 AM and Sunday at 10 AM on Channel 50/WDCW..... TOP's "Hard Working" Dave Johnson - 1/20 - WTOP Sports Director Dave Johnson (right) is "the hardest working man in DC sports." He also handles the play-by-play duties for the Wizards on 106.7 The Fan, is the television voice of DC United, and serves as a fill-in anchor at Comcast SportNet. And Jim Williams queries him at washingtonexaminer.com..... Baker Voices USPS Exhibit - 1/20 - Area voiceman Matt K. Baker was recently chosen by the US Postal Service to narrate its exhibit at the Smithsonian Postal Service Museum. More in a YouTube video. He's also been busy doing "Coast Guard Alaska" for the Weather Channel, "America's Wildest Roads" for the Travel Channel, and promos for Discovery's networks and 3Net. More at mattspeaking.com..... Sinclair To Run "Ring Of Honor" Wrestling - 1/19 - Baltimore's Sinclair Broadcasting bought the "Ring Of Honor" professional wrestling group last summer. Now, it will air the grudge matches on its stations nationwide, including Channel 45/WBFF. More at baltimoresun.com..... Longtime Caps' Voice To Jacksonville - 1/19 - Steve Kolbe, who spent 14 seasons as the radio play-by-play voice of the Washington Capitals, joins the Jacksonville Suns as its radio play-by-play announcer. The Suns are the AA affiliate of the Miami Marlins. "I'm excited to join the Jacksonville Suns, a great organization with a tremendous fan base, a rich history and a beautiful ballpark," says Kolbe, who was replaced by the Capitals in August with John Walton. More at jacksonville.com..... Baden To Stay On 7, Despite WNEW Gig - 1/19 - DCRTV hears that longtime DC traffic diva Lisa Baden will continue to be seen in mornings on Channel 7/WJLA now that she'll also be heard doing morning traffic "on the 1s" for CBS's new radio all-newser, WNEW, which launches Monday. "For now, we will be sharing Lisa with the radio station," says WJLA General Manager Bill Lord. "We are still weighing options for the long term." Baden, who is employed by Total Traffic, had been doing morning radio duties for Cumulus radio news talker WMAL since June, in addition to her WJLA TV appearances. In December, Allbritton's WJLA took out a help wanted ad in a TV trade pub looking for a new morning traffic reporter..... Steve Chenevey Jumps From 5 To 7 - 1/19 - DCRTV hears that Steve Chenevey (right) is leaving Fox-owned Channel 5/WTTG to join the morning news team at Allbritton's Channel 7/WJLA. Chenevey will co-anchor WJLA's "Good Morning Washington" and its noon newscast. He will be teamed Cynne Simpson for both. Chenevey has been a morning news anchor on WTTG, where he's worked since 2003. "We have been working to put this team together for quite some time," says WJLA General Manager Bill Lord. "Steve and Cynne did an exceptional on camera session together, and we believe they will be the team to watch on morning news for years to come"..... More On Schiffren's Departure From 4 - 1/19 - A local TV guru tells us more about the mysterious disappearance of anchor and reporter John Schiffren from Channel 4/WRC in late 2011. "According to several sources what you have on the front page is essentially true," we're told about our 1/17 newsblurb. "What people say is that he had a 'know-it-all' attitude and would constantly argue with the (news) desk over assignments... All of this came to a head in a shouting match with the desk that ended up in HR. He was paid off for the last six weeks of the contract and that was that"..... Nats' TV Rights Talks Continue With MASN - 1/19 - Adam Kilgore at washingtonpost.com tells us that the Washington Nationals are renegotiating their TV deal with the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. And, the results could fundamentally change the scope of how the Nationals do business and spend to acquire players. The team could hope to double or triple the $29 million it received from MASN in 2011..... Merlin Trashes WNEW - 1/19 - Merlin Media, which is starting a new FM all-newser in Philadelphia, trashes CBS Radio and its new DC all-newser, WNEW, in a help wanted ad in trade pub All Access. The ad's copy: "Are you an award winning journalist seeking a new position? Do you have years of experience in a traditional newsroom? Do you have the training and talent to decide what people need to hear? Do you use jargon to demonstrate your competence in the language of news? Are you cynical, stubborn and committed to the playbook of traditional journalism? If so, you should send your materials to Michelle Komes-Dolge, news director, WNEW-FM, Laurel MD. Are you willing to throw out the rule book? Can you write clear, colorful and interesting stories? Send something that blows us away to: merlin@merlinmediallc.com. We are currently staffing Philadelphia, and markets yet to be named. Let's reinvent the news business together." Merlin recently started FM all-newsers in NYC and Chicago, where it's going head-to-head with longtime CBS all-newsers. Merlin's Philadelphia all-newser will go up against's CBS all-newser KYW-AM. Merlin was reportedly interested in acquiring the DC area's 107.9, which CBS landed, freeing up its 99.1 signal for WNEW, which launches Monday. Oh, WNEW is based in Lanham, not Laurel..... Slumping Norfolk Paper's Publisher Rakes In Dough - 1/19 - Nearby news. The Washington Times reports that Virginian-Pilot Publisher Maurice Jones in September made a batch of layoffs at the Norfolk area newspaper. But, weeks later, Jones, then nominee for deputy secretary of the Department Of Housing And Urban Development, filed a government ethics form showing he had received more than $250,000 in bonus compensation from January 2010 until October 2011. That's on top of more than $600,000 in salary from the newspaper company and its corporate parent over the same period. Also, Jones disclosed holding assets worth $500,000 to $1 million in Landmark Media, the Virginian-Pilot's parent company..... MAL's Steve Ray To ARNN - 1/19 - DC radio veteran Steve Ray leaves his board op/producer gig at Cumulus news talker WMAL to be an anchor at TRN's DC area-based America's Radio News Network..... CSN Ramps Up Ravens' Coverage This Weekend - 1/19 - Comcast SportsNet will present "SportsNet Central: Ravens' Road To The Championship" Saturday at 7 PM. The hour-long special will feature Chris Miller, Brad Jackson, and Antonio Freeman, with reporting from Brent Harris, Kelli Johnson, Rob Carlin, and John Eisenberg. Also, CSN will run "Ravens Postgame Live" on Sunday, following the Ravens' AFC championship game at New England..... Luecke Starts Radio Fairfax Show - 1/19 - Craig Luecke, the Fairfax County firefighter who's behind the long-running internet radio site rocklandusa.com, has a new "Rockland USA" show on Fairfax Public Access's Radio Fairfax (formerly WEBR) Thursdays at 2 PM and 7 PM. And the guest on today's show is DCRTV's Dave Hughes, who talks about new all-newser WNEW. Radio Fairfax is carried on cable TV in Northern Virginia (Cox and Verizon 37, Comcast Reston 27) and is also available at radiofairfax.com..... Delaney Joins Atlantic - 1/19 - DC-based Atlantic Media names Kevin Delaney as editor-in-chief of its new global business brand. He comes from the Wall Street Journal, where he was managing editor of Wall Street Journal Online..... XMAS Boosts WASH & WLIF - 1/18 - Christmas tunes boosted DC's WASH and Baltimore's WLIF to the top of the heap for "week three" of the "holiday" period radio ratings. DC, full-day, age 6+: 1) WASH, 2) WIHT, 3) WTOP, 4) WHUR, 5) WMMJ, 6) WAMU, 7) WKYS, 8) WMZQ, 9) WGTS and WPGC, 11) WETA-FM, 12) WBIG, 13) WIAD and WRQX, 15) WWDC, 16) WTEM, 17) WMAL, 18) WLZL, 19) WJFK, 20) WFRE, 21) WNEW, 22) WINC-FM and WAVA-FM. Baltimore, full-day, age 12+: 1) WLIF, 2) WWIN-FM, 3) WERQ, 4) WPOC, 5) WJZ-FM, 6) WWMX, 7) WZFT and WIYY, 9) WBAL-AM, 10) WRBS-FM, 11) WCAO, 12) WQSR, 13) WCBM, 14) WZBA, 15) WYPR and WBJC..... Dave TV: WaPo, Comcast, WNEW, Berk, Davis, More - 1/18 - I rag on the Washington Post again, this time about interviewing Post employees for Post articles. Plus, area cable TV giant Comcast raises some prices come March. Is the cable TV business model of requiring you to buy channels you don't want to get the channels you do want somewhat broken? And, new CBS all-newser WNEW delays its launch. Justin Berk gone from Channel 2/ WMAR. I interview 105.7 The Fan's Steve Davis for PressBox. And more in today's "Dave TV" at DCRTV's Dave TV page..... 7's Metcalfe to Atlantic Digital - 1/18 - John Metcalfe jumps from Channel 7/WJLA, where he wrote for the Allbritton station's website weather blog, to Atlantic Digital, where he'll be a staff writer for Atlantic Cities. Before WJLA, Metcalfe worked for the New York Times, Seattle Weekly, and the Washington City Paper..... Balto Sports Shop Stars On ABC Show - 1/18 - ABC launches a new reality show on March 24. "Ball Boys," which will air Saturday afternoons, is set at the Robbie's 1st Base shop in Baltimore County. The show is said to be a "Pawn Stars" of sports memorabilia..... More: Berk's 2 Departure A Case Of Contract Non-Renewal - 1/18 - It was contract non-renewal that caused the departure of morning weatherman Justin Berk from Baltimore's ABC affiliate, Scripps-owned Channel 2/WMAR, as the news broke yesterday. "WMAR and I were unable to come to an agreement. It is that simple," Berk writes on Facebook. Bill Hooper, WMAR's general manager, tells the Baltimore Sun: "We have been going back and forth for months on terms of a contract, and the two sides just couldn't come together. So, we decided to go in a different direction." Adds Berk via Facebook: "It had nothing do with that Ravens bet on TV with the Houston meteorologist last Friday. That was pure coincidence." Some TV news websites yesterday alluded that his departure had something to do with the bet. Berk says he can't talk about specifics regarding his contract, but he does add: "There is a little sadness as this chapter closes... This is a good thing, and I truly believe that"..... Davis: "Great Chemistry" With Norris - 1/18 - Steve Davis, who has sports anchored at Channel 45/WBFF, Channel 9/WUSA, and WBAL radio, now does mornings with Ed Norris on sports talker 105.7 The Fan, WJZ-FM. And he get profiled in month's PressBox. "Ed and I have great chemistry," Davis says. "We're opposites. When we debate, we come from very different perspectives. We've led different lives and had different life experiences"..... WNEW Up & Running, But You Can't Hear It - 1/18 - Yesterday, DCRTV told you that CBS's new all-newser WNEW would be delaying its launch from January 19th, just two months after the station was announced, to January 23rd. Now, we hear that the station is already up-and-running, with its newly-hired staff performing 24-hours daily of news programming - for in-house use only. However, the output is not yet connected to the 99.1 FM transmitter. Total Traffic is providing traffic every 10 minutes, WUSA's Topper Shutt is doing weather forecasts, the anchor line-up is live in the studio, and reporters are out in the field this week. Only you can't hear it. "We need to iron out some telecom and other technical issues," we're told. "We want to go on the air and sound like we're going to sound"..... WNEW Gets New Web Address - 1/18 - More news about WNEW. Since Hubbard all-news rival WTOP still controls the cbswashington.com address, which points to wtop.com, CBS has secured cbsdc.com to go along with wnew.com for its news all-newser. Both web addresses point to washington.cbslocal.com..... Cuts At Carroll County Times - 1/18 - DCRTV hears that Westminster MD's Carroll County Times recently cut about 20 staffers. "Those people had to sign something saying they won't talk or they lose their severance," we're told. "Those who stay have been told not to talk - or else." Morale is "in the pits," we hear from a still-employed employee..... Launch Delay For WNEW - 1/17 - DCRTV gets confirmation that CBS's new all-newser, WNEW 99.1, will be delaying its much-ballyhooed launch from 5 AM Thursday, January 19th, to Monday, January 23rd, at 5 AM. Due to "engineering issues," Washington Post media columnist Paul Farhi Tweets. And a top WNEW suit confirms that with DCRTV..... Source: Matthews Returns To ND Spot At MAL - 1/17 - DCRTV hears that John Matthews is once again officially news director at Cumulus news talker WMAL, 105.9 FM/630 AM. He'd been news director before and had come back to the Jenifer Street station in an unofficial, fill-in capacity. As of Monday, however, Matthews is back as a fulltimer at WMAL, we're told. More: We hear that he's technically not the new news director. But has the title of something like director of web services and news anchor. "He is acting like ND, but does not have that title," a source tells us..... 2 Fires Justin Berk - 1/17 - Morning meteorologist Justin Berk has been let go from Channel 2/WMAR. "Friday, January 13th was Justin Berk's last day as a meteorologist on ABC2," News Director Kelly Groft tells TVSpy. Berk, who has been with WMAR since 2003, made a bet with Gene Norman, the chief meteorologist at KHOU-TV in Houston, on the outcome of the Ravens-Texans playoff game in which the loser had to wear the opposing team's jersey on the air. "About that bet with Texas weatherman," Berk wrote on Facebook, "there is more to the story. I won't be in on Monday, so hang on here for more." TVSpy adds that Lynette Charles was the meteorologist on this morning's WMAR newscast..... Remembering Ron Smith - 1/17 - From baltimoresun.com: Friends, family, fans, and colleagues said a public farewell to WBAL radio show host Ron Smith (right) on Tuesday at Goucher College. "And it was as powerful and moving in some respects as the way Smith, who died in December at age 70, lived his final weeks and months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October," writes Baltimore Sun media columnist David Zurawik. In addition to Ron's wife June, who organized the remembrance, a number of WBAL veterans spoke, including Gerry Sandusky, Ed Kiernan, and Stan Stovall. More at wbal.com..... CSN To Cover Ravens' Media Event - 1/17 - Comcast SportsNet will air live coverage of the Baltimore Ravens' media availability on Wednesday, January 18, at noon. The live, hour-long "Geico SportsNet Central: Ravens' Road To Foxborough" will be hosted by Chris Miller and Brad Jackson and is scheduled to feature Head Coach John Harbaugh, Joe Flacco, Ray Lewis, Ray Rice, and Terrell Suggs..... Dave TV: Sad WaPo, Classic WWDC, China Expands DC Ops, More - 1/17 - I take a look at the largely ad-free and more expensive Washington Post. Plus, China expands its DC area broadcasting and news operations. Also, I flash back to some WWDC jingles from the late 1960s and early 1970s, including one featuring Johnny Holliday. And: I continue counting down to the big WNEW launch, Politico will be distributed in NYC, big TV ratings for the Ravens, WMAL says adios to Lisa Baden, more trashing of WMAL's morning show, and yet more in today's "Dave TV" at DCRTV's Dave TV..... Schiffren Gone From 4 - 1/17 - DCRTV hears that Channel 4/WRC reporter, news anchor, and occasional sports anchor John Schirffen has departed the NBC-owned station. He has not been on-air since November. DCRTV has reported rumblings about some sort of dispute between Schriffen and WRC management. More as we hear it..... Print Politico To NYC - 1/17 - Allbritton's Capitol Hill newser Politico expands distribution of its print edition to New York City, starting today with more than 4,000 copies being made available to Big Apple "business leaders affected by the daily debate in Washington." Politics-based Politico launched in January 2007 and currently distributes 37,000 print copies daily in the DC area..... Kellogg Leaves NPR - 1/17 - Alex Kellogg, one of DC-based NPR's two black male on-air journalists, has left after 14 months on the job, reports Journal-isms. Kellogg said: "We're parting ways amicably"..... Ravens Score Big TV Ratings - 1/17 - The Ravens' playoff victory over the Texans attracted 850,000 viewers in the Baltimore market via Channel 13/WJZ Sunday. The largest local audience of the season, so far. That's about 3,000 more viewers than the audience that saw the the Ravens and Steelers in a regular season game on November 6 in primetime on Channel 11/WBAL, reports the Baltimore Sun. WJZ's Sunday local post-game show held onto 383,000 area viewers..... China Expands DC Area Media Footprint - 1/17 - China is busy building a Washington-based English language news operation for its state-run, multi-channel CCTV network. Two CCTV channels are carried locally by Channel 30/WNVC's MHZ Networks service via broadcast and area cable systems. While China Watch is carried as an advertising insert on a regular basis by the Washington Post. More from Paul Farhi in at washingtonpost.com. However, Farhi doesn't mention China's radio arm in the DC area, Radio China International, which airs on Ashburn's WCRW, 1190 AM..... NC8's Philip Stewart To Metro - 1/17 - Philip Stewart leaves his reporting job at Allbritton's NewsChannel 8 and Channel 7/WJLA to be a public information officer for the DC area's Metro transit system. Also, Caroline Lukas leaves the DC bureau of Canada's CBC to be Metro's media relations manager. So reports "Dr. Gridlock" at washingtonpost.com..... DC CNNer To Nashville - 1/16 - NewsBlues tells us that Samantha Fisher, a DC-based reporter for CNN's Newsource affiliate news service, becomes the 10 PM news anchor for WKRN-TV in Nashville. She joined CNN in 2007..... WaPo Now A Buck - 1/16 - Today, the Washington Post raises its weekday newsstand price from 75-cents to $1. The Sunday edition jumps from $1.50 to $2. At the start of the year, the New York Times, which is widely available in the Washington area, raised its weekday newsstand price from $2 to $2.50..... WMAL Says Bye Bye To Baden - 1/16 - No more Lisa Baden doing the morning traffic on Cumulus news talker WMAL as of today. Jamee Whitten is handling MAL's "Morning Majority" traffic solo, like she did before Baden joined the station in June. Since then, Baden and Whitten have be co-hosting traffic reports, with Baden doing DC and Maryland and Whitten doing Virginia. As you DCRTV told you, Baden will be doing morning traffic for CBS's new all-newser WNEW, which launches Thursday. Up until early 2010, Baden did morning traffic for Hubbard's WTOP. At last week's WNEW launch presentation for advertisers at the Newseum, CBS Radio DC czar Steve Swenson jested that some of the WNEW staff weren't present because they got stuck in traffic after listening to traffic reports on rival all-newser WTOP..... Dave TV: Goodbye Bill Trumbull, More WNEW & WaPo - 1/15 - More on the upcoming launch this week of CBS's new all-newser WNEW, and a big unveiling of the station at the Newseum. Plus, some more commentary about the Washington Post, including Saturday's Style section, which had only three articles. And, WMAL veterans and other radio greats pay tribute to Bill Trumbull, who died last week. And more in today's "Dave TV" at DCRTV's Dave TV page..... WMAL Vets Bid Farewell To Trumbull - 1/15 - From DCRTV's 1/14 Mailbag: "They said goodbye to Bill Trumbull this morning at Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville VA. What a wonderful tribute to one of DC's broadcasting legends. Bill would have proud to see so many former colleagues from WMAL on hand. Longtime partner Chris Core delivered a wonderful and moving eulogy to Bill. Chris reflected back on some of the truly funny moments the two had shared for 20 years on WMAL. Former WMAL talent who came to say goodbye to Bill included GM Andy Ockersausen, news director Len Deibert, program director Jim Gallant along with former air personalities John Lyon, Ed Walker, Larry Matthews, Marge Kumaki, Karen Leggett, Johnny Holliday, Ken Beatrice, and Tony Roberts. Bill, may you rest in peace!" Trumbull died Tuesday at age 77..... Ike, Not Nixon, At WRC's Dedication - 1/15 - From John Kelly's Sunday column in the Washington Post: "Tom Buckley works at WUSA (Channel 9) and is fascinated by early broadcasting history. He pointed out an error in Answer Man's December 17 column about Grasslands, the estate in Northwest that is now the site of WRC (Channel 4). Tom said it was not Richard Nixon who was at the dedication of the WRC broadcasting building in 1958, but Dwight Eisenhower. 'President Eisenhower became the first president to be telecast in color, and the videotape of the event is the oldest surviving color videotape,' Tom wrote... The dedication was broadcast live by a proud Channel 4"..... WNEW Debuts On Twitter - 1/15 - News CBS all-newser WNEW, 99.1, kicks off a breaking news Twitter feed at twitter.com/WNEWNews. The station launches Thursday..... Paul Anthony To Voice 99.1 Slogan, PG Declares THR To Be "WNEW Day" - 1/14 - DCRTV hears that Prince George's County has declared Thursday, January 19, to be "WNEW Day." The new CBS all-newser on 99.1 FM launches at 5 AM on that day with studios at CBS Radio's DC broadcast complex in PG's Lanham. Also, we hear DC area radio great Paul Anthony will be voicing the station's top of the hour slogan: "All News All The Time. This is 99.1 WNEW, Washington's news radio." For many years, Anthony, who has hosted many jazz radio shows on radio stations in the DC area along with Sirius XM, has been voicing the slogan for CBS NYC all-newser WINS..... Dave TV: Air Florida Crash Remembered, WNEW's Signal Problem - 1/13 - I take a look at CBS's actual coverage of the Air Florida Flight 90 crash into the Potomac River from January 1982. And, I speculate on the success of CBS's new all-newser WNEW, which launches next week. And offer a scenario for CBS to give the station a better signal. All in today's "Dave TV" at DCRTV's Dave TV page..... Gary Williams Joins ESPN 980 - 1/13 - DCRTV hears that former Maryland Terapin basketball coach Gary Williams joins ESPN 980, WTEM, as its official college hoops insider. He'll be heard on "The Sports Fix" and "The Sports Reporters"..... John Solomon Leaves Newsweek - 1/13 - John Solomon leaves his gig at Newsweek and the Daily Beast to join a media and consulting company that he helped found in 2009, Packard Media Group. He previously was executive editor at the Washington Times and, before that, a reporter for the Washington Post and the Associated Press. Adweek has more..... Paul Bedard Joins Examiner - 1/13 - Paul Bedard, author of the "Washington Whispers" column for US News And World Report, jumps to the Washington Examiner on January 30th. He'll be a columnist for the Examiner's online and print editions..... Clear Channel Drops "Radio" From Name - 1/13 - Clear Channel Radio announced this morning that it has changed its name to Clear Channel Media And Entertainment "to better reflect the evolution of its business." According to a statement announcing the change, "the core of Clear Channel's business will remain its more than 850 radio stations, but the new brand more clearly signals its successful expansion into new areas." CCM&E "delivers music, news, talk, sports and other content to diverse audiences across multiple platforms, including: broadcast stations, online, via iHeartRadio and on its stations' hundreds of websites, HD digital radio channels, satellite, smartphones, iPads and other tablets, in-vehicle entertainment and navigation systems, and via live events." FMQB has more. Locally, Clear Channel owns DC101, WMZQ, Hot 99.5, WASH, WBIG, WPOC, WQSR, WCAO, and Z104.3..... No Exit Ramp For "Detour Dave" - 1/13 - Fans of Baltimore traffic reporter "Detour Dave" Sandler have started a Facebook page called "Keep Detour Dave On The Air." Saying: "Dave's been dealing with heart related health issues and WBAL/98Rock are considering not renewing his contract because of it. Dave is such a committed hard working guy. Just seems like a crappy way to treat a loyal guy after 25+ years." DCRTV recently reported that Sandler, who has been off the air for several weeks, had a new round of surgery..... WJFK To Provide Sports News For WNEW - 1/13 - In the Washington Examiner, Jim Williams takes a look at how CBS sports talker 106.7 The Fan, WJFK, will provide sports news to CBS's new all-newser, WNEW, 99.1, which launches next week. And, we get confirmation - as DCRTV has tipped you - that former WTOPer Frank Hanrahan will do morning sports news reports for both WJFK and WNEW..... Air Florida Crash 30 Years Later - 1/13 - Thirty years ago today, Air Florida Flight 90 plunged into the Potomac River at the 14th Street Bridge moments after taking off from National Airport. Many DC area local media folks share their memories of that fateful snowy day - from the tragedy to the heroic rescues - at DCRTV's Facebook page..... Topper & 9 To Provide WNEW Weather - 1/12 - DCRTV has already tipped you. And now we get confirmation that Gannett-owned Channel 9/WUSA, including its top weatherman Topper Shutt, will be providing weather forecasts for CBS's new all-newser, WNEW, 99.1. More at wusa9.com..... Royle To CSN Boston - 1/12 - Jen Royle (right) has landed a job with Comcast SportsNet in Boston. She will be part of a new show at the New England sports network after the Baltimore Ravens' season ends, we're told by Washington Examiner sports columnist Jim Williams. Last month, Royle announced that, after this season, she'd no longer be covering the Ravens for CBS's Baltimore sports talker, 105.7 The Fan, WJZ-FM. Before that, Royle worked for the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network..... Mellgren Talks AP At DC Radio & TV Museum - 1/12 - Associated Press veteran Ken Mellgren, former president of the National Capital Radio And Television Museum, will tell how the AP, originally an exclusive news source for newspapers, made the controversial move to also provide news services to the nation's radio stations and national radio networks. The move was done in spite of resistance from the newspapers who created the news cooperative and who also considered radio a competitive threat. Melgren's talk, followed by a Q&A session, takes place Saturday, January 14th, 2 PM, at the museum, 2608 Mitchellville Road in Bowie..... WAMU's BGC To Get Frederick & Hagerstown Relays - 1/12 - American University picks up two 93.5 FM low-power translator stations from Family Radio, which used to relay religious WFSI from Annapolis. The Frederick and Hagerstown outlets will now relay AU-owned WAMU's Bluegrass Country, which is currently heard on Bethesda's 105.5 FM, WAMU's 88.5 HD2, and via bluegrasscountry.org. Purchase price: $100,000. Family Radio sold WFSI's 107.9 FM signal in Annapolis to CBS in late 2011. Family now broadcasts WFSI on 860 AM in Baltimore. The 107.9 signal now carries CBS's WLZL, El Zol..... WaPo's Kelly Favors Trumbull Over MAL's "Nutjobs" - 1/12 - Washington Post local columnist John Kelly on WMAL veteran Bill Trumbull: "I worked my way through college 30 years ago delivering pictures to Colorfax photo stores around the DC area. We delivery drivers had a fleet of Ford Pintos at our disposal, eventually upgraded to... Chevettes. The options extended no further than an AM radio in each car. The only thing that kept me sane as I stewed in DC traffic each afternoon was listening to Bill Trumbull and Chris Core on WMAL. Theirs was a gently funny program: Top 40 music and the sort of light, friendly banter that wouldn't last five minutes on today's WMAL, which is full of right-wing nutjobs unspooling their wacky conspiracy theories. Trumbull died Tuesday at 77. It was nice having him in the car with me all those years ago"..... No Credit For WTOP Scoop From DC TVers? - 1/12 - Yesterday, radio all-newser WTOP got a big scoop: a batch of "driver cam" videos from Metro of area bus crashes and near misses. Naturally, WTOP hyped the Adam Tuss exclusive on its airwaves and on its website. And WTOP monitored area TVers to see if they gave the station credit. According to WTOP's top programmer, Jim Farley, Channel 9/WUSA didn't credit his station. He says that WUSA claims that it got its own batch of videos from Metro after the WTOP story broke. While Channel 5/ WTTG simply didn't credit WTOP at all in its 11 PM newcasts, another WTOPer says. Update: A top WTOPer now tells us that WTTG did credit the radio station. And we hear that WUSA did also credit WTOP for breaking the news..... Kevin Patrick Joins WNEW - 1/12 - Another hire for new CBS all-newser WNEW, 99.1, which launches a week from today. Reporter Kevin Patrick joins the station from Merlin's new FM all-newser WIQI in Chicago. By the way, DCRTV got a peek at WNEW's "media kit" and noticed a few glitches. Alexandria is called a "county" when it's actually a "city" independent of any county - one of those Virginia things that even Washington Post sometimes gets wrong. And WNEW calls Loudoun County "Loudon"..... WTOP Hits Digital Goals - 1/12 - From Tom Taylor's TRI radio biz newsletter: WTOP hits its digital goals, and pays a bonus. Though as Hubbard Radio digital executive John Meyer says to the staff, "I was going to write 'congratulations', but you didn't win anything - you earned something." All-news year ago, WTOP set goals for average weekly page views (4 million), average weekly "local" page views (725,000), page views from Facebook (1.5 million), and Twitter followers (20,000). Meyer says "we not only hit all four goals, we crushed them." So there's a 2011 bonus to union members. Meyer says "anyone who is a member of AFTRA that doesn't have an alternative bonus plan will receive 1% of your annual gross." It's an acknowledgement that radio's a team sport, Taylor writes. Meyer is the director of digital media for WTOP and Hubbard's Federal News Radio, WFED..... More: Crowson To ARNN - 1/12 - Tom Taylor's TRI radio biz newsletter confirms what DCRTV already tipped you. That newswoman Rachel Crowson, who had been heard on WMAL, ABC Radio, and the Voice Of America, has joined TRN's DC-based America's Radio News Network as a co-anchor. ARNN is up to 15 hours a day of original programming in three-hour blocks, beginning with the Washington Times co-production of "America's Morning News," heard locally on WTNT, 102.9 FM/730 AM..... Rumors Of TNR Sale Denied - 1/12 - The New Republic's principal owner insists that the 98-year-old DC-based journal of liberal political opinion, reporting, and arts criticism isn't shopping for a new owner, despite reports to the contrary in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. More at washingtonpost.com..... Root Promotes Williams - 1/12 - Lauren Williams gets upped from the associate editor position to the deputy editor gig at the Root, the Washington Post's African American news and commentary site..... O'Leary Joins CNN DC - 1/12 - CNN names Lizzie O'Leary its DC-based aviation and regulation correspondent. She comes from Bloomberg Television, where she covered politics and economic policy..... WTOP To Upgrade HD Radio Power - 1/11 - DCRTV hears that all-newser WTOP is taking down its 103.5 FM digital HD Radio channels for a week or two starting Friday so that engineers can install a new transmitter that will improve coverage of the station's three HD channels: the main WTOP signal, the feed of Federal News Radio WFED, and the new Gamut progressive rock service..... Dave TV: Bill Trumbull, WNEW's Staff Grows, More WaPo Blunders - 1/11 - Some memories of WMAL legend Bill Trumbull, who passed away Tuesday, in today's edition of "Dave TV" at DCRTV's Dave TV page. Including some audio and pictures, and some ranting about what a great station WMAL used to be. And, the staff continues to grow at CBS's new all-newser, WNEW, including Frank Hanrahan and Lisa Baden. Plus, more stupid blunders in the Washington Post's local media coverage..... 9 Tech Vet Kevin Rafferty Dies - 1/11 - Longtime Channel 9/WUSA engineer Kevin Rafferty died on December 31. He worked at DC's CBS affiliate, which used to be WTOP-TV and WDVM, for more than 30 years. More at wtoptv.net..... XMAS WASH Tops DC Radio Heap - 1/11 - The Washington radio ratings for the second week of the "holiday" period. Full-day, age 6+: 1) WASH [1st in all dayparts], 2) WTOP [2nd in both drivetimes], 3) WIHT [Kane 4th], 4) WAMU [ME 3rd, ATC 4th] and WHUR [Harvey 6th, Baisden 5th], 6) WETA-FM, 7) WMMJ [Joyner 5th], 8) WGTS, 9) WPGC, 10) WBIG [Griffiths 16th] and WPRS [Yolanda 11th, Jackson 11th], 12) WWDC [Elliot 8th] and WMZQ [Boxer 7th], 14) WKYS [Parr 11th], 15) WRQX [Diamond 8th, Carson 14th], 16) WIAD [McFly 14th], 17) WMAL [MM 11th], 18) WTEM [M&M 19th, Korny 14th, Czaban 14th], 19) WJFK [Junks 18th, Wise 18th, Arrington 20th], 20) WLZL [Biagi 21st], 21) WNEW, 22) WFRE and WINC-FM, 24) WBQB and WFLS, 26) WAVA-FM. Arbitron ranked duplicative WMAL-FM 19th and WMAL-AM 21st. We have combined the shares in the above listing..... XMAS WLIF Tops Balto Radio Heap - 1/11 - The Baltimore radio ratings for the second week of the "holiday" period. Full-day, age 12+: 1) WLIF [G&D 1st], 2) WWIN-FM [Joyner 2nd], 3) WPOC [DeYoung 6th], 4) WERQ [Smiley 8th], 5) WJZ-FM [N&D 4th], 6) WBAL-AM [Durian 3rd], 7) WZFT, 8) WIYY [M&A 5th], 9) WWMX, 10) WCAO, 11) WQSR and WCBM [S&F 7th] and WZBA [Klug 12th], 14) WYPR [ME 11th], 15) WBJC..... Frank Hanrahan To WNEW - 1/11 - DCRTV hears about yet another local media personality jumping to CBS's new all-newser WNEW. Frank Hanrahan will do sports updates for the new 99.1, which launches on January 19. Hanrahan used to be heard on Hubbard all-newser WTOP..... WMAL Pays Tribute To Bill Trumbull - 1/11 - DCRTV told you yesterday that Bill Trumbull, 77, a 36-year veteran of WMAL, died. He co-hosted the station's afternoon show with Chris Core from 1976 until his retirement in 1996. Now, WMAL features a tribute at wmal.com featuring photos and an interview. Trumbull died Tuesday at Prince William Hospital. He was suffering from respiratory failure. Says longtime WMAL News Director John Matthews: "Bill Trumbull was one of the very first people I met at WMAL when I arrived as a music intern in 1982. The very first thing he ever said to me was 'Don't get into radio. There's no money in it.' He was right, but I didn't take his advice, and I'm glad I didn't because it would have kept me from working with someone who was a cherished friend and mentor for the 14 years. Bill Trumbull was truly one of the nicest and most generous guys I've ever known, and he was loved and admired by everyone who ever worked with him. That is a rarity in the radio business." Trumbull is wearing glasses and kneeling in the lower right of a WMAL airstaff photo from 1980 (right). An obit is in Wednesday's Washington Post..... Farhi Gets TOP Freq Wrong - 1/11 - Oh, that Paul Farhi-penned obit in the Washington Post about WMAL veteran Bill Trumbull says that his former WMAL partner Chris Core now works at "WTOP (1050 AM)." DC's 1050 is WBQH, which airs a Mexican Spanish format..... New Clients For Garrett - 1/11 - Area voice man Pat Garrett welcomes new clients for 2012. Including WYAY Atlanta, KTWN Minneapolis-St. Paul, KTSA San Antonio, WJBR Wilmington, WOKA Douglas GA, WBBK and WJRL Dothan AL, X104 St. Maarten, KTXX Austin, and KNRJ Phoenix. More at patgarrettcreative.com or at PATG343@aol.com..... 9 To Supply WNEW's Weather - 1/10 - DCRTV hears a rumbling that new CBS news talker WNEW will be getting weather forecasts from DC's CBS TV affiliate, Gannett-owned Channel 9/WUSA, which features Topper Shutt and Howard Bernstein. More soon..... WMAL Veteran Bill Trumbull Dies - 1/10 - Breaking. DCRTV hears that DC radio great and four decade WMAL veteran Bill Trumbull, 77, died today of respiratory complications. Trumbull started at then full service WMAL in 1960, when the station was a mix of news, talk, and popular music. He was teamed in afternoons with Chris Core from 1976 until 1996, first as "Two For The Road" and later as "Trumbull And Core." His funeral service is slated for Saturday at the Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville VA. More soon..... Baden & Schlesinger Join WNEW - 1/10 - DC traffic diva Lisa Baden (right) joins new CBS all-newser WNEW, 99.1 FM, which launches on January 19th. Baden is currently heard on Cumulus news talker WMAL and also does morning traffic for Allbritton's Channel 7/WJLA. Also joining WNEW, Jill Schlesinger, the editor at large for "CBS Moneywatch," to provide business news reports. Both Baden and Schlesinger will be heard on WNEW's morning drive show, which will be hosted by Bill Rehkopf and Amy Morris. Baden's "ability to relate to commuters with quick, concise and entertaining information makes her reports memorable," says WNEW Program Director Robert Sanchez. Baden reported morning traffic for all-newser WTOP, now owned by Hubbard, from 1996 to 2010, when WTOP took its traffic reporting in-house. DCRTV hears that Baden will continue to be employed by Total Traffic, the new name for Silver Spring-based Metro Traffic. And WNEW will be getting its local traffic reports from Total..... 7 To Use TOP Traffic? - 1/10 - Speaking of Lisa Baden, we're hearing more rumblings that she soon may no longer be seen doing traffic on Channel 7/WJLA's "Good Morning Washington." And what/who will replace her? Maybe reports from WTOP's traffic center from a personality to be announced. Stay tuned..... Sandler Sidelined By Surgery - 1/10 - DCRTV has received a number requests wondering where Baltimore TV and radio traffic veteran "Detour Dave" Sandler (right) has been the past few weeks, since he's been missing from the airwaves. We hear that Sandler, who is heard mornings on Channel 11/WBAL and Hearst sister news talker WBAL-AM, 1090, recently had surgery. No other details are available. Several years ago, Sandler had heart surgery after collapsing while playing softball. More as we hear it..... 7's Fletcher To AlJaz - 1/10 - TV Spy tells us that Lisa Fletcher joins Al Jazeera's DC bureau as a freelance anchor. She had been reporting for Channel 7/WJLA..... Shentel Defends Dropping JLA - 1/10 - From broadcastingcable.com: Shenandoah County VA cable operator Shentel says that it did nothing outrageous in its retrans negotiations with Allbritton that would warrant FCC intervention. That came in response to a petition filed by Allbritton last week asking the FCC to force Shentel to restore its Channel 7/WJLA to 8,200 Shenandoah Valley customers. In an emergency petition to the FCC, Allbritton had alleged that Shentel did not bargain in good faith, and had withdrawn a retransmission consent offer after Allbritton accepted it. Shentel countered that its offer was no longer on the table by the time Allbritton decided to accept it. Shentel stopped carrying DC's ABC affiliate January 1, with a note to viewers that it had been "forced to drop the station from our cable line-ups... Shentel has tried to negotiate in good faith with the management of this television station to agree on a fair price for their programming. Negotiations have failed"..... New CFO For Discovery - 1/9 - Silver Spring-based Discovery Communications has named former Liz Claiborne and General Electric executive Andrew Warren as its new senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, replacing Brad Singer, who had previously announced his intention to step down in March. More at multichannel.com..... HGTV Show To Hold DC Casting Call - 1/9 - HGTV's "All American Handyman" jack-of-all-trades reality competition series is holding an open casting call in DC on Saturday, January 28, from 10 AM to noon at the Westin City Center, 1400 M Street NW. The show is searching for "someone who knows a little bit about everything when it comes to handiwork around the house." More at AllAmericanHandymanCasting.com..... Hughes To Jump Into Frigid Bay - 1/9 - DC radio veteran Michael Hughes, who used to head CBS's Washington radio cluster, will be plunging into the potentially icy waters of the Chesapeake Bay on January 28 at Sandy Point State Park for charity. Hughes, who now has an Annapolis-based radio consultancy biz and is vice president for Empire Broadcasting, which owns Annapolis alternative rocker WRNR, 103.1 FM, will be participating in his fifth MSP Polar Bear Plunge, which supports Special Olympics Maryland, along with children and adults with intellectual disabilities. You can make a donation at plungemd.com..... Mitchell & Carter To Host New CSN Show, "WaPo Live" Gone - 1/9 - Bethesda's Comcast SportsNet will launch "SportsTalk Live," hosted by Brian Mitchell and Ivan Carter, on January 23rd. The live half-hour local sports show, which is modeled after "NBC SportsTalk" on Comcast/NBC's sister NBC SportsNet (formerly Versus), will air weeknights at 10:30 PM, with an encore at 12:30 AM. Former Redskin Mitchell is a frequent CSN contributor. Carter spent more than two years as host of CSN's "Washington Post Live," which concluded its run in December. More at washingtonpost.com..... Herb Clarke Dies - 1/9 - Nearby news. Longtime Philadelphia TV weatherman Herb Clarke has died from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He worked at Channel 10/WCAU for four decades. Clarke, 84, died Sunday at a retirement community in Bryn Mawr PA. More at philly.com..... JLA: Bye Bye Baden? - 1/9 - Allbritton's Channel 7/WJLA is running an ad on its wjla.com website looking for an on-air traffic reporter to anchor morning traffic segments for "Good Morning Washington" and the morning news on sister NewsChannel 8. Currently, WJLA uses Metro Traffic and its Lisa Baden for morning traffic reports. More as we hear it..... BQB Tops Fredericksburg - 1/9 - Centennial's hot adult contemporary WBQB, 101.5 FM, bests the Free Lance-Star's country WFLS, 93.3 FM, in the latest batch of Fredericksburg radio ratings at radio-info.com. DC area all-newser WTOP takes third..... Richmond Gets 2nd Contemp Hit Outlet - 1/9 - Nearby news. Cox repositions Richmond's WHTI, 100.9 FM, from rhythmic contemporary to mainstream contemporary hits as Hot 100.9. To better battle Clear Channel's longtime contemporary hit WRVQ, Q94. WHTI used to be alternative rock WDYL. There have been rumblings that CBS here in DC might do the same thing with ratings-challenged rhythmic/urban contemporary WPGC, 95.5, to better battle Clear Channel's top-rated contemporary hit WIHT, Hot 99.5..... Tony Blankley Dies - 1/8 - Tony Blankley, a conservative author and commentator who served as press secretary to Newt Gingrich during the 1990s, has died. He was 63. Blankley, who had been suffering from stomach cancer, died Saturday night at DC's Sibley Memorial Hospital. From 2002 to 2007, he served as editorial page editor of the Washington Times. In recent years, he also wrote a syndicated newspaper column and provided political commentary for CNN, NBC, NPR, and WMAL, where he occasionally co-hosted. He was also a regular panelist on "The McLaughlin Group." More at washingtonpost.com..... WaPo Runs Obit For 4's George Light - 1/8 - DCRTV reported the news in mid-December. Now, Sunday's Washington Post [print page C7, not on its website] features an obit for George Light, 70, an Emmy award-winning television director who worked at NBC-owned Channel 4/WRC for more than 35 years. Light died December 17 at Georgetown University Hospital suffering from liver and kidney failure. He contributed to WRC's "It's Academic" and "The McLaughlin Group." Light also did work for many NBC shows produced in Washington, including "Meet The Press"..... WTHU's George Wireman Dies - 1/8 - George Wireman, former host of "Thurmont World" for many years on Thurmont MD news talker WTHU, 1450 AM, died January 5. He was 91. "To honor his amazing life and his many contributions to our community, we are compiling a collection of stories, anecdotes and personal reflections about George from our community," according to a station release. "Over the next week, you can call our station at 301-637-6736 and leave a voice message giving us your name, phone number and your own personal remembrances about George. These remembrances will play on the air throughout the week." WTHU's Vickie Grinder will host a memorial show on January 14 at 9 AM..... Former Sirius XMer Pleads Guilty To Embezzlement - 1/8 - A former Sirius XM Radio administrator has been convicted in a scheme to pilfer nearly $1 million from the DC office of the satellite radio company. Brenda Jones, 46, of Lothian MD, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the theft of more than $900,000. She faces up to two-and-a-half years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. According to the Washington Examiner, Jones began working at XM in 2005 as an administrator in the accounts payable department. Jones and another XM employee began to embezzle large payments that were supposed to be paid to XM vendors, but instead were paid from to Jones' personal bank accounts, according to the Examiner. Jones resigned from XM Radio in July 2006, but the checks continued to go to Jones long after her leaving, prosecutors said..... Manassas Wants To Cut Legal Ads In Area Newspapers - 1/6 - From insidenova.com: In an attempt to save money, localities like Manassas could eliminate newspaper advertisements for public hearings and other legal ac­tions as now required by law. Manassas pays an average of $20,000 a year on public notices. Manassas Park paid $8,710 last fiscal year, while Prince William County's supervisors spent $26,000..... Hot 99.5's Knapp To Voice Nights On Lancaster Station - 1/6 - WIHT, Hot 99.5's Toby Knapp, afternoon drive host and assistant program director, adds an area radio gig. He'll be voicetracking nights on Lancaster PA contemporary hit outlet WLAN, 96.9 FM, starting January 9th. Knapp hosted WLAN's morning show from 1998 to 2001. Both WIHT and WLAN are owned by Clear Channel..... Justin Udo Leaves WFED For WNEW - 1/6 - DCRTV hears that Justin Udo, the afternoon producer for "In Depth With Francis Rose" at federal news talker WFED, sister station to Hubbard all-newser WTOP, heads to CBS's new all-newser WNEW, where he will be evening managing news editor. Udo had been at WFED only eight months..... Plotkin Involved In Fox 5 Brawl - 1/6 - DCRTV hears that WTOP political commentator Mark Plotkin (right) and DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown had to be separated following an appearance on Fox 5's 10 PM news yesterday. A source tells us that Brown was being interviewed about the resignation of Harry Thomas Jr. from the DC Council, regarding a major scandal within the District's goverment, which is drawing in other top city leaders, including the mayor. That was followed by Plotkin appearing with Channel 5/WTTG news anchor Brian Bolter. As soon as Plotkin was off camera, "Brown charged back into the studio and got into Plotkin's face, using all kinds of language," we're told. "They were finally separated by Fox employees and Brown started to leave, (but) then returned for another round of shouting at each other about an inch from each other's face. It will be interesting to see if news of this makes onto WTOP or Fox 5 later today," we hear. Update: DCRTV hears that WTOP has asked Fox 5 for video, but the station has refused. We're told that Plotkin will discuss the incident during his "Politics Program" on WTOP at 10 AM today..... Tuning Away From Losing Skins - 1/6 - The Redskins not only slumped on the field this season, but there's some indication that fans are starting to tune away from the team's TV games. More from Dan Steinberg at washingtonpost.com..... BBC Drama To Be Shot In Baltimore - 1/6 - Thirteen hour-long episodes of the BBC political drama "House Of Cards" will be filmed in Baltimore this spring. The series delves into Margaret Thather's era in British politics. Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley expects that the production could mean $75 million to the state and could create more than 2,000 jobs. Kevin Spacey will star in the production. More at wbal.com. For almost two decades, Baltimore was mainly seen by the TV industry as a place to make shows about cops and crime. But now, the city is looking more like the nation's capital to some of Hollywood's top producers. So reports the Baltimore Sun..... XMAS Boosts Richmond's WTVR - 1/6 - Christmas tunes boosted Clear Channel's adult contemporary WTVR-FM to the top of the Richmond radio heap for December. More at radio-info.com..... DCRTV BW 2011 - 1/6 - The polls have closed. Thanks to all who cast their votes in DCRTV's annual and infamous Best/Worst List for 2011. Now, start making your list for 2012..... VA Cable System Drops 7 - 1/5 - From TV Technology: Allbritton filed an emergency petition with the Federal Communications Commission today, charging a rural Virginia cable operation of "bad faith" negotiations. Allbritton, owner of DC's ABC affiliate, Channel 7/WJLA, says Shentel Communications of Shenandoah County VA dropped the station's signal on New Year's Eve "with insufficient notice." It's asking the FCC to order Shentel, which has 8,200 subscribers, to reinstate WJLA's signal. The dust-up started in September, with both sides haggling over monthly, per-subscriber fees..... Comcast Adds NC8-HD - 1/5 - DCRTV tipped you earlier. Now, area cable TV biggie Comcast has rolled out Allbritton's NewsChannel 8 in high-def, on cable channel 808. Moving the HD feed of Home Shopping Network from 808 to 811 in the DC area. Up until now, WJLA's sister cable-only news channel had been available in standard-def via cable channel 8 on most of Comcast's DC area systems. More: Verizon FIOS adds NC8-HD on channel 508 of its DC area systems..... David Shuster To Be Heard On 1480 - 1/5 - DCRTV hears that former MSNBCer David Shuster will be heard on a new lefty talk radio format via Prince William County's WPWC, 1480 AM. We Act Radio has a website at weactradio.com. And Shuster will be hosting a Saturday afternoon show on the station. It'll be related to his new journalism venture called Take Action News. He'll be continuing his duties at Current TV as backup for Keith Olbermann..... CBS's WNEW To Carry ABC News - 1/5 - Some more news about CBS's new all-newser WNEW, 99.1, which launches on January 19. DC-based ABC newsman Steven Portnoy, a former WMALer, has been posting on Twitter that WNEW will use ABC News content and that it won't be exclusive to WNEW. Cumulus DC news talker WMAL also carries ABC's newscasts and content. Even though it's owned by CBS, WNEW won't be able to use CBS News product until 2013 because of a contact CBS has with Hubbard all-newser WTOP. And more WNEW news: Pittsburgh's PBRTV reports that reporter Matt DelSignore is leaving that city's CBS news talk KDKA-AM for WNEW..... Melody Record Shop To Close - 1/4 - After 34 years in business, Melody Record Shop, arguably DC's "last general-interest record store," will close its doors this winter. The owners of the Dupont Circle store announced this week that "technology, the internet, and the economy has taken its toll, and we have concluded, unfortunately, that it is not possible to survive in this environment." More at washingtonpost.com..... 50 To Carry SEC Hoops, Football - 1/4 - Tribune-owned Channel 50/WDCW joins ESPN Regional Television to air Southeastern Conference basketball in January and SEC football this fall. DC50 will air 18 regular season SEC basketball games beginning Saturday, January 7, with Auburn at Vanderbilt and South Carolina at Kentucky.  Each Saturday afternoon, WDCW will air a pre-game show produced from the ESPN followed by a men's basketball double header. The schedule is at dc50tv.com..... TWT Re-Starts State Coverage, Hires Taylor - 1/4 - DCRTV hears that the Washington Times is re-establishing its State Department desk and has hired Guy Taylor to be its top State Department reporter. Taylor has been reporting on international stories around the world on a freelance basis for the Pulitzer Center On Crisis Reporting, the Stanley Foundation, and the North American Congress On Latin America. He has also worked at World Politics Review and for Agence France-Presse..... 9 Says Adios To Houk - 1/4 - DCRTV hears that Steve Houk, Gannett-owned Channel 9/ WUSA's director of marketing, "was quietly let go yesterday morning." More as we hear it..... Former NC8 & 9er Settle To Fox News - 1/4 - Jeremy Settle will be joining Fox News Channel later this month as a senior producer at its DC bureau. Most recently news director for WBRE-TV in Wilkes-Barre PA, Settle used to be Gannett-owned Channel 9/WUSA's assistant news manager. He had also been news director at Allbritton's NewsChannel 8..... Older news goes to DCRTV's News Archive. Older gossip and commentary items can be found on DCRTV's Rant page. Copyright Dave Hughes/DCRTV.....

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