Archive for February, 2011

Dish Network may drop WOOD-TV and WOTV

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Posted 28 Feb 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek

LIN MediaDish Network may drop LIN stations WOOD-TV and WOTV in the Grand Rapids television market because of a retransmission consent dispute. The current contract expires on Friday, March 4 at midnight.

The current contract for the carriage of LIN Media stations on Dish Network expires Friday, 3/4/11 at midnight – and LIN is of the opinion that the satcaster is not going to agree to a fair price for continued carriage of the stations. But LIN President/CEO Vincent Sadusky said he looked forward to continued negotiations.

LIN noted that the stations will cease to exist on the satellite operator’s channel lineup if a new contract is not signed, and Sadusky stated, “Our highly-rated television stations are important assets to our local   communities and it is unfortunate that DISH does not recognize their fair market value.”

The dispute includes the Grand Rapids market and stations WOOD-TV (NBC) and WOTV-TV (ABC).

RBR/TVBR

Watch a statement from WOOD-TV/WOTV General Manager Diane Kniowski.

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WZZM unveils new web site

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Posted 11 Feb 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek

WZZM Web SiteGannett Company’s WZZM in Grand Rapids unveiled a new web site design early this morning. Other Gannett properties have recently started to use the new design, including the Detroit Free Press and KARE (Channel 11) in Minneapolis.

If you are reading this, you’ve probably noticed some great changes around your computer screen.

The new WZZM13.com launched overnight — though the Gun Lake Casino beat us to the punch.  The two events were not planned to coincide.

The new homepage is much cleaner, easier to read, and easier to navigate.  Hopefully, it opened faster for you, too.

You will still find all of your imporant news, weather and information.  If you scroll down the center of the homepage, you will find modules of Grand Rapids news, Lakeshore news, 13 On Your Side, Watercooler and more.

WZZM

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Chowdhry named morning news anchor at WWJ

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Posted 10 Feb 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Detroit

Syma ChowdhrySyma Chowdhry is the new morning news anchor at CBS O&O WWJ-TV in Detroit. Chowdhry comes to WWJ from News 12 in New Jersey.

Syma Chowdhry has been named morning news anchor for First Forecast Mornings, the daily live program on CBS owned-and-operated WWJ Detroit (DMA 11).

Chowdhry is anchoring the news segments during the weekday morning program between 5 and 9 a.m., joining First Forecast Mornings meteorologist Lori Pinson and traffic reporter Randy Bhirdo. Chowdhry officially joined WWJ today, Jan. 10.

First Forecast Mornings airs from 5 to 7 a.m. on WWJ and from 7 to 9 a.m. on co-owned CW affiliate WKBD.

TVNewsCheck

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WXYZ and Detroit Lions partner for 2011 season

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Posted 09 Feb 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Detroit

WXYZ Detroit LionsScripps-owned WXYZ (Channel 7) in Detroit announced a broadcast partnership with the Detroit Lions that will bring four preseason games, along with other exclusive content, to WXYZ.

WXYZ-TV and the Detroit Lions are proud to announce a new broadcast partnership that will bring the excitement and energy of Lions football to a new and growing audience of fans during the upcoming 2011 season.

The agreement, which incorporates unique, year-round programming and marketing initiatives, includes the following programming content on WXYZ various platforms:

  • Telecast of all four preseason games and pregame shows in High-Definition TV
  • An exclusive one-hour weekly “live” pre-game show from Ford Field and all away games
  • Special Detroit Lions Training Camp updates
  • An April NFL Draft special
  • A regular season Monday night interview segment with Head Coach Jim Schwartz
  • A regular season Thursday night Detroit Lions player interview segment
  • Special Detroit Lions-oriented digital elements on wxyz.com and detroitlions.com

WXYZ

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FOX 17 launches ‘The One Seven’ in March

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Posted 06 Feb 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek

The One SevenTribune’s WXMI (FOX 17) in Grand Rapids is launching a local lifestyle show called “The One Seven” in March. The new show, which will air weekdays from 5 – 6 PM, will be hosted by Michele DeSelms and Tim Doty.

What’s The One Seven? It’s Michele DeSelms and Tim Doty talking about the things you’re talking about and things you will be talking about. It’s a fun, fast-paced look at what’s going on in West Michigan as well as in the world of fashion, music, movies and TV.

Look at this way. You had a long day. You were late to work, you forgot your lunch, and accidentally replied to all when you just meant for those sarcastic remarks to be seen in the next cube over. You were cutoff twice on the way home, now the kids are yelling, the house is a mess and you just realized that so far, this is the best day you’ve had all week. Just ease into your favorite chair and turn on The One Seven. It’s a local show, with local flavor, from 5-6P so you can unwind. It’s for people who just want to take a breath, and not be hit with a bunch of bad news as soon as they walk through the door.

It’s a new kind of show, with 2 of West Michigan’s favorite television personalities, and it’s coming to FOX 17 this March.

FOX 17

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Who’s really running Young Broadcasting?

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Posted 02 Feb 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Lansing

WLNSTVNewsCheck writes about Young Broadcasting’s management and the company’s advisory agreement with Gray Television.

It turns out it’s broadcast veteran Tony Cassara along with other New Young’s board members Tom Sullivan, Sheldon Galloway and Kevin Shea. The board gets an assist from Young President Deborah McDermott who oversees KRON San Francisco, WATE Knoxville, Tenn., and WLNS Lansing, Mich. Cassara says the $2.2 million annual management contract with Gray Television is really an advisory agreement. “They do not manage our stations,” Cassara says. “The general managers of those seven stations report to the board.”

TVNewsCheck

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