SYRACUSE -- The annual "Great TV Auction," more commonly known as TelAuc, returns to WCNY one week from tonight. During a total of eight nights over two weekends, viewers will have the chance to score some big bargains, with proceeds from winning bids benefiting the PBS affiliate's continued operation.
WCNY says TelAuc will run from 6pm to midnight each night from Thursday, April 19 to Sunday, April 22, and again for the same four nights the following week, from April 26 to 29. The auction will air on channel 24.1.
Last year, Easter fell on April 24, and many local schools scheduled their spring break week at around the same time. Concerned that the holiday and break would have many people out-of-town at the usual TelAuc time, WCNY moved last year's auction to June. This year, Easter is already behind us and the spring break week is happening now -- allowing TelAuc to return to its usual late-April schedule.
According to a press release from WCNY Public Relations Manager Matt Michael, more than 3,000 items will be up for bid -- ranging from jewelry and toys to vacation getaways, sports packages, entertainment packages, home goods and more. The complete list of items has been posted at www.wcny.org/support/auctions.
A number of celebrity hosts will be appearing at various times during the eight nights of TelAuc. The station says the following are scheduled to appear:
Tim Fox from News Channel 9; Dave Dellecese from WKTV in Utica; local radio personalities Eric Cohen (WAER 88.3), Joe Galuski (WSYR 570), Melissa Midgely (Sunny 102) and Dan Tortora (The Score 1260); WCNY Classic FM’s Bill Baker, Bill Knowlton and Jon English; WCNY’s Susan Arbetter (host of “The Capitol Pressroom” on radio and “The Capitol Report” on TV); and WCNY television personalities Liz Ayers, Jim Reith (“Reith”), Farah Jadran (“Insight”) and Julie Taboulie (“Cooking with Julie Taboulie”).
Viewers will need a WCNY Member Number in order to place bids. Non-members -- and members whose memberships will expire prior to TelAuc -- can call 315-453-2424 or head to the membership page on WCNY's web site to enroll or renew.
“We’re thrilled to continue the TelAuc tradition and we’re confident there will be something for everyone over the eight nights of bidding,” said Robert J. Daino, WCNY’s President and CEO. “WCNY is extremely appreciative of the support provided by donors who offer terrific merchandise – and the WCNY members who bid on it – because we rely on the proceeds from events such as TelAuc to help pay for our television programs and public outreach events.”
Thanks to Matt Michael from WCNY for including cnyradio@cnyradio.com on his press release distribution list. We appreciate it, and if you’re in management or PR at any local radio or TV operation, we hope you’ll do the same (if you haven’t already done so). Even if you don't do press releases, informal announcements are welcomed too. If you have news to share but you don't want the boss to know, use our Contact Form, where your name and email address are optional.