UTICA/ROME -- Last week, we put out the call for stations to let us know what they're doing to help their communities during the holiday season. And last night on Facebook, we put out an urgent call for Picture of the Week submissions -- it's been such a busy news week, we never had time to find a picture. One CNYRadio.com reader came through on both counts.
SYRACUSE -- Local PBS affiliate WCNY appears on the list of stations that have signed up to carry the next incarnation of Roger Ebert's movie review program. It's titled Roger Ebert presents At the Movies and it's set to debut next month.
UTICA/ROME -- The four stations owned by Connecticut-based Townsquare Media have brand new websites. The company says it's part of an initiative to "re-launch all its local radio stations' digital properties" -- for 171 radio stations in 36 markets -- by the end of the first quarter of 2011.
Updated 12/16 at 5:00pm - With no agreement over retransmission fees by 11:59pm Wednesday, NBC affiliate WKTV has been removed from certain Time Warner Cable lineups, including the system covering Utica and its immediate suburbs. WKTV hopes viewers will pressure the cable company into buckling. But Time Warner surprised us today: NBC fans aren't being deprived of network programming, as the cable giant replaces WKTV with an out-of-state NBC affiliate.
COLD BROOK -- Although the Mars Hill Network gained FCC approval to build a new FM station in Herkimer County in 2008, the project is going through another round of scrutiny from the Commission. That's because the Syracuse-based religious broadcaster wants to change the transmission site for the new station.
SYRACUSE -- You may have read about layoffs at various Clear Channel clusters across the country recently. According to multiple reports on some of the national trade websites, the company axed dozens of positions, mostly "back-office" jobs, last Thursday. Here in Syracuse, management is keeping mum.
HANNIBAL -- Former WFBL midday talk show host Jon Alvarez wants to start a militia in this small Oswego County village. The effort, which is getting reactions from both sides of the fence, managed to catch the attention of the local news media today.
SYRACUSE -- The Mars Hill Network hopes to help the Rescue Mission with a live broadcast at one of the Mission's "Thrifty Shopper" stores this Friday morning. In addition to some live musical performances, Mars Hill is offering an online coupon to entice listeners to stop by.
SYRACUSE -- Sunny 102 (WZUN) morning host "Big Mike" Fiss says he's ready for his 29th Annual Live Christmas Show Broadcast, featuring more than a dozen professional vocalists, plus live performances from more than a dozen choruses from local schools and other community organizations. The broadcast is set to take place this Friday.
UTICA/ROME -- Kiss-FM (WSKS/WSKU) has received the "Shining Star Award" from the School and Business Alliance (SABA) at Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES. The award recognizes the station for a variety of activities that help educate high-school age students about careers in broadcasting.