Updated 11pm-- SYRACUSE -- As expected, two radio stations that launched an all-Christmas format on the unusually early date of October 5 have changed their tune. The former "Holly-FM" stations 103.9 (WNDR Mexico) and 95.3 (W237AY DeWitt) are now playing non-stop Beatles tunes. And it looks WMBO 1340 Auburn is joining the two FMs in stunting for whatever's coming next.
UTICA-ROME -- Former WIBX 950 news anchor Jeanette Lenoir is reportedly suing WIBX parent Townsquare Media, after obtaining a "Notice of Right to Sue" from the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Lenoir alleges she was paid less than white colleagues, overlooked for promotional opportunities and was fired without explanation in 2012.
UTICA-ROME -- After 55 years of broadcasting in the Mohawk Valley, Hank Brown is ready to hang up his headphones for good. His final broadcast on 95.5FM WUSP will be New Year's Eve, Tuesday, December 31. This, according to a press release from WUSP's Tom Coyne today.
SYRACUSE -- This week, it's a combination of new and old -- the photo is new, but provides a look back at a blast from the past. And the timing seems appropriate, given some recent changes in the Syracuse TV landscape, and buzz about the future.
SYRACUSE -- During part of October and November, the FCC provided community-based organizations with a long-awaited chance to apply for licenses to launch new low-power FM (LPFM) radio stations. Nationwide, thousands of applications were submitted. In Syracuse, only two organizations submitted the necessary paperwork -- but earlier this week, the FCC said that's one too many.
As we prepare for our annual "Year in Review," where we recap all of the big stories of the year in local broadcasting, we once again want to ask YOUR opinion. Even though certain stories may generate a lot of views, we realize that site traffic stats don't always necessarily correlate with the significance of a particular story. Here's your chance to tell us your pick for "biggest story of 2013," and you can decide whether or not to provide your name.
Just a quick note about something you may or may not have realized already -- we've recently changed our Comment Policy (which is also available through the "About" menu at the top of the site). In addition to comments which are posted directly on individual stories, our software now automatically pulls responses in from Facebook and Twitter, and republishes them as comments.
Updated 12/24 -- SYRACUSE -- There's finally a hint as to what could be happening after Christmas on Holly-FM 95.3 and 103.9. According to RadioInsight.com, a national radio industry news site, the domain name dinosaurradio.com was registered earlier this month by Holly-FM station manager Sam Furco.
SYRACUSE -- Three weeks since we first reported Dave Eichorn will return to NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) in 2014, the ABC affiliate has finally announced when viewers will be able to see him. The former chief meteorologist will be splitting the station's evening newscasts with current chief meteorologist Dave Longley.
ITHACA/CORTLAND -- A new FM translator is making it easier for sports talk fans to find ESPN Radio 1160 (WPIE), especially at night. The station is now simulcasting on 107.1 FM (W296CP), after clearing up some unexpected complications that delayed the "official" FM launch by a few months.