Updated 8:20pm -- UTICA-ROME -- For the first time in its 25-year history, perennial market leader Big Frog 104 (WFRG) is playing "the best and most country" without its longtime morning host. Matt Herkimer's bio and photo disappeared from the station website over the weekend, and he's not on the air this morning.
UTICA-ROME -- Since we've resumed our "Picture of the Week" feature earlier this month, we're pleased that we've been able to go "around the horn," featuring a photo from each of the markets we cover. Not only does this week's photo take us to Utica-Rome (after last week in Ithaca and the week before in Syracuse), it's also a "blast from the past!"
SYRACUSE -- It appears Sinclair Broadcast Group has officially closed on its purchase of NBC3 (WSTM-TV) and CW6 (WSTQ-LP). Although the change hasn't been made on the FCC's own website just yet, the new ownership became on-air official at the close of tonight's 6pm news on NBC3.
SYRACUSE -- Clips from the network news coverage of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which happened 50 years ago today in Dallas, are readily available online, and will no doubt be rebroadcast on a multitude of channels today. But how did local broadcasters cover the story in 1963? Many who were working in local newsrooms that day are no longer with us, but we caught up with a few who remember the day.
SYRACUSE -- Next month, YNN will be rebranded as "Time Warner Cable News." Although it may be common knowledge among local broadcasters that the 24/7 local news channel is owned by and only available on Time Warner Cable, a majority of average customers didn't -- so the cable giant wants to make it unavoidably obvious.
UTICA-ROME -- The hosts of 100.7 WUTQ's "Talk of the Town" are getting ready to celebrate another year in the studio together. Mark Piersma and Frank Elias are opening the doors to the WUTQ studios to the public for an extended "2nd Anniversary Show" tomorrow morning. Guests will enjoy "music, food... and more" according to a Facebook event posted by organizers.
SYRACUSE -- Three local television stations will soon have new owners, after the Federal Communications Commission approved two separate deals which were initially announced in February. Barrington Broadcasting is selling all of its stations -- including Syracuse's NBC3 (WSTM-TV) and CW6 (WSTQ-LP) to Sinclair Broadcast Group, owner of Fox 68 (WSYT). But because FCC ownership limits forbid Sinclair from owning all three stations, the company will be shedding itself of WSYT -- at least, on paper.
ITHACA -- Several broadcasters who learned their trade at Ithaca College got together last month during the college's reunion weekend. Longtime WHCU/WYXL General Manager Rudy Paolangeli -- also an Ithaca College alumnus and former faculty member -- shared a photo from the gathering.
SYRACUSE and UTICA-ROME -- The mystery is over as to when Clear Channel's Y94 (WYYY Syracuse) and Townsquare Media's Lite 98.7 (WLZW Utica) would trade-in their usual adult contemporary formats to go all-Christmas. Both stations made the switch on Friday afternoon.
SYRACUSE -- Time Warner Cable's 24/7 local news channel, YNN, is looking for an Assignment Editor. The full-time position was posted November 8. Here's a link to the full job description and online application.