UTICA-ROME -- About two months ago, we offered our first "Video of the Week," as staffers at Townsquare Media's Utica-Rome cluster danced and lip-synced to the popular Psy song "Gangnam Style." This week, the gang from Big Frog 104 (WFRG), Oldiez 96.1 (WODZ), Lite 98.7 (WLZW) and news/talker 950 WIBX are back at it again, with a Utica-centric take on the classic "Twelve Days of Christmas."
OSWEGO -- Many people use a new year as a turning point to make changes, and NPR news/talk affiliate WRVO is no exception. The station announced several programming lineup changes today, which will take effect as of the first of the year.
SYRACUSE -- Yesterday was a sad day for jazz fans worldwide, with the news of the passing of legendary jazz artist Dave Brubeck. The musician died in Connecticut, just a day short of his ninety-second birthday. Here in Central New York, hosts at WAER 88.3 went out of their way to demonstrate Brubeck's impact on jazz.
Updated 12/6 at 7:30am with management comment -- SYRACUSE -- When WCNY announced it had hired Jim Reith earlier this year, the public broadcaster laid out grand plans for the longtime local talk host: podcasts, a blog, social media, television and radio. But tonight, there's word that the public broadcasting outlet has released Reith from his duties.
BINGHAMTON -- Former 93Q (WNTQ) jock Matt Johnson -- who went by the name "Jimmy Olsen" when he worked in Syracuse -- has exited the radio business. Johnson was most-recently working for Townsquare Media CHR-formatted station Wild 104.
SYRACUSE -- New Country WOLF 105.1 midday hostess and promotions director Courtney Taylor Smith won't have to pay a dime to attend the 2013 Country Radio Seminar this coming February. She's one of three nationwide winners of the Rusty Walker Scholarship, which covers her registration for the seminar, along with travel to and from Nashville.
Updated 12/5 at 7:50pm -- SYRACUSE -- There's new information about the NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) back office layoffs we first reported on Monday, and apparently some additional layoffs involving the ABC affiliate's newsroom. Trusted sources, speaking on a condition of anonymity, tell CNYTVNews.com that the station dismissed all part-time photographers yesterday.
SYRACUSE -- Brent Axe has been talking sports as host of On the Block every weekday afternoon for most of the past decade -- first at the former SportsRadio 620 (WHEN) for Clear Channel, and since 2008, at Cumulus Media's The Score 1260 (WSKO). But in less than two weeks, Axe will be stepping off the block. "The Axeman" opened today's show by announcing his last day hosting the program will be next Friday, December 7.
Updated 12/3 with a correction -- SYRACUSE -- Barrington Broadcasting, the owner of NBC3 (WSTM) and CW6 (WSTQ-LP), is reportedly nearing a deal to sell all 24 of its television stations in 15 markets nationwide. But it's unclear how the deal could impact the two Syracuse stations -- one national trade publication says the leading bidders include two companies which already have a presence in the Syracuse market.
UTICA -- Even though Bill Worden's retirement from TV news is no surprise -- he announced it earlier this month -- there were plenty of surprises during the "Bill Worden Farewell Celebration" which spanned through most of WKTV's early evening newscasts last night.