Updated 2/3 -- SYRACUSE -- The Mars Hill Radio Network is looking for a new program director, according to a job posting which appeared online Friday. Between full-power stations and translators, the network's religious programming is broadcast on more than 20 frequencies stretching from Syracuse west to Rochester, south to Long Island and north to the Canadian border.
Updated 12:45pm with station confirmation. UTICA -- Most TV program directors usually aren't "known" to the public, but it's a safe bet anyone who has ever watched WKTV has at least heard the voice of Tom Coyne, and if you watched enough, you may have actually seen him appearing on-camera. CNYTVNews.com has learned from multiple sources that, after 17 years, Coyne has exited the NBC affiliate.
SYRACUSE -- Hey, I don't care what you think about Amy, that's no way to refer to her! Just kidding, of course -- even if you're not a fan of Jersey Shore, chances are pretty good you know "The Situation" is the nickname of Mike Sorrentino, one of the stars of the hit MTV series. He appeared at any event hosted by 93Q (WNTQ) at Turning Stone Resort and Casino's Lava night club.
SYRACUSE -- Cumulus top-40 station 93Q (WNTQ) is hosting "Five Dates in Five Days" to find a Valentine for Town of Salina supervisor Mark Nicotra. After all five dates, listeners get to vote for who they feel was the most compatible date.
SYRACUSE -- Congratulations again to Clear Channel's B104.7 (WBBS) for showing up twice on the list of nominations for this year's Academy of Country Music Awards. One nomination is for the station as a whole; the other is for the station's morning show.
SYRACUSE -- Attention journalists in Syracuse and all surrounding areas within the 21 counties covered by the Syracuse Press Club: the deadline to submit entries for the club's annual Professional Recognition Awards is less than one week away. Entries are due next Tuesday, January 31.
UTICA/ROME -- Looks like Hank Brown won't be returning to the radio as "your host for coffee and toast," at least not on WKAJ 1120 as he announced last month. Given the fact the station's construction permit expired before Brown made the announcement, it's no surprise the permit has been officially cancelled by the FCC.
UTICA -- NBC affiliate NewsChannel 2 (WKTV) is devoting much of the day tomorrow to a worthy local cause. From noon to 8pm, the station will broadcast a telethon to benefit the Stevens-Swan Humane Society. It's the animal shelter's biggest fundraiser each year.
SYRACUSE -- You may have heard the buzz about Upstate, a television sitcom shot and based in Syracuse. Most of the shooting for a pilot episode took place last fall, and now the finished product has been unveiled. After a debut at Syracuse Stage on Sunday, the episode will air locally on NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) this Thursday.
BOSTON -- Former NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) reporter and anchor Heather Hegedus has a new job, starting today. She's at Fox 25 (WFXT) in Boston. And forget about the usual "first day orientation" stuff, she's jumping right into the fire, filling-in for the station's 6pm anchor tonight.