WWHO Signs Up for Rentrak

LIN TV signed up its CW affiliate in Columbus, Ohio for Rentrak’s local measurement service. WWHO-TV will be using Rentrak’s StationView Essentials service for detailed local metrics derived from set-top boxes.

http://www.televisionbroadcast.com/article/92620

WBKI Makes a Move

The Louisville affiliate of The CW Television Network is moving its operations to the St. Matthews area from eastern Jefferson County.
The owner of WBKI-TV has signed a 10-year lease for about 9,000 square feet in the Kaden Tower, according to several people involved directly in the transaction.

http://louisville.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2009/09/07/story4.html

Louisville's CW Affiliate Has New Owner...Officially

It's official.Louisville's CW affiliate, WBKI [34/28], now has a new owner.Louisville TV Group, LLC, which was formed by Iowa-based Fusion Communications for the purpose of buying the station, won approval from the FCC on Thursday.The sale was announced in May.

http://jakesdtvblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/derby-city-digest-wbki-sale-now.html

The Ville Voice Splits With the CW

The new owners of CW affiliate WBKI-TV, Iowa-based Fusion Communications, fired station manager and Louisville Live morning host Dan Spangler on Tuesday. Yesterday, they notified us, through Craig Hoffman, that they no longer want a ‘Ville Voice/Page One segment on the morning show.

Hoffman gave no specific reason for the change, mumbling something about the way new management always makes changes, that they’re adding some things and taking away some things, that it was nothing personal. That’s not exactly true

http://thevillevoice.com/2009/06/19/were-splitting-with-cw/

Louisville CW Lets Go Station Manager

Dan Spangler, the WBKI station manager and host of the local morning show Louisville Live, was dismissed from both positions yesterday by the station’s new ownership group, Fusion Communications.

Spangler said that about 4:30 yesterday, he was told that he was being let go due to budgetary considerations and asked to leave immediately


http://thevillevoice.com/2009/06/17/cw-shafts-spangler-no-more-dan-show/

WWHO-TV Goes Green

The only television station in the region behind hundreds of green efforts and initiatives is now the first to take steps to make a greener, healthier work environment for its employees.

“We believe in the integration of an environmental philosophy here at The CW,” said Ellen Daly, WWHO-TV vice president/station manager. “This has been a major step in reducing our impact on the environment.”

http://www.wwhotv.com/dpp/project_green/WWHOTV_Green_Station_20090507

Digital May Deliver for the CW

While some station execs and government wonks fret over the digital TV transition, others are starting to see opportunity.
The long-awaited -- and long-delayed -- move from analog to digital will serve as a great equalizer for TV stations that until now were second-class citizens in the over-the-air spectrum.

And that could mean wider audiences for the sources that provide programs for those stations -- including, most notably, the CW.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118004574.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

NATAS Announces Daytime Emmy Nominees

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences today announced the nominees for the 35th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Awards. The announcement was made live on ABC’s “The View”, hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Sherri Shepherd.

The nominations were presented by “All My Children” stars Rebecca Budig (Greenlee Smythe) and Cameron Mathison (Ryan Lavery), Farah Fath (Gigi Morasco) and John-Paul Lavoisier (Rex Balsam) of “One Life to Live,” Marcy Rylan (Lizzie Spaulding) from “Guiding Light” and Van Hansis (Luke Snyder) of “As the World Turns” and Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton) and Alison Sweeney (Sami DiMera) from “Days of our Lives.”

http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/daytime_35th_nominations.html

WBKI Sold to Iowa Media Company

Fusion Communications Inc., a Davenport, Iowa-based media company, has reached an agreement to purchase Louisville’s CW Network affiliate WBKI-TV from WBKISLG LLC.

Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.

http://louisville.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2009/05/04/daily28.html

LIN Websites Voted #1 in 13 of 15 Markets

LIN TV Corp. (NYSE: TVL), a local television and digital media company, today announced that it has the number one web site out of all news and media web sites in 13 of 15 of its measured markets1, based on March, 2009 data released by comScore, Inc., an industry leading digital marketing intelligence provider.

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-l-tv-web-sites-rank-number-one-13-/2009/04/28/4154314.htm

Daytime Emmys Find a Home

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY
OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES
ANNOUNCES
The 36th ANNUAL DAYTIME ENTERTAINMENT
EMMY® AWARDS

Daytime Emmy Awards To Be Telecast August 30th, 2009
On The CW Television Network at 8:00 p.m. (ET)
from The Historic Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles

Sesame Street to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award for 40 Years of Educational Television

New York – April 7, 2009 – The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the broadcast of the 36th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Awards on The CW Television Network on Sunday, August 30th, 2009 from the historic Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. The show is a unique partnership between Associated Television International (ATI), NATAS and MGM Worldwide Television, which is handling distribution of the telecast.

“The Daytime Emmy® Awards are one of the cornerstones of our business,” said Frank Radice, President & Chief Marketing Officer, NATAS. “There wouldn’t be a television awards season without them. From the extravagant red carpet to the great entertainment, the viewer will experience the show through new approaches which will make this year’s show more robust and relevant than ever before.”

ATI President and Emmy® award winning producer David McKenzie with Paul Sharratt, will executive produce the show.

“We are thrilled to be working with NATAS, MGM and the CW on this year’s special presentation,” stated Jim Romanovich, ATI’s President of Worldwide Media and Entertainment. “As the producers of many successful event specials, including The World Magic Awards, and as fans of the daytime genre, it is our quest to make this a fast paced, fun-filled entertainment special that celebrates the best of daytime.”

“We’re pleased to have this prestigious franchise on our network,” said Dawn Ostroff, President, Entertainment, The CW. “It is not only a terrifically entertaining show with a core female following similar to our own, but will also give us a promotional platform as we launch our Fall 2009 schedule.”

Jim Packer, Co-President of MGM Worldwide Television, stated: “MGM is always looking at creative ways to work with our partners in bringing compelling product to the marketplace and this is clear example of executing that strategy.”

Through the use of innovative programming from social networking sites, audiences will be availed of unprecedented interactivity between the program and audience. Westwood One Radio, the official radio partner of the event will also be offering a wide range of exciting participatory contests for their listeners.

Nominations will be released on May 14th, 2009, some of which will be announced on NBC’s Today with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb (10am ET). The complete list will be available that evening at a nominating event at the Hearst Tower, in Manhattan, home of the official print partner of the Daytime Emmy Awards, Good Housekeeping Magazine.

A multi page insert dedicated to The Daytime Emmy® Awards and the Nominees will appear in the September issue of Good Housekeeping.

In addition to honoring the best in Daytime Entertainment Drama Series, Talk & Morning Shows, Variety, Cooking, Animation, and Courtroom Drama, this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be awarded to Sesame Street for its
40 years of educating and entertaining our children, their children and most of us!

The Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Awards recognize outstanding achievement in all fields of daytime television production and are presented to individuals and programs broadcast from 2:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. during the 2008 calendar year.
The 36th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards is a presentation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in cooperation with the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

All balloting for the 36th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Awards will be compiled by the independent accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP. American Airlines is the official airline of the Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Awards.
You can follow the 36th Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Awards on our Twitter page at: www.twitter.com/theemmys


About The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public & Community Service, Technology & Engineering, and Business & Financial Reporting. Regional Emmy® Awards are given in 19 regions across the United States. NATAS also presents the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Global Media Awards™ which recognizes excellence in the world-wide intersection of digital entertainment and technology. Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive educational programs including National Student Television and its Student Award for Excellence for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships, publications, and major activities for both industry professionals and the viewing public. For more information, please visit the website at www.emmyonline.tv


About Associated Television International

Associated Television International has been successfully producing television series specials and feature films for over three decades. ATI’s program have aired on all US broadcast networks and the major cable channels. For the last two years, ATI garnered critical acclaim and ratings success producing “The World Magic Awards.” Current series in production include, “Real Heroes Among Us,” “Masters of Illusion,” “World’s Funniest Moments,” Real Vice Cops Uncut,” and “Laura McKenzie’s Traveler.” Among the many honors presented to ATI are an Emmy nomination for “Who’s Who of World Giving,” and an Emmy Award for “America’s Invisible Children.”

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution In, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

###

Louisville's CW Wants to Clear the Air

Here’s a follow-up to yesterday’s story about the CW. The station’s CEO, Carol LaFever, was understandably upset when she learned a competitor was telling advertisers that her station might fold in a few weeks and was being evicted from its building.

First, it wasn’t true. And more importantly, it could be bad for business. We certainly believe that Fox41’s Bill Lamb put an immediate stop to the rumor-spreading when he found out about it, but LaFever was compelled to write a letter explaining the station’s status.

http://thevillevoice.com/2009/03/18/clearing-the-airwaves-on-the-cw/

Buckeyes Compete to be the Next CW Star

Two Ohio State students want to be the next "face" of a local television network. Seniors Nick Uhas and Vicki Bouttavong are competing with eight others from the Columbus area for the title of CW Star. The CW is a national network that has a station, WWHO-TV, in Columbus. The station is trying to find a talented young person to be a spokesperson for the network.

http://media.www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2008/11/10/Arts/Buckeyes.Compete.To.Be.Cw.Star-3533242.shtml

Time Warner Cable Brings Back The CW in Columbus

Time Warner Cable and a tv station owner have made a deal ending a monthlong standoff that blacked out local channels in Ohio and across the country.


The nation's second-largest cable operator has agreed to pay undisclosed retransmission fees to LIN TV, which operates local stations affiliated with NBC, CBS, FOX and CW.


The 14 stations covered by the nationwide agreement include three in Ohio: WDTN, the NBC station in Dayton; Toledo FOX station WUPW; and WWHO, the CW network affiliate in Columbus.


Retransmission fees have long been a sore spot for cable companies.


TV station operators recently have been asking for fees per subscriber instead of, for example, agreements to buy advertising.

http://www.610wtvn.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=&article=4498793

News at 10 in Louisville Returns

After being taken off the air Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the WHAS-TV News at 10 aired again on WBKI-TV, the CW, last night. Neither station returned my calls for comment, but I should have more details on the situation later today. The CW has aired the program since 2005.

In October, the WHAS news airing on the CW earned a 2.3 rating. Its primary competitor, Fox41, earned a 5.8 on nights that it wasn’t pre-empted by the World Series or debate coverage. The station typically airs its news on sister station WMYO when that happens, where it has earned a 4.0 rating this month.

http://thevillevoice.com/2008/10/28/news-at-10-returns/

Time Warner Cable and LIN Still Negotiating

Time Warner Cable and the company that owns Dayton television station WDTN, the city's NBC affiliate, are still trying to reach agreement on a dispute that knocked WDTN's signal off Time Warner's local cable service Oct. 2.

LIN TV Corp., owner of WDTN, and Time Warner Cable have been negotiating seven days a week to try to resolve the issue, spokeswomen for both companies said Monday, Oct. 20.


http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/10/20/ddn102008ch2web.html

Columbus Dispatch Columnist Says Viewers Don't Miss the CW

Maybe as a TV critic I shouldn't admit this, but I have no idea what's happening on 90210.

Or Gossip Girl, America's Next Top Model or Everybody Hates Chris.

In my defense, I'm not totally to blame.

Like many other cable customers in central Ohio, I subscribe to Time Warner. For two weeks, the area's largest cable provider hasn't carried the CW, home to these and other shows.

http://dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2008/10/15/1A_MOLLY1015.ART_ART_10-15-08_D1_M1BJE2E.html?sid=101

WWHO Gone from Time Warner in Columbus

Central Ohio Time Warner subscribers hoping to see America's Next Top Model last night instead got the Starz Kids & Family Channel.

Time Warner Cable dropped WWHO-TV (Channel 53) yesterday morning after the company and the station's owner failed to reach a contract agreement.

WWHO carries the CW network, which offers such shows as America's Next Top Model, Everybody Hates Chris, 90210 and Gossip Girl. Time Warner carries the network mostly on Channel 13 in central Ohio.

http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/04/CW_-_TIME_WARNER.ART_ART_10-04-08_B3_AABGQJ8.html?sid=101

Time Warner, owner of WWHO not talking

LIN TV, owner of WWHO-TV (Channel 53), said early yesterday that the signal for that station and several others it owns might go dark on Time Warner Cable systems when a retransmission-consent deal expires Oct. 2, Broadcasting & Cable reported.


http://dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2008/09/16/2_CABLE__DARK.ART_ART_09-16-08_D5_RVBB7E9.html?sid=101

HDTV Switch Limits New Shows

The more things change, the more they stay the same - particularly in broadcasting this season.

Viewers will see the most radical change in the 60-year history of TV - the switch to digital broadcasting Feb. 17 - during a TV season with the fewest new fall shows (17) in two decades.

The major TV networks, still recovering from the crippling writers' strike last winter, trimmed their new series offerings to give another chance to promising shows cut short last season.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080914/ENT/809140343/1175