Post-holiday let-down
Pittsburgh:Most all-Christmas stations around the country have been dropping back down to "normal" levels ratingswise since their Christmas stints have ended. Pittsburgh's two all-Christmas stations are no different. WSHH-FM (99.7) dropped back to 4th place with a 6.9 (down from the Holiday level of 11) and WWSW-FM (94.5) dropped back to 5th place with a 6.8 (down from Holiday at 12.2). Meanwhile, KDKA-AM (1020) has popped back into the 2nd place position where it hasn't been in a long time. WDVE (102.5) takes 1st place and WKST (96.1) takes 3rd.
Complete numbers HERE.
WQED Showcase channel now on Comcast
Pittsburgh:WQED's newest digital channel is now airing on Comcast cable systems throughout Western Pennsylvania. "WQED Showcase" can be seen on channel 199 on "traditional" Comcast systems, channel 193 on the former Adelphia systems in Morgantown and Taylor County, West Virginia; channel 196 in the South Hills and Monroeville and channel 200 in New Castle, Indiana, Plum and Punxsutawney.
The channel features many of the old "QED Cooks" programs, documentaries, and national programming never before seen on WQED due to time limitations.
"Showcase" (13.4) joins the main channel - WQED-TV (13.1); The Create Channel (13.2) and The Neighborhood Channel 13.3).
WPXI Reporter's video goes "viral"
Pittsburgh:Last Thursday, WPXI reporter Courtney Brennan and her cameraman were recording a report on the street in front of Jerry Sandusky's house in State College, PA. The shoot was interrupted when Sandusky's wife drove up - speeding up as she approaches the camera set-up to get into the driveway. The video from that incident has now gone viral on the Internet. Meanwhile, Sandusky's attorney, Joe Amendola, arrived in a car following Mrs. Sandusky and granted an interview to the reporter.
WPXI's news director Mike Goldrick told the Post-Gazette, "She was in the street, but not blocking the driveway by any stretch of the imagination. Our reporters know how to comport themselves in the street."
"Essential Pittsburgh" debuts February 27
Pittsburgh:Paul Guggenheimer, host of "Essential Pittsburgh," calls the program "an innovative hour-long signature program that will utilize 'immersive journalism.'" "Essential Pittsburgh" will look at critical issues around the region. The program will debut on WESA-FM (90.5) on February 27 at Noon. Special episodes of the program will air at Noon on the three Fridays (starting today) leading up to the premiere.
Programming will be moved around to accommodate the new program. "On Point" will drop down to a 1-hour program at 10:00 a.m. "Tell Me More" will start at 11:00 a.m., and "Here and Now" will air at 1:00 p.m. "Essential Pittsburgh" will air an encore presentation at 8:00 p.m.
Local Antiques Roadshow programs to air this month
Pittsburgh:Three episodes of the Antiques Roadshow taped last summer in Pittsburgh will air at 8:00 p.m. the next three Mondays, February 13, 20 and 27 on Channel 13 WQED-TV. As part of the premiere, WQED-FM (89.3) morning host Jim Cunningham will interview Antiques Roadshow Executive Producer Marsha Bemko during his program on February 13. Later that evening, WQED producer Pierina Morelli will host a "behind-the-scenes" documentary called Experience: Antiques Roadshow Comes to Town! Pittsburgh. The program will show how producers set up for the taping at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, people who had items appraised and interviews with host Mark Walberg and others.
The Pittsburgh episodes of Antiques Roadshow feature several "firsts" including the first time in the show's history that a centenarian guest was recorded.
Classy 100 theory
Erie-Meadville: While scanning the dial last night, I found a first for the Erie market. Cumulus owned Classy 100 (WXKC 99.9) has become the first Erie station to sign on with HD Radio. The 50,000 watt station's HD signal (which is much less than 50k) still covers a large broadcast area. I see sister stations WXTA "Country 98" and WQHZ "Z-102.3" following suit. You probably won't see those stations add any sub channels if they follow what their sister stations in nearby Youngstown have done. Update: There may be a motive to using the HD2 channel for a translator at 104.3 (W285AI). The translator is currently testing as Classy 100 (which is different than Classy #1) from the HD channel (which is legal). My guess is that 104.3 will not be The Score 1260's translator after all, but could become an oldies station utilizing the HD2 channel from Classy 100. We shall see.Progress in WTAE/AFTRA negotiations
Pittsburgh:Fairness for WTAE, the group assisting WTAE-TV (4) airstaffers in getting a fair contract, is seeing progress in negotiations between station management and the AFTRA union. The group held a rally at the station in late January where 100 supporters delivered nearly 2000 signatures to Hearst management. "It appears the support of the community is doing what employees alone had a hard time accomplishing," says a press release, "...moving Hearst management towards productive negotiations."
WTAE General Manager Michael Hayes and Allegheny County Labor Council President Jack Shea met January 31 where Shea made it clear that he was not there to negotiate for AFTRA. Instead, Shea made it known that the Allegheny County unions, made up of 150,000 members and retirees, were closely following the negotiations.
The first negotiations since before the Christmas holiday were recently held with a federal mediator present. The next session is scheduled for March.