What’s Making Newz In Local Media
Friday, March 04, 2011
With the February TV ratings wrapped up this week – it’s time to take a look around at what the buzz is in Providence media. We’ve got talent moving around – a lawsuit – and a comeback kid story. As always, thanks to those who drop dimes this way making our Media Round-Up even better.
· WPRO-AM, as first reported here at GoLocal will officially change its morning show next Monday, March 7th, to “The WPRO Morning News with Tara Granahan and Andrew Gobeil". The show will air 6am to 9am. John DePetro who held the am slot goes to 9am to Noon, Dan Yorke goes Noon to 3pm and Buddy Cianci goes 3pm to 6pm. In other WPRO news, nighttime talk show host Matt Allen is being sued. According to the suit, Allen posted a photo on his website for a caption contest without permission from the Denver Post. Matt Drudge was also sued for using the picture and settled out of court. The suit against Allen is asking for $150,000.
· The Forecast is apparently changing in the Channel 10 weather department. GoLocal has learned some shifts mean that Gary Ley and Kelly Bates will now share the Sunrise show duties during the week and each of them will take some of the weekend shifts. As you may know, Bates was demoted off the morning show a while back and sent to weekend duty. Apparently, viewer complaints about taking Bates off got to someone’s ear over there.
· Channel 10 is hoping the February news ratings hold. It looks like they will win all shows across the board. As reported here, the mighty dime has seen some ratings erosion of late to Channel 12. But now it appears 10 is back on top including the 11pm news. More ratings info. to come next week.
· Channel 12’s transmission contract with DISH network expires this weekend. Both sides have been trying to hammer out a deal that would keep Channel 12 and Fox Providence Shows on the network. If no deal by tonight at midnight, DISH customers lose out. The fighting has to do with money for transmission fees.
· Kudos to Channel 10’s Parker Gavigan for having the exclusive story this week about a Providence convenience store allegedly selling out of state tax free cigarettes. All the while, according to the story, a Providence Police Officer spends time in the store. Gavigan ambushed the cop on camera who had no comment. An investigation is now underway by the Public Safety Commissioner.
· Congratulations to former Channel 12 anchor Steve Aveson who has landed a new gig at New England Cable News…where he is the anchor of a new morning show. And also to Providence native Joe Nocera who, according to mediabistro.com, has just landed a new gig as an Op-Ed columnist for the New York Times.
· Channel 6 and the employees there may learn their fate related to a new owner later this month. Word has it former Providence Mayor Joe Paolino and his group of investors are still making a run for the station despite the fact that another buyer is in the lead position.
Jeff Derderian is a former television news reporter and anchor both in Providence and Boston. He is one of the founders of the Station Education Fund. He can be reached at [email protected]m
Related Articles
- More Bad News for Local TV News
- Ratings for Your Favorite Local TV Shows
- Surprising Results in Local TV News Ratings
- Where Have Local TV News Watchers Gone in a Decade?
- Local TV Stations told to “turn it down”
- Election Night TV Ratings/Who was the Winner?
