Sweeping Up in Toledo

Looking at the November book and how it went down in Toledo.

The Toledo Blade writes that there are two trends to take away from the November Nielsens: Overall market viewership is up from a year ago, and WTVG-TV, Channel 13, benefited the most.

The ABC affiliate handily won the mornings in total viewers 2 years of age and older and in the coveted 25-54 age demographic, and was the most-watched newscast in total viewers at 5 to 6 p.m., and 6 to 6:30 p.m., a significant reversal from November, 2012.

The good news for WTOL-TV, Channel 11, WTVG’s main ratings rival in the Toledo-area market, is that the station’s morning numbers were up, as was total viewership for its 11 p.m. newscast. Channel 11’s late news has been a ratings stronghold for the CBS affiliate and continues to be viewers’ most-popular choice for the final news broadcast of the day.

WNWO-TV, Channel 24, however, slid in the ratings from the last November numbers, down in total viewership for both morning newscasts and its 6 to 6:30 p.m. broadcast. The NBC affiliate’s 11 p.m. news remained the same.

It was a slightly better Nielsens book for WUPW-TV, Channel 36, with lower total viewership for its two-hour block of news, beginning at 8 a.m., while the Fox affiliate’s two evening newscasts, 6:30 to 7, and 10 to 11, were up from a year ago.

As for the raw numbers, in total viewers 2 and older, WTVG drew 15,000 and 44,000 at 5 to 6 a.m. and 6 to 7 a.m., respectively, and 8,500 and 25,000 in the 25 to 54 demographic. WTOL was watched by 10,500 total viewers from 5 to 6 a.m., and 22,000 from 6 to 7 a.m., and 5,000 and 9,000 in the key demographic. A thousand total viewers and a thousand viewers ages 25 to 54 tuned in to WNWO for the same two-hour block of morning news.

Charleston News Director Heading Towards the Exit

Sources tell FTVLive that WOWK (Charleston, WV) News Director Keith Baker has handed in his notice to Owner and GM Bray Cary.

Baker has been at the station for just a year. 

Word is that Baker gave the station 4 weeks notice and then, to quote Just Kraemer, he's getting the fuck out of there.

We hear that Cary wants to keep the fact that Baker is leaving quiet and does not want the staff to know.

Oops!

My bad. 

FCC Approves Gannett BELO Deal

The FCC is trying to clear its agenda before the end of the year.

Earlier we told you that the FCC had approved the Tribune takeover of Local TV LLC and they also gave the nod to the Gannett Takeover of BELO.

Here is the internal from BELO President and CEO Dunia Shive to the staff:

I’m sure you have heard by now that Belo and Gannett have reached an agreement with the U. S. Department of Justice that should enable the companies to complete the previously announced acquisition of Belo in 2013. The transaction remains subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission, which we expect to receive soon.

As I said when we announced the deal in June, I’m confident that we have found an excellent partner and home for the Belo stations. Gannett shares our commitment to the highest levels of journalistic integrity and embraces an active approach to community involvement. Together, the combined station group is well-positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities in the television industry for years to come.

It has been my privilege to share in Belo’s rich legacy over my 21 years here, and to serve the last six years as president and CEO. Belo employees are a uniquely talented group and have accomplished many amazing things throughout the Company’s broadcast history. Just since the spin-off, our stations have been honored with numerous prestigious awards including four Peabody Awards, four national Emmy awards, 26 Murrow Awards, and eight duPont Awards - including a special Gold Baton in 2009 for WFAA-TV. Our stations have continued to maintain their market-leading positions in highly- competitive markets amid an ever-changing digital landscape. Our finest displays of public service continue to come through in the most demanding of times. And our Company thrived and prospered following one of the most severe economic downturns in recent memory.

None of the Company’s successes, awards and accomplishments would have been possible without your ongoing commitment and dedication. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support throughout the years and especially during this time of transition. The dedication you have shown to our Company and to each other has been truly remarkable.

Whether you will be continuing with Gannett or moving on to something new, I hope that the coming years bring good fortune and prosperity to you and your families, and to everyone associated with our great team. And I hope the memories and experiences you take with you from Belo will play a role in your future success.

Sincerely,

Dunia

FCC Approves Tribune/ Local TV LLC Deal

The Federal Communications Commission today approved Tribune Company’s application to assume control of broadcast licenses held by subsidiaries of Local TV Holdings, LLC, paving the way for Tribune to acquire 16 of Local TV’s television stations in 14 markets across the country.  The transaction creates the largest combined independent broadcast group and content creator in the country (see accompanying map).    

“On behalf of thousands of Tribune and Local TV employees across the country, I want to thank the Commission for reaching this decision; we are extremely pleased to move forward with the transaction,” said Peter Liguori, Tribune’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  “The logic and investment thesis underlining our acquisition of Local TV is as powerful as it is simple—in a fragmenting media landscape, there is value in scale, for our viewers, advertisers, networks, cable and satellite partners and, most important, the communities we serve.  We are very excited to bring the employees of these two great companies together.”

The Commission also has approved the transfer of broadcast licenses for three Local TV stations in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and Norfolk, VA, to Dreamcatcher Broadcasting LLC.

FRUSTRATION!!!!

Over the past week, FTVLive web service provider Squarespace has been hit by hackers 4 times in "Denial of Service" attacks.

When these attacks happen, access for us to FTVLive's back end is next to impossible and we can't post any updates.

This appears to be happening again this morning.

I have posted what I can and there are a number of other stories that I can't get posted at this time. Some stories my not have images. 

Right now FTVLive is exploring our options as to where to move FTVLive.com to another company. 

Sorry for the problems, I promise you that no one is more frustrated than me right now. 

F-Bomb Anchor Not Headed to Colorado Springs

When KSNW Anchor Just Kraemer threw down the F-Bomb on last Weekend's newscast, it was rumored that he was this/close to leaving the station for an anchor job at KOAA in Colorado Springs.

We asked Kreamer if he was going to KOAA and he told FTVLive "Not sure at this point".

Well, it looks like he's not going to KOAA after all. In a statement emailed to FTVLIve KOAA General Manager Evan Pappas says "Despite reports, Justin Kraemer will not be working at KOAA."

Hmmmmm.....Maybe it was something he said.

KABC Anchor Leaving for Dodgers Gig

Word is that  KABC's John Hartung is this/close to leaving the ABC O&O and heading to LA Dodgers broadcast team.

Hartung anchors for Eyewitness News on KABC on the weekends and is also a sports reporter and fill-in-sports anchor.

So far, the Dodgers and KABC are not saying anything on Hartung.

Stay tuned.... 

Former B-More Anchor Headed to Sinclair

FTVLive told you last month that Kai Jackson was leaving WJZ in Baltimore and now we can tell you where he's headed. 

After more than 20 years, Jackson signed off from and is  joining Sinclair Broadcasting as its national correspondent based in Washington, D.C.

"Yes, I'm going to Sinclair," Jackson said in a telephone interview with the Baltimore Sun. "I'm really excited. It's a company at the forefront of the industry, and I appreciate that they think I have something to offer."

Jackson said he will start his new job with the Hunt-Valley-based broadcaster Jan. 2.

"Kai will be a special correspondent covering stories in the nation’s capitol for all of the Sinclair news operations," Scott Livingston, VP for news at Sinclair, said in an email response to The Sun."He will develop stories that focus on our commitment to advocacy journalism. Our goal is to produce stories that give context to the hot button issues in Washington."

Break out The Wine

You might as well start chilling the wine now.

FTVLive favorites Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb will host a two New Year's Eve special on NBC. 

HuffPo writes  that the colorful duo will host "A Toast to 2013!", a two-hour NBC News special airing Tuesday, December 31 at 8pm EST. Kathie Lee and Hoda will look back at the year's "buzziest" stories, from Pope Francis to tweaking. 

The special will feature interviews with public figures like Sheryl Sandberg and Pharrell Williams, as well as NBC personalities including Brian Williams, the "Today" show hosts and MSNBC hosts.

So in others words it will basically be a 2 hour promotion for NBC. 

Former Richmond News Director is Dead

Former WWBT news and public affairs director Douglas L. Hill passed away Sunday at his Midlothian home at the age of 91.

Hill came to Richmond in 1966 to serve as news director for channel 12, which was then WRVA-TV and helped guide the station into a ratings lead in its 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. He also hosted the Doug Hill Show and the station's Tell Doug segments, fielding viewer concerns for years.

H/T WWBT

Plug to be pulled on Couric's Talk Show

In what comes as a surprise to absolutely no one, Katie Couric's talk show is done after this season.

Couric and ABC have agreed that “Katie,” which will not return for a third season next year.

“While production will continue on 'Katie' through June 2014, we've mutually agreed that there will not be a third season of the show,” reps for Couric and the show’s distributor ABC Domestic Television said in a joint statement. “We're very proud of everyone's contributions to making Katie the #1 new syndicated talk show of 2012-2013, and we look forward to the rest of the season.”

Travel Time

FYI.......

I'm hitting road.

Updates will be sporadic for the next few hours.

Play nice while I'm gone...ok? 

First Review of Google Glass

One week ago I became a Glasshole (I was an asshole long before that). A Glasshole is what people that don't have Google Glass, call people that do.

Google sent me Glass last week and I have been wearing it ever since. Here's my first week review in FTVLive Tech.

By the way wearing Google Glass with an Apple hat is steeped in irony and I'm sure that Steve Jobs just flipped over one more time. Sorry Steve!

Hmmmmm? Really Babs?!

Of all the people, Barbara Walters picked Hillary Clinton as The Most Fascinating Person of the year.

This might be the one year that Clinton has been out of the spotlight more than any other and yet Walters puts her on the list. 

The piece appeared to be Barbara Walters' effort to helping Clinton kick off her 2016 Presidential run. People picked on CBS's John Miller's puff piece for the NSA. This falls into that same boat.

Here's the video:

Breaking News from ABC | ABC Sports News

Does Jeff Zucker Think That Jay Leno has no Memory?

Back in 2010, FTVLive broke the World Exclusive story that NBC (headed by Jeff Zucker at the time) was going to pull the plug on Jay Leno's 10PM show.

NBC denied the FTVLive story, but of course we all know how it turned out.

Zucker was long ago pushed out at NBC and is now over at CNN trying to screw that place up more than it is. 

Leno is being pushed out at NBC's Tonight Show to make way for Jimmy Fallon.

Now word comes that Jeff Zucker is interested in bringing Jay Leno over to CNN.

Say What?!

The Hollywood Reporter says that Zucker is among those who have approached Leno for a late-night or primetime show on his network. Zucker recently visited briefly with Leno at NBC in Burbank.

Word is that Zucker wants to raise his awful demo ratings and thinks that bringing in 63 year old Jay Leno will help do that.

Can you now see why NBC pushed Zucker out the door?