The Rangers announced Friday they have entered into a five-year agreement with KTXA-TV (TXA 21) to broadcast 25 regular-season games starting next season. The station will broadcast "Texas Rangers Game of the Week" on Friday nights, as well as select Spring Training games in 2010. READ THE REST
Mexicanal, which is also lining up broadcast affiliates on digital channels, features regional news, sports, popular entertainment and culturally relevant programs direct from regions all throughout Mexico, including the top four Mexican states-Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato and Michoacán-from which the majority of Houston's Hispanic population originates. READ THE REST
If the Federal Communications Commission flipped the switch today for digital television, just under 100,000 households in the Houston area would not be ready, according to new figures by The Nielsen Co.
The figures show that 4.74 percent of Houston households still do not have the proper equipment for the transition to digital. There are 2.1 million television households in the Houston area, according to Nielsen. READ MORE
They do not shrink from the opportunity to spell out the differences between listening to Dean and Rog and to Walton and Johnson. “The problem with the show that has replaced us is that we all have opinions. We all have politics,” [Roger] Beaty said. “But our whole point when we go on the air is we realize there are a number of our listeners that really are dreading going to their jobs. And this is the truth. What is it that we say, Dean? ‘If we can make a few people laugh …’ ”
“We always said that if we could make just one person laugh out there ... we would be fired because it’s not enough,” [Dean] Myers said. “We need more of them laughing. Really, we do try to take people away from the problems of the world. Man, there are a lot of problems in the world, and you don’t want to think about that stuff all day.” READ MORE
Oh, I could just click on this over and over again. Each click produces a funny random cat photo from the Web. 
I haven't covered the Gallery Furniture fire situation since it was the top story for most Houston media for days. Those outside of Houston might think a furniture store's warehouse fire wouldn't be major news, but Gallery Furniture is actually a Houston icon. It is kind of hard to explain. Then again most furniture store owners don't appear on MTV and own some of Princess Diana's jewels.
Longtime local TV weather anchor Loren Nancarrow has left KGTV/Channel 10 after 11 years, the station announced Friday.
Nancarrow is being replaced by Byron Miranda, whose résumé includes stints at KTVU-TV in San Francisco, KCBS in Los Angeles, CNN and CNN International. Miranda is a member of the National Weather Association and winner of a Golden Mike Award for Best Weathercaster in Southern California. READ THE REST
I got the good news last week. I won my second Lone Star EMMY Advanced Media Award (that goes for wingman producer/photographer/editor Michael A. Carl too!). "I'm back on the air at khou Channel 11 filling in for a vacationing Mario Gomez the next few weeks.
This will be my farewell tour for Houston as I'm heading to Seattle with the wife and kids by the middle of next month.
I'll miss Houston terribly but look forward to my new life in the great Pacific Northwest!"
With newsroom budgets under pressure like never before, TV stations in a growing number of markets are suppressing their competitive instincts and forming news co-ops to capture and share video of public meetings, press conferences and other routine events. Some are also sharing costly news helicopters for the first time.
In some ways, TV stations have been sharing video for years. They routinely share video and entire stories with stations in other markets through network-run news exchanges and through CNN Newsource.
They cooperate with cross-town rivals on an ad hoc basis, particularly during emergencies. And they must also often set up pools for trials and other events where access to cameras is limited.
But never before have stations opted to work together with their rivals in such a regular and formal fashion. READ THE REST
Brian “Head” Welch, former lead guitarist for the nu-metal band Korn, is playing the Houston area. You might remember Head left Korn after his very public conversion to Christianity.Texas cell phone users should beware of an emerging, high-tech threat that has been dubbed: “smishing.” To trick more people into revealing personal information, financial account numbers, and passwords, spammers have begun sending fraudulent cell phone text messages.
As many computer users know, spam e-mail messages, known as “phishing,” frequently arrive in e-mail inboxes. Many computer users have learned to identify and delete fraudulent e-mails that falsely appear to originate from legitimate banks, credit card companies and government agencies. Internet service providers and spam filters often block these messages so they never reach their intended targets.
Effective spam filters have not yet been developed for cell phone text messages. Very few text messages are blocked by filters or cell phone providers. While misspelled e-mail messages and broken address links make it simpler to judge a spam e-mail, determining whether a text message is legitimate may be difficult. There are no images – only text – and the message is usually short.
For example, smishing messages may threaten the recipient about an impending charge that can be cancelled only if the user visits a phony Web site displayed in the message. Another common scam directs the recipient to call a toll-free number to complete or cancel a financial transaction. An “operator” at the number will helpfully take the caller’s credit card or debit account number – and use that information to defraud the caller if they are art of a scam.
Smishing recipients should not respond to the sender. In fact, they should not call any telephone numbers provided in the text message – nor should they click on any Web links. Activating Web links that appear in unexpected text messages may direct users to fraudulent Web sites or allow identity thieves to capture users’ sensitive personal information. Legitimate financial institutions do not call or e-mail customers seeking this information. Customers who are concerned about a purportedly pending charge should contact the service provider or bank directly and inquire about it.
MMMMMMMM. I love Dr Pepper and I love BBQ sauce. Why not mix the two?Give your BBQ a kick with the 23 flavors of Dr Pepper combined with the slow-simmered, sweet and spicy seasonings. Our BBQ sauce is perfect for basting, marinating, or dipping. Experience the big, bold flavor of the Dr Pepper taste you love in every bite. SEE IT HERE
We all know June 1 is the big return of Dean and Rog (formerly of 93.7 The Arrow KKRW) to the Houston airwaves on 107.5 The New K-Hits KHTC-FM. DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY OF LEFTRIGHTLEFTRIGHTLEFT
Hello again. Earlier today (5.15.09), the free download of Coldplay's new live album, LeftRightLeftRightLeft, was made available - click here to download your free copy from Coldplay.com now.
The announcement was posted on Friday at 7:48 p.m. (central) by operations manager Doug Boehner, who said that "abusive comments have caused harm to families and friends of those who have been the subject of news stories and other users." READ THE REST
If you are an XM subscriber of the now merged Sirius XM satellite empire, then you do not get Howard Stern's 100 and 101 channels. CBS Radio-Houston announces the following changes: CHR KKHH afternoon host Dave Morales will segue to afternoons on Hot AC KHMX effective May 21. Kaden, who most recently handled nights at the former KMVK/Dallas, will take over afternoons at KKHH. KHMX PD/morning guy Keith Scott and producer John Whalen both exit. READ THE REST
Julia Dales of Canada knows how to beatbox. This is amazing. She makes the beats and sings!Overall, Windows 7 is much more polished and, frankly, much less annoying than Windows Vista. If you’re a Vista user who’s at all peeved at your operating system, you’ll want to upgrade posthaste when it comes out. If you’re a Windows XP user who’s happy with the status quo, you’ll at least want to investigate Windows 7. If the quality of the final build is indicated by the Release Candidate, Windows 7 is the improvement over Windows XP that Vista should have been. READ THE REST
Andre Ware said Monday he will give up his morning talk show on KILT (610 AM) to take on expanded duties with ESPN but hopes to continue as part of the Texans radio broadcast team. READ THE REST
Program director Bill Van Rysdam is gone; he's long been around the scene, both at KILT and KTRH. READ THE REST
Chuck Klosterman wrote in his 2004 book Sex, drugs, and cocoa puffs: a low culture manifesto about the cultural phenomeneon that is the NBC teen show Saved by the Bell. He writes the show is a generational secret that is hyper familiar to anyone born between the years of 1970 and 1977 but unknown to anyone outside of those years. I disagree. I believe the Millennials know of the show from its extended cable run and NBC spin offs.
The strangest monument in America looms over a barren knoll in northeastern Georgia. Five massive slabs of polished granite rise out of the earth in a star pattern. The rocks are each 16 feet tall, with four of them weighing more than 20 tons apiece. Together they support a 25,000-pound capstone. Approaching the edifice, it's hard not to think immediately of England's Stonehenge or possibly the ominous monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Built in 1980, these pale gray rocks are quietly awaiting the end of the world as we know it.
Called the Georgia Guidestones, the monument is a mystery—nobody knows exactly who commissioned it or why. The only clues to its origin are on a nearby plaque on the ground—which gives the dimensions and explains a series of intricate notches and holes that correspond to the movements of the sun and stars—and the "guides" themselves, directives carved into the rocks. These instructions appear in eight languages ranging from English to Swahili and reflect a peculiar New Age ideology. Some are vaguely eugenic (GUIDE REPRODUCTION WISELY—IMPROVING FITNESS AND DIVERSITY); others prescribe standard-issue hippie mysticism (PRIZE TRUTH—BEAUTY—LOVE—SEEKING HARMONY WITH THE INFINITE).
What's most widely agreed upon—based on the evidence available—is that the Guidestones are meant to instruct the dazed survivors of some impending apocalypse as they attempt to reconstitute civilization. READ THE REST
As more journalists lose jobs, this is a issue that will surface repeatedly. Like former Congressmen-turned-lobbyists, prominent journalists have a level of public name recognition, storytelling expertise and credibility that can be put to just about any purpose once they leave the Fourth Estate.
CBS Sports anchor Greg Gumbel says he was tricked into a similar arrangement, paid $110,000 for two days spent recording introductions for what he thought would be educational programs, only to find they were used before infomercials for time shares and cellphone chargers. READ THE REST
"the guy kind of looks like seymor j Hoffman,(sp?) the dude from Capote"
It's the afternoon. You are probably sitting at your desk and needing a little inspiration. Enter Diamond David Lee Roth. Take a spin through the 80s and 90s with some of his interview gems. The Kindle DX features a larger screen (two and a half times the size of the Kindle 2), a built-in PDF reader, and enhanced Internet navigation. It also has more storage than the Kindle 2 - Amazon says it will hold up to 3,500 books compared with 1,500 with the Kindle 2. It sells for $489, compared to $359 for the Kindle 2. READ THE REST
“The Kindle, which I think is a marvelous device, the best deal Amazon will give the Dallas Morning News>—and we’ve negotiated this up to the last two weeks—they want 70 percent of the subscriptions revenue. I get 30 percent, they get 70 percent. On top of that they have said we get the right to republish your intellectual property to any portable device. Now is that a business model that is going to work for newspapers? I get 30 percent and they get the right to license my content to any portable device—not just ones made by Amazon? That, to me, is not a model." READ THE REST
This video appears to be from an online show FoxNews.com airs called the Strategy Room. Looks like a low end version of the Situation Room except the anchors have more personality.
CBS Radio Top 40 KKHH (HOT 95.7)/Houston night host Mo' Bounce signs on for another year as the voice of the Elvis Duran And The Morning Show. READ THE REST
Star Trek is a great movie. JJ Abrams did a great job with the new movie. I liked the story, actors and special effects. My wife liked the movie and has never been into the Star Trek franchise at all.Sources say that for now the arrangement will only involve photographers and assignment desk personnel. But of course it could mushroom in time to include on-camera reporters as well. READ THE REST
I can't guarantee that Optimus Prime will call your friends and family to promote the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, but if you liked the first one, you will probably like the sequel. (One thing you'll find less of: celebrity news. Our research told us you didn't want it, which is a relief since we were doing it only because we thought we had to.)
Nearly everything about the way the magazine looks will change. Our new design, created by the graphic-design firm Number 17, is meant to be less daunting, more entertaining and easier to navigate. It will be divided into four clear sections: short newsy items, essays and commentary, longer features and cultural coverage. It will be printed on higher-quality paper, which instantly will make it feel better in your hand. I think the new design is sophisticated and airy, and makes the stories we work so hard on seem more inviting." READ MORE
Last week I brought you the reimagined version of the 1980s hit called GI Joe: Resolute, now here comes the trailer for the live action film G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra trailer.
Johnson says he has gotten more than 160 of his jokes on the "Late Show With David Letterman" and, before that, "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."
The 39-year-old is part of an underground network of comedy writers who supply the late-night programs with a constant stream of material. If one of their jokes gets on the air, they get a check for $75 or $100. What they don't get is any credit or union pay. READ THE REST
Did you hear how KFC was giving out free chicken meal coupons yesterday thanks to Oprah? There were some problems printing the coupons supposedly. Yeah...supposedly Oprah was having all of the coupons redirected to her printer since there was only one coupon per customer {insert rim shot}
Le Whif is a small cartridge filled with fine chocolate powder that is inhaled. It coats your tounge with the sensation of flavor, but it adds less than one calorie to your diet. READ THE REST
FriendFeed is a fascinating combination of a.) an aggregation tool bringing information in from all around the web, b.) a big public conversation and c.) a publishing tool for original content. The service pulls in data from all the different social networks you tell it that you participate in, allowing your FriendFeed friends to see and discuss your activities on those networks whether they happen to participate in them or not. READ THE REST
Multimedia Photo Journalist (Posted 5/01/09)
KHOU-TV, a Belo-owned station, is looking for a Mobile Multimedia Photo Journalist who will be responsible for sports and news reporting and photography on-air and online. Responsibilities will include shooting, writing, editing, and reporting sports and general assignment news stories for on air broadcast and online products; conducting live and taped interviews; generating story ideas; posting video, graphics, etc. to the online products; and back-up anchor/reporter for sports segments as needed.
Interested candidates should preferably have a college degree and 3-5 years broadcast journalism experience: Experience in news writing, news and sports photography, video editing, and online publishing: Familiar with digital video cameras, non-linear editing systems, ENG operations, and newsroom computer systems: Must have valid driver’s license and the ability to drive news ENG trucks as needed: Must be able to work well under extreme deadline pressure and able to multi-task: A thorough understanding of digital trends and the ability to produce a variety of digital content for multiple platforms and the ability to work a flexible schedule that will include weekends, evenings, holidays, breaking news and severe weather events are also prerequisites.
For consideration, please submit resume to jobs@khou.com or mail to KHOU-TV, Attention: Human Resources-MPJ, 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston, TX 77019; Fax 713-284-8818. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
The Dean and Rog Road Tour
Make it a Dean & Rog Happy Hour as the guys from 107.5 FM meet and greet on the Beaver’s patio and kick-off their show’s return. Enjoy fabulous fresh cocktails, tasty appetizers and music from Kozmic Pearl.
WHEN: Thursday, May 7, 2009 - 6 PM – 8 PM
WHERE: Beaver’s
2310 Decatur Houston, TX 77007
I am a huge fan of Mike Judge's Office Space so I am excited to see his next film Extract coming out in September 2009. It stars Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis and Ben Affleck.Joel, the owner of an Extract plant, tries to contend with myriad personal and professional problems, such as his potentially unfaithful wife and employees who want to take advantage of him.
Here I thought I had heard them all, but there are some Motley Crue covers that have slipped past me...until now.As newspapers continue to ring up giant losses—Gannett, for one, saw its publishing revenue plummet 27% in the first quarter—it's the perfect time for stations to grab market share from their beleaguered print brethren. Some station sales staffs have been working local papers' demise into their sales pitches. “America's Newspapers Face Uncertain Future,” reads the marketing material at one Norfolk station, quoting a Pew study showing that Americans won't miss their daily paper as much as one might think. READ THE REST
When he's not in Miami, Drudge spends considerable time traveling--for instance, to Tel Aviv, Geneva, and Las Vegas, according to multiple sources. "He's totally portable," Drudge's friend Lucianne Goldberg told me. "He's like a turtle--he takes it with him." Says the other friend, "He has turned me on to a healthy appreciation for good hotels." Still, the pressures to maintain the site while traveling can be crushing. READ THE REST
We've heard the Christian Bale rant, now let's see what came of that shoot with the new Terminator Salvation trailer.It seems to happen at every award show – so much so that it’s now a frequent punch line. The rapper who rhymes about selling drugs, pulling guns, and sleeping around with your girl gets honored for his work and the first thing out of his mouth is “I want to thank God.”
Why would someone promote and sell a lifestyle that appears to be so sinful if they are really trying to follow the ways of Jesus? How do they think their God receives such words of gratitude? Is the “spiritual/Jesus track” at the end of the album a reflection of their true relationship with the Creator or something they tack onto the record to make their momma proud?
This year, we’ve already come through the Grammys, BET, and MTV Awards where such sentiments were no doubt proclaimed from the stage. And just a few weeks ago, the Dove Awards were held in Nashville where Christian music artists most certainly did the same thing.
Over 60 percent of people who sign up to use the popular (and tremendously discussed) micro-blogging platform do not return to using it the following month, according to new data released by Nielsen Online. In other words, Twitter currently has just a 40 percent retention rate, up from just 30 percent in previous months--indicating an “I don’t get it factor” among new users that is reminiscent of the similarly-over hyped Second Life from a few years ago. READ THE REST
Williams, who was replaced earlier this year as news director at KRIV (Channel 26), is returning to the station where she started her TV career in 1985. She will work with Rick McFarland, the station’s newly appointed news director and a friend and colleague for more than 20 years. READ THE REST
Think the modern day media has you worked up about swine flu? Just wait till you see government PSAs on the flu from 1976. Its weekly papers in the Dallas area include the Allen American, Carrollton Leader, Celina Record, Colony Courier Leader, Coppell Gazette, Flower Mound Leader, Frisco Enterprise, Lewisville Leader, Little Elm Journal, McKinney Messenger, Mesquite News, Rowlett Lakeshore Times and Southlake Times. READ THE REST
The paper has published for 114 years, and has been part of A.H. Belo's Denton Publishing unit since 1992, according to a Pegasus News story by Teresa Gubbins. READ THE REST
“We bought the Arena Theatre and the two office towers around it with the idea of getting the theater back in operation,” said Fred Schiller, operating manager of the complex. “I’m like many Houstonians who have wonderful memories of nights in the Arena Theatre. We invested $6 million in renovating the office towers and another $1 million in the theater. It’s a great place to see a show … again.”
The seats were repaired. The carpeting was replaced. There is all-new lighting and sound. A video system was installed.The ceiling was fixed so sound is absorbed instead of reflected. READ MORE
RTN is a television network that provides each affiliate a customized feed with classic hit shows, in addition to local programming including news, weather and sports. RTN is specifically designed to go on a broadcast digital channel. READ THE REST
At Modern Rock KTBZ/Houston, part-timer AD is promoted to full-time night host.
A.D., former lead singer of Fat, and currently in Another Day, is straight edge. No drinking, no smoking, no drugs. But he points out that, despite his penchant for clean living, "Somehow I seem to get myself into some kind of trouble on a pretty regular basis!" What else do we need to know about you, A.D.? "I like to work, and hate days off – but I bitch about never having one. I write for a couple of magazines and have a recording studio." Oh yeah, one other thing: "I could teach a college level course on how to kick ass at Ms. Pac Man and Galaga… I love old school video games!"
"My contract is up in September, but I’ve chosen to leave early to spend more time with my children and my family," she said. "For all of you at home who have been watching me and supporting me all these years, thank you."
The newscast concluded with a compilation of Kahanek’s "greatest hits," including her reporting from Hurricane Katrina and the release of her children’s book, Katie and the Magic Umbrella, which teaches children about severe weather. READ MORE
Broadcast television is a tough place right now. Like so many industries, with the economic downturn, revenue is down, and companies are restructuring and downsizing. This all needs to happen, and my position at the station is a casualty of the times.
It really started a year and a half ago, when the station decided to take me off the 10pm show. It was a blow and unexpected. But their decision came at a time when I was already searching for something else more meaningful and significant to do with my life. Not doing the 10pm show, gave me the opportunity to have dinner with my family most nights..read to my children before bedtime…and get myself to bed before midnight! READ THE REST
Remember "Yo Joe!" and the PSA slogan "And knowing is half the battle...GI Joe?" Remember those phrases from the 1980s Hasbro influenced GI Joe cartoon?
He noticed there were several sheets with letterhead pasted into the book that hinted at its past, like a page from a prescription pad from a Waco store titled "W.B. Morrison & Co. Old Corner Drug Store." An Internet search revealed Dr Pepper, first served in 1885, was invented at the Old Corner Drug Store in Waco by a pharmacist named Charles Alderton. Wade Morrison was a store owner. READ THE REST
This is some scary stuff concerning cell phones. I've heard about people hacking into cell phones to track and listen in on the phone owner, but this report brings it all home.
Looks like Drew Carey had a suprise guest as a 
