Rick will replace KATHY WILLIAMS as the Assistant ND. She is leaving the station for a new opportunity to be announced soon.
Gowalla, the location-based social networking service headquartered in Austin, sponsored the contest to encourage school spirit during the college football season. Participating universities earned points as students checked-in around campus via Gowalla. Each check-in netted the university one point, with five unique campus checkpoints qualifying for extra points. The five extra points locations on the UH campus included Robertson Stadium, University Center, Cougar Baseball Field and the "What is the Nature of This?" statue.
UH entered the competition ranked 29th, but continued to move ahead until securing first place with more than 6,000 points. The University of Texas at Austin was the only other school to exceed 5,000 points and placed second in the final tally. Baylor University, the University of South Carolina and Texas A&M University rounded out the top five.
"Our social media presence grew tremendously in 2010, and we're excited to build on that success in 2011," said Jessica Brand, social media coordinator. "Winning the Gowalla Check-in Challenge is not only a great way to kick off the year, but helps strengthen the bond between students and the campus community."
We need a big turnout to wrap up judging for the New York EMMY Chapter. I'm hitting the road and bringing entry DVDs to Houston.
This is a come and go event. Judges need not be NATAS members, only peer television professionals. Please invite all your friends and colleagues. Food and drink provided. Please bring a laptop or portable DVD viewing device with headphones if possible. This is a come and go event but expect to spend a minimum of 2 hours, please.
Emmy Award winning CBS Sports commentator Jim Nantz and The Methodist Hospital in Houston have created the Nantz National Alzheimer Center (NNAC), an all-inclusive center committed to accelerating the progress of cutting-edge Alzheimer's research and treatment in hopes of one day finding a cure. The Center will provide an environment for comprehensive care of Alzheimer's patients and their families.
CBS Sports announcer Jim Nantz announced the creation of the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday. Envisioned as a center for research and comprehensive care of Alzheimer’s patients, it is named in memory of Nantz’s father, who died in 2008 of the disease. Photo by Don Hill/The Methodist Hospital System.
Nantz returned to his adopted hometown of Houston to make the announcement with Dr. Stanley Appel, Chairman of Neurology at The Methodist Hospital, and Ron Girotto, president and CEO of The Methodist Hospital System.
Nantz's father, Jim Nantz Jr., died in 2008 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and was treated at The Methodist Hospital. Every 72 seconds, someone in the United States is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and it is projected that as many as 16 million people will have Alzheimer's by 2050.
"Through my personal giving and fundraising we are creating the NNAC in honor of my father; as a lasting tribute to my mother Doris, and sister Nancy who represent the millions of people who have lived through the hardship of caregiving; and my daughter Caroline, who symbolizes the hope and the future of the next generation," Nantz said. "It is our hope the NNAC will help discover what causes Alzheimer's, how to prevent it, how to treat it, and ultimately how to cure it – and that's our goal. We will do everything possible to raise awareness and develop resources for this Center to not only battle Alzheimer's disease but to bring additional focus to neurological trauma of all kinds." READ THE REST
The big news on Monday's holiday was Steve Jobs' announcement about taking a leave of absence from Apple due to medical reasons. 
In order to be able to offer XFINITYservices, Comcast will move its standard/expanded basic channels to an all-digital format. The vast majority of Comcast customers already subscribe to a digital level of service and have a digital cable box in the home. These customers will receive all of the XFINITY services automatically and at no additional cost. For customers without a digital set top box, the company is providing free digital equipment for up to three TV’s (one interactive digital cable box and two digital adapters) for no additional cost. Current Digital Cable customers should also consider requesting free DTAs for additional sets in the home that are currently using an analog outlet without a box. Comcast will continue to offer limited basic, which includes all broadcast channels, in an analog format.
Comcast is making it simple to secure up to three free digital adapters by simply going online at www.comcast.com/digitalnow or by calling 1-877-634-4434. They are easy to install and directions are included. Customers may also stop by any service center and visit the digital adapter kiosk to place their request online or via phone. There is no shipping or handling charge. Additional adapters, after the initial three provided at no cost by the company, are $1.99 per month.
The digital adapter is a one-way device that lets Comcast replicate the analog experience for expanded basic customers by giving them access to the digitized versions of basic and expanded basic channels. The adapter is a very small device (measuring approximately 4” x 4” x 1.5”) that easily plugs into any television set and uses a new Comcast-provided remote control to navigate through the channel lineup.
“For those analog only customers who will be transitioning to our enhanced offerings, this will be an incredibly simple process,” said Doug Guthrie, senior vice president for the Comcast Houston Region. “Customers will only need an adapter to make the switch – they will not need to change the level of service they have in order to get these channels.”
TXA 21 is about to beef up its over-the-air signal for viewers who watch with antennas.
The improvements will mean a stronger signal that covers more area. Crews have been working on the TXA 21 tower for several weeks in preparation for the switch, which will happen on Friday, January 14, 2011.
The increased signal strength should not affect cable and satellite TV subscribers. But people who receive TXA 21 using antennas will need to re-scan their digital TV tuners or converter boxes on January 14.
The stronger signal will improve reception for many people who have had reception issues since the switch to digital television in June, 2009. READ MORE
KKHH Middayer Kelly Kelly Adds MD Stripes
During Keith's tenure in Houston, KHOU enjoyed some of the highest ratings in station history. The station also won an impressive majority of broadcast journalism's highest honors including two national Emmy awards, two duPont Columbia awards, a Peabody award and six National Edward R. Murrow awards including the 2010 Overall Excellence Award.
"I'm honored to join the staff at WTHR," said Connors. "It's exciting to be part of a newsroom and a television station with such a rich tradition of quality journalism and community service. I look forward to working with this talented group of journalists to continue WTHR's tradition of excellence on air, on-line and on the go."
Keith's newsroom was put to the ultimate test when Hurricane Ike struck the Texas coast in 2008. It was an unprecedented disaster for Houston and KHOU received accolades for its coverage and service to the community. While other local stations focused coverage on damage and destruction, KHOU chose to focus on getting residents help and support in the wake of this major weather catastrophe. Keith helped develop partnerships with local radio stations, satellite radio and satellite television providers to get information and help to local residents as quickly as possible.
There is a new 1560 KGOW The Game lineup for the New Year. I previously reported 950 KPRC has a new schedule too. Here is The Game's new schedule:
Wayne Dolcefino does the best investigative pieces in Houston. Period. He doesn't always do the best "investigations", but he presents them in the most entertaining style. Say what you will, his style is distinctive, unique, and entertaining. He tells stories, in a manner that makes you wonder if he isn't half laughing while he does so. He's been the best in town for years.
I will say, though, that Greenblatt at 11 has done some good work, as has Jeremy Rogalski on frequent occasion of late. Rogalski's pieces have been notable in the past year. Channel 2's Arnold & Dean do some good work, but it seems they have to file too many to be as in-depth.
Give Wayne his due: imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Ask anyone inside the news biz, and they'll tell you that Wayne's pieces are must-watch.
I sat on City Council for 6 years, and I'll tell you that elected officials quaked when he walked in. There was fear that he had targeted you, because once he did he would lay it all bare.
I've seen how he goes about investigating, the extent to which he chases down sources, and I admire how he weaves it all together. His multiple day pieces are good for ratings, and they're just good tv.
Mike, thanks for writing about this. This is the sort of thing that people need to know about, and maybe this will end the ugly practice.
By the way, who posts anonymously? Sign your post so we know if you have an axe to grind or an ass to kiss.
--Michael Berry
12/20/2010 12:43:00 PM
'Girls Gone Wild' founder divorcing former KTVT 11 reporter?
