KSAT 12 launches First News at 4 and an hour-long Nightbeat at 10

With Oprah Winfrey retiring her long running talk show, many TV stations are adding newscasts in her timeslot to fill the programming hole. KSAT 12 announced plans to do that on its Facebook page...but wait there's more!

KSAT will also have an hour long 10pm newscast. That's not something very typical for a big 3 affiliate (no other San Antonio station has an hour long 10pm show according to the station). That means the station is pushing The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Nightline back to 11pm. Houston sister station KPRC 2 famously pushed Late Night with Conan O'Brien to a later time slot too.

Here is the press release from KSAT 12's Facebook page:

Oprah Winfrey says good-bye when her final episode airs on May 25th, 2011. “Oprah was always so well-received
in San Antonio and South Texas,” said KSAT12 Vice-President and General Manager Jim Joslyn, “we are forever grateful to Oprah for the thousands of shows which really changed the face of television forever.”

With Oprah’s departure, beginning Thursday, May 26th KSAT12 moves into expansion mode and offers viewers their First Real News at 4 with Ursula Pari, Steve Spriester, Chief Meteorologist Steve Browne
and Greg Simmons.

“With the recent explosive growth in South Texas,we’re proud to be the only station in San Antonio which is growing and expanding,” said Joslyn.“We’ve heard from our viewers and we know they lead very busy lives so we’re going to bring them real news at 4pm and we’ll deliver it with the same quality they’ve come to expect from KSAT12.”

And the action just keeps building as Inside Edition will air at 4:30. Inside Edition is one of KSAT12’s highest rated programs, and has built its enduring success by presenting a compelling mix of hard-hitting investigations, exclusive newsmaker interviews, as well as celebrity and pop culture features.

And beginning Tuesday, September 6th, KSAT12 Nightbeat at 10pm expands to one hour.

“This makes the Nightbeat the only hour-long 10pm newscast in the market and that gives us the opportunity to cover more news, expand our news team, and reflect the growth that’s occurring all throughout South Texas” said Joslyn.

Ursula, Steve, Greg, Steve Browne and Isis Romero will lead the entire KSAT12 Nightbeat team for an action-packed hour of news, weather, sports and entertainment.

WFAA's Ron Corning, KENS Buffolino, Jersey Shore Austin and more

WFAA New 8 Daybreak anchor Ron Corning answers viewer question
- WFAA8 welcomes another early morning male -- and Ron Corning just might deliver

Buffolino absence is still a mystery
Where in the world is KENS anchor Vicki Buffolino?

Review: Charlie Sheen finds his audience in Houston
Charlie Sheen’s Violent Torpedo of Truth Tour got back on track Tuesday night at the Verizon Wireless Theater in Houston.
- Charlie Sheen's "Violent Torpedo of Truth Tour" at Verizon Wireless Theater
- Charlie Sheen Becomes Honorary Coog, Doesn't Enter Creative Writing Program

Milo Hamilton and the War on Lance Berkman
The Houston Press' John Royal chronicles Milo Hamilton's rant against Lance Berkman on the radio with 790s Matt Jackson and Adam Wexler.

Keith back at KABB; Chancellor takes Judson job
Former KABB anchorman James Keith returns to his old San Antonio TV station as assistant news director.

'Jersey Shore’ producer casts new reality show in Austin
“The objective of this is to — you know, similar to ‘Jersey Shore,’ how we looked at the East Coast, the younger generation and how they spend their summers, it’s going to be a similar thing for the kids of the south,” producer Scott Jeffress told Austin360.

As Lone Sports Anchor Departs...
Dallas’ KDAF 33 lines up MMJs to cover sports.

CultureMapAustin set to launch
Former News 8 News Director Kevin Benz now Editor-in-Chief of CultureMapAustin.
- News 8 Austin’s news director Kevin Benz is gone

Belo CEO cautious about Q2 growth
Belo CEO Dunia Shive is being conservative with growth projections due to the impact of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on manufacturing, particularly in the auto industry.

Interview with STICK ‘EM UP director Alex Luster
KTRK 13 editor talks why he makes documentaries.

Texas listener says "radio's tornado coverage saved my life."
Tuesday was a tough one for residents in Tyler and other parts of East Texas.

Fans fight to save canceled ABC soap operas
Fans fought to save their favorite ABC soap operas Tuesday. A small group of protesters picketed outside the KVUE studios in Austin.

Two broadcast students report on D-FW as NBC interns
Inside the walls of network TV news station NBC 5 KXAS, two UTA broadcast communication majors are interning in hopes of soon landing a job.

Hell? No, this was 1830s Houston
Video traces the rowdy years when Houston was Texas' capital.

New standard for TV broadcasting coming?
The Advanced Television Systems Committee board is expected to move forward with plans to develop a new standard for TV broadcasting in the next five to 10 years. It will enable TV stations to broadcast more programming, more reliably to more places and explore new business opportunities.

NATIONAL MEDIA
- Keith Olbermann's Show to Launch June 20
- Katie Couric: ‘I’m excited about doing something that’s a little more in my wheelhouse.’
- Katie Couric and Matt Lauer: Together Again?
- Katie Couric: I Am Leaving CBS Evening News

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
HISD spokesperson Rebecca Suarez to anchor at Univision 45 KXLN

Bobby Darin's DiDia 150 car is coming to Houston

This year's Keels and Wheels in Seabrook is calling on the classics - namely singer Bobby Darin and his car the DiDia 150. Event organizers say the car was built by clothing designer Andy DiDia. It took from 1953 to 1960 to finish. Originally the car cost roughly $150,000 to create, a number they say by today’s standards would be around $1.5 million.

The car rides on a 125-inch wheelbase, about twice the length of the Smart Car’s wheelbase. The "Dream Car," as it’s often referred to, featured a list of innovations in its time, including thermostatically controlled air-conditioning that keeps the temperature constant, hidden headlights, taillights that swivel when the car turns a corner and glass windows on hinges.

Darin recorded such hits as “Splish Splash,” “Dream Lover,” and “Mack The Knife,” which won him a Grammy in 1960. Darin was also nominated for an Academy Award in 1963 for his portrayal of a shell-shocked soldier in Captain Newman, M.D. His record company, TM Music/Trio, launched Wayne Newton and other famous singers.

You'll be able to see it April 30th and May 1st, 2011 as well as a vast collection of classic cars and wooden boats at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, TX for the 16th Annual Keels and Wheels Concours d’Elegance.

www.keels-wheels.com

HISD spokesperson Rebecca Suarez to anchor at Univision 45 KXLN

HISD Senior Media Relations Specialist/Spokesperson Rebecca Suarez is returning to television as an anchor at Univision 45 KXLN.

I'm told she will anchor the weekend 5 and 10 newscasts, plus work the 10pm three nights during the week.

Suarez was formerly a reporter for Telemundo 47 KTMD from May 2001 to December 2006 according to her LinkedIn profile. Before that she was an assignments editor at KIAH 39 (then KHWB).

Around the time Suarez started working for the Houston Independent School District, she earned her law degree at the University of Houston Law Center.

Clearly her fellow HISD press colleagues will miss her.

"Rebecca has done a terrific job for HISD doing everything from writing press releases, to on-camera interviews to producing a once a week news story and a once a month television interview show that has been nominated twice for an EMMY," HISD Press Secretary Norm Uhl told mikemcguff.com. "And she did all of this while going to college to get a law degree. She will be difficult to replace because of her wide range of skills, but at least we’ll be able to see her use those talents on TV. Although we hate to lose her, as a former TV guy I understand that the anchor position at Univision is a wonderful opportunity for her."

Suarez's last day at HISD will be Friday, May 6. She won't have anytime off since she is starting at KXLN the following Monday.

KDAF33 sports office empty, Belo exec killed, KTRK 13 royal wedding plans and more

KTRK 13's Wendy Granato to report on royal wedding
While millions of people around the world watch the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on television Friday, New Iberia native Wendy Oubre Granato will help make that happen for viewers in the Houston area as director of special projects for KTRK Channel 13.
- Dominique Chooses Hat For Royal Wedding

Anchor Ron Corning, Heading for WFAA in Dallas, ‘Enjoyed’ Stint at News 12 Long Island
Nassau and Suffolk County residents have been able to stay in touch with the career of Ron Corning. The anchorman–infamously ousted from Fox 5/WNYW’s Good Day New York while on vacation in April 2008—turned up at News 12 Long Island in November 2009. Now he's going to WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth.

Sports department of one shrinking to none at CW33 with departure of Dave Crome
Veteran CW33 KDAF sports anchor-reporter Dave Crome, who joined the Dallas-based station in 1999, will be signing off this week.

WFAA8 anchor Gloria Campos hopes to be back early next week after back surgery
It's been a rough several months for longtime WFAA8 anchor Gloria Campos, who had back surgery on Good Friday and earlier broke a kneecap in December after a fall outside the Dallas-based station's Young Street offices.

Belo executive slain outside daughter's Arlington school
Steve McIntosh, an executive with Belo Corp., WFAA's parent company, was shot in front of his three-year-old daughter Friday evening shortly after he had picked her up at Arlington Country Day School Montessori.

Houston grandmother is nation's first 'Super Wi-Fi' user
When the Federal Communications Commission worked out the rules last fall to convert unused TV channels for a new long-range, wall-piercing version of Wi-Fi, Houston resident Leticia Aguirre had no way of knowing that she'd host the nation's first residential "Super Wi-Fi" hot spot. (Thanks GRIDLOCKJOE)

Former TV anchor finds a new calling
Ken Hoffman tracks down former KHOU 11 anchor Chau Nguyen.

KTRU’s last day will be Thursday
KTRU will no longer be broadcast from 91.7 starting at 6 a.m. on April 28.
- No staff changes expected at KUHF as Houston radio merger set for May moves closer
- 91.7 KTRU signal now in UH control says FCC

Cumulus KC market chief moving to Houston
Donna Baker, who has run the Kansas City market for Cumulus Media since 2007, scored a nice promotion to market manager in Houston. She'll oversee legacy station KRBE-FM as well as sports talker KFNC.

Fox4 reporter Sophia Reza leaving
Reporter Sophia Reza, who has spent close to three years at Dallas-based Fox4 KDFW, is resigning from the station.
- Fox4 meteorogist Ron Jackson loses Cedar Hill home and pets to Good Friday fire of still unknown origin

NATIONAL
- Couric Is Expected to Say She’s Leaving CBS
- Piers Morgan Ratings Hit All-Time
- ABC soap cancellation fallout
- YouTube's Local News Plans
- The Comic Stylings of Brian Williams
- Charlie Sheen launches "Masheen" mobile app
- In-car streaming numbers, perceptions, misperceptions examined
- May 4 is moving day at Sirius XM: some channels move, some are combined

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Former KPRC 2 meteorologist Byron Miranda talks new KNBC gig
- What was the appeal of Marvin Zindler of KTRK 13 Eyewitness News?
- What KTRK 13 staffers learned from Eyewitness News Action 13's Marvin Zindler
- Could there be another KTRK 13 Eyewitness News Marvin Zindler on TV news?
- SXSW getting too big for Austin? Move it to Houston!
- KHOU 11 honored with 3rd straight ‘Overall Excellence’ Murrow Award and more

KHOU 11 honored with 3rd straight ‘Overall Excellence’ Murrow Award and more

KHOU 11 and KHOU.com continue to rack up the awards. The station won three Regional Murrows and two Headliners Foundation of Texas Awards. This is the third year in a row I've written a post like this so I'll let the info KHOU 11 sent me take it from here:

The Radio Television Digital News Association has once again recognized KHOU 11 with the Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in the Texas-Oklahoma Region. This is the third consecutive year for KHOU to receive this distinction, having gone on to win the National Edward R. Murrow in this category in 2010.

“The Murrow Award for Overall Excellence recognizes the talent of each individual at KHOU,” said Susan McEldoon, KHOU 11 President and General Manager. “To win three years in a row truly highlights the exemplary standard of news our team upholds day after day.”

In all, KHOU won three Regional Murrow Awards. Photojournalist Todd Rogenthien was honored for the second consecutive year in the category of Best Use of Video, and the award for Best Series went to reporter Jeremy Rogalski, photojournalist Keith Tomshe and executive producer David Raziq for the series “Drowning in Neglect.”

The Headliners Foundation of Texas also recently announced winners of its Charles E. Green Awards for excellence in Journalism, naming KHOU’s Kevin Reece as Best Reporter and presenting KHOU.com with the award for Best Online/Special Content for its digital coverage of the I-Team investigation surrounding radiation in the Houston water supply.

The Headliners Foundation works in partnership with the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters (TAPB). Each year the TAPB recognizes excellence and achievement in journalism with awards in various categories. In March, KHOU received 20 TAPB Awards, eight of which were Division winners that went on to compete for the Headliners Foundation distinction.

“The commitment to journalism runs deep throughout the newsroom – on air and online,” said Philip Bruce, KHOU 11 Executive News Director. “It is humbling to be honored by organizations so respected in our industry.”

A breakdown of recent KHOU 11 awards is as follows:

Edward R. Murrow Awards – Region 6:
Overall Excellence: KHOU-TV
Use of Video: Todd Rogenthien, Photojournalist
Series: Drowning in Neglect – Jeremy Rogalski, Keith Tomshe, David Raziq
Headliners Foundation of Texas Charles E. Green Awards:
Best Reporter: Kevin Reece
Best Online/Special Content: Radiation and Houston Water Supply – KHOU.com

Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Division 1 Winners:
Best Newscast
Best Morning Newscast
Best Anchor: Christine Haas
Best Reporter: Kevin Reece
Best Feature Editing: Nathan Kvinge
Best Spot News Coverage: Bank Hostages – Kevin Reece, John Shaw, Leo Gonzalez
Best News Series: Corporations Helping Crooks – Mark Greenblatt, Keith Tomshe
Best Online/Special Content: Radiation and Houston Water Supply – KHOU.com

RELATED
- KHOU 11 wins National Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence
- KHOU Channel 11 wins national Murrow Award

SXSW getting too big for Austin? Move it to Houston!

Sometimes I just throw out links on my Twitter and Facebook accounts that don't make the blog (so sign up today to not miss out).

My Friday evening tweet on the possibility of SXSW moving out of Austin got a huge reaction. Naturally myself and other pro-Houston folks said, "Move that sucker here!"

The contrarian in me says SXSW is all about Austin. The annual festival celebrates Austin's live music heritage as well as its tech scene. How could it move? But then being a native Houstonian, I quickly forget about all that jazz and want it here (at least Houston does benefit with some artists stopping by here before or after SXSW performances)!

But before Houstonians get ready to party and buy expensive wrist bands, hold your horses. San Antonio is trying to get the SXSW festival reports The Austin Businesses Journal:

Concerns about Austin's ability to accommodate South by Southwest have expanded beyond crowd control and crime.

The city is worried it may not have enough rooms for the throng that converges each year for the 10-day music, film and interactive festival.

San Antonio City Councilman John Clamp said he has a solution. Clamp said SXSW organizers should consider moving their event, which attracts international attention, to the Alamo City.

KENS 5 in San Antonio reports the 10 day music, film and interactive conference brings in about 200,000 people every year and generates lots of buzz. Houston can handle 200,000 people. Look how well we handled the Super Bowl and Final Four.

So let's get moving! Houston has already been shuttle snubbed by NASA - here's hoping we can get some good news. Will this help?

Could there be another KTRK 13 Eyewitness News Marvin Zindler on TV news?

Watch former Eyewitness News KTRK 13 anchor Shara Fryer, former KTRK 13 weatherman Ed Brandon, Zindler’s former Action 13 producer Lori Reingold, KTRK 13 photographer Bob Dows and Dr. Joseph Agris of the Agris-Zindler Children’s Fund discussing Marvin Zindler's legacy at Rice University in Houston April 13, 2011.

In this clip panelists discuss:
- Could there be another KTRK 13 Eyewitness News Marvin Zindler on TV news?
- Who else on Houston TV was as wild as Marvin Zindler
- What happened when Marvin forgot to deliver his legendary sign-off
- What Marvin said would happen to him after he was gone
- The system Action 13 used to help people
- The stories of who Marvin helped

RELATED
- Could there be another KTRK 13 Eyewitness News Marvin Zindler on TV news?
- What KTRK 13 staffers learned from Eyewitness News Action 13's Marvin Zindler
- What was the appeal of Marvin Zindler of KTRK 13 Eyewitness News?
- Former KTRK 13 staffers talk Marvin Zindler's legacy (PHOTOS)
- Remembering Houston's Marvin Zindler

Comcast offers faster Internet speeds with Xfinity Extreme 105

Anytime I post news about Comcast, I get a reaction from readers. So here you go. Comcast just notified me it is offering the new Xfinity Internet speed tier, Extreme 105. Here's more from the release:

The Extreme 105 Mbps service, which also offers up to 10 Mbps upload speeds, is available for new or existing customers at an introductory rate of $105 per month for 12 months as part of the Triple Play bundle. In addition, the service comes with a wireless home networking gateway that turns an entire house into its own WiFi hotspot.

Extreme 105 is made possible through the use of DOCSIS 3.0 technology. At a connection speed of up to 105 Mbps, Comcast customers can not only download a hi-def movie in about five minutes, but also play online interactive games, send and receive email attachments, shop and update social networking sites faster than ever before. Here are some examples that compare different on line customer experiences of a 105 Mbps connection to a 6 Mbps service:

Download Example                                |      Time at 105 Mbps      |        Time at 6 Mbps

High-definition movie (4 GB)                                 5 min                        1 hr and 30 min
Standard-definition movie (1.5 GB)                        2 min                             30 min
Standard-definition TV show (300 MB)                20 sec                             7 min
Music album (10 songs or 40 MB)                        3 sec                               50 sec
Note: Typical file sizes and actual download times may vary. Times are approximate.

As with Xfinity TV, the Houston area roll out starts right now in The Woodlands and expands from there.

RELATED
- XFINITY finally 'replaces' Comcast on my cable box
- Comcast Houston getting new digital upgrade
- Comcast re-brands itself as Xfinity

What KTRK 13 staffers learned from Eyewitness News Action 13's Marvin Zindler

Watch former Eyewitness News KTRK 13 anchor Shara Fryer, former KTRK 13 weatherman Ed Brandon, Zindler’s former Action 13 producer Lori Reingold, KTRK 13 photographer Bob Dows and Dr. Joseph Agris of the Agris-Zindler Children’s Fund discussing Marvin Zindler's legacy at Rice University in Houston April 13, 2011.

In this clip panelists discuss:
- What KTRK 13 staffers learned from Eyewitness News Action 13's Marvin Zindler
- What Zindler taught them about the broadcasting business
- How he fought for the Action 13 team
- How many people in Houston recognized him according to research
- What Marvin thought about him suggesting he run for political office

RELATED
- Could there be another KTRK 13 Eyewitness News Marvin Zindler on TV news?
- What KTRK 13 staffers learned from Eyewitness News Action 13's Marvin Zindler
- What was the appeal of Marvin Zindler of KTRK 13 Eyewitness News?
- Former KTRK 13 staffers talk Marvin Zindler's legacy (PHOTOS)
- Remembering Houston's Marvin Zindler

WFAA releases raw Obama video, KENS' new morning anchor?, Fox 26 reporter wins and more

Brad Watson's interview with Obama — the raw video
WFAA 8 releases raw footage of Brad Watson's President Obama interview. Was Watson too aggressive?
- Original video report

What's up with KENS 5 in the morning?
Reporter and noon anchor Sarah Forgany has been helming the early news next to Fred Lozano of late instead of usual anchorwoman Vicki Buffolino. Other signs, too, seem to point to Forgany, a Cairo, Egypt, native who came to KENS about a year ago, taking over the co-anchor duties on the 4:30-to-7 a.m. news show.

Fox 26 reporter Greg Groogan wins big
Congratulations to Fox 26 KRIV reporter Greg Groogan. He's the winner of the 2011 Edward R. Murrow regional award for writing. His 4th win.

Clear Channel Dallas OM Vince Richards is out
Vince Richards had held the post of Operations Manager for Clear Channel in Dallas, as well as PD of Alternative KDGE-FM (102.1) "The Edge."
- Exclusive March PPM Analysis: Houston

Hiring, the vibe of the creative space and buzzwords
Former Tribune Chief Innovation Officer and KIAH 39 NewsFix creator Lee Abrams says the art of
hiring a creative team seems to be a lost one in most media. He offers suggestions.
- At Tribune, Battle Expands

KERA Reduces Staff and Ends Think TV
KERA announced today that it has eliminated the positions of six employees and is ending, on April 22, the television production of Think that airs three Fridays a month at 7 p.m. on KERA TV.

Crestina Chavez new YNN managing editor; Kevin Benz update
Austin’s Your News Now (formerly News 8 Austin) has announced that evening news anchor Crestina Chavez has assumed the role of managing editor at the 24-hour Time Warner Cable news outlet.

Fast Company names Houston City of the Year
Houston is featured on the cover of the May 2011 edition of Fast Company magazine as city of the year.

In Memoriam of Jeff Wells
SugarHill Recording Studios is saddened to learn of the death of friend Jeff Wells on April 16, 2010. Jeff was owner Houston's iconic Sound Arts Recording Studio.

Announcing the Launch of Tequila-Fueled Radio, Radio Pura Vida
With ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons as an investor, Radio Pura Vida was created by Houston's RFC Media.

NATIONAL MEDIA
- Where Will Television Be in 2020?
- CBS News President, Slams 'Early Show' In Memo
- Robot Sportswriter Outperforms Human
- ‘Piers Morgan’ hits new ratings lows

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- KIAH 39 cancels two shows; Yolanda Green leaving station
- Former KPRC 2 meteorologist Byron Miranda talks new KNBC gig
- What was the appeal of Marvin Zindler of KTRK 13 Eyewitness News?

Former KPRC 2 meteorologist Byron Miranda talks new KNBC gig

Former KPRC 2 morning meteorologist Byron Miranda has wanted to be back working in Los Angeles since leaving Houston. Now he will be once again as the new weekend meteorologist on KNBC 4 (the NBC owned and operated station).

"I'm thrilled to be moving back home and being part of the NBC family once again," Miranda told the mikemcguff.com blog.

Miranda has worked at such places as KCBS in LA, CNN and most recently as the chief meteorologist at KGTV, the ABC Affiliate in San Diego. However his first job was far from the hallways of a television studio.

"I always wanted to be on air, just took a circuitous route getting there," Miranda said.

While in college, Miranda needed a job to pay the bills after getting married. A friend, who was a cop, suggested he worked for the Oakland Police Department. So he put on the badge.

"Before I knew it I was arresting potential viewers," he joked.

Once he landed a job as an assignments editor at KTVU in San Francisco, he left the police department and the rest is history.

I told Miranda that I've been following his career since he left Houston, because every time I post about him, there is lots of reader interest.

"Hard to believe anyone in Houston remembers me from my short stint there," Miranda told me. "I had the misfortune of seeing the managers that hired me be let go shortly after I arrived. However, I did have enough time to learn how nice folks in Houston are."

Miranda starts with KNBC on May 2, so if you find yourself in LA, tune him in!

What was the appeal of Marvin Zindler of KTRK 13 Eyewitness News?

Watch former Eyewitness News KTRK 13 anchor Shara Fryer, former KTRK 13 weatherman Ed Brandon, Zindler’s former Action 13 producer Lori Reingold, KTRK 13 photographer Bob Dows and Dr. Joseph Agris of the Agris-Zindler Children’s Fund discussing Marvin Zindler's legacy at Rice University in Houston April 13, 2011.

In this clip panelists discuss:
- What was the appeal of Marvin Zindler of KTRK 13 Eyewitness News?
- What the other anchors thought about Marvin's importance
- The advice Zindler gave to Shara Fryer about her career (she took)
- Who Marvin was even bigger than in Houston
- The advice Zindler gave to Ed Brandon (he didn't take)
- And more

RELATED
- Could there be another KTRK 13 Eyewitness News Marvin Zindler on TV news?
- What KTRK 13 staffers learned from Eyewitness News Action 13's Marvin Zindler
- What was the appeal of Marvin Zindler of KTRK 13 Eyewitness News?
- Former KTRK 13 staffers talk Marvin Zindler's legacy (PHOTOS)
- Remembering Houston's Marvin Zindler

KIAH 39 cancels two shows; Yolanda Green leaving station

After 17 years with the station, TV host and community relations director Yolanda Green is leaving KIAH 39 at the end of this week.

"I can honestly say that I have enjoyed my time at the station," Green told mikemcguff.com. "My tenure at KIAH provided me with an opportunity to do what I love which is working to help the under served."

Among other community oriented shows, Green hosts Going Green with Yolanda Green, a weekly program that highlights businesses, commercial products, government programs and local initiatives "making significant strides in ensuring our communities are eco-friendly."

KIAH 39 general manager Roger Bare confirmed to me that the last episode of Going Green airs this weekend.

According to Green's bio, while at KIAH, she has helped the Houston community through the CW39 Cares for Kids Fund by facilitating the distribution of more than $9 million to local non-profit agencies. She was also the driving force behind establishing a comprehensive broadcast public service campaign that has helped nearly 5,500 children find adoptive homes.

"My future plans are to continue working in the community," Green said

You can follow Green through her yolandagreenspeaks.com website.

Bare also confirmed to me that the KIAH produced Houston automotive program called Anything That Rolls is also being cancelled. ATR's final show also airs this weekend.

WFAA's 'aggressive' President Obama interview, KTRK 13 Casey Curry profile and more

Obama to WFAA reporter: 'Let me finish my answers' next time
"Let me finish my answers the next time we do an interview, all right?" President Obama told reporter Brad Watson after an interview with WFAA 8 of Dallas, one of four interviews with local television stations at the White House on Monday. The president also says he had nothing to do with the NASA decision to snub Houston concerning a retired space shuttle.
- WFAA-TV's Brad Watson makes national news with 'aggressive' Obama interview

KTRK 13 meteorologist Casey Currey featured in LIFE+DOG magazine
Casey Curry has loved animals for as long as she can remember. Dreaming of becoming a veterinarian when she grew up, young Casey would save her allowance and babysitting money to buy books about animals, instead of comics like the rest of her friends.
- High quality video of KTRK 13 meteorologist Casey Curry on ABC's GMA
- KTRK 13 meteorologist Casey Curry fills-in on ABC's GMA

Jane Slater joins Dallas’s WFAA
Jane Slater joins Dallas’ WFAA after a stint with crosstown rival KTVT. She will deliver traffic reports for WFAA’s 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts.

Pimentel replaces Flores-Paniagua in San Antonio
Columnist Veronica Flores-Paniagua has left the San Antonio Express-News. She moved to the Houston Chronicle in 2002 and returned to the Express News in 2006.

Requiem for the Flip cam, newsroom video in a box
Oh how this little simple camera hit newsrooms by storm.

Vibrant additions strengthen KWEX-TV’s S.A. news presence
Oye! San Antonio’s Univision affiliate KWEX-TV is eager to spread the word: It has expanded its local coverage of news, entertainment and lifestyle topics on both weekdays and weekends.

Newspapers and Social Media: Still Not Really Getting It
Newspapers in particular seem to have a hard time accepting the “social” part of these tools, at least when it comes to letting their journalists engage with readers as human beings.
- TV meteorologist thrives in social media tornado

Charles E. Green Awards for excellence in Journalism
Who won? Hint: Houston and Dallas Belo stations and website cleaned up.

Texas Watchdog's Mark Lisheron honored for his reporting on stimulus problems throughout Texas
Texas Watchdog's Austin bureau chief Mark Lisheron was among the Texas journalists honored by the Fort Worth Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists last weekend.

Former Houston Chron and former KTRK 13 staffers produce documentary
Stitched follows three competitive quilters as they race to complete their quilts in time for the nation's largest quilt show. Who will win Best in Show? (Thanks Susan) Correction: Jena Moreno and Nancy Sarnoff are still with the Chronicle.
- stitchedfilm.com

KTSM starting a new show
Word is Channel 9-KTSM is planning to make a big announcement this afternoon regarding a foray into entertainment news.

KTMD to jump in to Mobile DTV pool
Broadcasting and Cable is reporting that KTMD channel 47 is adding its bandwidth to the Mobile Content Venture’s rollout of Mobile DTV.

A Texas NPR affiliate may have been vandalized
Engineers at NPR affiliate KTXK-FM (91.5) Texarkana found holes in a transmission cable on April 1, an incident that was uncovered one day before a suspicious fire damaged the transmitter of another NPR station, KUAR-FM (89.1) in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Ten realities for radio
When it comes to digital strategies, traditional media has been slow to embrace the opportunity. There have been several articles written of late spotlighting the fact that of all the traditional mediums, radio lags farthest behind in adapting a coherent digital strategy and monetizing their efforts. Here are some realities that need to be considered sooner rather than later.

NATIONAL MEDIA
- Nightly Newscasts Dying? Maybe Not
- Megyn Kelly Gives Birth to Baby Girl

TV TRENDS
- The New Digital American Family
- What You Think You Know vs. What You Need to Know About U.S. Hispanics And Media

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Former KHOU 11 traffic guy Darby Douglas is now on a bunch of radio stations
- KTRK 13 gets new 10pm newscast open
- Houston play to cover TV news troubles in 'Youwitness News'
- 91.7 KTRU signal now in UH control says FCC
- More on ABC's cancellation of All My Children and One Life to Live
- Former KTRK 13 staffers talk Marvin Zindler's legacy (PHOTOS)
- KHOU 11 assignments man Jason Jobes to Drive West

Former KTRK 13 staffers talk Marvin Zindler's legacy (PHOTOS)

Here are photos of former Eyewitness News KTRK 13 anchor Shara Fryer, former KTRK 13 weatherman Ed Brandon, Zindler’s former Action 13 producer Lori Reingold, KTRK 13 photographer Bob Dows and Dr. Joseph Agris of the Agris-Zindler Children’s Fund discussing Marvin Zindler's legacy at Rice University in Houston last Wednesday. There is also a photo of Dan Zindler (one of Marvin's sons) who was in attendance.

This is the event I blogged about last week.

If you like this...then check back right here on mikemcguff.com in the next few days for three videos of different Marvin Zindler topics from the discussion. These are stories I never heard even after working at the station.

Also here is a little bit of other news...Dr. Joseph Agris told me before the discussion started that he was thinking about running for political office. He is setting his sights high. Dr. Agris says he is contemplating running for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison's soon to be empty seat.

RELATED
- Could there be another KTRK 13 Eyewitness News Marvin Zindler on TV news?
- What KTRK 13 staffers learned from Eyewitness News Action 13's Marvin Zindler
- What was the appeal of Marvin Zindler of KTRK 13 Eyewitness News?
- Former KTRK 13 staffers talk Marvin Zindler's legacy (PHOTOS)
- Remembering Houston's Marvin Zindler

KHOU 11 assignments man Jason Jobes to Drive West

The Houston TV world is losing another one to the so-called "dark side." For those not in TV, that means public relations. LOL!

I've been notified that KHOU 11 assignments editor Jason Jobes is changing careers and is going to work for Houston PR firm Drive West Communications.

Jobes is a well known name in the Houston TV world. Before KHOU, he worked for both Fox 26 KRIV and KPRC 2.

"We're thrilled to have Jason join DW on April 29 to help promote awesome causes and amazing people," Drive West Communications president Adriana Villarreal told the mikemcguff.com blog.

I was told I could grab a photo of Jobes from his Facebook account. Upon getting there, I recognized a familiar face (and even more so voice) with him in his profile pic. Jobes is married to Houston radio's Michele Fisher (former 104.1 KRBE and Mix 96.5 KHMX) of 106.9 THE ZONE and The New 93Q KKBQ.

Congrats Jason.

drivewest.com/

Space shuttling between Houston and New York - let the insults begin

The future home of a retired space shuttle is causing a war and now it's a battle between two of the nation's proudest states - Texas vs New York.

It's a war we must win, but we've already lost a big battle when NASA snubbed Space City and set aside a shuttle for New York. The prototype orbiter Enterprise has been slated for the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York. New York City?

I don't even have to go into any great detail how Houston has the Johnson Space Center, Mission Control, "Houston, we have a problem,"...etc. and New York has Broadway.

Now lawmakers are laying down claim to the aging spacecrafts. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee others introduced legislation that would temporarily loan the Space Shuttle Discovery to the Space Center Houston for 15 years.

"This legislation would temporarily set aside the decision to dispose of the Discovery shuttle and instruct Gen. Bolden and NASA to temporarily 'loan' the Discovery shuttle to the appropriate location in Houston, Texas for a period of 15 years," Congresswoman Lee said in a statement.

And it's become a war of words between Houston Congressman Ted Poe and New York Senator Chuck Schumer.

Poe says NASA made a big mistake and did this for political reasons. Then Schumer fired back.

"And I say to the people in Houston, when people all around the world in London and Tokyo and Paris and Buenos Aires say, 'Gee, I can't wait for my trip to Houston,' then you can have a shuttle," Schumer told a group of reporters. "Until then it's staying in New York."





We have to be careful with Sen. Schumer as an opponent. Even though he was not elected in Texas, he'll somehow figure out how to tax and regulate us until we don't want the shuttle. Then lots of citizens will flee to Connecticut...I mean Louisiana for relief.

Then there is the bigger picture. Clearly NASA is looking to scale down its presence at the Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake. JSC was Mission Control for the shuttle fleet and obviously those missions are going away very soon. The current administration has also pretty much killed the back to the moon Constellation mission too. So what is the future of space locally for us?

More on ABC's cancellation of All My Children and One Life to Live

When I was a kid, my mom watched All My Children. She had been watching off and on since the early days. Eventually, like many others, she stopped watching. Times are changing and so is the impact of soap operas.

After more than 40 years, All My Children will end September 2011 and The Chew will take a bite out of the time slot. One Life to Live will follow AMC's exit January 2012 and The Revolution will start. Here is part of the official ABC press release on the big daytime changes:

Guided by extensive research into what today’s daytime viewers want and the changing viewing patterns of the audience, ABC is evolving the face of daytime television with the launch of two new shows, “The Chew” which will premiere in September 2011 and “The Revolution” (working title) which will premiere in January 2012. These new shows expand ABC Daytime’s focus to include more programming that is informative and authentic and centers on transformation, food and lifestyle -- cornerstones of programming that resonates with daytime viewers as evidenced by the success of “The View.”

As food has become the center of everyone’s life, “The Chew,” will focus on food from EVERY angle - as a source of joy, health, family ritual, friendship, breaking news, dating, fitness, weight loss, travel adventures and life's moments. Produced by Gordon Elliot, the Emmy award winning executive producer of “Paula Deen’s Home Cooking” and “Down Home With The Neelys,” this new one hour series combines entertaining takeaway with memorable personalities to create a live show where viewers get the dish on anything and everything related to the world of food and beyond.

Whether it’s new trends like food trucks and urban gardens or how pesticides in our food may affect our health, we can’t stop talking about it. The hosts who will guide the hour include Mario Batali (Restauranteur, Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” and author); entertaining expert, Clinton Kelly (TLC’s “What Not To Wear”), Carla Hall (Bravo’s “Top Chef”); Michael Symon (Restauranteur and Food Network’s “Iron Chef America”) and nutrition expert Daphne Oz, who simplifies often confusing information about food.

From Executive Producer JD Roth and 3 Ball Productions, producers of “The Biggest Loser,” “Masterchef” and ABC’s upcoming “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” comes “The Revolution,” a daily show about health and lifestyle transformations. The show is hosted by a team of experts and rotating guest contributors who help viewers transform all areas of their lives from relationships, to family, food, style, home design, finance and more. This dream team, led by fashion expert Tim Gunn, also includes celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak and American Idol alum Kimberley Locke. The show features a unique concept: each week one woman’s five-month weight loss journey will unfold in just five days, with daily results and a final transformational reveal on Friday. “The Revolution” is a one-stop shop for better living.

“While we are excited about our new shows and the shift in our business, I can’t help but recognize how bittersweet the change is,” said Brian Frons, President Daytime, Disney ABC Television Group . “We are taking this bold step to expand our business because viewers are looking for different types of programming these days. They are telling us there is room for informative, authentic and fun shows that are relatable, offer a wide variety of opinions and focus on ‘real life’ takeaways. A perfect example of this is ‘The View’ and that factored into our decision. ‘The Chew’ and ‘The Revolution’ are in the same vein and will be great additions to the line-up, with ‘The View’ serving as an ideal foundation from which to launch these programs. They will also provide enormous opportunity for the creation of ancillary businesses and growth.”

“General Hospital,” the second most popular show in daytime, is not impacted by this announcement and remains on the air.

To honor the core, passionate audience and their rich history with our soaps, “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” will conclude each series in a manner that respects their legacies and the longstanding hopes of many of their viewers.

91.7 KTRU signal now in UH control says FCC

UPDATE FEBRUARY 24, 2016
Classical 91.7 KUHA being bought by KSBJ to become NGEN Radio

 
The battle over the 91.7 KTRU signal that started last August is finally over. The Federal Communications Commission says today that the University of Houston can officially own the signal.

"KUHF and University of Houston officials learned today that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted assignment of the 91.7 FM license from Rice University to the UH System," a UH media representative said in a statement. "The contractual close of the purchase is still pending. Upon completion, the university’s plan is for a new full-time classical music station to debut on KUHA 91.7 FM, while KUHF 88.7 FM will offer full-time news and information."

The classical station's previous call letters were reported to be KUHC.

This after protests by Rice Radio supporters and a petition to deny the license ownership transfer by group Friends of KTRU was denied by the FCC. In the FCC report, the group's specific objections were:

The proposed assignment of licenses is not in the public interest and that Rice and UHS have otherwise violated the Commission’s rules and state law. Specifically, Petitioners allege that: (1) The assignment will involve a format change that contradicts the Commission’s policies in favor of broadcast localism; (2) the assignment undermines the educational purpose of an NCE station and UHS’ proposed programming description is inadequate; (3) the assignment will result in a concentration of NCE FM licenses in the hands of UHS; (4) the UHS public file is missing a required ownership report for one of its existing NCE broadcast stations; (5) the negotiations between UHS and Rice violated the Texas Open Meetings Act; and (6) the agreed purchase price is deflated and harms the public interest.

A post today on the official KTRU Rice Radio site written after the FCC announcement says "We are currently still broadcasting on 91.7fm, 91.5fm on rice u campus, on HD radio at kpft 90.1 HD-2, and streaming online. We will provide more information about how this decision will affect ktru’s programming as soon as it becomes available."

UPDATE FEBRUARY 24, 2016
Classical 91.7 KUHA being bought by KSBJ to become NGEN Radio

Rick Ross and Meek Mill in Houston Saturday

You might remember how I ran into Korn founding member and former guitarist Brian "Head" Welch a few weekends ago at Baybrook Mall. Now here is your chance to meet some music celebs of your own in Houston.

Warner Bros. Records emailed me that Maybach Music Group Boss Rick Ross and his Philly Protégé Meek Mill will be in Houston signing autographs and promoting their album Self Made.

WHEN: SATURDAY April 16th @ 3pm
WHERE: Music Depot, Greenspoint Mall, 12300 North Freeway, Houston, TX 77060

Self Made will hit stores 5/24.

Artists currently signed to Maybach Music Group include the rappers Wale, Pill and Meek Mill, who are all part of the Warner Bros. Records roster.

Houston play to cover TV news troubles in 'Youwitness News'

There aren't many productions hitting the stages of Houston with a local TV news angle outside of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas revivals, but that is about to change.

Houstonian Steve Stewart is putting on a short play called "Youwitness News." It will be produced as part of an evening of short plays at the Museum of Printing History (1324 West Clay Street Houston, TX 77019 - website) in Houston, April 29-30 and May 6-7 at 8pm.

"My play is about a news station transitioning to a newscast built around all viewer-submitted videos/commentary and an anchor team who doesn't quite grasp the change," Stewart told the mikemcguff.com blog. "The festival had a theme that playwrights were asked to focus on 'How information dissemination has changed in the last 10 years thanks to technology.'"

Sounds like a great topic to address since all TV and newspapers newsrooms across the world are grappling with that sticky situation.

It also just so happens that my former KTRK 13 producer colleage Mike O'Neill has been cast as the news director character for the play.

This production is a fundraiser for Scriptwriters/Houston.

KTRK 13 gets new 10pm newscast open

It's been one wild ride for Houston TV news stations in the past few weeks. First KPRC 2 unleashes a new graphics package on us, then KHOU 11 re-brands itself, next KIAH 39 falls in love with the CW again and makes aesthetic changes and now another station joins the club.

While I'm not exactly sure when it happened, KTRK 13 updated its newscast open at 10pm (maybe other times too). This just hit YouTube last night (that's how I found out about it).

Former KHOU 11 traffic guy Darby Douglas is now on a bunch of radio stations

UPDATE JUNE 13, 2018
Darby Douglas exits KHOU 11

When former KHOU 11 traffic guy Darby Douglas was forced to take an exit lane from the station in 2009, lots of Houston commuters were outraged (I know because they commented about it on this very blog).

I've been trailing Douglas' career ever since on this road we call life.

Last year he started at Clear Channel radio and has good news concerning his latest gig.

Douglas is now the official afternoon (1p-9pm Mon-Fri) traffic anchor for a total of 15 radio stations in Houston and San Antonio. His stations include News Radio 740 AM KTRH, AM 950 The 9-5-0, Sports Talk 790 AM, 94.5 The Buzz, 93.7 The Arrow, Sunny 99.1, 1560 AM KGOW, 100.7 FM The Word KKHT, Business Radio KTEK 1110 AM, KNTH 1070 AM as well as KMMX, KQXT and WOAI in San Antonio.

Now obviously not even Clear Channel owns all of those station in Houston.  I'm guessing that it must contract its traffic services to other companies.

"Feels good to be on the air again," Douglas told the mikemcguff.com blog.

And I am sure many Houston commuters can once again listen to Darby and pretend they're on their own private HOV lane. OK maybe it won't be that good, but based on previous comments here, they will be happy to have him back officially.

RELATED
- Darby Douglas' near death experience, plus life after KHOU 11
- Watch Darby Douglas do traffic on KHOU 11 once again

KXAS reporter photo blogger threat, fmr. KPRC met in LA, Norm Uhl rocks and more

Bird Bites TV Reporter - I missed this one when it came out

Photographer Threatens to Sue Blogger Over Pole Dancing Photo of KXAS Reporter Kim Fischer
A photographer threatened to sue Dallas media blogger Ed Bark last week after he posted a photo of KXAS‘s Kim Fischer simulating a pole dance, an image that the reporter had apparently begun using as her Facebook profile picture.
- From the mind of NBC5 reporter/anchor Kim Fischer...

Former KPRC meteorologist Byron Miranda will join LA's KNBC
Former KPRC 2 meteorologist Byron Miranda will join NBC OandO KNBC Los Angeles as a weekend meteorologist on May 2.
- Full coverage of Byron Miranda through the years

KBTX Media General Sales Manager Passes Away
KBTX 3 Bryan-College Station General Sales Manager and former anchor Jon Boaz died after a cancer battle.

100.3 KILT Now Much Less Rowdy
After 16 years of driving you home, Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductee Rowdy Yates (may not be actual birth name) is retiring from CBS Country KILT/Houston and is relocating to Tulsa. (Scroll down to see story)

What makes a successful anchor?
Yes, you need to be competent reading the prompter and it sure helps your credibility if you can pronounce the name of the Iranian president, but there are a lot of intangibles that can make or break your time on the desk.
- Now's the perfect time to send those resume tapes

Texas Neurosurgeon Loses Libel Suit Against Local TV Reporter & Station
A KEYE 42 Austin news report that focused on malpractice suits and disciplinary actions taken against a Texas neurosurgeon may have cast him in a negative light, but it did not constitute libel, a state appeals court has ruled. Not giving up, the surgeon has asked the state Supreme Court to further review the case.

HISD media dude Norm Uhl is rocking with his band Brother2Brother Friday night
Houston media knows him as an HISD PIO by day, but by night he's got soul.
Friday, April 15th, 2011 | THE BIG EASY SOCIAL & PLEASURE CLUB | 9pm-1am | 5731 Kirby Dr
Houston Texas 77005 | 713-523-9999 | Price: $5
- The most rocking school district PIO

Budget cuts? Not in the Big 12
Fox Sports strikes 13-year, $1.1 billion deal for football games

Houston Media Watch calls local sports talker 'idiot'
Houston Media Watch goes after Sports 610 KILT host.

From "The Bro/manzier" on Seinfeld to a "bra for the booty" on Good Morning Texas
WFAA 8's Good Morning Texas recently aired a pre-paid, in-studio segment about a line of products that can have butts bubbling up in no time.

Is former FOX 26 reporter the ghost in the machine?
Isiah Carey AKA The Insite noticed that former Fox 26 KRIV reporter Duarte Geraldino's image still lives in the station.
- Another CW33er -- reporter Duarte Geraldino -- gets out of Dodge

KABB debuting zany signature news piece, ‘Street’s Corner’
Fox 29 San Antonio KABB video journalist/movie previewer J.T. Street is aiming to put a smile on your face with a new Monday-through-Friday feature.

KVIA's Valle expecting
KVIA reporter/anchor Stephanie Valle is expecting her second child in September.

Maximizing web site buzz
Keeping users coming back for fresh web content requires a delicate balance.
- 5 Tips for Developing News Stories Via Social Media
- Four ways to make social technologies relevant to your business

Grass Valley is in it for the long haul
The owners of TV equipment supplier Grass Valley want to quell any uncertainty about its future and unveil a number of new products and improvements, including the its new Stratus media flow application suite.

Dr. Steve Launches in Houston and Dallas
On April 16 and 17, 2011 Tribune Broadcasting will launch Dr. Steve, a 30-minute health, wellness and lifestyle program for families on KIAH 39 and KDAF 33.

CultureMap plans Austin expansion
Houston lifestyle website CultureMap has inked a joint venture with a publicly traded company that will allow it to expand its brand outside Houston.

NATIONAL STORIES
- Who’s afraid of Arianna Huffington?
- Telemundo President Don Browne to retire
- Attendance is up for the NAB Show in Las Vegas: 92,000-plus
- Front-Runner for CBS Anchor Is ‘60 Minutes’ Reporter
- Glenn Beck 2.0: What Happens Next?
- Hulu is popular, but that wasn't the goal
- WSJ: Univision Planning 24 Hour Cable News Channel

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- KIAH 39 photog Scott Goldsmith moves on to Florida
- KIAH 39 News: The last days in photo
- Houston-based national radio show Chris X's Chris Blayney talks with Mike McGuff
- KTRK 13 anchor Art Rascon's son Jacob now at KFOX 14 El Paso

KTRK 13 anchor Art Rascon's son Jacob now at KFOX 14 El Paso

UPDATE AUGUST 16, 2017
Jacob Rascon joins KPRC

UPDATE JULY 24, 2014
Jacob Rascon now at NBC News

Just the other day I posted that two KFOX 14 El Paso reporters moved on. A day later, I noticed one of the replacements had a very familiar name for those who watch Houston TV News.

Jacob Rascon is one of the newest reporter at KFOX 14. Obviously I thought this has to be KTRK 13 anchor Art Rascon's son. While it does not say that in Jacob's online station bio, his life story read that he is indeed the son of Art:

Before KFOX-14 I was with ABC in the Middle East, covering the Egyptian Revolution from Cairo, as well as conflicts in Israel and surrounding Arab countries from Jerusalem. It was during that time that I truly began to appreciate the value of a free press. I observed the people of Egypt and Tunisia suffer without it and demand it before almost any other freedom as soon as their dictator presidents fell.

Yep, sounds like an Art Rascon offspring. Turns out it is true.

"Yes that's my dad," Jacob told the mikemcguff.com blog in an email. "He's been a great mentor and a better dad, never pushing me to follow in his footsteps, but when I decided to try it out, he was right there with endless advice and encouragement."

Clearly Jacob has the reporting chops of his dad. In fact, Jacob looks like the younger clone of his father down to his speaking mannerisms in stand ups. Go watch the younger Rascon's demo reel above. The kid has talent. There is even a clip of him in a war zone à la Art.

Jacob tells me he is excited about working in the El Paso market because there is plenty of important news to cover in the borderland and the people are great.

Here are some of Jacob Rascon's recent stories:
- Eight Hondas Stolen From EPCC
- Fire Rages in Fort Davis Destroying Homes, Land
- Deadly Car Crash Total In El Paso Now At 19 For 2011

For those of you keeping track of the El Paso TV market, you will know that a former anchor colleague of Art Rascon's works there as an anchor. That's right, former KTRK 13 weekend anchor Stephanie Guadian helms the morning show at KFOX. It's a small world in TV.

UPDATE AUGUST 16, 2017
Jacob Rascon joins KPRC

UPDATE JULY 24, 2014
Jacob Rascon now at NBC News

OTHER FAMOUS NAMES IN TEXAS NEWS
- KHOU 11 snatches producer Jessica Berman-Gault from KTRK 13
- John Thomas Kobos lands anchor gig at KIII 3 Corpus Christi
- TV anchors named Barajas taking over Houston and Texas

Houston-based national radio show Chris X's Chris Blayney talks with Mike McGuff

Houstonian Chris Blayney, host of nationally syndicated radio show TalkBack Weekend with Chris X, had a strange issue in his career. Here he is in Houston, broadcasting to radio stations across the country, but not actually broadcasting on a Houston station.

Well that problem was taken care of earlier this year when KNTH 1070-AM in Houston picked up the show.

Mike McGuff: What is your show about?

Chris Blayney: My show is called TalkBack Weekend with Chris X. It is a lifestyle talk show that airs on 40 plus stations nationwide. It airs on Saturday nights (Midnight-2am CST) and it covers a wide range of issues. We discuss whatever the hot issues are in the news of that week, and the program is sort of a sounding board for different opinions and ideas. It often devolves into politics, which sometimes gets heated, but is always entertaining. I'm a self-proclaimed "Radical Moderate", so I enjoy poking fun at both political parties and their heated rhetoric. It's important stuff, but it is also important to keep our sense of humor and to not take ourselves too seriously.

MM: How many stations are you on across the US?

CB: Officially I'm on 42 stations nationwide. Unofficially, it is around 60 plus stations. The program airs through the Business Talk Radio Network and I have an additional 20 or so stations that use my show as filler when they don't have programs in those hours. It is a lot of fun to hear the different points of view from California to New York.

MM: Why did it take so long to get on the air from your hometown...where you broadcast from?

CB: I'm not exactly sure why it took me almost 9 years to pick up a Houston affiliate. I guess the old adage "A prophet is never welcome in his own home town" holds some truth. For most of that time I worked for CBS Radio here in Houston for 650-AM, which is a Day-Timer station. That means it goes off the air at dusk, so my show couldn't air on that station. The other stations in town are mostly owned by the other clusters and wouldn't touch my show because I worked for CBS Radio. There were a few stations that were interested, but they had contractual obligations with other programs and weren't really willing to make a change at that time. After I left CBS radio and took on a Media Director position for a local real estate investor group, I finally negotiated with KNTH 1070-AM (Salem Broadcasting) last month here in Houston to carry my program. I have to give a special thanks to Chuck Tiller and Susan Simon over at Salem for being big advocates for carrying my program. I can't thank them enough.

MM: What did it feel like to actually be on the air in Houston with the show?

CB: It's kind of strange and wonderful finally having my show on here in Houston. The response has been amazing and a little overwhelming! I actually had my cousin's husband, a marine whom I hadn't spoke to since 2004, email me after hearing my show here on the local airways. It's a small world that keeps getting smaller every minute! Houston is an amazing city with such a diverse audience, so I couldn't be happier with the response. I'm getting lots of calls and feedback from my hometown and I'm loving every minute of it.

MM: Anything else you want to add?

CB: Finally, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to talk with me about this unique situation. I'm truly blessed to get to do what I do and talk to America every Saturday night. I get to express my opinions, as well as learn from all of the unique callers that participate in the program. I have the smartest audience in the world and we get to have our own little revolution every Sat night... and it just got a little smarter by throwing H-town into the mix.

http://www.chrisxradio.com/

Former KTRK 13 anchors getting together to talk Marvin Zindler; where you can see it

A reminder about an event I blogged about last month:

Remembering Marvin: Reflections on a Houston Icon
Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 6:30 P.M. at Rice Media Center
(Located at the corner of University Blvd and Stockton, entrance #8 on the Rice University Campus.
For location details, check http://film.rice.edu/)
Free and open to the public.
Roundtable Panelists: Dr. Joseph Agris of the Agris-Zindler Children’s Fund; Ed Brandon, former KTRK weatherman; Bob Dows, KTRK cameraman; Shara Fryer, former KTRK anchor; Lori Reingold, Zindler’s former producer

KIAH 39 News: The last days in photo

I've been cleaning out my cameras and found some shots I snapped while freelancing at KIAH 39 News. These were the pre-revolutionary days I guess you could call it. Some shots were in the studio of anchor Mia Gradney and the other talent on the last nights of the newscast, newsroom stuff...etc.

People ask me what it was like working there in the final days of the newscast. Surprisingly the attitudes and morale were pretty good when I got there considering everyone knew things were changing. Nice group of people.

It was an interesting perspective to see a newsroom in the process of shutting down and changing into NewsFix.

KIAH 39 photog Scott Goldsmith moves on to Florida

There are always those folks you work with in the TV biz who are truly "characters" and extremely good at their job. That was photographer Scott Goldsmith when I was at KIAH 39. A great shooter, super fast editor, live truck operator, newsroom mentor and overall great guy.

Now Goldsmith is moving to Dania Beach, Florida (near Fort Lauderdale) to work at Vista Satellite as the director of technical operations. He will oversee the facility and all of its equipment. Will he have to wear a tie now? Sure sounds like it!

Goldsmith is a New York guy and had previously worked at WABC 7 and WPIX 11.
He only worked at KIAH 39 for 18 months, but had been a Tribune employee for 13 years (WPIX is a Tribune station).

"KIAH was a nice place to work, it was a family-like atmosphere and I will miss the people," Goldsmith told the mikemcguff.com blog.

Congrats Scott!

RELATED
KIAH 39's Jeff Clemons moving to KVOA in Tucson

TV reporter vs criminal, Houston TV anchors doing comedy, NBC5 reporter out plus more

Highlight reel from the Houston Press Club's Gridiron Show with TV anchors and reporters performing in comedy/singing sketches.

TV reporter v. criminal
5 ways to check for the difference between a TV crew and a burglary crew.

National Parenting Magazine Seeks Filmmaker/TV Producer Mom for Home Video Tips
Calling all moms who are professional filmmakers or TV producers.

NBC5 reporter Grant Stinchfield re-ordering -- and re-oiling -- his priorities
Veteran NBC5 KXAS reporter Grant Stinchfield has had his fill of the TV news business. So he'll be making a stark career transition.

Fox 26 KRIV anchor Chris Stipes reveals personal info on air
Now Isiah Carey AKA The Insite says lets prank him!

Shepard Smith Goes to Houston
Fox News Channel’s Shepard Smith was in Houston last week, where he is training with the NASA team that will carry out the last space shuttle mission.

UH student closer to ‘winning!’
Klein Collins High School grad and University of Houston student Alex Avila is a finalist for Charlie Sheen's intern contest.

PHOTO: Former Houston radio talent Janice Dean's baby
The world knows Janice Dean as a Fox News meteorologist, but in Houston we know her voice on our radio stations. Here is a photo of her pride and joy.

KLIF's Jeff Bolton On-Air In Japan When Aftershock Hit
CUMULUS Talk KLIF-A/DALLAS morning host JEFF BOLTON, was in Japan to broadcast live and got caught in the latest earthquake.

Balderrama leaving KFOX
Monica Balderrama, KFOX's East Side El Paso bureau reporter, will be leaving the station in pursuit of a career outside of journalism.
- Another KFOX reporter announces departure

A week into her new gig, KVET cohost sounds like a pro
Jamie Ivey, formerly a stay-at-home mom, is the winner of a competition to co-host the KVET-FM morning show alongside veteran broadcaster Bob Cole.

The Texas Tribune battles the big dogs
Though the Austin American-Statesman dominates the city's online media scene, The Texas Tribune, a tiny non-profit local news site, is taking off and generating a lot of buzz for its political coverage in the Texas capital.

NATIONAL MEDIA
- NBC denies rumors of Lauer, Vieira departure
- Three Jersey Shore cast members will also be appearing in MTV spinoffs
- Sirius XM boosted by bullish analyst
- Bret Baier: The Next Generation Of Fox News Anchor
- Soap Operas: Can They Survive?
- The Burden Of Being CNBC's Erin Burnett

TV TECH TRENDS
- TV stations doing more with less through automation
- HD and digital still in infancy at most television station

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- KTRK 13 meteorologist Casey Curry fills-in on ABC's GMA
- High quality video of KTRK 13 meteorologist Casey Curry on ABC's GMA
- The Bo and Jim Morning Show re-signs three more years on Lone Star 92.5 KZPS
- KPRC 2 sports guy Winston Dutchin welcomes new son