Top mikemcguff blog posts for 2014

The 2014 number one post, in a matter of months, is now my most read post of all time!

Happy New Year! Here are the top Houston media stories of 2014 by page views on mikemcguff.com (although in years past, a Dallas story has been tops). So that means you decided this list by reading these posts the most throughout the year. And the number one story this year is even bigger than just 2014!

10. Courtney Zavala to leave KPRC 2 and TV
In November, popular weekend morning KPRC 2 anchor Courtney Zavala told me she was giving up TV to spend time with her family after juggling a crazy broadcast schedule.

9. Britta Merwin joins KPRC 2 as meteorologist
Last May, Britta Merwin came out of TV retirement to join KPRC 2. She had last worked at KCRA Sacramento. Merwin replaced Idolina Peralez. This week we found out Merwin is replacing the KNBC Los Angeles bound morning meteorologist Anthony Yanez.

8. KPRC 2 hires fmr. beauty queen, Sharron Melton vs Lily Jang and more
This old post from 2012 popped up because of one of the names in the title. Can you guess who? If not, scroll down to the top post for the details.

7. Casey Curry is pregnant
Once again, not a post from 2014, but when abc 13 KTRK morning meteorologist Casey Curry is mentioned, this number one 2013 entry still pops up at number 7 for this year. Curry's baby girl was born in January 2014.

6. Adela Uchida gone from abc13 KTRK with expanded weekend news on the way?
As KTRK abc13 added a half hour to its 10pm weekend newscast in January, anchor Adela Uchida left the station. She quickly joined News 92 KROI. When that station flipped to Boom 92.1 classic hip hop, Uchida announced she will join KEYE Austin.

5. KHOU 11 anchor Ron Trevino arrested; charged with DWI
In March, KHOU 11 reported, its own morning anchor, Ron Trevino, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. In June, Trevino's DWI case was dismissed.

4. Corey Foley leaves The Bull 100.3 KILT; plus other changes
Angry The New Bull @ 100.3 KILT listeners started emailing me in April about the fact Corey Foley left the CBS country morning show. Partner Greg Thunder remained and Cowboy Dave moved to nights. By November, Greg Thunder had left the station too. Will the morning duo reunite somewhere?

3. Katherine Whaley leaving KHOU 11
In June, KHOU announced it was re-hiring Darby Douglas for morning traffic. That meant his replacement, Katherine Whaley, was going to report. The call of the commute was clearly too much, so Whaley bolted for the comfort of KTRK abc13's chroma key traffic wall. She debuted on the Disney/ABC Television Group doing evening traffic, but many of my readers suspect she will eventually replace longtime morning man Don Nelson. One of many changes that could be possible in 2015 for channel 13.

2. 93.7 The Beat Houston replaces 93.7 The Arrow KKRW
Exactly a year ago, I was attached to my computer for hours (much to my wife's New Year's Eve chagrin) blogging about the death of classic rocker 93.7 The Arrow KKRW. The station that emerged from its low rated ashes was urban formatted 93.7 The Beat KQBT. Houston radio ratings were never the same afterwards. Clear Channel IHeart Media knew how to shake things up with this move. I think this event eventually killed News 92 KROI. In my top 2013 post, I predicted this one would make 2014's top 10...nailed that one!

1. Why is Sharron Melton a KTRK abc13 'field anchor' now?

Sharron Melton

And the number one 2014 mikemcguff.com blog post is...[insert drum roll here]...the re-assignment of KTRK abc13 morning anchor Sharron Melton to field anchor.

 I got flack from readers for asking what a field anchor is in my original post. Yes, I get it is something from years ago where an anchor was in the field, you know, anchoring the news. This is not what Melton is doing. She is doing the job as a morning reporter. Sounds like a contractual thing.

And she is getting rave reviews as a reporter too.

 But not only is this late August post my number one item for the year, it is also the number one post of all time on my blog. And I have been publishing since 2005! So in a matter of months, Melton's post has shot up to my most read post...EVER. I have NEVER received so much angry email about a Houston media figure (Please don't blame me, I had nothing to do with her move!). I can just imagine what the station must be getting from her very devoted fans. So far, Melton's presumed morning anchor replacement is weekender Samica Knight.

Here is to a great 2015 for the Houston TV, radio, newspaper and digital crowd! It makes a decade for this little free media blog plugging along on blogger.com. This year it hit a high of 130,000 monthly unique readers in July! (more than a million readers overall for the year) Thank you.

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Britta Merwin to replace Anthony Yanez on KPRC 2

As Anthony Yanez heads to KNBC LA, weekender Britta Merwin takes KPRC morning meteorologist job

Britta Merwin

Channel 2 viewers are emailing me that KPRC is running promos announcing a new morning meteorologist has been named and it is current weekend morning met Britta Merwin.

"I am honored and excited," Merwin told mikemcguff.com. "Anthony will be truly missed and we wish him good luck with his new adventure, although he will not need it. KNBC is lucky to have him."

As I blogged in October, current morning meteorologist Anthony Yanez is heading west to KNBC Los Angeles in 2015 so we knew there would be an opening.

When I recently blogged that KEZI 9 News chief meteorologist Justin Stapleton is joining KPRC from Eugene, Oregon, many readers thought he would be Yanez's replacement. I told them on Facebook, not so fast. A couple of station sources were pointing to Merwin for the main morning gig. So I guess we can assume Stapleton will replace Merwin on weekend mornings.

Let's face it, when Merwin was hired to do weekend mornings, I figured she would move up fast. She has a pretty impressive television resume. Merwin came to KPRC after working at KCRA Sacramento, CA. Before that she put in time at NBC Weather Plus and CNBC. Other stops in her local TV news career include KNSD San Diego and News 12 New Jersey.

As mentioned when Merwin was hired, I also believe she is the first TV talent I've written about to have her own entry in the online urban dictionary if that means anything to you.

Merwin will officially start the main morning gig January 16th.

As for Yanez, the man whose upcoming departure created this scenario, he's been busy too.

Leading up to his January 15th KPRC send off, Yanez has been busy plugging his new children's book A Wild Ride on the Water Cycle - a children's book that teaches weather science to younger readers.

He recently made an appearance at the Children's Museum of Houston to read from his book with help from Santa Claus! Click the title to find out more about Yanez's A Wild Ride on the Water Cycle.

The official site is jakeandalice.com.

* Post updated with Merwin response

Dave Ward ready to party at end of 10pm news bash

KTRK abc13 legend Dave Ward celebrates his last 10pm newscast at Tony's with TV friends and family

Dave Ward & Mike McGuff

With microphone in hand, KTRK abc13 anchor Dave Ward addressed friends and family at Tony's with something he claimed he always wanted to say on TV. He then ruffled his perfectly coiffed hair with his hand and yelled, "let's party!"

With a roar from the party crowd, the official celebration of the longest running anchor in America's last 10pm newscast on the Disney/ABC Television Group began Tuesday night.

---------------------
PHOTOS
See pictures from the Dave Ward Tony's party!
---------------------

I can't say that I've blogged about many historic moments in my almost ten years of blogging about the Houston media, but this week, I think we all just lived through one.

Ward, who started anchoring the 6 and 10pm KTRK abc13 newscasts in 1968, officially stepped down from the late news last night. He will continue anchoring the 6pm news.

There are many Houstonians, me included, who have not lived a day without Dave Ward being the 10pm anchor. Not only did he help raise the station to unbelievable ratings during that time, but Ward is a Houston institution. He was there through wars, political upheaval, NASA's triumphs/struggles, economic booms/recessions, our sports teams winning/losing...etc. Think of all the city and area county leaders that have come and gone since Ward has sat in the anchor chair.

Now for some personal Ward stories I don't think I've ever shared on my blog. For a high profile TV anchor, Ward is really the most humble news guy you could encounter. Believe me, many in his position would not be that way. Think the Ted Baxter or Ron Burgundy caricature concerning lead anchormen in the zeitgeist. Ward, the man, is actually a quiet presence who you can catch whistling to himself down the hallway who keeps to himself much of the time.

When I first got to KTRK, I was at the station cafeteria, run by Novlean Smith at the time, and who walked in but Dave Ward. I couldn't help but ask did he ever think when he started at the station all those years ago that he would rise to such success and be the top anchor all these years. His answer was something like, "No, but also no one else offered me another job." That is a line I have heard him use other times, but it kind of explains his attitude.

As a young special projects producer, I got quite an early assignment. Go with Dave Ward to Austin and produce his interview with Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Football Hall of Famer Earl Campbell. Wow. Talk about pressure for me.

So there I was, the night before the big interview having dinner with Ward, Campbell, Campbell's wife Reuna and the future Mrs. McGuff who was living in Austin at the time.

It was an amazing evening. All I could do was sit back and soak in the stories these two legends were telling.

Afterwards, we had drinks with Ward at the famous Driskill Hotel along Sixth Street. The World Series was on TV and Ward was calling the game between the the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees. It was immediately obvious that even in another city, people recognized Dave Ward since they could not stop staring.

My original channel 13 cafeteria questioning continued since I had Ward's undivided attention. Naturally I had to ask about Marvin Zindler and the famous "Thank you Marvin" line. He told me many times it was all he could say without cracking up after Zindler's wild on-air antics.

The next day, Ward and I showed up at the interview with photographer Jim Myers and found some unexpected people at Campbell's office. Turns out, Campbell told friends in Houston that Ward was interviewing him that day. Those friends then drove to Austin to specifically meet Dave Ward and get pictures with him.

Talk about star power.

Back to present day and last night's party, those in attendance were who you might expect to see honoring Ward. Friends ranging from Kitty Borah, to Jan Carson and Ed Brandon all the way to Art Rascon and Melanie Lawson surrounded the Houston TV legend. Former bosses Dave Strickland and Don Kobos joined the crowd calling Ward the best TV anchor in America.

And luckily, we'll still be able to Watch Dave at 6pm.

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Adela Uchida to KEYE Austin

Adela Uchida tells mikemcguff.com she will be KEYE Austin weekend anchor

Adela Uchida

Former KTRK abc13 anchor and News 92 KROI reporter Adela Uchida announced on Facebook last night she is heading to Austin TV and the Houston Chronicle reported on it.

To find out more on what role she'll be taking, I picked up the phone and contacted her.

"I'm sad about leaving Houston, but thrilled to be going to Austin," Uchida told mikemcguff.com. "This is the perfect end to my job search in which I was taking personal concerns heavily into account which was my daughter. This keeps us within driving distance of her dad, which was extremely important to me to keep their relationship solid."

Uchida told me she will be the weekend anchor at Austin CBS affiliate and Sinclair owned KEYE.

"I have great faith in Rob Cartwright the news director, he knows the direction he wants to go," Uchida added.

So where did she find out about the Austin gig? mikemcguff.com of course. Uchida told me she read the news on my blog that former KEYE anchor Deeda Payton was leaving and the rest is history.

Kaley O’Kelley joins KTVT 11 DFW evenings, Karen Borta to mornings

Some big changes over at Dallas-Fort Worth's KTVT 11 this holiday season. First the news came out that CBS 11 News at 5, 6 and 10 co-anchor Karen Borta will make the move to mornings beginning Monday, Jan. 12. Now we learn that Kaley O’Kelley of KTVK in Phoenix is replacing her.

Here are the CBS 11 KTVT press releases for each move:

Kaley O’Kelley

Kaley O’Kelley will co-anchor CBS 11 News at 5, 6 and 10 p.m. with Doug Dunbar beginning in late January.

“Kaley has the rare ability to connect with just about everyone,” said Mike Garber, CBS 11 vice president of news. “Viewers will immediately sense her passion for the community, her strong journalistic skills and her enthusiasm for delivering the news. She has some big shoes to fill, but we are confident that the Dallas-Fort Worth community will soon embrace Kaley and her unique style.”

O’Kelley joins CBS 11 from KTVK in Phoenix, where she has been a morning news anchor and reporter since 2009. Prior to that, she worked at Phoenix’s KNXV as a weather anchor and host. While there, O’Kelley also served as a fill-in weather anchor for Good Morning America Weekend Edition. In addition, she has worked in San Diego, Santa Barbara and Yuma, Ariz. A graduate of Pepperdine University, O’Kelley began her career while still in high school, when she hosted the pilot for a teen television program. She is a member of the Native American Journalists Association, The American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association.

"I'm honored to join the CBS 11 team in bringing quality stories that matter to our viewers,” O’Kelley said. “My husband and I have always felt right at home in Texas, whether spending time with family in Dallas-Fort Worth or vacationing in the Hill Country. We're proud to make our home in North Texas and raise our kids here."

Here is the Karen Borta release that was sent earlier this week:

CBS 11 News at 5, 6 and 10 co-anchor Karen Borta will make the move to mornings beginning Monday, Jan. 12.

“North Texans know Karen for her warmth, her wit and her professionalism,” said CBS 11 and TXA 21 President and General Manager Gary Schneider. “Karen knows North Texas. She was born here, grew up here and is raising her family here. We're thrilled to have our viewers start their day with the information they need from someone they know and trust.”

Borta will mark 20 years with CBS 11 in 2015. She joined the station in 1995 from WTVT in Tampa. Prior to that, she worked as an anchor and reporter at KRBK in Sacramento and KCEN in Waco. A native of Arlington, Borta is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington. She is a member of the UTA Alumni Association as well as the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Borta has received numerous awards for her work, including regional EMMYs, Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Awards, Press Club of Dallas Katie Awards, the Association of Women Journalists’ Vivian J. Castleberry Award and the UTA Distinguished Alumni Service Award. In addition, she has been honored by several local charitable and civic organizations for her community involvement.

“When I was approached with this opportunity, it seemed almost too good to be true,” Borta said. “Professionally, it’s an exciting challenge which will allow me to spread my wings a bit. But more important to me personally is that this is incredibly awesome for my family life. My three children are now in high school and junior high. This new schedule will finally allow me to do the things that so many people take for granted, such as eating dinner with my family and attending my kids’ weeknight games – all things I often missed when working nights. As parents, we don’t get do-overs, and it means the world to me to be able to fully participate in this part of their lives before they leave the nest. The only difficult part will be not getting to see my nighttime co-workers on a regular basis. I will definitely miss them!”

Justin Stapleton joins KPRC 2 weather team

KEZI 9 News chief meteorologist Justin Stapleton joins KPRC 2 from Eugene, Oregon

Justin Stapleton

Justin Stapleton, the KEZI 9 News Eugene, Oregon chief meteorologist, is coming to Houston's KPRC 2 the station confirmed to mikemcguff.com. Yes, yes, yes, I am still on a blogging break, but did promise to drop by if anything big happened.

"I've always had a fascination with hurricanes and tropical storms," Stapleton told mikemcguff.com. "That's one of the draws to KPRC and Houston, an opportunity to forecast storms when they get into the Gulf and to be out in the field reporting when severe weather hits. More importantly, a chance to learn from some amazing seasoned mets like Frank (Billingsley) and the rest of the team. Also to get a chance to learn from a former NHC director, Dr. Read, is an incredible bonus."

If you like storms, Houston is your place. And I have a feeling Stapleton will be able to remain cool under pressure during a hurricane. According to his bio, before moving to TV weather, Stapleton worked in the mental health field assisting police departments in Maryland by providing on-site crisis intervention and training. Talk about intense.

"If you were to ask me what I wanted to do if I could do anything, it would be TV weather," Stapleton told me. "However, I also loved psychology and enjoyed working with the police doing crisis intervention but I got burned out after a while and was looking for a change.

"I didn't want to regret not taking the chance to see if I could do broadcast meteorology, so I researched around, found the program at [Mississippi State University] and was fortunate to get my first gig working while I was still finishing my classes. I still love psychology and I use it almost everyday just in a different way now with news. It's still a pretty valuable tool to know how to work with people, especially in the TV biz!"

Agreed. In my uneducated opinion, most newsrooms should come with a couch and a therapist that charges by the minute.

Stapleton starts at KPRC in early 2015. He'll have to get used to our flat landscape first.

"I'm a city kid at heart and I love the energy and diversity that a city like Houston offers," he added. "I have to say that I will miss the Oregon mountains, they're amazing!"

Before KEZI, Stapleton worked for WCBI in Columbus, Mississippi. According to his bio, Stapleton holds a Master’s degree in geosciences from Mississippi State University and the AMS Seal of Approval. He is a full member of both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association.

Now I know people are going to ask me if Stapleton is replacing Anthony Yanez who is going to KNBC LA next year. I asked KPRC this and was told no decision on Yanez's replacement has been made as of yet. Stay tuned.

Blog break time!

It's December break time. If anything really big happens, I'll be back.

But I don't really go away.

Make sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what's going on while I'm away. Like I always to, I'll still feature some news there that won't be on the blog.

Texas reporter hospitalized, a sign for KPRC plus more

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Condition upgraded for WBAP/KLIF reporter hurt in head-on crash
A WBAP/KLIF news reporter is hospitalized after a head-on collision in Wise County near the town of Boyd. Alan Scaia, 30, was one of three people sent to hospitals from the scene of the crash at FM 51 at FM 2048 about thirty miles northwest of Ft. Worth.
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Katy Blakey is NBC5's new weekend morning news anchor
NBC5 KXAS announced the hiring of Katy Blakey as its new weekend morning anchor. She arrives from Oklahoma City’s ABC affiliate, KOCO-TV.

Meagan Harris Named News Director at WTLV-WJXX
WTLV-WJXX has named WFAA dayside executive producer Meagan Harris news director of the Jacksonville ABC and NBC affiliate.

Hot 93.3 Dallas Flips To Urban
It won’t be a Classic Hip-Hop Holiday for “Hot 93.3” KLIF-FM Haltom City/Dallas after all.

Dallas News Unveils 3rd Luxury Magazine
FD, the award-winning fashion, design and lifestyle magazine of The Dallas Morning News, today announced the launch of FD House, a quarterly magazine covering home design, furnishings, exteriors and luxurious living in North Texas. The first edition will hit newsstands, retailers and showrooms in March 2015, with an anticipated circulation of more than 40,000.

Morning News Unveils Engagement Programs
The Dallas Morning News has announced two initiatives — new digital tools to empower community residents to create content and connect over issues and media training for Hispanic parents so they can help inform their communities about early childhood education programs — to help propel audience engagement

Dallas: Holiday retail is booming on TV
Total spending is up this year, driven by political dollars

Isiah Carey's Mission: Covering The People
The KRIV Houston reporter is making a name for himself with solid investigative reporting. But he also doesn’t overlook the fact that his work can have real consequences on the people in his stories. “You have to realize these are people,” Carey says, adding that he weighs every aspect of a story because even a piece “about a bad guy affects families. I try to be that way. Because once you lose that, I think you’ve lost yourself.”

KPRC 2 gets a new sign
Ch-ch-ch-changes... Goodbye Post-Newsweek Stations, Hello Graham Media Group (same company, new name)!

University denies KTRK abc13 report
Washington State officials flatly denied a report by a Houston television station that football coach Mike Leach is interested in the vacant coaching position at the University of Houston.

New Clocks For News 88.7 KUHF
Morning Edition will include more of the features the community has asked for. We are adjusting our “clock”, or how we time the delivery of the news. This will bring you more local newscasts, in-depth stories, Engines of Our Ingenuity, and the Marketplace Morning Report.

Atom Smasher Morning Show to be living inside Gallery Furniture
The Mix 96.5 Atom Smasher Morning Show featuring; Atom Smasher and Shawnda McNeal will be BROADCASTING and LIVING inside of Gallery Furniture on I-45 North from December 8th-December 12th until enough money is raised for Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation! Tune into Mix 96.5 from 5am-9am to hear the broadcast live and stay tuned all day for live updates from Atom and Shawnda! For more information and to make donations listeners will be directed to our website.
http://mix965houston.cbslocal.com/holiday-toy-drive/

The Chronicle will leave downtown. Let us grieve.
When the delegates to the 1928 Democratic National Convention selected Gov. Al Smith of New York as their presidential nominee, the Houston Chronicle's political writers didn't have to go far to get the story. They could simply grab their notebooks and follow the smell of cigar smoke to the nearby Sam Houston Hall, where the convention was underway.

Telemundo launches new multicast network Telexitos
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When the KENS Color the Weather Contest was the Greatest Thing Ever
If you say "color the weather" to people of a certain age who grew up in San Antonio, it's likely you'll be met with a blank expression that instantly transforms into a beaming smile of recognition. For the younger readers out there, Color the Weather was contest from San Antonio's CBS affiliate KENS-5 and McDonald's.

WOAI Elf Louise Radiothon Raises $291.430
The annual ELF LOUISE RADIOTHON on iHEARTMEDIA News-Talk WOAI-A/SAN ANTONIO DECEMBER 5-6 raised $291,430.

ESPN San Antonio Comes To FM
Alpha Media Sports “ESPN San Antonio” 1250 KZDC San Antonio has launched an FM translator.

KXAN, KVUE are top-rated stations in November
The battle between KVUE and KXAN for TV ratings dominance continued in November, with both stations notching first-place wins.

MOVING

Dallas Morning Radio Legend And Country DJ Hall Of Famer Terry Dorsey To Retire
Longtime CUMULUS Country KSCS/DALLAS-FT. WORTH morning host TERRY DORSEY will retire after more than 40 years in radio.

After CSN Houston went away, reporter Howard Chen has joined SportsRadio 610 KILT.

Zoe Bonet joins Houston Public Media as an announcer/host. Previously she was the 17 year host of Sunny 99.1's (KODA) Love Songs show.

Galen Ettlin has joined KRHD ABC40 in Bryan/College Station, Texas as a reporter.

REMEMBERING

R.I.P.: San Antonio Indie DJ Jason Gonzales
Local indie DJ, sometime musician, visual artist and former KSYM 90.1 FM radio personality Jason R. Gonzales, known to his fans as DJ Shabbytiger, died unexpectedly.

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KTRK abc13 hires two assistant news directors & more

KTRK abc13 hires new managers with new titles

KTRK abc13 is filling back up its management ranks after a tumultuous few months, but the Disney/ABC Television Group is thinking a bit outside the box with its new troops.

Last summer, this blog was sending out breaking news alerts left and right when news director Dave Strickland resigned, executive producer Jerry Vazquez left for the KTMD news director chair and assistant news director and former reporter Don Kobos retired.

In the last five months, the station took its time re-hiring and also re-thought the job titles.

Digital, digital, digital. That's the buzzword in broadcasting now, and with an eye on the future, KTRK has promoted longtime managing editor Chris Hanson to be the new Assistant News Director of Digital. News director Wendy Granato said in a staff email obtained by mikemcguff.com, Hanson will keep working on the broadcast side, but will mainly oversee the digital operations.

The new Assistant News Director for Broadcast will be Rehan Aslam who recently left Fox owned WFLD Chicago where he served as an executive producer. According to TVSpy, Aslam was originally hired at Fox Chicago as producer of “Good Day Chicago” in 2005. In 2012, he was named EP of the late news. Longtime Houston TV insiders will recognize Aslam's WFLD news director is former KTRK ND Tom Doerr.

The new Nightside Executive Producer is former KTRK producer Rick Bagley. Bagley joins from Fort Smith/Fayetteville, Arkansas' KFSM where he was news director. Before that he was ND at KDBC El Paso.

I'll play TV prognasticator for a minute. My prediciton is after it was announced ABC News anchor David Muir is doing a one-minute Facebook only newscast, KTRK will follow.

And while I'm riffing on the digital future, what will replace the failed Live Well network? The plug is about to be pulled and I haven't seen an announcement on what's coming next.

So speaking of digital, why not put a local 24-hour KTRK news channel on 13.2? That's my vote. Slimmed down TV news staffs across the country are turning out loads of newscasts. I'll pretend I'm from corporate and say why can't they just do a little more? These 24 hour local CNN's might be the future for .2 channels all over! I should be a TV consultant with this stuff. Look at your watch, and I'll tell you what time it is. Now pay me!

If I'm correct on all of these predictions, I'll be linking back to this in a boastful manner, if not, you'll never see this post again!

"Exposure with David Sadof" revived online

The former 101 KLOL show "Exposure with David Sadof" finds new home on the web with an alternative spirit

If you were in early 1990s Houston, then you might know "Exposure with David Sadof" on 101 KLOL was the spot on the radio dial to be exposed to the new wave of alternative music on the horizon. Ironically, many of the bands this alternative tastemaker played on his specialty show would eventually overtake some songs on the rest of the rock station.

Count me in as one of those devoted Sunday night listeners. On this blog in 2007, I called Sadof "one of Houston's last true radio DJs."

Now in the Internet era, "Exposure with David Sadof" is back and debuts online today.

"Listeners of my past radio shows have been asking me to build my own digital radio station for years," Sadof told mikemcguff.com on the eve of the online station's debut.

Once again, count me in as one of those listeners. I've been sampling the station this morning and find it is what Sadof fans will want! It's everything from classic alternative to current - from The Replacements to Parquet Courts.

David Sadof & Tori Amos

The alt radio show had several FM homes after KLOL. Sadof, who had served as the KLOL music director, eventually left with the station's general manager, Pat Fant, and helped start 107.5 The Buzz (which today is at 94.5). At this point in the mid-1990s, Exposure became "Lunar Rotation." Later in in 2000s, Sadof teamed back up with Fant at 97.5 KFNC and launched "High Fidelity."

Back in the day, I would stay up late to tune into Sadof's weekend show on KLOL (and the other stations to follow) to hear the likes of Nirvana, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Smashing Pumpkins before they were radio darlings. While mainstream bands now, back then they were in the fringe on a Lollapalooza concert goers t-shirt. In fact, Sadof got one of the earliest recorded interviews with Pearl Jam before they were one of the world's largest bands.

"We sat down and just had a lengthy discussion about the album and even afterwards we went over to Butera's to have lunch, which was kind of funny to me," Sadof explained to me for my upcoming Rock 101 KLOL documentary. "Because two months later they had a video on MTV and they'd become so popular that couldn't have happened. They would have been mobbed. We just walked in, and you know, no one knew who they were."

But Sadof, who you couldn't beat in a game of musical trivia, played way more than the alternative platinum crowd. Houston alt lovers knew they were going deep into the genre too.

"They knew they were gonna hear things they didn't hear otherwise [on the station]," Sadof told me. "They'd hear The Jesus and Mary Chain. And they can hear Sisters of Mercy. And they can find out about bands they've never even heard of before. Bands like Fetchin Bones, or The Reivers, or you know, just really obscure bands.

"Some of the bands went on to become well-known, and others didn't. But that was really never the point of what I was doing. I really didn't care so much if something I played ended up on the station or didn't. That was never really the goal. You know, if it happened, that was fine."

That same spirit lives on today with Sadof online. It's especially great when "classic alternative" bands can't be found anywhere on the dial outside of "SiriusXM's 1st Wave," - and with this we get a mix of old and new!

Mostly music right now, Sadof tells me he will start giving information on the bands he's playing which fans have come to expect.

So don't blame me if you find your days slipping past you from listening to Sadof's alt music online world, blame him!

You can listen on the web at
http://exposurewithdavidsadof.playtheradio.com

You can listen on the TuneIn website at
http://tunein.com/radio/Exposure-with-David-Sadof-s237129 and on the TuneIn app for iPhone and Android.

You can listen on the Radionomy website at
http://www.radionomy.com/en/radio/exposurewithdavidsadof/index
and on the Radionomy app for iPhone and Android.

The Facebook page is facebook.com/exposurewithdavidsadof

The Twitter account is twitter.com/DavidSadof

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Univision 45 KXLN's November 2014 sweeps victories

Univision ranked as the No. 1 station in Primetime among Adults 18-49 in Houston

Univision 45 KXLN is very happy with its performance during the November 2014 television sweeps period.

Univision says its Houston station ranked as the number one station in prime time among Adults 18-49 in Houston. That puts the station ahead of ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. Univision stations in Houston were also number one in Total Day viewing, delivered the number one early local newscast and the number one late local newscast among Adults 18-49.

Here is how KXLN 45 compared in Houston with households and the age 25-54 key advertising demographic for November 2014 sweeps.


Univision didn't just dominate in Houston.

Univision Communications Inc. announced that its stations in Los Angeles, Houston and Dallas ranked No. 1 ahead of ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC among Adults 18-49 in primetime during the November sweep. In Miami and Houston, Univision ranked as No. 1 broadcast stations during primetime among Total Viewers 2+.

During the November sweep, Univision stations in Los Angeles, Houston and Dallas delivered both the No.1 early local newscast and the No. 1 late local newscast among Adults 18 – 49. KMEX Univision 34 in Los Angeles had the No. 1 most watched early local newscast in the country among Adults 18-49 regardless of language.

“The fact that our local stations ranked No. 1 during the November sweep in key markets like Los Angeles, Houston and Dallas validates our strong position in the industry and our continued delivery of top notch, culturally-relevant content that our viewers crave,” said Kevin Cuddihy, president of Local Media, Univision Communications Inc.

Additional Local Market Highlights:

Primetime

During the November 2014 sweep period, Univision was the No. 1 broadcast station in primetime among:
· Total Viewers 2+ in Miami and Houston
· Adults 18-49 in Los Angeles, Houston and Dallas
· Adults 18-34 in Los Angeles, Houston and Dallas

Univision was the No. 2 broadcast station in primetime among:
· Adults 18-49 in Miami
· Adults 18-34 in Miami and Phoenix

Total Day

During the November 2014 sweep period, Univision was the No. 1 broadcast station in Total Day viewing (Monday-Sunday 6 a.m.-2 a.m.) among:
· Adults 18-49 in Los Angeles and Houston
· Adults 18-34 in Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas and Phoenix

Univision was the No. 2 broadcast station in Total Day viewing (Monday-Sunday 6 a.m.-2 a.m.) among:
· Total Viewers 2+ in Miami
· Adults 18-49 in Dallas
· Adults 18-34 in New York and Miami

Early Local News

KMEX Univision 34 in Los Angeles had the No. 1 most watched early local newscast in the country among Adults 18-49.

Univision stations delivered the No. 1 early local newscast among
· Adults 18-49 in Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas and Phoenix
· Adults 25-54 in Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco and Phoenix

Univision stations also ranked No.2 in early local news among:
· Adults 18-49 in New York, Miami, San Francisco and Sacramento
· Adults 25-54 in New York, Miami, Chicago and Sacramento

Late Local News

Univision stations delivered the No. 1 late local newscast among:
· Adults 18-49 in Los Angeles, Houston and Dallas
· Adults 25-54 in Los Angeles, Houston and Dallas

Univision stations also ranked No.2 in late local news among:
· Adults 18-49 in New York, Miami and Phoenix
· Adults 25-54 in Miami

Source: Nielsen, NSI, Nov14 (10/30/14-11/26/14). Early local news is defined as a local newscasts with 6 p.m. ET/PT start time; 5 p.m. CT/MT start time. Late local news is defined as a local newscasts with 10/11 p.m. ET/PT start time; 9/10 p.m. CT/MT. Includes regular newscasts only. Primetime is defined as ABC/CBS/NBC/IND/UNI/UMA/TEL/AZA/MFZ/ETV Mon-Sat 8-11 p.m./Sun 7-11 p.m. ET/PT (Mon-Sat 7-10 p.m./Sun 6-10 p.m. CT/MT) and FOX/CW Mon-Sat 8-10 p.m./Sun 7-10 p.m. ET/PT (Mon-Sat 7-9 p.m./Sun 6-9 p.m. CT/MT). Total day defined as Mon-Sun 6 a.m.-2 a.m. Rankings based on average impressions. Most watched station in the country based on average impressions across all LPM markets. Live+SD.

KPRC claims #1 spot in November 2014 sweeps

KPRC LOCAL 2 NEWS IS #1 IN NOVEMBER - Station Sweeps Key Demo for Major Newscasts in Houston

KPRC Local 2 News continued its ratings momentum with another strong book earning wins in mornings, evenings and late news, including the three biggest newscasts for the Nielsen November measurement period.

In Adults 25-54, Monday-Friday 6:00am ratings, KPRC Local 2 took the top spot:

KPRC 2.3
KTRK 2.0
KRIV 1.3
KHOU 1.2

In Adults 25-54, Monday-Friday 6:00pm ratings, KPRC Local 2 was first again:

KPRC 2.3
KTRK 2.0
KHOU 1.2

And at 10:00pm, Local 2 News was #1 in the five and seven day ratings despite KTRK getting more than a full rating point advantage from their weekday 9p ABC lead-in. The ratings for Monday-Sunday were:

KPRC 2.7
KTRK 2.6
KHOU 1.7

“The numbers show viewers are making a point to switch over to us and that’s the sign producing great newscasts on a consistent basis,” said KPRC VP/General Manager, Jerry Martin “I’m proud of the entire KPRC team for this great accomplishment they have earned by working hard every day and proud to know that Houston has made us their trusted choice.”

Other news ratings highlights for A25-54 include:
Local 2 News Today at 5:00am tied for #1
Local 2 News Today at 5:30am is #1
Local 2 News at 11:00am is up 14% Year-to-Year
Dr. Phil is #1 at 3:00pm, beating Ellen by 50%
NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams is #1, up 12% Year-to-Year
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon is #1, beating Kimmel and Letterman combined
Saturday Night Live dominates with a 3.4 rating, up 31% Year-to-Year
Sunday Night Football is the #1 show in Primetime television

All ratings are based on Nielsen Live + SD English only overnights for the measurement period of October 30th, 2014 through November 26th, 2014.

(This post was taken from a press release sent to me by KPRC 2)

KPRC intruder, big Roula & Ryan news, Bob Boudreaux & more

Just like the moldy Thanksgiving leftovers in your fridge, here is Houston and Texas media news I've been saving during the holiday


MORE VIDEO
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Gannett8 paces November "sweeps" newscast ratings
Gannett8 WFAA doubled its November “sweeps” wins from a year ago, repeating as D-FW’s 10 p.m. champ in both major newscast ratings measurements while adding 5 and 6 p.m. firsts in the key 25-to-54-year-old advertiser demographic.

CBS11 re-stocks newsroom with new reporters Gabriel Roxas, Jeff Paul
D-FW’s CBS11 is adding two reporters -- Gabriel Roxas and Jeff Paul -- to its news staff.

KSOC Changes Formats
Dallas station is third flip to Classic Hip-Hop for Radio One

When Sweeps and Shopping Collide
Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA ran an exclusive about the second Dallas nurse to contract and survive Ebola.

TV-newspaper partner on investigative project
Dallas TV station KXAS (NBC5) and the Dallas Morning News teamed up to investigate complaints of harassment by hundreds of soldiers at the Army’s Warrior Transition Units (WTU’s) that were designed to help the injured heal.

Black Tie Dinner recap: Hansen kills it
Although he was listed merely as making a “special appearance,” WFAA sports anchor Dale Hansen ended up delivering what many present felt was one of the best addresses to a Black Tie audience in memory.

Man taken into custody for trespassing at KPRC 2
It happened around 3:00am in the morning at the KPRC studios located in southwest Houston.

Research Director, Inc. Presents Exclusive Nov. PPM Analysis: Houston
HOUSTON-GALVESTON: The Sun Also Rises
- D-FW sports radio ratings: For first time, KRLD's The Fan takes top spot from The Ticket among all listeners
- #6 Houston-Galveston TX

KTRK abc13 60 years of being on the air in Houston
The station went live at 8:30pm on November 20, 1954 from the University of Houston campus.

Former Houston TV anchor a stage star in Prague
Former KTRK Channel 13 weekend anchor Bob Boudreaux is working as an actor, mostly Shakespeare, in Prague, the Czech Republic.

KTRK Sports Reporter Recounts 3-Year-Old Daughter’s Near Drowning
KTRK sports reporter David Nuno says “I thought I failed as a parent” when he remembers the day last summer when his three-year-old daughter nearly drowned.

Looking back at KLOL a decade after its demise
Ten years ago Houston lost one of its last great rock stations in Rock 101 KLOL. On November 12, 2004 the Clear Channel station went from hard rock to Spanish-language reggaeton with the flip of switch.

Roula & Ryan Get A New Deal At KRBE
CUMULUS Top 40 KRBE/HOUSTON has re-signed its long-running morning show, THE ROULA & RYAN SHOW.
- KRBE's Roula Christie's A Mom Again!
- Roula's Baby Shower at 104.1 KRBE

Vikki "Taylor" Rosenkranz Fundraiser
Former abc 13 KTRK fill-in traffic anchor Vikki "Taylor" has cancer and the treatments are not covered by her insurance. Friends have set up a gofundme account.

KCOH Radio Undergoing A Major Internal Face lift
Over the last few weeks, rumors have circulated about a possible "transition" of the day-to-day operations of one of Houston’s most iconic urban radio stations - KCOH Radio. The Houston Forward Times (HFT) has been able to confirm that these rumors appear to be true; however, final details of the "transition" have not yet been released by all parties involved.

Sunny 99.1 goes all Christmas
Sunny 99.1 KODA Houston is all Christmas for 2014. People always bet on when this will happen.

The View from Writers Roost
Since I spent more than half my 70-plus years in the Texas Gulf Coast area, in or near Houston, I maintain my readership in the Houston Chronicle.

WOAI now No. 2 in key S.A.news races
Longtime basement dweller WOAI-TV's news teams are celebrating their strongest ratings performance in years after ascending to No. 2 for three local newscasts.

WOAI’s Evy Ramos Shares Her Adoption Story
Evy Ramos, an evening anchor at San Antonio NBC affiliate WOAI, shared her personal adoption story on yesterday’s episode of “San Antonio Living.”

KENS-TV personality expecting child
San Antonio’s sole $1 million “Survivor” winner, who’s currently a “Great Day SA” personality on KENS-TV , definitely will be putting those survivalist skills to use at home. She’s pregnant with her second child.

The ‘Truth and Transparency’ of Former TV Anchor Sylvia Rincon
Sylvia Rincon, the former TV reporter and anchor, for five years, talks new passion.

Court Sides With Personalities Over Non-Compete
Two staffers fired in 2010 by Malkan Broadcasting have won their lawsuit against their former employer.

MOVING

Reporter Justin Hinton leaves KFDM Beaumont for WLOS Asheville, NC.

Kasi Stunson is leaving KPRC 2 after more than 4 years.

Noreen Jaramillo Leaving KTSM
Morning anchor Noreen Jaramillo has decided to leave KTSM, the El Paso, Texas, NBC affiliate.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- JP Pritchard joins Sam Malone on 1070 KNTH mornings
- Courtney Zavala to leave KPRC 2 and TV
- Craig Hlavaty is biggest media turkey 2014
- Root Sports replaces CSN Houston
- Greg Thunder gone from New Bull @ 100.3 KILT
- Houston talk hosts invade Dallas' Talk Radio 1190

Working off the post Thanksgiving food hangover #21DaysForGood

Unbuckle your belt and watch some of these videos to help get the weight off

Lily Jang

Congrats to KHOU morning anchor Lily Jang who won the Snap Kitchen #21DaysForGood challenge we were recently participating in.

So far, I am down 12 pounds thanks to the challenge. Let's see if I can maintain that with the holidays in full swing.

Here are two videos I produced during the challenge you might want to watch now. Both offer tips on weight loss.

FOX 26 KRIV & FOX 7 KTBC November sweeps 2014

November 2014 TV news sweeps results for FOX 26 KRIV Houston & FOX 7 KTBC Austin

November sweeps 2014 are done. Get 'em out of the oven and serve the ratings results. FOX Television Stations is already celebrating at FOX 26 KRIV Houston and FOX 7 KTBC Austin:

FOX26 AM News at 8a increased its performance by 50% among
Adults 25-54 and FOX26 AM News 7-9a increased 50% among
Adults 18-49 in November 2014.

FOX26 AM News at 7-9a Ranks #1 in Adults 18-49
FOX26 AM News at 8a Ranks #2 in Adults 25-54


In November 2014 FOX26 AM News at 8a delivered a 1.2 rating in A25-54 (32,269 viewers)
and FOX26 AM News at 7-9am delivered a 1.2 rating in A18-49 (35,000 viewers).

· Among Adults 25-54 FOX 26 News at 8a (1.2) increased +50% from last Nov13, while KTRK’s Good Morning America, KPRC’s Today Show and KHOU’s CBS This Morning experienced year-to-year declines.

Among Adults 18-49 FOX 26 News at 7-9a (1.2) increased +50% from last Nov13. KTRK’s Good
Morning America, KPRC’s Today Show, and KHOU’s CBS This Morning experienced year-to-year declines.

FOX 7 KTBC

NOV’14 Highlights-KTBC FOX 7 Austin HH RTG/SHR (26 days)

AM NEWS

FOX 7’s “Good Day Austin” increased its performance over last November in every hour from 430A-10A

430A-5A: HH rtgs grew +80% from a .5 to a .9. HH shr grew +129% delivering an 8.7 shr vs. NOV’13 3.8.
5A-6A: HH rtgs grew +63% from a .8 to 1.3. HH shr grew +100% delivering a 10.0 over NOV’13 5.0. KTBC grew more than any station in the market at 5AM. Ranking moved from #3 to #2.
6A-7A: HH rtgs grew +47% from a 1.7 to a 2.5. HH shr grew +61% delivering a 11.6 over NOV’13 7.2. KTBC grew more than any station in the market at 6AM.
7A-8A: HH rtgs grew +24% from a 2.1 to a 2.6. HH shr grew +42% delivering a 10.5 compared to NOV’13 7.4. KTBC grew more than any station in the market at 7AM.
8A-9A: The 8:00 hour grew + 22% in HH rtgs from a 1.8 to a 2.2. HH shr is +38% year-to-year, increasing from a 6.5 to a 9.0. KTBC grew more than any station in the market at 8AM.
9A-10A: HH rtgs grew +29% from a 1.4 to a 1.8. HH Shr is up +41% with a 7.6 over the NOV’13 5.4 delivery. KTBC grew more than any station in the market at 9AM.

WEEKEND AM NEWS

Sat 6-7A Good Day Saturday Rtgs improved share over last November going from a .7 to a 1.2. HH share was up +105% delivering a 8.4 compared to the 4.1 in Nov’13 (first book).
Sat 7-8A Good Day Saturday is also trending up year-to year growing + 56% in rtgs and +81% in share over last November (.9 / 3.6 to a 1.4 / 6.5).
Sun 6-7A Good Day Sunday also outdelivered its premiere book last November, growing +40% in rtgs and +73% in Share (.5 / 3.0 to a .7 / 5.2)
Sun 7-8A Good Day Sunday is up +60% in rtg and +68% in share delivering a 1.6 / 6.7 compared to last year’s 1.0 / 4.0.

DAYTIME

Every hour of daytime is up over NOV’13

10A-11A: Wendy Williams’ ratings grew +86% and the share grew over the NOV’13 performance by +128%. The program delivered a solid 1.3 / 5.7 compared to last year’s .7 / 2.5.
11A-12N: The Real had a great 1st book, improving the time period +125% in rtg and +138% in shr with a .9 / 3.8 over last year’s .4 / 1.6.
12N-1230P: Noon News More success in news with the FOX 7’s midday news growing +100% in rtgs and +100% in shares from a .9 / 3.4 last year to a 1.8 / 6.8 this November! KTBC grew more than any station in the market in midday news. Ranking grew from #3 to tied for #1.
1230P-1P: Dish Nation grew +200% in shares and +213% in shr over last November delivering a solid 1.2 / 4.7 from NOV’13 .4 / 1.5. Ranking grew from #4 to #2.
1P-2P Divorce Court – up +29% in rtgs and +50% in shr from a .7 / 2.4 to a .9 / 3.6.
2P-3P TMZ Live – HH rtg grew +83% and HH Shr grew 105% from a .6 / 2.1 to a 1.1 / 4.3. Ranking grew from #4 to #2.

EARLY FRINGE

4P-5P Judge Judy grew the time period with a +50% in rtg and +63% over last year (Dr. Oz). HH rtg and share increased from a 1.2 / 3.2 to a 1.8 / 5.2.

ACCESS

630P-7P - BIG BANG THEORY is #2 in the time period in households. BBT HH rtg grew +20% and share grew +24% over NOV’13, delivering a 4.2 / 8.7 compared to the NOV’13 3.5 / 7.0 performance. Ranking grew from #3 to #2. BBT on KTBC was the only program in the time period to grow share!

LATE NEWS

M-F 9P-10P FOX 7 News at Nine grew +8% over the May performance. The share is up +8% compared to May’14 (2.9 / 5.3 to a 2.9 / 5.7). Although KTBC’s rtg is the same year to year, KEYE dropped so our ranking grew from #4 to #3 vs. 10P News on the competition.
Sun 9P-10P FOX 7 News at Nine grew +14% in rtg and +18% in share over last November. The hour delivered a 2.5 / 4.5 compared to last year’s 2.2 / 3.8. The competition lost share in their Sun 10P.

LATE FRINGE

1030P-11P BIG BANG THEORY grew the time period in late fringe as well. The 1030P telecast was up + 36% in rtg and +44% in share over the time period last year (Simpsons). The rtg/shr grew from a 1.4 / 3.6 to a 1.9 / 5.2.
1130P-12M Simpsons grew +13% in rtg and +32% in share increasing from a .8 / 2.8 last November to a .9 / 3.7 in NOV’14.

JP Pritchard joins Sam Malone on 1070 KNTH mornings

Houston radio icons JP Pritchard and Sam Malone join forces on AM 1070 The Answer KNTH

JP Pritchard

Former News 92 FM KROI and NewsRadio 740 KTRH morning anchor JP Pritchard has joined The Sam Malone Show on AM 1070 The Answer KNTH as the new News Director and Public Affairs Director for Salem Radio Houston.

"I remember the first time I saw JP," Malone recalled to mikemcguff.com. "It was in the building at Clear Channel in '05. He was walking down the hallway. I thought, 'OMG...should I say something?' Not all radio legends are friendly. I decided to take a shot and said, 'Hi.' He responded with a golden-voiced, 'HELLLLLOOOO.' I remember calling my wife and telling her I just hello to JP Pritchard!!!!"

Last night, I put it out on Twitter and Facebook that a new co-host would be joining Malone. The rumor I heard said "him" so I knew it wasn't going to be everyone's automatic assumption Maria Todd. It was interesting watching social media try to figure out who it would be.

If you've been in Houston for any length of time, you know the coming together of Malone and Pritchard is quite the powerful combo!

Sam Malone

Pritchard, like Malone, is a Houston radio institution. He started at KTRH in 1982 (Lana Hughes joined him in 1984 for those playing at home).

 After working his way up at radio stations across the midwest, Pritchard arrived in Houston at KULF which is now SportsTalk 790 KBME. Pritchard is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He and his wife, Esther, have three grown sons.

KNTH operations manager Chuck Tiller tells me since 1992, the following Houston stations have attempted a news/talk or all news format:
KKHU "You 106.9"
KRTK/KKTL "97 Talk-FM"
KNTH "AM1070, The Answer"
KFNC "FM Newschannel 97.5"
KROI "News 92"

As it closes in on its 10th birthday, KNTH remains he points out.

"I have watched it evolve through the years and was very pleased that Sam Malone joined us in early 2013," Tiller told mikemcguff.com. "Now, we are happy to announce the latest member of the Sam Malone Show, JP Pritchard. JP is the ultimate catch for AM 1070."

Courtney Zavala to leave KPRC 2 and TV

KPRC 2 anchor Courtney Zavala is saying goodbye to TV and KPRC 2

UPDATE JANUARY 2023
Courtney Zavala leaves Houston Life on KPRC 2

UPDATE OCTOBER 11, 2017
Courtney Zavala to host Houston Life on KPRC

Courtney Zavala

KPRC 2 weekend morning Courtney Zavala is calling it a career at the Houston NBC affiliate.

"It's time for me to bow out gracefully and go out the way I want to go out instead of them telling me it's time to leave," Zavala told mikemcguff.com. "It was not an easy decision, it was several months in the making."

Zavala, who joined KPRC back in 2003, tells me her contract was up and the station offered her another, but she chose to leave. With no future career plans, she's going to hang out with her husband and two boys, Connor and Andrew, who are seven and three and a half.

"I feel like I missed so much of my family life, that I'm just ready to be present," Zavala told me.

She says the family is certainly excited to have her home, especially with Christmas coming up.

For nine years, Zavala has been waking up at 2am for five days a week. She says you never fully get used to it, but her husband's support made it easier - especially with the kids.

And speaking of the boys, Zavala said there was the guilt of never being there for activities. Soccer games were only witnessed through photos, rarely in person.

Before KPRC, Zavala worked in Salt Lake City at KSTU Fox 13 as a fill-in anchor/reporter. She started TV in Texas at KMID in Midland.  A Chicago native, Zavala is a gradate of St. Xavier University.

Fans of Zavala will get to have one more Saturday and Sunday with the channel 2 anchor as her last two newscasts are this weekend.

The Zavala family will remain in Houston.

UPDATE OCTOBER 11, 2017
Courtney Zavala to host Houston Life on KPRC

Craig Hlavaty is biggest media turkey 2014

NewsFix kept the turkey title in the family

Mike McGuff is back from the sick bed. It's been a horrible few days, but things are turning around! You know I'm sick if there are no posts here or to social media.

In one of my feverish dreams, I went to Johnathan Winter's house for a party. In his upstairs, which was way too large for the size of the house, there was a hallway full of paintings. Some of them were kid painted watercolors of Marvin Zindler. And standing there looking at them was Marvin Zindler himself. KTRK abc 13 anchor Gina Gaston poked her head in, took a photo of Zinder, then left.  You know I have writing about Houston media for too long when this happens.

So back on topic, I posted a photo or two on Twitter and Facebook about this past weekend's TXU Houston media turkey calling contest.

There you found out the Houston Chronicle/NewsFix's Craig Hlavaty knocked Grego from his roost and took the crown for biggest media turkey 2014!

I am happy to report I came in second - which counts for something since I only cover the media, but am not really apart of it anymore. Thanks YouTube for the calling help. I also used a quick prop (my wife's sock) to make myself even more of a gobbler. You can see how in the photos below.

The event promotes the upcoming TXU Energy Houston Turkey Trot, which helps Neighborhood Centers, Inc. deliver services to thousands of Houston-area children and seniors.

Hlavaty will get a tree planted in his honor thanks to TXU.

Here are the other fine members of the media that got their turkey strut on:
Ron Trevino - KHOU-TV (CBS)
Doug Miller - KHOU-TV (CBS)
Craig Hlavaty - Houston Chronicle
Todd Freed - KUBE-TV
Grego - NewsFix/CW39
Brien Straw - SportsRadio 610 KILT
Caitilin Espinosa - Fox 26 KRIV

Houston media personalities get their gobble on in the third annual TXU Energy Media Turkey Calling Contest. They may look and sound goofy, but the event raises awareness and encourages registration for Thanksgiving morning’s TXU Energy Houston Turkey Trot, which benefits Neighborhood Centers, Inc. Register at txu.com/turkeytrot. @MikeMcGuff @craighlavaty @khou11 @myfoxhouston @houstonchron

A video posted by Energy Future Holdings (@efh_news) on Nov 11, 2014 at 11:58am PST

Root Sports replaces CSN Houston today

Out of the ashes of CSN Houston, rises the ROOT Sports Southwest regional sports network


It looks like the Comcast SportsNet Houston drama is coming to an end. And out of the ashes rises ROOT Sports Southwest regional sports network. Here is the full release.

ROOT Sports Southwest regional sports network officially made its debut on the air this morning. The new television home of the Houston Astros and Houston Rockets began broadcasting today at 6 a.m. CT.

ROOT Sports Southwest will carry Astros regular season and Spring Training games beginning in March of 2015.

ROOT Sports Southwest, which is under DirecTV and AT&T ownership, will produce all Astros and Rockets coverage exclusively in high-definition. A full comprehensive schedule will be released in the upcoming weeks.

"We are extremely excited that ROOT Sports Southwest is on the air," said Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane. "Our goal has always been to secure a deal that will both provide broad coverage of Astros games for the fans and provide the financial revenue to enable us to compete for championships.

"We truly appreciate the patience that our fans have shown throughout this process. We are pleased that fans across our entire region will now have the chance to watch this young and exciting team."

The Astros television broadcast team of the last two seasons (2013-14), consisting of Bill Brown, Alan Ashby, Geoff Blum and Julia Morales, is scheduled to return for 2015. The upcoming season will be Brown's 29th calling Astros games.

Channel Information

ROOT Sports Southwest is now available to AT&T U-verse subscribers on channels 758 in SD and 1758 in HD and DIRECTV customers on channel 674. Local Comcast cable customers will see ROOT Sports Southwest in place of CSN Houston on channels 39 in SD and 639 in HD. The new network's programming schedule is available on www.rootsports.com.

In addition to ROOT Sports Southwest, DIRECTV also operates three other ROOT Sports networks in Pittsburgh, Denver and Seattle.

FullyRaw Kristina talks YouTube empire & healthy eating

Houstonian Fully Raw Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram reveals how she has a global audience on YouTube - I'm calling her the future of media!


In continuing my Snap Kitchen #21DaysforGood challenge, I offer this video interview I did with Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram aka Fully Raw Kristina.

Kristina is a worldwide, hugely popular raw vegan YouTuber. With a massive audience, her videos have easily reached viewers into the millions. In fact single videos of her's have racked up a million views by themselves!

In Houston, she is the founder of Rawfully Organic which is the largest raw, organic produce co-operative in the U.S.

We talk about how Kristina grew her YouTube empire and why she went raw in the first place. Plus how you can do it too.

So how is my diet going? Well, last week on social media I posted that I had lost 7 pounds so far! Feel great.  The above video was shot on the third day off my diet so there wasn't much of a change.  Going into week three today, I think you can see results now .  At least I want to think I can see the pounds coming off in this photo taken a few days ago.

fullyraw.com
rawfullyorganic.com

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