 Contents - Front Page - Past Mailbags - Rant - Classifieds - BW2009 - Support DCRTV Edited by Dave Hughes. Send posts to dcrtv@dcrtv.com.  Put "MAILBAG" on the subject line. DCRTV can't take responsibility for message content, although we attempt to edit for taste and fairness. Each posting is solely the opinion of the person who wrote it. DCRTV cannot verify the factual accuracy or authorship of posts. If you see a message that's in poor taste or unfair to someone, contact us and it will be removed. Messages that don't deal with local media issues may not get posted. We can't forward messages to posters..... Support DCRTV and the world famous Mailbag! Just a few bucks a month is all we ask! Click here. Thanks: Pamela, Laura, Rich, Leah, Donta, Marc, Kevin, Walter, Robert.....    DCRTV'S RADIO/TV/MEDIA NEWS/GOSSIP IS NOW AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE NORTHEAST USA /\ \/  Latest messages listed first.....  \/ September 2 Messages \/ Dave - would love to see a tv station run a continuous loop of these movies for the Labor Day Weekend: Summer Rental, Summer School, Hot Pursuit, Endless Summer, Weekend at Bernie's, One Crazy Summer, The Great Outdoors, American Pie 2, Club Dread, and Point Break. (9/2/10) I commend WTOP Radio for expanding its traffic team. I am one of the many who tune in on the 'eights' for just that--and pretty much only that. And I have no problem with Bob Marbourg--sure he pontificates but he means well, kind of like a middle-school teacher who volunteers his time to lead the eager beavers who serve as crossing guards--and I was one in Fresno in '71 with the power to halt cars with a day-glo orange sash and a portable stop sign. But I digress. And I like Lisa, too. She personifies 'perky' and that is a good thing when traffic congestion is your beat. Or beatdown. And I lament the termination of Ballard at the BIG Jack in the Box. Hopefully, corporate radio management will one day learn to balance technology and creativity and stop playing revenge of the nerds. Robb de Capitol Heights (9/2/10) More from Bob in College Park, Wise's PR guy. Dude, you are probably the only one in the world "defending" Wise on this. He used a twitter feed identifying himself as a Post reporter to send out completely fabricated information. And he did it with the intent of deceiving people. That's as low as it gets. The guy is as arrogant as they come. The sad part is that you may be right. He may well be treating the entire thing as a big joke. As our moderator said, Wise needs to grow up. A lot. (9/2/10) Interesting to see all the reaction(s) to WTOP dropping Metro. In Baltimore, Dave Sandler's been doing traffic on WBAL/98 Rock for probably 25 years. He's a Hearst employee; always has been. Let's not forget the late Walt Starling, who did quite well for himself as a traffic reporter and only worked for Metro at the end as an observer pilot. Then, there's Captain Dan; also remember Steve Thompson, whom Bob Marbourg replaced after the plane crash. All indies who did well for themselves. Also interesting to read all the speculation about Lisa Baden. Will WWO open the wallet to keep her or will she sit out a non-compete and end up on WTOP and 7? Or, will Bonneville write WWO a check and tell them to shut up? Lots of possibilities. Let's go back in time to before WTOP did 24 hr traffic and remember Metro basically becoming a ghost town after 7pm. Again; Jim Farley and Joel Oxley don't make hasty moves. They seldom fail. Metro won't dry up and blow away. Sure, it's a big blow to them to lose their number one client. But they'll survive. They always do. (9/2/10) Dave's response: Well, Clear Channel does its own traffic, so with no more WTOP, that still leaves Metro Traffic in Silver Spring with Citadel, CBS, Radio One, Red Zebra, Salem, WAMU, WGTS, WETA-FM, Centennial in Winchester and Fredericksburg, Nassau, the FLS group, and all the local TVers. Plus its traffic services to stations in Richmond, Norfolk, and the North Carolina markets. It will survive, but there'll definitely be some cuts with the golden goose of TOP gone..... "Lisa de Moraes will report this news in tomorrow's Washington Post....." Laughing my ass off!!! (9/2/10) Dave's response: I don't know. Lisa always seems to write up Channel 50 press releases like they're huge exclusives. Except, she missed this one for today's column..... If it is true that the traffic reporter for WTOP will be gone soon that would be really good news. She is unlistenable, she says nothing she is unfunny and fake. Just read the report and leave the entertaining to the professionals. I think the radio term for her act is a "puker." (9/2/10) Regarding the legal ID on ESPN 980 -- WTEM Washington DC 980am (small pause) WWXT Prince Frederick Calvert County Maryland 92.7fm (small pause) WWXX Buckland Prince William County Virginia 94.3fm." -- If you listened to it, that is what it says, almost... It says ...980 WTEM Washington, 94.3 WWXX Buckland and 92.7 WWXT Prince Frederick. The station only has 10 seconds for the ID - it has to be read "fast". Oh, If you've lived here for 20 years, and know where Calvert County is, but don't know what the largest city in Calvert is???! Buckland - I'll give you that one. (9/2/10) OK, now that it's over and people in the building came out safe, be honest ---when you heard it was possibly an Asian guy with a grudge against Discovery Communications, one of the first things crossing your mind was "This is it; Jon Gosselin's finally gone postal. " Come on...show of hands? (9/2/10) Dave's response: When I heard that, I first thought of Michio Kaku, the Science Channel superstar. Ha ha ha..... THE DISCOVERY HOSTAGE FALLOUT: Will TV Nets Become Isolated Fortresses? THE TV NEWS 9.2.10 thetvnews.tv (9/2/10) A previous Mailbagger's comments re WTOP's 'and you have about 5 minutes of actual news' statement. Here's a little support for his commentary. A couple of months ago, I sat down with a stop watch and timed out an hour of WTOP's morning drive news coverage, and here is what I noted: 3 minutes of CBS News; 1 minute of CBS News Commercial Time used for WTOP Commercial Time; 2 minutes of legal ids/billboards/liners; 4* minutes of sports; 9* minutes of traffic; 8* minutes of weather; 18 minutes of commercials/psas/promotional spots; 15* minutes of actual news reads... (*) Time includes announcer banter, singing,etc. So, I'd have to agree that his observation was pretty on target! (9/2/10) Maybe WTOP can rehire Dave Statter to do traffic with Bob Marbourg, just like back in the day? He's not doing anything now, right? And Hillary is sure to get tired of him just hanging around the house all day... LOL (9/2/10) B.S. WTOP carried the news conference live. (9/2/10) (regarding a previous post) "Perhaps Jim Farley is on to something: Live & local, done correctly, can work!" Lord knows it worked for WMAL for years. Once upon a time, they had everything going for them - ratings, prestige, listeners. For years, WMAL was the station of record and an outstanding example of how you do radio right. Sadly, they've become irrelevant and now can only manage to do radio right-wing. (9/2/10) Baden is under a long term multi year contract with Metro (9/2/10) Dave's response: A big "get" for WMAL's traffic, come February 2011. I'm sure Bill Hess is on it..... Perhaps Jim Farley is on to something: Live & local, done correctly, can work! If it can work in an expensive news operation, it certainly can work in music. For jockless music, I have ipods, streaming, satellite, & HD--I don't need terrestrial radio. If I turn on radio, I want personalities, preferably local. Same thing for talk. Promoted correctly, and inserted not just on radio but streamed, podcast, etc, local radio has the potential to be extremely profitable. Bonneville knows that. You'd think the other national radio "chains" would learn the lesson. But Bonneville succeeds. Why? They're innovative & industrious. The rest: mostly predictable, lazy, and content to make meager profits or declare bankruptcy. Metro, Shadow et al grew because local stations--even large local stations--didn't want to put their resources into a money losing traffic operation. Jim Farley apparently recognizes that traffic (and weather & sports & business & news), each in therir own way, has the potential to make money. Great!--Mike from Silver Spring PS: Memo to 105.9: Love Kirk & Mike--now promote them! Make money from them! Sell a sponsor for Mike's fart of the day! (Any air purifier companies out there?...) (9/2/10) RE: WTOP To Staff Up For Traffic & Sports, End Deal With Metro Traffic: While it is true that there is much "talent" and "experience" floating around, in my opinion it is important that whomever runs the WTOP traffic operation KNOW the Washington DC area. From the traffic alerts on my cell phone or checks of local websites both of which are fed by Metro, it is apparent that there are person/persons providing information in the afternoons that are utterly clueless about the roads in this area. The (dis)information displayed there stays for a long while with no updates? Seriously? Road situations in this area can change FAST. Then I tune into satellite traffic or for radio station updates and I hear some of the same crap coming out of some of the reporters mouths yet others that probably sit next to the other person are reading something else entirely different? What? Don't they talk to each other? Share information? It frustrates me to no end. Let us hope that these people and/or their manager that allows it to happen aren't over moving to WTOP. Marge (9/2/10) 
The best part of Lee's manifesto, as printed in the Post this morning? When he ran down all the animals that must be saved: "...and, of course, the squirrels." (9/2/10)I hate Kate Gosselin as much as anyone but in her defense she did not plan to have eight kids. They had two and wanted one more but she could not get prego so they went to a fertility doctor and ended up with an additional 6 kids instead of one. (9/2/10) Don't believe everything you are hearing about the break up (between WTOP and Metro Traffic). This was a joint solution by both companies. It will all come out in the next couple of weeks and WTOP will not look so good. Major interest in Lisa Baden ( #1 radio personality in Washington in everyones perceptual study) to compete dead on with WTOP. This has been in the works for months. (9/2/10) (regarding a previous post) "Remember its you leftists that go around trashing places as a rule, not Conservatives." Of course, most Conservatives are perfectly willing to trash the whole freakin' planet - or let global warming get the job done. Nobody should be surprised if the next time stations have to cut to coverage of some idiot causing mayhem or even killing people, that there's some disgruntled Teabagger or outraged gun nut behind it. Irresponsible behavior, like we saw at Discovery on Wednesday - or worse - could easily become a regular thing, what with the huge number of right-wing crazies, ranting up and down the dial! (9/2/10) Re: WMAL's "coverage" of Discovery Communication's hostage situation. No other way to put it--there was no coverage. While rival WTOP had two reporters on the scene and were the first to hear and report on the gunshot that killed the gunman, WMAL had none, relying on wire and network reports. Chris Plante did manage to take advantage of the life and death crisis to turn the story into a snarky rant against Al Gore. Even then, he missed the juiciest protest that the deranged man was voicing .......ready? Kate Plus 8 was encouraging people to have more children and thus should be banned from the airwaves! ACH (9/2/10) Dave's response: In a modern society like ours, where you don't need an army of kids to help with the family farm, why have eight or more kids? Face it, Kate Gosselin is an irresponsible idiot and a publicity hound..... Metro is notorious for holding people to those non-competes, even if it hurts them or their employees. Unless TOP pays to get Metroers out of those non-competes, nobody will be joining WTOP from Metro. (9/2/10) Some advice for WTEM 980: I had NO IDEA WHERE PRINCE FREDERICK AND BUCKLAND ARE until I just looked them up on a map, and I've lived in the DC area over 20 years. But I know where Calvert County and Prince William County are. When you announce your station identification, consider saying "WTEM Washington DC 980am (small pause) WWXT Prince Frederick Calvert County Maryland 92.7fm (small pause) WWXX Buckland Prince William County Virginia 94.3fm." This way I know if I'm driving to, say, Waldorf I should consider switching from 980am to 92.7fm to improve the reception. Wasn't that the whole purpose of simulcasting on the additional frequencies? Also, you presently read the station id quickly without pauses so I can't easily discern which frequency goes with which city. I think it works best as: call letters, city, frequency, pause, ... (9/2/10) Dave's response: Yeah, I did the same thing. Buckland is near Gainesville, west of Manassas..... Spent a lot of time tuned in to the standoff coverage on Wednesday. A pretty good job by the crew at WTOP. Good work by the Ryan / Tuss duo, and the anchors sounded calm and measured. JJ had information, but his presentation needed a little help. A solid "A" though. One obviously blunder. After the police chief's news conference, where he repeatedly said he did not know the condition of the suspect (hint, hint) the anchor declared that police "have the suspect in custody." He was dead! Not in custody. But a small misstep in otherwise fine coverage. Also got to check out some of the good video from the scene on wtopnews.com. Hopped over to the AM dial and heard their coverage. Sounded small market. Bad pun here, but they were out gunned. Sounded like a station without many resources with a guy who liked to hear himself talk. And the WMAL website is USELESS! WTOP rocked. (9/2/10) i always listen to wmal on my way home but not when the hostage situation was going on. as soon as i heard plante i changed the station..... he is one of the worst people on wmal. he can talk and talk and talk and not say anything/. (9/2/10) Dave's response: If you can't stand Plante's juvenile rants and want to hear some intelligent conservative talk, might I recommend Ron Smith on Baltimore's WBAL, 1090 AM. The station has an excellent signal throughout much of the DC metro and Ron's now on opposite Plante, from 9 AM to noon..... RE: WTOP To Staff Up For Traffic & Sports, End Deal With Metro Traffic - A number of people will lose their jobs over this. Particularly part-time weekend staff. This will likely signal the end of their 24 hour operations at the DC "hub." Most days there seemed to be only one or two people there on the weekends anyway. On the other hand, anyone that is hired by Bonneville for WTOP traffic, will likely see a significant pay raise over the pittance that Metro is paying them now thanks to their union negotiated pay reductions. (9/2/10) RE: The hostage situation: Anyone know who the idiot "reporter" was who asked the police spokesman (paraphrasing), "Why did you shoot him? Weren't you afraid of hurting the hostages?" What a moron! Heard this on the radio and almost drove off the road. Tom in Frederick (9/2/10) Not sure anyone has picked up on this yet, but Sports Business Daily is reporting that Mike Wise has been suspended by Comcast Sportsnet as well. Wise frequently appeared as a guest (paid, it appears) on Washington Post Live. Story here: www.sportsbusinessdaily.com... So Wise has been suspended by 2 out of 3 jobs, yet took not-so-subtle, repeated jabs at co-workers at WJFK Wednesday... even though WJFK is the only one of his employers who hasn't suspended him. Seems like he hasn't learned much humility from this whole fiasco--which is completely of his own doing. (9/2/10) Dave's response: How old is Mike Wise? In his 30s? Pushing 40? On JFK, he sometimes sounds like he's 15 with some of the silly crap he says, a la the Twitter fiasco of earlier this week. He needs to "grow up" a bit. I think the CBS Radio suits are trying to encourage him to be a "bad boy" in order to juice up his ratings. It only makes him sound like a clueless jerk..... I really don't know what else happened Today other than the nutjob at Discovery channel hdqtrs. Over 3 hrs of incessant coverage. Les in BH (9/2/10) RE: [maybe you were pissed because this guy *was* an extreme left-winger who worshipped at the altar of gore and you couldn't stand to have it pointed out. i'm sure you wouldn't have minded the commentary if this had been a "teabagger" who took people hostage.] Three problems with that scenario: 1.) The guy wasn't a "left winger", he was a deranged, mentally unstable person. Plante repeatedly assumed he was - and you know what they say about assumption. 2.) It's clearly a moot point...had it been a deranged, mentally unstable person who appeared to lean to the right of the political spectrum, MAL would likely never have interrupted Limbaugh or Hannity to go live. They didn't do it with the holocaust shooter or any recent local story involving right-wing leaning hate crimes...why break that track record? And 3.) Here's the most important mistake WMAL allowed Plante to air - During the police operation, Plante had a woman live on the phone who was in the 15th floor of building across the street with a direct line of sight on Discovery. Plante kept asking her, "Can you tell us if you can see any police S.W.A.T. or sniper activity inside the building or on the adjacent rooftops?" Hello?? Just what was Plante smoking? Had there been active police special tactical operations, I'm sure the officers involved would have really appreciated some prissy right-wing shock-jock blabbing real-time play-by-play reports about their strength, position and progress live over the air. As I said, Plante had no business on the mic on this. He was horrible. (9/2/10) In my Opinion both ABC7 TBD and also WUSA 9 wins the award for best news live news coverage this afternoon for going on the air around 1:30 pm while fox5 and nbc4 went on 30 minutes later also a big thanks to all of wjla and 9 reporters including evening anchor Derek Mcginty leading coverage from near the Discovery building keeping viewers updated on the breaking news today. 9 was the only one on till 7:30 with live coverage of the news story. (9/2/10) I don't understand why WTOP has to keep the mindless bantering between the weather staff and the anchors. Look, unless the sky is falling, there is nothing that has changed in the past ten damned minutes to warrant another round of yucks and ahhss. CBS could make an all traffic and weather station on 1580 - enough of a daytime signal to cover the area - and you would see a big dip in the WTOP ratings. Listen to any 30 minute segment of the WTOP morning show and you will soon find there is NO NEWS. Take out the endless weather reports, the endless commercials, Lisa Baden's singing, the sports reports with very little information and even more mindless banter in them, and you have about 5 minutes of actual news. MLB 4 (9/2/10) I wish I could provide better confirmation on this, but I think we (WAMU) beat 'TOP yesterday in getting first word on air that the hostage standoff had ended. MoGo Co Chief Tom Manger came out with the word in a scheduled presser maybe 3-minutes before 5p. I was standing in back of TOP's Kate Ryan when Manger gave the basic details including the shooting of Lee. This was at 5 on the nose. I turned, called Pat Brogan (afternoon anchor) and told him put me up live ASAP...he did at 5:04p. Shortly before I hit air. the presser was still in progress and Kate was where I left her with the crowd of reporters. Not trying to slam Kate or TOP' but we've made some strides in an effort to stay competitive, and occasionally I think it shows. (9/2/10) Pretty funny that some guy is all bent about Plante calling that misfit at Discovery what he really is. You see,you don't have Tea Party advocates or others conservatives behave like this as they weren't raised by kooks. Toss this jerk into the same pile as the Unabomb. He had Al Gore memorabilia in his little hut too. Just love you guys. Remember its you leftists that go around trashing places as a rule, not Conservatives. (9/2/10) /\ September 2 Messages /\ \/ September 1 Messages \/ Metro in this area is holding on by less than a string, and Joel Oxley and Jim Farley are going to cut them? I can't believe they'd be that callous, just to make a few more bucks. WTOP already makes a mint. And now dozens of people are going to be out of work, just so WTOP can make even more? C'mon-- this business is cruel, but does it have to be that cruel? If WMAL was smart, they'd go with an all traffic and weather format. It was traffic and weather that made WTOP so rich. (9/1/10) Do you really think WTOP will go Baden-less in morning drive? They promote that time period as "Mike, Bruce, and Lisa". They'll sign her to a nice WTOP contract and likely share the cost with TV-7, which also features her in mornings. Besides, where else are you going to get that much personality from a traffic reporter? Not in any other major market I've ever heard. And as for her frequent critics who find Lisa too perky, I'm really surprised that these folks can be out driving with a broomstick in that position. (9/1/10) Loving all the Lisa Baden hate today. She annoys the crap out of me every morning! OOBBEE (9/1/10) Let's not jump to conclusions when it comes to WTOP doing its own traffic. Jim and Joel don't make hasty decisions. We don't know what Lisa Baden's status is. WTOP made Lisa Baden a star. You may not like her, but you listen. Bob Marbourg will most likely stay on. Don't be surprised if Lisa's offered a contract. Will WTOP raid Metro? Probably not. A few people, maybe--but they won't gut the place. Given the state of the business these days--there will be plenty of outside people applying; plenty with lots of experience. This also shows the power of billing $50M a year. It's expensive enough doing all-news. Imagine what it'll cost to add an in-house traffic service paying AFTRA scale. WTOP is already number one across the board in the PPMs. All this does is make them larger than life. A gutsy move. (9/1/10) Dirty Sanchez? Is that what they call it when your favorite radio station gets flipped to Spanish? Or does it involve a Chihuahua a can of Crisco and a chain hoist? I can never keep those straight. And the Cleveland Steamer ....Baltimore would be more fitting for Steamer type things.... but then everyone would fight about the rights to the name. Too bad 'The Block' is gone I'm sure we could have asked some pros there. Hey that would be a good radio format!! Baltimores New Adult FM 105.7 "The BLOCK" featuring stripper music and porn tunes. Donnie (9/1/10) Hey Dave! How about a little "DCRTV Love" for our team at WMAL? In addition to the TV stations and "Brand X" all news station, WMAL dropped the last hour of Rush and all three hours of Sean, and offered live and local coverage for four hours as events unfolded. Anchored by Chris Plante and John Matthews, our coverage featured live updates from the scene and analysis from hostage negotiators and others. ABC Radio carried MAL coverage on its national Special Events channel, and Chris Plante unveiled the suspect's manifesto in the 3pm hour. I know you've been a proponent of more local coverage on WMAL and our team really stepped to the late Wednesday. - Bill Hess (9/1/10) Dave's response: That's cool. I didn't even tune in old 630 because, in the past, they've never seemed to interrupt Rush and Hannity for breaking local news..... To those criticizing Wise, or myself, GET F'ING REAL! He's a columnist and he was making a satirical point. Even his "apology" was a Pulitzer worthy piece of satire. The Post lost it's journalistic "standards" first with Janet Cooke and her 8 year old corner drug saleskid/addict and then when Publisher Wentworth began inviting those who wished "access" to hosted dinners in the past year or two. Wise, was and is being set up and he should tell the Post to stick it up its anal sphincter (just like my critics here on this), btw IMHO. Bob from College Park (9/1/10) A QUICK NOTE TO NEKE HOWSE AND THE STAFF OF 93.9 WKYS: Here we are stuck in another controversy! We just can't seem to kick anybody to the curb without the press and various media websites sticking their noses around my front yard. What a lot of people can't seem to understand is that politics and broadcast stations (TV included) are strange bedfellows. There are certain unspoken understandings that have to be upheld. I'm not saying Radio One has treated anyone unfairly I'm just saying there are certain things that can't be ignored if you expect a favorable relationship with any city municipality. Are you starting to figure out the math? Speaking purely in hindsight, if we had hired people who actually had a solid back ground in radio and not those from related industries (e.g. club jocks, actors, wannabees straight out of college) we wouldn't be getting unfavorable press now. But what can I do, my elders (guess who-ha ha!) thought we could keep our operating costs down by hiring these "never been a jock before" clowns. Oh, well, as long as the pay checks keep cashing who am I to complain. Now here is what I propose to do to combat some of this "stress", I plan on having a very PERSONAL relationship with an attractive woman. She must be at least "19ish" (translation 18 to around 21). She should be tall, leggy, possess a great RACK, have her OWN place and has no interest in getting into radio. Now is that too much to ask? Signed "Slick" Alfie (the steamroller) Liggins! (9/1/10) RE: WMAL & Chris Plante.. I’m unable to get WMAL’s audio stream at work. Were they actually giving live coverage of the hostage situation at Discovery’s offices and breaking away from the syndicated Rush show? My experience is that they haven’t done this with the recent thunderstorms and that shooting at police station at Chantilly several years ago. (9/1/10) Speaking of teabaggers.....Dirty Sanchez? Arabian Goggles? Cleveland Steamer? What do the mailbaggers prefer? (9/1/10) (Thank Goodness the hostage situation is finally over....I was listening to WMAL on and off during my drive home and I swear to GOD, if I heard Chris Plante sputter the phrases "whacko fringe lift wing environmentalist misanthrope" or "This is all Al Gore's fault" one more time, I was seriously considering pulling into the closest Home Depot, buying a roll of duct-tape, strapping road flares to MY body and storming Jennifer Street to get that freaking loud-mouthed flamer to just SHUT the $%#@ UP! Can someone please explain what specific tid-bit of any transient value that whiney girley-man added to the running commentary?) yes, you were *forced* to listen to WMAL. you couldn't simply flip the dial to WTOP. maybe you were pissed because this guy *was* an extreme left-winger who worshipped at the altar of gore and you couldn't stand to have it pointed out. i'm sure you wouldn't have minded the commentary if this had been a "teabagger" who took people hostage. (9/1/10) Greg Toland doing sports on WBAL-TV tonight freelance work. (9/1/10) Thank Goodness the hostage situation is finally over....I was listening to WMAL on and off during my drive home and I swear to GOD, if I heard Chris Plante sputter the phrases "whacko fringe lift wing environmentalist misanthrope" or "This is all Al Gore's fault" one more time, I was seriously considering pulling into the closest Home Depot, buying a roll of duct-tape, strapping road flares to MY body and storming Jennifer Street to get that freaking loud-mouthed flamer to just SHUT the $%#@ UP! Can someone please explain what specific tid-bit of any transient value that whiney girley-man added to the running commentary? Message to WMAL...PLEASE, PLEASE, JUST GIVE US NEWS, WEATHER AND TRAFFIC and keep your yippy lap dogs on a shorter leash! (9/1/10) WTOP gets a shout-out from MSNBC… www.redlasso.com (9/1/10) YES!!! I truly hope that when WTOP ends their contract with Metro traffic that I never have to hear Lisa Baden's voice on that station EVER again. I'd also retire Marbourg too. Does nothing but preach platitudes instead of just give the damn traffic report. And Baden is just way to perky for people who are stuck in gridlock. They want information, not schtick. I'd hire Jim Russ away from Metro traffic full time and give him both morning and afternoon drive. His reports are clear, concise, and no BS! And he covers every major interstate as well as you can in the small amt. of time allotted. - Tony (9/1/10) Props to Jim Farley and WTOP for investing in there own traffic operation.This means Lisa Baden(who works for Metro Traffic) will be gone...Thank you...Thank you. (9/11/10) Regarding WTOP dumping Metro: Smart move! Now WTOP controls the content. Perhaps more importantly they better control their inventory. (9/1/10) Whoops! I guess Google News did a little rejiggering of their story clusters; the new one concerning the hostage situation is at news.google.com. Again, thanks! EJM (9/1/10) Just in case, the full Google News story cluster concerning the hostage situation (sorted chronologically) is at news.google.com. As always, thanks! EJM (9/1/10) Dave's response: Huh? Was Paris Hilton taken hostage? Channel 4 is doing a good job covering the gunman in the Discovery Building in Silver Spring right now...a friend of mine works nearby and her building is in lockdown...they're reporting that the gunman has issues with Discovery about their handling of global warming...he thinks they're not doing a good job...there is supposed to be a news conference at 3:15. -- Bobbie (9/1/10) Dave, Monica Hesse mentioned you at the start of her online WaPo chat today, actually referencing the Ian Shapira piece. Over the years I've been concerned that DCRTV may often be exploited by industry insiders seeking to push agendas. I suspected from the start that Times rumor was a negotiating tactic by one side trying to pressure the other to concede or soften its demands. How do you determine which of your rumormongers have self-serving motives? (9/1/10) Dave's response: Definitely, some rumors are intentionally dropped at DCRTV in order to further a particular "cause." And that's OK. DCRTV has always been a big mix of news, commentary, and gossip. As long as everything is "labeled" properly, the intelligent reader can make his/her own decisions about what to "believe" when they read stuff here..... Breaking news: Gunman with hostage in Discovery Channel building in Silver Spring, MD (9/1/10) News is reporting a hostage situation at the Discovery Channel building in Silver Spring. (9/1/10) Yes, we’re indentured servants to cable and satellite TV. After receiving a form response to my initial written inquiry to DirecTV about the FOX Sports standard definition issue, I received another. A real person, actually took the time to frustrate me further by ignoring the details and again suggesting I adjust the aspect ratio on my TV. This is the award-winning customer service about which DirecTV boasts. Yes, I imagine compared to cable, any type of interaction is good. But, this amounts to kneeling out the clock. DirecTV knows it’s not worth the average person’s trouble to wade through levels of customer service representatives, explaining the same crap to each and every one. So, there’s your answer … you’ll pay $60+ a month for 2/3 of the program on the screen and you’ll like it. Or, you can go nuts trying to explain the issue to us. Trust us, “we’ll never understand … hahahahahahahahaha” So, as an indentured servant … I must now shop the Labor Day HDTV sales. DirecTV customer service … always there for you if you’re handing over fists full of cash … otherwise, go screw yourself. It’s kind of a twist on Comcast’s, check that, Xfinity’s “F-U” motto. Matt (9/1/10) Discovery Communications headquarters in Silver Spring evacuated www.tbd.com (9/1/10) Hostage situation @ Discovery Channel.. WJLA/TBD has been on live since 1:30 with it.. (9/1/10) So anyone heard if FOX5 is phasing Steve Chenevey out?..Reason being, more and more Tony Perkins, Gurvir and lately Wisdom Martin have been filling in for him on the morning news..What's up?? (9/1/10) WTOP reporting that a man with a gun and/or explosives, possibly, at the Discovery Building in Silver Spring, and Montgomery County Police SWAT teams are on their way. No other details at the moment. (9/1/10) Erica Hillary - I heard her on Diamond. Is she back? (9/1/10) RE: [Glenn Beck has been criticizng CBS News over the estimate we commission of the crowd at his "Restoring Honor" rally. He claims there were more than 500,000 people there, not the 87,000 figure we put out.] Haven't you heard? Why, Michele Bachman explained it all! Apparently the discrepency in crowd numbers occurred when some 413,000 Beck-er-heads who were attending the rally mysteriously "Raptured" and floated off into the heavens after Beck performed his third miracle: 1.) He healed a shoe. 2.) He cured a ham. 3.) He transformed 87,000 loafs into wallets he could fish. - Jeff in (Sometimes this stuff just writes itself!) Bowie (9/1/10) Anybody who believes for a second that Mike Wise broadcast information that HE ADMITS HE KNEW WAS INACCURATE in an effort to "to showcase the absurdity of bad journalism" is about as stupid as Wise is. The guy is a lot of things -- a hack sports writer, a really bad radio talkshow host -- but he is NOT a journalist, at least not one with any integrity, and he proved it through this moronic display. The Post should fire his sorry ass and move on. (9/1/10) Bob from College Park must be Wise's PR guy. Now let's look at the facts. Wise used his Post twitter account to deliberately send out false information. It doesn't really matter why he did it. And it certainly doesn't matter whether Wise is classified as a reporter or a columnist (since when is it appropriate for columnists to intentionally lie in their columns?) What matters, IMHO, is that he did it deliberately. He compromised his own credibility (to the extent he had any to begin with) and that of his newspaper. He really deserved to be fired. And frankly, WJFK should discipline him as well. Sure, sports talk types have more leeway than journalists, but what Wise did was fraudulent and reflects poorly on WJFK as well. The guy's arrogance level must be unbelievable to think he could get away with this. (9/1/10) Re: the jockless BIG, I wonder if anyone remembers the one Chrsitmas Eve night so many years ago when channel 4's Jim Vance made a list of things he had wanted for Christmas...top of the list was that Jim Vance had wanted to turn on the radio without hearing "those stupid dee jays". I still remember that line by Vance to station owners "..fire all the dee jay bums and just play the damn music !!". Well Jim Vance is finally getting his wish, I guess. that is if even he still cares about it anyway. On a similar note I had always heard that Gordon Peterson, Maureen Bunyan, the great late Glenn Brenner and a number of other TV news people for some reason all had this "personal dislike" towards their radio counterparts ( those dee jays ), actually come to think of it when Howard Stern was on DC101 so many moons ago didn't he somehow ended up getting into some kind of a very nasty tiff with Jim Vance? (9/1/10) I know its probably giving Clear Channel too much credit in thinking they might have a plan for WBIG. But just suppose they are trying to drive the Edge out of the Classic Hits/Rock format. They could do so by getting higher ratings than the Edge with a cheap bare-bones operation while the Edge brings in high-priced DJs with no traction in the ratings. How long would Citadel continue with the format? I predict that within a year, 105.9 is WMAL-FM and Mix 107.3 moves in a more CHR direction to try to capture some of Hot 99.5 ratings and distingush itself from rapidly gaining Fresh. Andy in Reston (9/1/10) Just got this on Facebook: Jason Nicholson changed the name of the group "The Bruce Cunningham Show on 105.7 the Fan" to "Deleting Group". (9/1/10) (From DCRTV's Classified Ads:) Are you familiar with Washington’s regional highways, road network, and local mass transit? WTOP radio needs a Director of Traffic Operations with a minimum of 8 yrs broadcast traffic reporting, and 3 yrs. Broadcast traffic management experience…significant web experience, and flexibility in work schedule…Degree in Journalism preferred with knowledge of adobe Audition, ENPS and ENCO. Complete application at www.wtop.com link “inside wtop” click on “careers”, follow instructions from there. An Equal Opportunity Employer (9/1/10) "Scott Shannon took a sleepy little New Jersey signal, re-invented it as "Z-100" in New York City and took the station to first place in a meteoric burst of energy, great music, fun and relentless promotion." It may have been fun to listen to, and yes, it did go, as Shannon used to say "From worst to first!," but working there was another story. Take it from someone who knows firsthand about Scott... (9/1/10) I remember another time some years back when radio was boring, uninspired, and just flat out crap. Listeners would settle for anything mediocre and not make any waves. Then Scott Shannon took a sleepy little New Jersey signal, re-invented it as "Z-100" in New York City and took the station to first place in a meteoric burst of energy, great music, fun and relentless promotion. Every other station in town was caught without a paddle, copycat "zoo" stations popped up across the country and both Shannon and Z-100 went into the radio history books. Corporate radio won't dare do something like that today (not safe enough), but watch out for that one edge-of-market rimshot that decides enough is enough. It won't be the same formatics or strategies, but it'll be the Z all over again. Sweet dreams, BIG... (9/1/10) FYI…Erica Hillary is back on Mix107.3. She was doing traffic, so it wasn’t a ‘best of’.. (9/1/10) Even as Sarah Palin’s public voice grows louder, she has become increasingly secretive, walling herself off from old friends and associates, and attempting to enforce silence from those around her. Following the former Alaska governor’s road show, the author delves into the surreal new world Palin now inhabits—a place of fear, anger, and illusion, which has swallowed up the engaging, small-town hockey mom and her family—and the sadness she has left in her wake. Vanity Fair shows us the Sarah Palin That Sarah Palin Doesn't Want You To See www.vanityfair.com (9/1/10) Dave's response: Hey, if Palin gets elected in 2012, she could turn the presidency into a TV reality show. She could have cameras following her all around the White House, every day. It could air on Fox News, right after the "Reverend Glenn Beck Revival Hour"..... A couple of thoughts… WBIG: as long as people listen to jockless stations, people will continue to get jockless stations. Until the listening audience votes with its presets and abandons jockless radio, the corporate beancounters will continue to get away with it… and just wait until the performance tax passes… not only will more music stations go jockless, more FM stations will start simulcasting AM talk/sports… radio can’t afford to pay both the singers and an airstaff… HDTV: here in Richmond, Comcast HD boxes also show HD signals in letterboxed SD on an SD set… which allows me not to have to buy an HDTV for a while yet… :) to Bob at VARTV: they were “fired”… “laid off” implies the possibility of being hired back… and as to the WaPo: they’ll be the first against the wall when the revolution comes… :) – Rob in Richmond, VA (9/1/10) Dave, Just read the blurb on Big100.3. Can't say I have listened much to D.C. radio lately, except for occasionally WTOP.. After reading your blurb, I will just stay on Sirius/XM. I was a jock for close to two decades, About 10 years in large to major markets. I used to want to own a station. If someone gave me one (for free), I would likely just sell it. Radio has to reinvent itself. It cannot try to be an iPOD and expect to succeed. Tom R./Fairfax (9/1/10) WBIG just committed a bigger, better, suicide. No jocks and an agonizingly boring, 70's based classic hits format. In DC, the rock radio race to the bottom continues. Norm (9/1/10) Lisa Hillary do you know why she is leaving? (9/1/10) /\ September 1 Messages /\ \/ August 31 Messages \/ Hey Dave, You screwed up again. In today's news blurb about Shapiro Does Dibble you got most of it correct EXCEPT this is not shoulder surgery. If you check things you will fine it is in the forearm. Sounds like the Washington Post...no wait it is Dave with DCRTV. Lets get it correct next time. Steve (8/3/1/10) Dave's response: I will "fine"? Oooookay..... With regards to Mike Wise, I quote a fellow named "tcmits" who responded to the Post's ombudsman blog as representative of my own opinion. Here goes. "This is the same Washington Post that had to return a Pulitzer in disgrace about a phony 8 year old involved in the drug trade and usage. Wise is a columnist, predominantly, and not a reporter. That's a huge world of difference. In its suspending him for a month, TWP tries, without success, to re-inflate the little that has been left of its Watergate journalist integrity since Nixon's days. Let's be candid, TWP needs Mike Wise a helluva lot more than Mike Wise needs TWP. Boswell's best days are behind him. Wilbon has "bigger and better" commitments (and salaries to receive) from his other interests. Sally Jenkins is a total, out of touch with DC, joke. Tracy Whateverhername is going nowhere fast as a columnist and appears to be working on the cheap as her best qualification for the job, IMHO. Mike Wise, since about three months after he came to town and continues now...to be THE sports columnist in DC, period...end of story. Ok, he erred and made a mistake. Who hasn't? Reprimand him and let him do his job for a "first offense," rather than this "Star Chamber version of being called into the well." He's being a TWP sacrificial lamb here though in order for TWP to "attempt to prove" it still is relevant as a print source of news. BWAHAHAHAHAHA - what a joke that is! Remember, TWP is how many months behind in printing corrections and retractions as it is. That Wise gets hammered when TWP should be suspending itself for a month until it catches up on corrections and retractions is, I believe, testament to the hypocrisy of the Post Corporation. The sound you hear is Katherine Graham spinning, on her head, in her grave over this "life sentance" for a "five buck crime." Mike, quit! Tell the powers that be of TWP to kiss your tush and do full time radio combined with as many tv gigs (local and ESPN) as you can get. Kornheiser is within two years of hanging it up and whether he likes it or not, the day you came into town....you became the new sheriff of sports and old fashioned Style section commentary in DC, whether TWP has you write it or not. You reach more people on radio and tv now than TWP only wishes it reached through subscribers." Bob from College Park (8/31/10) To all; "Nobody Boddah Me"... Syronara, Ba-Ba Rhee (8/31/10) From the NY Times "TV News for Early Risers (or Late-to-Bedders)" Last season, the big battle in television was fought over late night. This season, the battleground is shaping up to be the early morning. Very early. www.nytimes.com (8/26/10) I totally agree with this. I don't mind hearing a little analysis about why the markets rose or fell but I could especially do without marketwatch.com's John Wardock moaning and groaning when the market tanks. Sometimes, low stock prices are a good thing as you can pick up some potentially great stocks for a great price. "Re: WTOP I think the stock market report should be neutral, not biased in favor of rising prices. I never listen to more than the first five seconds of a report since the sound of the voice tells me the market direction. They should report the numbers and not characterize it as a good day or bad day." (8/31/10) "and worked hand in hand with "The Whiskey" to put the show together." --Do the owners of this establishment know that management of KHZ has been all over this site in the last two weeks claiming sole responsibility for Annapolooza? Something tells me they don't. (8/31/10) Glenn Beck has been criticizng CBS News over the estimate we commission of the crowd at his "Restoring Honor" rally. He claims there were more than 500,000 people there, not the 87,000 figure we put out. I just posted a piece explaining the way the estimate was calculated, which includes the folks who did it discussing their meathodology and pictures and video showing how they did it. Check it out below. (and be sure to click through to see the cool video and photos.) Thanks! www.cbsnews.com (8/31/10) RE: Dave's response: "Look, CBS's 94.7 Fresh FM is putting a serious dent in WASH and Mix 107.3's female demos with almost no airstaff". Almost NO airstaff at FRESH??? Any idea who's live and who's not? (8/31/10) Dear Mayor of Pasadena - I can only guess that Bill Parris has wronged you in some fashion in the past. I want to be your best girlfriend and say "What man did this to you, honey!" That man, I'm guessing, was Bill Parris. Did he fire you from a high paying job when he ran a good company? Did he fire you from a low paying job much more recently? Would he never hire you - and you thought - "Damn, I can't even get a job from Bill Parris? Am I that bad?" With the hate and vitriol that you spew, this is most certainly the case. Parris and company were at the Annapolooza festival (or however you spell it) - and worked hand in hand with "The Whiskey" to put the show together. Now - why don't we all go down to Johnny's and have a drink, then we'll all go over to Kurtz's Beach, and make you pivot person in a circle jerk, OK? (8/31/10) I have question for all you ‘baggers… Centennial Broadcasting’s 97-9 The Planet (Lynchburg) “laid-off” its entire on-air staff due to budgetary reasons. I used the word “fired” in my story. That didn’t go over well within the CB offices. What word should I have used? “laid-off,” “let go,” “terminated,” “fired?” Bob/VARTV (8/31/10) Dave's response: In some circles, the term "fired" means discharged for a specific job-related reason, a la some screw-up. I often used terms like "axed" or "yanked" for employer-related cuts, since the words seem to be a bit more non-specific..... Yo Mr. Ed – you responded as the professional that you are as I knew you would. I have been a fan of yours for many years, However we may agree to disagree from the left or the right when it comes to politics. I don’t expect or try to change anyones mind, I respect their view and they should respect mine. So when some idiot gets on here and says that I am back with my CONSERVATIVE HATE well he is wrong - It just means he is back with his - LIBERAL BULLS*IT. All the best – from the right – down in God’s Country - J.J. “Hitman” McKay – Ocean City, Md. (8/31/10) Over the past fifteen years or so, corporate radio has grown, many paid top dollar for their properties. With the economic climate, it did not surprise me that cuts were coming in the industry as a result of the overhead. Certainly firing an entire on air staff is a big savings to the handful of corporate staff. Perhaps I'm old school, but the intimacy of radio is gone when real personalities are no longer part of the equation. Radio is supposed to serve the public interest (or at least it used to be a requirement). What happens if the area is hit with more terrorist attacks, or severe weather. Who will be there to provide valuable life saving information in a timely fashion? Fortunately there are more stations across the country that value true personalities who are there live when needed. I'm still fortunate to be part of several stations that do just that. I have also been one who follows technology. Remember ten years back how bad the automated voices on NOAA had sound? NOAA has invested quite a bit updating the voice technology as you'll hear by the link below. I have to wonder how long it will be before radio adopts the same technology to voicetrack? I sure hope I am not giving anyone any ideas here... Tom Conroy WZBB-FM www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/audio/Tom_LFP.mp3 (8/31/10) Some of you people really crack me up. You have a delusional sense of self-importance and a tenuous grasp on the relevance of what goes on at any given radio station and its impact on the larger community. You know why the WBIG contretemps isn't covered in the Post? Because NOBODY CARES! Sure, the Post may get around to it in a couple of days if they have a left over column inch or two. But it's not important to anyone outside of the people that read this website. I'm sure it pains many to admit it but yes, more people care about Michelle Rhee and sadly, the Salahis then care about the corporate machinations of some radio cluster. There are comments frequently posted to this site about how 'DC radio sucks' or 'DC radio is dying' and how nobody listens. So on one hand you acknowledge the lame-ass state of radio and on the other hand you bitch and moan when your lame-ass industry isn't covered. You can't have it both ways. Get over yourselves already. Flame on. Roscoe in D.C. (8/31/10) Dave, Bravo to your comments on what rates as important for the Style chicks beyond the Rhee wedding plans or any damn thing involving the Salahi leeches. I forwarded them information on the major scamming of numerous attendees by a sleazy and dishonest promotion company at the Sat., Aug. 21 crab fest at National Harbor which ran out of crabs, subjected people to hours in line waiting for crabs they sometimes didn’t get, did not have enough seating, and charged $75 a piece for “VIP” tickets which gave them nothing different than what lower priced ticketholders got. Too bad Rhee or the Salahis weren’t there. (8/31/10) I don't get it. WBIG was a top-10 station. Why jettison its staff? (8/31/10) Dave's response: An air staff is expensive. Salaries, health benefits, union issues. If listeners want just the music, and nothing but the music, corporate radio station owners believe they can get the ratings and the ad revenue without paying for on-air talent. Look, CBS's 94.7 Fresh FM is putting a serious dent in WASH and Mix 107.3's female demos with almost no airstaff. And, over the summer, Majic 102.3 soared to second place in the DC market after it told its DJs to shut up. Of course, that's just before WMMJ fired its entire air staff..... Dear Dave: Mike Wise gets suspended for a fake Twitter posting in an effort to "demonstrate the declining standards and credibility of the sports media." He didn't have to go to that length. One need only listen to his station and WTEM to see that the inability of each to substantively discuss the Nationals or Capitals is proof positive of that theory. Great site Dave! Sincerely, Joe Kasell (8/31/10) Re: Why wasn't Ballard's firing, etc. not in the WaPo? Simple - Radio is dead in their eyes. (Then again, so is their paper, but they're refusing to see the writing on the wall). Dave in Fredericksburg (8/31/10) (Why wasn’t the Big 100.3 story reported in The Washington Post? Yesterday, Monday, August 30, 2010, one of the biggest local radio stories in months occurred, it received national attention, everyone who’s anyone in radio and broadcasting were talking about it, throughout the D.C. and Baltimore markets and, again, nationwide, it even reached into the print world because of the involvement of a radio newsman—and yet there is absolutely nothing—nada—in today’s Washington Post.) You care about it. I care about it. The public cares about it. The Post seems to totally ignore radio other than public radio. The editors are clueless. There are Style Section reporters who pitch story ideas about radio, but they get shot down by editors. (8/31/10) Bill Parris Radio Inc. is using your mailbag as their own personal advertising billboard. Them being at Annapolooza wasnt mentioned in any Annapolis/ AACO newspaper or What's Up Magizine, just here on DCRTV. Furthermore, to have a booth at any festival generally means money is coming out of your own pocket (Money that could go to DCRTV for all the nonsense employee posts). To see the effecieny of PRI- all you have to do is look at the post about the staff being at the festival, the majority of those listed are IN THE PARRIS FAMILY. The only one listed that has any fresh new talent is 'Dangerous D', Darin Malfi of 'The Scarborough Sideshow'. If it wasnt for him, PRI wouldnt have even been at Annapolooza or known what it was in the first place. The only place where you can even hear a Parris Radio Inc. ad is on WRNR-FM, where Parris' other company Radio Broadcast Inc, does the book work. Stop trying to prove yourself by loading up an industry website (DCRTV) and prove yourself to the listeners or your one advertiser. -Mayor of Pasadena (8/31/10) Why wasn’t the Big 100.3 story reported in The Washington Post? Yesterday, Monday, August 30, 2010, one of the biggest local radio stories in months occurred, it received national attention, everyone who’s anyone in radio and broadcasting were talking about it, throughout the D.C. and Baltimore markets and, again, nationwide, it even reached into the print world because of the involvement of a radio newsman—and yet there is absolutely nothing—nada—in today’s Washington Post. There’s literally no excuse for this—none. There should be a story—a feature story, at least 12 inches—in today’s Washington Post. The fact that there isn’t is just terrible. Here’s why: On Monday, August 30, just after the end of his morning-drive radio show on Big 100.3—an FM classic rock radio station in the D.C. area that has a dedicated and loyal following—morning DJ Jon Ballard was fired. This is news point number one, and is notable just for this item alone. Ballard is well-known, well-liked and well-respected in rock radio, in the D.C. area, in the Baltimore area, in broadcasting, and in local radio circles. He’s laid-back, nice, congenial, friendly, and a very welcome, non-controversial, funny and talented presence on local radio. Ballard worked at DC-101 and Big 100.3 in the D.C. area for 12 years—an eternity in radio. That means, again, that he is very well-known, from working at two popular rock radio stations. He was just abruptly, coldy, offensively fired. And that angered a lot of listeners and fans. Then, about 9:30 a.m. Monday, August 30, 2010, morning-drive host Dave Elliot at DC-101 called Ballard on the phone and talked to him about the firing live, on the air. This alone would be news point number two. Then, mid-conversation, the station management cut off the interview, yanked the Elliot in the Morning show—the entire show—off of the air and went to songs and commercials. The morning show did not return to the air. This is news. This is very unique, and very notable. This would be news item number three. Then, not too late in the day, it was revealed that longtime Big 100.3 newsman Bill Stabler was also fired from 100.3. Again, Bill is well-liked, well-respected and a good radio newsman—no flash, no craziness, just good, strong, concise radio news reports. People liked him, too. This would be news item number four. Then, the entire incident—Ballard’s firing, Elliot’s phone call, Elliot’s show being yanked off of the air, Stabler’s firing—went national. Yes, national. And not just dumb blogs or fan pages—but national radio and broadcasting news. All Access Music Group, an industry newsletter on the radio broadcasting industry that is well-respected in the industry and every well-read, reported the incident, and, again, it was national news. By the end of the day, the incident was reported on DCRTV.com, All Access Music Group, Ellot’s fan blog, radio station newsletters, internal memos, e-mails, Facebook, the wires and elsewhere. So how does the Post not report a story right in its backyard that’s getting national attention. It should be noted that there’s a national context to this story—DC-101 and Big 100.3 are both owned by Clear Channel, which is basically credited with destroying radio as we know it and being one of the literal worst things to happen to radio in the history of the medium. Elliot noted yesterday’s incident today, Tuesday, August 31, on his show by playing “Celebration” and the sound of fireworks and noting that he wouldn’t be making a mistake for two days in a row, and that today’s show lasted longer than yesterday’s show. This entire story should have been reported as a full story, above the fold, in today’s Style section, Tuesday, August 31. (8/31/10) Dave's response: It didn't involve Michelle Rhee or Michaele Salahi so I guess it wasn't worth any space in Style..... I have a couple cabins on the Cacapon River that is way down in a valley in the middle of no where. Direct TV works fine there. OOBBEE (8/3/10) Mike Wise suspended by the Post for one month for making a fictitious Twitter announcement! (8/31/10) Dave's response: It's a shame it couldn't have been Paul Farhi who did something that stupid. I like Mike Wise, but I've always thought his dual gigs as WaPo columnist/reporter and JFK show host feature a miriad of ethical conflicts. Whoops..... Memo from the Post Sports Editor to employees before he announced Wise's suspension; From: Matt Vita... Sent: 08/30/2010 02:49 PM EDT... To: NEWS - Sports... Subject: Post Guidelines on Use of Twitter, Other Social Media In case anyone was not aware of them, the Post has guidelines on use of social media by our journalists. They apply to everyone, including reporters, editors and columnists in the Sports department. When you use social media, remember that you are representing The Washington Post, even if you are using your own account. This is not to be treated lightly. The same standards that we apply to ourselves in the newspaper, on the website, on mobile or in any other media platform apply to the world of social media. Most fundamentally, we need to be accurate. We need to be transparent. And we need to be fair. Here are the guidelines. Please call me if you have any questions. Matt ———— Social networks are communications media, and a part of our everyday lives. They can be valuable tools in gathering and disseminating news and information. They also create some potential hazards we need to recognize. When using social networking tools for reporting or for our personal lives, we must remember that Washington Post journalists are always Washington Post journalists. The following guidelines apply to all Post journalists, without limitation to the subject matter of their assignments. Using Social Networking Tools for Reporting When using social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn, My Space or Twitter for reporting, we must protect our professional integrity. Washington Post journalists should identify themselves as such. We must be accurate in our reporting and transparent about our intentions when participating. We must be concise yet clear when describing who we are and what information we seek. When using these networks, nothing we do must call into question the impartiality of our news judgment. We never abandon the guidelines that govern the separation of news from opinion, the importance of fact and objectivity, the appropriate use of language and tone, and other hallmarks of our brand of journalism. Our online data trails reflect on our professional reputations and those of The Washington Post. Be sure that your pattern of use does not suggest, for example, that you are interested only in people with one particular view of a topic or issue. Using Social Networking Tools for Personal Reasons All Washington Post journalists relinquish some of the personal privileges of private citizens. Post journalists must recognize that any content associated with them in an online social network is, for practical purposes, the equivalent of what appears beneath their bylines in the newspaper or on our website. What you do on social networks should be presumed to be publicly available to anyone, even if you have created a private account. It is possible to use privacy controls online to limit access to sensitive information. But such controls are only a deterrent, not an absolute insulator. Reality is simple: If you don't want something to be found online, don't put it there. Post journalists must refrain from writing, tweeting or posting anything — including photographs or video — that could be perceived as reflecting political, racial, sexist, religious or other bias or favoritism that could be used to tarnish our journalistic credibility. This same caution should be used when joining, following or friending any person or organization online. Post journalists should not be involved in any social networks related to advocacy or a special interest regarding topics they cover, unless specifically permitted by a supervising editor for reporting and so long as other standards of transparency are maintained while doing any such reporting. Post journalists should not accept or place tokens, badges or virtual gifts from political or partisan causes on pages or sites, and should monitor information posted on your own personal profile sites by those with whom you are associated online for appropriateness. Personal pages online are no place for the discussion of internal newsroom issues such as sourcing, reporting of stories, decisions to publish or not to publish, personnel matters and untoward personal or professional matters involving our colleagues. The same is true for opinions or information regarding any business activities of The Washington Post Company. Such pages and sites also should not be used to criticize competitors or those who take issue with our journalism or our journalists. If you have questions about any of these matters, please check with your supervisor or a senior editor. NOTE: These guidelines apply to individual accounts on online social networks, when used for reporting and for personal use. Separate guidelines will follow regarding other aspects of Post journalism online. (8/31/10) Hitman: You may call me Mr. Ed. I have always been a fan of yours and admire your stick-to-itiveness and survival in the business, but I had no intention of taking God's place on the forgiveness ladder - - and I really did mean that Glen Beck was much more fun when he DJ'd in Baltimore and other major market stations. He has admitted being drugged-up during a lot of that time. I think the main reason I don't like his show now is that I think he is not sincere. As far left as I may be, I don’t let that influence whether I like someone, or not. (Heck, I always thought that Tom Marr should have been one of the best ever.) I have programmed three high rated right wing talk stations and three right wing talk syndicated networks. (for money) Music radio is my life though, and I like the way you do it. Live local and fun. Shame DC radio won't do that. Ed Graham (8/31/10) From a previous post ".... But what about someone living in rural West Virginia or Wyoming..." Ah Wyoming despite the mountains and small population that state I am pretty sure is actually served quite well thanks to the many of translators providing stations from all over the place from big markets like Salt Lake City & Denver to the states only two markets Cheyenne and Casper. I also believe Billings, Rapid City and perhaps even Boise have translators there as well plus also even the smallest of communties such as Thermopolis have cable, However dispite all of that, I seem to recall reading a few years back in Forbes that Wyoming also has a rather high number of people who live there who for one reason or another refuse to watch TV AT ALL !! Maybe they are pulling a Seth Rogen or a Courtney Cox "......sorry but I don't watch TV or listen to the radio..they both SUCK !!!" (8/31/10) WBIG just slit its own throat. I tuned in this morning and found that not only wasn’t Ballard there to wake me up, but the station seems to have gone to a Jack format with occasional traffic, weather, and news inserts. I miss Bill Stabler as well. Looking at the redesigned Web site, it appears that there are no longer any deejays at the station. Sorry, but I like my on-air personalities. And by the way, I am not a 25- to 54-year-old male; I’m a 58-year-old woman who was raised on rock and who feels betrayed by Clear Channel. MoHub (8/31/10) Dave's response: It would make sense to flip BIG to a jockless "Jack" type classic hits, '80s-based oldies format. Clear Channel inherited Baltimore's "Jack" station, WQSR, 102.7, from CBS last year. And that station is always a "top 10," sometimes "top 5" station in Charm City. And it's cheap to run. I've always liked the Jack format, as long as it keeps a diverse, wide playlist. Maybe 100.3 will start playing Duran Duran? Now that'd be cool. "Da da da da Re-flexxxxxxx"..... So, why would anyone (decent) trust their career to Clear Channel? (8/31/10) According to the official Annapalooza.org website, the ONLY radio station sponsor of the event was WNAV, which has no connection to any of the Bill Parris stations. Whoever keeps writing in to get free plugs might want to check their facts once in a while (8/31/10) All NFL ratings have been up thus far this preseason. Also here is my column from this morning on Al Michaels he is always a good topic. www.washingtonexaminer.com... Cheers, Jim (8/31/10) Dave, I see Ron Dibble is still missing from "Nats" games. What's the latest? Unfortunately, for the fans the team is subbing Ray Knight as "color man". This guy is blabbing and mouthing more than Bob the play by play man. I now "mute" the audio whenever Knight grabs the mike. If that action isn't taken I know he's good for two minutes of unneeded minutia (spelling?). Dibble has "messed up" a couple of times using poor judgement denouncing Strasberg for bailing out of his last start. But, we now know it was the right move for the team to replace the ace. Dibble has two strikes on him with questionable comments. But the match in the booth is really good between Bob and Dibble. I hope the Nats management gives him another shot. Any news? Don (8/3/10) Dave's response: Dibble's become an embarassment to MASN. I think he'll just remain "on vacation" for the remainder of the season and won't be returning next year. MASN will just keep quiet about it, for the time being..... The Washington Post website wonders if Glenn Beck is the new of the religious right. Glenn Beck is not the leader of anything, much less a religious movement. On Saturday he said, of MLK’s niece Alveda King: "A woman whose past, her family's past, has been washed in blood. Her father and her uncle were both killed for standing for what is right." MLK's brother, A.D. King, wasn't killed for his stand on civil rights, he drowned in a swimming pool in July, 1969. If Beck can’t be trusted on matters of recent American History, I doubt that his take on theological concepts is any more reliable. His speech Saturday (if you can call it that) was more confused and disjointed than a routine by Professor Irwin Corey, who is 96 years old! www.washingtonpost.com (8/31/10) Dave's response: From 5 PM to 6 PM weekdays, Fox News Channel goes off the air and the "Reverend Glenn Beck Religious Hour" comes on. But unlike Hannity and O'Reilly, Beck doesn't even pretend to be anything like a news-oriented show. Yeah, Beck gets ratings, but advertisers shun him. He's got to be damaging the very fabric of Fox News. His show is simply "wrong" for a "news channel," even a right-leaning one..... "The station has never---never—recovered from ditching its great oldies format and line-up from several years ago—never." "Great oldies format"? Perhaps at one time it was, but in its final few years, WBIG was, at best, a mediocre oldies station, hardly in the class of WCBS-FM or even WOGL in Philadelphia...unless you liked hearing "Summer In The City" and "Respect" played ad nauseam. No matter what format, Clear Channel brings radio down to its lowest common denominator, making it sounds trite and tawdry. -- Vincent in Lynchburg (8/31/10) Wait a minute. If the Terminator is doing a radio show on La Nueva five nights a week....who is protecting John Connor? (8/31/10) US Magazine cover for week of Aug 30 featuring the contestants of the new season of "America's Next Top Model". A 20 year old Baltimore native named Jane will be one of the contestants this fall. ANTM premieres Sept 8 at 8pm on The CW Baltimore. (8/31/10) Has channel 7 also started the A.M. broadcast, like the rest of the pack, at 4:30 a.m.? In the 4:30 a.m. segment channel 7 had the "breaking news" bit for a shooting in D.C. but shortly after the 5 a.m. portion started the story was no longer "breaking news" How do they determine when a story is no longer "breaking news" and who decides what is a "Developing Story"? Hey, I kid. I'll assume Mr. McKelway's days at channel 7 have come to end? Over at channel 9 looks like they've gone back to shrinking the on air newsreader visual presence and increasing the news crawl at bottom of screen and the box o' upcoming stories on the right side of screen. You know I'm sorry I picked on la Martucci while over at channel 9, saw her over weekend on channel 4, cause Mr. Bernstein nearly puts me back to sleep. Are we headed for a big KaBoom over at WTEM? I thought Mr. Pollin had a number of unannounced days off this summer and Czaban is gearing up for his national morning show I presume. Mr. Pollin was/is the one in charge of The Sports Reporters wasn't/isn't he? And when does John Thompson's contract come to an end at WTEM? Is D.C.'s favorite sports broadcaster Larry Michael going to take over WTEM 24/7 with all Dreadskin talk? That banner ad on dcrtv for Cari and Robb, are the Spewak's now doing a podcast these days? (8/31/10) Dave, explain this to me... Cable and dish may be just fine and dandy for the majority of the people living in DC, Fairfax, or Reston. But what about someone living in rural West Virginia or Wyoming. What if they don't have cable access on their road and can't downlink via dish because of some big honkin' mountains surrounding them. Not to mention the fact many dish systems still use an antenna attachment on the dish for locals. What? Do you just flip all of the airwaves, thus the only access for those people to vital information, over to broadband and expect each one of them to shell out hundreds of dollars for a computer they may not have nor want being they already have a TV. How about the government mandates that the country just dive further into debt by giving out millions of free laptops a few years after we just exhausted millions on the DTV conversion? Or, hey, they can subsidize the building of cable infrastructure servicing every single home and log cabin in the nation. Those are the kinds of jobs we need in America: temporary cable installers funded by Obama. Sure, it would be great if everyone out there had the latest and greatest technology, but this is not your loony socialist utopia, Dave, this is America, the democratic Republic, where the free market should and does still dictate. When the free market, and not government intervention, gives more and more people access to high speed internet and millions of viewing choices over various platforms, instead of the merely hundred or so still on some cable providers and dozens over the air, then more than likely broadcasters will go extinct. But then again, when you do things like compare the ratings trends for CNN to ABC News, I wouldn't count them out just yet. And broadcasters might just have a few more ingenious tricks up their sleeves besides mobile DTV. Give them a chance, and then if they squander it the lights can go out. Counter & point. (8/31/10) I hear Paul Bicknell never goes to a planetarium. He refuses to admit that the universe doesn't revolve around him. Mel OTT (8/31/10) Someone over at 105.9 has to be licking their chops right now. They would be foolish not to try and pick up Ballard for the afternoon drive. Ballard's strange-but-true anecdotes and quirky sense of humor was probably the only bright spot left on that tired old 100.3. I notice 100.3 recently(?) redesigned their website, moved it to thebigdc.com from idigbig.com and got themselves a new slogan: "Bigger. Better.", whatever that's supposed to mean. They must have been rudely awakened by the fact that 105.9 is (supposedly) now the 800-pound gorilla of music radio for men 25-54, but I don't think canning Ballard will have any good effects in the long run. I don't know if anyone noticed yet, but overnights (12-5am) on 105.9 are now being done by one Tom Grooms. (8/31/10) Jon Ballard--who gave 12 years of his career to Clear Channel--AND morning newsman Stabler--who was hired in 2005 to succeed the previously-fired 100.3 newsman Ira Melman--were both fired, coldly and abruptly, this morning by Clear Channel, Monday, August 30, 2010. Elliot, on his DC-101 morning show, promptly called Ballard about half an hour after Ballard was fired--and talked to Ballard on the phone live on the air! Then, mid-conversation, Clear Channel cut in and cut off the interview, went to music and commercials---and completely yanked the Elliot In The Morning show off of the air. I know--I heard it this morning! There was absolutely zero reason--none--to fire Ballard and Stabler--none. They're both above-average radio guys, and both deserve better than this. The problem is Clear Channel--one of the worst things to happen to radio in the entire history of the medium--and that's not an over-statement. Clear Channel needs to literally just get out of the radio business--and give the airwaves back to the real world. They also owe Ballard and Stabler a public apology for this horrible treatment. (8/31/10) /\ August 31 Messages /\ \/ August 30 Messages \/ Wow, this one zipped by me since I left CC. So are there no jocks at all on WBIG left? When did Lisa B go? (8/30/10) Chad is right. His show rocked last week. But, it is back to it's old ways this week. OOBBEE (8/30/10) Re: WTOP I think the stock market report should be neutral, not biased in favor of rising prices. I never listen to more than the first five seconds of a report since the sound of the voice tells me the market direction. They should report the numbers and not characterize it as a good day or bad day. (8/30/10) Oh Great...After a nice long break, Hitman is back spewing his right-wing political views. Please, Hitman...nobody cares. Really. (8/30/10) Can we please have a moretorium on all KHZ posts until they buy ad space? All the mentions of their involvement in some local fair are clearly written by the same person for the sole intent of self gratification. (8/30/10) Surprised no has mentioned that Jon (Ballard) should head over to WVRX and talk to Kenny K. if it isn't already in the works. Perfect fit for their pm drive time.Would be a nice feather in their cap to steal some numbers away from WBIG that way -- for all involved. Jon is a nice guy and I have always liked his dark humor. (8/30/10) RE: Your front page item, interesting that WTOP is publicizing that it is "hiring" fulltime freelancers that the station will train, assign and supervise. Violates lots of IRS rules for maintaining freelance/contract status. And, since one of Bonneville's stations is aimed at government workers (including folks at the IRS)....well, let's just say it brings new meaning to the phrase "knuckleheads in the news"... (8/30/10) Why do I get a feeling that Grease is coming to mornings on BIG? Or maybe Nobody in The Morning is working for 94.7 so they might try that for a while. (8/30/10) Hey Dave! I heard a rumor that KHZ's involvement at Annapolooza was nothing more that the staff huddled around a card table outside the fair gate accosting patrons as they enter with sun faded bumperstickers, expired coupons from High's, and photos of Davy Jones circa 1976. Can you confirm? (8/30/10) Noticing that FOX5 is giving Wisdom Martin more and more in studio air time lately. He's doing that sports segment with Dave Ross and the past couple weeks has been filling in on the morning news..Wonder if they're grooming him to be an anchor..I know that's what they did prior to making Tony Perkins the fill-in anchor and then doing the 9am segment with Allison Seymour. (8/30/10) (snip) but I do believe like any god fearing person that he bottomed out and changed his life and forgiveness does NOT need to be given by you, but by his god. We have all been drugged up in one form or another take the last general election for example –(snip) Yeah, changed his life for the worse, calling a biracial President a racist and mocking defenseless daughters on his "show". As for the election, pretty presumptuous and exceedingly arrogant, "Hitman" to assert that the majority was drugged, while you, the minority were not. Try a little humility. (Shawn in DC). (8/30/10) It's now 4:22 p.m. Does anyone know why my stream of ESPN980 is still on Chris Russell subbing for "Coach and Doc"? It seems as though "The Sports Reporters" should be on now. Tom in Wheaton (8/30/10) Changing the aspect ratio on your TV from 4:3 to 16:9 as one poster has suggested will only work if you are receiving the FOX signal over the air. Dave has correctly acknowledged that nearly all of us are indentured servants of the cable and satellite TV industry, so the only minority smaller than folks such as myself too stubborn to switch to an HDTV are those still receiving their primary signal over the air. DirecTV viewers with SD can change aspect ratios all they want. Hell, they can wave a magic wand at their TV. Nothing will work until DirecTV re-formats what it is sending. Only pressure from the SD crowd will accomplish this. Otherwise, they will gladly take your monthly payment and have you eat cake. If this problem affects you, call DirecTV and threaten to cancel today. They’ll come up with a fix. The real drama will come September 12. Will all NFL Sunday Ticket games look like crap in SD? Or will this strictly be a local station to uplink problem. (8/30/10) Dave's response: Comcast does have some newer HD boxes that will provide all the widescreen signals of its HD channels via the RF (coax cable) feed for standard def sets. So, for example, you could watch the full-screen clipped right/left edges version of a Fox/WTTG football game on cable channel 5 or via a widescreen with black bars on top/bottom image on channel 805. It would still be SD but you could see the whole screen on an old tube TV. It might just be easier to shell out $200-$300 for a cheap widescreen HDTV. Some Best Buy Insignia models may actually last six months or a bit more before they conk out..... So, January 1st, Tribune is starting a new subchannel network, Antenna TV, with lots of off network reruns. (www.antenna.tv) Does this mean that we will have HD channel 50 plus 3 SD program streams: This TV, Antenna TV and the all new Falun Gong channel? It will be great having all the Maude reruns ("Oh Arrrthur!") however, the HD channel will start to look pretty ratty, just like WETA. John (8/30/10) Back in the day I bought TONS of laserdiscs, mostly Japanese imports of classic rock band concerts that were never released in the U.S. on VHS or laserdisc. The only reason I keep them around and the LD player is, believe it or not, the majority of those Japanese live concert imports ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE ON DVD in the U.S. due to licensing issues, sorta like the same way The Beatles will never be on iTUNES ever. You would think the bands and record companies would have learned their lesson by now after all this time and worked these things out, but nope. They haven't learned a thing. While I still buy plenty of music, I have no qualms or feel any guilt about stealing music or videos online because of the despicable behavior of the record companies and the fact that I'm restricted from buying what I want yet know is available elsewhere. (8/30/10) (TYMPANI) "39 YEARS AGO, TODAY": It was great to hear from the great Mike Michaels on DCRTV and he has now officially enlighted us all that I did not directly replace Tommy Edwards on WEAM. I stand corrected. Mr. Michaels was the WEAM Program Director who gave me my first opportunity to be Top 40 DJ, when I was just 18 years-old, but WEAM wanted to call me, "Fig Newtown" on-the-air (they had a "Fig Newton" jingle already recorded). I wanted to be "David Rogers", but there already was an "Eddie Rogers" on the station (super-cool DJ). I told Mr. Michaels that I would be the laughing-stock of all of DC as, "Fig Newton" on The Mighty 1390, so, Mr. Michaels was kind enough to let me be David Tate. Hey, Mr. Michaels: who did I actually replace on WEAM? I am totally clueless (as usual). Thank you, Mike, for being such a great mentor to me, a young kid, just starting his radio career, in 1971. Warm regards, fig newton aka david tate (8/30/10) 'Spose they're dancing in the halls down at the Washington Times, singing the praises of the ol' man? (8/30/10)  Hey hold on a minute MR. ED, If I may call you that? REF: Mr. Beck, you were much more fun when you were a drugged up DJ. Ed Graham - I don’t always agree with everything Mr. Beck says, but I do believe like any god fearing person that he bottomed out and changed his life and forgiveness does NOT need to be given by you, but by his god. We have all been drugged up in one form or another take the last general election for example – May god bless you – God knows he blessed Glen Beck – I think the “shame-stream” press said over a 1,000 people attended his rally including a Dr. King Relative. Always loved ya Ed, but in this case (in my humble opinion) you are way outta line. JJ “Hitman” McKay from God’s country Ocean City, Maryland. (8/30/10) Censorship is alive and well in America. Locally, it seems to be right here on DCRTV. I sent a post to Dave on Friday, simply to remind folks about Annapolooza—a neat event that would take place on Saturday, at the Anne Arundel County fairgrounds, and seemed very reminiscent of the HFStivals. The post was up for a short time and, then, removed. Why? In fact, I found it amazing that a “cutting-edge” local radio and television site that, I thought, had it’s “finger on the pulse” of all that was radio and TV in the Balt./Wash. market, doesn’t even mention an AM radio event that drew what appeared to be well over 5000 people. In my Friday post, I mentioned that my daughter was going to it. Well, the whole family ended up going and had a terrific time—despite the huge crowd. The weather was beautiful. What a party! We got there at about 2 pm, and didn’t leave until the last act played their last number. We estimated that we saw about 20 different local bands (someone said that there was actually a total of 23 bands that performed)—on three different stages. It was like a three-ring circus with a great chance to promote local talent, yet not a single mention on DCRTV. That’s sad. It was also a great opportunity for local businesses to get some exposure as many had tables or booths set up. Yes, KHZ, and its three broadcast affiliates, WKHZ, WYRE, and WEMD hosted the event, and broad/webcasted it, live. For their first time out, we thought they did a terrific job. The whole KHZ staff was there. We got to meet KHZ owner Bill Parris and program director/morning man Davy Jones. After reading all the nasty dialogue, about Davy, on this site, we didn’t know what to expect, but what a great guy and an absolute professional. In fact, we spoke with people from The Whiskey, an Annapolis bar that organized the event. They said that they were thrilled with the event’s success and, that it was largely due to the “professionalism of the KHZTV.com staff”. Annapolooza just might be the catalyst to cause a re-birth of AM radio. With hot music, hot jocks and hot events, such as this one, AM radio is alive and well, and KHZ is on the leading edge. I can’t wait until next year! (8/30/10) Dave's response: I believe that the post was taken down due to a request from someone who claimed that it contained factual errors. That's the only reason something that would have been posted in the Mailbag would have later been removed..... If you KNEW how badly we beat 980 in the ratings this week, it would blow your mind. The Fan OWNS M25-54. – Chad Dukes (8/30/10) Dear "SHAWN IN DC", idiots like you give hustlers like Al Sharpton all the ammunition they need to "hustle" civil rights! Since you quoted my post concerning Ed Graham's remarks I took issue with the tone of that post. Whether it be sarcastic or not! Given your remarks it seems you share the same mindset. "Minds" you can't forcefully change. That comes with having actual hands on experience with the very same "people" you and Mr. Graham seem to have disdain for. You want me to poke fun at you SOLELY because your ass is white? Doubtful! Now..............go take a flying leap (asshole)! Alvin (8/30/10) Ballard is a good guy…a great talent…and grossly undervalued. Maybe if ClearChannel had let Ballard really be himself and actually done some marketing for the show it would have fared better. I hope his exit wasn’t as tasteless and demeaning like when Jim London was escorted from the building when he got canned. (8/30/10) Dave....At what point are you going to require the "staff" at KHZ to buy ad space if they want to hock their product? The mailbag isn't a playground for free plugs. Incidentally, why is former White House journalist Les Kinsolving in here hocking a shitty web station anyhow? That seems strange. But, not as strange as him spelling his own last name wrong. Hmmmmm. For the record, the "staff" at KHZ may be misleading the mailbag readers just a tad. They have repeatedly claimed that they "hosted" Annapolooza...Yet, they aren't even listed as a sponsor on the events web page. Interesting. Dave O'Hara (8/30/10) Hey Dave, A semi-odd question for you and the mailbag gang. Does anyone know a website you can watch to see if a radio station is in the process of/ or has been sold? (8/30/10) Dave's response: Anybody know? Comcast SportsNet's Capitals beat reporter Lisa Hillary is leaving for a similar job covering the Flyers for CSN Philadelphia. The circumstances leading to her departure are a sad commentary on the DC sports media's overall disrespect for and apathy toward area hockey fans - she wanted to be a specialist focusing solely on the Caps, but her bosses insisted that she branch out and cover other sports as well. Quoting from a Capitals blog - "Back in 2007 Comcast plucked Hillary out of the Great White North, and she uprooted herself from a prosperous broadcast existence in her native Canada to come to Washington precisely because she was sold on Comcast overhauling - revolutionizing - its approach to hockey here. She was also enticed by the prospect of covering the world's best hockey player, Alexander Ovechkin... Beat reporters follow NHL teams at home and on the road. They cover practices. Hillary's considerable on-camera appeal led Comcast executives to increasingly assign [her] to in-studio anchor duty, early in mornings, late at night... It was a schedule ill-suited to covering mid-morning Caps' practices, and especially for following the team on the road. Hockey - particularly as it was first envisioned by Hillary upon her arrival here - lost out... Meanwhile, Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia accords the Flyers a status on par with the [Eagles, Sixers and Phillies], as sports media outlets in authentic sports towns tend to do. Flyers' fans won't tolerate shunned status for their beloved bullies. Beginnning next month, Hillary will be an authentic beat reporter in an authentic sports town." The ironic thing is that I'd always considered CSN one of the better local media outlets when it came to hockey, but apparently even that network didn't see fit to give it the level of coverage that's par for the course in towns like Philly, Boston, Buffalo and Chicago despite the Capitals' rise to prominence over the past several years. Word is that Jill Sorenson will replace Hillary on the Caps' beat for CSN Washington, probably continuing to work various non-hockey related assignments as well. The link to the blog entry on this topic - www.onfrozenblog.com. Mike, Fairfax (8/30/10) NOT ONLY is Rob Dibble being unjustly punished for giving his opinion, he is being punished for giving his opinion ON HIS RADIO SHOW NOT in the Nationals broadcast booth. Both MASN and the Nationals knew Dibble had a radio show on Sirius XM and it did not keep them from hiring him. It was not considered by them a conflict of interest at the time of his hiring ... so WHY is it a problem now? Dibble also works for MASN. His contract is with MASN. Why is he being fired by Stan Kasten of THE NATIONALS? I thought Peter Angelos owned and OPERATED MASN or is it Kasten? MASN fought so hard to retain the Nationals TV rights and now they are letting the Nationals make their broadcast decisions. WHY are team owners and management allowed to sensor broadcasters anyway? This is a slap in the face to all journalists and a dangerous precedent. If I were a sports announcer I would be worried about every little thing I said at lunch or in passing. I don’t care if you like Dibble or not, a baseball analyst should NOT be fired for saying a pitcher needs to learn to play hurt. If Stephen Strasburg were a man he would call Stan Kasten and tell him to stay out of it. It’s between Dibble and Strasburg, if Strasburg were a man. (8/30/10) Man, I listened to the 12:00 hour of Sheehan and Loverro on WTEM today (basically, inertia after the return of Mr. Tony), and Kevin Sheehan HAS to be the most pretentious and condescending guy around. He does NOT handle disagreement well, not from callers, not from Loverro, not from anybody. It doesn't help that he's consumed several gallons of burgundy-and-gold kool-aid, and now believes that the sun shines from Mike Shanahan's bunghole. Not compelling radio; not funny; not informative; just one man's ego on open display. Sincerely, TMU. (8/30/10) (snip)The Army adopted it and he got considerable news coverage for it. Considering the time (1950's) even the Army understood the value of a so called "uppity colored!" You're an asshole!(snip) Umm, unless I'm missing something, you've completely, utterly misread the intent and meaning of Ed's post. Read it again. (Shawn in DC). (8/30/10) Annapolooza held Saturday the 28th at the Anne Arundle Fairground in Annpolis was a total success! over 6K people showed, 23 bands 3 stages and our station WYRE-810 Annapolis WEMD Easton, and WKHZ Ocean City hosted the event. We presented the entire staff, Alan Campbell, Renee' Libby & Bill Parris, Tricia, Dangerous "D" Michael Parris, Davy Jones. It was a total success. Organizers expressed their satisfaction with the event and the professionlism of the KHZTV.net staff. Les Kinsolvong (8/30/10) Hey John; Thanks 2 you and your crew for having me on last Friday on "TOGS". I hope you enjoyed the "Dolly" story. Believe it or not, you guys have become part of my Friday night listening as I prepare for my next "MHT". I appreciate the kindness that you have shown me. Rusty (8/30/10) Re: WEAM/Tommy Edwards ... Tommy worked part-time at WEAM from 1967-1969 while he was in the Army, and stationed at Fort Myer. When Tommy got his discharge from the Army, he moved to New York to do afternoons at WOR-FM, and subsequently went on to a distinguished career in Chicago at WLS and other Windy City stations. David Tate did NOT replace Tommy Edwards at WEAM. Mike Michaels (8/30/10) Did you hear? The official name of Glenn Beck's rally has been changed to "I Have A Scheme." Pass it on. You can thank me later. (8/30/10) Dave's response: All Beck now needs is a wife who drips gallons of mascara when she cries. Then he and she could be "The New Jim And Tammy." American politics never changes. It's just that old 1970s religious fundamentalism coming back at us again to a new generation that never watched cheesy UHF TV 35 years ago - or those who've forgotten. And, as the old saying goes, if you forget history you're doomed to repeat it..... For those who had issues with Fox's letterbox format. Change the aspect ration from 4:3 to 16:9 (8/30/10) We hear that WBIG-FM also axed morning news anchor Bill Stabler this morning at the end of his shift at 9:00 a.m. Bill did the morning news on BIG for the past five years, working through three different format changes and four different program directors. He replaced longtime BIG news anchor Ira Melman (who was also dumped by Clear Channel) in September 2005. Prior to working for WBIG, Stabler anchored news for NBC, WMAL and WTOP. (8/30/10) I'm sorry to hear that Ballard is gone. He is a really nice guy and the only decent DJ they had. I went to WBIGs website and pulled up their playlist. Of the last 20 songs 2 were by Boston and 2 were by the Who. Really. Is their playlist really that small? And they wonder why their ratings aren't so good? Aug 30th about 12:50 pm: 1. Eagles - Already Gone... 2. Blue Oyster Cult - The Reaper... 3. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama... 4. Bachman-turner Overdrive - You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet (album Versio... 5. Aerosmith - Walk This Way... 6. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog... 7. Who - Pinball Wizard... 8. Genesis - Misunderstanding... 9. War - Low Rider... 10. Bad Company - Feel Like Makin' Love... 11. Van Morrison - Brown-eyed Girl... 12. Fleetwood Mac - Landslide... 13. Boston - Don't Look Back... 14. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody... 15. Paul Mccartney & Wings - Live And Let Die... 16. Elton John - Bennie And The Jets... 17. Jimmy Buffett - Margaritaville... 18. Boston - Peace Of Mind... 19. Jackson Browne - Running On Empty... 20. Who - Who Are You... (8/30/10) About time. I've wondered for a couple of years why WBIG wasn't even making an effort to pic up a morning drivetime audience. Unfortunately, if recent activity at other stations is any indication, they're going to replace Ballard with...nobody. (8/30/10) No problem with Mike O'Meara donating to whomever he likes politically. But considering the constant begging for donations and cries of poverty during his internet show, maybe Mike could have held onto that $1,470.00 and plowed it into the podcasts. (8/30/10) Dave's response: Well, you got to realize that O'Meara gave his Obama donation in 2008, when he was still making big bucks from CBS's WJFK - way before the podcast launch in December 2009. The bigger question is why $1470? Why not just make it an even $1500? Hmmm..... With Ballard being removed and Elliot being read the Hyena act for having him on. Expect poaching from other stations coming soon. PD's hold on to what you have unless they mean nothing to you. (8/30/10) Clear Channel typically does all the firing between September to November to help adjust their numbers. It doesn't matter how good you are. They simply draw a red line on a spread sheet and anyone above that line is a target and any below get a pass for another quarter. YNE. (8/30/10) Elliot was yanked from the airwaves of DC101 this morning while he was talking to Jon Ballard on the phone. Clear Channel axed Ballard from morning's on WBIG this morning - ending his ten year stint with the company. No official word why Elliot was yanked or when he will return. eitmfans.blogspot.com (8/30/10) Apparently, of all things, Ballard was fired from Big 100.3 this morning, just after his morning show ended. Ballard then called Elliott at DC-101 and he and Elliott talked for a short time, with Ballard confirming the firing—and then the interview was abruptly cut off in mid-conversation, and DC-101 cut to two songs in a row, and then commercials—with no on-air staff saying anything for a good 10 minutes. All of this raises a number of questions: Why on earth fire Ballard—one of the area’s most-liked, most personable, and least controversial DJs? If you talk to anyone, people like him. Why fire him? Why on earth fire 100.3’s only—that’s right, only—name personality and DJ? What possible sense does that make? Ask anyone to name anyone on the air at 100.3—and the only person they’ll name is…………Ballard. Why fire your ONLY name DJ at the station? What on earth is wrong with 100.3? They can’t seem to exist more than a year or two without constantly screwing things up. The station has never---never—recovered from ditching its great oldies format and line-up from several years ago—never. And it’s never seemed to have found a firm footing with its current classic rock format. Where’s the station zeitgeist in the community, at events, in the public’s mind? Nowhere. The music is great—I’m a fan of classic rock—but besides the music—and Ballard—there’s not much to the station at all, on any level. Again, it had one name DJ—Ballard—and now he’s fired? What on earth? Why on earth doesn’t 100.3 hire Weasel and Cerphe—literally two of the best rock DJs in the D.C. and Baltimore regions, and who are currently out of steady work. Imagine the line-up of Ballard in the mornings, Weasel mid-days, and Cerphe in afternoon drive time, all playing great classic rock. Doesn’t that make sense? Again—why on earth fire Ballard from 100.3? That doesn’t make any sense. (8/30/10) I don't have strong feelings about Dibble on way or the other. But he was hired to give his opinions so I don't think he should be let go just because old man Lerner didn't agree with his comments. That is a Snyder-like approach.. (8/30/10) ATTENTION: Ed Graham! I am one of those "uppity coloreds" you spoke about in your piece. I recently spent some time with your niece. She says unlike when she's with you, she doesn't have to "fake it". Now on a serious note, years ago when my father was in the Army (in the mid '50's) he submitted a design change concerning the engine of one of their helicopters. The Army adopted it and he got considerable news coverage for it. Considering the time (1950's) even the Army understood the value of a so called "uppity colored!" You're an asshole! (8/30/10) At around 9:10 this morning John Ballard called into EITM to say that he had been canned from BIG100. As they began discussing how much stuff John had to clean up from his office, Elliott went into a FOO Fighters song mid-conversation. Music continued there after. No word on what's going on.... (8/30/10) Sounds like a shake-up to me... The Gores Group is the outfit holding the debt www.prnewswire.com... Westwood One Founder, Norman Pattiz, Retires From the Board, Becomes Chairman Emeritus; Mark Stone Becomes Chairman of the Board (8/30/10) Re; Ed Grahams' stroll down memory lane. Thanks for reminding us about how bad things were in the bad old days, and shining a light on the political party mostly responsible for segregation, violence against blacks, and voting against the civil rights act....southern Democrats. Beck's reference had nothing to do with this, but rather people like Woodrow Wilson and the progressive movement at the turn of the century. But why let facts get in the way of a good jab. P.A. Cavity. Laughing, scratching, and enjoying a beautiful day in the neighbor-Hoodbridge. (8/30/10) Ballard was let go from Clear Channel today. His Facebook status: "Annnnnd . . . I'm unemployed.." (8/30/10) "I had a conversation with DirecTV tonight. Predictably, the person on the other end was clueless and trying to get me to adjust my TV or better yet, buy new TVs. I explained that I have a DTV converter box which gives me the option to letterbox the signal on my old analog TV and it works just fine. So, absent lots of noise from angry viewers … (below) is what football games will look like to SD DirecTV viewers." This isn't just an issue with DirectTV. I have Comcast and have noticed this too. In addition, the ABC logo gets chopped off in standard def. I played around with the settings and nothing worked. So I guess everyone is expected to have a flat panel TV now? Mike in Alexandria (8/30/10) To which station has Chris Cooley moved? Elliot said Cooley made a business decision to do reports for another station. Mike in Maryland City (8/30/10) Dave: Ah, which sportstalk station to listen to on Monday morning? Neither! Great to see Snyder doesn't have anyone of professional standards running 980. How can you produce a "specialty" show that's heavily sold and have your own station's talent as guests...more importantly, Czaban openly admitting he didn't even watch Friday's game against the Jets!!! I know a new PD has been named and he's well-respected but how about cracking the whip? Someone needs to tell Al Galdi that it's way out-of-line to physically say "slash" when describing Shanahan's title. Really, amateur hour from 7a-10a. (8/30/10) Glen Beck said that progressive movement began to destroy the country 100 years ago, Yeah, I miss the good old days. We could hang the uppity coloreds from trees, women couldn't vote, there was no social security, education was for the rich, and the list goes on... Mr Beck, you were much more fun when you were a drugged up DJ. Ed Graham (8/30/10) That's going to be a pretty short show, doing the song of 1970. The only one I know about was "In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry. (8/30/10) I actually listened to a little of the Monday am QB show on TEM this morning. It wasnt bad. My only gripe is that the game was Saturday night, so it sort of feels like its a bit late to be doing a show like that on a Monday am. As for Dibble on MASN. Has he retracted his statement at all? or apologized? Im a Dibble fan and really enjoy listening to him do the games w/ Carpenter, but throwning Strasburg under the bus like that was a bit much. (8/30/10) "When we get cheap internet access to our cars, you can say goodbye to most traditional corporate-owned radio stations, too." I don't forsee any internet radio station providing news, traffic and weather like WTOP does. Maybe people will stream WTOP on the net in their cars, but no Internet radio station can afford to be live and local 24/7 like them. Come to think of it, no other local radio station is live and local 24/7. Maybe they'll be the only one. NPR is already streaming content online independent of local stations like WAMU. WAMU will be endangered if they don't become more local. (8/30/10) Dave's response: I do think that stations that provide a heavy diet of local news, talk, and even music content will survive. More "generic sounding" music stations have the most to fear. For example, DC rock radio listeners will no longer be "stuck with" DC101 and 105.9 The Edge in their cars and will literally have hundreds of streaming rock stations of every rock "flavor" to choose from. Ditto with every other music format. You'll even have services that will tailor a station to your particular interests - just for you. If you like Howard Stern in mornings, 1980s based New Wave in the afternoons, smooth jazz in evenings, along with Chicago Cubs baseball and CBS News on the hour, you'll be able to "order up" just what you want to hear - "your station"..... Driving in to work…all Redskins on TEM and JFK. Do I listen to the Junks and their brothers call in show? Or, Monday Morning QB with guests like Larry Michaels and Sonny? Easy call. Redskin’s game on Radio Friday night was like drinking Geritol. Sam is just out of it. You would think the TEM’s website would advertise what is on this am. Nope. It says M&M is on the air. OOBBEE (8/30/10) Dave, Are you aware of the issue with standard definition and FOX Sports. community.myfox8.com... I had a conversation with DirecTV tonight. Predictably, the person on the other end was clueless and trying to get me to adjust my TV or better yet, buy new TVs. I explained that I have a DTV converter box which gives me the option to letterbox the signal on my old analog TV and it works just fine. So, absent lots of noise from angry viewers … (below) is what football games will look like to SD DirecTV viewers. In other words, it doesn’t sound letterboxing is in DirecTV’s current plans. Doesn’t Mr. Murdoch own both? How convenient … can’t wait for the NBC/Comcast merger. What’s the score? Call someone who gets the other two-thirds of the box and maybe they can tell you. Also, Fox 8 in North Carolina might want to stress proofreading … fomat. Thanks, Matt (8/30/10)  I was disappointed when David Tate denigrated WEAM in a recent posting in your mailbag. I heard him once on that station. Now, I see that he is a computer person and has a web site: www.davidtate.net. I sent him a message on that site and I told him that he should not say bad things about WEAM because it was a good station. I told him that WEAM was my sister's favorite station and she heard David Tate, Marty Dempsey and Gary Chase when I was a kid and WEAM became my favorite station, too (and WOHN in Reston). He sent me an apology and told me that he loved WEAM when he was in B-CC high school in Bethesda and his favorite DJ on WEAM was Tommy Edwards (never heard of him). Mr. Tate said that he actually replaced Tommy Edwards on WEAM. David Tate also told me that he was a DJ at WOHN for a short period of time, like a month or so. I only remember Chris Saint John, Steve King and Roby Norton on that station. Does anybody know where these people are now? Ben W., now living in Sterling Park, Virginia, but originally from Leesburg (8/30/10) /\ August 30 Messages /\ \/ August 29 Messages \/ When "radio" is ported into cars via cheap internet access, it better have some damned good fidelity if its going to be relevant. I listened to Sirius/XM for all of 15 minutes on a recent 'slug' to Rosslyn, and audio was terrible -- that nasty digital gargle and presence of synthetic high frequencies had me wondering if digital radio in general is going to be the savior of the band. And if Sirius can sound so crummy delivering its product through its own pipeline, how is Internet radio going to sound when it has to share bandwidth with scores of other signals? Some will argue that the listening public can and will accept inferior audio as long as they can get it *NOW*. I say the backlash is coming; people who pay for music are going to get mighty tired of shelling out $$ for something reminiscent of AM stereo. (8/29/10) Dave, I wrote you earlier about Dibble not coming back. Well he wasn't on the broadcast again. From what I've heard, the owner of the Nats was fed up with him and his comments that keep getting him in hot water. Don't expect to see him doing any more games this season. Ray Knight will be doing them and Phil Wood will be filling in for Ray Knight. Bob (8/29/10) Drudge links to an Examiner piece highlighting the contributions of media personalities to Democrat and Republican candidates. Included is this tidbit. I don't get the scare quotes, but is this the "Mike Omeara" of 105.9's morning show? He was a CBS employee before moving to Bonneville, right? Notable contributors found in the CBS data include "journalist" Seth Davis, who gave $2,750 to Obama, CBS Corporation vice president and editor-in-chief Jane Goldman, who contributed $250 to Obama, CBS Radio "host" Mike Omeara, who gave $1,471 to Obama, and "journalist" Beverly Williams, who donated $200 to Obama. www.washingtonexmainer.com... (8/29/10) Dave's response: So what if O'Meara gave $1,471 to Obama. Didn't Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch just give $2 million to the Republican Party? Ha ha ha. O'Meara now works for Citadel, not Bonneville..... A QUICK NOTE TO AL SHARPTON, Listen, I was at home most of yesterday throwin' back a few cold one's while I was watching news coverage of the two big rallies in DC. Listen, I'm not trying to be picky but wouldn't be nice if you had worn some Radio One gear??? C'mon 'bro, help out your ole buddy! All of those cameras at that event and I can't see my brand anywhere on my new 120hz 65 inch Samsung? Dude, my mom (Catherine Hughes) is gonna be all over me on Monday. I'll have to listen to her mouth all day! It's bad enough she has to hear crap from Dionne Warwick but this just makes her even more hard to deal with. If the company's earnings drop another 10 percent this year she'll get even more static when she awards me another pay raise! Now to be fair from what I've heard you seemed to have behave your self yesterday. I kinda expected you to call Glenn Beck all kind of names. I'm glad you didn't! He's on too many Comcast cable systems for me not to hear about it. That's all for now. This weekend the drinks are on me at the casino! Signed, "Slick" Alfie Liggins! (8/29/10) Dave's response: For the record. Mr. Liggins, the black version of Farid Suleman, did not author the above post..... re: traffic coverage...There's a handy site where you can subscribe to various alerts for traffic/weather/amber alerts/school closings/etc for multiple local jurisdictions and multiple devices here: www.capitalert.gov (8/29/10) Re: Blockbuster. We'll always have Erol's. I went to three yard sales on Saturday. At each of them, there were CDs for sale. The first sale I stopp at had binders of CDs that the owner had uploaded to an MP3 player. The going price was $1. I saw some I would have bought had the price been lower, much lower, but I didn't buy a one. -- Blair in Alexandria, still with Beta and Laserdisc. (8/29/10) There had to be a 1970. No matter how good the music was, it was going to seemingly pale in comparison to the 60s. Yes, 1970 got no respect...no respect at all. It took forty years to muster up the nerve to bring back EVERYTHING from that year - the music, the commercials, the news. Relive 1970 if you dare. It starts Thursday and goes through Labor Day on GREAT BIG RADIO. www.facebook.com (8/29/10) New Suite101 article on latest Washington Times story and reporting of it: journalism.suite101.com (8/29/10) Dave: I can't believe Pollin got caught!! Czaban doesn't seem like someone who comes into work each day and hits the phones/internet to book guests. Right now, 980 is a carbon copy of the Redskins...people who work the minimum and well- overpaid for their services...it's called taking advantage of the situation. Funny thing is, you would expect their show producers to book solid, meaningful guests but we don't even hear that. In this case, you can't blame Pollin for milking the situation or paycheck...in sportstalk radio, take advantage until you get caught or they fire you. (8/29/10) Dave, Any info on the HD radio power of WIYY? Yes, for many this is like a discussion of AM stereo (Leonard Kahn). I was able to get a solid copy from Berkley Springs, WV with only a few drops outs to Arlington. Sadly the HD and analog broadcast of the Ravens pre season game was out of sync with the analog. And often the HD did not revert to analog. However it was nice to listen to WBAL on the HD 4 channel while driving around Arlington this morning. If class B stations can have a drop out free HD with a 40 mile radius..you could have a delivery vehicle for new formats. Yes, I know the analog 1st adjacency will be compromised. But the HD coverage is impressive. (8/29/10) Dave's response: Still can't get 98 Rock's HD channels here in Wild West Fairfax..... Dave, your "Power to the People" posting gives me hope. I love the idea of huge powerful entities being brought down to size. So many advances and inventions seem to depersonalize the world a little more every day. But if the side effect is enabling everyone more choices and the ability to make individuals' voices and preferences matter then maybe the future isn't quite so dark. It would be great if massive numbers and corporate backing weren't needed for things to thrive .....like quirky little radio stations with a small but loyal following....or small businesses where you can actually see the owners faces. Donnie (8/29/10) Well, it appears that Mr. Dibble's comments have probably cost him his MASN gig. Not many people will recall that as a member of the Reds' "Nasty Boys", he was a well known "Red-Ass". I'm referring to the day when he was on the mound at Riverfront Stadium. After learning that an Umpire's call went against him and his club, He suddenly turned and heaved a ball all the way into the seats in the centerfield upper-deck. The ball struck an unaware female spectator. Though I don't recall the punishment (if any) over the incident. Anyone know? The Nasty Boys were qquite a collection of (shall I say "high spirited") guys. Among them, Norm Charlton who was a major instigator of a bench clearing brawl in the early 90'swith the Orioles (while he was with Seattle. And future Oriole closer Randy Myers used to keep a book in his locker called '101 Ways To Kill A Man With Your Bare Hands". Interestingly, Charlton and catcher Bill Hassleman (who actually started the brawl) both ended up as Orioles. Personally, I'd be extremely suprised to see Dibble appear on today's telecast. Rusty Gibson (8/29/10) Um I'm geetting in very late MR. ZOMBIE WOOF and I'm not sure what to make of your semi-rant. Albert Haynesworth is an overpaid worthless ahtelete who doesn't know a god damm thing about respect. If you got paid do a job then do it. Stop walking around like an overpaid fat out of shape dick and get to work. Simple as that. As far as tying it to local media, I'm sure dickhead dan snyder reads the mailbag for his daily stock tips. Hence it's relevant. BTW Dave Hughes is the man no matter what the bill mollestors are saying....Good day sir... A.M.F from DELMARVA (8/29/10) "When we get cheap internet access to our cars, you can say goodbye to most traditional corporate-owned radio stations, too. Ah, competition and technology - strange and wonderous! As John Lennon sang back in the early 1970s: "Power To The People." Right on! So, hang on, the future's coming even faster than anyone can realize" - Come November 26'th Verizon is doing a full scalle launch of the LTE (their version of G4) wireless network. I have been listening to internet radio in my car for over a year now via G3. It's a little spotty but content available is ten times better than the garbage they call radio around DC-Balt. Since $30 a month gives me unlimited access to anything via internet its worth the expense. Dave I have been sayin this for over two years now. So you going to give me credit or be like your nemesis Fahri? Your Neighboorhood Engineer. (8/29/10) Dave's response: Credit, schmedit. If you want it, you got it..... I had the same problem as Colin Seftor with traffic coverage about the problems in Fairfax! I tried WTOP and WMAL and learned nothing. It was a twitter update to my wife's blackberry from WMZQ that alerted us to the cause of the backup so I tuned in to the station. They were giving updates throughout the afternoon on that and other traffic situations on 66 and downtown with the demonstrations. They even gave out alternate routes which you don't often hear on WTOP. I'm not a regular listener but found myself singing along with some of the country songs by the end of the day! I think I'm a convert. (8/29/10) Thank you for the Beck correction. when I heard Beck say that, I felt bad for not knowing that part of American History. I now know I didn’t know it because it wasn’t true. The Daily Show's take on the rally. www.thedailyshow.com (8/29/10) Dave's response: I like Jon Stewart. I agree with much of what he says. But like Chris Matthews, he's such a pompous ass. Ha ha ha..... re: WEAM photo lineup. Top row: Steve Dreppard (Sky King), Gary Chase (Gary Smith), David Tate and Marty Dempsey. Bottom row: Chris "Rock-and-Roll" Baily, Murphy-in-the-Morning, Rich Hogan and Simon Trane. Btw, not everybody was high on drugs... (8/29/10) Dave's response: Yeah, David Tate does look kinda gay in that pic. I wonder where he's got his right hand? And what's up with Gary Chase's sly, come hither smile? Hmmm..... Dave, A tanker overturned at the corner of Pickett and Main (also known as Little River Turnpike) yesterday, and Main was closed down for over 5 hours. When combined with the road work being done on I-66, it caused a major traffic snarl in Fairfax County yesterday (which I got caught up in). I tuned to WTOP, and they gave a brief mention of the problem in the on-the-eights traffic reports, but I wanted to learn more when I got home. So I went to the WTOP web site and found absolutely nothing. So I went to the Washington Post web site. And found absolutely nothing. Then I remembered that TBD was supposed to revolutionize local reporting around the area, so I went to tbd.com. And, I found absolutely nothing. So I get up this morning, thinking I'd definitely find something, and I STILL find absolutely nothing on any of these web sites. All I found was a brief story on the web sites of WRC and WUSA, which told me that, besides the major traffic problem, 4000 gallons of oil were spilled, with some of it making it into a creek. Sounds like a pretty major story to me. So, where was the other local coverage, particularly from TBD? Colin Seftor (8/29/10) Dave's response: The reality is that if a weather or traffic emergency happens on a weekend or a holiday, it will receive far less coverage simply because area radio and TV stations, and news websites, have less staff on duty..... I stopped listening to WEAM in about 1968. Unfortunately, I had to work there until 1976. david tate (8/29/10) (regarding the WEAM photo) The guy in the Mickey Mouse t-shirt looks a little like Joe Cipriano, but I don't think he worked anywhere in DC other than WRC/WKYS - unless he was at WEAM under a different name. I stopped listening to WEAM about 1973, so I'm not even sure who was on the air there by '75. (8/29/10) Alveda King, MLK's niece, was at Glenn Beck's stupid revival meeting in DC on Saturday. About her, Beck had this to say: "A woman whose past, her family's past, has been washed in blood. Her father and her uncle were both killed for standing for what is right." MLK's brother, A.D. King, wasn't killed for his stand on civil rights, he drowned in a swimming pool in July, 1969. www.time.com (8/29/10) Hey. Just to let you know the Ravens Pre-Season games are being aired in the Central PA area on WHTM- ABC 27. Steven (8/29/10) Dave, I've heard that Rob Dibble isn't going to come back to the broadcast booth. Word is he is being let go. That's why Ray Knight was calling the game again tonight when Dibble was suppose to be back. Bob (8/29/10) Dave's response: You may be right, although my MASN sources late last week did say he will be back. We'll see if Dibble's back for Sunday's game..... I believe I heard Mr. Pollin say in the past that 5 a.m. is waking up time and he tries to get to his work desk by 9 a.m. On last Thursday's show ,sans Czaban, away on golf outing, Mr. Pollin used the beat a dead horse topic of "Biggest Busts in D.C. Sports History" Prey tell what is Mr. Pollin doing all day at his work desk if all he can come up with for the Sports Reporters is retread topics a lot of the time?. Why not something helpful for us bettors and fantasy footballers like a review of the teams around the NFL or is actually doing some good old sports talk taboo these days on sports talk radio versus the "hot" topic of the day and lets beat that into the ground. Still the Sports Reporters too me in far better in quality than the Arrington show but I guess I'm in minority on that opinion. Your next! I thought WJLA would be bottom of the barrel in the ratings instead they're seem to be running a distant 2nd to WRC in most categories. Well bully for them. I love how channel 7 touts it's Edward R. Murrow award for "breaking news". Of course, that category and the farce it is probably has Mr. Murrow spinning in his grave. So the news set copying the U.S.S Enterprise circa Captain Kirk era does not translate into bingo bango ratings for channel 5? Ah a ghost from the past, Ron Bennington, I guess the departure of East Side Dave has left the Ultimate Ron and Fez website in limbo, nothing new added in ages. Does anyone know of location of Ron and Fez podcasts? I've read online that the Ron and Fez show is sadly running on fumes these days. Has Mr. O'Meara offered to sublet room in his under water house to the DCRTV archives? (8/29/10) Someone sent me the following photo on Friday, 08/27/2010. It is the official 1390/WEAM-AM/Arlington, VA disc-jockey staff publicity photo from somewhere around the middle of 1975. The photo was taken in the stairwell leading up to the station's General Manager's office, at the WEAM studios, 2131 Crimmins Lane, Falls Church, VA 22043. Now, I am in this photo somewhere (looking kind-of gay), but I do not recognize any of the other DJs in this picture. I think that Marty Dempsey is on my left, but I'm not sure. The reason for this is that "The WEAM Team" DJs were usually high on drugs most of the time and had to wear name-tags in order to identify one another while working at The Mighty 1390. Apparently, the guy in the front was having some sort of brain seizure at the moment the photo was taken. Would someone out there in DCRTV-Land please identify the other WEAM on-air slugs in this photo? Thank you, david tate (8/29/10)  /\ August 29 Messages /\ \/ August 28 Messages \/ "Mr. SNIP I'm not Paul Bicknell nor am I connected in either way to KHZ" --Please refrain from feeding the bears. (8/28/10) No matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on you have to laugh at these headlines from the Washington Post...Sharpton's 'Reclaim the Dream' event brings thousands to honor MLK AND THEN Beck, Palin tell thousands to 'restore America'...more like Hundreds compared to hundreds-of-thousands!! (8/28/10) (SNIP) "...mistakes, which included paying my taxes, having liability insurance and licenses for my business, and a total failure to cut every throat I saw, in order to do substandard work for unsuspecting customers." AMEN to that, Donnie. That's what we get for having honor and integrity, right? I guess Leo Durocher was right-- Nice guys do finish last. OTT (8/28/10) My I be the first to say "Hi" to "Mr (SNIP). I'm sure you all know him. He's the one that begins every post with "(SNIP) which signals an excerpt from the post he's trying to poke fun at. Don't worry, Mr. SNIP I'm not Paul Bicknell nor am I connected in either way to KHZ. In fact I don't even live in the DC /NOVA area (although I once did). You need to find something more constructive to do with your time. You don't know how to intelligently contribute something worthwhile to this board. For you every thing is a joke. That is truly pathetic! In short, Mr (SNIP) get a clue and do something else with your fingers. Perhaps they would be a good subsitute for something else you may not be getting. (8/28/10) In Glenn Beck's B-104 commerical, the fellow sitting on his right looks like Tom Russell. Tom is the weather guy on WHP Channel 21 in Harrisburg. Any information? JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (8/28/10) Things are GETTING scary?!? For alot of people things were scary long before the media or government or talk radio acknowledged the 'downturn' then the 'recession' then grudgingly named it a Depression. I'm sure there are white collar jobs that weren't outsourced and blue collar jobs that weren't denationalized and people who only know of the 'economic stress' by way of news blips and unsavory stocks but if you stop turning your head you can see signs of the true nightmare we're stuck in. But I suppose everyone living in a tent or waiting on foreclosure and eviction simply made the wrong choices and thats just the breaks. I recognize my mistakes which included paying my taxes,having liability insurance and licenses for my business and a total failure to cut every throat I saw in order to do substandard work for unsuspecting customers. Donnie (8/28/10) Listened to 106.7 last weekend. Some guy, glen, I think was on. good stuff. good energy. i like his style. will he be on again? John (8/28/10) (Snip) They were playing KHZ in this establishment. Then, someone heated up a burrito in the microwave and the signal was gone. (End snip) That's because the microwave was also the KHZ transmitter. (8/28/10) hey, that glen guy going gonna be on today? my man brings it. (8/28/10) Dave's response: Me? I'm going to be digging out my DVD copy of "Network," which, in the late 1970s, predicted the rise of the TV news carnival huckster. Glenn Beck is "Howard Beale." This film is frighteningly prophetic..... Yes, I am afraid it is not only in DC, it is all over USA. Things are getting very scary. There is no quick cure or recovery to this gigantic mess. There is a deeper economic trouble than we even are told. (8/28/10) /\ August 28 Messages /\ \/ August 27 Messages \/ Baltimore Media Blog: A HILARIOUS commercial featuring Glenn Beck when he was a DJ on B104.3 back in the day.... (8/27/10) Anyone else hear Mike Wise and Holden Kushner complaining about Chris Johnson's fart at about 10:45 this morning? Mike lets out a "My God C.J. what did you have to eat this morning" and Holden followed with, "disgusting, just disgusting". I am not sure if they thought they were off the air or not because it came right after they came back from a break. (8/27/10) That silly, sloppy mistake by Tapscott and the even more ridiculous, unsubstantiated premise of the article are why the Examiner is a worthless paper. Shawn in DC (8/27/10) Dave's response: Being the media critic that I am, I used to be able to find the Examiner in a few red street boxes around town and at the Reston Regional Library. The boxes are all gone and delivery to the library is sporadic, at best. Most of the rich white people who get the paper delivered twice a week to the driveways of their upscale single family homes don't want it. But there's no delivery to neighborhoods that are "too ethnic" or to neighborhoods that feature apartments or condos. You can find huge piles of rotting wet Examiner editions in front of a number of area foreclosed mansions, though..... The HFStival is no longer a thing of the past....HFStival 2010 is in September as opposed to former May/June 'FStivals and this years lineup is much more like the original lineups rather than quite as many current big name bands. "We're taking you back" is the theme due to booking of 80s/90s acts. The price is a little more consumer friendly but still not low enough for most fans and of course the vendors will see profit markups of insane proportions. Howard County Police will enjoy overtime and much revenue of DUIs and such. Merriweather officials will publicly whine about the mess HFS freaks leave behind while they look forward to booking the event again. Current fans will moan about "geezer" acts and former WHFS fans will growl about "not really classic" bands,teeny boppers will screech about Old Fogies,old heads will grumble about spoiled brats and college students will be outraged about age groups on both sides of thiers....Jimmies Chicken Shack will psych the crowd with Waiting Room/High and some idiot will keep yelling "Rob Timm Rob Timm YEAAHHH" while most fans will stare at him cluelessly. There will be much complaining about the station not being 99.1 HFS even after 5 years(yes we have no memory loss) and some racists will be rude,or worse,to Latinos. Then one week later Merriweather will host the free,yes free, Virgin Mobile Fest. But nothing and I mean nothing will ever replace Waaaassshhhhiinnggtoooonnnnn and Baaallllltiiimmmmmoooooorrrrrress Nnnnnnuuuummmmmberrrrrrr Onnnneee Alllllterrrnnnnative Rock.....Niiiiinnnety Niiiiiinnnne Ooooonnnnne...hfs...hfs....hfs.....Donnie......Evolve991 (8/27/10) I make deliveries to Blockbuster stores. I found how to find if your store is closeing. If the store changes it"s opening time from 10am to 11am it will be closing within 3-4 weeks (8/27/10) Dave's response: Your friendly webmaster received the following e-mail from Ian Shapira at the Washington Post. I am taking the liberty of making it public. "Crazy Betsy" Rothstein might get a kick out of it..... Hi Dave, It was nice chatting with you too. I really appreciated your candor and I hope you found my piece, toward the end, was at least trying to be open minded about your brand of reporting and the more traditional kind. Hope you have a great weekend. And definitely keep in touch and let me know when you think I should cover something that I am ignoring. Best regards, Ian (8/27/10) First Hollywood Video in my town went under, and now Blockbuster..Wow! (8/27/10) Dave's response: Yeah, the Hollywood Video here in Reston closed last winter. Two Blockbusters remain..... Someone is transcribing Geronimo tweets in the mailbag again??? I wonder who that could be....hmmmmm....PaLumBo (8/27/10) Lurch’s boy gets sentenced… ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A Virginia restaurateur has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for plot that defrauded banks across the country of $53 million. Thirty-one-year-old Osama El-Atari of Ashburn was also ordered to pay $53 million in restitution at sentencing Friday. He had pleaded guilty in April to three counts of bank fraud and one count of money laundering. El-Atari owned a small chain of steakhouses in the Washington suburbs under the name Original Steakhouse and Sports Theater and was known for driving Lamborghinis and Ferraris. According to court documents, El-Atari presented the banks with fraudulent life insurance as collateral to obtain fraudulent loans. The loans allegedly were for business ventures. OOBBEE (8/27/10) Oh BOY! Another entire 1/2 hour for Alison Starling to be dull and people to watch anything else but WJLA. Paul (8/27/10) Fron DoniG's Twitter page: Get well wishes to Ron Bennington. I just heard he ruptured his appendix last week and was back yesterday. Glad2 hear him on the radio again (8/27/10) (RE Blockbuster) Following in the footsteps of Circuit City....Glad I bought stock in Red Door...When they opened it! (8/27/10) Dave, I think that you have bankruptcy chapters 7 and 11 confused in your comment about Blockbuster. Chapter 7 is total liquidation and the company is gone. Chapter 11 is a reorganization and the company might continue operation and the case of Blockbusters closing stores and cutting staff. In either case the stockholders loose most, if not all, of their investment. (8/27/10) Dave's response: Right..... Music festivals are a great way for a backer to get primo exposure. The early days of the HFStival were great because it was an underground radio station promoting a mix of up and coming acts and big names. As the station grew, so did the festival, to the point of being a bloated shell of what it once was. Prices went up, quality went down. As the station tried to keep booking bigger names, the prices went up more, the set times were shortened to under a half hour, and it became nothing special. Local music festivals are very plentiful now and that’s because they have a community feel, present exposure to the backers and sponsors, and in most cases are at least partially giving the proceeds to a charity that people care about. KHZ will get there name in front of thousands, each band will bring fans who will be turned onto other bands, real grass roots stuff. Anapalooza, Island Bay Day, OC Sunfest, and all of the other Fall-Fest type events going on will be a success (weather permitting) because it’s a chance for all involved to get something besides just money, unlike the HFStival which became such a shill. (8/27/10) caught a bit of Grandy this morning on waml. I do not understand how a serious radio station like wmal can let that nut job Mrs. Fred go on the air (or how a Harvard educated and accomplished politician and non-profit head could marry one). She has a perfect right to state her personal views but when she implied (at about 5:15 am) that maybe the developers of the "ground zero" Islamic Center bought that property in anticipation of the 9/11 WTC hijackings, well that is just over the line. One can oppose this project without sounding like xenophobic wing nut!!!! (8/27/10) Do you think Farley was the first to christen the WTOP-sponsored "glass enclosed porta potties"? (8/27/10) "and the staff of KHZ will be hosting from 1PM to around 10PM." --How exactly does a station that revolves around automated songs have a "staff"? Will Davy "Hit Me" Jones be covering the KHZ card table the entire nine hours? (8/27/10) Word just came down that Stephen Strasburg will need Tommy John surgery that will likely sideline him for the entire 2011 season. (With the improvements in medical technology, chances for a full recovery are pretty good, though he might not be quite the dominant force he showed flashes of this summer.) The question is, are 980 and 106.7 paying any attention to this, or does it interrupt their preparation for a Redskins exhibition (don't give me that "preseason" euphemism crap) game? -- Vincent in Lynchburg (8/27/10) Dave's response: JFK's Wise is talking plenty about it. He's advising Nats fans not to commit suicide..... I was driving through the Pasadena area earlier this week and stopped in at a convenience store to pick up a quick bite to eat. They were playing KHZ in this establishment. Then, someone heated up a burrito in the microwave and the signal was gone. Mel OTT (8/27/10) Colbert on Garrett leaving Fox News... (8/27/10)
Anyone remember this old USA Today TV commercial from the mid-80s? Hard to beleive a paper that was once so popular will probably be gone in 5 years, like most other papers. Tom in Frederick (8/27/10) Hey Dave, Love your site. Just a little news from RCN yesterday. Don't know if it's relevant or not, but local anyway. finance.yahoo.com (8/27/10) On WTEM's Sports Fix yesterday, Kevin Sheehan announced that Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb will have his own show for 45 minutes every Tuesday during football season - I assume the format will be similar to last year's Jim Zorn show with Sheehan and Thom Loverro being the actual hosts asking questions. Apparently Mike Shanahan declined offers for a weekly gig on the station, unless it's going to be part of Sports Reporters which I tend to doubt considering Andy Pollin and Steve Czaban's rather checkered history with previous Skins head coaches. Tony Kornheiser's show has been so sporadic over the summer that listeners have no idea what to expect when tuning in 980 at 10 AM (at least on Mondays) - either ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd, Sheehan and Loverro doing extra hours, Mr. Tony on remote from the beach (usually with a technical snafu or two) and the rare occasions when he's actually in the studio. At least they don't air those lame best-of shows anymore, but what's the problem with having some of Kornheiser's regular guests (such as Wilbon, Feinstein, Aldrich and Liz Clarke) take turns hosting it? Some harsh remarks that Nationals TV analyst Rob Dibble recently directed at Stephen Strasburg on his MLB Network Radio show (carried by Sirius XM) may have landed him in hot water with his bosses at MASN as he's been absent from the last two Nats telecasts and I didn't hear any mention of scheduled time off. Mike, Fairfax (8/27/10) Dave's response: Look, there were rumors last week that the Washington Times was about to be shut down. We reported on Monday that there were rumors last week that the Washington Times was about to be shut down. What we reported was totally accurate - even if those rumors did not ultimately reach total reality. (snip)....Don't let the Post get you down, Dave. You accurately reported what your source told you. Does it matter if you don't know who the source was or what his motives might have been or whether he actually knew what he was talking about? Come on! Why all this nitpicking about "accuracy"? Dave has said many times he isn't a journalist. He can't be expected to know whether someone is "spinning" him, or has just pulled something out of his or her ass, or is a crazy person shouting something on a street corner about the WashTimes. He's just passing on the garbage, no matter how bad it stinks. As Dave has also said many times, if you want stuff that's checked and verified and has a reasonable chance of being true, this is not the place for it. Rock on, Dave! Long live DCRTV! (8/27/10) Dave's response: Hey, I see you spend a lot of time at DCRTV so you must like all this unverified rumor shit, huh. Look, my Washington Times source has always been very reliable. Whoever he/she is has given me many accurate tips for at least two years ago. Ditto with what we published Monday. There were lots of rumors last week that the Washington Times was going under. And we simply reported those rumors. I don't have a problem with that. What we ran was entirely accurate. If you want to find out that the Times is in trouble before it crashes and burns, you can read it here. Or in the Post afterward, after it's been "confirmed" by a certified "journalist"..... There's been some talk, in recent posts, about WHFS. Reminds me of the early '90s when my then-14 year old daughter wanted to go to the "HFS-tival". We wouldn't let her and, of course, that event is a thing of the past. But, tomorrow, she's heading to the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds for what she feels is the same kind of event. It's called Annapolooza. She says that there will be 23 local bands on three stages, and the staff of KHZ will be hosting from 1PM to around 10PM. She seems to think that, if this is done on a regular basis, it could be as big as-- if not bigger than-- HFS-tival. I'm curious to see how it goes. I wish them luck. (8/27/10) re: "RE: foreclosures in DC. I think the problem in DC opposed to other areas, is people here live well above their means. I often see restaurants, malls and big box stores packed." -- I've never been to the Potomac Yards shopping center in Alexandria when it wasn't jammed. I'm sure that quite a few of the expensive cars I see people driving around here aren't owned by the drivers, but are instead leased, with the drivers living paycheck to paycheck. -- Blair in Alexandria (8/27/10) Nobody is safe from this recession. (8/27/10) Dave's response: Katharine Weymouth, the richy-compensated publisher of the Washington Post, is. So is Farid Suleman, the owner of Citadel Broadcasting, which owns WMAL..... (RE: WTOP Saves Portable Potties In Montgomery Parks): Thats cute but very self-serving. Montgomery County is very well-off and shouldn't need WTOP's rescue. What is WTOP sponsoring in the poorer communities? (8/27/10) Dave's response: Since the Virginia Department Of Transportation, under Governor Bob McDonnell, has given up its traditional duties of repainting highway lane markings and crosswalks, maybe WTOP could through some sponsorship money over to the Old Dominion to make our roads safer..... (RE O'Meara) Ahhhhhhhhh, Thee Golden Boy was just joking we all know he still buys a new car every Tuesday! (8/27/10) Why doesn't Gannett. since they are a large publisher, join with other papers to start they're own paper producer? (8/27/10) (RE Blockbuster) really sucks they are closing alot of their stores up (8/27/10) (RE Blockbuster) an old relic of the 90s. it's bout time (8/27/10) (RE WaPo foreclosures) So true. Mike O'Meara recently talked about the big hit he took on his house after an appraisal. This area, though different than many others, is taking a beating too. (8/27/10) (RE Blockbuster) We lost ours here in Winchester, Va. quite a while ago, but we now have those boxes (8/27/10) (RE Blockbuster) Deals on gently used DVDs. Will the final chapter be 7 or 11? (8/27/10) Dave's response: I'd imagine a Chapter 7 and they'll stay open, but close more underperforming stores. I stop by two Blockbusters here in Reston every week and usually I'm the only customer in the store. Occasionally pick up used DVDs, a la three for $20. A lot cheaper than the $17 to $20+ price per new movie at Target and Best Buy..... RE: foreclosures in DC. I think the problem in DC opposed to other areas, is people here live well above their means. I often see restaurants, malls and big box stores packed. If the recession is so bad, where's the money coming from? Also wanted to chime in on WTRI. An AM daytimer with no ratings, bought during the real estate boom for I believe 1.2 million. The station, with real estate, can't be worth a half million, and I think I'm being generous. Has anyone been successful with that stick? (8/27/10) Niced to know that WTOP with monster ratings and sales does not take itself too seriously. Sponsoring a porta-potty is a pretty funny idea! (8/27/10) Last weekend you had Glenn Younis on 106.7, The Fan. My buddies and I liked his style, is he going to be back on more regularly? Thanks, Mark (8/27/10) (RE USA Today cuts:) Dave, a friend of mine works for the Scranton Times, and as he tells me, another big cost to newspapers (something I never see mentioned) is that newsprint is supplied by one company, and in my friend's words, "it's almost like OPEC and oil". They are charging top dollar simply because they can. I don't know the exact name of the company, but according to my buddy, that is another definite, real factor..." (8/27/10) Is Glenn Younes going to be back? Was listening to him last Saturday on 106.7 The Fan. I liked him. (8/27/10) /\ August 27 Messages /\ \/ August 26 Messages \/ There’s yet another slam against you today at that FIshbowlDC site. That’s the third slam by her this week. Is there something going on there? What’s this about? (8/26/10) Dave's response: Poor poor Betsy. She's really losing it. Ha ha ha. At least she could use a relatively recent pic of me. I haven't had the full beard or any hair on my head in years..... Hi Dave, On the Kirk and Mike show this morning during their "First Birthday Party" (toward the end of hour 3-podcast is on the 105.9 website) Mike did an impression of Greaseman knocking on the door and saying "Happy Birthday! Waddloodledoddle!" Later in the bit there was another knock on the door and Mike said "It's Jeff Bowden-he can't talk, he's got a gag in his mouth." Hmmm... -TBK (8/26/10) "Dave's response: Oooops. I apologize for making that Farhi-like error. It's gone....." --Christ....would you give it a rest already! (8/26/10) Re these "more cuts at ABCNews" -- I'm sure there are/will be, but check the date on the link to the LATimes: it's from four months ago!!! (8/26/10) Dave's response: Oooops. I apologize for making that Farhi-like error. It's gone..... Concerning the Time's rumors and WaPo story. I see no problem with your posting at the beginning of the week. I don't believe you run with every piece of scuttlebutt you receive and are responsible about what you post on the front page of the website. You have a source that has been reliable in the past and they don't. That's what all the whining is about. They got scooped!! (8/26/10) Dave's response: Look, there were rumors last week that the Washington Times was about to be shut down. We reported on Monday that there were rumors last week that the Washington Times was about to be shut down. What we reported was totally accurate - even if those rumors did not ultimately reach total reality. (Yet, anyway.) Something can be "accurate" without being "truthful." That's why reporters, even blog slobs like me, attribute stuff - even to anonymous sources. Hey, all you "journalists" out there! Fire up Netflix and watch "Absence Of Malice," an excellent Paul Newman flick from the 1980s. You might actually learn something about the "news business"..... From the Post article: "The question for readers is: Are you better served by this process, in which unvetted rumors are published and then worked through all in the public eye; or by the old-fashioned way, in which reporters would check rumors and fully report a story before publication; or by some hybrid third way in which news organizations might put out unchecked rumors and prominently label them as such while launching their own reporting and asking readers to help out with any information they might have?" This is funny; the Post applauding itself for its fact checking when it has been wrong any number of times and still relies on unnamed sources. (Shawn in DC) (8/26/10) Is Great Scott having financial problems. The turned off their first station, WPAZ 1370 in Pottsville, Pa in December of last year for "financial resons" sanatoga.wordpress.com... Now they have signed off WXSH Studio 106.1 Pocomoke City, Md. The station started a new urban oldies format June 2009, and then began a simulcast on their Laurel, Delaware stations at 95.3. So are they going to sell off each individual station, or chucks? They have 8 FM stations and 2 AM's on the peninsula, however they are grandfathered, current rules do not allow more than 4 stations in a service to be owned by one owner (Clear Channel had to place two of their FM's in the Aloha Trust to sell off when they were bought by Bain Captial). (8/26/10) Did Bill Parris pick up the Easton, Md - am and an am in DC? (8/26/10) Ref: Hmmmmm another white male weather person in DC – So what is your point ? How man white guys on the Cosby Show? Or BET Or – just move on, there could be none. HHHHmmmmmm - signed: a goofy Obama supporter – we are almost as popular as a used athletic supporter….ZZZZzzzzzzz (8/26/10) This might answer why WJLA has yet to start a 4:25 or 4:30am news show like WRC, WTTG or WUSA -- ABC might not be letting them yet. WCVB in Boston has only just recently got permission to push back America This Morning to 4am from ABC. www.mediabistro.com (8/26/10) wonder if any here in DC - latimesblogs.latimes.com - 25%.....wow (8/26/10) If WHSV has plans on shutting down their TV3 Winchester service, they sure got a very strange way in doing it considering that Gray recently pent a ton of money in putting a transmitter to cover Winchester on Signal Knob between Front Royal & Straburg ( right next to WAZT and WVPT/WVPY ) plus not too mention TV3 Winchester is hiring for a new sports anchor/reporter www.tv3winchester.com... Doesn't sound like they are going to dark to me even though I have to admit I had heard the rumors but I put such shit and similar stories alongside the one several years back that I can remember that had Art & Virginia Stamler from WAZT "praying" for the sudden deaths of the employees of Winchester's Q102 and WFQX 99.3 The Fox including longtime announcer Randy Woodward as punishment for their "sins". I doubt the Stamlers had done such a thing but..... (8/26/10) @ Doug Kammerer. So howcum this guy got the gig over the other(Channel 4 Weather) team members ? It would seem that Tom Keriein would be the natural replacement, but even Veronica Johnson or Chuck Bell are at least local and known. Has anyone had any vibes from 4 as to why an outsider (Herndon upbringing notwithstanding) ? (8/26/10) Dave's response: He's young, good looking, and works cheap. I mean, he's a helluva lot less expensive than Old Man Ryan. Plus, he's moving from being the morning weatherman in bigger Philly to being "chief meteorologist" at a station in the somewhat smaller DC market, so it'll be seen by many as a move "up"..... Greatest TV interview ever. tv.gawker.com (8/26/10) Muppets Come Home to DC, full coverage in the Examiner! www.examiner.com (8/26/10) "New Chief Meterologist" - Really... It took that long to find another Buttoned-down White Guy? It would be more instresting if they pulled people off the street...to read the NOAA weather. Carl (8/26/10) Someone mentioned Radio One's WWIN applying to double its power to 6000 watts. That application has been sitting for over 2 years now without getting approved. I'm not sure it's going to get approved. They are short spaced to Class B WSOX 96.1 in Red Lion, PA and are requesting an interference waiver. They got Susquehanna to sign off on it, but I don't think that's necessarily a guarantee it's going to get approved considering how long the app has been sitting already. (8/26/10) The Washington Times, unlike Generalissimo Francisco Franco, still lives. On another note, radiogodsforum.com is worse than irrelevant and should be given a hot shot. "The creepy internet people" who like to talk about don and/or mike need to move on. Three great shows (Kirk & Mike, Mike O'Meara Show, Don Geronimo Show), four if you count the Big Giant Head, one suck site. - Zombiewoof (8/26/10) This NEVER happened, I swear: MESSAGE OF HOPE #1540: "Doctor Dave Rogers, WDON" Click the following link to put a smile on your radio dial: www.davidtake.com... Sorry, Koons Ford. I luv 'ya, really. My 2007 Mustang was the best car I ever owned. (8/26/10) While I'm no great fan of the Washington Times, it does seem that Dave really DID get his info correct. He stated that the paper was on the verge of closing unless a buyer came forward. It looks like a buyer did come forward in the last days. He stated that the paper had press releases ready to go out and another source confirmed this. While it may not have been an hour by hour accounting, it seems that Dave has pretty reliable sources and he scooped the "bigger & badder" MSM again. Stop nit-picking at him and send a check to keep him going, you Post, Examiner, Politico, Media Bistro pricks! (8/26/10) Hmmmmm another white male weather person in DC (14 now?)! Guess the formula still holds true for evening news. 1 black & 1 white male/female anchor.......check. 1 catchy sports dude, or 1 cute female sports dudette who smiles on cue............ check. Then add yourself a white male weather person............. shake well........ and then................ instant newsteam! FOX DC............ I appreciate your diversity across the board! (8/26/10) /\ August 26 Messages /\ \/ August 25 Messages \/ So we're suppose to believe that the new NBC Chief knows more than Bob Ryan, Doug Hill, Tom Kierein, Veronica Johnson, Topper Shutt, and Perkins & Palka?........... Maybe he should change his last name to Fahrenheit.............. Tried to find his info on NBC website, after 20 clicks....... I gave up! Sorry, but I'm not buying what your selling................. good luck (8/25/10) Lindsay no longer wearing Deadskin shirts? Perhaps she should take the hook out of her FUGLY guppy mouth. Go join Co-Hagula Krystal Koons for a mutual night of satisfaction. (8/25/10) Based on the prices paid in the last ten years for other AM signals which have far closer and better DC signals, newer equipment and more land, the value of WTRI is probably closer to $800,000 at most. (8/25/10) Just saw the new meterologist on channel 4 and to me, he looks like the previous weekend meterologist, Steve Villanueva. (8/25/10) Well, the Redskins television ratings may be good, but no one is buying tickets. I've had two good lower level seats for the Houston and Tampa games on sale on EBAY for less than face value and have had no takers....... (8/25/10) (From DCRTV's Classified Ads:) Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia SM Opening - Sales Manager for MainLine Broadcasting 5 Station Cluster in Chambersburg, PA and Hagerstown, MD. We're beginning our talent search for the right person to assist our growing sales department. Whether you're a career radio seller looking to move up the ladder or currently managing and looking for a new place to call home we'd love to hear from you. We have a tenured team and some first year AE's who have tons of potential. But we need another great coach who enjoys helping others grow. We need someone to work side by side with our energetic sales people and put the power of our great radio stations and specialty products to work for new clients. Chambersburg, PA and Hagerstown, MD is a thriving area less than 100 miles from Baltimore/Washington, DC, and Harrisburg, PA. It's a wonderful quality of life and our team of radio pros in sales and on-air have been working together for a long time. Many of us have been in broadcasting together for over 20 years. We want to do another 20 together so if low turnover and high energy appeals to you get in touch! Please email resumes to Rich Bateman, General Manager at rbateman@mlbroadcasting.net. MainLine Broadcasting is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (8/25/10) Is there any word on 105.7 The Fan and the futures of Ed Norris, Jeremy Conn and Damon "The Bulldog" Yaffe? I don't mind if Norris and Conn stay but that Yaffe has got to go. He is the poster boy for people who love the sound of their own voice. When interviewing a guest he takes forever constructing a long convoluted question and then practically answers it himself. God forbid anyone bring up any kind of food. It becomes an obsession with him all show long. Mike in Elkton (8/25/10) To the WHAG poster who notes all the folks who find Martinsburg, Winchester, Berryville, and Charles Town just "places to sleep, shower, and make a pit stop at Sheetz": That's probably true. Unfortunately, they also happen to VOTE in those places, which may explain a lot about the bozos we often put on city councils and school boards around the country, and on their bonehead decisions which are far more likely to actually impact our lives than the big headline stuff coming out of DC. The good news: Clowns who know nothing about where they live and send their kids to school probably don't even bother to vote. (8/25/10) Re: WHAG & Loudoun County, Dave you are right about how the DC channels tend to not do a lot of coverage to areas west of Dulles Airport, but on the other hand most of the towns in that region are for all inents and purposes..bedroom comunities. In other words for many many people towns like Martinsburg, Winchester, Berryville, Charles Town..etc..is just a place for them to sleep, shower and make a pit stop at Sheetz and Food Lion for food, smokes and gas while they work and play ( and spend their money ) in DC They coud really care less about local TV news, or even local news period. For example my brother lives in Martinsburg but works in DC six days a week. For him Martinsburg is just a place to sleep and other than stopping off at Sheetz, thats it. He could care less about Martinsburg/Berkeley County politics, he doesn't listen to WLTF or WRNR, read the Martinsburg Journal and of course he does not watch WHAG..for him its DC or nothing despite the other choices and he is not alone. No matter how much money and time WHAG spends in expanding coverage into Virginia, they will never compete with the DC stations even if WHAG does give that "local" touch. But OTOH..what does WHAG have to lose? Not that they have any compeition out in that region anyway. WJAL and WAZT gave up local news many years ago. TV3 Winchester is rumored to be shutting down early next year ( Gray isn't making any money with them, they already canned news director Denise Chandler ) and Martinsburg's ION, the old WYVN..don't expect them to jump into the local TV news race anytime soon. Nah WHAG has the whole playing field for themselves. (8/25/10) Dave: This Post piece suggests your item about the "imminent" closure of the Washington Times was flat wrong. Please tell us that posting what a single, anonymous source tells you, without corroboration, is something other than amateurish, unreliable and completely irresponsible reporting. In this case, it's even dangerous because it could start a panic among creditors and advertisers that makes your post a fait accompli. I know you knock the MSM all the time, but at least they have SOME standards of reliability and accountability. What about you? (8/25/10) Dave's response: Did Paul Farhi pay you to send this? Very funny. Ah, the Post piece does say that "reports of an imminent shutdown last week were at least partly true." Rumors of the Times's shutdown were out there last week. That is an undeniable fact..... New Life For Washington Times (Politico) : The owner of the Washington Times entered into an agreement to sell the paper to another entity affiliated with its parent, the Unification Church, which would return funding to the cash-strapped conservative publication. The agreement was made Tuesday afternoon between News World Communications, the paper's parent company, chaired by Preston Moon, and News World Media Development. It sets forth a 30-day period for both sides to conduct due diligence, after which the paper will be sold, if both sides still want to go forward. (8/25/10) asking 1.2 mil for WTRI (don't think they'll get that much)... New & Featured Listings for TV and Radio Stations for Sale from RadioTVDeals.com: Maryland -- WTRI 1520 AM Brunswick Serves suburban Washington DC counties: Frederick county in MD and Loudoun county in VA. High population growth rate. Includes real estate. New ground system. 5 acres at transmitter site are included in the sale. $1.2M (8/25/10) Guess that deal with WTHU worked out well, eh? From radiotvdeals.com: Maryland -- WTRI 1520 AM Brunswick - Serves suburban Washington DC counties: Frederick county in MD and Loudoun county in VA. High population growth rate. Includes real estate. New ground system. 5 acres at transmitter site are included in the sale. $1.2M (8/25/10) WHAG-TV announced on its newscast last night that they are expanding their news coverage to serve Leesburg, Berryville, and Winchester, VA. The station's news programs will be extended. The Noon Newscast will expand to an hour, so will the 5 PM newscast (in place of "Access Hollywood"), and an additional newscast at 7 PM (in place of "Wheel of Fortune"). There is also the mention of adding a Saturday Morning newscast. The changes will take place on August 30th. your4state.com (8/25/10) Dave's response: We did already report that WHAG was expanding its news shows and would be adding coverage to Northern Virginia. That's probably a smart move because the DC TVers don't give a lot of coverage to the rapidly growing suburbs west of Dulles Airport. Hell, Loudoun County has one-third of a million people and doesn't even have a single working radio station anymore..... Any news on Sun Myung Moon's other son, Hanga? (8/25/10) Dave you've got to get over this persecution complex of being repeatedly wronged by the WPost. Yours is a Radio-TV site. They can't compete with you for immediacy, coverage, and entertainment. If they steal your stuff, so what ? Consider their readership. The few who should matter to you have already seen it on your page, dood. Rub it in the dirt. Farhi's probably just doing it now to piss you off, knowing there's nothing at stake at his end. (8/25/10) Dave's response: Look, big news organizations like the Washington Post don't like getting scooped by one-man websites like DCRTV. Getting ignored is, in a very real sense, a badge of honor. The Post sees DCRTV as competition. And that's cool. That's what I keep telling myself, anyway, when they jilt me..... "An unsourced story on the media news and gossip Web site DCRTV.com Monday said that the site "hears that the Washington Times is close to closing," but Unification Church and Times sources said the paper's future is far from clear." -- "gossip site"... Well, they gave you credit. -- Blair in Alexandria (8/25/10) I've notice that on TBD.com Bob Ryan is referred to as ABC7 Senior Meteorologist Robert Thomas Ryan. When he was at NBC4, his name was never refered to that way. P.S. NBC4 is airing commercials for it's new chief meterolgist (8/25/10) RAMP Daily sheet reported this this morning… The lovely Nikki Landry has departed afternoons at CBS AC WIAD (94.7 Fresh FM)/Washington as her contract isn't renewed. Ms. Landry, who spent two years as MD/midday princess at KBWF (95.7 The Wolf)/San Francisco before getting Fresh last summer, has applied hammer to roof and hung out her own shingle: Nikki Landry Productions handles voicetracking, voiceovers, imaging and all kinds of other stuff. Full details are at www.nikkilandryproductions.com, and you can reach her directly at 415-418-9204 or nikki@nikkilandryproductions.com. Back at Fresh, PD Greg Dunkin borrows the talents of Maria Dennis, who does middays on nearby Hot AC sister WWMX (Mix 106.5)/Baltimore, to temporarily occupy Fresh afternoons. (8/25/10) Regarding “Good grief, both of those guys [Fred and Andy] look like they belong in the old folks home. Did they ever appeal to the target geographic?” I am just a radio fan and NOT in the business, but I can tell you the advertisers for their show are Boston Method for those who can’t get it up, Finally Hear hearing aids for those who can’t hear worth shit, Debt Relief/dead beat non taxpayers help services for those that don’t pay their bills or taxes, a couple of dentists for those who have rotting (on no) teeth, Virtual Physical for those who are scared to go to a real doctor, window replacement companies for those that are cold and require a blanket when sitting on the couch, and The Mutual Fund Store for those who don’t have a 401(k) at work because they don’t work anymore. And WMAL bitches about how bad illegal aliens are? Oh the other day, the other not so old fart (but I play one on the radio), Chris Plant was whining about something when a lady randomly called in. She immediately identified herself as a professional lobbyist in a similar industry. She agreed with Chris and then said Congress sticks it nose in places it should not. Chris then whole heartedly agreed with her, and thanked her for her time. Did the house plant give the lobbyist a free commercial or is this a new revenue stream for WMAL? Mark in Annandale. PS – Grandy this morning re-iterated Obama is a Muslim and is probably from a different planet. (8/25/10) I have been watching the trends in the ratings for Baltimore radio. It's interesting that WWIN-FM, with only 3kw, continues to be a ratings leader while the numbers for co-owned WERQ-FM decline. Keep in mind that WERQ is the 37kw powerhouse. If the numbers continue to reflect this in the future, perhaps WWIN should be moved to the much stronger signal to cover more counties. I do see that they have an application to move to Arbutus with 6 kw and a bit more coverage. I still remember when Harry Shriver owned the WWIN frequency and sold it, back when WFBR was still doing well. I bet Harry regretted that move! Certainly we all remember the good old days when WLPL existed at 92.3. By the way, I continue to do afternoons at WZBB-FM down here below Roanoke. It's a real nice family owned facility with great coverage and a country format with music from the 80's thru today with some 60's and 70's thrown in. Plus, we are strong in personality. It's been a good choice here since we have four 100kw modern country outlets nearby. Too bad Baltimore does not have a similar format. Have a great week! Tom Conroy (8/25/10) Dave's response: Exactly the same thing is happening at Radio One's stations in DC. The much weaker 102.3 urban adult WMMJ has much better ratings that the big-signalled 93.9 hip-hop/urban WKYS. I have long advocated that Majic 102.3 MMJ and KYS switch frequencies to give the former a better suburban signal, which would probably generate more ad revenue for Radio One/DC..... Dave - Contrary to what was reported below regarding Anita Marks as part of the New York Giants radio team: WCBS-FM 101.1 is not the "flagship station of the New York Giants." It is, and always has been, Sports Radio 66 WFAN. Only when WFAN has commitments to Mets games, does WCBS-FM become the de facto "flagship" station for Giants football. Personally, if I had my druthers, I would move the Mets games to one of the HD-2 subchannels of one of the FM stations, especially considering how the Mets' games during this stretch once again won't matter. - Diamond Joe (8/25/10) Glenn Beck has announced he wants to “take back” the Civil Rights movement by holding a rally, Saturday August 28th at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC on the 47th Anniversary of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I have a Dream” homily in 1963. Millions of people, black, white, Hispanic, Asian and Native American, are outraged by what they deem an arrogant travesty by Beck. The Reverend Alfred Charles “Al” Sharpton says Glenn Beck should not be allowed to hijack the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Reverend Sharpton says, “We will not let them have the stage alone.” Reverend Sharpton does not want a confrontation, but many others look forward to confronting Beck and what they describe as his “rightwing” or even “racist” followers. Dr. Malik Zulu Shabazz, chairman of the New Black Panther Party, says that Beck has been attacking him and his fellow Black Panther Party members relentlessly, so they are looking forward to confronting Beck, the tea party, and all of his “rightwing” collaborators at the rally. Dr. Shabazz vows the New Black Party will be there, “ready to rumble.” At least one New Black Panther Party leader urges his followers to “kill crackers”—even to “kill their babies.” Most people of color reject such hate-filled extremism, but they are concerned Beck’s provocations will incite and attract violent extremists, both white and black. Many cite a video, “Glenn Beck: Pied Piper of Deceit?” that has finally emerged from the underground to appear on the web on sites like YouTube.* It appears the video was produced to discourage moderates from attending the rally, suggesting Beck is a “judas goat” leading innocent people into a trap. Others wonder if Beck secretly produced the video to motivate the Klan and other racists to show up at the rally in large numbers “to protect honor.” The video shows Beck himself wondering what it will take to prevent riots from breaking out. Isaiah M.A. Freeman, Coffee Party USA (8/25/10) Yeah, was flying waaaay below the gaydar regarding Roby Chavez..But if that posting was about another anchor/reporter from the same station, I wouldn't have been surprised. (8/25/10) /\ August 25 Messages /\ \/ August 24 Messages \/ Good for KT Harris. Great person and even better personality. She would be wise to take Citadel's money for voice tracking 1059 and not put up with their bullshit. Especially after how Kenny King treated her at MIX\. She was the 'fill in' midday person for, what, over a year. Sounding absolutely fabulous doing it. So, when KK finally got around to making a decision it was 'c ya' for KT. Class move. Stick with the vino, KT. (8/24/10) Dave, I caught your story on Nikki Landry and 94.7 WJMD/WLTT/WARW/WTGB/WIAD. (Am I leaving some calls out here??) It's a smart move to replace her. Is this the first Jim Ryan directive we're seeing? I'm hoping that CBS will move Ken Merson into that daypart. He's perfect for the gig. Then again, they'll just probably voice-track to save Les Moonves some $$$. Mike (8/24/10) Hi, Admittedly i've been traveling a bit this summer and may have missed it -- Is Erica still on Jack's morning show? Just curious since I haven't heard word one about her or from her in a while. Thanks very much -- WKH (8/24/10) Dave's response: As DCRTV has reported, Erica is gone from the Mix 107.3 morning show..... Looks like the Joe Scarborough Show will be on saturdays on WABC www.mediaite.com... John (8/24/10) Now that I am living in New Mexico, for now I have to pick up games from back east anyway possible. One thing i noticed Saturday when trying to pick up the Redskins/Ravens game via the Ravens network was the screwed up feed on 97.9 and even on WBAL.com Then I realized after a bit that it was game time and there was still the pre-game show on both stations (they were not streaming the game). So I switched over to the Redskins network via 980.com. I can not say I was happy listening to Larry Michael do the play by play, but Sonny and Sam always make it interesting. Burt in Rio Rancho, NM (8/24/10) [Regarding the RAVE TV programming deal... As a Virginia resident, I can't stand the constant mentions of Baltimore sports. I can't stand the Oriole's on WTEM. I can't stand the Orioles on MASN1. And now more coverage of the Ravens on CSN? Why? Who wants to hear about the details of out of market teams? Why not a Comcast SportsNet DC for DC residents; and a Comcast SportsNet Baltimore for Baltimore residents? (And likewise, MASNDC and MASNBALT...) Few in Baltimore care about DC sports. Few in DC, with the exception of the small tweener area bordering both location, care about Baltimore sports. Those tweener locations can carry both channels. The rest of us don't have to be bothered.] Then don't bother to watch and quit whining! (8/24/10) Well what do you know, one of my stations (WWIN-FM) is rated number one in Baltimore. That means it's time for me to power up my laptop, pull up a spreadsheet and get my hands on a calculator. Here at Radio One it's really easy to do the math. When a station excells in it's ratings people are soon kicked to the curb. I recently asked one of my corporate PD's if we are playing the song "Sky High" by Jigsaw". He said, "hey, are you crazy I'm prgramming R & B stations." That is not what I pay him to say. The next few days at WWIN-FM are gonna be stressfull. Signed, "Slick" Alfie (the cheapskate) Liggins! (8/24/10) Interesting to read in an earlier post that “Doc's use of the English language is embarrassing”, while in the same post, the writer states “Unfortunately, these people are aloud to exist because of poor management.” You mean “allowed?” What does that suggest about YOUR use of the English language? (8/24/10) That’s some bad Gaydar below! OOBBEE (8/24/10) Anita (Marks) will be doing the pre and post game for this weeks Giants-Ravens preseason game. However it will be as the co-host of the 25 station NY Giant Radio Network - The game will be broadcasted on WCBS FM 101.1 FM, the flagship station of New York Giants football. Anita Marks and Paul Dottino will handle all pregame and postgame programming, starting at 7:05 pm. Bob Papa will deliver the play-by-play, and he will joined in the booth by Carl Banks. Howard Cross will be the sideline reporter. The pregame and post game will be extended and also air on WFAN once the regular season begins. (8/24/10) Thanks for mentioning The Real Score the sophisticated sports information program that debuts September 12th. It is true that Jennifer Gilbert is hosting the program, it is true that the program is being produced at WBFF FOX 45, but we should let you know that The Real Score is independent of Sinclair. We are proud and look forward to a long association with Sinclair, and will be announcing a larger network of affiliates shortly. (8/24/10) Really caught off guard regarding Roby Chavez being gay..Had no clue..Not that anything's wrong with that..Congrats to him and his partner.. (8/24/10) DUE TO A SPECIAL REQUEST: from Lou Goldfarb, of Metro Networks, here's one more MESSAGE OF HOPE, #1600: "Angie's List Or Not Angies List". There is a really cool WINX jingle at the end of the webcast and the whole thing is only 2 minutes long: www.davidtate.net (8/24/10) Dave: I had to read some of the postings twice...including Mike/Fairfax's note reminding us how 980 treated Zorn and the political nonsense involving Czaban and Pollin etc. People make fun of Dan Patrick and Greenberg/Golic out of jealousy!! Self-sreving people like Sheehan, Rick Walker and Czaban are as unprofessional as they come. Unfortunately, these people are aloud to exist because of poor management. Yesterday's 12p-7p time-slot on 980 was a complete disaster. I guess no one has enough nerve to tell Sheehan to stop talking down to his co-host and his listeners and Doc's use of the English language is embarrassing. Most of all, there's not another business where a radio personality is allowed to cross- promote his/her own website or products like Czaban...again, a poor move by 980 management. Mike/Fairfax was on the money about many of his points but it's quite obvious Mr. Snyder needs to start over or completely sell all of his radio properties. (8/24/10) I am fascinated to see what WFMD and WFRE might fetch in this current economic climate......... (8/24/10) Dave's response: WFRE 99.9 could easily be marketed as a DC metro outlet and could fetch quite a price..... I check your site a lot and I love the info. I think you should start pointing out that Angelos owns MASN, As long as he does the Nats will not have enough revenue to keep their players. Look at the Ravens owner he is smart he is trying to get away from big Pete, so is Leonsis I don't think people remember what DC had to give to Angelos to get the the team. What's up with WAGE? Thanks (8/24/10) Dave's response: WAGE is pretty much sitting around waiting for approval to move its transmittion towers to Ashburn, with a new, stronger signal that would cover much of the DC metro..... "Good" news for Comcast! Cable and satellite firms are seeing a big drop in subscribers. The recession? Probably. But also probably the start of a migration trend away from cable to the internet as a delivery method for TV. (8/24/10) DCRTV is getting quoted lots of places: dcist.com, www.americablog.com, for example. -- Blair in Alexandria (8/24/10) Dave's response: My Washington Times source is very solid. The source has given me very reliable information about the Times during the past year, including all the consolidations in late 2009, and all the ups and downs with its radio show. However, the WaPo and some other outlets absolutely hate crediting little old DCRTV for anything. Usually, they "take" my stuff, source it independently, and then run it as their own "exclusive." Something I frequently bitch about. This time, however, nobody at the Times is talking, probably because all the former Posties who used to work there have been cut long ago. So, the Post can either run DCRTV's little old scoop or nothing. And the Post chooses the latter. For now, anyway..... Looks like the Examiner has also picked up the story. I expect the Post will chime in by Sunday or so. www.washingtonexaminer.com (8/24/10) Dave's response: Ha ha ha! Yeah, back when DCRTV broke the Donnie Simpson-leaving-PGC story, the Post waited a few days for the talk to die down and then "broke" the story themselves. Paul Farhi did give DCRTV some lukewarm credit at the end of that piece because I e-mailed him immediately after the web edition went up - and he could still tack it onto the print version. He claims that he was always going to give me credit. Yeah, like he did do with the Doug McKelway-leaving-7 story, which DCRTV broke about three weeks before the Post ran it, without crediting DCRTV..... WOW Dave - ya got credit (AND linkage) from Huffington Post - at least SOME Post has the courtesy to give credit where it's due... www.huffingtonpost.com (8/24/10) Love your website Dave. Not sure if this is news but it looks like WNST's weekend guy Eric Aaronson is gone. They broadcast replays all weekend, and Aaronson's facebook page shows that as of August he no longer works for NST. (8/24/10) Khz khz zzzzz – may I interrupt this love fest of am radio for a very distasteful plug for my Mid-Daze Show “Live” from Ocean City, Maryland – 10am-2pm Weekdays on www.ustream.tv - I know it’s not real radio, cuz real radio has been suckin’ for a long time, but if you want to smell, taste, listen to the ocean hon, tune-in and then get back on DCRTV and tell us how much it sucks, can hardly wait for your response from up in the BIG cities where all media is super duper….attached with this trivial piece of copy is a check and it will clear by morning. Thank You Dave a friend forever, really J.J. Hitman McKay from Ocean City, Maryland – “The Land of Pleasant Listening” (8/24/10) /\ August 24 Messages /\ \/ August 23 Messages \/ The University of Maryland Archives has recovered a rare film treasure - on the eve of the Maryland-Navy football game this Labor Day. The film shows portions of the first-ever game between the Terps and Middies at a brand-new Byrd Stadium on September 30, 1950. That opening game was a 35-21 Maryland victory. Archivist Anne Turkos says that finding this previously unknown film "is particularly remarkable" since the rare footage captures highlights of future All-American and Heisman Trophy candidate Jack Scarbath leading the Terps to victory and Maryland's stalwart defense on that auspicious day. newsdesk.umd.edu (8/23/10) 
 Dave: Hey. There’s a weird item slamming you today at that FishbowlDC site, fyi. --Matt (8/23/10) Dave's response: Ha ha ha. Betsy's just getting back at me for pointing out one of her many errors. A few weeks ago, she posted on FBDC that Mel Gibson might go back to Australia, where he was born. And anyone who knows movies knows that Gibson was born in the good old USA - Peekskill NY. His dad took him to Australia when he was a wee lad..... Let's take a moment to wish a "Happy 84th B-Day" today to Lee Reynolds, (aka WTTG's Cap'n Tugg and Grandpa). Here's an interview he did back in '93. (8/23/10) Watch Lee Reynolds "Cap'n Tugg" - Out of the Past - 1993 in Entertainment | View More Happy 84th B-Day Lee! I have it on good authority that ESPN980, during the Sports Reporters at around 5:50 p.m., dumped a call where the caller pointed out that the Skins FIRED their Director of Communications after Haynesworth's little post-game hissy fit on Saturday night. The long arm of The Danny apparently reached through the wires and squeezed the stones of the board op. So much for The Danny not affecting the on-air content. Sincerely, TMU. (8/23/10) Kind of funny how much debate there is in the Mailbag about the Junks, Grandpa Kornheiser, Mike Wise, Czaben, etc etc etc...but when the ratings come out, all of those guys can be found floating at the bottom of the barrell. Ha ha ha. Ha ha HA. HAW HAW HAW HAW HAWWWWWWWW! (8/23/10) "print is almost completely dead" --So is KHZTV.com (8/23/10) Dave's response: Ditto with AM radio in general. I got stuck at a long red light here in Northern Virginia this morning, and gave a quick scan to the AM band. Some righty and sports talk here and there, and lots and lots of holy roller religion, plus Spanish, Spanish, some Korean, and more Spanish. Ugh..... August is a bad month for newspapers in DC. The Washington Star folded in August. wikipedia.org -- Blair in Alexandria (8/23/10) Virginia doesn't have any pro sports teams? Well, the Redskins are headquartered in Virginia, practice there and most of the players live there. They certainly spend more time there than in Maryland (which just hosts ten home games) and DC (which has no connection with the team other than the name). In fact, the Redskins, intentionally or not, have done a masterful job of incorporating the three regions in the metro into the mix. And the Capitals play in DC, but are headquartered in Arlington, Virginia and have their practice facility there. And Ted Leonsis has said in the past that the huge majority of Caps ticket holders are Virginia residents. I suspect that both the Redskins and Caps pay Virginia taxes. So I'm not sure that I buy the argument that Virginia doesn't have any pro teams. But I do agree that there is little or no interest in any of the Baltimore teams in VA as far as I can tell. (8/23/10) What ever happened to TVTrainWrecks.com? I loved that site and it has been down for a LONG time now... (8/23/10) Bottom of birdcage sounds like a dump of an idea! (8/23/10) Wouldn't "Daddy Moon" be a great name for a 65-year-old blues singer? Old toothless dude with a butt hanging from his lip and a beat-up pinetop guitar. Yeah...Daddy Moon...at the Birchmere. (8/23/10) Counties in the British colony of the Province of Maryland date as far back as 1637 when St. Mary's County was created. Frederick County was created in 1748 from parts of Prince George's County and Baltimore County. Georgetown was incorporated as a town in Frederick County in 1751 when the Maryland Legislature purchased 60 acres of land for the town. It was in 1776 that the original Frederick County was divided into three parts. The westernmost portion became Washington County, named after George Washington; the central portion remained Frederick County; the easternmost portion became Montgomery County, named after another Revolutionary War general, Richard Montgomery. As a result of that split, Georgetown became a part of Montgomery County from 1776 until DC was formed in 1790. "Georgetown, DC" remained an independent city until the District of Columbia Organic Act of 1871 when "City of Washington, DC", "Georgetown, DC" and "Washington County, DC" were combined into today's Washington, DC. (8/23/10) Sad to see another paper go away, even if you disagree with their point of view. The fewer media outlets, the worse it is for all of us. (8/23/10) print is almost completely dead (8/23/10) (RE: The last issue of the Washington Times) Think it could be a collector's item? Or best saved for the bottom of the bird cage? (8/23/10) (RE: The possible demise of the Washington Times:) Couldn't happen to a better paper. (8/23/10) Will Channel 50 be carrying either of the of the other 2 Ravens exhibition (er, preseason) games? Or was this a one-shot deal due to the opponent being Washington? Tom in Wheaton (8/23/10) Dave's response: 50 will be carrying the remaining two Ravens preseason outings, too..... KT Harris is voice tracking on Edge. I don't think she is really interested in another full-time radio gig since she has a great job in wine sales and some work for XM. Not sure KT feels the current radio climate is something she wants to return to. Who can blame her? (8/23/10) If you are a fan of the PBS hit, "Antiques Roadshow," come with me to this past weekend's day long taping extravaganza in Washington. Also, week three for the "Real Housewives of DC," the other side of fame. Both on today's New York Social Diary: www.nysocialdiary.com..... Next week: forecasting the fall calendar; hopefully brighter than '09. Carol (8/23/10) So I was watching ESPN's SportsCenter yesterday morning and the lead story was Stephen Strasburg getting injured in his start against the Phillies (initially inspiring fears of adverse career implications which were later dispelled to some extent). A few hours later, I tuned in a show co-hosted by Pete Medhurst on 106.7 The Fan and they were discussing the previous night's Redskins/Ravens game with special emphasis on Albert Haynesworth. I checked back with that program several times between 1 and 4 PM and apparently they never shifted to any other topic - the entire three hours were consumed with kicking around and taking calls on the Skins game and Haynesworth. While ESPN 980's Sports Reporters may be guilty of jumping from one topic to the next too quickly, the opposite approach of beating a single subject to death seldom makes for great radio either unless you're dealing with a blockbuster story like the Donovan McNabb trade. Furthermore, if ESPN deems a story involving a DC area team significant enough to lead its entire sportscast. it really looks bad when a locally produced sports radio show devotes little or no time to it (and that lame "it's baseball - who cares?" excuse just doesn't fly anymore). On Saturday's Brian Mitchell show, the guest appearance by Baltimore radio host Jerry Coleman brought back memories of his stint covering the Redskins for WTEM during the two year period prior to Dan Snyder buying that station. While Coleman's work ethic and dedication to the assignment aren't in question here, he was clearly used as a tool by Steve Czaban and Andy Pollin in their effort to get back at Joe Gibbs for asking 980's management to replace them with Bram Weinstein on his weekly show after the 2004 season due to overly aggressive questioning. While you'd think a head coach would have the right to some control over the content of a program bearing his name, there's little doubt that Czaban's harbored an intense grudge against Gibbs since then (treating him with incredible disrespect) - a caller to Reporters even brought up that theory a few months ago and he didn't deny it. I think Pollin's not nearly as vindictive as Czaban but chose to play along because he thought it made the show more interesting. They fed Coleman uncomfortable questions to ask the coach at his weekly press conference, including an instance where they claimed to have caught him in a playcalling contradiction regarding percent passes vs. runs - I believe that's the one which caused Gibbs to lose his cool and publically dress down the beat reporter (although he later called the station to apologize). Coleman was let go by Red Zebra shortly after the Snyder purchase and it's hard not to believe that the pointed nature of his press conference questions played a role in that decision as he ended up being the fall guy for Czaban and Pollin. Interestingly, Jim Zorn (who was back at FedEx Field with the Ravens on Saturday) also requested that the Sports Reporters hosts be replaced on his show after one season (with Kevin Sheehan and Thom Loverro taking over for the 2009 campaign) - and now they're taking backhanded shots at him. Mike, Fairfax (8/23/10) KT Harris is filling in, again, mid-days this week on 105.9 The Edge. We’re all aware of a vacancy in the afternoon drive slot since Kirk went to mornings with Mike, why not HER? She is missed by all that knew her on Hot 99.5… (8/23/10) From the I'M NOT AN HISTORIAN BUT I PLAY ONE ON TV files..... Georgetown, MD was not originally part of Frederick County when it was founded for a very simple reason. I don't think there were any counties in Maryland at that time. Both Annapolis, Baltimore and Georgetown pre-date the current counties and jurisdictions. But I saw once online that there was a mythical county proposal for Georgetown and the surrounding area shortly before the District of Columbia was created, but I cannot remember the name for the life of me but it was not Frederick or Montgomery County that I remember. (8/23/10) The reason MASN saves money losing the Ravens is because it's run by JOHN ANGELOS and the network has been inept at selling advertising time for not only the Ravens, but its 2 losing baseball teams as well. Haven't you ever noticed how many MASN advertisements run during programming? They're not all there for MASN's health, more likely an ad spot UNSOLD. So this season, big daddy PETE finds the son's balance sheet, crunches the numbers, and takes away the keys to the Beamer basically, hence no Baltimore Ravens. Sure, in the short term, it saves MASN money, but for the long haul, it hurts MASN, since few people will be watching MASN during the NFL season and will have long since forgotten what channel it's on by Spring Training. This also shows the power and flexibility that COMCAST has and another good reason why they already have too much power and why this NBC/Universal merger should not go through. COMCAST might easily bid on the Ravens pre-season games now next season because if there's a conflict with the Redskins, COMCAST can easily create an overflow channel. Hell maybe they'll use WJLA's channel for a few hours, hehe. And the Ravens ended up with a better deal too. For the 1st time ever, ALL the RAVE TV programming is available not only on cable, but over the air as well in the Baltimore market. It'll be interesting to see if WBAL Plus keeps the programming next season. Hearst has been actively programming 11.2, unlike most of the other area network affiliates .2 channels. They've already inked a deal for a syndicated talk show for the fall season, carry WBAL radio programs, have the Ravens shows nightly, and even had the Cal Ripken World Series on over the weekend. Finally one of the local commercial TV stations has actually made good use of their 2nd digital channel other than having a local weather channel knockoff drone running 24/7. (8/23/10) The Real Score will also air Sunday mornings in New York, LA, & Chicago as well as Washington on WDCA channel 20. Sinclair does't own any TV stations in the top markets, so they must have some collaborative deal with News Corp/FOX. The show appears to be timed to be before the FOX NFL pre-game show begins. Does anyone know if the show will be live or taped? The last time a live national pre-game show was done in Baltimore I think is the season ABC did the Monday Night Football pre-game show from Baltimore's now defunct ESPN Zone in the Inner Harbor. I remember because Frank Gifford complained fiercely about having to fly from Connecticut to Baltimore every Monday. He hated it. Oh, and Jennifer Gilbert's cohost will be none other than Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, not too shabby, with a bunch of additional reporters. Sound like a big deal, should be interesting. (8/23/10) "The item about Neal Augenstein's field report technology is interesting, but how does he attach the alligator clips?" Easy. If you are a reporter of at least a certain age, you know to carry a pair of "channel lock" pliers in your reporter's kit. You use the channel locks to forcibly unscrew the glued-down mouthpiece of the pay phone. When you take out the mike element located within, you attach the alligator clips to the two prongs that connect the mike element. Simple. Oh...there is a second way. Cutting into the phone wire with little side cutters (also in my kit) and clipping directly to the wire. But nowadays, pay phones are almost long gone...rendering all of this a bit moot. JYoung, VOA-TV (8/23/10) Robert in Arlington asked about Jack Horkheimer's show. I believe I used to watch it on channel 22, WMPT in Annapolis. Robert's post got me to thinking about the theme song. I have the album with that song. Also, I did wonder when JH changed from the "Star Hustler" to the "Star Gazer." That was explainted by the S&T article. Thanks for the post, Robert. -- Blair in Alexandria. - www.jackstargazer.com: Question: What is the most frequently asked question about 'STAR GAZER'? Answer: That's easy. Everybody asks about our theme song which is the classic 'Arabesque #1' by Claude Debussy performed by Isao Tomita on the still available "Snowflakes Are Dancing" album. (8/23/10) Dave's response: Back in the 1980s, I used to put Channel 22/WMPT on as I was falling asleep, watching the British classic "The Avengers" at 11 PM. And I often awakened to catch Horkheimer just before MPT's sign off, back when local TVers actually signed off. And, yes, I did even buy that Tomita album because of that cool theme tune..... 
From Geronimo's Twitter machine -
"me, Jan & Bart on da beach at Wright family reunion A great wnkd continues" (8/23/10)There are always some very good and thoughtful dialogue in your mailbag and I have a few answers to some of the CSN-TED TV-MASN 1. If Ted Leonsis did start a network it would likely look a great deal like the CSN that we already have. The difference would be that he would have control both programming and financial elements of the network. It would be more along the lines on SNY in New York where the Mets control the network and Comcast is a partner. 2. The loss of the Ravens by MASN actually saves the network money. I think the network liked having the Ravens on because it gave them an NFL team to go along with their baseball product. However, the Ravens were not a big time money maker for MASN. The network paid a rights fee for the preseason games and and did a rev share deal on the RAVE TV programs they aired. So with the Ravens off their books MASN saves rights money and gets to keep all the ad rev's from any programs that take the place of the RAVE TV product. The key to remember here is that the lion's share on MASN's money comes from the subscribers fees so that does not change if the Ravens are not on the network. 3. The Ravens made a good move taking their product in house and airing the games on their network. As for the RAVE TV programs the CSN and WBAL digital outlets will work for this season and next season if they can complete a long term deal - they can likely improve their air times on CSN. 4. The MASN - Nationals deal has 20 more years on it. 5. Both CSN Mid Atlantic and MASN are chartered to serve the region from the Pennsylvania border to North Carolina - which means all the teams the professional teams the represent are aired in that region. There are a few issues down in the NC area from time to time but the for the most part you are going to see Nationals, Orioles, Redskins, Caps, Wiz, DC United, Mystics, and Ravens on CSN. 6. The Comcast - Redskins deal gives the rights to exclusive HD to CSN. This is not solely Snyder's doing - CSN wanted exclusive. Hope this helps clear up some issues. Mailbag is a great place to air the issue. -- Jim Williams (8/23/10) These posts about those who don't like to view Baltimore sports TV in Virginia and those who "complain" about of a lack of major league sports in Virginia......I have to wonder if these people really know just exactly how "BIG " Virginia really is in terms of area? Unlike Maryland where local Baltimore and Washington TV are available in BOTH Ocean City on the eastern shore and in Cumberland which is in the far western mountains it is totally impossible to view local Norfolk and Virginia Beach TV say in Roanoke or Roanoke TV in Virginia Beach, or Bristol's WCYB channel 5 in Fredericksburg or even local Richmond TV such as WWBT in Winchester. Virginia really is much much bigger than one gives that state, OK commonwealth credit for. Besides just exactly how much Martinsville and Bristol have in common say with Fairfax and Falls Church anyway? You really are talking "two states..in one" Boyd (8/23/10) Well? Hell, yeah, I'm gonna support that Comcast merger! Do you think I'm in any position to piss off anyone with deep pockets? Listen I enjoy being overly paid to run a poor performing company! As long as I have stations that increase their rating dramatically I'm gonna cut costs by continuing to fire my jocks. How many jocks does WMMJ have now? Unless I've miscounted, probably one! Signed, "Slick" Alfie (the cheapskate) Liggins! (8/23/10) /\ August 23 Messages /\ \/ August 22 Messages \/ As Patch.Com prepares to expand in the D.C. area, some media outlet needs to do a report on how Patch has raided staff from the Washington Post’s suburban Gazette weekly papers in Maryland. Close to a dozen seasoned political reporters, longtime editors, top community reporters and copy desk staff have made the leap from print to on-line journalism. The Gazette is notorious for its lousy pay (maryland-politics.blogspot.com) and hostile management. It’s stunning to lose so many top staff members in such a short time, but especially in an election year. Just another example of the troubles at the Post (circulation dropping, Newsweek sale, Kaplan woes). (8/22/10) Even if Virginia would get a major league team, you will still have those who gripe about "too much Baltimore sports on my TV". Why? Simple, just who in Virginia would get a team? Northern Virginia? Fairfax? Nope it would be NORFOLK or VIRGINIA BEACH !!! With a metro population of nearly 2 million in that part of Virginia, that region has more than enough people to support at least one major league team but as far as getting support from Northern Virginia is concerned for a team say in Virginia Beach, well ya might as well forget it. People in Northern Virginia care as much for Norfolk/Virginia Beach as those in Ocean City care for Hagerstown and Cumberland. It won't be much !! Nah people will still bitch. (8/22/10) I know they are a local institution but Sonny, Sam, and Larry are a joke. Oh my God! Did you hear that mess last night? Talk about bad announcing? I was stuck in my truck listening. It was a train wreck. I had several belly laughs. Then, I get to my WV cabins and the local TV was almost worse. I am looking for others people’s opinions that HEARD it or watched it last night. Not sentimental BS. OOBBEE (8/22/10) So for the Redskins/Ravens game, Steve Bischotti gave the HD broadcast out on WBAL 11 over the air for free and Danny Snyder made you PAY for it and you were surprised? HAHA! (8/22/10) The chap who dissed Major League Sports in Virginia made an interesting observation. From 1751-1790, (before the District of Columbia was created in 1790), residents of Georgetown lived in "Georgetown, Maryland". Once DC was formed in 1790 and until 1871, "Georgetown, D.C." was an independent city within the District of Columbia. From 1791-1846, there was also an "Alexandria, D.C." across the Potomac. Along with those three independent cities inside the District (Washington, DC; Georgetown, DC and Alexandria, DC), there were several small settlements and villages within her boundaries. In fact, from 1776 - 1790, the entire area we now call DC belonged to Montgomery County, MD, but prior to 1776, the entire area we now call DC belonged to Frederick County, MD! (I'll stop now. My brain hurts.) (8/22/10) To the person complaining about Baltimore sports teams being on TV in Virginia: AND WHAT MAJOR LEAGUE SPORTS TEAMS DOES VIRGINIA HAVE? Ummmm, ok, I made my point, NONE! Get a major league sports team and get back to me. Technically even the District of Columbia is on Maryland soil (there was once a Georgetown, Maryland), so whiny Virginians really need to STFU. It was recently reported that Orioles ratings in the DC market on MASN exceeded Nats ratings and the Ravens have more radio/TV affiliates in DC than the Redskins have in Baltimore, go figure. Yes Virginia, you steal all of Maryland's jobs with lower corporate taxes, but guess what? Sports wise, you're pwned. Deal with it. As for the Leonsis Sports Net deal, Angelos already has a sweetheart deal for quite a long time, so unless he dies or decides to sell the Orioles and his interest in MASN, I can't see anything changing in the short term. Angelos would never in a million years sell his interest in MASN without selling the Orioles because just like Danny Snyder, he's a complete control freak. That's why both teams SUCK! I'm sure the Nat's ownership group is probably upset over losing the Ravens because they're looking for long-term growth for MASN. Meanwhile Angelos is getting pretty close to getting his first nurse fed jello cup at the assisted living facility. If Leonsis were smart, he'd call up Steve Bischotti, NOT Danny Snyder and work out a deal since BOTH would want opportunities in the adjacent markets that don't really compete as much directly and both want to market their product in an adjacent market. If the Caps, Wizards, & Ravens were all on the same network via a deal with COMCAST, with another Redskins/Nats oriented channel, that would seriously destroy MASN on an economic level and probably the Orioles as well. But, the Nationals are locked in, so this scenario is highly unlikely. But I think Bischotti is the kind of guy that could deal with Leonsis, but never Snyder, and we already know what happened with Angelos. (8/22/10) I stand corrected. Doing some surfing last night, I did find the Ravens on WBAL-TV. I should have known they were there. I have heard it mentioned often enough. JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (8/22/10) Dave's response: Interesting that the relay of the Ravens-Redskins game on DC's Channel 50, via Ravens TV, was in HD. Not so with the Redskins-Ravens coverage on DC's Channel 4, from Comcast SportsNet, which was hogging the HD feed all for itself. Hmmm..... Funny Heard on Facebook Weather Chatter.......... Justin Berk - Tony Pann Happy Birthday bud. Did you give yourself the week off? We could use some of your viewers :-) Next round of golf- I'll give you a gift and big smooch! BTW- was out last night and ran into Marty Bass. Posted a pic. He said we should be working together again. Guess the am is getting watered down now." No clue what it all means, but still funny. :-) (8/22/10) Maybe the Monumental Entertainment and Sports Network? Ted would be MESN with MASN. (8/22/10) Regarding Joe in Essex's comments. To my knowledge, the only other US market that is similar to Balto/Wash in population (about 6 million) is the SF Bay area. There Comcast is the carrier for local cable sports. It is the only market that has two 24 hour, full time Comcast SportsNet affiliates. According to Wapedia (different Wikipedia) the market is served by CSN Bay Area as the main television channel for San Francisco Giants and the Golden State Warriors, and also shows select games from MLS's San Jose Earthquakes along with sister-network CSN California. CSN Bay Area also broadcasts college sports, mainly involving the Stanford Cardinal and the California Golden Bears as well as sports involving the Pacific-10, Western Athletic, Mountain West and West Coast Conferences. CSN California is the cable home for Oakland Athletics, the San Jose Sharks, the Sacramento Kings, MLS's San Jose Earthquakes and the PASL's Stockton Cougars. The network also carries programming related to the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers. CSN California college coverage includes UC Berkeley [1] , Sacramento State University, St. Mary's College, UC Davis, the University of San Francisco, the University of the Pacific, the University of Nevada and San Jose State University. Due to the territorial rules set by the National Basketball Association, Golden State Warriors games do not air in the Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto television market on CSN Bay Area, while for the same reason, CSN California cannot air Sacramento Kings telecasts in the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose market. (8/22/10) Dave: Let's start with the Leonsis Sportsnet idea. If you think about-it, Ted doesn't have to do much to get things started other than thinking "long-term." Angelos doesn't like to lose money and I think he's finding out this regional sports business is not for him, let alone a losing entity. Therefore, I could really see Angelos selling MASN to Leonsis along with the two MLB contracts. In addition, all Ted has to do is find a way-out of his Caps and Wizards' deals with CSN and he's all set! Finally, when will the Redskins and CSN realize Theismann is very good on the preseason games. The actual production may have been just as bad as Joe and Doc's English. I'm happy the Ravens found a new home...all we have to do is hope Leonsis gets together with the Redskins? (8/22/10) Public TV's iconic "Star Hustler" Jack Horkheimer passed away on Friday (8/20). www.skyandtelescope.com... I remember him from his weekly TV segments but hadn't seen them for many years. Do any mailbagers remember which DC TV stations carried his program? Robert, Arlington (8/20/10) Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully to announce future with the Dodgers sports.yahoo.com (8/22/10) RE: Leonsis Sportsnet..... Is there any market the size of DC that has THREE local sports networks? I dunno about that. Doesn't sound like something that would fly to me. But knowing Comcast, they'd probably sink some money into it just to spite MASN just like they did with The Baltimore Ravens even though Comcast Sports Net is the Redskins flagship station. If I were the Nats owner, I'd be nervous about this scenario considering Peter Angelos apparently unilaterally killed the MASN/Ravens deal all by himself and ultimately that's gonna hurt MASN profits and Nats/O's profits at the same time. As the Nats gradually gain a larger ownership % of MASN, I think they're going to tire quickly of Angelos's stunts, but as it stands, I think they're stuck for at least 10 years. Hopefully, Angelos will be long dead by then for the sake of both the O's and the Nats. -- Joe in Essex (8/22/10) Re: ["In happier times; a picture of Fred and Andy, happy as clams, one hour after talking their 8:15 AM Metamucal." Good grief, both of those guys look like they belong in the old folks home. Did they ever appeal to the target geographic (unless that geographic was age 75+).] Aaaah...Reminds me of the good old days, long before the pair was hired by Dubbya-Emmay-Yell...Remember when the two of them had their weekly gig on "The Muppet Show"? (8/22/10) Couch potatoes, today (8/22) is a Holy Day. Two television pioneers share a birthday. Paul Nipkow (born in 1860) came up with the theory for mechanical television in 1883. Charles Francis Jenkins (born in 1867) put the theory to work and opened one of America's first mechanical TV stations (W3XK, Washington, DC in 1927). Mechanical TV failed, but it led the way to development of electronic TV by Philo Farnsworth in September 1927. Al McGilvray (8/22/10) add on to "grandy_and_andy if you like, dave (8/22/10) The last time the Antiques Roadshow came close to DC was a visit to Charm City. Pick Temple's grand-daughter was featured in one of the segments as she sought an appraisal for a lithograph that Pick owned. (Pick himself makes a rather quiet appearance at the very end.) (8/22/10) The on screen guide states that the Ravens-Skins is on CSN (Bethesda) I think you call it Mid-Atlantic. However, there is something different on CSN. Let's give a big shout out to Joe Albritton. The game is being carried on WHTM (ABC27 sub channel 2) So far, that's the only channel I can find it on. JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (8/22/10) /\ August 22 Messages /\ \/ August 21 Messages \/ To answer the Virginia resident, I live in the beautiful Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I am interested in both the Ravens and the Redskins. Also ,the Orioles and Nationals but not as much. JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (8/21/10) Regarding the RAVE TV programming deal... As a Virginia resident, I can't stand the constant mentions of Baltimore sports. I can't stand the Oriole's on WTEM. I can't stand the Orioles on MASN1. And now more coverage of the Ravens on CSN? Why? Who wants to hear about the details of out of market teams? Why not a Comcast SportsNet DC for DC residents; and a Comcast SportsNet Baltimore for Baltimore residents? (And likewise, MASNDC and MASNBALT...) Few in Baltimore care about DC sports. Few in DC, with the exception of the small tweener area bordering both location, care about Baltimore sports. Those tweener locations can carry both channels. The rest of us don't have to be bothered. (8/21/10) Not only does Post TV Guide have the 'Skins listed on Fox tonight but they ALSO have it listed on Fox next week. Good job, Wash. Post. Paul (8/21/10) Today's TV listing in the Post shows Fox Ch.5 as airing the 'Skins game again. That's in addition to listing the, presumably, correct, Ch.4 and 50. (8/21/10) From www.musicradio77.com courtesy of Dave's links to the NYC and Philly broadcast boards: Posted by Mike McCann on August 20, 2010 at 19:07:50: If you have Direct TV's EXTRA INNINGS or MLB.tv (the online package) be sure to check out tonight's Washington Nationals telecast of their game against the Phillies. Johnny Holliday, the last rock jock on WINS, is doing the play-by-play. Johnny has enjoyed an even more distinguished career as sportscaster in DC. (Normally, he hosts the team's pre- and post-game shows, but much like Bob Lorenz, is filling in while the regular PBP man Bob Carpenter has a day off). The MASN telecast on DirecTV channel 640 (8/21/10) 7 Says 5's News Is Better - Not surprised..is any one in this market? No one left working there has any experience, who else is going to write stories for them? The newsroom has absolutely no competent leadership, plagued by low morale and everyone there is bracing for yet another round of layoffs. Allegedly TDB is having major problem with this launch due to the large purchase of equipment completely unsuited for it's intended purpose and that's why the amount of televised programing has been so drastically cut back...they can't get their product on air. Comcast/NBC will eat their lunch if they start their own local cable news station, but at least the laid off Allbritton employees will have a place to work. (8/21/10) Dave, Here are a few more details to go along with what we have both been reporting. I have found out that both sides are exploring a long range deal, the one done yesterday was to get RAVE TV programming on regionally this season while the WBAL digital package will handle the local coverage. There will be no live pre or post game shows done be CSN and they will continue to cover them on all their SportsNite programs as well as CSNBaltimore. www.washingtonexaminer.com... Cheers, Jim (8/21/10) Of course Albert Liggins if for the Comcast/NBC merger... Comcast is his partner in TVOne..... (8/21/10) Really? A story about Porter Waggoner & Dolly Parton when you were living in Nashville in 1963? Wow Rusty...you were all of six years old dude. That must be one helluva fucking story. Wait. Let me guess. Dolly & Porter recommended you start a recording studio/label and call it "Arrest Records", figuring it would come in handy later in life. Ralph Emery and you and Dolly and Porter went down to the livestock auction lookin' fer dates? Junior Samples let you use his overalls as a hammock backstage at the Grand Ol' Opry? Tell ya what goober, howzabout you take this jug of super'shine and get yerself a nice healthy swig of STFU. Half the shit you ask about is either easily answerable by using Google search or so self-serving it's like a small child chatting away just to hear the sound of their own voice. (8/21/10) Fake TV news is nothing new. For years now, news programs have been using video news releases (VNRs) in place of actual journalism. A report about it by the Center for Media and Democracy is here: www.prwatch.org. (8/21/10) Nevermind the "Alligator Clips", I'm just elated that area news legend Neal Augenstein is now a "Mailbagger". Welcome to our little "family" Mr. Augenstein. And John; I caught part of "TOGS" last night. Continue on about Dolly Parton next week as I have a rather funny story about her when I met both Miss Dolly and Porter Wagoner while I was living in Nashville in '63. Rusty Gibson (8/21/10) What was up with WRC's local weekend news this morning, it looked like it had some "commercials" disguised as "news" within it. One was for a vegan clothing store that ended almost in the middle of it (did the paid time run out?) while the other was for an dot com travel website. I only watched for 15 minutes but both were on in that time. I wonder how many other of these "news" items, if indeed they were really not "newsformercials" are now being included on Channel 4's weekend news. Bob from College Park (8/21/10) TBD is still very much a work in progress, even at the very basics of new media journalism. It was WUSA/9 after all that first broke the story about commuters locked in the Greenbelt Metro station yet TBD didn't have anything up on its site until it linked to Fox5's later account. Worse, WJLA (ABC7News) tweeted an item, retweeted by TBD & TBD TV, about westbound lanes being closed late Friday because of a fatal accident on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. It turned out the accident wasn't fatal as WJLA's own later story on TBD.com correctly noted. Unfortunately, no correction or clarification was ever tweeted to WJLA & TBD's Twitter followers who had seen the inaccurate tweet. Perhaps TBD staffers and the various TBD associated bloggers were too busy playing their spy contest to pursue the issue. Everett W. (8/21/10) In hearing some of the comments about Citadel's stations and the female stations, I personally have one conclusion, The Edge & all the Female stations are better than WMAL or any Talk station. Talk belongs on the AM dial not on FM same goes for sports. How's the FM dial working out for 105.7 the Fan?? Obviously not very good and really no better maybe even worse than the old ESPN1300. People think just because an AM station isn't getting the ratings it once did or never did that it should be moved to FM. Anyone with a brain no matter their age know's what the AM dial is and what can be found there. FM doesn't change how talk sounds because it's still just people talking Mono or stereo it doesn't matter it's not like listening to music. Also if a talk station is on a blowtorch AM frequency more than likely it's covering much more of a distance than the equal on an FM could ever do. So there goes the excuses for a move to FM right there. It's just that younger generations overall really don't give a shit about Rush the druggie Limbaugh, Glenn Back, or Hannity. Moving a talker to FM isn't going to change that either. All they do is sit there and whine all day about every last thing the other party does yet it's more like the pot calling the kettle black. Moving any AM talker to FM won't be getting this 28 year old to listen ever, just more of a reason to boycott the company that puts the talker on FM. I'll just keep taking my 102.7 Jack FM, Mickey & Ameila on 98 Rock, Z1043, Flashback weekends on 101.9 and most of all 94.7 HD2 HFS-2 24-7 as I always do. Chris in Hanover, PA (8/21/10) The item about Neal Augenstein's field report technology is interesting, but how does he attach the alligator clips? (8/21/10) Re: "In happier times; a picture of Fred and Andy, happy as clams, one hour after talking their 8:15 AM Metamucal." Good grief, both of those guys look like they belong in the old folks home. Did they ever appeal to the target geographic (unless that geographic was age 75+). (8/21/10) To the listener who wondered how I deal with incoming calls while doing field production on my iPhone -- there are a couple different workarounds. If I'm recording, I put the phone on Airplane Mode, which means I can't get or make any calls. If I'm doing a liveshot with Media5-VoIP I activate Call Forwarding. Thanks for asking! Neal Augenstein (8/21/10) /\ August 21 Messages /\ Messages from August 9 to August 20 can be reached HERE.....  |
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