Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

By Frank Macek Major League Baseball’s new media agreement with NBC marks one of the most significant shifts in the sport’s national broadcast landscape in years, restoring a legacy partnership while reshaping how fans will watch many of baseball’s biggest moments. Beginning with the 2026 season, NBC returns to MLB coverage with a package that blends historic broadcast presence and modern streaming strategy, placing select games on both the NBC broadcast network and Peacock.  For longtime fans who remember NBC’s iconic baseball coverage through the 1990s, the move represents both a nostalgic return and a strategic adjustment for today’s multiplatform audience. Here in Northeast Ohio, all NBC-network MLB broadcasts will air locally on WKYC, Cleveland’s NBC affiliate. Under the agreement, NBC regains rights to several high-profile MLB events. Among the most notable additions is Sunday Night Baseball, which NBC will air during weeks without network conflicts. ESPN still retains its lo...

By Frank Macek WKYC is unwrapping a bit of holiday nostalgia with a look back at our Holiday Values Magazine, a seasonal tradition that once showcased the station’s community spirit and promotional flair in the early 1990s. These rare vintage photos, recently shared with us by former Director of Advertising & Promotion Dan Klintworth, offer a vivid window into an era when WKYC’s branding, events, and on-air talent were captured in festive, magazine-style spreads delivered to viewers each winter. Klintworth, who served at WKYC from 1984 to 1995 during both NBC and Multimedia ownership, preserved these images for decades. His generosity in sending them back home to WKYC gives us an invaluable look at the station’s creative legacy—a time defined by bold graphics, spirited promotions, and a newsroom buzzing with holiday energy. These photos not only celebrate our past but also remind us how deeply WKYC’s traditions continue to resonate today. Enjoy a trip to the past. Channel 3 News ...

By Frank Macek WKYC Studios has these job openings available if you are looking for a rewarding career experience with us at TEGNA Media's Cleveland location. We've also now added opportunities for our sister TEGNA stations in Columbus and Toledo, Ohio courtesy of the Director's Cut Blog. Current WKYC/Cleveland Job Openings Account Executive   Multiskilled Journalist   Current WBNS/Columbus Job Openings Account Executive   Managing Editor Multi-Skilled Journalist Story Desk Editor **NEW** Current WTOL/Toledo Job Openings Account Executive Multiskilled Journalist You can also find other jobs within our parent company on the  TEGNA Career Page . Please note, you must apply via the website. Mailed applications are not accepted. Follow Frank Macek for new postings on X  @MacekNewsNation  or on Facebook at  fb/frank.macek

By Frank Macek One of Northeast Ohio’s most familiar faces is returning to local television. Veteran meteorologist Mark Johnson will join WKYC Channel 3 as a meteorologist beginning Monday, Nov. 10, bringing his trusted voice, decades of forecasting experience, and deep connection to the community back to viewers across the region. Johnson will deliver weather updates weekdays during WKYC’s 5, 7, and 11 p.m. newscasts, adding his expertise to one of Cleveland’s most respected weather teams.  For those who grew up watching him interpret lake-effect snow, spring storms, or summer heat waves, his return marks the homecoming of a beloved broadcaster whose calm authority has guided viewers through some of Northeast Ohio’s most unpredictable weather moments. Mark Johnson is more than just a forecaster — he’s part of Cleveland’s television history. A lifelong Northeast Ohio resident, Johnson first stepped onto the Cleveland airwaves in 1993, launching a career at WEWS-TV that would span ...

By Frank Macek In every newsroom, there are the familiar faces viewers see each day—the anchors, the reporters, the meteorologists guiding us through another unpredictable Cleveland forecast. But the real heartbeat of a station like WKYC lies with the people you rarely see: the photographers and editors. They are the unsung heroes who make the stories come alive, the ones who quietly transform chaos into clarity and turn everyday news into something that connects us all. At WKYC, the photographers are often the first to hit the road and the last to come back. When the rest of Northeast Ohio is tucked inside avoiding the blinding snow, these men and women are out there—battling the elements with cameras slung over their shoulders, trudging through drifts and ice to capture the story for the evening newscast. The cold cuts through layers of clothing, the wind howls across the lakefront, and yet, they stand firm, focused on getting the perfect shot that will help viewers understand the ...

By Frank Macek Old WKYC building at E. 6th Street October 31 isn’t just Halloween in Cleveland—it’s also the day Channel 3 first lit up the airwaves. On October 31, 1948, WKYC—then known as WNBK —signed on as Cleveland’s second television station , following WEWS-TV. Seventy-seven years later, that pioneering NBC signal from Parma has evolved into a multimedia powerhouse that continues to inform, inspire, and connect Northeast Ohio. When WNBK first went on the air, television itself was still new and experimental. Only a few hundred Clevelanders owned TV sets, and most programming came live from NBC’s studios in New York. The local station filled the schedule with community shows, live news, and sports, all broadcast from a modest downtown facility. Those early engineers, announcers, and producers were true trailblazers, figuring out the technology and storytelling in real time. In 1954, the station relocated its transmitter to Parma and moved from Channel 4 to Channel 3 to improve si...

By Frank Macek WKYC's & NBC’s 2025 holiday lineup sparkles with music, nostalgia, and tradition.  The season begins with Wicked: One Wonderful Night , a star-studded musical celebration featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.  Thanksgiving brings Countdown to the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade , the parade itself, and the beloved National Dog Show Presented by Purina . December shines with Christmas in Rockefeller Center hosted by Reba McEntire, followed by Christmas in Nashville .  Animated favorites return, including How the Grinch Stole Christmas , Frosty the Snowman , and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer . Holiday fun continues with the Password Holiday Special , A Motown Christmas hosted by Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey, and Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular . Classic films and faith close the season with It’s a Wonderful Life and the traditional Christmas Eve Mass , before the 137th Rose Parade ushers in the New Year. Here's a preview of ...

By Frank Macek Silas Tsang WKYC Studios has added a new name to its award-winning 3News team, as journalist and producer Silas Tsang joins as Investigative Producer. Tsang comes to Cleveland from WTOL in Toledo, where he spent the past several years producing some of Ohio’s most notable investigations and earning recognition for his commitment to transparency and public accountability. While at WTOL, Tsang worked closely with lead investigator Brian Dugger to build the station’s 11 Investigates brand into a recognized source of hard-hitting reporting. His work has been praised by colleagues and management alike for its depth, accuracy, and impact. WTOL’s news director said “his dedication and drive have left a lasting mark” on their newsroom — a sentiment that reflects his relentless pursuit of truth and commitment to ethical journalism. Among his many accomplishments, Tsang was the first to uncover a critical court document that kick-started the investigation into Cedar Point’s poli...

By Frank Macek Great things are happening at WKYC starting Monday (October 20), and viewers are going to notice. The station is rolling out a refreshed lineup, new faces in new time slots, and expanded streaming options — all designed to make it easier to stay connected with the stories that matter most to Northeast Ohio. The biggest headline is the debut of 3News at Noon, a brand-new midday newscast airing from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday on Channel 3 and streaming live on WKYC+. On Fridays, viewers can catch a shorter, half-hour version of the noon broadcast before the always-entertaining “Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show.”  Anchors Brissa Bradfield and David Greenberg will team up to bring viewers the latest news, weather, and stories happening around the community — the perfect way to get caught up in the middle of your day. This new addition fills a big gap in the local lineup and gives Clevelanders a fresh option for midday news. Whether you’re taking a lunch bre...

By Frank Macek In an age when trust in the media feels like it’s collapsing under its own weight, local television news still manages to stand tall. National networks are often viewed through partisan lenses, and social media has become a noisy, confusing stream of half-truths and hot takes.  Yet when a storm rolls in, when a city council vote affects taxes, or when there’s an emergency unfolding down the street, viewers still turn to their local newscast. That quiet, enduring trust may be local TV’s greatest remaining asset — but it’s also one that needs careful protection if it’s going to last. The numbers tell a revealing story. Surveys over the past year show that local television remains one of the most trusted news sources in America. Roughly three-quarters of viewers say they trust their local news stations — a significantly higher rate than national outlets or digital-only brands. Studies from the Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) and the Radio Television Digital News ...

By Frank Macek Brandon Simmons WKYC Studios is proud to announce that Brandon Simmons has been promoted to Assistant News Director, marking an important milestone in a career built on hard work, innovation, and leadership. His journey at WKYC has been one of steady growth, defined by versatility and a deep commitment to excellence across every platform. Brandon joined WKYC in 2010 and quickly made an impression. He started as an intern, eager to learn the fast-paced world of television news, and moved through the ranks to become a key member of the assignment desk. There, he developed a sharp sense for breaking stories and a deep understanding of how a newsroom operates. His ability to stay calm under pressure and think strategically made him a trusted teammate early on. When he transitioned into reporting, Brandon’s storytelling skills and technical understanding came together seamlessly. He brought empathy and professionalism to every story, connecting with audiences while breaking d...

By Frank Macek Kristen Mirand A new face has joined the WKYC newsroom, and I think viewers are really going to like her. Kristen Mirand is her name, and she comes to Cleveland after spending the last few years in Buffalo, where she worked as a reporter and anchor at WKBW, the station in her hometown.  It’s always special when a journalist gets to cover the community that raised them, but Kristen is ready for a new challenge and new stories here in Northeast Ohio. Kristen has already built a reputation as a reporter who doesn’t shy away from tough stories. In Buffalo, she was trusted with breaking news coverage, and her work showed a clear comfort with being on the front lines when the big stories happened. Before returning home, she spent two years in Lynchburg, Virginia, working for WSET, where she covered a wide range of local issues. That role gave her the kind of foundation every journalist needs early in their career: a chance to learn how to juggle everything from crime and c...