Here's our update of what's happening around the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center:
Tim's Final Day at WKYC is Friday
Join Channel 3 News at 6, 7 & 11 PM for WKYC Anchor Tim White's final appearance on the big broadcasts. As previously reported, Tim and WKYC were not able to reach agreement on a new contract. Beginning Monday, Romona Robinson will solo anchor the 6 & 11 PM newscasts, while Carole Sullivan and Eric Mansfield take over the anchor desk at 7 PM. Meteorologist Betsy Kling and Sports Anchor Jim Donovan remain on all 3 broadcasts.
Update: New Tower Rising Soon
WKYC will likely start assembly of our new broadcast tower in Parma next week as we get set to make our digital switch to Digital Channel 17 on February 17, 2009. The brand new tower will support antennas for both WKYC and WVIZ right next to our current tower location. After the transition is complete, the old tower will be brought down which currently transmits WKYC-TV 3 on analog and Digital Channel 2. So, keep an eye out for a new stick poking skyward like the "moon rising over Parma."
Jimmy Fallon Preview "Late Night" on Web Site
The future of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" is reality...at least on-line. Jimmy has started taping video blogs with a behind the scenes preview of the show and his warm up to the big time. Jimmy will take over for Conan O'Brien, who moves to "The Tonight Show" starting in early 2009. Each of Jimmy's "vlogs" are available each weeknight at 12:30 a.m. Check out: www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com
Gannett Says Revenue Down, More Job Cuts Coming
Gannett executives speaking on Thursday at a UBS Media and Communication conference said 2008 reveiw will fall to $6.8 billion, down from $7.4 billion last year - according to a report today in the New Mexico Business Weekly.
Craig A. Dubow, chairman, president and chief executive officer discussed the impact of the difficult economic environment but stressed: “Our philosophy and operating premise is that we have been in bad times before and we know how to manage through them. We are doing that aggressively now, while continuing to execute on our strategic plan. We believe these steps will prepare us for the return of the economy."
Like other media publishing companies, Gannett has been hit hard by falling advertising revenue in 2008 with jobs cuts across both its publishing and broadcast business.
The company also warned, according to the published report, that it is planning more job cuts into 2009 - although executives hope those numbers will be in the "mid to high single digits" next year for its broadcasting division.
You can read more of Gannett's press release today: CLICK HERE
