Here's our update of what's happening around the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center, on NBC and around the television industry:
Our Condolences
A couple of sad notes to pass along:
According to our friends at Ohio Media Watch, Harry Martin passed away at age 81 from liver cancer on Monday in Southern California. Harry was heard on former KYW radio (WKYC's radio arm) as part of the "Martin and Howard" show. OMW says Mr. Martin was at the "top rung of Cleveland radio success...from 1962 to 1968."
Also our best wishes to WKYC Director of Local Programming Terry Moir on the recent loss of her father, Dr. Thomas William "Bill" Moir at age 85. Dr. Moir was a physician, educator, Korean War Veteran, lifelong student, runner, sailor, pilot and good friend to many. Services will be held Friday at the Church of the Gesu, 2470 Miramar Rd., University Hts., at 1 p.m.
Obama Wants Congress to Postpone February 17th DTV Date
President-elect Barack Obama is urging Congress to postpone the Feb. 17 switch from analog to digital television broadcasting. In a letter to key lawmakers, transition team co-chair John Podesta warned Thursday that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air broadcasts won't be ready. The incoming administration is pushing for a delay in part because the Commerce Department has run out of money for the coupons that subsidize digital TV converter boxes for consumers. People who don't have cable or satellite TV or a new TV with a digital tuner will need the converter boxes to keep their analog TVs working. Obama officials are also concerned that the government is not giving consumers enough help with the TV transition.
Don't Forget the Deadline for Regional Emmy Awards - 2/20/09
The Emmy Deadline date was moved 2 weeks later than normal in anticipation of possible user issues with the switch in software this year. The Chapter officers will continue to monitor the Emmy process to ensure compliance and fairness to all that enter. Visit the The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Lower Great Lakes Chapter for more information: www.nataslgl.org
