Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

Special to the Director's Cut Blog By Joelle Tessler, AP Technology Writer  New Internet video services from companies such as Netflix and Apple are offering a glimpse of a home entertainment future that doesn't include a pricey monthly cable bill. To challenge the cable TV industry's dominance in the living room, though, online video services need popular movies and TV shows to lure viewers, and access to high-speed Internet networks to reach them. Yet they have had no rights to either -- until now. To win government approval to take over NBC Universal last month, cable giant Comcast Corp. agreed to let online rivals license NBC programming, including hit shows such as "30 Rock" and "The Office." Comcast also agreed not to block its 17 million broadband subscribers from watching video online through Netflix, Apple's iTunes and other rivals yet to come. Those requirements aim to ensure that the nation's largest cable TV company, with nea...

By Frank Macek It's hard to believe the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center is a decade old after we moved in December 2000/January 2001. In that time, we have celebrated the good times with Cleveland - and the bad. Our first major experience in this "new" building was September 11th as the nation was stunned by the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. Your blogger remembers the chaos of the moment and how emotional we all were. Some of our colleagues were in shock. But, we had a job to do - to bring a Cleveland perspective to the day that changed our nation. And we did. Other memorable moments covered from here include the SuccessTech shootings that occurred right next door to our studios. Imagine the shock of arriving at work that day to find how difficult it was to get into work. All the roads were blocked and police were everywhere. Other exciting events we covered include a major August blackout that left many states in the dark and the great recessio...

You'll find cleaner, streamlined pages. The home page and section pages have fewer distracting colors so you can get straight to the news, weather and sports headlines or find your favorite section with ease. Photo galleries and videos are easier to find on the home page. And you'll find them embedded more prominently in articles, making it easier to navigate all our coverage. On wkyc.com, the focus will be on content -- headlines, stories, photos, videos and graphics. But even with the best design intentions, we might have missed something. So, if you are having any issues, have a suggestion, or have something to say about the site please tell us. You can comment right here on this article, send an email to us, newsdesk@wkyc.com , or talk to us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WKYC.Channel3 The conversation on wkyc.com will improve, too. If you have accounts for Facebook and wkyc.com, you'll be able to log in to WKYC with your Facebook information. One less p...

In a first for network reality competitions, NBC’s new series “The Voice” (premiering spring 2011), will bring the audition experience to viewers at home by allowing users to showcase their talents online via a new interactive tool available on NBC.COM ( http://www.nbc.com/thevoice ). While the show’s casting team is searching the nation, working with music industry experts and hosting casting calls in an effort to find the nation’s top talent, “The Voice Online Audition Tool” takes the process one step further -- allowing the show to find potential contestants right in their own homes via the use of a personal computer and a webcam. "This unique interactive online experience that provides immediate feedback and scoring is an evolution in the casting process. This technology will exponentially expand our reach but, of course, only the best of the best will make it on to the show," said Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming and Production, NBC. ...

Robin Swoboda One of Northeast Ohio’s most respected and well-loved personalities returns to her journalistic roots with a new station and new assignment. “I am happy to announce that Robin will be anchoring our 7pm newscast, along with current reporter Chris Tye,” said WKYC President and General Manager Brooke Spectorsky. “I know Robin’s experience, community knowledge and warm sense of humor will bring a unique perspective to our newscast. You’ve seen Chris substituting for anchors Mark Nolan and Romona Robinson over the past few years; he’s got great energy and strong reporting skills. Together, Robin and Chris will be a dynamic team.” “When I started as an evening anchor in 1986, I never would have imagined the course my on-air life would take,” added Robin. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it all; from local shows to network programming to the Morning Exchange. But my first love has always been news, and I feel that’s where my strongest contributions will be. I’m truly excited to j...

Bob McBride, courtesy The Washington Post The Director's Cut Blog has learned that former WKYC Anchorman Bob McBride passed away February 1st in Alexandria, Virginia, at age 84 following a stroke. Bob abandoned plans to retire from the Washington TV scene when he received the call to come to Cleveland and join Doreen Gentzler on the anchor desk at WKYC in 1986. According to his obituary in The Washington Post , Doreen Gentzler remembers Bob fondly. "He was a really good guy, a gentlemen with a friendly world for everyone. He had a good sense of humor and never took himself too seriously." Ironically, Gentzler would later move on to WRC-TV/4 in Washington D.C., the same station Bob had worked before coming to WKYC. Bob was born in Chicago and graduated from the Fork Union Military Academy in Virgina in 1943. He is survived by two daughters and a grandson. His wife, the late Cythnia Martin McBride died in 2007.

Carson Daly Carson Daly, host of NBC’s “Last Call with Carson Daly,” will host NBC’s compelling new vocal competition series “The Voice,” from the hit-making reality show pioneers John de Mol, Mark Burnett and Warner Horizon Television. The announcement was made by Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming and Production. “Carson is the perfect choice to host this exciting new series owing to his credibility, popularity and relevance in both the music world and social media,” said Telegdy. “As he has demonstrated on his late-night show, Carson has the knack of recognizing new talent, which is a key component in ‘The Voice.’” "I have a true appreciation for authentic, raw talent and 'The Voice' is all about finding that," said Daly. "Having worked in the music industry for many years, I am looking forward to hosting 'The Voice.' This is a show based strictly on vocal performance -- giving all kinds of talented singers the oppor...