Video Preview: Lottery Drawing Moves to Channel 3 on July 1st

As we first broke on the Director's Cut blog on June 1st (read our original story), the Ohio Lottery moves to Channel 3 beginning on Friday, July 1st.

We'll now become home to the nightly drawings and the weekly television show "Cash Explosion" every Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Click on the video to watch our promo running now:

Behind the Scenes: Anthony Sowell Trial And The Media

One of the biggest trials in Cleveland's legal history is getting underway at the Federal Courthouse in downtown Cleveland.

Our Chris Tye went behind the scenes on a tour that shows not only the courtroom and the scene, but also where the media will be working during the trial. It's a place you really get to know your colleagues up close and personal.

Click on the video for a fascinating look and how we are seeing the trial from our perspective at WKYC and Cleveland local media outlets:

WKYC & SportsTime Ohio Take Home 5 Emmy Awards Saturday

By Frank Macek

Congratulations to many of our colleagues at WKYC and our partner sports channel, SportsTime Ohio, for a total of 5 Emmy Awards.

The awards were presented Saturday evening at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Cleveland.

Our winner's list this year include the following individuals and the name of their entry:

• Sports: Single News Story ("Mylans Woods"): Lynn Olszowy (reporter/photographer)
• Sporting Event/Game: Live/Unedited ("OHSAA Div. I Football Championship"): Mike Bachmann (Producer) & Steve Warren (Director)
• Sports: One Time Special ("STO Par 3 Shootout"): Dean Cummings (Coordinating Producer), Patrick Kilkenney (Executive Producer), Michael Atkins (Producer), John Zaccardelli (Sound Editor), Jim Donovan (On-Air Talent), Jimmy Hamlin (On-Air Talent) and Doug Cooper (Editor)
• Crafts: Lightning - Location ("Blowin' Smoke"): Steve Pullen (Lighting)
• Crafts: Writer - Short Form ("Fans For Life"): Michael Roche (Writer)

For a complete list of winners for this year's awards ceremony, click on the following link:
http://www.nataslgl.org/emmy/2011winners.pdf

Online Video Viewers Watch Less TV Says Nielsen

Special to the Director's Cut Blog
By Ryan Nakashima, AP Business Writer

LOS ANGELES - Americans who watch the most video online tend to watch less TV, according to The Nielsen Co., a finding that overturns a longstanding belief that people who watch more programming do so over all devices.

The ratings agency said Wednesday that starting last fall, it noticed a segment of consumers who were starting to make a trade-off between online video and regular TV. The activity was more pronounced among people ages 18-34.

The finding could be troubling to television networks that have been putting shows online in order to reach new audiences. The hope was they wouldn't diminish viewership on television, where they still make most of their advertising revenue.
Nielsen polled about 2,600 people who said they watched videos online in the first three months of the year, and divided them into fifths based on how much they watch.

The fifth that watched the most video online consumed nearly 19 minutes a day, and also watched the least amount of television, at about four hours and 32 minutes a day.

The fifth that watched the least online video - at less than a tenth of a minute a day - watched the most TV at 4 hours and 50 minutes. Nielsen said such a finding doesn't indicate that people are about to drop their pay TV packages to watch video only online, a notion known as "cord cutting."

About 91 percent of TV households still paid for a TV subscription in the first quarter, and most of the changes had to do with people switching between cable, telephone and satellite companies. Overall, TV viewing crept up by 0.2 percent from a year ago to 158 hours and 47 minutes a month, while video watching on the Internet jumped 35 percent to 4 hours and 33 minutes per month.

Watching on mobile devices such as smartphones rose 20 percent to 4 hours and 20 minutes a month. Jack Wakshlag, chief research officer at Time Warner Inc.'s Turner Broadcasting System, said the decrease in TV viewing made by the heaviest watchers of online video was relatively small and "not something we view as destructive or damaging."

He noted that overall viewing went up on all platforms, meaning that Time Warner's "TV Everywhere" strategy of making content available to subscribers on multiple devices was the right one. Nielsen also found differences based on the ethnicity of audiences.

African-Americans watched the most of any ethnic group on TV and over mobile devices, at nearly 213 hours a month on TV, and 6 hours and 30 minutes on mobile devices. Asians watched the least TV at 100 hours and 25 minutes, and the most online video at 10 hours and 19 minutes. Hispanics were the most likely to have a smartphone, at 53 percent, followed by Asians at 48 percent, African-Americans at 39 percent and whites at 30 percent.

Nielsen's senior vice president of insights and analysis, Pat McDonough, said the study suggests that advertisers have to cast a wider net to make sure they're reaching the audiences they want.

"The real implication for advertisers is you need to think broadly," she said. "You need to think about reaching people on the screen that they're available on at that time."

WKYC Launches New Show Called "It's About You" Saturday, June 11th

WKYC continues our committment to quality, local programming with a brand new weekend show called "It's About You" on Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m. following Channel 3 News Today beginning June 11th.

At home...in the garden...on the go...

It's about your life, your way, your health, and your style of living.

It's about you! With your hosts Andrea Vecchio and Joe Cronauer as more local programming is coming to your weekend mornings, and we're providing you with how-tos, expert advice, and projects to help enhance your style of living.

Co-Hosted by Joe Cronauer who has been seen and heard on Cleveland airwaves for the last 22 years. He's been up and down the radio dial as part of The Brian and Joe Radio Show. In 2008 he was inducted in the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Currently of WKYC's Good Company.

In 2005, Andrea Vecchio began her dual job as a television host and producer when WKYC-TV launched the local talk show Good Company. During her time on Good Company, Andrea has traveled around the world to cover movie premieres, including a trip to Bora Bora to interview the cast of "Couples Retreat", she has cooked with top chefs, including Cleveland's own Iron Chef Michael Symon, and she has had the opportunity to interview sports legends like Cal Ripken Jr., Bernie Kosar and Joe Montana.

Join the show on Facebook for behind the scenes pictures and more at: http://on.fb.me/kfw9pk

If you are interested in being part of the show, click on the following video:

WKYC Receives 2nd Place Honor at the Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters Awards

Congratulations to two of our colleagues at Channel 3 for their second place finish at the 2011 Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters Awards ceremony

WKYC Investigative Report Tom Meyer and Editor Sarah Bachmann were recognized in the "Best Continuing Coverage" category for their outstanding work on the Cuyahoga County Corruption scandal duringn 2010

The Awards were handed out Sunday, June 5th, at Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters Awards Luncheon in Columbus.

A banquet was held at The Hilton Columbus at Easton Town Center and featured the work of Ohio's outstanding broadcast journalists in both radio and television.

New Feature: The Director's Cut Blog Goes Mobile

You can now read and enjoy the Director's Cut Blog wtih Frank Macek on your mobile device in a clean and effortless way.

Just save the following link to connect to the latest behind the scenes happenings at Channel 3 and high definition television

We'll have plenty of news in the coming weeks that you won't want to miss.

Our new mobile address is: http://wkycdirectorscut.blogspot.com/?m=1

NBC Reportedly Retains Olympic Rights For 4 Games

Special to the Director's Cut Blog
By Stephan Wilson, AP Sports Writer

LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- NBC retained its hold on U.S. Olympic television rights Tuesday in a four-games deal through 2020 worth more than $4 billion, defeating rival bids from ESPN and Fox, officials with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.

Two officials spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision has not yet been officially announced by the International Olympic Committee.

NBC, now controlled by Comcast, won the bid less than a month after the resignation of longtime sports and Olympics chief Dick Ebersol in a dispute with the new owners. The victory extends NBC's reign as the Olympic network in the United States, a period stretching back 20 years.

NBC has broadcast every Summer Olympics since 1988 and every Winter Games since 2002.

NBC now will have exclusive rights to the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, as well as the 2018 Winter Games and 2020 Olympics, whose sites have not yet been chosen.

It was the first U.S. rights auction since 2003, when NBC secured the 2010 and 2012 Olympics in a deal worth $2.2 billion.
Executives from NBC, ESPN and Fox submitted sealed envelopes Tuesday into a see-through plexiglass box, then left the building to let IOC officials open them and consider the offers in private.
IOC President Jacques Rogge was to announce the winner Tuesday evening. The IOC wanted a deal in place before its general assembly starts July 4 in Durban, South Africa.

NBC was the last of three networks to make a formal presentation to the IOC.

Among the 17-member NBC delegation was Bob Costas, who has hosted the network's coverage of eight Olympics.

"I think we had a compelling presentation, and I hope they felt the same way," Costas said afterward. "I hope we retain the rights. My message was we've done it well, and we'd like to do it again."
Mark Lazarus, who replaced Ebersol as NBC Sports chairman, was asked about not having the former Olympic mastermind with the bid.

"I've never been here with him," Lazarus said. "We have a great team of people who put the best foot forward with our heritage and legacy."'

NBC's contingent also included CEO Steve Burke and Brian Roberts, the chief executive of Comcast.

Comcast executives have made clear they're not interested in a repeat of the 2010 Vancouver Games, when NBC lost more than $200 million in a rough economy. NBC also stands to take a similar hit from next year's London Olympics.

Traditionally, the IOC awards the rights for two games at a time, but this time the networks expressed interest in going for a four-games package. They did so without knowing where the last two will be held. The IOC will select the 2018 host city on July 6 in Durban. The candidates are Annecy, France; Munich; and Pyeongchang, South Korea. The host of the 2020 Olympics will be chosen in 2013, and Rome is the only official contender so far.
NBC's main competition had been expected to come from ESPN/ABC.

ESPN president George Bodenheimer cited the "unrivaled" assets of parent company Disney, its appeal to young viewers and plans for live coverage of all events.

"I believe the assets of the Walt Disney Co. are unequaled," he said after his network's presentation.

ESPN brought the powerful Disney brand to the table, which raised the prospect of a possible tie-in with the games. GE threw in a $200 million global sponsorship as part of NBC's winning bid eight years ago.

Behind The Scenes: Meredith Says Goodbye To NBC's "Today Show" on Wednesday

Meredith Vieira

Next week marks a major milestone for NBC's "Today Show". Co-host Meredith Vieira is stepping down when she hosts her final show on Wednesday, June 8th.

Saying good-bye as co-host of "Today" hasn't been easy. "I know my decision was the right one, but there are moments when it hits me, I'm going to be leaving," she says.

Leaving after five years of what she calls a whirlwind dream job. There are the countless interviews with celebrities and politicians and major global events like the royal wedding and olympics.

It is her co-workers Vieira says she will miss the most. "It's the people that make the show," she says.

Veteran "Today Show" member Ann Curry is trading the news desk for a chair next to Matt Lauer, as Natalie Morales takes Curry's spot.

Curry will still cover major news stories, but says she is also looking forward to showing viewers another side. "It's going to be fun," Curry says. "I've held myself back for 14 years, so I've got a lot of built up, not aggression, but fun."

Michelle Franzen looks back on Viera's tenure on "Today":

Ben Bailey Tapped To Host NBC's New Game Show "Who's Still Standing"

NBC announced today that acclaimed comedian and Emmy Award winning host Ben Bailey (Discovery Channel’s “Cash Cab”) will host the new NBC game series “Who’s Still Standing?”

The series will offer a single contestant the chance to win a cash prize of up to $1,000,000 by taking down each of their opponents in fast-paced trivia battles. This show combines the fun of a trivia competition with physical comedy, by dropping contestants through trapped doors if they answer a question incorrectly. “Who’s Still Standing?” is based on the Israeli series “Still Standing,” which has proven to be a hit with viewers overseas.”

“Ben is clever, entertaining and a huge authority in the trivia world,” said Telegdy. “Through its questions, this series taps into so many areas of knowledge and consistently builds to a drop, so everyone at home will enjoy playing along.”

“I am really psyched to be hosting this new show ‘Who’s Still Standing?’ because it’s totally unlike any other show,” said Bailey. “Contestants can win up to a million bucks but they could also drop through the floor, literally. It’s got great trivia, it’s got big money prizes, and it’s got real action and on top of all that, I don’t have to deal with driving in any traffic. I am really excited and I can’t wait for people to see it.”

At the start of the game, there is one main competitor and 10 other contestants. The main player chooses one of the 10 contestants to go head-to-head with in a trivia battle for a high-stakes pot of up to $1,000,000. The person who answers the question incorrectly is dropped through a trap door. The game continues until one player is left standing.

Ben got his unlikely start as a stand-up comedian when he was mistaken for a comic in the green room of The Comedy Store in Los Angeles, where he was hired to answer the phones. The booker, seeing that the other comics in the room could not get enough of Ben's humor, booked him on the spot. After a few years of performing in Los Angeles, Ben moved back to New York and for two years, went to “open-mic” nights to hone his craft.

Now with over 10 years under his belt as a successful stand-up comedian, Ben continues to perform all over New York City and has achieved international acclaim for both the show "Cash Cab" and for performing stand-up comedy all over the world. He has appeared regularly at comedy festivals over the years and has guest starred on numerous television comedies and dramas, including NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU,” “Hope & Faith,” "The Knights of Prosperity,” and "Mad TV."

He also has a recurring role on "One Life To Live" and has appeared in his own “Comedy Central Presents” special. In addition, Bailey has also performed on several of the late night talk shows including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn," "Last Call with Carson Daly" and "Comedy Central's Premium Blend,” among many others.

Ben is a trained tri-athlete and has competed in the ½ Iron Man competition. He currently resides in New Jersey.

Director's Cut Alert: WKYC To Become New Cleveland TV Station of the Ohio Lottery

The numbers are coming, the numbers are coming! Beginning July 1st, 2011 Ohio Lottery players will be able to watch the Pick 3, Pick 4 and Rolling Cash 5 drawings on Channel 3 Monday through Friday at 7:29 p.m., as well as the Cash Explosion® television show on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

“We are thrilled to be the new home of the Ohio Lottery in Northeast Ohio, and look forward to sharing all the excitement with our viewers,” said WKYC President and General Manager Brooke Spectorsky. Moving from longtime carrier WEWS, the Ohio Lottery will be working with NBC affiliate and market leader WKYC to expand its community outreach.

“It’s a great match,” remarked Dennis Berg, Interim Director. “The Ohio Lottery is looking forward to an energetic and comprehensive partnership that will help us serve our players and community even more strongly.”

Ohio Lottery drawings are broadcast statewide Monday through Friday. Saturday evening drawings occur during the Cash Explosion® television show, which airs from 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Since its debut in February 1987, Cash Explosion has remained a top-rated TV show in its time slot. Almost 10,000 contestants have won more than $150 million in cash and prizes. The game is hosted by Cherie McClain, David McCreary and Sharon Bicknell.

As an original co-host of Cash Explosion and part of the live drawings, Sharon has been making Ohio Lottery winners on television since 1987. “I love that so many people’s lives have been changed by our show. And with a daughter in the public school system, I am thrilled that Lottery money plays a small part in helping to fund her education.”

Since 1974, the Lottery has provided more than $17 billion to education in the state of Ohio.