Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

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:

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:

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"): Mich...

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 ...

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 G...

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.

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

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, ...

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,...

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. “C...

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, whic...