Friday, October 28, 2011

"Rock Center with Brian Williams" Debuts Monday Night

It's been 20 years since any of the major networks successfully launched a news magazine.

"Dateline" broke through for NBC News back then, and Monday night it gets company. "Rock Center with Brian Williams" debuts at 10pm eastern.

"It will be a serious journalism, hard news magazine in the great tradition," Williams says. That means multiple, in depth stories each week, including one in the debut from Harry Smith about a midwest town coping with a labor shortage.

"Rock Center" correspondents include legendary newsman Ted Koppel, as well as an array of NBC News veterans including Kate Snow, Richard Engel Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer and Ann Curry.

Williams will anchor each week's broadcast live to enable it to respond breaking news.

Monday's premiere will also include a story from Kate Snow about what's called "birth tourism".

NBC's new prime-time news magazine debuts on Monday. Mark Barger has an early look:

Thursday, October 20, 2011

WKYC to Present "Cutting Edge: Attacking Heart Disease" on 10/26/11

WKYC will present the third in a series of health specials on Wednesday, October 26th at 8 p.m. called "Cutting Edge: Attacking Heart Disease."

It’s the number one cause of death for both men and women over the age of 50. Almost 85 million Americans have early symptoms, and there over a million heart attacks each year.

Yet in many cases, heart disease can be prevented.

Are you at risk? Learn what you can do now to help reduce your chances of developing heart problems. You’ll see state of the art surgeries being done at the world’s top medical facilities, and the latest in intervention treatments and early diagnosis.

There will also be a simultaneous live online chat on wkyc.com/cuttingedge produced by MedCity Media. The chat will include doctors and medical experts who will respond to viewer’s questions and experiences as they watch the show.

WKYC News will produce a companion series of targeted news stories on October 23rd, 24th and 25th at 11 pm. The stories will focus on new heart valve surgery for seniors, why ‘bystander’ CPR is so critical, and how cardiac rehabilitation, especially a targeted exercise program, is key to long term survival.

Cutting Edge; Attacking Heart Disease is the third and final of the prime-time health specials produced and aired by the Gannett Broadcast division. The first two specials, Cutting Edge; Fighting Fat and Cutting Edge; Beating Breast and Prostate Cancer aired across 22 stations in 19 markets.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

WKYC To Air Statewide Debate on Issue 2 on 10/25/2011

The debate will air live on nine NBC affiliate stations and will stream live on each station’s website.

Ohio NBC affiliated stations have partnered to present the first televised statewide debate of Issue 2, the referendum on Senate Bill 5. The debate will be broadcast from Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, October 25 from 7 p.m. to8 p.m. It will be carried live on WKYC Cleveland, WCMH Columbus, WLWT Cincinnati, WDTN Dayton, WLIO Lima, WNWO Toledo, WTOV Wheeling/Steubenville, WFMJ Youngstown, and WHIZ Zanesville. It will also be streamed live on each of the stations’ websites.

Debating Issue 2 will be State Senator Keith Faber of Building a Better Ohio, who will be defending Issue 2, and Former Ohio Congressman Dennis Eckart of We Are Ohio, which opposes Issue 2.

Issue 2 is a referendum on Senate Bill 5, a controversial new law that made changes to a variety of government laws and policies. The bill was signed into law by Governor John Kasich earlier this year. A “yes” vote would keep the law, a “no” vote would be a vote to repeal the law.

NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd will moderate the debate. Serving as panelists for the Ohio NBC stations are WKYC Senior Political Reporter Tom Beres, WCMH Anchor Colleen Marshall, and WLWT Anchor/Reporter Sheree Paolello.

“Issue 2, like Senate Bill 5 before it, has evoked intense public scrutiny from both sides over the past year,” said Dan Bradley, General Manager of WCMH and spokesperson for the Ohio NBC stations. “This debate reaffirms the NBC stations’ commitment to quality and comprehensive coverage of the issues that matter most to Ohioans. Our goal with this debate is to educate our communities and clarify the myriad of details of this contentious issue.”

If you have a question you would like answered in the debate, be sure to e-mail @ Issue2@wkyc.com

Monday, October 17, 2011

Notes from the Newsroom: 10/17/11

By Frank Macek

It's time for another behind the scenes look at what's happening at the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center.

The Ohio Society of Professional Journalists has awarded Channel 3 several honors this year including a first place finish for "Best News Operation", a first place finish in "Best Medical/Science" for Senior Medical Correspondent Monica Robin's "Use Your Head" series about concussions in athletics and a second place finish for "Best Newscast" for Channel 3 News at 6 p.m. The awards will be awarded this Saturday, October 22, at Windows on the River in the Powerhouse at Nautica.

As we reported earlier, "Cleveland.MomsLikeMe.com" was shuttered by our parent company on Friday, October 14th, as Gannett concentrates on other digital projects. However, another website went on-line today for those same moms to keep in touch with their own community. The new website can be found at: http://www.northcoastmoms.sgv2.com/.

WKYC will present the third in a medical series called "The Cutting Edge: Attacking Heart Disease" on Wednesday, October 26th, at 8 p.m. WKYC has a special page dedicated to the series and finding more information on the topics examined and video clips from the programs @ www.wkyc.com/cuttingedge. The "Cutting Edge" is a Gannett wide project that was the brainchild of WKYC General Manager Brooke Spectorsky.

As always, please don't forget to become a friend of Channel 3 News and Channel 3 Weather. We have special on-line content just for our Facebook friends including your chance to be our "Facebook Friend of the Day," daily behind the scenes promos, previews of NBC shows, a daily programming guide of what's on Channel 3 and so much more.

Monday, October 10, 2011

WKYC Launches Brand Channel 3 News App for iPhones

(Click image to go to the iTunes store)
Now you can keep connected to Channel 3 News on your iPhone. Download our brand new app today to get the latest breaking news, weather and more!

Get the latest local news and weather for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio with Channel 3’s iPhone app.
  • Local news for metro Cleveland area
  • Current weather conditions, short term and extended forecasts, radar map, health indices, school closings and weather alerts
  • Robust full screen video
  • Consumer, Health and Watercooler news
  • The latest sports news and scores
  • News alerts sent to your iPhone with option to set a quiet time period
  • Share news and video via Facebook, Twitter or email.
Channel 3 is determined to provide the best content possible in a way that serves the interests and the needs of our viewers and users.

Download your app now @ http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wkyc/id469396327

Friday, October 07, 2011

Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Scheduled for 11/9/11

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS).

The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday, November 9 at 2 p.m. Eastern time and may last up to three and a half minutes.

The public will hear a message indicating that "This is a test." The audio message will be the same for both radio, television, and cable. The National-level EAS is a public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies.

Similar to local EAS tests that are conducted frequently, the Nationwide Test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wirelineproviders across all states and territories.

Over the past two years and as part of ongoing national preparedness planning efforts, FEMA, the FCC and other federal partners, State, local, tribal and territorial governments, EAS Participants, and others in the EAS Community have been working toward making this test a reality.

As the federal, state, tribal, territorial and local governments prepare for and test their capabilities, this event serves as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kitand emergency planfor themselves, their families, communities, and businesses.

Anyone can visit http://www.ready.gov/ for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.

Thursday, October 06, 2011

Director's Cut Alert: Craig Dubow Resigns As Chairman and CEO of Gannett

Gannett Co., Inc. today announced that Craig A. Dubow, chairman and chief executive officer, has resigned due to disability. Dubow had taken a leave of absence on September 15 to address continuing issues relating to prior medical conditions.

Marjorie Magner, an independent director since 2006 who has been chairman of the audit committee, has been named non-executive chairman of the board.

Gracia C. Martore, president and chief operating officer, who has been serving as principal executive officer while Mr. Dubow was on medical leave, has been named president and chief executive officer and joined Gannett’s Board of Directors.

“I’ve been with Gannett for 30 amazing years,” said Dubow. “I am extremely proud of where we are today as a company. We have always maintained an unwavering focus on the consumer. As a result, we have evolved into a digitally led media and marketing solutions company committed to delivering trusted news and information anywhere, anytime. For me, the decision to step down was difficult, but I must now focus on my health and my family. I will miss working with the talented team at Gannett and firmly believe the company’s best days lie ahead. Gannett is in good hands under Gracia’s leadership and well positioned to succeed going forward.”

“During the past six years, Craig has repositioned Gannett as a leading media and marketing solutions company during an extremely challenging time for our industry,” said Magner. “Craig championed our consumers and their ever-changing needs for news and information. He was instrumental in building a strong management team combining talent from within the company as well as from the outside -- a team that shares a common passion and vision for Gannett’s future. We thank Craig for his dedication and for
the solid foundation he has laid for the company going forward.”

Magner continued, “We are very fortunate to have an executive of Gracia’s tenure and caliber in place and ready to lead the ongoing transformation of the company for long-term growth. She is smart, straightforward and committed to Gannett’s mission to provide trusted news and information and serve our many communities. Gracia has a proven track record and has demonstrated effective leadership over 26 years at the company. Most importantly she has an incredible sense of responsibility for ensuring
Gannett’s continued success.”

“I have great admiration for what Craig has achieved in building our business to meet the changing needs of consumers and businesses today. We will miss him and wish him and his family the very best,” said Martore. “I am honored to be assuming the lead at Gannett at this time. We will continue our relentless quest to provide trusted news and information and will actively support the people and businesses in the communities we serve. We have the strategy, brands and talent to ensure that we fulfill our purpose for a long time to come.”

Magner is Managing Partner of Brysam Global Partners, a private equity firm investing in financial services firms with a focus on consumer opportunities in emerging markets. Magner left Citigroup in 2005 after 18 years, most recently as Chairman and CEO of the Global Consumer Group. She is also a director of Accenture Ltd. and Ally Financial Inc.

Martore joined Gannett in 1985 after 12 years in banking and became chief financial officer in 2003, executive vice president in 2006, and president and chief operating officer in 2010. She serves on the Board of Directors of FM Global and holds a BA degree in History and Political Science from Wellesley College where she was a Wellesley Scholar.

Gannett is the parent company of WKYC-TV.

Director's Cut Alert: Gannett To Shutdown MomsLikeMe.com Websites

WKYC's parent company, Gannett, announced on Thursday that is has decided to end its company-wide website, MomsLikeMe.com, as of Friday, October 14th.

According to Gannett executives Bob Dickey, Dave Lougee and David Payne in a note to employees, the company has decided to end the project as it concentrates on other digital platforms.

On the MomsLikeMe.com Cleveland website, the following announcement was made by site manager Jacquie Chakirelis thanking participants of our local site.

"I am sadden by the news and want you to know that I appreciate all the kind words and encouragement that I have received from my colleagues and friends.

Mostly, I want you all to know that the support and friendship that has been developed within this community of local moms has been amazing! I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of it's launch and to help it grow.

As a mom of four children, I know that you have the hardest job in the world and to be in a position to support you has been a true honor for me and Ann. I also want to thank my awesome team of discussion leaders and event team members. Without their support, my job would have been inachievable.

As of this date, my last day at WKYC will be October 31st. After that day, I will be looking for a new place to land."

Gannett launched the website in 2008, and is now featured in 80 markets with 650,000 registered users.