WKYC Names Marcus Walter As Channel 3 Meteorologist

Marcus Walter, Photo courtesy: Black Enterprise

WKYC has announced that Marcus Walter is joining the Channel 3 Weather family as a staff meteorologist beginning February 13th.

Marcus comes to Channel 3 News from New York City where is currently the weather producer for Good Morning America's weather guru Sam Champion.

A native of Chicago, Marcus did his undergraduate work at Penn State and has a Master's Degree, also in Meteorology, from Cornell University.

Marcus replaces former WKYC Meteorologist A.J. Colby who left in October, 2011.

Promo: Channel 3 News Today Part 2

This is part 2 in our campaign to introduce you to our new Channel 3 News Today morning team - Chris Tye, Erin Kennedy and Hollie Strano. So, what are you doing to day?

Click on the video to watch:

WKYC To Air Big Powerball Drawings Live

Channel 3, the official home of the Ohio Lottery, will now air Powerball drawings live when the big jackpot reaches $100 million dollars or more.

We'll give you a "Mega Money Alert" on Channel 3 and wkyc.com leading up to the drawing. That way, you can be sure to tune and get the numbers first, as they are drawn live at 11 p.m.

Our first alert is in effect and we'll have the first drawing Saturday night, January 28th, at 11 p.m. right before Channel 3 News.

And don't forget to see the regular Ohio lottery drawings live weeknights at 7:29 p.m. on Channel 3.

Daily lottery results can be gotten on wkyc.com at the following link: http://www.wkyc.com/news/lottery/

Notes from the Newsroom: 1/25/12

By Frank Macek

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

This week marks our official 5th anniversary as the most read blog originating from WKYC. We first launched "Director's Cut" back in January 2007 as an experiment and today are hovering around the one million page view mark. I personally appreciate all the support I have gotten from Channel 3 executives on allowing me to give you inside access to our television station, unlike other stations which are afraid to embrace the slogan "Report the Facts, Respect the Truth."

We are into our second week with our new anchor teams on Channel 3 News with Chris Tye and Erin Kennedy anchoring 4:30 - 7 a.m., Amanda Barren on Channel 3 News at Noon, Russ Mitchell at 6 & 11 p.m. and Robin Swoboda and Jim Donovan on the "News @7".

We are very excited with all the new changes and know our viewers realize Channel 3 is even more committed now to bringing you the best in news, weather and sports programming to northeast Ohio with top notch professionals.

When we launched Russ Mitchell on his first show on Sunday, January 15th, after the Golden Globes, we helped put him at ease with a special greeting from his former Director, Chip Colley, at CBS News in New York, who sent us a little piece of home (and humor) for Russ in the form of an audio messsage: "Good Evening Russ. This is your number one fan." As we played it in his ear, we received a big grin and knew we were good to go. Russ tells us this was his regular IFB check before his broadcasts at CBS. Not sure, we can top being his number one fan, but we are going to try.

You may also be noticing some changes to our set. We have recently replaced part of the overhang above the anchor desk that now displays "WKYC News" and "Weather Center" with a fresh look that really pops in high definition. We also listened to our viewers and ditched the "little desk" on the "News @7" in favor of the main anchor desk.

We expect an announcement is close on a co-anchor for Russ Mitchell on Channel 3 News at 6 & 11 and a weekend weather anchor who take over the 6 & 11 pm duties on Saturday and Sunday. Those will be the final pieces on the rebuild of our station's on-air team for 2012 in an important news and entertainment year on NBC.

Speaking of sports, the Olympics are coming at the end of July on Channel 3. And, we are thrilled to report Channel 3 News will be there in person. Chris Tye, Amanda Barren and Jennifer Lindgren will be crossing the pond to work on coverage for WKYC and the television stations of Gannett Broadcasting and USA Today. And, of course, we'll be bringing you our nightly pre-show warmup called "Olympic Zone" at 7:30 p.m.

At the mother ship, Gannett is acquiring the Metromix technology platform and hiring its technology staff into Gannett Digital, following an agreement to end its partnership with Tribune Company. Metromix is a digital entertainment guide Gannett had owned as a joint venture with the Tribune Company since 2007. Gannett will continue to offer Metromix in 19 newspapers and seven Broadcasting markets. By integrating Metromix into Gannett Digital, we will be able to provide improvements, changes and expansions to the Metromix-powered tools on our sites, in collaboration with our local markets. The Metromix tech team will collaborate with other Gannett units to support and improve our local entertainment sites. We also will soon provide USA TODAY’s national entertainment news and information to each of Gannett’s local Metromix sites.

And at our sister publication, the USA TODAY Sports Media Group announced that it has completed its acquisition of Fantasy Sports Ventures (FSV) and Big Lead Sports, the largest independent digital sports property in North America. With this acquisition, the USA TODAY Sports Media Group is positioned to become one of the top five sports sites on the web.

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 and so much more.

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Photogallery: New WKYC Anchors Settle In

It has been a big week for WKYC as several new anchors settled in and others took on new roles. Russ Mitchell, a former anchor for CBS Evening News weekend edition and The Early Show on Saturday, has taken his chair for the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts.

Jim Donovan is now teamed up with Robin Swoboda for the news at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Chris Tye has moved to mornings from the 7 p.m. show and has been teamed up with another fresh WKYC face, Erin Kennedy.

Click on the photo to see our slide show:

"Today Show" Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary on WKYC

Friday marks a milestone for one of the staples of American television.

It marks the 60th anniversary of the Today Show, and tonight hosts past and present will celebrate six decades on-the-air at a star-studded gala in New York.

From day one when Dave Garroway welcomed viewers to try something new, Today has been bringing the world to American homes.

"The very first good morning of what I hope and suspect will be a great many good mornings between you and I," Garroway said on January 13, 1952.

Little did anyone know how many mornings there would be.

Fast forward nearly 22,000 mornings and Today is a fixture of American life. Matt, Ann, Al and Natalie are the latest members of the Today family. Over the years, a who's-who list has served as hosts including Barbara Walters, Tom Brokaw, Bryant Gumble and Katie Couric.

"This is stewardship," Al Roker says. "You're just here for a certain time to make sure the legacy continue and people come to this that there are certain things they expect and that they want."

Just as impressive are the places and stories along the way: 15 presidential elections and inaugurations, two royal weddings and tragic events that redefined the country. To help celebrate the anniversary landmarks including the Empire State Building will be decked out in Today Show colors, and Niagara Falls will have a special water and light display.

NBC's Michelle Franzen has a look back:

Jim Donovan To Co-Anchor 7pm News With Robin Swoboda

Jim Donovan

Jim Donovan, long-time WKYC Sports Anchor, will join co-anchor Robin Swoboda for Channel 3 News @ 7pm. He will continue to bring Northeast Ohio the most experienced and thoughtful sports coverage at 6 and 11pm, but will expand his role into the anchor position at 7.

“Jimmy is more than sports, he’s a great storyteller and an astute interviewer,” stated Brooke Spectorsky, President and General Manager of WKYC. “Channel 3 viewers across the region love his quick wit and passion for his work.”

“Now it’s time for Jim to bring all that energy to a wider range of subjects,” remarked News Director Rita Andolsen. “Jim has always been a news junkie, now he’ll have the chance to expound on that knowledge and cover a lot of big issues facing Northeast Ohio.”

“I’m happy to take on a new challenge,” added Donovan. “We’re going to do some interesting and different things with the 7pm show, and I look forward to working on some very special projects.”

Donovan is returning to a full time schedule after recovering from a bone marrow transplant last summer. He joined Channel 3 in March of 1985 as weekend sports anchor. In June of 1999, Jim was named the voice of the Cleveland Browns, doing play by play radio coverage.

He has done countless national and international events, including the '96 Summer Olympics for NBC/WKYC; in 1994, World Cup Soccer; in 1992, swimming and soccer competitions at the Olympics for NBC. He did live national coverage of the Soap Box and Derby, and coverage of the Cleveland Marathon. He also was the play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports' NFL games from 1987 to 1997. He’s won multiple Emmys and been inducted into the Press Club Hall of Fame.

In Focus: Cheaper Alternatives Exist For TV Service

Nicole Sellars

Have you ever considered cancelling your cable television service and switching to something cheaper?

We asked that exact question on our Facebook page yesterday and received a ton of comments as prices continue to rise year after year.

Channel 3 Digital Trend Reporter Nicole Sellars takes a look at some cable alternatives that could save you a few bucks.

Click on the video below to watch her report:

Browns Present Jim Donovan With 2011 Game Ball

Jim Donovan

He may not suit up and play on Sunday afternoons but the voice of the Cleveland Browns received a game ball for the 2011 season. Jim Donovan, the radio voice of the Cleveland Browns, received the award on Thursday morning.

Browns team president Mike Holmgren presented the game ball to Donovan saying he "epitomizes what we want our players to be."

Donovan underwent a bone marrow transplant back in June of 2011. He has been battling leukemia for 11 years. After months of rehabbing and recovery, Donovan was able to return to the radio booth to call the play-by-play of the Browns season opener on September 11th.

It's the first time Donovan has received a game ball since 1999 when the Browns returned to Cleveland.



Courtesy: wkyc.com

Director's Cut Alert: Chris Tye to Anchor Channel 3 News Today

Chris Tye

Chris Tye, current anchor of the Channel 3 News @ 7pm, will be shifting gears and changing the setting on his alarm clock. Chris has been named co-anchor of Channel 3 News Today, WKYC’s early morning newscast.

“Our goal is to make every morning smart, fun and forward-thinking,” said Tye. “As we get going on a busy 2012 -- Olympics, elections, casinos and corruption trials -- we're making it our mission to let you know what's next. Anyone can tell you what happened over the last 12 hours -- we're going to be more interested in getting you set for your next 12 hours."

“Chris brings strong journalism and reporting skills to the morning show, along with a creative and quick wit”, said WKYC News Director Rita Andolsen. “He and recently named co-anchor Erin Kennedy will change the face of morning news in our market”.

“The team of Chris, Erin, meteorologist Hollie Strano, reporters Amanda Barren and Stephanie Coueignoux, and Ways to Save guru Matt Granite is sure to wake up Northeast Ohio in a bright new way,” stated President and General Manager Brooke Spectorsky. “Their energy and genuine enthusiasm is contagious.”

Since joining WKYC in 2004 Chris has become an integral part of the Channel 3 news team, covering local and national stories. He has interviewed the President, Vice-President, First Lady and countless other dignitaries. His reports and live shots have aired on NBC Nightly News, MSNBC, CNN and affiliates across the country.

Chris' writing and reporting have been honored by the Associated Press, the Michigan News Photographers Association and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. His work was singled out by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council for a report on young people overcoming handicaps. The Fair Housing Commission of Grand Rapids honored him for a series of reports on discriminatory housing practices. Chris has been honored five-times by the Gannett Corporation (parent company of WKYC) for his reporting and writing skills.

A Chicago native and John Carroll University graduate, Chris has immersed himself in Northeast Ohio and spends considerable time each year mentoring young journalists, speaking with classes at Cuyahoga Community College, Kent State University and John Carroll University.

Chris will begin his new role, along with newly hired Erin Kennedy and meteorologist Hollie Strano on Channel 3 News Today starting at 4:30am on Monday, January 16th.