Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek: July 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

"Browns Insider" Moves To Channel 3 This Season

Channel 3 will be adding even more Browns coverage to our lineup this year with the addition of "Browns Insider" beginning in September.

The show will air on WKYC every Saturday morning from 10:30 until 11 a.m. beginning September 8th, following Channel 3 News Weekend Edition from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

The show will replace "It's About You" that will return after the Browns regular season.

The program is hosted by the Browns' Jamir Howerton, and will feature a weekly one-on-one interview with Head Coach Pat Shurmur, conducted by Browns Senior Editor Vic Carucci. Other content will consist of interviews with members of the Browns coaching staff, as well as features on current and former players.

WKYC will once again present "Browns Pregame Huddle" with Jim Donovan and Dave Chudowsky every Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. and "Browns Tonight" with Dave Chudowsky every Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. right after Channel 3 News at 11.

In addition to 3 of the 4 preseason games, Channel 3 is also scheduled to air the Browns @ Ravens game on Thursday, September 27th at 8:20 p.m from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

WKYC Browns Preseason Games:

Green Bay Packers (away), August 16th @ 8 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles (home), August 24th @ 7:30 p.m.
Chicago (home), August 30th @ 7:30 p.m.

*Because of the Olympics, the first preseason game vs. Detroit will be produced by WKYC, but will air on WOIO/TV 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Channel 3 Debuts New Anchor Desk This Week

Click photo to view our photogallery

By Frank Macek

Channel 3 News has a slightly new look this week as we debut our brand new anchor desk to coincide with the Olympics on NBC.

The set contains a brand new desk that will offer more intimacy between guests and our reporters and anchors.

Another major change includes the banner above the set which now presents our facility as more of an "Information Center" than a traditional newsroom.

The television station now has several on-air and on-line platforms that make us more of a content provider than ever before.

Our ace photographer Ryan Haidet put a photogallery together of the new set. Click on the picture to see the whole gallery or visit http://on.wkyc.com/QbqWZd

Promos: Channel 3 News "See The Possible"

As part of our 2012 London Olympic coverage, we have put together a new on-air image campaign called "See the Possible."

Click on the spots to watch a sampling:

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Win An iPad From Channel 3 and Take The Olympic Challenge

With the Olympics just a few days away, WKYC has launched a fun game on our WKYC Facebook page called the "Olympic Challenge".

This challenge lets you match wits with your friends by answering Olympic themed trivia questions and making predictions on the outcome of various events.

You will earn points and bragging rights based on how well you do.

Through Thursday evening, we are offering everyone who signs up to play during the Olympics a chance to win an iPad on our main Facebook page @ http://on.fb.me/OcgbCI

You must be at least 18 years old and agree to the Official Rules and Privacy Policy.

Also, Channel 3 has set up a brand new Twitter page that lets you follow all the Olympic action in real-time for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.

WKYC's Chris Tye, Amanda Barren and Jennifer Lindgren are in London now and are tweeting behind the scenes tidbits and more as they cover the Games for Channel 3 and USA Today.

Just follow us on Twitter @ WKYCOlympics

WKYC Launches 5 PM Newscast Starting 7/30/12

WKYC, Channel 3, will start a special 5 p.m. newscast with Russ Mitchell and Kris Pickel starting Monday, July 30th.

The newscast will replace Dr. Phil for 2 weeks during the 2012 Summer Olympics and will feature the entire Channel 3 News team.

'SNL' To Air Prime-Time Election Spoofs This Fall

NBC will air two "Saturday Night Live" prime-time election specials, and it's leaving the door open to cult-favorite comedy "Community" to return after next season's abbreviated run.

NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt announced Tuesday that the "SNL" specials will air Sept. 20 and 27. (SNL airs at 11:30 p.m. on WKYC)

He says "Community," which hovered near cancellation before being renewed for 13 weeks, could live beyond next season if it proves itself in its new Friday slot.

Greenblatt told reporters at the Television Critics Association conference that he would love nothing more than for "Community" to continue.

He also says he was proud that NBC was in third-place last season among adults 18 to 49. It's the network's best performance in eight years.

Source: The Associated Press

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Notes from the Newsroom: 7/18/12

By Frank Macek

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

The 2012 London Summer Olympics are now just 9 days and counting until the Opening Ceremonies on Friday, July 27th, 2012 at &3;0 p.m.

Channel 3 will be your official local television home of the games with special reports from Channel 3's Chris Tye, Amanda Barren and Jennifer Lindgren who leave next week for the trip across the big pond.

Once again this year, we'll be airing the "Olympic Zone" with Jim Donovan and Dave Chudowsky from 7:30 until 8 p.m. leading into our prime time coverage each night. Your blogger will be directing the weeknight shows Monday through Friday.

Speaking of Jim Donovan, we have been getting many emails of concern since Jimmy hasn't been seen on the air over the last few weeks. You can relax as Jim is just enjoying a long vacation this year and will be back on Monday, July 23rd, in time for the Olympics and then Browns preseason football on the radio.

Channel 3 welcomes a few new faces to the building. Producer Jennifer Jordan joins the newsroom from WEWS-TV where she was the producer for their 5 p.m. newscast. Also, Heather Brumbaugh comes on board as producer of our weekend 9 a.m. and noon newscast. Heather most recently worked at WHO-TV in Iowa and was a morning show executive producer. On the technical side of things, Lynn Olszowy returns to Channel 3 as a special projects multimedia journalist and Jack Forster joins us as an IT Specialist. Jack mostly served as network engineer at the Community Care Network in Cleveland. Welcome to all.

And yes, if you were watching Channel 3 News at 6 or 7 pm tonight, you'll notice we are anchoring our newscasts from a temporary set while we prepare a new main anchor desk over the next week or so. We have some other on-air changes you'll be noticing as well as we head into the Olympics.

Here are a couple of pictures of the old anchor desk as it heads into the Channel 3 history books:

Channel 3 Launches “Live On Lakeside”

WKYC TV 3’s President and General Manager Brooke Spectorsky announced today that on Monday, August 13th the station will launch its new show “Live On Lakeside”.

Hosted by Hollie Strano and Michael Cardamone, the new show will be a mix of news, weather, entertainment, lifestyle and advertiser friendly segments.

Airing from 11a.m. – 12:30p.m., the show will also feature News Anchor Amanda Barren, Meteorologists Bruce Kalinowski and Marcus Walter, Arts, Culture and Entertainment Reporter Karina Mitchell, Lifestyle and Features Reporters Joe Cronauer and Desiray McCray, “Ways To Save” Anchor Matt Granite and a host of other contributors.

“We felt strongly that the time had come to re-examine what we were offering our daytime viewers and come up with a fresh approach that would be interesting and viable on all the station’s platforms,” said Spectorsky. “We feel that the combination of Hollie Strano and Michael Cardamone will be a winner with viewers and advertisers alike.”

“Live On Lakeside” is being produced by veteran programming producers Terry Moir, Claire Donovan, Erica Wilke and newcomer Michael Paciotti. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the depth of experience and talent we’re bringing to the production side of the show and we have hopes that viewers will enjoy a show aimed at highlighting many of the positive aspects of living here in Northeast Ohio,” Spectorsky added.

For Strano, it is a homecoming of sorts. She was one of the original anchors of the station’s “Studio 3” show - the predecessor of “Good Company”. She adds these new responsibilities to her position as meteorologist of “Channel 3 News Today”. “I am so excited about this opportunity. As a native of Northeast Ohio, a huge fan of talk shows, the mother of two young children and a truly interested student of cooking, decorating, bargain hunting, entertainment, and good news, I am thrilled to be adding “Live On Lakeside” to my resume,” she said.

Her co-host, Michael Cardamone, made his national television debut years ago on NBC’s “Average Joe Hawaii” and he has hosted the Good Company show since its inception seven years ago. Cardamone added, “I’m really excited about the opportunity to work with Hollie and to bring the viewers a show that’s going to be interesting, entertaining and really relevant.”

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Michael Buble Joins Blake Shelton's 'Voice' Team on NBC

Special to the Director's Cut
By Lynn Elber, AP Television Writer

NBC says "The Voice" is teaming a crooner and a country singer for the show's new season.

The network said Monday that Michael Buble will serve as adviser to coach Blake Shelton's team of contestants when the singing contest returns in September.

Buble, who described himself as a "big Blake fan," said he's having a terrific time working with Shelton and his singers. Buble started taping his appearances on "The Voice" Monday in Los Angeles.
NBC has yet to announce advisers for the show's three other coaches, Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green and Adam Levine.

Kelly Clarkson, Jewel and Baby Face were among last season's advisers, guiding contestants in their choice of songs. "The Voice" is back for its third season Sept. 10.

Friday, July 06, 2012

Channel 3 Today Coffee Benefits Cleveland Foodbank

We've partnered with Erie Island Coffee to create a special Channel 3 News Today coffee. A portion of the proceeds from every bag will go to the Cleveland Foodbank to help fight hunger.

Click on the promo to learn where you can get your best of morning brew:

Thursday, July 05, 2012

Virgil Dominic Named Interim News Director

Virgil Dominic

Distinguished veteran newsman Virgil Dominic will serve as Channel 3’s Interim News Director it was announced today.

“I can’t think of anyone better positioned to help guide our staff through the coverage challenges of the Summer Olympics and fall’s Prime Time launch than Virgil. He began his career at WKYC as a main anchor and set the tone for the region’s rich history of journalistic excellence,” stated President and General Manager Brooke Spectorsky. “For the past six years, he has been with us as a talent mentor and consultant, and we see this as a continuation of that vision.”

Dominic studied radio and television journalism at the University of Tulsa and served in the U.S. Air Force as a public information officer. He honed his broadcast skills at the NBC affiliate in Oklahoma before coming to WKYC-TV in 1965. He moved to Atlanta in 1972 to turn around its ailing ABC affiliate and came back to Cleveland to work for WJW-TV in 1976, propelling the station to a 15-year run at No. 1 in the local ratings. Throughout his years in management, Dominic mentored several top-notch reporters, such as Kelly O’Donnell, political reporter for NBC News, and Martin Savidge, correspondent for CNN and formerly of NBC.

He is a member of five halls of fame: Cleveland Broadcasters Hall of Fame; Cleveland Press Club; Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame; Associated Press Hall of Fame; and UPI Hall of Fame. He also guest lectures at various colleges and universities.

Virgil is replacing current News Director Rita Andolsen who has embarked on a new role as Director of Advocacy and Community Initiatives working closing with Gannett corporate and twenty other Gannett broadcast stations. A search is underway for a permanent News Director.

Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Joe Cronauer Joins Channel 3 News Today As Reporter

Joe Cronauer

Joe Cronauer is joining Channel 3 News Today from 4:30 - 7 a.m. as a lifestyle and features reporter. Joe will scour the area looking for unique, unusual, fun, community based, interesting stories that he knows will get viewers talking.

His first day on air will be Monday, July 9th.

Joe Cronauer 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 heard on WONE, WENZ, WMMS and WMVX and has recently been heard filling in for Trapper Jack on WDOK. In 2008, he was inducted in the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

His television appearances started when he was just 10 years old when was asked to appear on the classic Cleveland show “Barnaby”! Years later – Joe would host his own children’s show called “What’s Your Math Problem” on WVIZ Ideastream.

In 2001, Joe began filling in for another Cleveland classic - Fred Griffith, on “15 Minutes with Fred” and on “Studio 3”. He then caught the attention of the local Fox affiliate and brought his energy to “That’s Life with Robin Swoboda.” Four years later, Joe came home to Channel 3 and is now a daily part of “Good Company Today”.

Born on the Eastside - Garfield Heights, Raised on Westside – Parma, and now living on the Southside with his wife and four sons. Joe certainly knows and loves the North Coast!