Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Dolly Parton Gives Support To Wildfire Victims, 'My People'

By Kristin M. Hall
Associated Press

Country music icon Dolly Parton's home and businesses in East Tennessee were spared from deadly wildfires last month, but she's pitching in to help her neighbors recover from the devastation.

She was to headline a telethon Tuesday from Nashville, featuring performances from Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jr., Chris Stapleton, Cyndi Lauper and more. It was scheduled for broadcast on Great American Country at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Parton is giving $1,000 to every family that has lost their primary residence through the Dollywood Foundation My People Fund. Parton said Tuesday the wildfire victims may not be kin, but they "feel like my people."

This Christmas, she'll return home to Sevier County to see the damage from the fires that spread to more than 2,500 structures and killed 14 people.

Watch tonight's telethon on Channel 3 subchannel 3.3 beginnng at 8 p.m. EST.

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For more information, visit dollywoodfoundation.org

Monday, December 05, 2016

WKYC's Tom Beres Honored By Cleveland City Council


Special to the Director's Cut Blog
wkyc.com

He didn't see it coming. Tom Beres thought he was covering Monday evening's Cleveland City Council meeting as he's done countless other times.

On this night, the council turned the tables on Tom, who is set to retire at the end of the month.

Beres received a standing ovation by the council for 44 years of reporting, 37 of them at WKYC Channel 3.

But the best was yet to come.

Mayor Frank Jackson and council members announced that the section of Lakeside Avenue outside of the WKYC Channel 3 studios will be known as, "Tom Beres Way."

"This is pretty awkward all the way around," a still-shocked Beres told Dawn Kendrick. "But thank you to all of our viewers for putting up with me all of these years."

Tom's wife Susan had the line of the night: Because Tom loses keys, cellphones, etc regularly, the street should be named "Tom Beres Lost His Way."

Beres' final day at WKYC Channel 3 will be on December 21.

Watch our video about tonight's special honor HERE: http://on.wkyc.com/2gZMDy3

Friday, December 02, 2016

Saturday Night Live Celebrates The Season With Three Back-to-Back Shows

Saturday Night Live is getting ready to ring in the holiday season.

Emma Stone returns for her third time as host on Saturday, Dec. 3 with Shawn Mendes as musical guest. Stone can next be seen in the film, “La La Land.” Mendes’ latest album, “Illuminate,” debuted atop the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.

WWE superstar John Cena will make his “SNL” debut as host on Dec. 10 with musical guest Maren Morris. Cena has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including the comedies “Trainwreck” and “Sisters.” Morris’ major label debut album, “Hero,” debuted on two Billboard charts and her debut single, "My Church,” went platinum.

On Dec. 17, Casey Affleck will make his “SNL” debut. Affleck currently stars in the drama “Manchester By the Sea” recently winning Best Actor Awards from the Gotham Awards, New York Film Critics Circle and National Board Of Review. Chance The Rapper will return for his second time as musical guest. His latest album, “Coloring Book,” was released to critical acclaim.

Thursday, December 01, 2016

WKYC VP/GM Micki Byrnes Named General Manager of the Year

Our congratulations to WKYC Vice President and General Manager Micki Byrnes who was named "General Manager of the Year Markets 1-25" for 2016.

The honor was announced recently by Broadcasting and Cable Magazine who will feature her and other honorees in the December 19th edition of the television trade magazine.

Byrnes joined Gannett Broadcasting (now TEGNA Media) in October of 1997 as Director of Marketing and Promotion for WKYC. She was named Vice President, Advertising and Promotion in 2000, responsible for the branding, graphics, media creation and placement, community engagement and sales promotion efforts of Channel 3.

In March of 2014, she was named VP and Station Manager, overseeing the daily operations of the station before becoming VP and General Manager in December 2014.

Prior to joining the company, Byrnes worked as Corporate Marketing Director for First Media based in Orlando, FL and has had promotion management positions in San Francisco, Atlanta and Boston.

Last year, WKYC's parent company TEGNA Media was named as the "Station Group of the Year."

Ohio Honorees for 2016 include:
  • Station Group of the Year: Graham Media Group
  • GM of the Year Markets 1-25: Micki Byrnes, WKYC Cleveland, Ohio
  • GM of the Year Markets 26-50: Michael Lewis, KTBC Austin, Texas
  • GM of the Year Markets 51+: Lee Meredith, WAFB Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  • News Director of the Year: Kirsten Wolff, WESH Orlando, Florida
  • Multiplatform Broadcaster of the Year: E.W. Scripps Company
Congratulations to all the winners.

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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

WKYC Announces Re-Broadcast Times for Wednesday Night's Programming

Due to weather related issues that caused the WKYC-TV transmitter to go off the air Wednesday night, WKYC has announced the re-airing times for two popular Christmas shows that weren't available to many viewers.

Christmas in Rockefeller Center will air from 1:30 am until 2:30 am this Sunday morning, December 4th.

Dolly Parton's "Christmas of Many Colors" will air from 2:30 am until 4:30 am this Sunday morning, December 4th.

If you don't have a DVR, you can watch Dolly Parton's movie online by clicking here or opening the NBC app. Unfortunately it doesn't look like NBC is going to make Christmas in Rockefeller Center available online.

NBC is going to re-air Dolly's movie again on Friday, December 23rd from 9 p.m. until 11 p.m.

WKYC will need to take its transmitter off-line for additional repairs Thursday morning, December 1st, at 2 a.m. for a short period of time.

However, WKYC will be back up and ready to go in time for Channel 3 News Today with Jon Anderson, Lynna Lai, Hollie Giangreco and the entire morning show team at 4:30 a.m. Friday morning.

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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

NBC To Broadcast Its 90th Year Of Rose Bowl Coverage

Al Roker, the weather anchor for NBC’s “Today,” and Hoda Kotb, co-host of “Today’s” fourth hour, will welcome 2017 co-hosting NBC’s live, high-definition coverage of the “128th Rose Parade” from Pasadena, California, on Monday, January 2 (11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET)

This year marks the milestone 90-year anniversary of NBC broadcasting the parade, beginning on radio in 1927 and then televising the popular annual event beginning in 1954. This will be Roker’s twentieth year as host and the fourth year for Kotb. The event will be held on January 2 this year due to the parade’s ‘Never on a Sunday’ rule.

“Echoes of Success” is the theme of the 2017 Rose Parade, the most popular New Year’s celebration in the world. Three Olympic legends are honored as this year’s Grand Marshals – six-time Olympic gold medalist and track and field star Allyson Felix, five-time Olympic medalist and long distance swimmer Janet Evans and five-time Olympic medalist and diver Greg Louganis.

The fun kicks off with an exciting opening celebration by Honda featuring their ‘Hope Blooms Forever’ entry, the first of 44 lavish and vibrantly colored floats in the parade.

Dole’s tropical paradise float titled ‘Spirit of Hawaii’ will feature the largest waterfall in Rose Parade history, while Cal Poly Universities’ entry titled ‘A New Leaf’ will showcase a floral family of chameleons, and Western Asset Management Company’s ‘Prosperity in the Wild’ float will spotlight rare and endangered species.

Lucy Pet’s entry, which includes an 80-foot long ocean of water featuring a wave machine and surfing dogs, will try to claim two new Guinness World Records as the longest float (at 125 feet) and the heaviest float.

Other notable entries include AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s floral tribute to honor and remember the 49 victims who died and the 53 who were wounded in the Orlando ‘Pulse’ nightclub shooting, Lions Club International’s float celebrating 100 years of service and featuring a majestic lion with a mane of gold, and a ‘Keep the Beat Alive’ entry from Union Bank and the American Heart Association featuring a 55-foot long piano keyboard and highlighting the message that CPR saves lives.

Adding to the fun will be 19 equestrian teams, including the world-famous Budwesier Clydesdales as well as miniature therapy horses, along with 20 incredible marching bands. This year’s Rose Queen and her court will also appear.

The Pasadena police department estimates that over 700,000 spectators will line the five-and-a-half mile parade route. Tens of millions of people worldwide watch the telecast every year.

Arthur Forrest is the executive producer and director, Tom Patino is the line producer, Carol Kahl is the supervising producer and Stephanie Prescott is the coordinating producer for Universal Television.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

WKYC News & Notes: 11/17/16

By Frank Macek

It's time for another "behind the scenes" look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center celebrating our 15th year at 13th and Lakeside.

The holidays are almost upon us and so is our first snowfall of the season. What a year it has been for local television!

We have seen the Cavs win the NBA Finals, the Republican National Convention come to Cleveland, the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, the Indians get to the World Series and a bizarre presidential election whose outcome not everyone expected. It's doubtful 2017 will be as eventful for Cleveland, but we can hope for a prosperous and joyful new year - and maybe another world championship.

WKYC had two very successful events in October including our 4th annual WKYC Health and Wellness Expo at the Huntington Bank Convention Center. Thousands turned out to get free information and health screenings, got a turn in "The Voice" chair and met many of our on-air and off-air staff members.

Our TEGNA wide "Make a Difference Day" was also a huge success on October 22nd as our staff teamed up with several local projects such as serving meals, painting, cleaning horse stalls and so much more. Look for more opportunities in the fall of 2017 to join us in making a difference in people's lives across northeast Ohio as we always "See the Possible."

The Director's Cut Blog will celebrate our 10th anniversary next month. At the end of 2006, I decided to begin a blog that gave you a behind-the-scenes look at Channel 3. Several million page views later, we are still going strong and are a major voice for the station when news about the station happens. Thanks for giving the Director's Cut a great first 10 years, and here's to at least 10 more years if local television still exists then. We are confident it will, but in what form remains cloudy.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Before we go, we'd like to recognize these employees who have recently retired or plan on retiring from the station:
  • Tom Beres: Senior Political Reporter (December 21st)
Promotions within the station:
  • Roselyn Muniz to Associate Producer of Live on Lakeside
  • David Reynolds to Full-time Director for Channel 3 News
  • Ryan Maloney to Engineering Maintenance Supervisor
  • Lauren Eaton to Audience Engagement Specialist
  • Jonathon Kostoff to 4:30 a.m. Weekday Multi-Platform Producer
Also, congratulations to the following people who have joined the Channel 3 team:
  • Amaka Uwagba: Audience Engagement Specialist
  • Andrew Robinson: Multi-Platform Producer
  • Meghan Goodrich: Discovery Desk
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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Veteran Reporter Tom Beres To Sign Off In December

WKYC Senior Political Reporter Tom Beres
WKYC Political Reporter Tom Beres is taking off his microphone.

After 37 plus years of covering Northeast Ohio, the last 18 years as the station’s Senior Political Correspondent, Beres is retiring after an historic year covering a challenging and non-traditional election season. 

Tom says “It’s been a privilege to have had such a long career at Channel 3, telling the stories of people, political players, issues and events here in my home town. After reporting on this phenomenal year for the city of Cleveland as well as this incredible election, it seemed a logical time for my walkoff. I’m grateful to all the viewers who’ve watched our broadcasts and online coverage, and hope they found it worthwhile”.

During his tenure at WKYC, Tom covered political issues big and small. For the past eleven years he also hosted a weekly political show – Between the Lines – that aired Sunday mornings prior to Meet the Press. Throughout his career, Tom focused on the impact of political decisions and officeholders on the lives and livelihoods of the people in Northeast Ohio.

According to President and General Manager, Micki Byrnes, “We’ll truly miss Tom’s voice of reason. He’s earned the respect and trust of hundreds of community and political leaders over the decades, and we hope to continue to receive his counsel and advice”.

“Tom is a rare and special journalist,” according to News Director Brennan Donnellan. “It took me a while to understand how much respect he has earned from his peers in the news business and the political leadership in Ohio. We will never be able to replace him. The best we can do is to report the news in a way that might live up to his example.”

During his distinguished career, Tom won 4 Emmy Awards, was an active member of the Cleveland Press Club Hall of Fame, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Society of Professional Journalists and won a Best Broadcast Writing Award from the Associated Press.
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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Friday, October 21, 2016

Amani Abraham Joins WKYC As An Akron/Canton Multi-Skilled Journalist

Amani Abraham
WKYC-TV has announced the addition of Amani Abraham as the station's newest Multi-Skilled Journalist (MSJ), according to Channel 3 News Director Brennan Donnellan.

She will be working from our new Akron/Canton Mobile Newsroom along with WKYC Videojournalist Carl Bachtel to bring viewers stories that matter to them from our southern counties of Medina, Portage, Summit, Stark and beyond.

Donnellan tells the Director's Cut Blog, "Some of you may know Amani from her work at WAKR radio. For the past five years she has been covering the Akron market. In that time Amani has become known as a very strong reporter who also shoots and edits video."

After joining Rubber City Radio in 2011, she was named a "Woman To Watch" by the Women's History Project in Akron. Her first assignment was with WAKR-AM/1590 and has spent the last three years as the morning news anchor and content contributor at sister station, American Country Music Award winning station WQMX-FM/94.9

She has been recognized for her work in radio journalism, receiving the first place awards for Best Reporter by the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors Association and the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

Amani, born and raised in Northeast Ohio, graduated with a dual degree in News and Radio/TV Broadcasting at The University of Akron where she spent four years as an on-air personality, editor, and host for WZIP-FM and Z-TV.

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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Thursday, October 20, 2016

WKYC Partners With Local Charities For 2016 Make A Difference Day Projects

WKYC, a TEGNA Media station, will partner with several Northeast Ohio charitable organizations on Make A Difference Day, one of the largest annual single-days of service nationwide. This year, Make A Difference Day will take place on Saturday, October 22.

Make A Difference Day unites volunteers from across the country with a common mission: to improve the lives of others through a wide range of community-driven service projects. Employees from WKYC and their families will make a difference by volunteering at five local nonprofits, all of which were hand-picked by station employees themselves.

At Ronald McDonald House, WKYC staffers including anchor Sara Shookman will prepare boxed lunches and bake treats for residents, and assemble “boredom bags” for children. Other projects include sorting and shelving merchandise at Kids in Need Resource Center, gardening and raking at Fieldstone Farm therapeutic riding center, and doing outdoor clean-up at American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge.

And for the second year in a row, employees are spearheading a project to benefit residents at the men’s shelter operated by Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry at 2100 Lakeside Ave. Staffers including anchor Russ Mitchell and reporter Matt Granite will be among the volunteers painting the shelter and grilling burgers and hot dogs during a midday cookout.

“This shelter project is becoming an annual tradition. We are located just a few blocks from the men’s shelter and we’re really proud of the fact that our employees want to reach out and be good neighbors,” said Margaret Bernstein, WKYC Director of Advocacy & Community Initiatives.

WKYC partners with BVU: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence to coordinate and promote Make A Difference Day projects across Northeast Ohio.

The TEGNA Foundation, supported by TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA), will contribute $185,000 in community grants for Make A Difference Day projects across the country. Make A Difference Day is made possible by the employees of TEGNA with support from the Arby’s Foundation and longtime partner Points of Light. Make A Difference Day began in 1992 and has since helped millions of Americans.

Organizers of Make A Difference Day projects are encouraged to register at makeadifferenceday.com. By registering, projects become eligible to win a $10,000 grant to donate to a charity of their choice.

Additional information can be found at www.makeadifferenceday.com.

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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Monday, September 19, 2016

WKYC News & Notes: 9/19/16

By Frank Macek

It's time for another "behind the scenes" look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center celebrating our 15th year at 13th and Lakeside.

The first day of Fall is this week here in northeast Ohio and with the change of seasons brings a new weekday program to the Channel 3 airwaves.

Our parent company TEGNA Media, has successfully launched the T.D. Jakes Show with a positive, uplifting voice, at a time when we believe so many Americans are starved for meaningful stories that celebrate unity, tolerance and hope over cynicism. The show is the first program TEGNA has launched as a syndicated program without traditional syndication partners and is a wholly owned production of the company. Catch the T.D. Jakes Show weekdays at 3 pm on Channel 3 and let us know what you think using the #tdjakesshow.

The 4th annual WKYC Health and Wellness Expo is set for Saturday, October 8th, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland with FREE ADMISSION. WKYC personalities will be there to welcome you along with special guests from NBC and a chair from the very popular show “The Voice." Visitors will be invited to show off their talents as a news or weather anchor and auditions will be uploaded to the WKYC Facebook page. This year, you can get free screenings for cholesterol, BMI, bone density, body comp, hep C testing, hearing screenings and flu vaccinations. We'll see you there! 

Then on Saturday, October 22nd, WKYC is partnering with several local community organizations for our annual "Make a Difference Day." Watch Channel 3 News and log on to wkyc.com for details on how your organization can help us this year.

One final note, Nielsen has come out with their 2017 market rankings and Cleveland will fall from 18th to 19th largest market next year. The Cleveland DMA also includes the cities of Akron and Canton.

We'd like to recognize these employees who have recently retired from the station:
  • Jim Miller: Director of Engineering and Technology
Promotions within the station:
  • Randy Betke: Manager of Technology
  • Brandon Simmons: Multi-Skilled Journalist Champion
Also, congratulations to the following people who have joined the Channel 3 team:
  • Dave “Dino” DeNatale: Digital Content Producer
  • Kierra Cotton: Digital Content Producer
  • Mike Adams: Assistant Manager of Technology 
  • Ann Geyer: 7 pm producer
Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

America's Got Talent To Hold Auditions In Cleveland

Special to the Director's Cut Blog
By Mac Mahaffee

Calling all Northeast Ohio singers, dancers, magicians, comedians and talents of all ages!

The search is underway for new acts to compete on America's Got Talent, NBC's summer smash reality show.

And for the first time ever, auditions for the hit NBC reality show will be held in Cleveland!

That's right.

On December 10, producers for the summer smash will be at the Huntington Convention Center in downtown Cleveland! It’s a great fantastic opportunity to meet the producers of the show and let them see your talent in action.

Even if you have never auditioned for anything in your life, it will be a fun way to spend the day and have some stories to tell your friends.

You can sign up in advance to audition by clicking here and then selecting Cleveland.

Can't make it to the auditions? You can always audition online at agtauditions.com.

Friday, August 05, 2016

WKYC News & Notes: 8/5/16

By Frank Macek

It's time for another "behind the scenes" look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center celebrating our 15th year at 13th and Lakeside.

It's been one heck of summer for Cleveland with the Cavs winning the NBA Finals and the championship parade in downtown Cleveland, the highly successful Republican National Convention and now the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

Channel 3 News has been in the heart of it all, and all of these events have shown how "Seeing the Possible" makes a difference to our viewers.

For the next 17 days, you'll see coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics from Rio de Janeiro from NBC and our own Sara Shookman and Will Ujek who are in Rio to bring home a local perspective to the games. Look for their reports on all editions of Channel 3 News.

We'd like to recognize several employees who have recently left the station:
  • Gary Seawall: Engineering and remote and satellite operations
  • Marlene Olbrysh: Receptionist
Also, congratulations to the following people who have joined the Channel 3 team:
  • Kierra Cotton: Audience Engagement Specialist
  • Brenna Mona: Audience Engagement Specialist
  • Cara Wilson: Account Executive
  • Bridget Kelley: Digital Sales Assistant
  • Joseph Garman: Multi-Media Marketing Producer
  • Carly Flynn Morgan: Multi-Skilled Journalist
Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

WKYC To Broadcast/livestream The Cleveland Cavaliers Championship Parade

(Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images, 2016 Getty Images)
Can't make it to the Cleveland Cavaliers Championship Parade on Wednesday? You can watch it on WKYC!

WKYC will be broadcasting the parade live on Channel 3.

You can also watch a livestream of the parade on WKYC.comand on the WKYC Facebook page.

The parade starts at 11 a.m. near Quicken Loans Arena.

For additional photos and videos, follow WKYC on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

Follow WKYC on Snapchat by adding "WKYC3" to your Snapchat friend list.
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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Thursday, June 09, 2016

WKYC Receives Several Press Club of Cleveland Awards

The Press Club of Cleveland honored Ohio media with their 2016 All Ohio Excellence in Journalism awards last Friday, June 3rd.

WKYC received a number of awards for the broadcast year of 2015 including the following:

Best Television Newscast in Ohio
  • First Place: Channel 3 News at 11 (WKYC Staff)
Breaking News Series
  • First Place: Ohio State Buckeyes win National Championship (Matt Florjancic)
Online Story Telling
  • Third Place: Domestic Violence: A Crime Without Boundaries (WKYC Staff, WKYC.com staff)
Television News Website
  • Second Place: WKYC.com (WKYC Staff)
Online Feature Story
  • Second Place: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame turns 20 (WKYC.com Staff)
  • Third Place: Akron's Sina King of Queen of the Comeback (Matt Florjancic)
On-Going Coverage
  • First Place: Prosecutor "Called Out" by Family, Community in Tamir Rice Case (Hilary Golston)
Public Service
  • First Place: United Against Domestic Violence (WKYC Staff)
  • Second Place: Hidden Homeless Left Out in the Cold in Northeast Ohio (Hilary Golston)
  • Third Place: See the Possible Jobs (WKYC Staff)
Human Interest
  • Triumph Uplifts Cleveland Community (Hilary Golston)
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Tuesday, May 31, 2016

WKYC News & Notes: 5/31/16

By Frank Macek

It's time for another "behind the scenes" look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center celebrating our 15th year at 13th and Lakeside.

Hard to believe we are heading into June already and this summer means a very busy time for Channel 3 News with the Cavs in the NBA Finals in June, the Republican National Convention (RNC) in July and the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in August.

In the upcoming months, I will share a behind the scenes look at Channel 3's coverage of these events including the technical preparations that go into covering an event as large as the RNC.

Channel 3 News will be offering extended coverage with additional newscasts during both the RNC and Olympics including additional newscasts and our Olympic Zone show at 7:30 pm in August.

Once again, Channel 3 News was the most watched 11 pm newscast in the market in adults 25-54 in the just concluded May sweeps. Channel 3 News at 6 & 7 were number 2 in the market, along with Channel 3 News Today.

We'd like to recognize several employees who have recently left the station as part of the TEGNA voluntary retirement program over the past month:
  • Mike Gage, Audio Engineer & Master Control
  • Michael Greene, Photographer
  • Dan Bowman, Chief Photographer 
  • Brian Johnson, Photographer
  • Loren Straka, Regional Senior Accountant
Also, congratulations to the following people who have joined the Channel 3 team:
  • Steve Hensley joins the team as the station's Regional Finance Director. Previously, Steve worked at WEWS for 13 years in their business office.
  • Michael Estime joins as weekend meteorologist.
  • Chris Douglas joins our Production Department as a part-time production assistant.
Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Help WKYC & United Way "Stuff The Bus With Books"

From now through June 14, the WKYC studio at Lakeside and East 13th Street is serving as a collection site for this year's United Way "Stuff The Bus With Books" campaign.

On Friday June 3rd, we’re inviting you to come have lunch with us, and bring a book!

The Nelly Belly gourmet pizza truck and also their “Cruise In Confections” dessert truck will be here at the station from 11 am to 2 pm.

Bring in a new or gently used book suitable for grades 3 through 8, and you will get a free cookie.

And every 25th customer will receive a free pizza.

United Way is collecting the books to give to Cleveland students participating in summer learning programs.

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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Monday, May 02, 2016

WKYC President Micki Byrnes Receives YWCA Women of Achievement Award

WKYC General Manager and President Micki Byrnes was honored on Monday at the YWCA Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon and Conference.


Micki received the 2016 Women of Achievement Award, along with the following recipients:
  • Lee Friedman, Chief Executive Officer, College Now Greater Cleveland
  • Kathryn “Kit” Jensen, Chief Operating Officer, ideastream
  • Kym Sellers, Founder, Kym Sellers Foundation; television and radio personality
  • Robyn Minter Smyers, Partner-in-Charge, Thompson Hine LLP – Cleveland Office
  • Maryrose Sylvester, President and Chief Executive Officer, Current Powered by GE
  • Nancy Tinsley, President of Parma Medical Center, University Hospitals
  • Sue Tyler, Executive Vice President and Chief Experience Officer, Medical Mutual of Ohio

The 2016 Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon and Conference marks the 40th year of honoring the most distinguished and notable women in Northeast Ohio.

Congratulations to Micki on this well deserved honor.

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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Thursday, April 28, 2016

WKYC Garners Most Regional Emmy Award Nominations

Russ Mitchell & Sara Shookman
With 28 nominations, Cleveland's WKYC-TV leads the way in the 47th annual Lower Great Lakes Chapter of the National Academy of Arts & Sciences in the list released early Thursday morning.

The NATAS chapter, which also includes the Toledo and Indianapolis TV markets, noted that next in line was WJW-TV with 18 nominations, Cleveland 19 with 14 nominations and tied with 13 are WEWS-TV and IdeastreamWVIZ/PBS.

The awards will be given out on June 18 during an evening at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio.

Among many other categories, WKYC was nominated for its 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. weekday newscasts, along with its Morning Newscast and Weekend Newscast; Best Weather Anchor for Greg Dee; Best Team Coverage for the Michael Brelo trial; Continuing Coverage for the Tamir Rice case; 'Stop the Violence' in the News Special category; and WKYC's The Investigator Tom Meyer earned seven nominations in multiple categories.

See all the 2016 Emmy nominations

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Betsy Kling, Jim Donovan Make Scene's Best of Cleveland 2016

Betsy Kling & Jim Donovan

The results are in! You voted for your favorite people and places in Cleveland Scene's annual Best of Cleveland survey.

Among them, WKYC's took some top spots. Betsy Kling won the Best Meteorologist and Jim Donovan grabbed title of Best Sports Reporter.

Places that made the list include Tremont, voted the Best Neighborhood, while Punch Bowl Social in The Flats was crowned the "Best Place for Grown-Ups Birthday Party."

Just in time before the Republican National Convention, Public Square gets the Best Renovation Project. Voters decided Lakewood was the Best Place to Buy a House.

View the other results here.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Channel 3 Honored With Several Cleveland Press Club Awards

Congratulations to the following Channel 3 staffers on winning a Cleveland Press Club Award as part of this year's All Ohio Excellence in Journalism.
  • Triumph Uplifts Cleveland Community - Hilary Golston 
  • United Against Domestic Violence - Monica Robins, Matt Hein, Susan Moses, Carl Bachtel 
  • Hidden Homeless Left Out in the Cold in Northeast Ohio - Hilary Golston 
  • See The Possible: Jobs - WKYC staff
  • Domestic Violence: A Crime Without Boundaires - WKYC staff, wkyc.com staff 
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame turns 20 - wkyc.com staff
  • Akron's Sina King is Queen of the Comeback - Matt Florjancic 
  • WKYC.com, best Television News Website in Ohio -  wkyc.com staff 
The Press Club of Cleveland Excellence in Journalism Awards event will be held June 3rd at the House of Blues in downtown Cleveland.




Friday, April 15, 2016

WKYC 'See the Possible' Story Brings About Law Change

It’s a "See The Possible" success story worth celebrating.

On Friday, the Ohio Pharmacists Association selected Dawn Kendrick and WKYC for a 2016 Broadcast Media Award.

The award is for WKYC's stories about Kevin Houdeshell's family's fight for access to life-saving drugs.

The WKYC stories, the Ohio Pharmacist Association says, are stories helped lead to the law change that allows pharmacists to extend emergency supplies of life-saving drugs.

The award, the association says, is because “You conveyed an important message to the public about the value of pharmacists in serving their patients.”

 
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Thursday, April 14, 2016

NBC Announces "Sunday Night" and "Thursday Night" Football Schedules


NBC has announced the schedule for "Sunday Night" and "Thursday Night" Football for the upcoming season.

2016 NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Thurs. Sept. 8         NFL Kickoff     Carolina Panthers at Denver Broncos
Sun. Sept. 11          Week 1              New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals
Sun. Sept. 18          Week 2              Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Sun. Sept. 25          Week 3              Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys
Sun. Oct. 2             Week 4              Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers
*Sun. Oct. 9           Week 5              New York Giants at Green Bay Packers
*Sun. Oct. 16         Week 6              Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
*Sun. Oct. 23         Week 7              Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
*Sun. Oct. 30         Week 8              Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
*Sun. Nov. 6          Week 9              Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
*Sun. Nov. 13        Week 10            Seattle Seahawks at New England Patriots
*Sun. Nov. 20        Week 11            Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins
**Thurs. Nov. 24   Week 12            Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts
*Sun. Nov. 27        Week 12            New England Patriots at New York Jets
*Sun. Dec. 4          Week 13            Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks
*Sun. Dec. 11        Week 14            Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
*Sun. Dec. 18        Week 15            Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
Sun. Dec. 25          Week 16            Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
*Sun. Jan. 1           Week 17            TBD

*Flex Week
** Thanksgiving Night Game

2016 NBC THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Thurs. Nov. 17      Week 11             New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
Thurs. Dec. 1        Week 13             Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings
Thurs. Dec. 8        Week 14             Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Thurs. Dec. 15      Week 15             Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
Thurs. Dec. 22      Week 16             New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

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WKYC'S Tom Meyer Honored By Cleveland Association Of Broadcasters

Special to the Director's Cut Blog
By Phil Trexler


Tom Meyer
Photo by Phil Trexler
WKYC-TV Channel 3 investigative reporter Tom Meyer was honored Thursday with the "Excellence in Television Award" by the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters for his four decades of covering and uncovering the city.

Meyer was recognized along with radio legend Dan Deely of 107.3 The Wave and long-time promoter Barry Gabel of Live Nation.

Doug Adair, the popular former news anchor at WKYC, and shock jock radio talk show host Gary Dee received the President's Award for their life-time contributions.

The CAB awards were held during a luncheon at Windows on the River. Guests included Meyer's wife of 39 years, Sandra, and their daughter, Meagan.

Meyer, known at The Investigator, has won more than 180 local, state, regional and national awards, including the Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, the Press Club's National Headliner Award and a national UPI award. 

He has the distinction of winning 62 Emmys - more Emmys than any other reporter in Northeast Ohio.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Join WKYC And VeloSano In The Fight Against Cancer

Join the WKYC morning show and VeloSano in the fight against cancer by raising money for research at the Cleveland Clinic.

We kicked off our coverage for VeloSano3 Wednesday morning live from Progressive Field.

WKYC's John Anderson was there along with Paul Dolan, the Indians Chairman and CEO.

REGISTER | Join the VeloSano ride

Every dollar raised by the VeloSano event goes toward the cancer research.

During our special coverage, we also introduced you to a cyclist who missed last year's ride because he was having surgery for a brain tumor. But this year, things are different for him.

Surrounded by his co-workers and teammates, he will ride in this year's VeloSano.

For more information, go to www.VeloSano.org. The 2016 VeloSano weekend is July 29-31. Join the conversation on Twitter using #VeloSano3.

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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Thursday, April 07, 2016

WKYC Adds Michael Estime As New Weekend Meteorologist

By Frank Macek

Michael Estime
WKYC has announced the addition of Michael Estime to the Channel 3 Weather team beginning in early May.

Estime joins Channel 3 News from WTVQ-TV/ABC36 in Lexington, Kentucky, where he serves as morning and noon meteorologist.

WKYC News Director Brennan Donnellan says Michael will become the station's weekend morning weather forecaster, joining news anchor Maureen Kyle and the rest of the Channel 3 Today team.

Estime is a graduate of Central Michigan University and earned degrees in both Meteorology and Mathematics.

He just received his American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (AMS CBM) seal of approval, an advanced accreditation that was established to raise the professional standard in broadcast meteorology and encourage a broader range of scientific understanding, especially with respect to environmental issues.

During his time at Central Michigan, Estime worked for MHTV News Central 34, and was awarded “Best Weathercaster” in 2007, 2008 & 2009.

His professional career started behind the scenes in his hometown city of Detroit at WWJ-TV through the Emma L. Bowen Foundation (EBF) where he was awarded a 5-year work/study scholarship with CBS News.

"The EBF allowed me the opportunity to work with meteorologists all over the country from New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Detroit to The Weather Channel," he says.

Donnellan says "Michael's looking forward to being closer to home. Michael loves what he has experienced so far in Northeast Ohio. He’s upbeat and optimistic and definitely sees the possible!"

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Friday, April 01, 2016

WKYC Announces New Multi-year Agreement To Remain Partners with Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians and WKYC-TV3 today announced a new multi-year agreement to remain partners in the Northeast Ohio market.

WKYC-TV3 will continue to be the Official Weathercasters of the Cleveland Indians, present WKYC Weather Day at Progressive Field (this year April 21 vs. Seattle) and provide fans other ancillary Indians programming such as “Indians Tonight” every Sunday from 11:30pm to Midnight during the baseball season April through September.

In conjunction with SportsTime Ohio, WKYC will continue to simulcast four broadcasts beginning with Monday’s home opener against Boston at 4pm.

Indians coverage on WKYC will begin with their annual Opening Day special from 1-3pm before joining the SportsTime Ohio pregame show from 3-4pm.

The four over-the-air simulcasts in 2016 will be:

Monday 4/4 – vs. Boston Red Sox

Thursday 7/7 – vs. NY Yankees

Saturday 7/30 – vs. Oakland Athletics

Friday 9/2 – vs. Miami Marlins

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Thursday, March 31, 2016

WKYC And Cleveland Indians Team Up For Weather Education Day 2016


Special to the Director's Cut Blog
By Mac Mahaffee

The Cleveland Indians and WKYC are once again teaming up for Weather Education Day at Progressive Field on Thursday, April 21, 2016.

Sponsored by the Northeast Regional Sewer District, Weather Education Day brings thousands of students, teachers and parents together to participate in a pre-game weather education program, presented by WKYC's Weather Team, before the start of the game.

Each student will be given a Weather Education Day workbook that is packed full of useful weather information and activities.

Weather Education Day at Progressive Field has become one of Northern Ohio's premier field trips for school groups. The program begins at 10:00 AM and all participants will then take in the game between the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners that begins at 12:10 PM.

The on-field program is created and produced by WKYC-Channel 3 Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling. Kling, along with meteorologists Hollie Giangrecco and Greg Dee will do demonstrations and give explanations on the special relationship that weather has with the game of baseball.

Of course, Indians mascot Slider will be there along with the rest of the Indians squad.

Tickets are available at a reduced rate for school groups in attendance. Tickets include the pre-game Weather Education Day program as well as seats for the game.

Lunch packages are also available. All homeschool and non-traditional school participants are also offered a reduced rate.

For more information on the Weather Education Day program and to inquire about tickets, contact Jackie Plys with the Cleveland Indians at 216-420-4162 or click here.
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Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Indians Baseball Returns to WKYC With The Home Opener

The Cleveland Indians are back on WKYC for 2016 with the Indians Home Opener on Monday, April 4th.

Our live coverage begins at 1 pm with our Channel 3 News sports special called "Tribe Time: Opening Day" live from Progressive Field

At 3 pm, it's Sporstime Ohio's "Indians Live" with Al Pawlowski and Jensen Lewis.

Then at 4 pm, the Indians take on the Boston Red Sox for the sold out game.

You can join the conversation on Twitter. We'll have the hashtag to use during our live coverage.

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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Monday, March 28, 2016

'Between The Lines' Returns In 'Politics And People'

By Tom Beres
WKYC Senior Political Correspondent

CLEVELAND -- It's a time of big events and important change in Northeast Ohio.

At the top of the list is the looming Republican National Convention in July.

But other key decisions are being made this year.

Ohioans will choose whether to retain Republican Senator Rob Portman or replace him with the Democratic former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.

Cleveland voters will decide this November whether to renew a levy for Cleveland's troubled, but improving school system.

Cleveland's police department is in the midst of a federally mandated upgrade to make it more accountable, better trained and less prone to excessive violence.

With so much happening, it requires more insight and perspective than what can fit into normal newscasts.

The national events will have a specific impact on our state and region.

That's why WKYC Channel 3 is reviving its political discussion segment "Between the Lines," hosted by Senior Political Correspondent Tom Beres.

It will be the leadoff hitter in a half-hour block called "Politics and People."

"Between the Lines" will be followed by "Seven Minutes with Russ Mitchell" and "Sara's Circle," a segment hosted by Sara Shookman.

Mitchell will interview newsmakers and people making a difference. Shookman profiles women making big contributions to life in the region.

"Between the Lines" will feature rotating teams of commentators bringing a spectrum of viewpoints to the table.

Some faces are familiar. Some are newly added.

The teams will include:
  • Graham Veysey, one-time Democratic candidate for Congress
  • Julie Kirk, political director for Cuyahoga County's Republican Party
  • Dennis Eckart, former Democratic congressman
  • Mary Anne Sharkey, former newspaper reporter, columnist and editor
  • Henry Gomez, a politics writer
  • Mark Naymik, a plugged-in columnist for Cleveland.com
  • Blaine Griffin, vice chairman of Cuyahoga County's Democratic Party
  • Bob Frantz, a conservative radio talk show host.
"Politics and People" will debut Saturday, April 2 at 7 p.m.

Give it a try for an informative and insightful half hour about people and decisions that impact your job, schools, quality of life and community well-being.

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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Tuesday, March 08, 2016

WKYC News & Notes: 3/8/16

By Frank Macek

It's time for another "behind the scenes" look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center celebrating our 15th year at 13th and Lakeside.

Just a couple of notes to add to the mix for this month of March as we get ready for Spring in Northeast Ohio.

The February book is now a distance memory and once again Channel 3 News is the number one newscast at 11 pm in households, Adults 24-54, and several other key demographics. Channel 3 News at 6 & 7 pm ranked in 2nd place in the demos, as well as the Channel 3 News Today from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Channel 3 has new room mates starting this week after Fox Sportstime Ohio moved to their news studios in early February located at the Huntington Building on Public Square.

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission Team
We welcome the Greater Cleveland Film Commission team of Ivan Schwarz, Seema Jayaswal, John Luteran, Tabitha Mensch, Meghan Newman, Raan Shalom and Laura Stringer. We are sincerely hoping we get to see some movie stars stop by when they are filming in Cleveland or at least some free movie passes.

Congratulations to the following people who have either joined the Channel 3 team or been promoted since our last update.
  • Jasmine Monroe comes to the Channel 3 News team from WFMJ-TV/Youngstown as our new Akron/Canton multimedia journalist. (Click to read our previous feature on Jasmine)
  • Tricia Stuckey joins our morning news team at the Executive Producer of Channel 3 News Today from 4:30 am to 7 am. Tricia comes to us from FOX 8 where she had been a producer of their 8 am newscast and special projects for 15 years, along with being a fill-in Executive Producer.
  • Current morning EP Jennifer Jordan moves to our dayside Executive Producer position overseeing our early evening newscasts of Channel 3 News at 6 pm and 7 pm.
  • Leo Rypinski joins our engineering and IT staff from Mature Services, Inc. in Akron where we recently worked as a Desktop Support Specialist.
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Monday, February 29, 2016

Jasmine Monroe Joins Channel 3 News As A Multi-Media Journalist

Jasmine Monroe
By Frank Macek

WKYC welcomes Jasmine Monroe who is joining the Channel 3 News team from NBC affiliate, WFMJ-TV, in Youngstown, Ohio, where she was a morning show out and about reporter, announced WKYC News Director Brennan Donnellan.

Monroe's first assignment will be an important one. She will be working out of our brand new Akron-Canton digital mobile newsroom as a multimedia journalist traveling to our southern counties with WKYC videojournalist Carl Bachtel to find great stories and to show how people in Akron and Canton are "seeing the possible."

She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she attended Penn Hills High School. At the age of 15-years-old Jasmine knew that reporting was in her future. 

Monroe continued her education at Clarion University and reported local news at the campus tv and radio station. 

After earning her B.S. in broadcast journalism, she moved to Washington D.C. where she interned at BET Networks as an assistant in the pre-production, production, and post-production of the 2012 BET Awards! She also created questions for the Red Carpet segment Mad Swagg TV Show and aided in the placement of commercials for the Pink Luster’s promotional advertisement during BET’s #1 show "106 & Park."

Before coming to Youngstown, she interned at KDKA-TV and Radio in Pittsburgh where she helped produce KDKA Radio's "Inside Story" with Marty Griffin. 

While at WFMJ, she reported on everything from Youngstown State University Board of Trustees announcing Jim Tressel as the school’s ninth president, to showcasing the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus and working on "Project Feed Our Valley" that received a 2015 Regional Emmy Award and helped to raise $516,969 and collect 526,388 pounds of food for hungry families in the Mahoning Valley.

"I'm so excited to join WKYC's News Team," she tells the Director's Cut Blog. "For a girl who defines success by enriching the lives of others, seeing the possible in Akron was the perfect fit for me. Plus coming from Youngstown, I've visited many Cleveland restaurants and plenty of Cavs and Indian games! Although I never made it to a Browns game, I do believe I can be Cleveland's new good-luck charm!"

Her first day at WKYC will be Monday, March 7th.

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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Thursday, February 04, 2016

WKYC News & Notes: 2/4/16

By Frank Macek

It's time for another "behind the scenes" look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center celebrating our 15th year at 13th and Lakeside.

January 2016 was a strong book for Channel 3 News with major gains in the morning and late night. Channel 3 News continued to be the number one choice at 11 pm. Starting today, we enter the February sweeps period that runs through the end of the month.

Check out Channel 3 at the 2016 Great Big Home & Garden Show at the IX Center starting Friday, February 5th through Sunday, February 14th. More than 100,000 people are expected at the event and you'll find your favorite WKYC personalities and staffers at the show during the entire run. This year, we are at booth number 939 where you can register to win a $500 cash prize or 1 of 5 Fitbits. Your blogger will be at the IX Center on Sunday, February 14th from 2 to 4 p.m. Stop on by!

WKYC Digital Akron/Canton Mobile Newsroom
Channel 3 News is upping our commitment to the Akron/Canton market with the WKYC and Cleveland Clinic Akron General Mobile Newsroom hitting the streets of Akron/Canton the surrounding communities to bring you all that area's news. These will be stories you'll only see on WKYC where we always "See the Possible."

Congratulations to the following people who have either joined the Channel 3 team or been promoted since our last update.
  • Long-time WKYC engineer Gary Seawall is upped to the Engineering Maintenance Supervisor. During his tenure, Gary has been heavily involved in the design and maintenance of our ENG and satellite live trucks and our in-house satellite distribution.
  • Jordan Bigler joins our WKYC Production team as a Production Assistant. He is a 2014 graduate of Sam Houston State University with a BFA in Theater.
  • Elizabeth Zabell becomes our new Digital Sales Specialist. Elizabeth moved from Houston, Texas where she worked as a Senior Account Director at Convergent1.
  • Janey Carroll is a new Sales Assistant. She is a Lake Erie College graduate where she majored in Advertising, Public Relations and Digital Media.
  • David Goler joins us as a new Digital Account Executive and just moved to Pepper Pike from Manhattan where he work as a Director of National Accounts for Zinc by Zedo.
Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc and on Facebook

Monday, February 01, 2016

Thursday Night Football Coming to NBC and WKYC This Fall

Special to the Director's Cut Blog
Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports 

The NFL announced Monday that NBC will join CBS and NFL Network for TNF telecasts during the 2016 and 2017 regular seasons.

Thursday night games became a fixture in 2006 on NFL Network, which will continue to simulcast all games in the package, before CBS joined it in 2014.

Over the next two seasons, CBS and NBC will broadcast five games apiece while NFL Network will retain exclusive rights to eight other games. CBS had produced eight games in both the 2014 and '15 seasons.

“We are continuing to make Thursday Night Football bigger and better. CBS has played an integral role over the last two seasons in helping build Thursdays as a night for NFL football, and we're excited to have them on board again," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement.

“At the same time, we're thrilled to add NBC to the Thursday Night Football mix, a trusted partner with a proven track record of success broadcasting NFL football in primetime, and look forward to expanding with a digital partner for what will be a unique tri-cast on broadcast, cable, and digital platforms."

The Thursday night schedule has improved in recent years, and Aaron Rodgers' Hail Mary to cap the Green Bay Packers' win over the Detroit Lions last season was one of the regular season's most indelible moments.

However the league mandates that each team must play at least once on Thursday during the regular season, which still causes some less-than-enticing matchups. The NFL tried to spice up some of those games visually by introducing "Color Rush" uniforms last season, though color-blind viewers who could not differentiate green and red did not appreciate watching the monochromatic New York Jets and Buffalo Bills face off. The league plans to expand the "Color Rush" component in 2016 nonetheless.

Players also tend not to be fans of the quick turnaround for TNF games, especially when they have to play on the road.

Both CBS and NBC will produce TNF with their lead broadcasters and production teams. CBS and NFL Network will televise the first half of the Thursday Night Football schedule with NBC and NFL Network televising the second half.

“Our mission when we first put games on Thursday nights in 2006 was to work strategically to make Thursdays a night for NFL football in the mold of what Monday and Sunday nights mean to millions of fans across the country," said New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, chairman of the league's broadcast committee.

“We’ve made great strides since that point, and growing the base of games with CBS, now with NBC, and soon with digital streaming will only help us solidify this night in the consciousness of NFL fans here and globally."

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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Jim Donovan Turns Childhood Dream Into Career


Jim Donovan
Special to the Director's Cut Blog
By Matthew Florjancic

Sometimes, all a person needs to do is dream.

WKYC Sports Anchor Jim Donovan always dreamed of being a sportscaster like the ones he grew up listening to and emulating in his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts.

And through the nurturing of his father and an intense drive to succeed mixed with a passion for sports, Donovan has been living out his dream for more than 30 years, a career that will be honored at the 16th annual Greater Cleveland Sports Awards Thursday night.

STARTING WITH A DREAM

Donovan’s journey to the top of his profession started long before he ever moved to Cleveland. In fact, it started with a dream growing up in his hometown of Boston, where he and his father, Jim Donovan Jr., had season tickets to the Bruins’ hockey games, and a Christmas wish for a tape recorder.

“At first, when they gave me a tape recorder, I was doing the games off the television set and I turned the volume down, but I realized I didn’t have the crowd and I didn’t know if my timing was right,” Donovan said. “My dad was a real sport, and I lugged a big tape recorder to Section 77, Row F, Seat 13 at The Garden and I would call the Bruins’ games, and then, I would send it out, all the cassette tapes to all of the sportscasters, all the play-by-play guys, and I would ask them their opinion of what I was doing.

“I would go to Boston Garden, and I would go for Celtics games and everything, and as much as I admired the guys on the floor or on the ice, I would always look up into the broadcast booths and say, ‘God, that would be the greatest job in the world to be able to do the games at Boston Garden or in a broadcast booth.’ I just had an incredible desire to keep doing it.”

Donovan says the inspiration to get into broadcasting came from hearing the calls of legendary Boston sportscasters Johnny Most (Celtics), Fred Cusick and Bob Wilson (Bruins), Gil Santos (New England Patriots) and Curt Gowdy, Ken Coleman and Ned Martin (Red Sox), and it has driven him ever since.

“Each team had a legendary guy doing play-by-play, so I was always exposed to it, and I sound old now, but it was not the age where every game was on television,” Donovan said. “In fact, very few were on television, so you listened to the games on the radio, and these guys were just masters. They really were, and they all had different styles. When I would go to the Boston Garden, I decided that I really wanted to get the feel of what it was like to do the games.”

JOURNEY TO CLEVELAND

After graduating from Boston University, Donovan started his career as a sports director for WJON Radio in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he also did play-by-play and sports anchoring for WVMT Radio and WEZF-TV.

From there, Donovan moved onto Burlington, Vermont, where he was Satellite New Channel’s play-by-play announcer for basketball and hockey games. Also, Donovan was the play-by-play announcer for the Vermont Reds, a minor-league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

When Donovan moved to Cleveland, he thought it might be the big-city experience necessary to eventually return to Boston. However, at Channel 3, Donovan not only served as the sports anchor for the nightly newscasts, but also, was an NBC announcer for the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, and Atlanta, Georgia, respectively.

In addition, Donovan broadcasted World Cup games for ESPN in 1994, regional NFL games for NBC from 1987-1997, and was a television play-by-play announcer for 20 Cleveland Indians baseball games from 2006-2008.

After getting several opportunities to build on his accomplishments, Donovan, an Emmy-winning sportscaster who served as the national host of the Soap Box Derby and Cleveland Marathon, settled his family in Cleveland and never looked back.

“Really, as a kid growing up in Boston, I always thought that I would have to leave Boston after school and go out and kind of earn my way to get back to Boston, and to be quite honest, that was always my goal, to get back to Boston and get a job and be back home,” Donovan said.

“It was very important to me. In my early years here, I was along that road that, ‘All signs point to if there’s an opening in Boston, I can go back there.’ I don’t know what happened. I signed a couple of contracts here and got great opportunities here. Channel 3 gave me great opportunities. It opened up a road for me to get to NBC Sports and do football and the Olympics and a number of other fun events.

“Channel 3 gave me an opportunity to do Browns preseason games, and the opportunities that Cleveland gave to me were just amazing, and then, it really kind of clicked at some point. People really took me in, and leaving Cleveland really never entered my mind all that much.”

BECOMING VOICE OF THE BROWNS

Another unforgettable opportunity came Donovan’s way in the mid-1990s when the NFL announced the Browns were returning to Cleveland as an expansion franchise in 1999 after the original team moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens in 1996.


Following several rounds of auditions, Donovan was named the Browns’ radio play-by-play voice.

“I really always wanted to be the voice of a team,” Donovan said. “When I took the TV job, I was really worried that I had taken the wrong route because I was taking myself away from what I really wanted to do. I really wanted to do play-by-play, but it was good money, it was a good job and I was hoping it would open up other opportunities, but there was no guarantee, so I was really kind of worried about that.

“When the Browns left, I was still doing a lot of games on NBC at the time, doing regional games, and then, when the announcement came that they would be back in three years’ time, I kind of said to myself, ‘I think this is the chance to live out that dream of becoming the play-by-play voice of a team,’ and imagine, to become the play-by-play voice of the Cleveland Browns.

“I just constantly, for three years, zeroed in on that. I would go to local college games and take a tape recorder and call the games. NBC would send me tapes of Notre Dame, and I would take it into a studio, put it up on a video board and call the game so that I could keep my rhythm. It was destination give it all, go all out to try and get the Browns job. It was an incredible feeling when it all fell into place.”



INSPIRING OTHERS

After wanting to be like the broadcasters he looked up to at Fenway Park and Boston Garden, Donovan will take his place among the best to have ever plied their trade in Cleveland, as he will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards Thursday night.

A 31-year veteran Cleveland sportscaster, Donovan will be presented with the award.

“When I first came to Cleveland, I would’ve never thought I would’ve been here 31 years,” Donovan said. “I was thinking 31 days to be quite honest with you because I really didn’t know a great deal about doing television at the time.

“I was doing a lot of radio. I didn’t know that I could actually do the job. I knew the stakes were very high. There was a lot of turnover at Channel 3 at the time, so I didn’t know I was going to make it 31 days, believe it or not, but it’s a real honor.

“When you come from out of town and you come into a city, sometimes, you only think you’re going to be there a couple of years at best, and so, to be here 31 years and have everything that’s happened to me here in Cleveland, it’s just really amazing.”

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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc

Friday, January 22, 2016

WKYC Celebrates 15th Anniversary At 13th & Lakeside

By Frank Macek

WKYC is celebrating its 15th anniversary at its state of the art digital broadcast center at 13th and Lakeside in downtown Cleveland.

The building which officially opened for business in January 2001 was built just east of downtown Cleveland on the area known as Davenport Bluffs.

Construction kicked off in late 1999 and would take just over a year to finish.

During the end of December 2000, the station's technical operations first moved into the new building including master control and the main control room where all the newscasts were switched prior to the launch of the new studio on the Monday after the Super Bowl that year.

The newscasts themselves continued to originate from the studios at the old building on E. 6th Street through an fiber optic connection to 13th and Lakeside until the end of January 2001.

Since then, the technology has continued to be upgraded as the station transitioned from the standard SD format to high definition broadcasting and highly automated processes including the main control room currently running Sony ELC Live Production Automation.

The future continues to be exciting for WKYC with a big year in 2016 with the Republican National Convention in July, the 2016 Olympics from Rio in August and the eventual transition to ultra high definition formats in the coming years.

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Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @frankmacekwkyc
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Click to see time lapse of the first part of the building's construction at 13th and Lakeside

Thursday, January 21, 2016

WKYC First Ohio TV Station to Earn StormReady Supporter Recognition


WKYC is proud to be the first television station in the Buckeye State to earn StormReady Supporter recognition from the National Weather Service.

A StormReady Supporter is an organization that has met stringent guidelines for weather preparedness.

Businesses, schools and other non-governmental entities can earn the designation through a qualification process involving application, documentation and site inspection.

Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling led the initiative.

From severe weather awareness to safety plans, it ensures the organization's policies and guidelines help protect employees and visitors in weather emergencies.

WKYC now has a newly drafted Severe Weather Action Plan, custom StormReady plaquards to identify each of the station's eight severe weather shelters and better communication with employees before and during weather events.

Businesses, schools, and other non-government entities can earn the designation.

Some of the other northern Ohio StormReady Supporters include the Cleveland Indians, University of Akron and Cedar Point Amusement Park.

The StormReady program is a part of the NWS Weather-Ready Nation initiative to raise awareness about weather preparedness. The Supporter program is a joint venture between the NWS and local emergency managers.

Use the following link to find out more information on the StormReady Supporter program http://www.stormready.noaa.gov/supporter.htm