Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

By Frank Macek Jasmine Monroe. Courtesy First Coast News If you worked a morning shift in Cleveland over the last decade, chances are you started your day with Jasmine Monroe’s energy lighting up the screen.  She was a spark in 3News’ early hours—nimble in breaking news, generous with community features, and quick with a smile that telegraphed warmth as much as authority. Then she stepped away from local air—off on a new chapter that, true to form, has been ambitious and purpose-driven. So where is Jasmine Monroe now, and how did she get there? Monroe closed her WKYC chapter in the spring of 2022 with an on-air farewell that felt less like a send-off and more like a thank-you from Northeast Ohio. Colleagues saluted her reportorial chops and her bond with viewers; the goodbye underscored how thoroughly she had woven herself into the market’s morning fabric.  Her next stop: Florida’s capital. In October 2022, Monroe joined WTXL (ABC 27) in Tallahassee as a morning anchor on th...

By Frank Macek The announcement that Nexstar Media Group and TEGNA have reached a deal to merge by the second half of 2026 has sent shockwaves through the broadcasting world. On paper, it is a simple story of consolidation: the nation’s largest local broadcaster buying another major group to expand its footprint even further.  But beneath the headlines lies a much more complicated tale of politics, law, and regulatory maneuvering that will determine whether this megadeal actually happens. For Nexstar and TEGNA, the road to the altar is anything but straightforward, and the forces lining up for and against it reveal how much the future of local television hangs in the balance. At its core, the Nexstar-TEGNA deal is about scale. Together, the two companies would own around 265 television stations, reaching nearly 80 percent of U.S. television households. That is an extraordinary figure, one that dwarfs competitors like Sinclair, Gray, and Paramount Global. The problem is obvious: t...

By Frank Macek When the digital television transition arrived in the United States back in 2009, it carried with it a promise of endless possibility. Broadcasters were no longer bound by the limitations of analog signals. With the flip to digital, every station suddenly had the ability to transmit not just its main channel, but multiple additional channels through the magic of digital compression.  The concept of the subchannel was born. For viewers, it meant more programming choices without paying a larger bill, and for broadcasters, it looked like an untapped revenue stream waiting to be exploited. In those early days, the airwaves were flooded with new names like MeTV, Antenna TV, Cozi TV, This TV, Grit, Bounce, Laff, Heroes & Icons, and Comet. These networks were programmed primarily with reruns of classic television shows, low-cost syndicated programming, and specialty movies. For audiences, it was suddenly possible to watch The Andy Griffith Show , M A S H*, or I Love Lu...

By Frank Macek In local television, it is rare to find someone balancing two demanding careers with equal passion, but Mike Joyce has carved out a path that does exactly that. By weekday, he is a high school science teacher guiding students through biology and environmental science.  Mike Joyce. Courtesy LinkedIn By weekend, he moonlights as a meteorologist, and has joined us for a while at WKYC, where viewers have been introduced to a new face who blends credibility with enthusiasm. His journey, stretching from small-market weather desks to the classroom and back onto larger broadcast platforms, tells the story of someone who has never stopped chasing his love of science and communication. Joyce’s career path began after he earned a degree in Atmospheric Sciences from Ohio State University in 2012. Shortly after graduation, he entered the field at WMFD-TV in Mansfield, Ohio, where he also provided forecasts for Mix 106.1 FM. That early experience led him to WFMJ-TV in Youngstown,...

Editor Note; This is the official press release issued from TEGNA that explains today's announcement of the acquisition of TEGNA by Nexstar Media. TEGNA currently owns WKYC-TV in the Cleveland market, while Nexstar owns WJW-TV and WBNX-TV. ------ IRVING, Texas and TYSONS, Virginia – Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST) (“Nexstar”) and TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TEGNA) (“TEGNA”) announced today that they entered into a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”) whereby, subject to regulatory approvals, Nexstar will acquire all outstanding shares of TEGNA for $22.00 per share in a cash transaction valued at $6.2 billion, inclusive of TEGNA’s net debt and estimated transaction fees and expenses. The purchase price represents a 31% premium to TEGNA’s average 30-day average stock price ending August 8, 2025, the last closing stock price prior to media reports of a potential transaction. Following completion of the transaction, the combined entity will be a leading local media company, well-posi...

By Frank Macek Ever wonder what really goes on behind the scenes at WKYC? In this edition of  Hey Frank! , I’m answering real questions from viewers across Northeast Ohio—no scripts, just straight talk. From how stories are picked to whether automation runs the newsroom, you asked, and I’m here to break it all  down. Let’s dive in.

By Frank Macek Chris Renkel has quickly become a familiar face to Cleveland sports fans since joining the 3News team in September 2024. For him, this is more than just a new job—it’s a homecoming. Born and raised in Westlake, Ohio, Chris grew up surrounded by the rich sports culture of Northeast Ohio. The Browns, Cavaliers, and Guardians were more than just teams on TV; they were part of the daily conversation, the shared experiences that knit communities together.  Chris Renkel That lifelong connection to local sports shapes everything about his approach on air. When he’s at the anchor desk or out in the field, Chris speaks not just as a journalist but as someone who knows what it’s like to sit in the stands, cheer from the couch, and feel the sting of a tough loss or the joy of a last-second win. His passion for sports has always been personal, and that authenticity is one of the first things viewers notice. Chris doesn’t just read the highlights; he brings them to life with th...

By Frank Macek On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the spotlight at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre in downtown Cleveland will shine not on touring comedians or headlining acts, but on familiar faces from WKYC Channel 3. At 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7:15, the station’s anchors, reporters, producers, and behind-the-scenes staff will step away from their usual roles to share unexpected talents—all for a cause that touches countless lives. The WKYC Channel 3 Talent Showcase, hosted by the quick-witted Mike Polk Jr., will raise money for Cleveland Clinic’s VeloSano initiative, a campaign dedicated to funding life-saving cancer research. For Polk, who is also serving as team captain for WKYC’s VeloSano effort this year, the idea for a talent show wasn’t just a creative choice—it was the perfect match. He knew the station was filled with personalities whose abilities go far beyond the newsroom. “The building is brimming with it,” he said. A traditional fundraiser just wouldn’t capture that spi...

By Frank Macek Every August, something pretty remarkable happens across the country — and here in Northeast Ohio, we’re right in the middle of it. It’s called Clear the Shelters , and if you’ve never heard of it, think of it as a month-long community adoption drive with one shared mission: help as many pets as possible find forever homes. This isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a movement. This year marks the 11th year of Clear the Shelters, and from August 1 through August 31, more than 30 shelters and rescues in Northeast Ohio are teaming up with WKYC Studios and our NBC and Telemundo partners nationwide to make it happen. The idea is simple — and powerful. Shelters across the region are offering reduced or even waived adoption fees, hosting special events, and putting a spotlight on the dogs, cats, and even a few more unusual pets waiting for a family. And while the promotions help get people in the door, the bigger impact is that every single adoption frees up space and resources...

By Frank Macek Cleveland’s pride was on full display today as the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) inducted Leon D. Bibb into its prestigious Hall of Fame during the organization’s annual convention and career fair. For a man who has spent more than five decades telling the stories of others, the spotlight shone brightly back on him, and in a fitting twist, it happened right here in the city he has called home for most of his career. The ceremony, part of a weeklong gathering of the nation’s top Black media professionals, marked a significant moment not only for Bibb, but for Cleveland’s place in journalism history. The NABJ conference, which runs August 6 through August 10, 2025, has transformed Cleveland into a hub of media excellence this week. Journalists, students, and leaders from across the country have gathered for workshops, panels, networking events, and a career fair that connects the next generation of reporters with some of the biggest names in news. The e...

By Frank Macek Local television has been a trusted source of information for decades. In recent years, though, it has faced a major challenge: attracting younger viewers. Millennials and Generation Z consume content differently, and their habits are reshaping how media organizations must adapt. For local TV stations, like WKYC Studios, winning back these viewers requires innovation, flexibility, and an honest look at what younger audiences want. One of the first hurdles is perception. Many younger people don’t see local television as being made for them. They may view it as their parents’ or grandparents’ platform—reliable, yes, but not one that resonates with their fast-paced, tech-savvy lifestyles. To shift that perception, stations need to move beyond traditional evening newscasts and create content that speaks directly to younger demographics. And that means meeting audiences where they are. Younger viewers live on their phones, scrolling TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube far more tha...

By Frank Macek As the National Association of Black Journalists marks its golden anniversary, thousands of journalists, media professionals, students, and allies will convene in Cleveland, Ohio, August 6–10, 2025, for the landmark 50th Annual NABJ Convention & Career Fair. This gathering at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland reflects NABJ’s half‑century in elevating Black voices in journalism and media, blending professional development, advocacy, and celebration of Black excellence. Origins and Mission: Why NABJ Was Founded Founded on December 12, 1975, in Washington, D.C., by 44 Black journalists, NABJ emerged amid concerns that mainstream media lacked diversity and misrepresented Black communities. Inspired by prior local journalist associations and in response to the Kerner Commission’s 1968 findings, NABJ launched with a mission to increase Black representation in newsrooms and advocate for greater inclusion and accurate storytelling. Over decades, it has grown into...