Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

By Frank Macek @maceknewsnation Ever wondered about something you see on the air at WKYC Studios? Submit your questions and I'll do my best to answer them in an upcoming edition of "Hey Frank." Keep in mind, I can not divulge station secrets or address rumors, but I will honestly try and answer questions about the programing and people you see on 3. Please email me at fmacek@wkyc.com . (I will not publish your email addresses on the blog, but would appreciate you providing your first name that I will use as part of the feature format.)

WKYC Studios’ President and General Manager Micki Byrnes announced exciting updates to the 3News evening lineup. “As WKYC continues to explore new ways to engage with the audiences of Northeast Ohio, we are excited to share that Sara Shookman will be joining Jim Donovan as co-anchor of Front Row,” said Byrnes. Front Row, weeknights at 7 p.m., gives viewers a closer look at the news makers and taste makers that are shaping our Northeast Ohio community. Then, Sara will continue her co-anchoring responsibilities with Russ Mitchell at 11 p.m. on Cleveland’s top rated “What’s Next.” Sara Shookman "Like any long suffering Browns fan, Jimmy's voice has gotten in my head,” said Sara. “Now I'm thrilled to sit next to him and give you a Front Row seat to all that's important, interesting, impactful and happening in our community. We want to connect you with the news makers, our community critics and cheerleaders, and ask your questions." Sara is one of 3News...

What can I say? I'm nostalgic when it comes to the history of WKYC. Check out some of the pictures of from the Channel 3 Digital Broadcast Center (when we called it that) from 2007. Main Channel 3 Anchor Desk Channel 3 Weather Center Overhead shot of main anchor seat from web center Overhead shot of main anchor seat from web center Weather chromakey wall Channel 3 Interview Set Channel 3 Newsroom Channel 3 main hallway Channel 3 Control Room A

WKYC will present a day of Christmas specials on Wednesday, December 25th, that begins right after "What's Next" at 11p on Christmas Eve. Here is our programming lineup from the WKYC Studios. Have a happy holiday from all of us at 3. PROGRAM SCHEDULE: 11:35 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. - Christmas Eve Mass 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. - The Spirit of Christmas 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. - Sister Circle 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. -  The Story of the First Noel 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. - Christmas Liturgical 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. - An American Christmas 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Today Show 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - The Spirit of Christmas 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Jim Brickman "A Joyful Christmas" 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Days of Our Lives 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Christmas Movie Block (with no commercials)    2:00 p.m. to 3:21 p.m. - Beyond Tomorrow    3:21 p.m. to 4:51 p.m. - The Great Rupert    4:51 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. -  March of the Woo...

Christmas 2019 is fast upon us and we are in the holiday spirit at the WKYC Studios. Take a look at some of the holiday Christmas decorations this year! WKYC Studios WKYC anchors Russ Mitchell and Sara Shookman decorating the newsroom WKYC Studios WKYC Studios WKYC Studios

Sunday marked 30 years since 10-year-old Amy Mihaljevic vanished from a Bay Village shopping plaza. Her disappearance ended in heartbreak and tragedy when her body was found months later in an Ashland County field. Three decades later, her killer remains free and investigators are still searching for answers. RELATED: Amy Should Be Forty: A look back on the murder case of Bay Village's Amy Mihaljevic 3News has launched a podcast to remember Amy, and to take a deep dive into her case. What clues could help detectives finally find justice for Amy? The "Amy Should Be Forty" podcast launched Sunday, Oct. 27, the 30-year anniversary of Amy's disappearance. The five-episode series includes insight and memories from Amy's family, investigators who have pursued her case and former Cleveland Scene crime reporter James Renner. Listen to "Amy Should Be Forty" wherever podcasts are found. Click here to listen on Spotify and here to listen on Apple. ...

Hard to believe it's been 30 years since one of Channel 3's most successful morning programs went off the air. "AM Cleveland" was launched as a challenger to WEWS Channel 5's "The Morning Exchange" when the show debuted on May 9, 1983, with newcomer Scott Newell who joined WKYC from WXIA-TV in Atlanta. The show aired weekdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. with a live studio audience and periodically would do remote shows from various malls around northeast Ohio, many of which no longer exist today. Newell reminds us that Pierce Brosnan from "Remington Steele" and "James Bond" fame was the very first guest on the show in 1983 from the studios at 1403 E. 6th Street. By 1986, AM Cleveland surpassed "The Morning Exchange" in ratings. However, the show would end its run on March 31, 1989, after 6 terrific years and thousands of guests. Recently, a 30 year reunion was held at the WKYC Studios now located at 1333 Lakeside Avenue...

Really excited and proud to be part of the debut of the new "3 News" tomorrow night after the Browns game that I'll be directing on our premiere show. Please give us a watch Sunday night and let me know what you think. http://bit.ly/newWKYC #newWKYC Our debut will start after Sunday Night Football, then starting Monday September 23 at 4a, we think you’ll notice a big difference in the stories we tell and how we tell them. Yes, we’ll always cover the big and breaking news of the day, but we’re also going to focus on stories that matter to you and those you care about. We’re also more committed than ever to find information that can make a difference in your life. Whether it’s keeping your family safe with must-see consumer reports and investigations, growing your career in Cleveland with learning and job opportunities or finding new ways to have more fun in your life, we want to help you, your friends and your family live your best lives. Our shows will als...

As we head into August, I have decided to bring back the Director's Cut Blog that features a behind the scenes look at the WKYC Studios. Since our last post March in 2018, I have gotten near weekly requests urging me to consider bringing back the blog. Many of my readers have said they found it useful in not only learning more about the current happenings of Channel 3, but also the history behind the station. Even though idled for more than a year, the blog continues to receive a significant number of views per day. Our alums have enjoyed finding out what's new since they left the station. Our viewers like to hear what's happening inside the station and behind the scenes. And, I like to give some opinion on topics that matter to me as a broadcaster and for our industry. Today is a very exciting time for our business, our local television market and most importantly -  our television station. One of my main focuses moving forward will b...

Channel 3 is teaming up with Kent State students and volunteers who are paying it forward Friday afternoon, joining their local firefighters to help shovel out fire hydrants covered in snow. About a dozen people joined the shovel challenge, traveling to different neighborhoods and looking for fire hydrants buried under several feet of snow. In cases of emergency, firefighters may find them frozen and unusable, which can delay their response times. Like the Ice Bucket Challenge, we are inviting you to the #ShovelChallenge and post your videos on your social media sites to challenge your friends to do their part and help firefighters clean away the hydrants before the next major snowstorm in northeast Ohio. #ShovelChallenge Tweets

WKYC will once again present special programming during the Christmas holiday. Here is a list of what will air on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on Channel 3. Please note, all programming is subject to change. December 24th: 08:00 p.m.    It’s A Wonderful Life 11:00 p.m.    Channel 3 News at 11 PM 11:30 p.m.    Christmas Eve Mass from St. Peter’s December 25th : 01:00 a.m.    The First Noel 03:00 a.m.    The Spirit of Christmas 04:00 a.m.    Masters of Illusion Christmas 05:00 a.m.    Christmas Liturgical 06:00 a.m.    Jim Brickman: Sending You A Little Christmas 07:00 a.m.    Today Show 11:00 a.m.    Hollywood Christmas Parade 01:00 p.m.    Days of Our Lives 02:00 p.m.    Masters of Illusion Christmas 03:00 p.m.    Miracle at Gate 213 04:00 p.m.    Meet John Doe 06:30 p.m.    Jim Brickman: The Magic of Christmas...

WKYC will re-air our much talked about special "Heroin: Old Drug, New Killer Epidemic" on Sunday, May 26th from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Channel 3. “We were approached by a group of concerned citizens in Geauga County who are alarmed at the rate by which young people are dying from this epidemic, said Rita Andolsen, WKYC’s Director of Advocacy & Community Initiatives.  “After looking into the issue, we learned heroin use and subsequent deaths are a problem across our entire region. We decided to put the resources of our station behind the issue and do something about it”. Anchored by medical reporter Monica Robins, the special takes an in-depth look at what’s causing the epidemic and the cost, literally and figuratively, of addiction to the families whose loved ones fall victim to this drug. In Cuyahoga County alone, the number of heroin deaths has increased by 177% from 2007-2012. The statistics in surrounding counties are equally alarming. During this hou...