Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

By Frank Macek It's time for another "behind the scenes" look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center as we get ready to wrap up 2013. The November sweeps period was a solid one for WKYC-TV/3 as Channel 3 News at 6 & 11 PM won the conveted 25-54 age demographic (NSI overnights. Nov 2013. A25-54). According to WKYC President/General Manager Brooke Spectorsky, "While we were extremely fortunate to have Dr. Phil land the Michelle Knight interview, our numbers even without those nights still won the time period. Other top rated stories included an expose of local doctors and medical professionals who had been suspended and/or stripped of their licenses and an investigation into tanker cars carrying toxic chemicals through local neighborhoods." Under the leadership of WKYC News Director Brennan Donnellan, Channel 3 News is putting a strong emphasis on investigative and enterprise reporting which viewers have responded positively...

WKYC's Chris Tye with NBC's Matt Lauer As we head into the final stretch of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Channel 3 News journalists Chris Tye, Amanda Barren and Jennifer Lindgren share some of their personal photos of the action behind the scenes. The three have brought us some remarkable stories about our local athletes and cultural elements of British society. Click on the picture for our photogallery or the following link: on.wkyc.com/MmAXz3 You can also watch the video below where Chris Tye goes behind the scenes at the "Today Show" to see how they are handling their live coverage weekday mornings.

Our new on-air talent may be from out of town, but they bring you a fresh new, perspective to the Cleveland area which is on the rebound. Russ Mithcell, Kris Pickel - weeknights at 6 & 11 PM. Channel 3 News Today gets you up and moving each and every morning:

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

Chris Tye Chris Tye, current anchor of the Channel 3 News @ 7pm, will be shifting gears and changing the setting on his alarm clock. Chris has been named co-anchor of Channel 3 News Today, WKYC’s early morning newscast. “Our goal is to make every morning smart, fun and forward-thinking,” said Tye. “As we get going on a busy 2012 -- Olympics, elections, casinos and corruption trials -- we're making it our mission to let you know what's next. Anyone can tell you what happened over the last 12 hours -- we're going to be more interested in getting you set for your next 12 hours." “Chris brings strong journalism and reporting skills to the morning show, along with a creative and quick wit”, said WKYC News Director Rita Andolsen. “He and recently named co-anchor Erin Kennedy will change the face of morning news in our market”. “The team of Chris, Erin, meteorologist Hollie Strano, reporters Amanda Barren and Stephanie Coueignoux, and Ways to Save guru Matt Granite i...

Robin Swoboda One of Northeast Ohio’s most respected and well-loved personalities returns to her journalistic roots with a new station and new assignment. “I am happy to announce that Robin will be anchoring our 7pm newscast, along with current reporter Chris Tye,” said WKYC President and General Manager Brooke Spectorsky. “I know Robin’s experience, community knowledge and warm sense of humor will bring a unique perspective to our newscast. You’ve seen Chris substituting for anchors Mark Nolan and Romona Robinson over the past few years; he’s got great energy and strong reporting skills. Together, Robin and Chris will be a dynamic team.” “When I started as an evening anchor in 1986, I never would have imagined the course my on-air life would take,” added Robin. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it all; from local shows to network programming to the Morning Exchange. But my first love has always been news, and I feel that’s where my strongest contributions will be. I’m truly excited to j...

Special to the Director's Cut Blog by Chris Tye NEW YORK, NY -- Law & Order is one season away from being the longest running drama in TV history. But before they take down "Bonanza" as the title holder, they're returning home to 10 p.m. "I'm thrilled. I think it's always been a 10 p.m. show," says actress Alana De La Garza. "We deal with heavy issues, and being on at 8 p.m. (in some time zones) is not appropriate in some cases." Law & Order returned to its original 10 p.m. time slot Monday. The shuffle occurs as Jay Leno returns to "The Tonight Show," vacating the 10 p.m. slot he occupied since the spring with the failed "The Jay Leno Show." When Channel 3 visited the set of the New York-based "Law & Order" last month, you quickly realize all isn't what it seems. The actor who plays District Attorney Michael Cutter has to lose his British accent every time he opens his mouth. ...