Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

Entering its fourth year, Heroes Help Northeast Ohio is the largest one day drive aimed at helping Coats for Kids, the Salvation Army, and the Cleveland Foodbank. This year's event will be held on Thursday, October 20, from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in front of the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center, 1333 Lakeside Avenue in Downtown Cleveland. WKYC staffers will be on hand all day to collect items right outside our building. In addition to collecting food, WKYC will also be collecting new or gently worn coats for our "Coats for Kids" campaign held each year with our radio partners. Plus, we'll accept holiday gifts for the Salvation Army. You can also make a cash donation during the drive as well. Food items most in need include the "super six."  Those items are: beef stew canned soup canned vegetables boxed cereal peanut butter tuna fish Please encourage your kids' schools or neighborhood schools to take part as well. You can collect items...

NBC’s top-rated summer series “America’s Got Talent” will begin its nationwide search for season seven contestants with auditions beginning in New York (October 8 and 9), St. Louis (October 22 and 23) and in Washington, D.C. (November 5 and 6). The search continues in Tampa, Fla. (November 12 and 13), Anaheim, Calif. (December 10 and 11), Austin, Texas (January 14 and 15), Charlotte, N.C. (February 4 and 5) and San Francisco (January 25 and 26). The “America’s Got Talent” auditions are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for performers across the country to showcase their talents in 90 seconds to series’ producers in the hopes of being able to take the stage in front of the judges. Every type of performer is welcome - including musicians, dance crews, magicians, contortionists, comedians, singers, jugglers, animal acts and everything in between – all of whom want to perform for America’s votes and the coveted $1 million prize. Details for the open auditions are below: NEW YORK Sa...

It’s a simple word….but it changes your life forever. Cancer. Almost five million Americans are currently battling breast or prostate cancer, and those numbers are expected to rise. The most powerful weapon in this war is knowledge. In an hour-long primetime special on Saturday, October 8th, at 8 pm, you’ll see the latest procedures, medical trials, and alternative therapies. Plus you’ll learn how innovative new treatments are saving lives without sacrificing quality of life. Surgeons and oncologists from the nation’s top hospitals share their knowledge and their hopes for these breakthrough regimens. There will also be a simultaneous live online chat on wkyc.com/cuttingedge produced by MedCity Media. The chat will include doctors and medical experts who will respond to viewer’s questions and experiences as they watch the show. WKYC News will produce a companion series of targeted news stories October 5th, 6th and 7th at 11 pm. The stories will focus on local medical adv...

Tom Beres Updated: 10/28/11 The Press Club of Cleveland will honor Fox 8 photojournalist Herb Thomas, WKYC's Tom Beres, and four others at its 2011 Chuck Heaton Award to be presented at the Club's annual Journalism Hall of Fame Awards Dinner and Induction Ceremony. They will be honored October 28 at at LaCentre, 25777 Detroit Road, in Westlake. Thomas will receive the Chuck Heaton Award. The others will be inducted into the Press Club of Cleveland Hall of Fame. The Chuck Heaton Award honors an individual who best exemplifies the qualities of Hall of Fame reporter Chuck Heaton, a long-time sports writer and columnist at The Plain Dealer. Heaton, who passed away in February 2008, was known for his lifelong dedication to journalism, his fairness, his concern for community and helping others. The Hall of Fame inductees to be honored are WKYC's Beres, The Plain Dealer's Tom Feran and Philip Morris, NBC News' Kelly O'Donnell, and Bob Paynter, Principal, o...

Click picture to sign up now! WKYC today announced it launched DealChicken, a unique daily deals site, as part of a larger rollout by Gannett Co., Inc, WKYC’s parent company, to more than 50 markets across the U.S. by the end of 2011. More than just another daily deal site, DealChicken merchants benefit from WKYC’s long-established presence in Cleveland. WKYC’s deep local connections to, and understanding of, the Cleveland community will help DealChicken effectively serve both merchants and consumers and build long-term relationships that last beyond a single daily deal. DealChicken has already been highly successful in building brand awareness and delivering a loyal following of repeat customers for local merchants in Phoenix, where the service launched in September 2010. Additionally, merchants have the opportunity to promote their local deal and business through online and television advertising with WKYC. “As a part of the Cleveland community for more than 60 years, WKYC ...

Craig Dubow, Gannett Chairman/CEO McLean, VA – Gannett Co., Inc. announced today that chairman and chief executive officer Craig A. Dubow will take a leave of absence to address continuing issues relating to prior medical conditions. Gracia C. Martore, president and chief operating officer, will serve as principal executive officer during his absence as she did during a prior medical leave in 2009. Duncan M. McFarland, presiding director, said: “We wish Craig well during this difficult personal time. The Board has confidence in Gracia and our very capable management team to run the day to day operations of the Company, and we believe Gannett won’t miss a beat at this important juncture.” “I believe Gannett is in very good hands as we continue to transform the Company and position it for a successful future,” said Dubow. Gannett is the parent company of WKYC-TV.

Jim Donovan Jim Donovan has announced he will return to the radio airwaves in time for the Browns-Bengals game on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Cleveland Browns Stadium. He has been the radio voice of the Browns since the team returned in 1999. He also will appear on the 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. news on WKYC-TV starting Monday, September 12. Donovan has been absent from television and radio for more than three months after taking a medical leave of absence to treat leukemia. Jim underwent a bone marrow transplant on June 7 at the Seidman Cancer Center. Donovan, 55, was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in 2000. Prior to undergoing the transplant, Donovan endured a grueling schedule of chemotherapy, yet managed to keep up with his demanding sports anchor and radio announcing positions. Donovan made an appearance in Berea on Labor Day and was greeted with a warm reception from his media colleagues and members of the Browns public relations staff. Jim announced his medical leave...

Stephanie Coueginoux is joining the Channel 3 family as a Multimedia Journalist announced WKYC News Director Rita Andolsen on Thursday. She will be joining the station from Central Florida News 13 in Orlando, Florida, where she was the primary night side reporter and a web content producer since 2006. Stephanie Coueignoux, Courtesy: CFN, 13 Prior to moving to Florida, Stephanie worked at WJFW-TV/Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and KSTF-TV/Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and an anchor and reporter at both stations. She started her career in broadcast journalism at WHDH, the NBC affiliate in Boston, as an intern and also did an internship at Newton News, a cable station in Newton, MA where she co-anchored and reported for a weekly cable news program. Stephanie was born in France, although her family moved to Colorado, then California and Masssachusetts where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Wellesley College. She is a member of the Asian American Journalist Asso...

Are you fighting fat but losing the battle? Millions of Americans are now clinically obese, and the numbers continue to grow. Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States. So what’s the answer? Find out on the Cutting Edge: Fighting Fat airing Wednesday, September 7 from 8 to 9pm. Whether you are 25 or 250 pounds overweight, medical experts agree it’s not necessarily the amount but what you eat that could make the difference in losing weight. And for those considering bariatric surgery, there are new procedures being performed that are less invasive and more effective. Plus, learn what you can clip on your waistline to help whittle away the weight. You’ll meet experts from some of the country’s leading medical centers including Boston’s Children’s Hospital, Minnesota’s Healtheast and the Cleveland Clinic. Cutting Edge: Fighting Fat explores the latest breakthroughs in battling the bulge and delivers a clear formula for success. There will also ...

by Frank Macek The number of television households continues to decline for Ohio's largest television markets, according to the latest Nielsen Market Universe Estimates for the 2011-2012 survey period. Ohio's largest television market, Cleveland/Akron/Canton, will lose 12,030 households from 2011 and 2012. However, the market will hold its rank as the 18th largest U.S. into next year. The only positive increases in the state were in Columbus and Youngstown. Columbus will move up from 34th to 32nd largest U.S. market with an increase of 16,730 TV households. Meanwhile, Youngstown adds one market size from 111th to 110th, but will still lose 4,300 households. It was bad news for all other rated markets in Ohio including in Cincinnati which falls from 33rd to 35th largest TV market in the country with a loss of 27,740 TV households. Dayton falls one slot from 62nd to 63rd (-33,430 households), Toledo slips 4 slots from 70th to 74th (19,320 households) and Lima...

Here is a behind the scenes look at Robin & Chris as videographer Barry Wolf works his magic on a tease for the Browns Halftime newscast this evening during the Browns vs. Eagles game on Channel 3:

The kids are heading back to school and Channel 3 Sports is all fired up for a brand new season of the area's best coverage of local high school football with "Friday Night Fever." Our coverage will kick off this Friday, August 27th, with "Hey, Chuck!" at 6 p.m. with Chuck Galeti. At 11 PM, super Dave Chudowsky will have all the highlights and scores from the area's hottest games in the fastest paced 8 minutes on TV. And high school sports fans, don't forget about Channel 3's website that is devouted exclusive to high school sports, called Cleveland.HighSchoolSports.net. The site features weekly previews, up to the minute scores, feature articles and gives you a chance to upload your own video of the games for all your friends to see. The only address you need is: cleveland.highschoolsports.net

Preseason Browns Ratings Continue to Dominate! The second Browns preseason telecast of the season was a big hit with sports fans all over Northeast Ohio. With an 18.3 Household rating and a 33 share, an average of 352,400 Adults 18+ watched the game on WKYC. It dominated viewing Friday night and was easily the most watched program of the week. The game did a 46.7 share in M25-54, smashing the Fox NFL preseason game on WJW. The Browns averaged a M25-54 rating of 17.3 while the Jaguars and Falcons pulled a .4 rating. Football traditionally achieves strong male demographics, but the Browns have always had huge support among their female fans. The Adult 25-54 rating was a powerful 12.2, beating every single primetime show combined. “No one has to tell us that Browns fans are passionate and loyal,” said Brooke Spectorsky, President and General Manager of WKYC. “We see it in the ratings of those who watch at home; we see it in the faces of those cheering in the stadium.” The HD pro...

Quarterback Colt McCoy wasn’t the only one posting great numbers as the Browns preseason game on WKYC did an impressive 19.1 Household Rating/35 share and a 19.4 rating/53.5 share in Men 25-54. The game was by far the most watched program of the night, averaging 443,000 viewers. It was the highest rated program on WKYC since the NFL wildcard games in January, and the highest rated program in the market since the NBA Final Game 6 on June 12.* “We’re happy football is back. And like fans all over Northeast Ohio, we really enjoyed watching the Cleveland Browns beat the Green Bay Packers,” said Brooke Spectorsky, President and General Manager of WKYC. “The preseason games on Channel 3 have always garnered excellent ratings, but this year looks to be pretty exciting for everyone.” The HD production of Browns preseason includes a crew of over 30 technicians and production personnel, 10 cameras, 8 channels of video replay, live aerial coverage from the Goodyear blimp and unique access t...

In preparation for the upcoming season of "The Voice" on NBC, WKYC is helping to make the dreams our aspring local singers come true with a live VIP audition contest to be held on Monday, August 22nd, from 7-8 p.m. on Channel 3. For the last several weeks, we have been accepting auditions from anyone who is looking to find fame and fortunes through their voices. This Saturday, we are calling back our entrants to face a live panel of judges including Barry Gabel, Avant, Evelyn Wright and Jim Henke from the Rock Hall to perform at the Channel 3 Studios. Then on Monday, our top 10 finalists will compete on Channel 3 between 7 & 8 p.m. to showcase their talents LIVE to all of Cleveland. WKYC anchors Robin Swoboda and Chris Tye will host the show. At 8 p.m., we'll open up voting and you'll help select the 3 best performances to advance to the national Los Angeles auditions where they will go to the front of the line to meet with the casting directors of t...

On September 24, Alec Baldwin returns as host for his record-setting 16th appearance. Baldwin has won two Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, five SAG Awards and a Television Critics Association Award for his turn on NBC’s critically-acclaimed series "30 Rock." Baldwin garnered a 2004 Academy Award nomination for his role in "The Cooler." Radiohead returns for their second appearance as musical guest. Universally considered one of the most innovative and influential bands in existence, Radiohead's music has consistently topped charts and left audiences breathless. The three-time Grammy Award winning band recently released their newest album, "The King Of Limbs." Melissa McCarthy will make her debut appearance as host on October 1. McCarthy currently stars in the CBS sitcom "Mike & Molly," for which she recently earned her first Emmy Award nomination. She also appeared in this summer's box office blockbuster "Bridesmaids...

Andrew Catalon, Courtesy: WNYT-TV WKYC’s Sports Anchor Jim Donovan is responding remarkably well to a bone marrow transplant he received two months ago in his battle against leukemia. “The doctors are very pleased with my progress,” stated Jim, “but unfortunately I’m not quite ready to return to full-time work and travel.” “As much as we’d love to have Jimmy kick off the Browns season, it’s much more important that he regain his full strength,’ said Brooke Spectorsky, President and General Manager of Channel 3. “Jim is one of the best in the business and we are fortunate to have him as part of the Browns family,” added Mike Holmgren, President of the Cleveland Browns. “We look forward to his return to the broadcast booth.” Andrew Catalon was part of NBC’s Olympic coverage from Vancouver and Beijing. He’s done preseason work for WNBC and the New York Giants, and called the play by play for both the 2010 US Open Tennis Tournament and 2011 Masters for CBS Sports. Currently he f...

Check out our new HD Cranium-Cam! It's HD, AND it's quite a fashion statement as well. WKYC's Jennifer Lindgren and Barry Wolf give it a test spin aroud the newsroom:

Think you've got what it takes to be the next "Voice?" Starting Friday July 29th at 6:00 a.m., Channel 3 is giving you the chance to audition for the hit show. Go to wkyc.com/thevoice to learn how you can win one of 3 "Voice VIP" packages. There are very specific song requirements, so make sure you read the entry form thoroughly before uploading your best performance(full rules are below). We'll bring in 102 of the best singers from online entries for live auditions in front of celebrity judges, and their top 10 will battle it out on a special show for your votes! The top 3 vote getters will then be our Voice VIPs at "The Voice" auditions in Los Angeles. So, learn the songs, start rehearsing and let us hear your "Voice." Learn more and submit your entries @ wkyc.com/thevoice Click on the video to see more:

Pamela Osborne, Courtesy: WNWO WKYC will welcome Pamela Osborne to the Channel 3 News family as a Multimedia Journalist starting August 15th She comes to WKYC from WNWO/TV in Toledo where she is currently a reporter and fill-in anchor for the NBC 24 station. Pamela joined the NBC24 news team in January of 2010. According to her bio, Pamela grew up in Metro-Detroit and she isn’t afraid to admit that she’s a Michigan Wolverine, even in the Buckeye state! She received her bachelors degree in Communications and minored in African American studies. Before she arrived at NBC24 she interned as a photojournalist at HOM-TV in Okemos, Michigan. She also interned at the NBC affiliate in Detroit, WDIV. Pamela is a member of the National Association of Black Journalist. In 2008 she was selected to co-anchor and report for the NABJ Student Newscast. When she’s not out reporting the news she enjoys going to the movies, going out to eat, shopping and spending time with her family...

NBC announced today the previews and premieres of its new Fall 2011 primetime schedule beginning Tuesday, September 13 with new episodes of “Parenthood” -- following the final performance episode of “America’s Got Talent” -- and continuing the week of September 19 with the Monday debuts of “The Sing-Off” and new drama “The Playboy Club” on that date. On Wednesday, September 14, the new comedies “Up All Night” (10-10:30 p.m. ET) and “Free Agents” (10:30-11 p.m. ET) will preview following the season finale of “America’s Got Talent.” Both series will premiere in their regular day and time on Wednesday, September 21 (8-8:30 p.m. ET and 8:30-9 p.m. ET, respectively). The debuts also include the network’s other highly anticipated new series -- “Prime Suspect,” “Whitney” and “Grimm” -- that will continue through October 21 when NBC rolls out its Friday-night lineup that includes “Grimm” (9-10 p.m. ET). In addition, the start of the regular season of “Sunday Night Football” will debut...

By Frank Macek It's time for another behind the scenes look at what's happening at the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center. Happy 4th of July holiday as half of 2011 is already gone, but the world of television never takes a nap. A few news notes to pass along that you might be interested in. We wish our former Director of Technology, Mike Szabo, well on his retirement. Mike's last day at WKYC was Thursday, June 30th. Mike has steered us through some very complex changes here at the station during the last 13 years at Channel 3 in a variety of roles. Mike was responsible for integrating so much of our new technology from the initial digital system design of our facility, to the transition to high definition and the launch of SportsTime Ohio almost 6 years ago. Most recently, Mike worked on the new digital transmitter/antenna/tower and the new newsroom workflow installation that launched with AP's ENPS and Bit Central. He is e...

As we first broke on the Director's Cut blog on June 1st ( read our original story ), the Ohio Lottery moves to Channel 3 beginning on Friday, July 1st. We'll now become home to the nightly drawings and the weekly television show "Cash Explosion" every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Click on the video to watch our promo running now:

One of the biggest trials in Cleveland's legal history is getting underway at the Federal Courthouse in downtown Cleveland. Our Chris Tye went behind the scenes on a tour that shows not only the courtroom and the scene, but also where the media will be working during the trial. It's a place you really get to know your colleagues up close and personal. Click on the video for a fascinating look and how we are seeing the trial from our perspective at WKYC and Cleveland local media outlets:

By Frank Macek Congratulations to many of our colleagues at WKYC and our partner sports channel, SportsTime Ohio, for a total of 5 Emmy Awards. The awards were presented Saturday evening at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Cleveland. Our winner's list this year include the following individuals and the name of their entry: Sports: Single News Story ("Mylans Woods"): Lynn Olszowy (reporter/photographer) Sporting Event/Game: Live/Unedited ("OHSAA Div. I Football Championship"): Mike Bachmann (Producer) & Steve Warren (Director) Sports: One Time Special ("STO Par 3 Shootout"): Dean Cummings (Coordinating Producer), Patrick Kilkenney (Executive Producer), Michael Atkins (Producer), John Zaccardelli (Sound Editor), Jim Donovan (On-Air Talent), Jimmy Hamlin (On-Air Talent) and Doug Cooper (Editor) Crafts: Lightning - Location ("Blowin' Smoke"): Steve Pullen (Lighting) Crafts: Writer - Short Form ("Fans For Life"): Mich...

Special to the Director's Cut Blog By Ryan Nakashima, AP Business Writer LOS ANGELES - Americans who watch the most video online tend to watch less TV, according to The Nielsen Co., a finding that overturns a longstanding belief that people who watch more programming do so over all devices. The ratings agency said Wednesday that starting last fall, it noticed a segment of consumers who were starting to make a trade-off between online video and regular TV. The activity was more pronounced among people ages 18-34. The finding could be troubling to television networks that have been putting shows online in order to reach new audiences. The hope was they wouldn't diminish viewership on television, where they still make most of their advertising revenue. Nielsen polled about 2,600 people who said they watched videos online in the first three months of the year, and divided them into fifths based on how much they watch. The fifth that watched the most video online consumed ...

WKYC continues our committment to quality, local programming with a brand new weekend show called "It's About You" on Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m. following Channel 3 News Today beginning June 11th. At home...in the garden...on the go... It's about your life, your way, your health, and your style of living. It's about you! With your hosts Andrea Vecchio and Joe Cronauer as more local programming is coming to your weekend mornings, and we're providing you with how-tos, expert advice, and projects to help enhance your style of living. Co-Hosted by Joe Cronauer who 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. In 2008 he was inducted in the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Currently of WKYC's Good Company. In 2005, Andrea Vecchio began her dual job as a television host and producer when WKYC-TV launched the local talk show G...

Congratulations to two of our colleagues at Channel 3 for their second place finish at the 2011 Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters Awards ceremony WKYC Investigative Report Tom Meyer and Editor Sarah Bachmann were recognized in the "Best Continuing Coverage" category for their outstanding work on the Cuyahoga County Corruption scandal duringn 2010 The Awards were handed out Sunday, June 5th, at Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters Awards Luncheon in Columbus. A banquet was held at The Hilton Columbus at Easton Town Center and featured the work of Ohio's outstanding broadcast journalists in both radio and television.

You can now read and enjoy the Director's Cut Blog wtih Frank Macek on your mobile device in a clean and effortless way. Just save the following link to connect to the latest behind the scenes happenings at Channel 3 and high definition television We'll have plenty of news in the coming weeks that you won't want to miss. Our new mobile address is: http://wkycdirectorscut.blogspot.com/?m=1

Special to the Director's Cut Blog By Stephan Wilson, AP Sports Writer LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- NBC retained its hold on U.S. Olympic television rights Tuesday in a four-games deal through 2020 worth more than $4 billion, defeating rival bids from ESPN and Fox, officials with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. Two officials spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision has not yet been officially announced by the International Olympic Committee. NBC, now controlled by Comcast, won the bid less than a month after the resignation of longtime sports and Olympics chief Dick Ebersol in a dispute with the new owners. The victory extends NBC's reign as the Olympic network in the United States, a period stretching back 20 years. NBC has broadcast every Summer Olympics since 1988 and every Winter Games since 2002. NBC now will have exclusive rights to the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, ...