Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

NBC will celebrate the lighting of the world’s most famous Christmas tree with a live broadcast from Rockefeller Center in New York City on Wednesday, November 30th from 8 to 9 p.m. ET. The star-studded holiday special will feature performances by Neil Diamond, Big Time Rush, Tony Bennett, Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé, Cee Lo Green, Carole King, Katharine McPhee, Javier Colon and The Radio City Rockettes with a mix of current hits and holiday classics. Justin has brought some special guests for his performance and NBC will also premiere his music video with Mariah Carey for “All I Want for Christmas is You.” The song, originally recorded and written by Mariah Carey for her 1994 album “Merry Christmas,” is the most listened to song at the holidays and this new duet is featured on Justin’s Christmas album, “Under the Mistletoe.” The 79th annual holiday extravaganza will feature a Norway Spruce tree that is 74 feet high, 46 feet in diameter and weighs 10 tons. The tradition ...

Erin Kennedy. Photo courtesy: WPRI-TV Award winning journalist Erin Kennedy will bring her high energy and strong storytelling skills to the Channel 3 morning newscast beginning in January. She’ll join the team of Mark Nolan, meteorologist Hollie Strano, reporters Amanda Barren and Stephanie Coueignoux, and Ways to Save guru Matt Granite. “I’m looking forward to becoming part of such a terrific morning show,” said Ms. Kennedy. “And I'm excited to work with such a strong and enterprising news team. More than anything, I value Channel 3's commitment to making a difference in the Northeast Ohio community. My husband and I can't wait to put down roots in this dynamic and progressive city." Currently the evening anchor for WPRI and WNAC’s Eyewitness News in Providence, Rhode Island, Erin began her career in Texas after graduating Summa Cum Laude from Notre Dame University where she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa society. “Erin is very bright, extremely motiva...

Special to the Director's Cut Blog By DAVID BAUDER AP Television Writer NEW YORK - Some weeks NBC must wish it could start prime time a couple of hours earlier. The network's "Nightly News" broadcast with Brian Williams averaged 9.1 million viewers over five days last week, clearly outdistancing rivals at ABC and CBS. The problem for NBC is that it also beats virtually everything the network shows in prime time. Take away Sunday night football and its preview shows and the most-watched NBC show last week was "Law & Order: SVU," with 7.3 million viewers. "Harry's Law" had 7.2 million, Nielsen said. NBC has moved Williams to prime time once a week, with his newsmagazine "Rock Center" on Mondays. Viewership has yet to catch up with its content, with 3.9 million people watching Bob Costas interview disgraced Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky last week. In prime time, CBS is the king - sometimes to starlin...

WKYC Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling  By Frank Macek WKYC's evening meteorologist Betsy Kling has been named "Chief Meteorologist" announced WKYC News Director Rita Andolsen on Tuesday. "Betsy brings a passion and energy to telling the weather story in a way that our viewers recognize and appreciate," explains Andolsen. "I look forward to working with our already strong weather team including Hollie Strano and Bruce Kalinowski to push forward our weather product on-air, on-line and mobile," Kling tells the Director's Cut Blog. "It's a very exciting and dynamic weather team to work with." Kling's Emmy award winning forecasts can be seen on the Monday through Friday editions of Channel 3 News at 6, 7 and 11 PM, on wkyc.com, and can be heard on Clear Channel radio stations including WTAM/1100 AM, WMJI/105.7 FM and WHLK/106.5 "The Lake." Betsy is part of a small group of women in the country who has earned the ...

It's been 20 years since any of the major networks successfully launched a news magazine. "Dateline" broke through for NBC News back then, and Monday night it gets company. "Rock Center with Brian Williams" debuts at 10pm eastern. "It will be a serious journalism, hard news magazine in the great tradition," Williams says. That means multiple, in depth stories each week, including one in the debut from Harry Smith about a midwest town coping with a labor shortage. "Rock Center" correspondents include legendary newsman Ted Koppel, as well as an array of NBC News veterans including Kate Snow, Richard Engel Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer and Ann Curry. Williams will anchor each week's broadcast live to enable it to respond breaking news. Monday's premiere will also include a story from Kate Snow about what's called "birth tourism". NBC's new prime-time news magazine debuts on Monday. Mark Barger has an early loo...

WKYC will present the third in a series of health specials on Wednesday, October 26th at 8 p.m. called "Cutting Edge: Attacking Heart Disease." It’s the number one cause of death for both men and women over the age of 50. Almost 85 million Americans have early symptoms, and there over a million heart attacks each year. Yet in many cases, heart disease can be prevented. Are you at risk? Learn what you can do now to help reduce your chances of developing heart problems. You’ll see state of the art surgeries being done at the world’s top medical facilities, and the latest in intervention treatments and early diagnosis. 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 on October 23rd, 24th and 25th at 11 pm. The stories will ...

The debate will air live on nine NBC affiliate stations and will stream live on each station’s website. Ohio NBC affiliated stations have partnered to present the first televised statewide debate of Issue 2, the referendum on Senate Bill 5. The debate will be broadcast from Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, October 25 from 7 p.m. to8 p.m. It will be carried live on WKYC Cleveland, WCMH Columbus, WLWT Cincinnati, WDTN Dayton, WLIO Lima, WNWO Toledo, WTOV Wheeling/Steubenville, WFMJ Youngstown, and WHIZ Zanesville. It will also be streamed live on each of the stations’ websites. Debating Issue 2 will be State Senator Keith Faber of Building a Better Ohio, who will be defending Issue 2, and Former Ohio Congressman Dennis Eckart of We Are Ohio, which opposes Issue 2. Issue 2 is a referendum on Senate Bill 5, a controversial new law that made changes to a variety of government laws and policies. The bill was signed into law by Governor John Kasich earlier this year. A “yes” vote would keep t...

By Frank Macek It's time for another behind the scenes look at what's happening at the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center. The Ohio Society of Professional Journalists has awarded Channel 3 several honors this year including a first place finish for "Best News Operation", a first place finish in "Best Medical/Science" for Senior Medical Correspondent Monica Robin's "Use Your Head" series about concussions in athletics and a second place finish for "Best Newscast" for Channel 3 News at 6 p.m. The awards will be awarded this Saturday, October 22, at Windows on the River in the Powerhouse at Nautica. As we reported earlier, "Cleveland.MomsLikeMe.com" was shuttered by our parent company on Friday, October 14th, as Gannett concentrates on other digital projects. However, another website went on-line today for those same moms to keep in touch with their own community. The new website can be found at:  http://www.northcoastmoms.sg...

(Click image to go to the iTunes store) Now you can keep connected to Channel 3 News on your iPhone. Download our brand new app today to get the latest breaking news, weather and more! Get the latest local news and weather for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio with Channel 3’s iPhone app. Local news for metro Cleveland area Current weather conditions, short term and extended forecasts, radar map, health indices, school closings and weather alerts Robust full screen video Consumer, Health and Watercooler news The latest sports news and scores News alerts sent to your iPhone with option to set a quiet time period Share news and video via Facebook, Twitter or email. Channel 3 is determined to provide the best content possible in a way that serves the interests and the needs of our viewers and users. Download your app now @ http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wkyc/id469396327

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday, November 9 at 2 p.m. Eastern time and may last up to three and a half minutes. The public will hear a message indicating that "This is a test." The audio message will be the same for both radio, television, and cable. The National-level EAS is a public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies. Similar to local EAS tests that are conducted frequently, the Nationwide Test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wirelineproviders across all states and territories. Over the past two years and as ...

Gannett Co., Inc. today announced that Craig A. Dubow, chairman and chief executive officer, has resigned due to disability. Dubow had taken a leave of absence on September 15 to address continuing issues relating to prior medical conditions. Marjorie Magner, an independent director since 2006 who has been chairman of the audit committee, has been named non-executive chairman of the board. Gracia C. Martore, president and chief operating officer, who has been serving as principal executive officer while Mr. Dubow was on medical leave, has been named president and chief executive officer and joined Gannett’s Board of Directors. “I’ve been with Gannett for 30 amazing years,” said Dubow. “I am extremely proud of where we are today as a company. We have always maintained an unwavering focus on the consumer. As a result, we have evolved into a digitally led media and marketing solutions company committed to delivering trusted news and information anywhere, anytime. For me, the decisio...

WKYC's parent company, Gannett, announced on Thursday that is has decided to end its company-wide website, MomsLikeMe.com , as of Friday, October 14th. According to Gannett executives Bob Dickey, Dave Lougee and David Payne in a note to employees, the company has decided to end the project as it concentrates on other digital platforms. On the MomsLikeMe.com Cleveland website, the following announcement was made by site manager Jacquie Chakirelis thanking participants of our local site. "I am sadden by the news and want you to know that I appreciate all the kind words and encouragement that I have received from my colleagues and friends. Mostly, I want you all to know that the support and friendship that has been developed within this community of local moms has been amazing! I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of it's launch and to help it grow. As a mom of four children, I know that you have the hardest job in the world and to be in a position...

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: