Austin360 blogs > TV and Radio Blog > Archives > 2011 > October
October 2011
Fox networks to stay on DirecTV
Crisis averted, Fox fans.
FX’s ‘Sons of Anarchy’
We just got word that DirecTV and News Corp. have signed a deal that will keep eight Fox-owned networks on the satellite provider’s lineup.
The current agreement, which covers FX, Fox Sports Southwest, National Geographic Channel, Fuel TV, Speed, Fox Soccer, Fox Movie Channel and Fox Deportes, was set to expire at midnight.
This is especially good news here in Austin because Saturday’s Texas-Texas Tech game is set to air on FX.
Fox posted this statement moments ago:
“Good News! We have reached an agreement for DirecTV to continue carrying all of Fox Networks channels, including: FX, your Regional FOX Sports Networks, SPEED, Nat Geo, FOX Soccer, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, FUEL TV and FoxMovieChannel. In addition, in some markets, your local FOX station, FOX News Channel and FOX Business Network will also continue to be carried on DirecTV. Thank you for your patience and overwhelming support during this time.”
Fox was reportedly asking for a 40 percent increase in the fees it receives from DirecTV, which, like other cable and satellite providers, must compensate broadcasters for each channel offered.
Terms of the new deal were not revealed.
We’re not out of the woods just yet, though. KVUE could still disappear from DirecTV tonight.
DirecTV and Belo, which owns Austin’s ABC affiliate as well as a number of other stations across the nation, have yet to come to terms.
Stay tuned for updates …
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What you’re watching on TiVo
Comedies, dramas, reality TV, sports … Austinites like ‘em all.
‘Pan Am’s’ Christina Ricci
The folks at TiVo have offered up a list of the city’s most-recorded programs during September, and ABC newcomer “Pan Am” has the No. 1 spot.
Another ABC show that made the cut — “Charlie’s Angels” — has already been canceled.
Something kinda unusual: Several cable shows clawed their way onto the list, including USA’s “Burn Notice.”
See how your favorites ranked:
“Pan Am,” ABC
“Big Bang Theory,” CBS
“Body of Proof,” ABC
Emmys, Fox
“Grey’s Anatomy,” ABC
“Desperate Housewives,” ABC
“The Office,” NBC
“Parenthood,” NBC
“Survivor-Pacific,” CBS
NFC post-game, Fox
“Eureka,” SyFy
“Burn Notice,” USA
“Warehouse 13,” SyFy
“The Amazing Race,” CBS
“Countdown,” Fox
“Charlie’s Angels,” ABC
“Glee,” Fox
“Sunday Night Football,” NBC
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Ratings
New weathercaster pops up on KXAN
Early-risers should keep an eye out for a new face on KXAN.
KXAN’s David Mazza
Meteorologist David Mazza, a temporary fill-in, will deliver forecasts on the station’s weekend morning newscasts for the next month or so following the abrupt exit of weathercaster Rhonda Lee.
“KXAN News Today” runs from 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The station’s other meteorologists — Jim Spencer, Shawn Rutherford and Natalie Stoll — had been pitching in since Lee vanished in late August.
Mazza was most recently at San Antonio’s WOAI, where he worked on the NBC affiliate’s weekday morning newscasts.
Before landing in the Alamo City, Mazza spent time at KZTV in Corpus Christi.
The folks at KXAN say the search for a permanent replacement should wrap up soon.
From the archives
07.28.11: Olga Campos leaving KVUE
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Watching Horns-Jayhawks on TV? Only if you’ve got the elusive Longhorn Network
Bad news for those who bleed burnt orange: Most Central Texans won’t be able to watch Saturday’s Kansas-Texas game.
UT’s Fozzy Whittaker
The matchup — like Texas’ season opener against Rice — will air exclusively on the Longhorn Network, which, in Central Texas, is available to about 20,000 Grande Communications subscribers.
Nationwide, the network reaches just more than 4 million homes — mostly Verizon FiOS customers, including some in North Texas.
Those who can’t tune in are, to put it mildly, upset.
“What about all of us great fans out there who can’t be in the stands?” said Richard Milos, a Time Warner Cable customer.
Time Warner Cable, the area’s dominant pay-TV provider, and several other cable companies have yet to come to terms with ESPN, which operates LHN.
Read more in my story from Friday’s American-Statesman.
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Watch Texas-Kansas on big-screen TV
The Longhorn Network, which has exclusive broadcast rights for Saturday’s Texas-Kansas matchup, will show the game — for free — on a pair of big-screen TVs adjacent to Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
The two sites are:
Parking Lot No. 70 on the south side of Myers Stadium
Northeast corner of 15th and Trinity streets
The LHN broadcasts will begin on both 12-foot-by-9-foot TVs at 2 p.m.
ESPN’s Erin Andrews on the UT campus during LHN’s debut
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TV tidbits: KVUE vs. DirecTV; new sports reporter; Longhorn Network update
Happy Wednesday! A couple of items to pass along, friends …
KVUE’s Cory Hepola
- Belo Corp., owner of Austin’s KVUE, has yet to reach an agreement with DirecTV and could disappear from the satellite provider’s lineup on Nov. 1.
Here’s a statement I got a short time ago from Patti Smith, the station’s president and general manager:
“KVUE is currently working on an agreement with DirecTV which would allow the station’s signal to be carried by the satellite video provider for years to come. However, if an agreement is not reached by midnight on November 1st, the station’s signal may not be available to DirecTV subscribers. We have attempted to negotiate with DirecTV for months to reach an agreement and avoid any disruption in service. Further, our parent company, Belo Corp. has reached agreements with numerous other providers resulting in no disruption of service to our viewers.”
- Speaking of KVUE, the station has hired a new sports reporter.
Cory Hepola comes to Central Texas after a three-year stint in Rochester, N.Y.
- November sweeps starts tomorrow.
Expect local stations to pull out all the stops so you’ll tune in.
Ratings during sweeps months are used to set advertising rates. More viewers = more revenue.
- Saturday’s Texas-Kansas game airs exclusively on the Longhorn Network which, as you likely know by now, isn’t available on most Central Texas cable systems.
Grande and Verizon FiOS, which serve just portions of our area, are your only options.
Here’s a statement I received today from ESPN, which partnered with UT to launch LHN:
“Grande and Verizon FiOS carry Longhorn Network locally. We’ve attempted to do similar deals with Time Warner Cable, DirecTV, AT&T U-Verse, Dish and Comcast. Unfortunately, these operators have not engaged in active negotiations in the past month. We are disappointed they are choosing to deprive Texas fans of this weekend’s Kansas-UT game, as well as other valuable content.”
Stay tuned …
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DirecTV subscribers could lose Fox’s cable networks
A contract dispute between DirecTV and Fox threatens to leave satellite customers with no way to watch the Texas-Texas Tech football game on Nov. 5.
The matchup is set to air on FX, one of several News Corp.-owned Fox cable networks that could vanish from DirecTV on Nov. 1 if a deal isn’t reached.
Fox Sports Southwest, which shows a number of college and high school football games, could go dark as well, along with National Geographic Channel, Fuel TV, Speed, Fox Soccer, Fox Movie Channel and Fox Deportes.
The highly rated Fox News Channel is covered under a separate agreement and is in no danger of going off the air.
Fox is reportedly asking for a 40 percent increase in the fees it receives from DirecTV, which, like other cable and satellite providers, must compensate broadcasters for each channel offered.
“We hope to resolve this situation before any action is taken, but we will do what’s necessary to protect our customers from excessive and unwarranted fee increases,” DirecTV spokesman Darris Gringeri told the American-Statesman on Monday. “We already provide News Corp. nearly a billion dollars a year for their channels, and we have no problem continuing to compensate them fairly.”
Fox claims it has offered DirecTV an extension while negotiations continue — a deal it says DirecTV declined.
Read more in my story from today’s American-Statesman.
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Johnny Depp snubs KVUE
Hundreds of Johnny Depp fans showed up at the Paramount Theatre Friday night, snapping photos of the actor and shooting video with their cellphones
Johnny Depp
But a news crew from KVUE was allegedly turned away, blocked from interviewing — or even shooting video of — Depp.
The actor was in town to screen his latest flick, “The Rum Diary,” as part of the Austin Film Festival.
According to KVUE reporter Shelton Green, Disney forbade ABC affiliates from interviewing Depp, apparently fearful that it would draw attention away from his other film, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”
Disney, which owns the ABC network, is the company behind the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.
KVUE wasn’t alone, though. I know of at least one other Austin TV station that was denied access to Depp, as well.
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Adele hangs on to No. 1 spot on Austin radio
Adele’s “Someone Like You” continues to dominate Austin’s airwaves.
The song was heard an eye-popping 218 times on local stations Oct. 17-23, according to AllAccess.com.
“Moves Like Jagger” from Maroon 5 continues to be a strong second, with 151 spins.
Moving up the charts: “Young Blood” from the Naked and Famous, Rihanna’s “We Found Love,” Flo Rida’s “Good Feeling” and the Band Perry’s “If I Die Young.”
On the way down: Blue October’s “The Chills” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”
Here are the top five songs played on a random sampling of local stations:
KASE 101
Blake Shelton, ‘God Gave Me You’ - 48
George Strait, ‘Here For A Good Time’ - 48
Taylor Swift, ‘Sparks Fly’ - 48
Keith Urban, ‘Long Hot Summer’ - 48
Brantley Gilbert, ‘Country Must Be Country Wide’ - 43
93.3 KGSR
Coldplay, ‘Paradise’ - 32
Red Hot Chili Peppers, ‘Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie’ - 31
Ryan Adams, ‘Lucky Now’ - 30
Adele, ‘Someone Like You’ - 29
Snow Patrol, ‘Called Out In The Dark’ - 28
96.7 KISS-FM
Maroon 5, ‘Moves Like Jagger’ - 115
Adele, ‘Someone Like You’ - 110
Gym Class Heroes, ‘Stereo Hearts’ - 109
Foster The People, ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ - 106
Cobra Starship, ‘You Make Me Feel…’ - 60
101X
Foo Fighters, ‘Walk’ - 46
Black Keys, ‘Howlin’ For You’ - 45
Naked And Famous, ‘Young Blood’ - 36
Blue October, ‘The Chills’ - 32
Mumford & Sons, ‘Roll Away Your Stone’ - 27
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Local radio
KLBJ-FM shuffles on-air lineup
KLBJ-FM is shuffling its deejay lineup.
B-Doe
The moves are a result of this summer’s cancellation of the “Charlie Hodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Halftime Show” featuring Charlie Hodge and Matt Sadler.
B-Doe, an eight-year veteran of Emmis-owned KLBJ-FM, can now be heard from 3 to 7 p.m. and CJ, who has spent the past four years at the station, inherits the 7 p.m. to midnight shift.
“The talent pool for these positions was outstanding,” said Chase Rupe, vice president of programming and operations for Emmis. “We had an incredible group of internal and external candidates. At the end of the day, we are very fortunate to have these two tremendous talents in the building, and we are thrilled to be able to give them this opportunity.”
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Comedy Radio 102.7 FM signs on
Stuck in Austin traffic?
You can either laugh or cry.
The folks at Emmis Communications hope you’ll choose the former and tune to Comedy Radio 102.7 FM, which debuted Thursday.
A simulcast of co-owned 93.3 KGSR-FM previously occupied that frequency.
The station is part of the 24/7 Comedy Radio Network and will air two- to three-minute bits from a mix of local and national comics.
Read more in my colleague Brian Gaar’s blog, It’s Always Funny in Austin.
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Fred Cantu returns to KEYE for fill-in work
Avuncular Austin newscaster Fred Cantu is back at KEYE, filling in on the station’s morning show.
Cantu, who has at different times anchored the CBS affiliate’s morning, evening and Telemundo newscasts, departed KEYE late last year.
This time around, he has been tapped to serve as fill-in host of “We Are Austin Mornings,” which runs weekdays from 5 to 7 a.m.
Anchor Erika Gonzalez, who helped launch the show this summer, has departed KEYE after lining up another job.
A tweet this morning — “Austin, I’ll miss you, but I’m moving on to the next adventure God has in store for me. Thank you for all your love and support!” — set off a flurry of questions from viewers and journalists at other Austin TV stations, but Gonzalez wouldn’t say just yet where she’ll pop up next.
Gonzalez’s job has already been posted at keyetv.com.
Also gone from KEYE: Weekend weathercaster Mark Chapin, who opted not to extend his contract.
Chapin arrived in Austin two years ago from a station in Syracuse, N.Y.
Allison Miller, a recent transplant from Phoenix, is the station’s new weekend meteorologist. Miller is already on the air, filling in for chief meteorologist Troy Kimmel this week.
The changes at KEYE are the latest in a flurry of personnel changes at Austin TV stations in recent months.
From the archives
07.28.11: Olga Campos leaving KVUE
KEYE’s Erika Gonzalez and morning weathercaster Kelly Slifka
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‘Top Chef: Texas’: Bravo’s not saying much
Bravo has been really, really quiet about what’s in store this season on “Top Chef: Texas.”
Fans here in the Lone Star State — and beyond — have been clamoring for details for months but, with the show’s debut just two weeks away, the cable network hasn’t released much info.
As I previously reported, we do know the show got $400,000 in state tourism money. The San Antonio Express-News reports the show got $200,000 more from San Antonio in exchange for exposure aplenty.
New photos released by Bravo show the show’s 29 contestants, as well as host Padma Lakshmi, in — you guessed it — San Antonio, posing in front of the Alamo. Shock, shock.
The show also reportedly filmed in Austin and Dallas. Houston, my hometown, was apparently snubbed.
A poster on the Bravo website indicates “Top Chef” did some filming at the Salt Lick, but the network has yet to confirm any of the locations where this season’s episodes were shot.
One thing we do know: Two of the 29 chefs feature this year are Austinites. Andrew Curren from 24 Diner and Paul Qui from the Uchiko and East Side King restaurants are both featured.
The show debuts Nov. 2 at 9 p.m. As more details leak out, we’ll be sure to share.
‘Top Chef: Texas’ contestants at the Alamo
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C-SPAN bus coming to Austin, Round Rock
C-SPAN’s “Road to Washington” bus tour rolls into Central Texas this week, with stops at schools in Round Rock and Austin Thursday and Friday.
The network’s bus is designed to show off how it’s covering the 2012 presidential race on air, online and via social media.
The local stop, as well as one in Dallas earlier this week, is sponsored by Time Warner Cable.
Here’s where C-SPAN will be:
Thursday
9-11 a.m.: Stony Point High School, 1801 Tiger Trail, Round Rock
1-3 p.m.: Fulmore Middle School, 201 E. Mary St., Austin
Friday
- 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Travis High School, 1211 E. Oltorf St., Austin
C-SPAN bus visits Chicago
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New No. 1 on Austin radio: Adele
Ladies and gents, we’ve got a new No. 1.
Adele
Adele’s “Someone Like You” has rocketed to the top of Austin’s most-played list, according to numbers from AllAccess.com. It was heard a whopping 268 times on local radio stations Oct. 11-17.
“Moves Like Jagger” from Maroon 5 was in second place with 216 spins. Airtime for “Lighters” from Bad Meets Evil — the city’s top song for five straight weeks — fell drastically, down to 112 plays.
Here are the top five songs played on a random sampling of local stations:
KASE 101
Taylor Swift, Sparks Fly - 49 spins
Blake Shelton, God Gave Me You - 48
George Strait, Here for a Good Time - 48
Keith Urban, Long Hot Summer - 47
Brantley Gilbert, Country Must be Country Wide - 42
93.3/102.7 KGSR
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie - 30 spins
Bob Schneider, Honeypot - 30
Adele, Someone Like You - 27
Coldplay, Paradise - 27
My Morning Jacket, Holdin on to Black Metal - 27
101X
Black Keys, Howlin’ for You - 47 spins
Blue October, The Chills - 44
Foo Fighters, Walk - 44
Bush, The Sound of Winter - 28
Foster The People, Helena Beat - 28
96.7 KISS-FM
Adele, Someone Like You - 114 spins
Maroon, 5 Moves Like Jagger - 112
Foster The People, Pumped Up Kicks - 110
Gym Class Heroes, Stereo Hearts - 110
Cobra Starship, You Make Me Feel … - 61
Mega 103.5 HD2
Dev, In The Dark - 70 spins
Maroon 5, Moves Like Jagger - 69
Nadia Ali, Starkillers & Alex Kenji, Pressure - 69
LMFAO, Sexy & I Know It - 68
Adele, Someone Like You - 67
Permalink | | Categories: Local radio
Staffers hired for statewide NPR project
Three journalists have been hired for “StateImpact Texas: Power, Policy and the Planet,” an NPR project that will focus on state government’s impact on energy and environmental policy.
Dave Fehling
Austin’s KUT 90.5 FM and Houston’s KUHF 88.7 FM are spearheading “StateImpact,” which will be heard on several other Texas NPR affiliates.
The new hires are:
Mose Buchele: Buchele comes from KUT, where he served as a news reporter. He joined KUT in 2004.
Dave Fehling: Fehling spent a significant chunk of his career reporting for KHOU-TV, Houston’s CBS affiliate, and has covered a number of high-profile stories, including the Branch Davidian standoff, Hurricane Andrew and the O.J. Simpson case.
Terrence Henry: Henry will focus primarily on the project’s online offerings. He has worked at a number of news outlets, including the Washington Post, Atlantic Monthly, National Journal, Edible Austin and the Atlantic Online.
“StateImpact” kicks off on air this month, and its website should debut next month.
Permalink | | Categories: Local radio
This week’s TV picks
Monday:
“Mike & Molly” 8:30 p.m., CBS: Mike loses willpower and buys a classic Chevy. But he retains enough willpower to not eat it.
“Hawaii Five-0” 9 p.m., CBS: A murdered women’s volleyball coach? What are the chances we’re going to see some bikinis in this storyline?
Tuesday:
“Man Up!” 7:30 p.m., ABC: A virtual clone of last season’s ill-fated “Traffic Light,” the premiere of this sitcom centers on a trio of male pals and their patient, patient partners.
“Frontline” 8 p.m., PBS: Maria Hinojosa reports on the increased number of deportations during Barack Obama’s Presidency.
Wednesday:
“World Series” 6:30 p.m., Fox: The Fall Classic commences tonight.
“Harry’s Law” 8 p.m., NBC: Harry’s new client is George Costanza— er, Jason Alexander.
“Nature” 7 p.m., PBS: Harry Smith narrates the Season 30 kickoff, examining the reemergence of wildlife near Chernobyl.
Thursday:
“World Series” 6:30 p.m., Fox: Let’s play two! Game two, that is.
“High-School Football” 7 p.m., KBVO: Georgetown takes on Westwood.
“Grey’s Anatomy” 8 p.m., ABC: Lee Majors and Marilu Henner guest star? I love the ‘80s! And, um, the ‘70s.
“Overheard With Evan Smith” 7 p.m., PBS: Evan chats with Fox News commentator, Bill O’Reilly Culture Warrior and author Margaret Hoover.
Friday:
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” 7 p.m., ABC: A paralyzed gymnast gets help from the crew, which travels to Pennsylvania in this special two-parter (a second episode follows immediately).
“American Masters” 8 p.m., PBS: Filmmaker Cameron Crowe dissects Pearl Jam. Figuratively … this is PBS, not the Discovery Channel.
Saturday:
“World Series” 6:30 p.m., Fox: All rested up after that Friday night off from baseball? Good; let’s watch game three.
“How to Be a Gentleman” 7:30 p.m., CBS: The network is burning off remaining episodes of this allegedly comedy which has ceased production.
“Austin City Limits” 7 p.m., CBS: Gillian Welch performs with David Rawlings, while the Decembrists jam with each other.
Sunday:
“Once Upon a Time” 7 p.m., ABC: Your enjoyment of the premiere episode of this attractive, fairytale/”Lost” mashup is going to directly correlate to your tolerance of fantasy.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
Dispute could knock KVUE off DirecTV lineup
DirecTV customers could soon lose access to KVUE, Austin’s most-watched TV station.
KVUE’s Terri Gruca
Dallas-based Belo Corp., KVUE’s owner, is running ads on air and online telling viewers that the satellite provider’s contract to carry Belo stations across the nation expires at month’s end.
DirecTV spokesman Darris Gringeri, however, said customers needn’t worry.
“Their TV commercials are nothing more than a routine approach to try and gain leverage in negotiations,” Gringeri said. “DirecTV customers should ignore Belo’s scare tactics and enjoy their DirecTV service as they always have.”
The sticking point is compensation.
“KVUE and ABC have far more viewers on DirecTV than any single cable channel, yet KVUE and ABC do not receive the same level of compensation as many lesser-viewed channels,” KVUE President and General Manager Patti Smith wrote in a letter to viewers. “We do not believe that is fair.”
Read more in my story from Saturday’s American-Statesman.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Cable TV
Clear Channel radio stations team up for anti-bullying campaign
Words can hurt.
KISS’s Bobby Bones
That’s why Clear Channel’s Austin-area radio stations have launched a full-on assault on bullying.
It’s been the topic of discussion on each station’s morning show and, combined, the five AM and FM frequencies have committed to air more than 3,000 public service announcements featuring students and their parents.
“The reaction has been very positive,” said Pam McKay, who oversees Clear Channel’s stations in Austin and San Antonio. “We have had some parents admit to their children that they were bullied, and students have admitted that they were bullies.”
The idea for the campaign came from a community advisory board the broadcaster assembled about a year ago.
Read more in my American-Statesman radio column.
Permalink | | Categories: Local radio
KUT picks up Murrow awards
KUT staffers were in New York this week to pick up a pair of national Edward R. Murrow awards — the first in the station’s history.
“Doctors on Healthcare,” a story from senior reporter Nathan Bernier, won in the audio reporting: hard news category. “NASA: End of the Space Shuttle,” produced by news director Emily Donahue and reported by Bernier, Mose Buchele, Matt Largey, Ben Philpott and Jennifer Stayton, took top honors in the audio news series competition.
Both entries advanced to the national journalism competition after winning at the regional level.
Current TV’s Keith Olbermann presented the Murrow to Bernier, and Bob Simon from “60 Minutes” handed the station’s other Murrow to Donahue.
“These two stories not only inform, but listening to them reminds us of the incredible power of the human voice to connect, engage and inspire,” said KUT general manager Stewart Vanderwilt. “KUT reporters and producers continually seek out the voices of Texas to tell our region’s story. These two National Murrow awards recognize the exceptional day-to-day work of the KUT news organization.”
KUT has won 26 regional Murrow awards since its news operation was established in 2002.
KUT news director Emily Donahue and senior reporter Nathan Bernier
KUT news director Emily Donahue, KUT general manager Stewart Vanderwilt and KUT senior reporter Nathan Bernier
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Music, TV influence Halloween costume trends
This Halloween, Charlie Sheen is definitely winning.
Charlie Sheen
Spirit Halloween, a chain of pop-up shops owned by Spencer Gifts, reports Sheen costumes are flying off shelves.
The troubled actor made headlines earlier this year when he was dismissed from the hit CBS sitcom “Two and a Half Men.”
Several other pop-culture icons are also on Spirit’s most-popular list:
Superheroes, including the Green Lantern and Captain America
Ninjas
Zombies
Smurfs
Monster High dolls
Angry Birds characters
Lightning McQueen from “Cars 2”
Singer Katy Perry
Spirit has about 1,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada. There are four in Austin, two in Killeen and one each in New Braunfels, Round Rock, San Marcos and Temple.
Permalink | | Categories: Event
Investigative reporter Nanci Wilson departs KXAN
Investigative reporter Nanci Wilson and KXAN have parted ways.
Nanci Wilson
Wilson, whose work was nominated for a Lone Star Emmy award earlier this month, joined the NBC affiliate’s news team in 2009 after a stint at KEYE.
“I’ll miss my friends at KXAN, and I wish them well,” she wrote in an email. “I’m proud to have had the opportunity to work on stories that revealed issues and led to positive changes, such as Capital Metro (when it was under a different administration), the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton and the actual salaries paid to local school superintendents.”
Eric Lassberg, KXAN’s vice president and general manager, told the American-Statesman Wilson will be replaced. The station rebranded its newscasts this summer and has focused heavily on investigative journalism in recent months.
“We are 100 percent committed to investigative reporting and have a team in place to continue investigating local matters of importance,” he said. “We plan to hire a new lead investigative reporter and look forward to improving our service to the viewers.”
Wilson’s sudden exit comes just weeks after weathercaster Rhonda Lee abruptly disappeared from the station’s weekend morning newscasts. She had been with KXAN for about a year.
Lee’s position is already posted at kxan.com.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Local news
Austin listeners want ‘Someone’ like Adele
Another week, another win for “Lighters.”
Adele
Bad Meets Evil has now had No. 1 honors on Austin’s most-played list for five consecutive weeks, according to AllAccess.com.
“Lighters” was played 193 times on local radio stations Oct. 4-10, down five spins from the previous week.
Keep an eye on Adele’s “Someone Like You,” which is within striking distance. It was heard 189 times last week.
Moving up the charts: Rihanna’s “We Found Love” and “(Expletive) In Paris” from Jay Z and Kanye West.
On the way down: Big Sean’s “My Last” and Mat Kearney’s “Hey Mama.” Here are the top five songs played on a random sampling of local stations:
Mix 94.7
Andy Grammer, ‘Keep Your Head Up’ - 58 spins
Black Eyed Peas, ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’ - 55
The Band Perry, ‘If I Die Young’ - 48
Hot Chelle Rae, ‘Tonight Tonight’ - 47
Adele, ‘Someone Like You’ - 45
Majic 95.5
Bruno Mars, ‘Just the Way You Are’ - 32 spins
Adele, ‘Rolling in the Deep’ - 30
The Band Perry, ‘If I Die Young’ - 29
Andy Grammer, ‘Keep Your Head Up’ - 29
Lady Antebellum, ‘Just a Kiss’ - 25
Beat 102.3
Lil Wayne, ‘How to Love’ - 121 spins
Bad Meets Evil, ‘Lighters’ - 120
DJ Khaled, ‘I’m On One’ - 118
Drake, ‘Headlines’ - 68
Jay Z and Kanye West, ‘(Expletive) In Paris’ - 67
103.5 BOB-FM
Cee Lo Green, ‘(Expletive) You’ (‘Forget You’)’ - 11 spins
Pink, ‘(Expletive) Perfect’ (‘Perfect’) - 11
Jason Aldean/Kelly Clarkson, ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’ - 10
Foster the People, ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ - 10
Bruno Mars, ‘Just the Way You Are’ - 10
Permalink | | Categories: Local radio
Where to see Tuesday’s GOP debate
Eight Republicans eyeing the presidency are set to take part in a debate Tuesday night that will focus exclusively on jobs and the nation’s economy.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry
Among them, of course, is Texas Gov. Rick Perry. You knew that … hopefully.
The debate, sponsored by Bloomberg TV and the Washington Post, airs at 6 p.m. It’ll also be streamed at bloomberg.com and washingtonpost.com.
Not sure if Bloomberg TV is part of your cable lineup? It’s OK … I didn’t know either.
Here’s where to look:
4DTV: Digital Channel W5251
AT&T U-verse: Digital Channel 222
DirecTV: Total Choice Package, Channel 353
Dish Network: America’s Top 250 Package, Channels 203 and 893
Time Warner Cable: Digital Channel 368
We will, of course, have complete coverage before, during and after the debate on statesman.com. Be sure to check it out.
Permalink | | Categories: News coverage
Red Cross gets $45,000 from Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable on Friday presented $45,000 to the American Red Cross, which will use the funds to assist Central Texans affected by the Sept. 4 wildfires.
The cable company collected $25,000 from community members and provided a dollar-for-dollar match for the first $20,000 in contributions it received.
Time Warner Cable, through its ClickedIn.com deals website, solicited donations Sept. 10-23. YNN, its 24-hour local news channel, also sought cash during a daylong fundraising drive on Sept. 14, in addition to running a number of public service announcements.
Michael Pearson, YNN news director; Stacy Schmitt, vice president of communications for Time Warner Cable; Marty McKellips, CEO, Red Cross of Central Texas; and Jose Dominguez, director of emergency services, Red Cross of Central Texas
Permalink | | Categories: Cable TV
This week’s TV picks
Prime-time soaper “Revenge” continues Wednesday on ABC.
Monday:
“Dancing With the Stars” 7 p.m., ABC: The competitors hoof it to movie music. I’m hoping for a cha-cha to the theme from “Jaws.”
“Terra Nova” 7 p.m., Fox: Dinosaurs and time-travelers from a dystopian future, I get. but a virus that causes memory loss and paranoia? That’s just science fiction gibberish.
“Monday Night Football” 7:30 p.m., ESPN: The Bears take on the Lions in Detroit. Go, Bears!
“The War of 1812” 8 p.m., PBS: Reenactments and scholarly knowledge examine the War.
Tuesday:
“Last Man Standing” 7 p.m., ABC: If the premiere of this awful Tim Allen sitcom throwback is any indication, it won’t be the last show standing.
“Women, War and Peace” 9 p.m., PBS: Matt Damon narrates this 5-part exploration of women’s rights in war- and peace-time.
Wednesday:
“H8R” 7 p.m., The CW: Levi Johnston faces his haters. Could this mark Sarah Palin’s CW debut?
“Modern Family” 8 p.m., ABC: What could make this show even funnier? David Cross as an aggravating city councilman, that’s what.
“Revenge” 9 p.m., ABC: Emily turns her vengeful sights from the rich folk what done her daddy wrong to a therapist who helped destroy her childhood.
Thursday:
“Charlie’s Angels” 7 p.m., ABC: This show is now remaking individual episodes of the original — tonight’s outing, in which the angels are jailed in Cuba, is based on an episode from 1976.
“The Big Bang Theory” 7 p.m., CBS: “Star Trek” universe denizens Wil Wheaton and Brent Spiner guest star.
“The Office” 8 p.m., CBS: The rejuvenated, Steve Carell-less series visits — wait for it — Schrute Farms, always a good sign.
“Independent Lens” 9 p.m., PBS: New host Mary Louise-Parker (“Weeds”) introduces Season 13’s premiere look at a troubled, Muslin-themed superhero comic book in “Wham! Bam! Islam.”
Friday:
“Ghost Adventures’ 8 p.m., Travel: Personally, I think the Winchester house, explored tonight really is haunted — by the 6,000 camera crews that have already explored it on these ghost shows.
Saturday:
“Rules of Engagement” 7 p.m., CBS: A first-run, network sitcom on a Saturday night? If I were David Spade, I would be looking for a new job.
Sunday:
“Sunday Night Football” 7:15 p.m., NBC: Bears vs. Vikings in Chicago. Go, Bears!
“Masterpiece Mystery” 8 p.m., PBS: “Harry Potter’s” Jason Isaacs portrays Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie investigating murder and missing persons.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
KISS-FM keeps No. 1 spot in ratings
No surprise here: 96.7 KHFI-FM is No. 1 in Austin. Again.
Known on-air as KISS-FM, the pop-friendly station has a sizeable lead over No. 2 103.5 KBPA-FM. KBPA — or BOB-FM as most of us call it — jumped four spots month to month.
Also leaping four places from August to September was 98.1 KVET-FM.
The news wasn’t as upbeat for 95.5 KKMJ-FM, which dropped five spots. Corporate sibling 94.7 KAMX-FM slid, as well, falling out of the Top 10.
Former front-runner 90.5 KUT-FM dropped from ninth to 10th.
Average quarter-hour ratings as of Sept. 14, courtesy of Radio-Info.com (numbers in parentheses indicate rank as of Aug. 17):
1.) 96.7 KHFI-FM (1)
2.) 103.5 KBPA-FM (6)
3.) 100.7 KASE-FM (2)
4.) 590 KLBJ-AM (3)
5.) 102.3 KPEZ-FM (7)
6.) 107.1 KLZT-FM (8)
7.) 98.9 KVET-FM (11)
8.) 93.7 KLBJ-FM (10)
9.) 95.5 KKMJ-FM (4)
10.) 90.5 KUT-FM (9)
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Local radio
Austin gets national exposure in new Wendy’s commercial
The beef, apparently, is right here in Austin.
Wendy’s has rebooted its almost 30-year-old “Where’s the beef?” ad campaign — and a commercial that hit national TV this week was filmed in Central Texas.
Sharp-eyed viewers will spot a number of familiar Austin landmarks in the minute-long spot, including several businesses downtown and along South Congress Avenue.
“We’ve always got people looking at sites around the country,” Wendy’s spokesman Denny Lynch said. “Austin had many landscapes for us to choose from. It had it all — new structures, traditional structures, Americana streets and hip, urban areas.”
The commercial opens with “Modern Family” actor Reid Ewing searching for clothes at the New Bohemia vintage shop. He settles on a “Where’s the beef?” T-shirt that draws interest from passersby as he walks around town. He’s not sure why — until stumbling across a Wendy’s location with a “Here’s the beef” sign out front.
At New Bohemia, manager Jenna Yarema says she’s hoping for a bump in business because of the exposure the store’s getting.
“It’s pretty intense,” she said. “It’s good for South Congress and it will definitely drum up positive interest in vintage, which is great for us.”
The ads were shot Sept. 1-2, Lynch said, with a cast and crew largely composed of Central Texans.
Octogenarian actress Clara Peller, who starred in the initial TV ads, passed away in 1987, so the fast-food chain tapped Ewing to promote the Dave’s Hot ’n Juicy Cheeseburgers line it’s rolling out.
While the burgers are new to most of the country, Austin was one of the test markets, Lynch said. They’ve been on the menu at area locations for about 10 months.
“Austin played a dual role for us,” Lynch said. “You helped us test it, and you helped us promote it.”
Reaction to the spot has been positive so far, Lynch said. Many older TV viewers remember the initial ads featuring Peller, while the commercial’s retro vibe appears to be helping the chain connect with younger customers.
A recent online campaign offered 50,000 free “Where’s the beef?” T-shirts similar to the one featured in the Austin-centric commercial, Lynch said. They were gone within 45 minutes.
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‘48 Hours’ follows Austin murder investigation
A “48 Hours” special focused on an Austin murder case that took 25 years to solve has been bumped back a week.
Natalie Antonetti
Natalie Antonetti was found badly beaten in her Central Austin apartment in October 1985. She died 18 days later.
Dennis Davis, Antonetti’s former boyfriend, was found guilty of murder earlier this year and sentenced to 36 years in prison.
The show will now air Oct. 15, a CBS News spokeswoman said, so the network can run a special this Saturday at 9 p.m. on Amanda Knox, whose conviction for sexually assaulting and fatally stabbing a roommate was overturned this week by an Italian appeals court.
Permalink | |
KUT membership drive brings in more than $900,000
KUT 90.5 FM wrapped up its fall membership drive today, bringing in more than $900,000 to help fund the NPR affiliate’s operations.
More than 6,000 individuals and businesses made contributions to the station, according to a spokeswoman, and more than 250 people volunteered their time to take phone calls from listeners during the week-long drive.
About 87 percent of KUT’s budget comes from community contributions, helping to pay costs associated with the station’s news broadcasts and other programming.
“We are grateful that thousands of listeners — from Central Texas and beyond — choose to financially support the fact-based reporting, thoughtful analysis, music and cultural programming KUT provides,” Stewart Vanderwilt, KUT’s director and general manager, said.
Permalink | | Categories: Local radio
Bad Meets evil holds on to No. 1 spot on Austin radio
You’ll be surprised to know “Lighters” is the most-played song on Austin radio stations, according to AllAccess.com.
Not.
Little Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Tyga
“Lighters” has now topped the list for four straight weeks, getting mucho airtime on 96.7 KISS-FM and Beat 102.3. It was heard 198 times Sept. 26 through Oct. 2. The week before, the Bad Meets Evil mega-hit got 226 spins.
Moving up the charts: Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger” and Tyga’s “Far Away.”
On the way down: Big Sean’s “My Last,” Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now,” Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass,” Britney Spears’ “I Wanna Go” and Kenny Chesney’s “You and Tequila.”
Here are the top five songs played on a random sampling of local stations:
Mix 94.7
The Band Perry, If I Die Young — 63
Andy Grammer, Keep Your Head Up — 58
Bruno Mars, Lazy Song — 56
Black Eyed Peas, Just Can’t Get Enough — 55
OneRepublic, Secrets — 55
Majic 95.5
The Band Perry, If I Die Young — 29
Andy Grammer, Keep Your Head Up — 29
Bruno Mars, Just The Way You Are — 28
Adele, Rolling in the Deep — 27
Lady Antebellum, Just a Kiss — 15
Beat 102.3
Bad Meets Evil, Lighters — 122
Dj Khaled, I’m On One — 121
Lil Wayne, How to Love — 119
Big Sean, My Last — 113
Drake, Headlines — 66
103.5 Bob-Fm
Neon Trees, Animal — 12
Pink, Raise Your Glass — 11
Adele, Rolling in the Deep — 11
Pink, F**kin’ Perfect (Perfect) — 10
Bruno Mars, Just the Way You Are — 10
Permalink | | Categories: Local radio
‘Top Chef: Texas’ spawns legal battle
The producers of “Top Chef: Texas” don’t want you to know details about negotiations that led to the show receiving $400,000 in state tourism dollars.
‘Top Chef’ host Padma Lakshmi
The Texas attorney general’s office ruled late last month that documents related to the deal should be released, but producers from Magical Elves Inc. believe portions should be redacted to prevent “substantial competitive injury.”
Specifically, Magical Elves wants to block the public from seeing “proposals, correspondence and related documents exchanged in the course of confidential negotiations” with the state. The company filed suit in a Travis County district court this week.
The governor’s office says the deal is the first of its kind and will lead to an estimated $15 million in exposure on TV, the Web and via social media.
You can read more in my story from today’s American-Statesman.
Permalink | | Categories: Reality TV
Emmy noms for KXAN, KVUE
Austin’s top two TV stations each snagged multiple Emmy noms over the weekend.
KXAN’s Erin Cargile
KXAN and KVUE are both in the running for best morning/daytime and evening newscast honors.
They’re also up against each other in the team coverage category. KXAN’s coverage of the Oak Hill wildfire caught the eye of judges, while KVUE was cited for its coverage of a gunman who opened fire on the University of Texas campus.
Other nominees:
Investigative report — series: Erin Cargile, KXAN
Education/schools — story/series/feature: Nanci Wilson, KXAN
News excellence: KVUE
Continuing coverage: KVUE
Weather — story/series/feature: Albert Ramon, KVUE
Crime — story/series/feature: Angela Kocherga, KVUE
Specialty assignment report — news series: Angela Kocherga, KVUE
On-camera talent — specialty assignment/consumer/medical reporter: Angela Kocherga, KVUE
Special event coverage (other than news/sports): Premios Texas, KAKW
Texas heritage — program/special: “Wildflowers: Seeds of History,” KLRU
Documentary — cultural: “Juneteenth Jamboree 2010,” KLRU
Magazine program — program/special: “SXSW Flashback 2010,” KLRU
On-camera talent — program host/moderator/reporter: Evan Smith, “Overheard with Evan Smith,” KLRU
On-camera talent — program host/moderator/reporter: Chet Garner, “The Daytripper”
Editor — non-news program: “The Daytripper,” KLRU
Public/current/community affairs — feature/segment: “Austin’s Trees,” City of Austin Channel 6
Photographer — program (non-news)/short form: City of Austin Channel 6
Commercial — single spot/campaign: Electro-Fish Films and Briscoe Hall
Director — post-production/short-form: Electro-Fish Films
Editor — non-news program: Electro-Fish Films
Editor — short form: Electro-Fish Films
College/university student production — arts and entertainment/cultural affairs: The University Star, Texas State University
College/university student production — sports: The University Star, Texas State University
College/university student production — photographer: Andrew Goodwin, The University Star, Texas State University
Congrats — and good luck — to all.
Permalink | | Categories: Local news
This week’s TV picks
Monday:
“House” 8 p.m., Fox: Jaleel White (Urkel from “Family Matters”) guest stars as a prison inmate along with Dr. House in the Season 8 opener. When the judge asked his character how he wished to plead, I’ll bet White responded, “Did I dooooo that?”
“Warehouse 13” 8 p.m., Syfy: Season 3 concludes in a high school in Wyoming.
Tuesday:
“New Girl” 8 p.m., Fox: The delightful comedy - one of the first new, fall shows to be picked up for a full season - tosses the gang into adorable wedding shenanigans and guest stars Natasha Lyonne.
“Gene Simmons Family Jewels” 8 p.m., A&E: Will she or won’t she? Shannon responds to Gene’s proposal in tonight’s Season 8 kick-off.
Wednesday:
“Survivor: South Pacific” 7 p.m., CBS: Another contestant is voted out of the musical, er, off the island.
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” 9 p.m., CBS: An art exhibit is found to contain decomposing body parts. Insert expensive art arm-and-a-leg joke here.
Thursday:
“Charlie’s Angels” 7 p.m., ABC: A missing reporter lands the girls on a cruise ship. What? No, I’m sure it’s not just so that they can wear bikinis. They do investigate a murder in a hot tub next week, though, and a bikini factory heist the week after that.
“Community” 7 p.m., NBC: Looks like Chang’s on a road to noir.
“The Office” 8 p.m., NBC: Just when you thought all the office searching was over, a big, shared lottery win results in a scramble for new warehouse staffers.
“Overheard with Evan Smith” 7 p.m., PBS: Evan chats with political journalist Joe Klein in the Season 2 opener.
“High School Football” 7:30 p.m., KBVO: Bowie battles Del Valle.
Friday:
“Fringe” 8 p.m., Fox: A couple of 12-year-old bullies get their comeuppance in a particularly grizzly way, while Walter continues to glimpse, but not recognize, Peter.
Saturday:
“MLB Playoffs” 6:30 p.m., Fox: Game one kicks off the American League Championship Series.
“High School Football” 7 p.m., KBVO: Hendrickson takes on Hutto.
“Austin City Limits” 7 p.m., PBS: Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears perform along with Raphael Saadiq.
Sunday:
“MLB Playoffs” 6 p.m., Fox: American League Championship Series game 2.
“Pan Am” 9 p.m., ABC: The crew wings it to Berlin. “Ich bin ein airliner.”
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
