Buffalo Broadcasters Association December Newsletter

Volume II, Issue IV

December 2009 

In This Issue

Industry News

Comings and Goings

A Missing DJ

Happy Retirement, Dave

A Message from Don Angelo

Celebrating the Season

INDUSTRY NEWS

Here are the summer ratings of Buffalo radio stations as compiled by the Arbitron company for the 12+ audience.  WYRK held on to its number one ranking with an 11.8 share.  WBLK vaulted into second place with a 9.2.  The rest of the top ten:  WBEN, 8.3; WGRF, 6.6; WKSE, 6.3; WJYE, 5.7; WEDG, 4.7; WTSS, 4.3; WHTT, 3.9 and WBUF, 3.8.  Here's how the remaining stations ranked:  WNED-FM, 2.7; WLKK and CKEY, 2.5; WGR, 2.4; WWWS, 2.0; WNED-AM and CFZM (AM 740), 1.2; WDCX, 1.1; WWKB, 1.0; WXRL, 0.9; CHTZ, 0.8; WECK, 0.7; WUFO and CILQ, 0.5 and WLVL and CFNY, 0.4. 

The November sweeps on television ended November 25.  Buffalo News TV Critic Alan Pergament reports WGRZ's "Daybreak" ended the sweeps period ahead of WIVB's "Wake Up!" at 6am.  It was the first sweeps since John Beard replaced Pete Gallivan as co-anchor of Channel 2's morning news.  "Daybreak" landed in first place with a 6.0 rating while "Wake Up" had a 5.1 during the 6:00 hour.  Channel 7, which moved Chief Meteorologist Mike Randall to mornings (see Comings and Goings below), was third with a 2.9.  This ended Channel 4's streak of winning every local newscast.  At 11 pm, Channel 2 fell to third place, according to Pergament, due to the poor lead in from the "Jay Leno Show" at 10pm.  Channel 7 was in second place with 6.3 while Channel 4 won the 11pm news battle with a 9.8. 

The Joey Reynolds Show was broadcast live to a national audience from Buffalo on Thursday, October 9th. This photo features Eddy Dobosiewicz with Don Berns, Reynolds and Buffalo piano player Lenny Revell.  Reynolds was in town for his induction into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.  His show is broadcast locally on WWKB, 1520AM.

WGR will be the home of Niagara University basketball this season.  All games will air on WGR or sister station WWKB with Todd Callen back for his fourth season as play-by-play voice.  "Niagara University has consistently been the top local collegiate basketball program, as well as an annual MAAC title contender," said Entercom VP Greg Ried.  "We are excited to have Niagara basketball join our winning sports programming lineup."

WBFO Radio has added a daily program devoted to New York State government.  "The Capitol Pressroom" hosted by veteran Albany reporter Susan Arbetter airs at 1pm Monday through Friday.  

Reflecting a greater emphasis on health and wellness, WNED's ThinkBright TV changed to a new name on October 1: ThinkBright and Well. The public broadcasting channel will also expand its reach outside Erie County.  Time Warner Cable has reported to WNED that it will offer ThinkBright and Well to its digital subscribers on Time Warner digital 431 in Niagara, Genesee, Monroe, Livingston, and Orleans Counties in November.  (In Erie County, ThinkBright is currently seen on Time Warner 21 and broadcast digital 17.3.)

ABC's popular "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" created quite a stir during a stop in Buffalo in November.  A Massachusetts Avenue family saw their old home dismantled and a new one built in one week.  But the show sparked a tremendous volunteer effort by thousands of Western New Yorkers to rehab other homes in the neighborhood with new roofs and siding.  New sidewalks were put in, and vacant lots were cleaned up and beautified.  The Buffalo show is expected to air on ABC after the first of the year.  

Unique historical and cultural attractions are highlighted in "Western New York A to Z," WNED's latest television production premiering on Tuesday, December 1 at 8 pm.  Through a series of "video postcards," the program profiles diverse sites or regionally significant events -- one corresponding to each letter of the alphabet.

Marie Rice, fresh from her induction into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame, was welcomed into the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Paley Center for Media in New York City.  She was joined by five other broadcasters, including CBS newsman Charles Osgood.  "This year's nominees represent the very best our industry has to offer," said NYSBA President Joseph Reilly. "They have created a rich diversity of radio and TV programming and made a tremendous impact in the lives of their viewers and listeners."
  
WGR Radio is this year's Marconi Award winner for best sports station.
 
Buffalo Business First has named Martin Biniasz as a 40 Under Forty Award recipient for 2009.  Biniasz joined Western Regional Off Track Betting and Batavia Downs Casino as Marketing Director in 2007.  He is a current board member and a past two term President of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association.
 
Time Warner Cable Inc. has announced that it has launched a multi-faceted campaign, on behalf of its customers, targeting what it says are unfair price demands by programmers.  Increasingly, when contracts come up for renewal, programmers - those who operate broadcast and cable networks and create television content - are asking for incredible price hikes for their content, at times as much as 300% increases.  In a news release issued by Time Warner last week, officials of the cable company said programmers make these demands of cable companies and other video distributors, secure in the knowledge that video distributors are the ones who have to pass those costs along to customers and take the blame.  "We have some tough choices to make, and we want to make sure we're doing what's best for our customers, so we're asking them to help us decide what to do," said Time Warner Cable Chairman, President and CEO Glenn Britt. "We want them to know why we fight so hard on these issues - if we Roll Over, they pay the price."
 
Time Warner Cable has reached the 100 high-definition (HD) channel milestone.  In addition to 100 HD viewing options, including 56 channels on its free HD tier, customers can now enjoy seven more channels with the popular "Start Over" feature.  Just this year, Time Warner Cable has more than tripled the number of high-definition channels offered to its local customers. "We know more of our customers own HD sets now than ever before so we have worked hard to provide them programming that takes full advantage of this experience," said Terence Rafferty, Regional Vice President of Operations, Time Warner Cable, WNY.
 
WIVB and WNLO, in conjunction with the Neighborhood Cleaners Association and the St. Vincent DePaul Society, held their 13th annual Coats 4 Kids campaign in October and November.  The Coats 4 Kids drive collected, cleaned and distributed coats to children in need of a winter coat.  "Once again, we are proud to join our wonderful community partners in helping to make this winter season a little more bearable for our less fortunate neighbors," said WIVB and WNLO President and General Manager Chris Musial.
 
WNLO will be conducting a search for a new television station spokesperson.  The new CW23 Star will appear in commercials, station promotions, appear at live events, and report on what's happening around Western New York and much more.  WNLO radio partner WKSE will be hosting auditions December 5 between 12 noon and 4pm at the McKinley Mall.

 

WBFO and WNED-AM welcomed NPR President Vivian Schiller to Buffalo in October.  Schiller addressed members of both stations at the WNED studios.  She also participated in a talk show that aired on WBFO and WNED-AM.  Schiller was named president of National Public Radio in January 2009 after directing the New York Times online effort.  Schiller says public radio will play an increasingly important role as the newspaper industry struggles.  She points out that NPR has more foreign bureaus than the major TV networks.  Schiller says the network of local stations across the US enables NPR to cover the country like no other news organization. 

Award-winning nationally syndicated personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary will speak at the Buffalo City Forum and buffet luncheon on Monday, December 7 at 12:15 pm. The forum takes place inthe WNED studios, 140 Lower Terrace, Buffalo.  This community speaker series, open to the public, is produced by WNED-AM 970 and Leadership Buffaloand hosted by WNED Director of News and Public Affairs Jim Ranney. The hour-long forum, which includes a question and answer session with the speaker, will be broadcast live (on WNED-AM and wned.org/news) beginning at 1 pm.

WBEN will present its annual SPCA radiothon December 10th - 12th to raise money for the Erie County SPCA.  The radiothon will include live broadcasts of the Tom Bauerle and Sandy Beach shows from the SPCA at Ensminger Road in Tonawanda. 

I try to do a comprehensive search for news from the Buffalo TV and radio market.  But I need your help!  If you have industry news you would like to see included in our quarterly newsletter, please send your news releases to Editor Mark Scott at mscott@wbfo.org. 
 
 

 Comings and Goings

WKBW news anchor Keith Radford will be staying at Channel 7 for another three years.  The Buffalo News reports Radford signed a new contract several months ago.  The News quotes Radford as saying, "I'm pleased that I'm staying."  He's been with Channel 7 since November 1987.

WKBW also changed personnel assignments in October.  Chief Meteorologist Mike Randall is now co-anchor of "Good Morning Western New York."  Aaron Mentkowski shifted from mornings to handle weather at 5, 6 and 11pm. 

WBFO has made some changes, both on- and off-air.  General Manager Carole Smith Petro has accepted a new position in the University at Buffalo's External Affairs Division, heading up UB's economic engagement efforts.  Mark Vogelzang, the highly regarded former president of Vermont Public Radio, was named interim manager of WBFO.  He has served as a member of the board of directors for National Public Radio.  "I am so eager for the opportunity to work with the great staff and listeners of WBFO," Vogelzang said. "It's a station with a proud 50-year history with illustrious public radio alumni like Terry Gross, Ira Flatow, Bill Siemering and others."

Also at WBFO, Bert Gambini was named local host of "Morning Edition."  He's been with WBFO since 1992, serving as the station's music director and jazz host.  Mark Wozniak was moved to afternoons where he is now local host of "All Things Considered."  Wozniak marked his 30th anniversary at WBFO on November 5th.  He was at the controls for the very first broadcast of NPR's "Morning Edition" in 1979. 
 
In Memoriam:

Bernard Mitchell, radio and TV account executive

Maureen Heffley, Channel 2 newsroom secretary
 


 

The Case of the Missing DJ 

The October 6th Los Angeles Times wrote about "the case of the missing DJ."  Our friend Steve Reszka came across this and passed it along because of the Buffalo connection!

 
It's actually a story about radio's golden days and some of the antics that went on at the time. Writes the Times, when a Pasadena radio station rechristened itself KRLA and began to rock and roll in 1959, one of its jocks, Perry Allen, was absent.  KRLA started a "Find Perry Allen" campaign and promised $10,000 to any listener who could track him down in those pre-Google days.

What mischievous KRLA didn't say was that it knew where Allen was: working at his old station, WKBW in BUFFALO, waiting for his contract to expire.

But KRLA's rival, KFWB, knew. And KFWB sent two representatives to Buffalo to confront Allen and claim the $10,000, wrote ex-jock Bob Eubanks in "It's in the Book, Bob," co-written by Matthew Hansen.

KRLA grudgingly paid, then tried to capitalize on its own misfortune with the slogan, "Even KFWB listens to KRLA."

Happy Retirement, Dave Thomas  

Buffalo native and former Channel 7 broadcaster Dave Thomas is retiring after 56 years in the business.  Since 1978, he's been known as Dave Roberts at Philadelphia's WPVI, where he was the station's primary weatherman.  He'll deliver his final forecast on December 11th.
 
Perhaps no one will miss Thomas more than his longtime co-anchor, another Channel 7 alumnus, Jim Gardner.  "Dave's reputation for random acts of kindness sometimes overshadows the fact that Dave (Thomas) is a brilliant broadcaster.  As much or more than anyone I've known, Dave knows how to make a viewer think that he's talking to them personally.  That's a powerful talent that can't be taught and Dave has it.  He also communicates the same likeability or, forgive me, lovability to his viewers that he does to his co-workers.  Dave (Thomas) has the innate ability to bring intelligence, warmth and dignity to everything he does on television.  There aren't too many broadcasters who can cover that many bases. He does.  All you have to do is glance at his resume to understand that he may be the most versatile television broadcaster in America.  He might also be the most supportive colleague I could imagine having.  I will miss him terribly."
 
At WKBW, Thomas was an overwhelmingly popular host of the station's children's variety program, Rocketship 7.  Thomas also co-hosted Dialing For Dollars, and did the noon weather with Gardner.
 
Thomas' years in Buffalo prompted native son Ben Freedman, a legendary producer of commercial and radio jingles, to write about his memory of the famed broadcaster.  "Promo the Robot was carrying what was described as an urgent Rocketship 7 news flash (one piece of paper) for Dave to read.  With Promo heading quickly toward Dave, Promo dropped the paper.  Promo froze solid -- as did Dave -- who could not hold back the laughter. There was a ton of laughter from all the stage hands.  I remember I was on the floor almost crying with laughter.  The cameraman kept tight on the shots of Promo's head and on Dave's face.  It went on for at least five minutes.  Dave has that special smile when he knew things were screwing up on camera," Freedman remembers.  "The guy was national, coast to coast, world-wide talen, blowing out Toronto TV every day!"
 
Thomas started his professional career, while still attending college, at Syracuse University, where he studied Speech and Dramatic Arts, with dual majors in English and Communications.  In the fall of 1953, he worked for WAER-FM, and then later at WOLF-AM, both located in Syracuse.
 
In 1956, Thomas got his first shot at television.   His first TV gig was at the old WBUF-TV, the NBC-owned station in Buffalo.  Thomas fondly recalls his first television appearance.  "It was Christmas Eve!  Nobody else wanted to work, so they threw me in there!  I don't know if anyone was watching, but I did a fifteen minute sports block...on Christmas Eve!"
 
In 1958, Thomas' career took a detour, when Uncle Sam called his number.  "Back then, young men were still getting drafted.  Some of my friends were drafted right out of college, and were sent to Korea, and never made it back.  It was very sad.  It was a scary time.  It was just my time to serve."  Thomas wanted to be a pilot, but he didn't have the perfect eyesight required.  So the Army put his media skills to use.  While serving in Panama, he worked as the News Director of the U. S. Army for the Caribbean Forces Radio-TV Network in the Panama Canal Zone.  During his two year military commitment, Thomas also broadcast on Armed Forces Radio in New York City.
 
Along with being a weather anchor at WPVI, Thomas hosted countless local events televised by the station, including 31 Thanksgiving Day parades, the Welcome America July 4th Celebration, and the Philadelphia Flower Show.  Dave credits his success to those around him.

"My family and I are most grateful to all the viewers for their kindness over so many years.  My wife Patti and I approach the future with the same excitement and hope which we had when we arrived here thirty-one years ago. Thanks for all the memories as those memories are now treasures which will be stored in our hearts forever.  Laughter, a smile and a kind word will always fill your day with sunshine," Thomas said.

In 2001, Thomas was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters' Hall of Fame.  He was named Person of the Year by the Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneers and was inducted into the Pioneers' Hall of Fame.  

Dave and his wife Patti have three grown children and four grandchildren. 
 
 

 

 A Message from our Chairman... 

As the Buffalo Broadcasters Association prepares to enter its 14th year, we can look back to many accomplishments.

 
The Buffalo Broadcasters Association is an organization of broadcasters with almost 200 members devoted to broadcasters young and old who have dedicated their lives to a very difficult industry to survive in and support a family.  If you have spent your life doing that you should take great comfort and pride in knowing you have accomplished a great task.  Broadcasting in Buffalo has established a great history since we went on the air in 1922 just after the first station in America.  Our goal is to honor and support our Buffalo Broadcasters and document or 88 year history.

As we end the year I would like to make sure you are aware that we are not alone.  In addition to New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, L.A, Sarasota and many others, some just beginning, several have actually used Buffalo as their template for organizing.  Some have well established museum facilities and some very small markets have small displays in their City Hall that they are very proud of.

You may not be aware that the BBA has a well known national reputation for excellence.  In the beginning, we received a lot of help and assistance through the work of Al Anscombe with his national contacts.  The Broadcasters Foundation in New York was a big help in assisting us to get started.  That foundation has been in existence for 75 years.  We have close alliances with members of their board from Gordon Hastings, Phil Beuth of Cap Cities and Phil Lombardo former owner of WUTV.  We are a member of that foundation.  The Library of American Broadcasting in Arlington, Va. that maintains a massive library of photos, film and tape is very familiar with the BBA.  We are a member.  

The NYSBA has always been a big supporter of the BBA.  We are a member.  Their resident Joe Reilly communicates with us regularly and makes his membership across NYS aware of our efforts in Buffalo.  Members of all these organizations have regularly attended our annual Hall of Fame.  They all conduct Hall of Fame induction ceremonies now and the NYSBA started their own Hall of Fame four years ago after attending ours in Buffalo. Please take a moment and open the attachments here to familiarize yourself with who our friends are and what these other organizations do.  You may be also be interested in memberships with them.

Our newest initiative, soon to be announced to the public, is to begin an alliance with other similar organizations in Buffalo.  We have found great friends in the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame and the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.  Together with them we have established the Buffalo Cultural Coalition.  The goal of the new coalition is to bring us closer to our dream of having a museum / resource center for the BBA.  Jointly we plan to create a large facility for the Buffalo community that would be much grander than anything we could each achieve independently.

The future is bright but it takes active membership and a commitment to work.  Please make sure your dues are paid, personally recruit your friends and co-workers for membership and get involved.  We want and need your help, financial support, leadership skills and input. Come be with us 2010.

 Don Angelo, BBA Chairman

 Celebrating the Season 

by Mark Scott, Newsletter Editor

I'm in a holiday mood as I write my newsletter column for this December issue of the Buffalo Broadcasters Newsletter.  So, here are some thoughts about the holiday and the broadcast media:

 
·         I'll admit I enjoy hearing the holiday music on WJYE and WTSS, though I didn't start listening until Thanksgiving weekend.  As I write this, it didn't take long for me to hear the Carpenters' "Merry Christmas, Darling."  Ahhhhh!  But before you think me a geek (some of you already do), please know my favorite holiday tune is Bruce Springsteen's "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," which I was thrilled to hear live for the first time during Bruce's recent concert in Buffalo. 

 

·         This is not holiday related.  But kudos to 97 Rock for playing Bruce tunes on the way to the concert and for then playing the concert replay when it was over.  You can never get enough Bruuuuuuce!

·         The most enjoyable holiday music I ever experienced was on the Wave at 107.7 back in 1988 and 1989.  The station introduced me to Mannheim Steamroller, Acoustic Alchemy, David Benoit and others.  I actually recorded three cassettes full of the 1989 Wave Christmas that I still play every holiday season.  It's fun to hear commercials done by my friends Ken Ruof and Dan Lenard, some for businesses which no longer exist. 

·         We're going to hear the Royal Guardsmen's "Snoopy's Christmas" at some point on the radio this holiday season.  But why is it we never hear their two other songs, "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron" and the "Return of the Red Baron" on the radio?  I was rather partial to the Guardsmen in my younger years.  The Snoopy album was the first LP I ever purchased.  Unfortunately, I lost it!  Well, in hind sight, maybe that is a good thing. 

·         A special thank you to all the media people who spend their holidays toiling to keep us informed and entertained.  I've never been forced to work on a Christmas Day -- quite remarkable for someone in our business.  But during that Christmas Week snowstorm in 2001, I voluntarily came in on the morning of December 25th to host "Morning Edition" on WBFO.  I remember grabbing the ladder and snow-scraper, trudging through the deep snow on UB's South Campus to our satellite dish to clean it out.  And you thought there's no physical labor associated with being news director of a public radio station.  Being Christmas, it's a slow time, even for NPR News.  They took five reports over 36 hours on that snow storm.

·         I don't know about you, but I'm a big fan of the yearly holiday spots Channel 4 produces, featuring their personalities and their families.  Another favorite spot is the Budweiser Beer ad with the Clydsedale horses pulling the Christmas tree on a sleigh.

·         A holiday tradition at WBFO is David Sedaris' presentation of his legendary story "Santaland Diaries."  It's about his experience as an elf at the Macy's Department Store.  If you haven't heard it, check it out this year!  Plus, Jim Santella reprises his "Santella Claus" program that originally aired on 97 Rock and presents it on WBFO from 10am till 1pm on Christmas Day. 

·         One of the fondest memories of my youth is "Santa and Forgetful the Elf" on Channel 4 and Commander Tom, Dustmop and the rest of the crew reading holiday stories on Channel 7.  Then, Commander Tom would present a special Flinstones episode where Fred is called in to help out for an ailing Santa. 

·         Remember "An American Christmas" that WBEN Radio played for a few years in the mid 1980s?  I liked that! 

·         One of the highlights for broadcasters is our annual holiday luncheon at Chef's Restaurant.  This year's luncheon is Tuesday, December 15th at 12noon.  Make sure you make your reservations ASAP.  And we'll see you there.

·         Only a couple of you have ever taken me up on this, but please share your memories about Buffalo broadcasting by writing a column of your own for a future newsletter.  It's really easy!

·         Finally, I did an interview with Don Levy, director of the Siena Research Institute, about how New Yorkers feel about the annual debate over how we should greet each other.  Some prefer the more generic "happy holidays."  But more than half of those surveyed said they like the traditional "Merry Christmas."  So, it is in that spirit that I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.  Thank you for reading our newsletter and for sending along your kind comments.  More to come in 2010!