People
Minnesota Public Radio’s “The Current” announced that Jessica Paxton will take over the afternoon drive shift starting April 10. Paxton has been with the Adult Alternative network since last year. She previously worked at the Parkway Theater and, before that, at KYMN (Northfield) for 13 years. “The Current” also announced that its morning show, hosted by Jill Riley, will return to its pre-pandemic start time of 5 a.m. rather than the current 6 a.m. start.
The Star Tribune profiled Minnesota Public Radio host Angela Davis.
Maureen McGuinn was promoted to vice president of major and planned giving for Twin Cities PBS (KTCA/KTCI).
Director Terri Jo Walter retired from Gray ABC affiliate KCRG-TV/9 (Cedar Rapids) after 37 years with the station, including two where she put up with your reporter’s producing antics.
👏 Please join us in congratulating Terri Jo Walter, a Director at @KCRG, on an incredible career! Terri Jo is retiring after 37 years of dedicated service. THANK YOU for everything, Terri Jo! Enjoy your retirement!
— Gray Television (@GrayTelevision) March 13, 2023
#GrayFamily #GrayProud #Retirement #ThankYou #KCRG #Iowa #Gray pic.twitter.com/vSS5t4P2RT
Stations and companies
Broadcasting & Cable reported that the TrueReal network will leave the air on March 27, with some of its programming moving to sister Scripps network Defy. The article says Scripps will replace TrueReal with JewelryTV, but plans for non-Scripps affiliates are not yet known.
Nexstar announced an agreement for YouTube TV to carry its 59 CW, MyNetworkTV, and Independent stations. Nexstar’s CW affiliates include KGCW (Burlington-Davenport), KXMA (Dickinson-Bismarck), and KCLO-DT2 (Rapid City), while its MyNetworkTV stations include WJMN-TV (Escanaba-Marquette) and KELO-DT2 (Sioux Falls).
Sinclair-owned ABC affiliates, including KHGI/13 (Kearney, NE), are no longer being carried on Hulu Live’s streaming service amid a dispute over terms for carriage. The company says in a statement posted to its ABC affiliate websites that it is “shocked and dismayed” by the move. Hulu’s website says it still provides ABC in Kearney from Standard Media’s KLKN/8 (Lincoln); the Lincoln-Tri Cities market is rare in that it contains two separately-owned ABC affiliates.
NewscastStudio analyzed the special logo that Nexstar CBS affiliate KELO-TV/11 (Sioux Falls) is using for its 70th anniversary.
Diamond Sports Group, a subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Diamond operates the Bally Sports networks, which carry most of the Minnesota and Wisconsin pro teams except for the NFL. KARE 11 reported that the MLB is making contingency plans in case it needs to take over game broadcasts this season.
WSAW-TV reported on 89Q (WCLQ/89.5 Wausau) being named one of five finalists for Christian Music Broadcasters Station of The Year within a small market.
RadioInsight reported on the University of Northwestern-St. Paul‘s expansion in Missouri, where it is purchasing 15 stations that operate as two networks. Northwestern’s current stations include one in Kansas City.
News Channel Nebraska noted that the Gage County Museum now has a display about the history of KWBE/1450 (Beatrice).
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Disclosure: Jon Ellis is an employee of Gray Media Group. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.