Stations and companies
Spectrum announced that it is dropping Nexstar FOX affiliate WEUX/48.1 (Chippewa Falls-Eau Claire) from its cable systems in Rice Lake and Barron County, which are officially assigned to the Minneapolis market. Carriage of WEUX had been the only way that cable viewers in the area could see several Packers games per season that are not carried on the Minneapolis FOX affiliate.
Spectrum also announced that it is dropping Nexstar CBS affiliate KELO-TV/11.1 (Sioux Falls) from its cable systems in Marshall, Cottonwood, and Tracy, which are in the Minneapolis market.
A belated note that Country Aircheck reported earlier this month that Gray TV is shutting down the Circle network, which airs on digital subchannels, at the end of the year. Network partner Ryman Hospitality noted that Circle will continue as an online platform.
All-Christmas stations (updated 9:20 a.m.): At least 91 stations have now made the switch to seasonal songs, including 19 which made the changeover on Thanksgiving followed by another 27 on Black Friday. (That number may not stick as some stations switch back and forth between All-Christmas and their regular format before eventually settling on one or the other.) Track all of the flips on the 2023 All-Christmas Stations list.
People
Scripps NBC affiliate WTMJ-TV/4.1 (Milwaukee) announced that Tyler Moore, a native of the metro area, is joining the station as morning meteorologist.
Morning anchor Serese Cole has departed Scripps CBS affiliate KMTV/3.1 (Omaha).
Rick Gevers’ Weekly Newsletter reports that Sarah Klinger has been promoted to news director at Hearst ABC affiliate KETV/7.1 (Omaha).
Mark Onwiler is joining NRG Media to serve as program director of its three Omaha-market AM stations.
I'm excited to announce that I have accepted a position as program director for 1620 The Zone, 1180 KZOT, and 1290 KOIL with NRG Media in Omaha. pic.twitter.com/QOwuLPNx1g
— Mark Onwiler (@MarksVoice) November 17, 2023
Julie Zenner announced plans to step down from her role as co-host of the weekly public affairs show “Almanac North” on PBS North (WDSE/8.1 Duluth) at the end of the year. Zenner, who will continue her freelance writing business, mentioned in her announcement that producer Greg Grell is also retiring from the station. Both Zenner and Grell have worked on the show since it launched in 1993.
In case you missed it here:
- Swaggart’s Church Buys Milwaukee TV Station
- Lipetzy Buys Out Partners in Dakota/Community First Brd. (Updated)
- FCC Monitor: SD TV Station Returns; MN Station Cites Inflation for Silence
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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.