Monthly Archive for March, 2008

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Brian Norcross and Max Mayfield Sell Warning System

Author admin on 3/25/2008 in Local Media.

America’s Emergency Network, billed as the first comprehensive emergency alerting and communication sytem in the US, and created by WFOR hurricane specialist Brian Norcross and former hurricane center chief Max Mayfield has been sold to Brampton Crest International, Inc. which specializes in real estate and other loans.

AEN’s goal is to give residents and the media direct access to emergency information via a free internet website and a AEN TV channel that broadcasts conferences and other feeds from emergency officials.

Brampton bought AEN LLC from Norcorss and Mayfield for 100 million common shares after a $1million private placement of shares that will be used to finance AEN. Brampton will be renamed to The AEN Group with Brian Norcross serving as president and CEO and Max Mayfield as senior executive vice president of government relations.

AEN America’s Emergency Network (AEN) :: Max Mayfield : Bryan Norcross
Press relase – Mayfield and Norcross Introduce America’s Emergency Network. The Nation’s First Comprehensive Emergency Communication System
MiamiHerald – Norcross-Mayfield warning system sold
SunSentinel – Miami-based America’s Emergency Network being acquired by Brampton Crest International

1 Comment Tags: aen, america's emergency network, brian norcross, max mayfield, WFOR.

WSVN HD: Almost Upgraded; HD by May sweeps?

Author admin on 3/24/2008 in HD Transition, Local Media and hdtv.

An insider was kind enough to send some new details on WSVN’s progress to HD.

According to this tipster WSVN’s control room is now completely HD-ready. They have just finished installing plasma displays replacing the monitors they had before. The HD studio cameras are almost ready as well, the control system is being finished. Some layoffs are expected in the next couple of weeks unfortunately as the new cameras are going to be automated.

New weather computers are being installed, and newsplex changes are being finalized – look for more flat screen TVs around the plex.

The tipster guesses WSVN might be in HD before May or early April. May sweeps begin exactly 30 days from today.

I noticed recently the latest promos have been re-shot and are 16:9 HD using the graphics from the promo that debuted during superbowl. So they’re definitely speeding ahead, hopefully the graphics team won’t be rushed too much

update 8:37pm: ok so the saga continues. another insider jumped in to clarify some things – WSVN will probably not be HD until around August because “they have ways to go”. And the 3 people being let go knew their jobs were only temporary.

13 Comments Tags: hd, HD Transition, WSVN.

Did NBC Sink WTVJ?

Author admin on 3/24/2008 in Local Media and WTVJ Sale.

Sun Sentinel TV critic Tom Jicha did a rather scathing, and very true, analysis of NBC’s decision to get rid of WTVJ.

In it Jicha says after NBC bought WTVJ in 1987 they’ve mismanaged it at the local and national level over the years and made it an almost irrelevant station. He assails the network’s decision to give up WTVJ’s original Channel 4 position for a lesser quality signal.

Jicha also criticized NBC’s network and station brass cost cutting decision to take Tony Segretto out of most newscasts and let Jackie Nespral to lead the news by herself.

He also notes WSVN continually beating the Today show locally and calls NBC a “try anything that’s cheap and appeals to the lowest common denominator” network for filling their schedule with trashy reality games and shows.

Read his take – NBC sinks Channel 6, then tries to sell it

5 Comments Tags: tom jicha, WSVN, WTVJ, WTVJ Sale.

More Age Discrimination Claims Against Sunbeam TV

Author admin on 3/24/2008 in Local Media.

Former WHDH reporter Michael Macklin claims WHDH gave him the boot because of his age. Macklin, 56, alleges that while working at WHDH the news director began cutting his work load while at the same time she hired several younger reporters. When questioned ND’s response allegedly was “she didn’t think he was aggressive enough and that he missed elements of stories that other stations did not”.

photo MarilynMitzel.com

Former WSVN health reporter Marylin Mitzel who was fired abruptly from WSVN in 2005 also alleged age discrimination by the station suits. She alerted the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which investigated her complaint but dismissed it because they were “unable to conclued that the information obtained establishes violations of the statues”

Sunbeam TV owns and operates both WHDH and WSVN

Previously: Marilyn Mitzel Suing Channel 7
Boston Globe – Macklin sues Ch. 7 for age discrimination

5 Comments Tags: age discrimination, marilyn mitzel, whdh, WSVN.

Open Thread: The WTVJ Sale

Author admin on 3/21/2008 in Site News and Comments.

jump in and unload your mind… and try to be nice
n

{democracy:9}

33 Comments Tags: nbc 6, WTVJ, WTVJ Sale.

Google wants TV white spaces

Author admin on 3/21/2008 in Notes.

Google wants to use TV white space … to show you more Adsense, of course. TV broadcasters are against, citing interference with their signals. Microsoft already has a device that uses the white space spectrum to deliver broadband internet.

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0 Comments Tags: google, white space.

Comcast wants to show you ads based on your body form

Author admin on 3/21/2008 in Notes.

Comcast wants to put body form recognition in your cable box so it can see who’s in your living room (or bedroom) and serve you tailored ads. In the bedroom too much? More than one body there? How ’bout that PlayBoy channel special we got on now eh? newteevee /via consumerist/

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0 Comments Tags: body form technology, comcast, creepy.

Slightly used tv station for sale

Author admin on 3/21/2008 in Local Media and WTVJ Sale.

“Slightly used TV station for sale. Please contact GE corporate offices in NY for info”
Craigslist isn’t only for selling your junk. Or is this clever poster’s definition of junk …

the Craigslist ad WTVJ NBC6

2 Comments Tags: craigslist ad, nbc 6, WTVJ, WTVJ Sale.

WTVJ is 59 years old Today; Divorce with NBC still on

Author admin on 3/21/2008 in Local Media.

WTVJ turns 59 today.

Video: a look at WTVJ’s history

0 Comments Tags: nbc 6, nbc6, WTVJ, wtvj anniversary.

The Voice of WSVN

Author admin on 3/20/2008 in Local Media.

If you ever wondered who is that guy you always hear on WSVN but never see there is a nice profile of him from yesterday’s Boston Globe courtesy Johnny Diaz.

Scott Chapin is the voice over for WSVN and its two sister stations in Boston WHDH and WLVI. He got his start when WSVN was transforming itself into what it is today after NBC dumped them and bought WTVJ. Chapin worked at the radio station next door to the newsplex. Today he’s the voice for 20 stations in four time zones, works 10-hour days from a little studio at his home in New Mexico thanks to modern technology and says he has no plans to hanging up any time soon.

BostonGlobe – The Voice
image courtesy – Beantown Cuban

18 Comments Tags: scott chapin, whdh, wlvi, WSVN.