Smith, McEnroe out at WTIC in new year

Two top radio talk-show hosts in Connecticut lost their on-air jobs this week when 50,000-watt Hartford radio station WTIC-AM eliminated their positions as part of a year-end cutback that will signficantly alter weekday programming in the new year.

Diane Smith, the TV news veteran who co-hosted the morning program, and afternoon-drive host Colin McEnroe were released this week, according to Smith and McEnroe (on his blog).
Smith’s last show is Wednesday morning on WTIC. She said the underlying causes of the cutback were the economy and state of the media.

"The local managers at WTIC made it clear to me that it was not their decision," Smith said, "that it was from corporate. ... We really had a great relationship."

WTIC officials were unavailable to comment on the cuts, other than to issue a statement spinning the moves as a way to expand Jim Vicevich’s late-morning program "Sound Off Connecticut" and adding an afternoon-drive news block anchored by Aaron Kupec and Bill Pearce, starting Monday.

"Politics and the economy are dominating the headlines like never before," wrote Steve Salhany, operations manager of CBS Radio Hartford. "and our listeners ... need a resource to help answer their questions, a place to voice their opinion and discuss the latest news with other Hartford area residents. WTIC’s new lineup is in response to these important issues."

The release pointed out that WTIC is still the only Hartford radio station with a news department staffed 24 hours a day, two full-time meteorologists and a traffic plane providing coverage.

"We believe increasing our live news coverage and providing listeners with more ways to interact with the station is the right direction for WTIC to be moving as we all look for ways to better adapt to the changing business environment," Salhany said.

Smith said she knew the change was coming for several weeks but wanted to finish out the year to participate in the station’s holiday charity fund-raiser held at Salvation Army stores.

In a letter to friends, Smith said it is a "difficult time in the broadcasting business and in our nation’s economy and I understand difficult financial decisions are being made by owners of radio stations throughout the country."

Station owner CBS announced in July it is selling 50 broadcast properties, and cuts in expenses generally make stations more attractive to buyers. Smith said she was aware that station revenues have been down for a while and there already have been other cutbacks at WTIC, including the show hosted by Hartford Courant writer Stan Simpson.

Smith said her contract and that of McEnroe (also a Hartford Courant columnist) were up in the next month. Dunaway will continue to host the morning show, which will end an hour earlier each day.

Smith, who lives in Norwalk and West Hartford and also hosts a quarterly TV show called "Positively Connecticut" on CPTV, announced an expansion of that idea this week, with a new "Connecticut on the Road" weekly series premiering in the spring on public TV. She was disappointed but not bitter about her exit from radio.

"I have worked with wonderfully talented people at WTIC, who are devoted to providing ... the most interesting and compelling talk radio in the state. I have learned from each one of them... Most of all I have enjoyed working with Ray Dunaway, who has made me laugh and made me think every single day for nine years."

The Dunaway-Smith show covered a myriad of local, state and national topics each morning, with interviews, discussion and some opinion interspersed with the station’s news, traffic, sports and ads.

In an era of syndicated political opinion shows and local news cuts, typified by Clear Channel’s WELI in Hamden, WTIC was seen as a beacon of local information and talk during morning and afternoon drive.

Conservative local talker Vicevich hosts from 10 a.m. to noon but now his show will begin at 9 a.m. The midday slot is occupied by syndicated behemoth Rush Limbaugh.

McEnroe only hinted at the news in his show on Tuesday, having told management he would silent about the changes until 6:01 p.m. Tuesday. He promised a "special show" on Wednesday.

Charging Ahead: A college report

Joe's note: The following is one of the occasional stories we run here written by newswriting and reporting students at the University of New Haven.


UNH swimming against the tide of recession


“The wealthiest universities, among them Harvard and Yale, have begun cutting spending, canceling new building plans and upgrades, and putting a halt to hiring new staff.”
-- Geoff Maslen, reporter for University World News

By Lisa Scranton
Special to the “J4” blog
WEST HAVEN (December 14, 2008) -- The University of New Haven began a round of program improvements on campus long before the recession hit. So in a time when higher-education institutions across the country are struggling with budgets, these improvements may be a life preserver.

Lower endowment values, rising costs and peaking enrollment are making private and public colleges very nervous.

UNH President Steve Kaplan framed the issue recently in a letter to university staff and faculty.
“While many of us have been through other economic downturns, what distinguishes this from anything in our lifetimes is that in addition to world financial markets plummeting, access to credit is limited in unprecedented ways,” he wrote. “This combination of events in the financial markets will most likely have a very negative impact on our enrollment over the next few years."

Kaplan said that any shortfall in enrollments “will almost certainly be exacerbated by declining funding from private and foundation gifts and by higher interest rates.

“ Notwithstanding those events that are out of our control, we must continue to provide our students with the high-quality education and services they expect from us. It will thus be imperative that we do not allow our own personal fears or frustrations during these economically tumultuous times to adversely affect the experience our students have at UNH.”

UNH is being cautious in these dangerous waters, but instead of cutting back on staff or just treading water, the university has developed novel ways to generate funds by building bridges to areas in need.

International Students:
• UNH reunited with ELS, an English-as-a-second-language service, for international students who want to improve their English-language skills.
“This will improve our ability to attract students who do not yet have the proficiency in English that they need to succeed,” says Joe Spellman, the university’s director of International Admissions.

ELS coordinates its operations through the University College and leases space from UNH.
“This opens the door to expanding our international recruitment, gives us a greater international presence, and provides greater visibility to our undergraduate and graduate programs. It’s terrific that we have them back,” said Art Goon, dean of University College.

• UNH now provides academic oversight for the GlobalCampus programs. Students at two centers received UNH transcripts this spring; the long-term plan is that all GlobalCampus center students will. The bulk of students enroll in the programs by approaching and paying CEA directly, which in turn enrolls students through UNH so they can receive UNH transcripts. UNH receives a fee per student for which it provides a transcript.
"The University of New Haven has a strong faculty, imaginative leadership, experience in developing a technology-rich environment and a major interest in international education," says CEA CEO Brian Boubek. "We envision a true partnership in which UNH maintains the control of all the academic processes and policies, which are at the heart of its mission." http://www.gowithcea.com/

The Arts:
• Collaboration between the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and UNH began in September to house the administrative offices of NHSO on campus for two academic years. NHSO Music Director William Boughton and symphony members will work with the UNH Music Department to develop a campus concert series featuring contemporary American composers; teach "master" classes on selected topics; provide student internships; and find other opportunities for collaboration. The NHSO leases the space from the University. http://www.newhavensymphony.com/

Local Community:
• New Haven community officials and staff from UNH worked together to create the Engineering and Science University Magnet School, which opened in September.
The primary focus of the school is to prepare graduates for pursuing education and careers in scientific, engineering and technology fields. The school will provide students from 12 area towns in grades 6 through 12 with a math/science curriculum designed to prepare them for a demanding high school program at the school, and offer an "early college" program to high school students, awarding simultaneous high school and college credit.
"It is clear that in order to keep this region competitive there needs to be concerted and collaborative effort to prepare students for global competition," Kaplan said, noting that UNH will create "a significant scholarship program for the students who attend the University of New Haven Science and Engineering Magnet School."

The Engineering and Science University Magnet School will grow by one grade each year for seven years, with an eventual total enrollment of 616 students. It will be housed in West Haven in a building designed and constructed through the $1.5 billion New Haven Citywide School Construction Program. www.nhps.net/IDM/SEU/

Athletics:
• UNH became a member of the Northeast-10 Conference in July.
• Charger Football will be reinstated as a varsity sport in fall 2009 and become the school's 18th varsity program.
Debbie Chin, director of Athletics said, “We’re extremely excited to be bringing football back to the UNH community. The university administration and the staff in the Department of Athletics have put a tremendous amount of work into this process and everyone should be commended for their efforts in making this happen.” http://www.northeast10.org/

Financial Aid:
Dennis Nostrand, vice president for enrollment at UNH, said work continues on loan availability in trying times.


"The top three or four lenders that we work with are confident they are going to be able to meet the loan needs of the students for the remaining part of this year," he said, "and for the students who enter and return next fall. However, to protect ourselves we have submitted the paperwork to go into the direct lending loan program ourselves."

That means UNH would be able to make government-backed loans directly to students rather than have them go through a private lender.
Geoff Maslen, reporter for University World News, in his article "GLOBAL: Universities lose billions as recession deepens," wrote, “How to counter, or at the very least cope with, this alarming situation -- unique in the experience of university managers -- will be the great challenge in the year ahead.”

UNH officials are hoping the university can be a lighthouse in an economic storm and a safe harbor for higher education areas in need.

For more information on the program initiatives at the University of New Haven, go to www.newhaven.edu/unhtoday.

HD channels new to Cox, Comcast

From FBN:
Fox Business Network is being added to the Cox cable systems in Ct. (channel 122 on the digital sports and entertainment tier), and it’s also available to New Haven area customers on DIRECTV (channel 359). An FBN spokeswoman said it's also on AT&T U-verse, also. Cox in our area serves Cheshire, Meriden and Southington.


From Comcast:
COMCAST LAUNCHES 5 NEW HIGH-DEFINITION NETWORKS IN NEW HAVEN AREA
BERLIN, CT– (December 15, 2008) – Comcast has announced the launch of five new High-Definition (HD) networks for customers in the communities of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven. With today’s announcement, Comcast has now added 22 leading cable networks to its industry-leading HD lineup in the New Haven area in the last several months.
The five new HD networks can be found on the local Comcast lineup as follows:
· Hallmark Movies HD (Channel 252)
· MGM HD (Channel 254)
· Toon Disney HD (Channel 255)
· ESPN News HD (Channel 259)
· Travel HD (Channel 286)

Bethany woman Hero of 2008

Release from Animal Planet:

ANIMAL PLANET NAMES EILEEN MCCAUGHERN OF CONNECTICUT
HERO OF THE YEAR 2008

-- Ohio Resident Jacci Moss Named CAT HERO OF THE YEAR --

(Silver Spring, Md.) – Animal Planet and the makers of Fresh Step® litter announce Eileen McCaughern, of Bethany, Conn., as HERO OF THE YEAR in the third annual campaign recognizing people who have demonstrated extraordinary service for the welfare of animals. Additionally, Jacci Moss from Defiance, Ohio has been named the CAT HERO OF THE YEAR. Both winners will be announced on December 11 during Animal Planet’s “Heroes Week.”

“Animal Planet is proud to partner with Fresh Step litter to recognize the lives and work of Eileen McCaughern and Jacci Moss,” says Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager, Animal Planet Media. “They are both true animal heroes who have vastly improved the lives of countless dogs and cats through their selfless and compassionate devotion.”

Founder of Retired Greyhounds as Pets (REGAP) of Connecticut, Inc. and the country’s first matching funds greyhound retirement home, Eileen, HERO OF THE YEAR, has dedicated the past 35 years to rescuing more than 5,000 of these beloved long-legged canines. REGAP is a non-profit organization devoted to educating the public about the joys of having greyhounds as companion animals and finding responsible, caring homes for as many retired racing greyhounds as possible. Eileen’s dedication to greyhounds is obvious as she works a full-time job and two part-time jobs in order to defray the costs associated with rescuing greyhounds. Also, she recently opened a kennel with funding secured from state grants, local businesses, generous individuals and the American Greyhound Council.

MLB Network going to Cox

From Cox Cable, which serves viewers in central Connecticut:


Manchester, CT – Cox Communications announced today it will offer its digital customers the new MLB Network on December 10, 2008. (MLB has called us to say that it will actually happen on Jan. 1.) The MLB Network will offer live games, original programming, highlights, classic games and coverage of baseball events. The network will be available on Cox Digital Cable channel 129.

“Cox is excited to offer our digital subscribers the ultimate destination for baseball,” said Doreen Studley, vice president of marketing, Cox Communications New England. “In addition to the new MLB Network, customers can subscribe to MLB Extra Innings with Cox so they have access to the most exciting baseball action available.”

Projected to launch in approximately 50 million cable and satellite homes, MLB Network will be the largest and most successful debut in cable television history, exceeding any other cable television launch by approximately 20 million. With live games, original programming, highlights, classic games and coverage of baseball events, MLB Network will be the ultimate destination for baseball fans on television.

The MLB Network is not to be confused with MLB Extra Innings, which is a digital programming package sold on a subscription basis comprised of regular season out-of-market MLB games. Offering more than 80 out of markets games each week to subscribers, the package will be available for subscription coinciding with the 2009 season.

Love of guns carries a big risk...

I know we’re not supposed to ever say anything bad about guns, the gun industry or gun shows, but news of a Massachusetts tragedy reminded us of the inherent danger of cozying up to this hobby (and way of life).
Three gun-lovers, including a police chief, were indicted last week as a result of the probe into how an 8-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed himself with an Uzi at a gun show recently.
“A Micro Uzi is made by and for the Israeli Armed Forces and is intended to meet the needs of the Israeli Special Forces,” Bennett said. “It is not a hunting weapon.”
I’m sure the National Rifle Association will contest that, given its strident defense of automatic weapons. But that’s one more family that would have been better off with a less lethal hobby.

NBC sked in 09

NBC announces its post-holiday schedule:
Note the post-Super Bowl Hour-long "Office"
Also, the new show "Kings"

The new post-January mid-season additions to NBC's program schedule grid follows (all times ET); new series are capitalized except for "ER":


MONDAYS (beginning February 2)

8-9 p.m. -- "Chuck" (returns with "3-D" episode)

9-10 p.m. -- "Heroes" (new volume "Fugitives" begins)

10-11 p.m. -"Medium"


WEDNESDAYS

8-9 p.m. -- "Knight Rider" (season finale February 25; new show beginning March 4 to be announced soon)

9-10 p.m. - "Life" (beginning February 4)


THURSDAY (March 12)

9-11 p.m. - "ER" Series Finale


THURSDAY

9-11 p.m. - "KINGS" (two-hour series premiere March 19)

10-11 p.m. - "KINGS" (regular day and time beginning March 26)


SUNDAYS (February 8 and 15)

9-11 p.m. -- "XIII" (original movie event)


SUNDAYS (beginning March 1)

9-11 p.m. -- "Celebrity Apprentice" (special two-hour episodes)


SUNDAY EVENT SPECIALS

6:15-10:30 p.m. - "SUPER BOWL XLIII" (February 1)

10:30-11:30 p.m. (ET) - "The Office" (February 1; broadcast simultaneous to all time zones)

9-11 p.m. - "XIII" (February 8 and 15)

DIGITAL TEST

Connecticut broadcast stations on Wednesday will perform a couple of tests of the new digital technology that will rule TV reception come Feb. 17, when TV stations will turn off analog signals for good.
The test will be (Wed. Dec. 3) from noon to 12:30 p.mm. and again from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
If you have cable, satellite or AT&T U-verse service, you won't notice anything. But if you still use a broadcast antenna, you will need either the new analog-to-digital converter box being sold OR a newer-model TV set with a built-in digital tuner.
So when the analog (old-style) signal is cut off during those times (and in February), your rabbit ears or outside antenna won't work UNLESS you slip in a cable box (for sale at electronics retailers, with a coupon from the government) OR you have a digital set that tunes in the local signals.