FOX 25 Signal Lost for Some
By Michael Page | January 2, 2009
JANUARY 2, 2009 UPDATE: Since so many of you are still having issues picking up WFXT in digital I called the station to see if there was anything you can do. The one suggestion they had was to make sure you have a UHF antenna (which will allow for a better signal). They also said that you may be having trouble seeing them because FOX 25 is operating with reduced digital signal power. The signal won’t be increased until the spring time at earliest.
DECEMBER 19, 2008: I have had a few inquiries about FOX 25’s transmission recently, as some analog viewers have lost the station’s signal. Here is what I know…
Earlier this week the Boston Globe reported that a malfunction caused by an unexplained power surge forced the station to reduce its broadcast power on November 1st. Further problems on December 9 required additional cut backs in power. As a result, some analog viewers have lost the station’s signal altogether. The station is looking into how the problem can be fixed, but any solution would likely be costly. Since all stations must broadcast digitally in February 2009, the station will likely just decide to go digital a little early.
Topics: WFXT (Channel 25) | 25 Comments »
New Year, New Team
By Michael Page | January 1, 2009
Today’s Boston Globe reports that WLVI-TV will debut a new anchor team at 10 PM on Monday. Kim Khazei will now anchor the show with Frances Rivera, replacing Matt Lorch who will continue to anchor and report for earlier newscasts. Channel 7 hopes that this all female team shows that they are “cutting edge”.
Topics: WLVI (Channel 56) | 15 Comments »
New Weatherman at 7
By Michael Page | December 26, 2008
Last month we started hearing rumblings of a new meteorologist inbound at WHDH. Now, according to 7’s own website, we know that Mark Margarit will be that new face in the weather office. Well, to be fair Mark is only sort of new, since he has previously worked as a weather producer at WHDH. Most recently, however, he has worked weekends at WRGB-TV in Albany, New York.
In his new role at WHDH he will work weekend mornings, meaning that Jeremy Reiner will work weekend evenings. The two will share producing duties during the week.
Topics: WHDH (Channel 7) | 12 Comments »
NECN Cuts Ellis
By Michael Page | December 23, 2008
After 14 years with NECN, weekend anchor Tom Ellis has been layed off from the station. His final day is Saturday. Ellis told the Boston Globe that he is “disappointed, and that he feels “humiliated”. As you are aware, Ellis has worked at channels 4, 5 and 7 over the course of his Boston TV career. He did not provide any details as to what he will do in the future.
Topics: NECN | 19 Comments »
WCVB Pioneer Retires
By Michael Page | December 19, 2008
Jim Boyd has announced that he will retire at the end of the year. Boyd, who has been with WCVB since it first went on the air back in 1972, has hosted CityLine, anchored the Eyeopener and Midday Newscasts, and served as a General Assignment reporter during his tenure. Boyd says “it’s been a magnificent experience” at WCVB, and that he plans to remain active in local affairs in retirement.
We’ll miss you, Jim!
Topics: WCVB (Channel 5) | 10 Comments »
WBZ ND Heading Out
By Michael Page | December 16, 2008
WBZ-TV News Director Jeff Kiernan is leaving his job of about 15 months to join WBBM-TV in Chicago. He leaves WBZ on January 16th and starts at the CBS owned station in Chicago just a few days later on the 19th.
Topics: WBZ (Channel 4) | 12 Comments »
Donaldson Resigns
By Michael Page | December 10, 2008
Julie Donaldson, sports reporter at WHDH, resigned today. An e-mail to staffers at 7 said that she resigned for “personal reasons”.
You may remember that a few months ago Julie was off the air while she dealt with assault charges leveled against her former boyfriend.
I try to leave personal issues off of this website, so I won’t be posting anything further on this unless there is some direct impact on the television stations in Boston.
Topics: WHDH (Channel 7) | 24 Comments »
DTV Day Planned for Boston
By Michael Page | December 2, 2008
Mark your calendars…DTV Day is Tuesday December 9 in Boston.
In an effort to prepare all viewers within the Boston market for the Digital Switch on February 17, 2009, local stations will increase DTV awareness and run DTV tests on Tuesday.
Between the hours of 5 AM and 7:30 PM, viewers on all local stations will see an informational scroll describing DTV and steps which need to be taken in order to be ready for the switch.
Also during that span, viewers will be able to tune to WGBH to see if their TV set is capable of receiving digital stations. Sets that are DTV ready will see normal WGBH programming, while sets that are not ready will see a special show called “Get Ready for DTV”.
If you don’t tune in to WGBH, similar “virtual shutdowns” will occur on all local stations at 5:15 AM, 6:15 AM and again at 5:15 PM. These two minute tests will alert viewers if their TV is not yet ready for digital TV.
So, take a few minutes to tune in next Tuesday to make sure your TVs are digital ready. If they are not, closely follow the steps outlined on the scroll and alert messages which will appear. If you can’t wait for the 9th to test your TV, tune to WZMY anytime, as they have already permanently switched to a digital signal.
Topics: WBZ (Channel 4), WCVB (Channel 5), WFXT (Channel 25), WHDH (Channel 7), WLVI (Channel 56), WSBK (Channel 38), WZMY | 15 Comments »
November Book ‘08
By Michael Page | November 26, 2008
The November sweeps period ends tomorrow. Here is an early look at the results. The numbers below are for total viewers.
5-6 AM
WHDH: 43,600
WCVB: 35,500
WBZ: 29,600
WFXT: 29,100
6-7 AM
WHDH: 86,800
WCVB: 84,900
WFXT: 71,700
WBZ: 65,100
Noon
WCVB: 116,900
WBZ: 65,200
WHDH: 57,400
5-6 PM
WCVB: 180,300
WHDH: 93,300
WBZ: 90,100
WFXT: 27,100
6-6:30 PM
WCVB: 217,600
WBZ: 117,300
WHDH: 102,800
10 PM
WFXT: 144,900
WLVI: 43,500
11 PM
WBZ: 183,900
WCVB: 176,000
WHDH: 142,100
WFXT: 68,400
Once these numbers are final I will draw some comparisons to other sweeps periods. Based on these early returns, however, it looks like WHDH has won in the mornings, WCVB has won during the afternoon/early evening, and WBZ and WFXT have won late night. For now, you can review the May ‘08 sweeps and the July ‘08 sweeps at your leisure.
Topics: WBZ (Channel 4), WCVB (Channel 5), WFXT (Channel 25), WHDH (Channel 7) | 19 Comments »
WBZ Set Upgrades
By Michael Page | November 21, 2008
NOVEMBER 21 UPDATE: WBZ says their new set will debut “soon”. They also shared a few pictures on their blog.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2008: WBZ is continuing its move toward HD with minor set renovations beginning this week. Here is the statement from WBZ: “WBZ TV will undergo some preliminary and very basic HD studio and set renovations beginning the week of September 15th. These renovations will force the movement of all newscasts to the current newsroom set. Renovations could last for at least six weeks. Understandably, this presents some challenges. In the spirit of cooperation let’s be aware of each other’s needs.”
As with the other stations in town, the process of switching to HD has been a long process. See the former story on it here.
Topics: WBZ (Channel 4) | 53 Comments »
« Previous Entries