Monday, August 07, 2006

WTAM: No Harvey, More Frantz

ABC Radio commentator Paul Harvey is in his final week on Clear Channel Cleveland talk station WTAM/1100.

The station's been running on-air notices to that effect, including after this afternoon's Paul Harvey "Rest of the Story"...saying Harvey's last broadcast on "The Big One" will take place Saturday.

And at the start of the 11 AM segment on his show this morning, WTAM mid-morning host Bob Frantz officially announced the expansion of his program starting August 14th - when it will air from 9 AM to 12 noon.

That would not only signal the end of the Harvey broadcasts, but also the end of the station's 11:30 AM "Midday Report". Like similar news segments at many other news/talk stations, the Monday through Saturday news half-hour would appear to solely exist to carry Harvey's 15 minute "noon visit"...

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good News Frantz Rocks

Anonymous said...

No Paul Harvey? At all? What a shame.

Triv praised Paul Harvey for years. I predict he will trash him, now that he's gone, as is the "Triv" way. Again, what a shame to lose a news legend. And one that still has a great news program.

Anonymous said...

I'll miss Harvey too, but this is a great move by 1100, because Frantz's show is exactly what Trivs show isnt anymore. Its entertaining and yet serious at the same time and he doesnt belch and eat on the air all day long like Triv. If TAM was smart they'd groom Frantz for Triv's show when it finally gets stale and slows down in the ratings.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if this is just WTAM getting rid of the Noon Update, but keeping 8.30am and keeping the Rest of the Story.

Salem's station out in CA which OA mentioned on the Cleveland.com board did that--just the AM news and ROTS twice.

Ohio Media Watch said...

As far as I know, and I have not heard the liners myself, WTAM is announcing Harvey's last broadcast is on Saturday.

The announcements, from what I've been told, have run immediately following all of Harvey's segments today.

Besides, all Harvey affiliates HAVE to take all of his broadcasts. There is no exception.

The station I mentioned in California - the second AM newscast they run (8:45 AM PT) is likely the "Noon Visit", as it would be 11:45 ET.

-OMW

Anonymous said...

Paul's a living legend, but I was shocked when I heard his voice on a report this week. He's slipping, just like when Rush lost his hearing and didn't talk "quite right."

Paul & Angel deserve some R&R time for themselves, and a retirement with dignity. Turn the page, and enter the good life of not working.

Anonymous said...

Paul is on about 20% of the time anymore. I assume it's not health related, but he's fishing somewhere. Mr. Harvey's style is dated and the service he delivers is as well. I'm not bashing it, just saying times have changed.

Neil said...

For those will miss Paul Harvey on WTAM:

There are still other stations audible in this area that will have him on. Biggest signal is WJR 760 from Detroit.

Ohio Media Watch said...

Here's a list of Harvey affiliates that should be heard in at least a portion of WTAM's listening area:

Akron: WAKR/1590
Ashtabula: WFUN/970
Canton: WHBC/1480
Elyria: WEOL/930
Youngstown: WKBN/570

In addition, local stations in places like Mansfield and Millersburg also carry Mr. Harvey, as well as distant signals like the aforementioned WJR/760.

-OMW

Anonymous said...

Do you know if all clear channel stations will be dropping Paul Harvey? I noticed that you have, at this time, 2 CC stations(WKBN, WFUN) on your list.

Ohio Media Watch said...

WIXYgrad,

Yep, I'm aware I have those stations on the list - I got it basically from looking at PH's affiliate list on his website.

I haven't heard anything about other CC stations dropping Harvey. A number of them already did so back in the switch to FOX News Radio. I wouldn't be surprised if WKBN, etc. dump Harvey, but I haven't heard it happening yet.

WKBN is live/local in mid-mornings with Dan Rivers, so they aren't stuck with trying to fit Harvey onto the schedule.

-OMW

Anonymous said...

frantz rocks? Frantz is like a box of rocks. This guy is like a bad penny. A station picks him up takes a look, realizes it is nothing more than a penny and discards. Heck Clear Channel let him go, he went to what California, they let him go, went to Toledo, left there...

Anonymous said...

I guess i will be tuning in to WJR Detroit for "The Rest of the Story", which is my favorite Paul Harvey segment.

Anonymous said...

610 WTVN is still airing Paul Harvey

Anonymous said...

Frantz is a box of rocks like a poster said. His show is so predictable. One right wing talking point after another with nothing even remotely new. He will be gone in a year if not sooner.

Anonymous said...

Harvey is still on WPGB in Pittsburgh, at least for now. However, as mentioned, his page on WPGB's Web site is gone.

Anonymous said...

As a 40-year Paul Harvey listener, I have observed how his popularity has grown, mainly in the last decade. Although his voice has grown a little inconsistent, he remains an amazing one-of-a-kind talent. No one edits the news better than he, boiling the important stories down to their essence, and no one "writes for the ear," or delivers what is written better than he does. If it is a "dated style," it's because it's a lost art. I do get tired of the "low ratings" excuse. If the numbers from 8 to 9 a.m. are lower, you can't blame the 5-minute newscast at 8:30. Count me among those who now tune over to WJR (Detroit AM760) or WEOL (Elyria AM930).