KHOU 11 'Ellen-izes' METRORail; offers free rides

To contact us Click HERE


This fall, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and KHOU 11, Houston’s CBS affiliate, have teamed up to offer four days of free rides on the Houston area’s METRORail. The effort hopes to encourage riders to take advantage of public transit as a fast, convenient and environmentally friendly transportation option.

“We are proud to partner with KHOU 11 and ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ to encourage people to ride METRO,” said METRO President and CEO George Greanias. “One of METRO’s operating principles is to be a trusted community partner and we hope those who ride METRORail on the free weekend dates will see that public transit is a great option every day.”

To kick off the free rides, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and KHOU 11 targeted Museum District Day in Houston, Saturday, September 15. On Museum District Day, 18 participating museums wave general admission, and many offer activities, demonstrations, performances and more. An estimated 25,000 people attend the annual event each year.

“We’re thrilled ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ is supporting Museum District Day by providing free METRORail rides all day on September 15,” said Laurette Canizares, Executive Director of the Houston Museum District. “Because all 19 museums in the District are within walking distance of the light rail, this is a great way to promote the cultural resources in this area and the importance of alternative transportation.”

Free rides on Saturday, September 15 will run from 5:30 a.m. to 2:20 a.m. The free rides courtesy of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and KHOU 11 continue on the following Sundays – September 23, October 7 and October 28, from 5:30 a.m. to 11:40 p.m. each day.

To help support the effort, one METRORail train has been wrapped with Ellen-themed graphics and will run on the rail line through October 28. “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” can be seen locally on KHOU 11 weekdays at 3 p.m.

(This post from a release sent to me by KHOU)

Houston Chronicle puts FuelFix into paper's business section

To contact us Click HERE
Just when you thought the only changes coming to the Houston Chronicle were on its newly launched website...think again.

Got word today from the Hearst owned paper that its award winning website FuelFix is going the paper route. That's right, a Chronicle representative tells me that FuelFix will now be printed in the physical newspaper each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the business section.

In addition to that, the paper is also bringing Harry Weber into the fold. Weber covered the Deepwater Horizon spill for the Associated Press.

“I’m pleased to welcome Harry to our energy staff,” Chronicle business editor Laura Goldberg said in a statement. “His tenacious reporting style and extensive experience covering the oil spill make him a valuable addition to our team of talented journalists who excel at providing comprehensive coverage of the energy industry from exploration and production to pipelines and refineries.”

The new FuelFix area of the business section will also feature reporting from award-winning columnist Loren Steffy, Washington-based Jennifer A. Dlouhy plus business reporters Jeannie Kever, Emily Pickrell, Simone Sebastian and Zain Shauk.

Old cartoon explains Astrodome's 'real' origins

To contact us Click HERE

The Houston Asrodome is a sore subject right now. The aging and unused building has this city mixed - some want to restore it, others want to blow that sucker like Texas Stadium.

Truth is, after some really bizarre ideas of what to do with it that never get off the ground, the former Oilers and Astros home is supposedly falling apart. My guess, it's a bureaucratic waiting game...keep the ideas coming, deny them and let the place crumble all by itself. Problem solved and no hard feelings come election time.

Let's forget all of that for now.

It's time to watch an episode of the Super Chicken cartoon from the late 1960s, to learn how the so-called "Eighth Wonder of the World" really came into existence. Judge Hofheinz must be rolling in his grave right about now.

(Thanks to mega anchor Ray Peters)

TV's Tom Abrahams writes Sedition novel

To contact us Click HERE

Before she left for KNSD 7 NBC San Diego, former KHOU 11 anchor Christine Haas wrote a book. Now another Houston TV anchor, a few clicks up the dial, has plunged into the book world.

Weekend anchor/reporter Tom Abrahams has written Sedition. Here is a synopsis:

"The President of The United States is dead. There is no Vice President to take his place. As the nation slips into a constitutional crisis, a small group of disenfranchised neo-patriots conspire to violently seize power. They have the will. They already have someone on the inside. And they have the explosives."

Abrahams wrote the modern day political thriller based on the 1820 British plot, The Cato Street Conspiracy.

I'm always interested when someone with a full-time career writes a novel. Here are some questions I had for Abrahams.

Mike McGuff: Why did you want to write a book?

Tom Abrahams: I love writing. I like telling stories and getting reaction from those who read them. I got into the news business, in part, because I could write every day. I always knew it was a matter of time before I committed to writing something long form and actually wrote a crime novel in the late 1990s. It wasn't very good. Then I started and stopped with various manuscripts over the years until I found the right story, the right genre. And this was it.

MM: How different is writing a television news script from a book?

TA: TV news writing is very succinct. At its best it gets to the point quickly, hits the highlights, and lets the video (or audio) carry the story. A book needs more color. There's no video or audio to fill in the blanks. I actually found myself having to work really hard to add little details that I normally would leave out. But both are better when edited and rewritten multiple times. In news we'll cut a 2 minute story to 1:30. In SEDITION, I cut it from 106,000 words to about 90,000.

MM: How much discipline did it take to write it with a full-time job?

TA: It takes more discipline than I regularly have. A lot of authors will write every day. I can't do that. I'll write in chunks, when I can squeeze it in. It took me 7 months to write SEDITION and another 9 months to rewrite and edit. The most time consuming part, however, wasn't the writing. The tremendous amount of research I did to ground the story in realism took the most amount of effort.

You can buy the book at seditionbook.com in various formats.

Comcast SportsNet Houston launches Monday

To contact us Click HERE
Sports fans in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico will have a new home for the most comprehensive regional sports coverage when Comcast SportsNet Houston, a partnership between the Houston Astros, Houston Rockets and the NBC Sports Group, debuts on Monday, October 1 at 5 p.m. CST.

“This region has waited a long time for an in-depth approach to regional sports coverage, focused not only on our pro teams, but also on sports at the college and high school level,” Comcast SportsNet Houston President and General Manager Matt Hutchings said. “Our viewers are heavily invested in their teams. We have invested to provide them with committed and authentic coverage of their favorite hometown teams.”

Comcast SportsNet will take to the air at 5 p.m. CST with a brief introductory video that reflects the outlet’s passionate non-stop approach to local sports, leading into “SportsTalk Live,” an analysis of the day’s top sports stories debated by a rotating panel of sports journalists, players, team officials and other expert insiders. Hosted by Kevin Eschenfelder, “SportsTalk Live” will feature 60 minutes of interviews, special guests, commentary and debate. Guests for the inaugural show include Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin and Texans quarterback Matt Schaub.

Next, “SportsNet Central” debuts at 6 p.m. and also airs live at 10 p.m. and midnight. “SportsNet Central” delivers 30 minutes of live regional sports news devoted to professional, college, high school and community sports. Kelli Johnson and Marius Payton will anchor the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts on launch day, while Tiffany Blackmon is set to handle the midnight show. Viewers will also be introduced to Comcast SportsNet anchors and reporters Howard Chen, Bill Doleman, Sara Eckert, James Palmer, Leila Rahimi and Sebastian Salazar on additional launch day programming.

Additional Comcast SportsNet Houston Launch Day Programming:

· 6:30 p.m. --- “Lift Off,” an introduction to Comcast SportsNet’s coverage commitment, hosted by Houston Rockets play-by-play man Bill Worrell. “Lift Off” guests include Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, Hall of Fame pitchers Roger Clemens and Nolan Ryan; Rockets Hall-of-Famers Clyde Drexler and Calvin Murphy; Texans linebacker Connor Barwin and receiver Kevin Walter.

· 7 p.m. --- “Astros Field Pass,” an up-close look at the Astros with interviews and player profiles. New Astros manager Bo Porter will be introduced. The program also includes interviews with Astros owner Jim Crane, General Manager Jeff Luhnow, and legendary radio broadcaster Milo Hamilton, plus a recap of Astros “Legends Weekend.”

· 7:30 p.m. --- “Rockets Backcourt Pass,” a behind-the-scenes look at the Houston Rockets as the team prepares for the 2012-13 season. Go into the NBA Draft “war room” with General Manager Daryl Morey, get a look at Jeremy Lin’s first day as a Rocket, see how Rockets players “welcome” their rookie teammates, and more.

Additional Programming Notes

· The network’s first live event is scheduled for Thursday, October 4 at 7 p.m., when the “Thursday High School Football Game of the Week” is introduced. The Woodlands plays host to A&M Consolidated in a battle of two top-25 Conference 5A teams.

· Comcast SportsNet’s college football coverage, hosted by Bill Doleman, begins on Saturday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. with “Saturday Tailgate Live,” covering the latest insights and updates about regional college football squads, followed by live game coverage as North Texas visits the University of Houston at 6 p.m.

· “Pro Football Postgame Live,” hosted by Kelli Johnson, debuts on Monday, October 8 following the Texans-Jets Monday Night Football game, providing immediate analysis and live coverage of press conferences, player reaction and more.

Comcast SportsNet Houston is being made available in both standard and high definition to all local cable, satellite and telco TV providers and today is carried by:

· Comcast Cable (channels 39/639 in the Houston area, 86/1688 in Houma, La Place, Monroe and Shreveport, Lou., 269/1687 in Little Rock, Ark.).
· Coastal Link (channels 31/131 in Brazoria, Texas).
· EnTouch (channels 73/473 in the Houston area).
· Phonoscope (channel 35, HD channel launching TBA in the Houston area).
· Fans with other TV services should visit IWantCSNHouston.com for the latest distribution developments and to tell their cable, satellite or telco TV provider to add Comcast SportsNet to their channel lineup. Follow Comcast SportsNet Houston on Twitter: @CSNHouston for the latest news and information about the network.

(This post was from a release sent to me from Comcast SportsNet)

Jane Monreal joins KIII Corpus

To contact us Click HERE
KIII-TV has announced Jane Monreal as co-anchor of 3 News First Edition, which airs weekdays from 5 to 7 am. She joins co-anchor, John Thomas Kobos and weather anchor, Kristin Diaz.

A broadcast veteran of eighteen years, Monreal has worked in Los Angeles and Glendale California and most recently in Denver, Colorado. Her experience covers several areas of radio and television broadcast journalism including General Assignments Reporter, Airborne Traffic Reporter, Feature Reporter, Producer, Host and Anchor.

“I’m excited about being part of a station and news team that has such a strong tradition of excellence and commitment to the community,” said Monreal. “Everything I’ve learned about the station and South Texas indicates a bright future ahead. I believe it’s a good time to be here.”

“Jane has received praise from peers and news organizations alike and we are proud to present a newscast in the best interest of our viewers,” said Richard Longoria, KIII-TV News Director. “We’ll continue to dedicate our staff and resources to bringing our viewers information they can trust.”

(This post from a release sent to me by London Broadcasting)

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KHOU 11 'Ellen-izes' METRORail; offers free rides

To contact us Click HERE


This fall, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and KHOU 11, Houston’s CBS affiliate, have teamed up to offer four days of free rides on the Houston area’s METRORail. The effort hopes to encourage riders to take advantage of public transit as a fast, convenient and environmentally friendly transportation option.

“We are proud to partner with KHOU 11 and ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ to encourage people to ride METRO,” said METRO President and CEO George Greanias. “One of METRO’s operating principles is to be a trusted community partner and we hope those who ride METRORail on the free weekend dates will see that public transit is a great option every day.”

To kick off the free rides, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and KHOU 11 targeted Museum District Day in Houston, Saturday, September 15. On Museum District Day, 18 participating museums wave general admission, and many offer activities, demonstrations, performances and more. An estimated 25,000 people attend the annual event each year.

“We’re thrilled ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ is supporting Museum District Day by providing free METRORail rides all day on September 15,” said Laurette Canizares, Executive Director of the Houston Museum District. “Because all 19 museums in the District are within walking distance of the light rail, this is a great way to promote the cultural resources in this area and the importance of alternative transportation.”

Free rides on Saturday, September 15 will run from 5:30 a.m. to 2:20 a.m. The free rides courtesy of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and KHOU 11 continue on the following Sundays – September 23, October 7 and October 28, from 5:30 a.m. to 11:40 p.m. each day.

To help support the effort, one METRORail train has been wrapped with Ellen-themed graphics and will run on the rail line through October 28. “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” can be seen locally on KHOU 11 weekdays at 3 p.m.

(This post from a release sent to me by KHOU)

Houston Chronicle puts FuelFix into paper's business section

To contact us Click HERE
Just when you thought the only changes coming to the Houston Chronicle were on its newly launched website...think again.

Got word today from the Hearst owned paper that its award winning website FuelFix is going the paper route. That's right, a Chronicle representative tells me that FuelFix will now be printed in the physical newspaper each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the business section.

In addition to that, the paper is also bringing Harry Weber into the fold. Weber covered the Deepwater Horizon spill for the Associated Press.

“I’m pleased to welcome Harry to our energy staff,” Chronicle business editor Laura Goldberg said in a statement. “His tenacious reporting style and extensive experience covering the oil spill make him a valuable addition to our team of talented journalists who excel at providing comprehensive coverage of the energy industry from exploration and production to pipelines and refineries.”

The new FuelFix area of the business section will also feature reporting from award-winning columnist Loren Steffy, Washington-based Jennifer A. Dlouhy plus business reporters Jeannie Kever, Emily Pickrell, Simone Sebastian and Zain Shauk.

Old cartoon explains Astrodome's 'real' origins

To contact us Click HERE

The Houston Asrodome is a sore subject right now. The aging and unused building has this city mixed - some want to restore it, others want to blow that sucker like Texas Stadium.

Truth is, after some really bizarre ideas of what to do with it that never get off the ground, the former Oilers and Astros home is supposedly falling apart. My guess, it's a bureaucratic waiting game...keep the ideas coming, deny them and let the place crumble all by itself. Problem solved and no hard feelings come election time.

Let's forget all of that for now.

It's time to watch an episode of the Super Chicken cartoon from the late 1960s, to learn how the so-called "Eighth Wonder of the World" really came into existence. Judge Hofheinz must be rolling in his grave right about now.

(Thanks to mega anchor Ray Peters)

TV's Tom Abrahams writes Sedition novel

To contact us Click HERE

Before she left for KNSD 7 NBC San Diego, former KHOU 11 anchor Christine Haas wrote a book. Now another Houston TV anchor, a few clicks up the dial, has plunged into the book world.

Weekend anchor/reporter Tom Abrahams has written Sedition. Here is a synopsis:

"The President of The United States is dead. There is no Vice President to take his place. As the nation slips into a constitutional crisis, a small group of disenfranchised neo-patriots conspire to violently seize power. They have the will. They already have someone on the inside. And they have the explosives."

Abrahams wrote the modern day political thriller based on the 1820 British plot, The Cato Street Conspiracy.

I'm always interested when someone with a full-time career writes a novel. Here are some questions I had for Abrahams.

Mike McGuff: Why did you want to write a book?

Tom Abrahams: I love writing. I like telling stories and getting reaction from those who read them. I got into the news business, in part, because I could write every day. I always knew it was a matter of time before I committed to writing something long form and actually wrote a crime novel in the late 1990s. It wasn't very good. Then I started and stopped with various manuscripts over the years until I found the right story, the right genre. And this was it.

MM: How different is writing a television news script from a book?

TA: TV news writing is very succinct. At its best it gets to the point quickly, hits the highlights, and lets the video (or audio) carry the story. A book needs more color. There's no video or audio to fill in the blanks. I actually found myself having to work really hard to add little details that I normally would leave out. But both are better when edited and rewritten multiple times. In news we'll cut a 2 minute story to 1:30. In SEDITION, I cut it from 106,000 words to about 90,000.

MM: How much discipline did it take to write it with a full-time job?

TA: It takes more discipline than I regularly have. A lot of authors will write every day. I can't do that. I'll write in chunks, when I can squeeze it in. It took me 7 months to write SEDITION and another 9 months to rewrite and edit. The most time consuming part, however, wasn't the writing. The tremendous amount of research I did to ground the story in realism took the most amount of effort.

You can buy the book at seditionbook.com in various formats.

KDAF 33 overhaul, Bailey starts at KTRK, plus more

To contact us Click HERE

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KHOU 11 'Ellen-izes' METRORail; offers free rides

To contact us Click HERE


This fall, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and KHOU 11, Houston’s CBS affiliate, have teamed up to offer four days of free rides on the Houston area’s METRORail. The effort hopes to encourage riders to take advantage of public transit as a fast, convenient and environmentally friendly transportation option.

“We are proud to partner with KHOU 11 and ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ to encourage people to ride METRO,” said METRO President and CEO George Greanias. “One of METRO’s operating principles is to be a trusted community partner and we hope those who ride METRORail on the free weekend dates will see that public transit is a great option every day.”

To kick off the free rides, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and KHOU 11 targeted Museum District Day in Houston, Saturday, September 15. On Museum District Day, 18 participating museums wave general admission, and many offer activities, demonstrations, performances and more. An estimated 25,000 people attend the annual event each year.

“We’re thrilled ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ is supporting Museum District Day by providing free METRORail rides all day on September 15,” said Laurette Canizares, Executive Director of the Houston Museum District. “Because all 19 museums in the District are within walking distance of the light rail, this is a great way to promote the cultural resources in this area and the importance of alternative transportation.”

Free rides on Saturday, September 15 will run from 5:30 a.m. to 2:20 a.m. The free rides courtesy of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and KHOU 11 continue on the following Sundays – September 23, October 7 and October 28, from 5:30 a.m. to 11:40 p.m. each day.

To help support the effort, one METRORail train has been wrapped with Ellen-themed graphics and will run on the rail line through October 28. “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” can be seen locally on KHOU 11 weekdays at 3 p.m.

(This post from a release sent to me by KHOU)

Houston Chronicle puts FuelFix into paper's business section

To contact us Click HERE
Just when you thought the only changes coming to the Houston Chronicle were on its newly launched website...think again.

Got word today from the Hearst owned paper that its award winning website FuelFix is going the paper route. That's right, a Chronicle representative tells me that FuelFix will now be printed in the physical newspaper each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the business section.

In addition to that, the paper is also bringing Harry Weber into the fold. Weber covered the Deepwater Horizon spill for the Associated Press.

“I’m pleased to welcome Harry to our energy staff,” Chronicle business editor Laura Goldberg said in a statement. “His tenacious reporting style and extensive experience covering the oil spill make him a valuable addition to our team of talented journalists who excel at providing comprehensive coverage of the energy industry from exploration and production to pipelines and refineries.”

The new FuelFix area of the business section will also feature reporting from award-winning columnist Loren Steffy, Washington-based Jennifer A. Dlouhy plus business reporters Jeannie Kever, Emily Pickrell, Simone Sebastian and Zain Shauk.

Old cartoon explains Astrodome's 'real' origins

To contact us Click HERE

The Houston Asrodome is a sore subject right now. The aging and unused building has this city mixed - some want to restore it, others want to blow that sucker like Texas Stadium.

Truth is, after some really bizarre ideas of what to do with it that never get off the ground, the former Oilers and Astros home is supposedly falling apart. My guess, it's a bureaucratic waiting game...keep the ideas coming, deny them and let the place crumble all by itself. Problem solved and no hard feelings come election time.

Let's forget all of that for now.

It's time to watch an episode of the Super Chicken cartoon from the late 1960s, to learn how the so-called "Eighth Wonder of the World" really came into existence. Judge Hofheinz must be rolling in his grave right about now.

(Thanks to mega anchor Ray Peters)

TV's Tom Abrahams writes Sedition novel

To contact us Click HERE

Before she left for KNSD 7 NBC San Diego, former KHOU 11 anchor Christine Haas wrote a book. Now another Houston TV anchor, a few clicks up the dial, has plunged into the book world.

Weekend anchor/reporter Tom Abrahams has written Sedition. Here is a synopsis:

"The President of The United States is dead. There is no Vice President to take his place. As the nation slips into a constitutional crisis, a small group of disenfranchised neo-patriots conspire to violently seize power. They have the will. They already have someone on the inside. And they have the explosives."

Abrahams wrote the modern day political thriller based on the 1820 British plot, The Cato Street Conspiracy.

I'm always interested when someone with a full-time career writes a novel. Here are some questions I had for Abrahams.

Mike McGuff: Why did you want to write a book?

Tom Abrahams: I love writing. I like telling stories and getting reaction from those who read them. I got into the news business, in part, because I could write every day. I always knew it was a matter of time before I committed to writing something long form and actually wrote a crime novel in the late 1990s. It wasn't very good. Then I started and stopped with various manuscripts over the years until I found the right story, the right genre. And this was it.

MM: How different is writing a television news script from a book?

TA: TV news writing is very succinct. At its best it gets to the point quickly, hits the highlights, and lets the video (or audio) carry the story. A book needs more color. There's no video or audio to fill in the blanks. I actually found myself having to work really hard to add little details that I normally would leave out. But both are better when edited and rewritten multiple times. In news we'll cut a 2 minute story to 1:30. In SEDITION, I cut it from 106,000 words to about 90,000.

MM: How much discipline did it take to write it with a full-time job?

TA: It takes more discipline than I regularly have. A lot of authors will write every day. I can't do that. I'll write in chunks, when I can squeeze it in. It took me 7 months to write SEDITION and another 9 months to rewrite and edit. The most time consuming part, however, wasn't the writing. The tremendous amount of research I did to ground the story in realism took the most amount of effort.

You can buy the book at seditionbook.com in various formats.

Al Jazeera English available over the phone

To contact us Click HERE
With things heating up in the Middle East, I thought I would pass along the news from a release sent to me by Al Jazeera.

The network has teamed up with AudioNow to give you audio feeds of its programming over the phone. The audio feeds for these channels are available by dialing (213) 493-0130 for Arabic and (213) 493-0140 for English.

Al Jazeera English is only available 24/7 online and on TV in select cities like DC, NYC, Toledo, Ohio and Burlington,VT. The Arabic channel is available on Dish Network.

You can watch it live over the internet. I've watched Al Jazeera English on my Roku and it looks a lot like CNN. In fact the channel even has some former CNN anchors working as anchors.

Houston Chronicle puts FuelFix into paper's business section

To contact us Click HERE
Just when you thought the only changes coming to the Houston Chronicle were on its newly launched website...think again.

Got word today from the Hearst owned paper that its award winning website FuelFix is going the paper route. That's right, a Chronicle representative tells me that FuelFix will now be printed in the physical newspaper each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the business section.

In addition to that, the paper is also bringing Harry Weber into the fold. Weber covered the Deepwater Horizon spill for the Associated Press.

“I’m pleased to welcome Harry to our energy staff,” Chronicle business editor Laura Goldberg said in a statement. “His tenacious reporting style and extensive experience covering the oil spill make him a valuable addition to our team of talented journalists who excel at providing comprehensive coverage of the energy industry from exploration and production to pipelines and refineries.”

The new FuelFix area of the business section will also feature reporting from award-winning columnist Loren Steffy, Washington-based Jennifer A. Dlouhy plus business reporters Jeannie Kever, Emily Pickrell, Simone Sebastian and Zain Shauk.

Old cartoon explains Astrodome's 'real' origins

To contact us Click HERE

The Houston Asrodome is a sore subject right now. The aging and unused building has this city mixed - some want to restore it, others want to blow that sucker like Texas Stadium.

Truth is, after some really bizarre ideas of what to do with it that never get off the ground, the former Oilers and Astros home is supposedly falling apart. My guess, it's a bureaucratic waiting game...keep the ideas coming, deny them and let the place crumble all by itself. Problem solved and no hard feelings come election time.

Let's forget all of that for now.

It's time to watch an episode of the Super Chicken cartoon from the late 1960s, to learn how the so-called "Eighth Wonder of the World" really came into existence. Judge Hofheinz must be rolling in his grave right about now.

(Thanks to mega anchor Ray Peters)

Audingo brings voice to social media for broadcasters

To contact us Click HERE

TV, radio, sports teams, politicians are all looking for new ways to engage their audiences. So when I got an email from Austin-based startup Audingo, I thought the company had an interesting concept.

Social media has always let your voice be heard by a large audience, but Audingo now really lets your actual voice be heard. Now you see why broadcasters might be interested.

A radio morning show host for example can communicate with listeners after the show with personalized phone calls, texts and emails. This can be expanded to videos too, with a talk back feature letting fans join in.

Here is an mp3 link as an example of how JB from the "JB and Sandy Morning Show" on Austin’s Mix 94.7 KAMX is using the service. BTW, if you are a female that goes to the gym and doesn't shower, you might want to skip listening.

The company tells me Rock 103.9 KJXJ in Bryan-College Station has used the Audingo service and claims it helped ratings.

“The option of having prospective diarykeepers or a PPM panel member receiving a personalized phone call from my airstaff every day on the same devices Arbitron would likely be using to recruit them was the best idea I’d heard since my early days at 104 KRBE in Houston when we tried to blanket our ‘Hot Zips’ with Direct Mail pieces on the off chance that we’d be in the same mailbox as an Arbitron diary," said Brazos Valley Communications Vice President-General Manager Chris Kiske in a release.

Out of Texas, Weekly Top 40 Countdown host Rick Dees (and the man behind the song "Disco Duck") is also using the service.

I could also see this service used by a TV weathercaster for personalized forecasts.

If I were a single blogger, I would Audingo all of the gorgeous ladies who read my blog with romantic quatrains. If I did that in reality, my wife could Audingo you my obituary.

audingo.com

Pearland prank: The Saran Wrapped car

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I've seen a lot of pranks over the years, but it wasn't until last weekend in Pearland that I saw a Saran Wrapped car. There were marker drawings on it - on the wrap, not the actual car. That would have been really vicious.

It was in a Buc-ee's parking lot. Did the beaver do it? He is pretty tricky.

I pulled a Wayne Dolcefino and barged inside the store for answers. OK...I really went in and bought a Dr Pepper Icee and asked what the deal was. It was an employee's car. A law enforcement official told me it made his day.

RELATED
- Why Buc-ees is so popular

Reporter scares baby, Houston reporter engaged plus more

To contact us Click HERE

MORE VIDEO
- Spider Interrupts KOLD Meteorologist
- Six Men Apprehended After Robbing Bank, Tossing Cash Out of Speeding Getaway Car in L.A.
- Reporter Scares Baby News Blooper
- News 4 WOAI See the Difference Beamer
- Weatherman Wet His Rod News Blooper

Deanna Dewberry Joins KXAS From WISH
Deanna Dewberry will join Dallas NBC O&O KXAS 5 next month from WISH Indianapolis, a station spokesperson confirms to TVSpy.

WFAA Leaned On Baylor Health Care to Fire Ad Agency Over Dispute, Lawsuit Claims
A Grapevine ad agency is accusing WFAA of throwing its weight around and scuttling a relationship with its biggest client.

Libertarians protest exclusion from Belo Debate
Carrying signs saying "Let us debate" and "Let the candidate speak," a handful of people supporting the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate protested Wednesday outside the WFAA studio in downtown Dallas.

Missing Houston Journalist, Austin Tice: Where Are You?
It's now been more than 30 days since anyone's heard from missing Houston journalist Austin Tice, lost somewhere in Syria, possibly in captivity, and even Twitter's gone quiet about him.

KHOU reporter got a ring on it
KTRK 13 reporter Miya Shay tweets that KHOU 11 reporter Courtney Zubowski has gotten engaged to Dr. Eric Haas. Congrats.

Kelli Johnson coming from D.C. to CSN Houston
Kelli Johnson, an anchor at Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic who has worked in St. Louis and Austin, has signed on as an anchor for Comcast SportsNet Houston.

Jeff McShan, news reporter at KHOU, gives advice to student journalists
Born and raised in Houston, Jeff McShan is a general assignments news reporter at KHOU. The SHSU graduate offered his knowledge and gave advice to new reporters.

Photos: 'Ellen Show' tapes in Houston!
The Ellen Degeneres Show taped in Houston on Wednesday. Fans gathered for a chance to be in the background of some of Ellen's live shots from a METRORail station on the south side of town. The episode aired at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 on KHOU 11.

Steve Fixx Knows People Who Live Inside The Television Machine
93.7 The Arrow KKRW program director and afternoon DJ Steve Fixx was in broadcasting classes with KHOU 11 anchor Lily Jang. He said on air he has tapes of both of them from those days that probably won't ever be featured on his show!

In her own words: Yvonne Nava
Yvonne Nava is the KVUE family's newest member, joining Bryan and Albert behind the desk at Daybreak and Midday.

Spirit 105.9 FM makes Austin radio history with Top 10 ranking
The crew over at Spirit 105.9 FM has been in good spirits lately.

Study: Young people consider news to be garbage and lies
University of Texas at Austin journalism professor Paula Poindexter has a new book out about the millennial generation’s low interest in news.

El Paso Times lets city know it's paying too much for its own building
The City of El Paso was ready to buy the El Paso Times’ downtown building for $14 million, but then the El Paso Times pointed out that the proposed price is $3.7 million more than what the property is appraised at

Texas Town Draws Rev From Bilingual Crowd
This tiny corner of Texas boasts a huge Hispanic population — the 10th largest in the country — and a heady mix of topics important to Spanish and English speakers, from high school football to education to Mexico's violent drug war. The region's local online media outlets are turning to innovation to bridge cutures and drive revenue.

PROMOTION

Clear Channel traffic expert Darby Douglas has been promoted to Assistant Director of Operations for TotalTraffic Network (TTN) in Houston. "I'm loving the challenges that come my way everyday now," Douglas told mikemcguff.com. "I only thought I worked hard before!"

IN MEMORIAM

Longtime Dallas radio and TV newsman Alex Burton died Thursday at the age of 80
Alex Burton, longtime radio and television newsman, died Thursday of complications of prostate cancer at Treemont Healthcare & Rehab Center in Dallas. He was 80.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- KHOU 11 'Ellen-izes' METRORail; offers free rides

Comcast SportsNet Houston starts Fan Fridays in downtown

To contact us Click HERE
Comcast SportsNet Houston, a partnership between the Houston Rockets, Houston Astros and the NBC Sports Group and the new television home of the Astros and Rockets, today announced its October Fan Friday lineup outside the network’s state-of-the art studio in the Houston Pavilions.

Fans are invited to the new studio location, on the first level of the Houston Pavilions across from the House of Blues, to meet personnel from the Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, and Houston Texans every Friday in October. There will be prizes and surprises, including T-shirts, game and concert tickets, autographed merchandise, and refreshments.

Comcast SportsNet Houston Fan Friday Schedule
10/5 --- Rockets Legend Elvin Hayes and the Rockets Power Dancers (12-2 p.m.)
10/12 --- Texans General Manager Rick Smith and the Texans Cheerleaders (3-5 p.m.)
10/19 --- Surprise player from the Houston Rockets (3-5 p.m.)
10/26 --- Astros Legend Larry Dierker (12-2 p.m.)
*Schedule is subject to change; Follow @CSNHouston on Twitter for updates

Comcast SportsNet Houston is a partnership between the Houston Rockets, Houston Astros and the NBC Sports Group, and is the new television home of the Astros and Rockets. The network, which launches on October 1, 2012, will broadcast from a state-of-the-art, street-level studio in the Houston Pavilions. Comcast SportsNet Houston will take fans deeper inside the teams they love with comprehensive Astros and Rockets coverage as well as news and talk programming that matters to local viewers. The network will also be the home to major college, high school and professional sports coverage from around the region.

iwantcsnhouston.com/

(This post was from a release sent to me by Comcast SportsNet Houston)

Houston Chronicle puts FuelFix into paper's business section

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Just when you thought the only changes coming to the Houston Chronicle were on its newly launched website...think again.

Got word today from the Hearst owned paper that its award winning website FuelFix is going the paper route. That's right, a Chronicle representative tells me that FuelFix will now be printed in the physical newspaper each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the business section.

In addition to that, the paper is also bringing Harry Weber into the fold. Weber covered the Deepwater Horizon spill for the Associated Press.

“I’m pleased to welcome Harry to our energy staff,” Chronicle business editor Laura Goldberg said in a statement. “His tenacious reporting style and extensive experience covering the oil spill make him a valuable addition to our team of talented journalists who excel at providing comprehensive coverage of the energy industry from exploration and production to pipelines and refineries.”

The new FuelFix area of the business section will also feature reporting from award-winning columnist Loren Steffy, Washington-based Jennifer A. Dlouhy plus business reporters Jeannie Kever, Emily Pickrell, Simone Sebastian and Zain Shauk.

Old cartoon explains Astrodome's 'real' origins

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The Houston Asrodome is a sore subject right now. The aging and unused building has this city mixed - some want to restore it, others want to blow that sucker like Texas Stadium.

Truth is, after some really bizarre ideas of what to do with it that never get off the ground, the former Oilers and Astros home is supposedly falling apart. My guess, it's a bureaucratic waiting game...keep the ideas coming, deny them and let the place crumble all by itself. Problem solved and no hard feelings come election time.

Let's forget all of that for now.

It's time to watch an episode of the Super Chicken cartoon from the late 1960s, to learn how the so-called "Eighth Wonder of the World" really came into existence. Judge Hofheinz must be rolling in his grave right about now.

(Thanks to mega anchor Ray Peters)

TV news staffer advice and tips from a veteran

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Randy Tatano (aka The Grape) has lots of experience in news, from local to the networks. His blog is a great resource for TV news newbies all the way to the grizzled veterans.

Below are links to some of his posts over the past few months that really jumped out at me.

- Newsflash: not all job openings are posted
- Advice doesn't always yield the same results in different situations
- The one time a lateral move makes sense
- How dare you look for another job and try to leave this minimum wage ninth circle of hell!
- A title doesn't make you smart
- Make your newsroom a happier place
- Why the idiot at the next desk makes more money than you
- Too many journalism grads and not enough jobs: the new grad's guide to surviving the recession

- Why the biggest egos are often found in small markets
- Yet another market size myth... all markets are not created equal

- Youse guys think your writing's gonna get better using Strunk & White? Fuhgeddaboudit!
- Writing for your station's site: "I didn't go to school to be a print reporter but now I have to be one."
- Music: the forgotten package element
- Presentation: it's not just for restaurants anymore

- An agent works for you, not the other way around
- Things you need to know when considering an agent

- The red carpet never ends if you're on camera

RELATED
- Reporter gets biggest story of all time
- Women reverse TV news stereotypes in new book

The top turkey of Houston media?

To contact us Click HERE
Think you know a Houston media person who deserves to be called the top turkey? No, wait hear me out on this one…

I’m teaming up with TXU Energy to help get the word out about the upcoming TXU Energy Turkey Trot benefiting Sheltering Arms Senior Services.

The race takes place at Dillard’s near the Galleria on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2012. It’s actually the 20th anniversary of the big event.

To get the word out about the race, TXU Energy and Sheltering Arms Senior Services will be holding a media turkey calling contest 10am, Saturday, November 10th at the Houston Zoo. It will be followed by a general audience turkey calling contest for those of you who are so inclined.

Sheltering Arms Senior Services and TXU Energy are inviting members of the Houston media to “talk turkey.” Stay tuned for the latest in Houston celebrity “gobble, gobble,” including which of those TV, newspaper or radio folks accept the challenge.

Get all the details for the race and Sheltering Arms Senior Services at http://turkeytrot.shelteringarms.org/.

(This post has been sponsored by TXU Energy. Learn more about the company at txu.com.)

790 KBME schedule changes: Lance Z. moves and more

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Sportstalk 790 KBME morning team man Lance Zierlein tweeted this morning he was moving to afternoons with Charlie Pallilo.

“The Drive Home with Charlie & Lance” starts Monday 9/24 at 3pm.

That's not the only change. The station tells me it's also adding a Houston Texans post game show to the lineup. It will be hosted by the station's two resident former NFL players Greg Koch and N.D. Kalu. The show goes live the second the Texans game is over each week.

"Fans no longer have to sit through a 30-minute network post game show following the game," Clear Channel AM Operations Manager Bryan Erickson told mikemcguff.com. "They can now sound off on the game on 790 with Greg and N.D. as they’re leaving the stadium."

Here's the rest of the 790 KBME schedule:

Monday-Friday*

6a-10a The Big Show with Matt and Adam
10a-12p In the Trenches with Koch and Kalu
12p-3p Matt Thomas
3p-7p The Drive Home with Charlie and Lance
7p-9p Mighty After Dark

*All programming subject to pre-emption by sports play by play.

740 KTRH & its news director part ways

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Thursday I posted how Sportstalk 790 KBME morning team man Lance Zierlein was moving to afternoons with Charlie Pallilo.

But that's not the only change to Clear Channel's Houston AM stations.

Got word this morning from multiple sources that NewsRadio 740 KTRH News Director and Assistant Program Director, Roger Hudson, is no longer with the news/talk station as of today.

I've reached out to Clear Channel this morning but have not heard back. I just found a way to contact Hudson and will let you know if he gets back with me.

Hudson's bio and photo have been removed from ktrh.com's bio page.

That page used to say that Hudson manages the KTRH newsroom/staff and, "in addition to picking the stories covered, he's also executive producer of Houston's Morning News."

I understand Hudson worked for the station around five years.

Chron editor steps down, DFW TV changes and more

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MORE VIDEO
- See more of your KVUE News Daybreak and Midday team
- Crash Caught on Tape
- Reporter Not Ready News Blooper
- Guy tries to prank reporter during live interview
- Gangnam style - KTLA morning news Dance Party Friday

It'll be stop and go for Samantha Davies as NBC5's new weather-proof traffic anchor
NBC5 meteorologist Samantha Davies will now be a roads scholar, too.

Denmon doubles
Former WFAA8 anchor Denmon says she'll double down as Dallas County D.A.'s head spokesperson and part-time commentaor on new Texas Daily news hour.

New Fox 4 anchor?
New possibilities at Fox4 with Tulsa early morning anchor Laura Moss in for an interview.

Chronicle editor Jeff Cohen takes new post
Houston Chronicle Editor Jeff Cohen is taking a new position in charge of the newspaper's editorial and op-ed pages.
- Read Cohen’s memo

Houston Press and Dallas Observer sold
New holding company Voice Media Group today announced that it has signed an agreement to purchase the publishing and related sales properties owned by Village Voice Media Holdings, LLC. The purchase includes the iconic Village Voice Media alternative weekly newspapers and their associated websites, as well as the national advertising arm of the company. Papers affected in Texas are the Houston Press and Dallas Observer.

Former Houston reporter goes Hollywood
Former KPRC 2 and Fox 26 KRIV reporter Reshonda Tate Billingsley had four of her novels optioned for movies on BET.

New CSN Houston hires announced
New hires announced Tuesday by Comcast SportsNet Houston.
- Eschenfelder signs off on FS Houston as move to Comcast network looms

Miya and Gene's last bash
After their wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Channel 13 reporter Miya Shay and State Representative candidate Gene Wu celebrated one more time with a rollicking bash in the grand foyer the Hobby Center where close to 300 celebrants— a colorful mix of political, media and social friends — wished them well.

Calling all dogs: Pethouse reunion set for October
Houston Chronicle columnist Ken Hoffman is throwing a big reunion party for his Pethouse Pets of the Week - all 800-something of them - plus their human families and doggie pals.

KACC: "Gulf Coast Rocker" Is Houston's Last Great FM Hope
There is one FM station in the area that is "Texas Loud, Texas Proud" - it just happens to be a low-power station on the campus of Alvin Community College, almost entirely staffed by students at the two-year school. That would be 89.7 FM KACC, the "Gulf Coast Rocker," and it's not going anywhere.

KHOU starting to advertise in unlikely places
Funny photo snapped of restaurant that just screams KHOU 11.

Viewers notice co-anchors' changes
The good news is people not only are watching WOAI-TV's improved morning news show but are watching very closely. Maybe not quite so welcome, however, are personal questions about the two anchors: Leslie Bohl and her air partner, Michael Garofalo.

Lift a glass! WOAI-TV anchorwoman expecting
Congratulations are in order for WOAI's Elsa Ramon, who just revealed she’s pregnant with her second child.
- Elsa Ramon Makes an Announcement

Wild 92.5/105.7 San Antonio Debuts
With expectations that Cox will flip Classic Rock “X106.7” KTKX to CHR, Clear Channel has launched a Rhythmic flanker “Wild 92.5/105.7” in San Antonio.
- San Antonio gets three-way rhythmic battle

KENS not to blame for late Texans broadcast
The decision of KENS-TV to join Sunday's Houston Texans-Denver Broncos game 42 minutes after it began was made by CBS and not by the local affiliate.

NEW COMCAST CHANNELS

ESPN Goal Line features unlimited live cut-ins and highlights of the top NCAA College Football games during each Saturday of the College Football season and up-to-the-minute commentary from ESPN analysts and experts.

beIN SPORT is the English-language 24/7 international sports network that brings to the passionate fan all the live game action, news and analysis of the top leagues around the planet.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Comcast SportsNet Houston starts Fan Fridays in downtown
- Houston Chronicle puts FuelFix into paper's business section
- The top turkey of Houston media?
- 790 KBME schedule changes: Lance Z. moves and more
- 740 KTRH & its news director part ways

Two HGTV show casting calls in Houston

To contact us Click HERE
HGTV let me know it is casting two shows in Houston - Design Star (Season 8), HGTV's top-rated reality competition series, as well as a brand new HGTV Competition series:

Do you want to be the next star on HGTV? Here is your chance to win your own series!
Must have design expertise, personality that pops and passion for your work! Do you want to compete for a major cash prize on HGTV? Are you a creative professional
who wants to show America your skills? We are in search of experts in all realms of the design and DIY world!

Looking for: Interior designers, contractors, carpenters, architects, artists, and those with design expertise.

Houston Open Call
9.29.12
10am- 2pm
Magnolia Hotel
1100 Texas Ave.
Houston, TX 77002

If you can’t attend an open call, you can still apply by going to www.HGTVDesignCasting.com. Please fill out the online application prior to attending an open call!

What to Bring:
1. Two recent pictures of yourself (labeled with your name on the back)
2. A minimum of six photos of your work
3. Resume

For more information or questions please e-email HGTVDesignCasting@jenscasting.com.

Comcast SportsNet Houston starts Fan Fridays in downtown

Comcast SportsNet Houston, a partnership between the Houston Rockets, Houston Astros and the NBC Sports Group and the new television home of the Astros and Rockets, today announced its October Fan Friday lineup outside the network’s state-of-the art studio in the Houston Pavilions.

Fans are invited to the new studio location, on the first level of the Houston Pavilions across from the House of Blues, to meet personnel from the Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, and Houston Texans every Friday in October. There will be prizes and surprises, including T-shirts, game and concert tickets, autographed merchandise, and refreshments.

Comcast SportsNet Houston Fan Friday Schedule
10/5 --- Rockets Legend Elvin Hayes and the Rockets Power Dancers (12-2 p.m.)
10/12 --- Texans General Manager Rick Smith and the Texans Cheerleaders (3-5 p.m.)
10/19 --- Surprise player from the Houston Rockets (3-5 p.m.)
10/26 --- Astros Legend Larry Dierker (12-2 p.m.)
*Schedule is subject to change; Follow @CSNHouston on Twitter for updates

Comcast SportsNet Houston is a partnership between the Houston Rockets, Houston Astros and the NBC Sports Group, and is the new television home of the Astros and Rockets. The network, which launches on October 1, 2012, will broadcast from a state-of-the-art, street-level studio in the Houston Pavilions. Comcast SportsNet Houston will take fans deeper inside the teams they love with comprehensive Astros and Rockets coverage as well as news and talk programming that matters to local viewers. The network will also be the home to major college, high school and professional sports coverage from around the region.

iwantcsnhouston.com/

(This post was from a release sent to me by Comcast SportsNet Houston)

Houston Chronicle puts FuelFix into paper's business section

Just when you thought the only changes coming to the Houston Chronicle were on its newly launched website...think again.

Got word today from the Hearst owned paper that its award winning website FuelFix is going the paper route. That's right, a Chronicle representative tells me that FuelFix will now be printed in the physical newspaper each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the business section.

In addition to that, the paper is also bringing Harry Weber into the fold. Weber covered the Deepwater Horizon spill for the Associated Press.

“I’m pleased to welcome Harry to our energy staff,” Chronicle business editor Laura Goldberg said in a statement. “His tenacious reporting style and extensive experience covering the oil spill make him a valuable addition to our team of talented journalists who excel at providing comprehensive coverage of the energy industry from exploration and production to pipelines and refineries.”

The new FuelFix area of the business section will also feature reporting from award-winning columnist Loren Steffy, Washington-based Jennifer A. Dlouhy plus business reporters Jeannie Kever, Emily Pickrell, Simone Sebastian and Zain Shauk.

The top turkey of Houston media?

Think you know a Houston media person who deserves to be called the top turkey? No, wait hear me out on this one…

I’m teaming up with TXU Energy to help get the word out about the upcoming TXU Energy Turkey Trot benefiting Sheltering Arms Senior Services.

The race takes place at Dillard’s near the Galleria on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2012. It’s actually the 20th anniversary of the big event.

To get the word out about the race, TXU Energy and Sheltering Arms Senior Services will be holding a media turkey calling contest 10am, Saturday, November 10th at the Houston Zoo. It will be followed by a general audience turkey calling contest for those of you who are so inclined.

Sheltering Arms Senior Services and TXU Energy are inviting members of the Houston media to “talk turkey.” Stay tuned for the latest in Houston celebrity “gobble, gobble,” including which of those TV, newspaper or radio folks accept the challenge.

Get all the details for the race and Sheltering Arms Senior Services at http://turkeytrot.shelteringarms.org/.

(This post has been sponsored by TXU Energy. Learn more about the company at txu.com.)

790 KBME schedule changes: Lance Z. moves and more

Sportstalk 790 KBME morning team man Lance Zierlein tweeted this morning he was moving to afternoons with Charlie Pallilo.

“The Drive Home with Charlie & Lance” starts Monday 9/24 at 3pm.

That's not the only change. The station tells me it's also adding a Houston Texans post game show to the lineup. It will be hosted by the station's two resident former NFL players Greg Koch and N.D. Kalu. The show goes live the second the Texans game is over each week.

"Fans no longer have to sit through a 30-minute network post game show following the game," Clear Channel AM Operations Manager Bryan Erickson told mikemcguff.com. "They can now sound off on the game on 790 with Greg and N.D. as they’re leaving the stadium."

Here's the rest of the 790 KBME schedule:

Monday-Friday*

6a-10a The Big Show with Matt and Adam
10a-12p In the Trenches with Koch and Kalu
12p-3p Matt Thomas
3p-7p The Drive Home with Charlie and Lance
7p-9p Mighty After Dark

*All programming subject to pre-emption by sports play by play.