TVN|ATL

2003-07-27T23:40:00.000-04:00

FalconsVision premieres only on Comcast Ch. 119

Comcast Cable and WXIA (NBC/11 Alive) have joined forces to present FalconsVision, only on Comcast Digital Cable Channel 119. The new channel will have highlights, call-in shows, and live Spanish language simulcasts of Atlanta Falcons' pre-season games.

Comcast has no plans to offer the channel on Charter Cable systems in Smyrna and other areas in metro Atlanta, nor on satellite (DirecTV/Dish Network).

The channel started Friday, July 25th. There are some comparisons being drawn with the National Football League's NFL Network, which premieres on DirecTV in early November.

2003-06-19T23:03:00.000-04:00

Gospel radio DJ has 'homegoing'
Funeral service celebrates Esmond Patterson
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It only took a few minutes for the nearly 900 people gathered for Esmond Patterson's funeral to turn a day of sadness into a praise party.

Thursday's "homegoing celebration" for the Atlanta gospel radio pioneer, who died June 14 of pneumonia, attracted local and national singers and musicians who were influenced by his nearly 50 years on the air.

"I'm going to miss my friend," said a tearful Dottie Peoples, one of gospel music's biggest stars.

Then Peoples, whom Patterson dubbed "The Songbird of the South," broke into her hit "On Time God."

From the beginning of the 11 a.m. service at Salem Baptist Church until the crowd dressed in a rainbow of suits, dresses and elegant hats trickled out more than three hours later, Patterson's life was remembered in an emotional wave of singing, dancing and preaching.

Legendary singer and evangelist Dorothy Norwood shed her jacket and bounded from one side of the church's northwest Atlanta sanctuary to the other as she sang gospel tunes from years past.

"Ezz was a traditionalist," Norwood said. "He couldn't get with this new stuff."

Patterson's radio career began in 1955 on Atlanta's WERD, the nation's first black-owned radio station. He joined WAOK in Atlanta in 1963, continuing his 4-6 a.m. gospel show for 38 years before moving to WTJH in 2001.

"Every broadcast came from the transmitter of his soul," said WVEE/WAOK announcer Larry Tinsley at Thursday's memorial service. "Brother Patterson, you've achieved your purpose, now it's time to rest."

2003-06-18T11:33:00.000-04:00

The windup from Wang
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

WSB-TV reporter Alan Wang finally rang up the Q100 morning show Tuesday after generating thousands of hits on the radio station's Web site for "The Bert Show." Wang called in to explain his Action News footage -- posted on the "Bert Show" Web site -- in which he appeared to slap a mouthy protester in the puss with his notepad at a recent Atlanta peace rally.

"Let me clear one thing up," Wang said on the air. "I did not slap the guy. . . . I lightly swiped his face away from mine. I thought about slugging him, but then I realized that wouldn't be a good idea on live TV."

Wang said that, off camera, he had requested that the protesters avoid doing anything "distasteful" during the live shot. One gentleman opted to loudly get in the reporter's face. "In a situation like that, you have to physically protect yourself," Wang said.

2003-06-16T06:25:00.000-04:00

WAGA-TV wins best newscast, seven other Emmy Awards

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

WSB-TV may be the perennial ratings champion, but feisty Fox affiliate WAGA-TV took home the most regional Emmy Awards among Atlanta's four television stations Saturday night at the Buckhead Grand Hyatt.

For the third year in a row, WAGA's 6 p.m. news show grabbed the Emmy for best daily newscast in the Southeast -- the local equivalent of the Oscar for best movie or Grammy for best song. "We've really built a great reputation for investigative reporting," said news director Bud McEntee.

Brenda Wood of NBC affiliate WXIA, won as best news anchor, the third time she's received that title and her 14th regional Emmy Award. "I've gotten to do some different things this past year away from the anchor desk," Wood said after receiving the award, citing "The Faces of Depression" magazine special and 9/11 anniversary coverage.

WXIA's Chris Holcomb and WSB's David Chandley tied for best weathercaster, and WAGA's Randy Travis won for news field reporter.

Emmy show director Ian Feinberg kept the proceedings moving much faster than in past years: He squeezed 63 awards into 155 minutes and cut winners off if they meandered on past 30 seconds. And host and Hot 107.9 disc jockey Ryan Cameron threw in a few quick winking jokes. But speed didn't make the monotony of awards for "program promotional announcement" and "scenic design" any more compelling. In fact, the 28-year-old awards show, attended this year by about 550 industry folk, used to be aired live on local stations, but tepid ratings and high costs ended that practice.

For musical entertainment, Feinberg tapped into the seemingly endless pipeline of "reality show" singers in Atlanta, including Dan Gardner, winner of the NBC "Today" show's "Superstar" competition last year, and R.J. Helton, an "American Idol" finalist a year ago.

The competition covers South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Asheville, N.C., but, as usual, Atlanta dominated. TBS and Turner affiliates such as Turner South won the most awards: 17. WAGA pulled in eight, while NBC rival WXIA took seven. WSB got only five. CBS's WGCL-TV, a relative newcomer in Atlanta news, won two.

The regional Emmys, sponsored by the National Television Academy, are voted on by judges in the broadcast arena outside the Southeast, who culled through 600 tapes.

The Atlanta chapter of The National Television Academy
2002 Southeast Regional Emmy Nominees are (winners indicated in bold):

1A Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence Spot News Reporting

100 Years of Faith and Family
Jaye Watson, Kenny Hamilton
WXIA

Fatal Fire
Steven Shoob, Elizabeth Trevino-Garcia, Larry Silbermann
WTOC

Car In Store
Lisa Sigell, Dan Weaver
WLTX

1B Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence Spot News Reporting/Team Coverage

Tornado Touchdown
Dan Ronan, Paul Yates, Aungelique Proctor
WAGA

Aragon Mill Fire
Sharisse Scineaux, Richard Elliot, Lori Geary, Jeff Burton, Jim Bridges, Ted Mayer, Matt Wallace
WSB

1C Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence -General
Assignment Reporting

Sky Cops
Lori Geary, Jim Bridges
WSB

Redemption: The Bobby Ross Story
Michael Cable, Charles Powell
Michael Cable

A Father Forgives
Michael Cogdill, Don Jackson, John Hendon
WYFF

1D Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence Investigative Reporting

Innocence for Sale
Chris Dixon, Travis Shields, Mindy Larcom, Dale Russell, Michael Carlin
WAGA

Stone Cold Chemicals
Chris Dixon, Randy Travis, Tony D'Astoli, Mindy Larcom, Michael Carlin
WAGA

Doraville Police
Chris Dixon, Randy Travis, Tony D'Astoli, Gus Valdes, Michael Carlin
WAGA

1E Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence Series Reporting

Selling Hate
Barbara Sloan, Rick Lyons, Gene Komishock
WGCL

The Human Spirit in Afghanistan
Bill Walsh, Joe Grammer, Don Pratt

1F Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence Medical Series Reporting

Hanging on Hope
Erica Bryant Fields, Gene Kirkconnell

Cry-0-Life Tissue Bank
Jennifer Leslie, David Brooks, Susan Chambers
WXIA

Prescription Drug Pricing
Patti DiVincenzo, Jim Strickland, Dave Darling
WSB

1G Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence Consumer Series Reporting

Magazine Scheme
Chris Dixon, Randy Travis, Tony D'Astoli
WAGA

Drive-by Hacking
Chris Dixon, Mindy Larcom, Dana Fowle
WAGA

1H Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence News Feature

The Birth Of A Lullaby
Michael Cogdill, John Hendon, Lori Webster
WYFF

The Last Call
Michael Cogdill, John Hendon, Lori Webster
WYFF

Warts and All
Patrick Rockey, John Hendon, Lori Webster
WYFF

1J Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence Sports Reporting

Minor League Miracle
Michael Cable, Charles Powell, Greg Simpson
Michael Cable

Old Bones
Michael Cogdill, John Hendon, Lori Webster
WYFF

UGA
Michael Cogdill, John Hendon, Lori Webster
WYFF

1K Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence Specialty Reporting

False Alarm
Chris Dixon, Mindy Larcom, Dale Russell
WAGA

I Can Run
Schewislzer Lewis, Alexandria Childs
WGCL

God's Little Acre
Patrick Rockey, John Hendon, Lori Webster
WYFF

1M Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence News Special or Continuous Coverage

Chain Reaction Pileup
Dan Ronan, Dan Ronan, Cory Thompson, Jana Gentry, Russ Spencer, Tana Brakin,
Ken Cook, Cheryl White, Tony Thomas, Tom Faust, Chris Passon, Amy Oates,
Tammy Lloyd, Ira Spradlin, Gus Valdes, Lance Washington
WAGA

Return to Ground Zero
Kathy Scott

1N Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence Top News Segment

Chain Reaction Pileup
Chris Passon
WAGA

Sheriff-Elect Murder Verdicts
Misti Turnbull
WSB

1P Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence Daily Newscast (Markets 1-25)

CBS Atlanta News
Chris Gilks, Jeff Parsons, Emily Morris, Mark Aldren, Jane Robelo, Joe Albino,
Karyn Amato, Dexter Andrews, Andrea Areceneaux, Ashley Barnette, Ronnie
Beagle, Everett Bevelle, Mekel Blackwell, Phil Cantor, Lisa Carter, Adam Dansky,
John Doyle, Eric Fors, Shannon Galloway, Eric Gonzalez, Rodney Hall, Marcus
Hamilton, Mark Harmon, Kevin Hill, Laura Huckabee, Mary Hylbak, Kevin
Kordewick, Gene Komishock, Jennifer Landon, Schewislzer Lewis, David
Lewkowict, Peter Livingston, Marc Lotter, Rick Lyons, Lawrence McDonald,
Richard Marlar, David Mast, Kristy Mazurek, Barbara Morris, Kathy Murphy, Helen
Neill, April Nelson, Jon Nelson, Chau Nguyen, Gene Norman, John Osgood, Randy
Paige, Maurice Patterson, Rich Porter, Fred Powers, Elaine Reyes, Tiffani Reynolds,
Matthew Roberts, Pam Saunders, Todd Shearer, Lacey Smith, Tiffany Smith, Marc
Strauss, Emily Stroud, Tina Tate, Steve Taylor, Heather Thompson, Jeff Thorne,
Ileana Urquiaga, Fur'quan Washington, Steve Weakley, Charles Welch, John
Wetherbee, Lori Wilson, Kenyatta Woodson, Jerilyn Jaskowiak, Greg Roberts, Joel
Blosser, Steven Bentley, David Besner, Ken Bledsoe, Ryan Bowles, David Diamond,
Theo Ehrsam, Loraine Foushee, Jeff Gilbert, Lauren Hester, Michael Joseph, Joseph
King, Greg LeCrow, Toni Neal, Robert Bartlet, Jenni Beasley, Sean Brazii, Eboni
Chillis, Becky Coole, Clydette Ross, Jo Sherril, Ronnie Smith, Waverly Smith,
Vincent Vetter, Ian West
WGCL

Newscast
Cal Callaway, Jayne McClinton, Wes Sarginson, Deiah Riley, Paul Ossmann, Fred
Kalil, Phil Humes, Valerie Hoff, Jaye Watson, Jon Shirek, Sylvia McDonald, Harry
Samler, Mike Thomas, Dan Reilly, Jeff Neely, Tyrone Lowe, Larry West, Meaghan
Dacey, Rob Williams, Rachel Fikre, Stan Henson, Martha Lawrence, Chris Perry,
Jennifer Rader, Iralita Gibbs, Alphonzo Debose, Bill Kalway, Bobby Hayes, Nick
Naderi
WXIA

FOX5 News at 6
Chris Passon, Amy Oates, Budd McEntee, Mark Shavin, Vickie Creel-Williams, Bud
Veazey,Joyce Hanley, Michael Carlin, Sidmel Estes-Sumpter, Shannon Dorsett, Chip
Zeller, Scott Stucky, Leslie Collins, Amy Oates, Chris Passon, Marilyn Vaca, Sandra
Davenport, Eddie Stevenson, Tammy Lloyd, Chase Allen, Andrew Funk, Fred
Plummer, Amanda Davis, Russ Spencer, Ken Cook, Ken Rodriguez, Roy Hobbs, Lisa Rayam
WAGA

Channel Two Action News
Jennifer Rigby, Chanda Taylor, Toni Plummer, Marian Pittman, Mike Dreaden, Kurt
Davis, Susan Stone, Monica Kaufman, John Pruitt, Todd Pickle, Tami Delemeester
WSB

1Q Outstanding Achievement: Television News Excellence Daily Newscast (Markets 26 and above)

NBC13 News at Five
Charley Jones, Lisa Cox, Tom Allen, Kenneth Smith, Fran Curry, Mike Royer, Rusty
Schumacher, Jacob (Ike) Pigott,Cheri Buck, Von Mason, Les Muntz, George Fichtner,
Ed Quarles, Kyle Clark, Yvette Miley, Philip Morton
WVTM

Fox Carolina News at 10 PM
Lee Polowczuk, Micheal Cable, Andy Gobeil, Connie Legrand, Phil Aldridge,
Michael Smith, Wanda Stokes, Joe Loy, Tiffani Ban, Jim Emery, Jennifer Phillips,
Jillian Simmons, Seth Kaplan, Lizz Walker, Tami Birckner, Susan Scarborough, Doug
Uhrich, Bob Mahosky, Mark Warren, Jerry Hines,Charles Powell, Jamie Gay, Bernard
Reid, Dean Barnickle, Glenda Beverly, Gray Cecil, Randy Johnston, Shelly Massey,
Corey Miller, Renae Mosely, Don Paine, Tom Orrigo, Matt Van Susteran, Heather
Warren, Sarah Thurston
WHNS

FOX6 News @ 5
Elizabeth M. Harris, Mike McClain, James Finch, Sybil Gilbert, Scott Richards, Janet
Hall, Rick Journey, Art Franklin, Rhonda Robinson, Angele Ringo, Antoine Green,
FOX6 Photographers, FOX6 Engineers, Dennis Washington, Lanta Croft, Jen
Biddinger, Erich Walchek, Blake Stallings, Brad Weiss
WBRC

WIS News at 6
Chris Swope, Kevin Floyd, Jeff Hoffman
WIS

2A Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Public Affairs Program

Invisible Weapons
Tom Atwood, Elmer Bowman, Collin Siedor, Stacey Dewitt
CWK Network

interact atlanta: Georgia Project
Michael Watchulonis, Pierre Meilhan
TBS

One Child-One Voice
Barbara Pyle, Bill Gerstenmaier, Marc Barasch, Frank Melli

2B Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Interview/Discussion Program

The Rick & Bubba Show - Donny Osmond
John Parry, Calvin Wilburn, Rick Burgess, Bill Bussey
Turner South

(TIE)
Depression
Angela Robinson, Cinterro Jones, Fuquan Washington
AABJ/ Independent

The Black Closet
Angela Robinson, Imara Canady
AABJ/ Independent

2C Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Cultural Affairs Program

Beat!The Door Project
Beryl M. Dakers, Elaine Cooper
SCETV

interact atlanta: Crossroads
Michael Watchulonis, Brian Parker, Will Payne, Carrie Gildea
TBS

2D Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Youth Program

Connect TV #15
Sara Rea Campos, Collin Siedor, Robert Seith, Gentry Edwards
CWK Network

Alcohol & Drug Awareness Program
Dan Johnson, Tom Corvin, Jim Shuler
ImageMaster

interact atlanta: Stand Up
Michael Watchulonis, Brian Parker, Will Payne
TBS

2E Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Educational Program

interact atlanta: Back to School
Michael Watchulonis, Brian Parker, Myrna Moore, Carrie Gildea
TBS

interact atlanta: Amicalola
Michael Watchulonis, Will Payne, Brian Parker, Chipa Wolf
TBS

2F Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Feature: Non-News

Drinking It In
Port Wilson, Tom Corvin, Johnnetta Davis
ImageMaster

interact atlanta: The Fishman
Brian Parker
TBS

Children's Miracle Network Vignettes
David Hughes Duke
Duke and Asociates, Inc.

2G Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Feature: Sports

The Catfish King
Rick Karle, Jac Kaufman
WBRC

Heart Attack Survivor
Lance Washington, Karen Mayes, Brad White, Mark Taylor
WAGA

Something Special - Michael Isenhour
Ray Goodrich, Sandra Golden, Daniel Greene
FOXSportsNS

2H Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Documentary Program

Fatal Addiction
Dan Johnson, Pete Colbenson, Jan Byrne
ImageMaster

interact atlanta: The Children's Village
Michael Watchulonis, Brian Parker, Will Payne
TBS

Testimony: Profiles in Faith/ David Berkowitz
A. Troy Thomas, David Druckenmiller, Rob Stivers
Inertia Films

2J Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Entertainment Program

As It Happened
Melissa Wright, John Pruitt, John Reed, Leona Nascimento
WSB

Liars & Legends - Rodeo
Jennifer Wysocki, Bryan Simmons, Jeff Martinez, Teague Kennedy
Turner South

2K Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Sports Event (Live)

Rockies @ Braves
Glenn Diamond, Garry Lehman, Jeremy Levin, Renardo Lowe
Turner Sports

Falcons/Cowboys
Roger Manis, Randy Waters, PT Navarro, Ned Simon
WXIA

NBA: Wizards vs. Hawks
Steve Craddock, Brian Woodrum, Hammond Reynolds, Mike Miller
FOXSportsNS

2L Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Sports Program Series

SEC-TV Halloween Show
Ray Goodrich, Jennifer Gleason, Katie Taylor
FOXSportsNS

Georgia Outdoors: Racing and Hiking in North Georgia
Keely Walker, Melanie Connell, Mitchell Zastrow, Brandon Arnold

FOX 5 High School Sports Show
Jeff Batten, Robert Petrone, Mitchell Clayton
Batten Communications

2M Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Sports Program (OTO)

Turner South

2N Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Live Special Events (Other than News)

Turner South - Live From Music Midtown
John Parry, Tom Williams, Renee Perlstein, Amy Helberg
Turner South

2002 Miss Mississippi Pageant
Pat Hopson, Mallory Graham
Miss Mississippi Corp.

2P Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Magazine Program

TIE
interact atlanta: Rhythm of Life
Brian Parker, Will Payne, Eric Lanford
TBS

Monica Kaufman CloseUps III
Monica Kaufman, C.B. Hackworth, Dave Dawson, Leona Nascimento
WSB

Southern Living Presents - Morgan Freeman
Olivia Sellers, Dianna O'Neill, Heather Donaldson, Michael White
Turner South

2Q Outstanding Achievement: Television Programming Excellence Medical Program

The Faces of Depression
Holly Sheppard, Brenda Wood, Susan Chambers, David Brooks
WXIA

Breathless
Adam Wilkenfeld, David Engeran, Collin Siedor, Gentry Edwards
CWK Network

Beyond Words
Danielle Dardashti, Jeff Flamer, Collin Siedor, Stacey Dewitt
CWK Network

Ephedra Nation
C.B. Hackworth, John Pruitt, Chris Cantergiani, Leona Nascimento
WSB

3A Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence News Anchor

Brenda Wood
WXIA

Russ Spencer
WAGA

Amanda Davis
WAGA

3B Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence News Sportscaster

Fred Kalil
WXIA

Rick Karle
WBRC

Geoff Hart
WYFF

3C Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence News Weathercaster

TIE
Chris Holcomb
WXIA

David Chandley
WSB

3D Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence News Field Reporter

Jaye Watson
WXIA

Randy Travis
WAGA

3E Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Performer

Susan Hoffman
GPTV

Dr. Randy Martin
WSB

3F Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Sports Performer

Sam Crenshaw
WXIA

Rick Karle
WBRC

3G Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence News Writer (Excluding Commentary/Editorial)

Mark Pickard - Camp Sunshine
WXIA

Ike Pigott
ABC 33/40

Michael Cable
Michael Cable

3H Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Writer/Individual

Pamela Roberts - Defying The Odds
Pamela Roberts
GPTV

Tom Corvin - Fatal Addiction
Tom Corvin
ImageMaster

Brian Parker - interact atlanta: Gravedigger
Brian Parker
TBS

C.B. Hackworth - The Girl Who Never Was
C.B. Hackworth
WSB

3J Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Collaborative News Writing

Sound Choices
C.B. Hackworth, Amy Porder
WSB

School Cell Phone Investigation
Gulstan Dart, Chris Cantergiani
WSB

3K Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Collaborative Writing

Super 17
TBS

3L Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence News Photographer/Individual

Kenny Hamilton
WXIA

Scott Hedeen
WXIA

Schewislzer Lewis
WGCL

John Hendon
WYFF

3M Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Photographer/Individual

Allen Facemire
SaltRun Productions

Gentry Edwards
CWK Network

Dan Johnson
ImageMaster

3N Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence News Photography/Collaborative

Road to Nowhere
Michael Cable

3P Photography /Collaborative

interact atlanta: Amicalola: Tumbling Waters
Michael Reff, Don Bohannon, Michael Watchulonis, Will Payne, Bob Simmons
Turner Studios

TIE
interact atlanta: Crossroads
Michael Reff, David Aguar, Don Bohannon
Turner Studios

Fatal Addiction
Dan Johnson, Dave Dawson
ImageMaster

Testimony: Profiles in Faith / David Berkowitz-Forgiven for Life
Troy Thomas, Heinz Fussle, Rob Stivers

3Q Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence News Editor (Film or Tape)

Charles Powell
Michael Cable

John Hendon
WYFF

3R Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Editor (Film or Tape)

Paul Sacco
WXIA

Jeff Smith
WB36

Tommy Kane
FOXSportsNS

3S Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence News Editing/Collaborative (Film or Tape)

I Can Run
WGCL

3T Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Editing/Collaborative (Film or Tape)

interact atlanta: The Children's Village
Scott Lansing, Beth Morrow, Brian Parker, Steve Beverly, Michael Watchulonis
Turner Studios

Disappearing South
Allen Hercules, Steve Lindenbaum
Turner Studios

TIE
Atlanta's wb image Jump
Rich Klenk, Stephen Jansa
WB36

Drinking It In
Dan Monro, Port Wilson
ImageMaster

3U Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Lighting Design

interact atlanta: Crossroads
Michael Reff, Mike Kenny, David Aguar, Don Bohannon
Turner Studios

Daryl G. Wattley
GPTV

Leona Nascimento
WSB

3V Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Scenic Design

The Faces of Depression
Kathy Anderson, John Dance, Jeff Sprott, Dean Valez
WXIA

Mia's Music
Karen Wing, Stanley Graham
MSETV

3W Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Graphic or Electronic Designer

Bryan Hendrix
WXIA

Kathy Anderson
WXIA

Dean Velez
WXIA

Martin Ade
FOXSportsNS

Frank Cocke
MSETV

3X Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Graphic or Electronic Design/Collaborative

11 Alive Fall Composite
Paul Sacco, Dean Velez, Tim Mason, John Dance
WXIA

Rick & Bubba opens
Douglass Grimmett, Paige Howell , Tripp Rhame, Steve Mank, Susan Shipsky ,
Jim Threlkeld , Pat Smith, Shawn Goodrich, Tim Pethel
Turner South

Thrashers on Turner South
Derald Hunt, Deb Lowman, Brian Kirchdoerfer, Tim Tewell , Chris Dinardo,
Pat Smith, Rene Vance
Turner South

Braves on Turner South
Douglass Grimmett, Paige Howell , Saxton Moore, David Winter, Roger Angell,
Ken Burns, Susan Shipsky , Adrienne Heckstall,Pat Smith
Turner South

3Y Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Director (not Live)

Step By Step
Tom Williams
Turner Studios

interact atlanta
Tom Williams
Turner Studios

Fatal Addiction
Dan Johnson
ImageMaster

Super 17
Brian Parker
TBS

Mississippi Outdoors #1317
Kirk Loy
MSETV

3Z Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Director/Live

Live from Music Midtown
Tom Williams
Turner Studios

ACC Basketball Today
Brian Hegner
FOXSportsNS

High School Football (Georgia)
Mark Jones

3ZZ Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Director/Scheduled News

NBC13 News at 10
WVTM

3AA Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Technical Director

Allen H. Dunkin

3BB Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Music Composition

Made in the South Open
TurnerSouth

3CC Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft ExcellenceAudio Engineering

Interact Atlanta: Amicalola: Tumbling Waters
Rob Sanders
Turner Studios

interact atlanta: Crossroads
Arno Baars
Turner Studios

Atlanta This IS Fox Sports Net!
Tommy Kane, Dave Wheeler
FOXSportsNS

3DD Outstanding Achievement: Television Craft Excellence Hair & Make-Up

Jack Morton
WXIA

Donna Stazzone
Independent

4A Outstanding Achievement: Televsion Craft Excellence Technical or Engineering Achievement

Live Church Bombing Verdict
WBRC

5A Outstanding Achievement: Public Service Announcement

Georgia Special Olympics
Scott Cockerill, James F. Allen, Jr., Terri Hickman
Turner South

Connect! 2002 Vignettes
Stacey Dewitt, Jeff Flamer, Curtis Henson, Deborah Catrini
CWK Network

Great American Moments
Myrna Moore
TBS

Ticktock Minutes
Diane Hartman, Karen Wing, Scott Colwell, Peter Zapletal
MSETV

6A Outstanding Achievement: Image Promotional Announcement

11 Alive Fall Composite
John Dance, Paul Sacco, Dean Velez
WXIA

What Makes You Laugh?
Rich Klenk, John Kab, Stephen Jansa, Mark Drury
WB36

Atlanta's WB Image 2002
Rich Klenk, John Kab, Stephen Jansa, Jeff Smith
WB36

Atlanta This IS Fox Sports Net!
Tommy Kane
FOXSportsNS

6B Outstanding Achievement: Program Promotional Announcement

Thrashers on Turner South
Derald Hunt, Rene Vance, Pat Smith, Deb Lowman, Brian Kirchdoerfer,
Tim Tewell, Chris Dinardo
Turner South

Braves on Turner South
David Winter, Roger Angell, Ken Burns, Pat Smith, Douglass Grimmett,
Paige Howell , Saxton Moore
Turner South

6C Outstanding Achievement: News Image Promotional Announcement

11 Alive Year Ender
Paul Sacco, John Dance, Tim Mason
WXIA

Good Day Alabama - HUGE
Philip J. Hilbert II, David E. Kelley, Karen Swann
WBRC

Since 9/11
Steve Riley, Bob St. Charles
WSB

2003-06-14T20:56:00.000-04:00

Sexy women too much for WXIA; 11 Alive dumps NBC's Maxim Magazine show for Falcons
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

The skin-loving folks behind Maxim magazine supplement their June issue with a one-hour NBC special at 9 tonight, celebrating 100 of the women they deem the world's most sizzle-icious. "Maxim's Hottest 100" features Christina Aguilera, Giselle Bundchen, Kelly Clarkson, Elisha Cuthbert, Shania Twain, Kelly Hu, LeAnn Rimes, Carmen Electra and Trista Rehn.

And you don't get to see 'em!

That's because local affiliate WXIA has decided not to air the show.

"We didn't feel it was appropriate," says WXIA station manager Bob Walker. "It's not consistent with NBC's emphasis on quality programming."

Instead, the station plans to broadcast the Atlanta Falcons special "Pass the Magic," followed at 9:30 by a half-hour special on the University of Georgia SEC championship football team.

Makes sense. After all, nothing says "football" quite like temperatures pushing 90 and thunderstorms every afternoon.

The substitute programming airs following a "Fear Factor" (couples pass live roaches mouth to mouth) and before a "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (focusing on the rape and murder of a judge's daughter). There's quality programming for you!

But hey, WXIA isn't alone in the local pre-emption game. Nearly six months since "Jimmy Kimmel Live" started, ABC affiliate WSB still hasn't aired a single episode of the late-night chatfest.

2003-06-12T13:46:00.000-04:00

CNN hires NBC's Soledad O'Brien for morning slot
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

CNN has hired NBC anchor Soledad O'Brien to anchor its morning show, a slot that Paula Zahn left in April to do a prime time show for the network.

O'Brien, an anchor on "Weekend Today," will start at CNN in early July.

"American Morning" airs from 7-10 a.m. The show, which also features anchors Bill Hemmer and Jack Cafferty, trails Fox News in ratings.

Since Zahn left the morning show in April, CNN has rotated a number of anchors in the spot, including Daryn Kagan and Heidi Collins.

O'Brien said she looks forward to working on a more hard-news show and to anchoring a Monday-through-Friday show.

A little background on O'Brien: Since July 1999, she has been anchor of "Weekend Today."

Before "Weekend Today," O'Brien anchored MSNBC's technology program "The Site" and the cable network's weekend morning show. She served for three years as a local reporter and bureau chief for the (now former) NBC affiliate in San Francisco, KRON.

2003-06-11T08:43:00.000-04:00

CNN tries to attract NBC anchor
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

CHICAGO -- CNN is negotiating with Soledad O'Brien, NBC's weekend "Today Show" anchor, to fill the morning slot vacated last winter by Paula Zahn.

Zahn herself, meanwhile, has extended her leave from prime time to work on a retooling of the Atlanta-based network's main evening news show.

The network has rotated a number of internal candidates in the vacant morning show slot, including Daryn Kagan and Heidi Collins. CNN still is considering both internal and external candidates, a spokeswoman said.

O'Brien has been doing the weekend show for almost four years and reports for "NBC Nightly News."

Zahn left the morning show to help CNN attempt a comeback in its prime-time battle with Fox News Channel. After working through the war in Iraq and its aftermath, Zahn went on vacation a month ago.

CNN hired a new producer to rework her evening program, which could launch as soon as this month. Plans include an ensemble of regular contributors from CNN's ranks, and the show will be called "American Evening With Paula Zahn."

Other anchors, including Anderson Cooper, have filled in during prime time in recent weeks.

The revamped Zahn show will replace "Connie Chung Tonight," which was canceled, and "Crossfire," which was demoted to a half-hour afternoon slot.

The changes are an attempt to brand CNN as the hard news network and to differentiate it from archrival Fox.

2003-06-10T10:15:00.000-04:00

Dobbs' nightly CNN show widens focus; becomes "Lou Dobbs Tonight"
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

CHICAGO -- America's appetite for business news has waned in the down economy, prompting Lou Dobbs to broaden his business show on CNN.

Now, CNN is making the makeover official.

"Lou Dobbs Moneyline" will relaunch as "Lou Dobbs Tonight" on June 16, in the same 6 p.m. time slot.

Dobbs plans to add two segments to his show, including a weekly spot with retired Army Gen. David Grange, focusing on military issues. The other is "Face Off," in which guests from media, politics and business will debate issues of the day.

The show also will get a new studio but will otherwise remain the same, Dobbs said Monday.

"The focus will remain the political economy," he said. Dobbs was in Chicago for the National Cable and Telecommunications Association's annual meeting.

Business news programming has struggled ever since the dot-com bubble burst. CNBC has seen ratings fall, and CNN has scaled back its business programming. The network canceled two weekend business shows earlier this year.

Sister network CNNfn has added personal finance programming, aimed at viewers tired of the stock market. Though CNN originally had planned to relaunch the network as CNN/Money, the launch, which would be expensive, has been continually postponed.

CNN and CNNfn are owned by Turner Broadcasting, a unit of AOL Time Warner.

In addition to his anchor duties, Dobbs also oversaw the launch of CNNfn in 1995.

Dobbs' show, which gets the best advertising rates on the network, has drawn an average of 994,000 viewers so far this year, compared with 514,000 a year ago. CNN's ratings have been boosted generally this year by the war in Iraq.

2003-06-06T14:34:00.000-04:00

UK's Sky News to launch in US on DirecTV

From DigitalSpy:

Sky News could soon be seen on satellite TV across the US, according to this week's Broadcast.

The channel, which could launch as early as July, is said to be on the brink of securing a deal with DirecTV, America's largest satellite service with 11 million subscribers.

"Sky News is currently in discussions with various parties in the US about distribution deals," a Sky spokeswoman said, refusing to comment on the DirecTV deal.

The channel will just be a rebroadcast of the standard version, similar to the broadcast of FOX News in the UK. The magazine reports that the focus of the channel may shift with time, however, becoming more of an international news station to compete with the likes of BBC World.

Sky is also expected to pursue carriage of the channel on US cable networks.

2003-06-06T10:17:00.000-04:00

Falcons radio may drop Van Note

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Jeff Hullinger is expected to return as radio voice of the Falcons, but he likely will have different accompaniment this season on flagship station Z93-FM. David Archer and Chuck Smith are leading candidates to share analyst duties, which would leave no seat for another ex-Falcon, Jeff Van Note. Retired quarterback Archer recently called CFL games on Canadian television. Smith, a onetime defensive end, is sports director for radio station V-103, which will carry non-game team-related programming. Van Note has been affiliated with the Falcons as a player and announcer almost exclusively since joining them in 1969. The Falcons and their broadcast partners met Thursday to discuss the rejiggered crew but made no announcement.

2003-02-12T00:54:00.000-05:00

WBFF/Baltimore anchor Tony Harris joining WGCL/CBS 46

From The Baltimore Sun:

WBFF-TV is about to lose two primary news presenters who acknowledge qualms about the new direction of the station's owners.

Anchor Tony Harris, 43, is scheduled next month to become a main anchor at WGCL, the CBS affiliate in Atlanta. Weather forecaster Lori Pinson is leaving the station in the near future.

The two are well-regarded by colleagues and viewers, who can also see them weeknights at 6:30 p.m. on sister station WNUV-TV.

Harris brought a quick, dry wit and an unusual background to the Fox affiliate, which he joined seven years ago. He had worked as a correspondent for Entertainment Tonight, on HBO and on a syndicated television news magazine.

In Baltimore, Harris also brought his deadpan wit to a job as a pre-game host for Ravens football broadcasts.

In an interview, Harris says he decided to leave Baltimore, his hometown, for a chance to do things in Atlanta, the nation's ninth largest market (Baltimore is 24th).

"I'm just tickled to death that they sought me out," Harris says of his new employer. "The one thing I have tried to do is be myself. You can go someplace where the handlers get control of you - the consultants get hold of you - and none of it feels natural."

He says the departure of WBFF co-anchor Deborah Weiner last winter had led to "a year of transition - to figure out where we fit in here" as the news is being reconsidered by owner Sinclair Broadcast Group.

In its studios at corporate headquarters, Sinclair is building a centralized newscast that blends standard content with local stories from some of the 62 stations the company owns and runs.

Now Harris and Jane Robelot, a former CBS News morning show host, are to try to spark the tepid fortunes of the Atlanta station. Harris' contract allowed him to leave for a top-sized market.

"We're building a station, essentially," Robelot says. "Tony brings in a great deal of credibility and experience, which is wonderful."

"Tony did a great job for us the last seven years," says William Fanshawe, general manager for WBFF and WNUV. "He's a hot talent."

2003-02-12T00:31:00.000-05:00

Willow Bay leaving CNN

Willow Bay's career at CNN is quietly ending. The model-turned-anchor wants to stay in Los Angeles, but the network didn't offer her a show there.

CNN recently canceled her weekend business show, "Pinnacle."

At one point, CNN had considered planning a morning show around Bay. The program was to run after "American Morning" and would take advantage of Bay's California base to get interviews with actors. It would have had a light, entertainment feel. However, after Sept. 11, 2001, CNN nixed the idea.

Bay is married to Robert Iger, vice chairman of Walt Disney Co. They have two children.

Bay joined CNN in 1998 from ABC News, where she was co-anchor of the Sunday edition of "Good Morning America." At CNN, she temporarily co-anchored the channel's nightly business show "Moneyline" when Lou Dobbs left the network. When Dobbs returned, Bay worked on lower-profile shows.

2002-10-08T13:36:00.000-04:00

Turner gets cable TV rights to British Open

Turner Network Television said it has acquired exclusive cable rights to the British Open golf championship through 2009.
The seven-year deal begins with the 2003 Open Championship, which will be played July 17-20 at Royal St. George's in Sandwich, Kent, England.
The announcement was made by Turner Sports President Mark Lazarus and Peter Dawson, secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
TNT will air 28 hours of British Open coverage in 2003, including live weekend coverage, a first for a cable network at the Open Championship. The deal also gives TNT exclusive cable rights to air the Senior British Open and the Women's British Open Championships, as well as full interactive rights to the three events.
TNT said it now airs more hours of coverage of golf's majors than any other network, broadcast or cable.
"This comprehensive package allows us to integrate television and online coverage to further our position as a leader in both areas," said Lazarus.
The interactive rights also allow Turner Sports to distribute video on demand services, wireless applications, online radio coverage and other interactive television applications.

2002-09-29T10:21:00.000-04:00

[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 9/27/02 ]
CNN called 'America's most serious news outfit'
From Web services

CNN is "America's most serious news outfit, and the only commercial station in the country to broadcast more than a token amount of foreign news," writes David Rennie of The Daily Telegraph in London.

But Rennie isn't at all happy about changes he says have taken place at the Atlanta-based network.

He criticizes CNN anchor Connie Chung for specializing in "emotional empathy" instead of hard analysis. And while Rennie says CNN insists it won't follow Fox News Channel "down the tabloid television path," "many believe it already has."

Rennie credits CNN for having "an unrivalled network of foreign correspondents," but adds that it doesn't air much international news that doesn't involve the United States.

2002-09-25T09:40:00.000-04:00

Calvin Hughes

[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 9/25/02 ]

Co-anchor Hughes leaving WGCL
By RODNEY HO
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer

Calvin Hughes, half the evening anchor team for the perpetually low-rated local CBS news affiliate WGCL-TV, is leaving at the end of November after three years on the job.

Former "CBS Morning News" anchor Jane Robelot is expected to stay, but it's unclear who Hughes' replacement will be.

Hughes, 31, said he's not sure what his next step will be or whether he'll stay in the Atlanta market. "Some things are in the works," he said. "The phones are ringing quite a bit."

A TV news gossip Web site, newsblues.com, broke the news. But Hughes said the site's spy was wrong in saying that he had already cleaned out his desk. "I was just cleaning my desk," he said.

Hughes described the impending breakup as "amicable" but wasn't specific about why he's leaving except to say he hadn't had plans to stay at CBS long term, along the lines of Monica Kaufman at WSB-TV.

WGCL General Manager Sue Schwartz, who arrived in April and cleaned house at the executive level, was out of town and unavailable for comment.

2002-09-17T10:02:00.000-04:00

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