SYRACUSE — There’s plenty of excitement these days about the Syracuse Crunch, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. The team has been undefeated so far, through the first two rounds of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Last Friday, a “Pregame in the Plaza” was offered to fans getting ready for the game in which Syracuse would clinch the Eastern Conference Semifinal series… and local radio and TV personalities were there too.
SYRACUSE – CBS News extended the long-running Sunday morning interview show Face the Nation from 30 minutes to a full hour last July, but local affiliate WTVH-5 pre-empts the second half-hour in favor of an infomercial. Although that in itself won’t be changing, it will soon be possible for local viewers to watch the full hour, live on their televisions — but there’s a catch.
BUFFALO — Bill Ransom, a former General Manager of Syracuse CBS affiliate WTVH, says he’s ready to call it a career. Ransom, who has been GM at sister station WKBW in Buffalo for the past 18 years, says he’ll retire at the end of June.
SYRACUSE — Congratulations are in order for CNY Central Sports Director Niko Tamurian and Syracuse Woman Magazine Managing Editor Farah Jadran. Tamurian “popped the question” on stage during a packed charity fundraiser last week, and Jadran accepted his proposal.
SYRACUSE — It’s not very often that you get the chance to see more than a dozen past and present top names from Syracuse television — from different stations — all together, in the same place. But that happened last weekend, when this group gathered to sign copies of Syracuse Television, the book chronicling the history of its namesake.
SYRACUSE — Three people will share the honor of being named the “Best News Source” at the Syracuse Press Club’s annual awards dinner this Saturday. Additionally, the Press Club officially confirmed the previously-leaked winner of the Best Newcomer Award.
Updated 4/16 – CENTRAL NEW YORK — In the hours after the Boston Marathon bombings, we’re learning how some Central New York broadcasters who were in Boston today are faring. Thankfully, all of the reports are positive.
STATE COLLEGE, PA — Congratulations are in order for Loren Tobia, former news director at Syracuse CBS affiliate WTVH (1998 to 2005). After WTVH, Tobia went to work in sales for AccuWeather, and this past week, he was promoted to Executive Director of Sales for the company’s Display Systems and Services division.
SYRACUSE — Did you hug a news anchor yesterday? If not, you may have to wait until “National Hug a News Anchor Day” comes around again next year. A couple of local stations observed the “holiday” and shared video online.
Updated 4/5 — ATLANTA — For the first time since 2003, the Syracuse University men’s basketball team has reached the Final Four of the NCAA tournament. Several local radio and TV stations have dispatched crews to Atlanta to cover the team’s next game on Saturday… and hopefully they’ll have a reason to stick around for the championship game on Monday.