The Press and Tower

Editor’s note: Sound off, give a shout out on “Deep Background,” our totally-random open discussion of all things Erie media.

• It’s a Classy Christmas: WXKC/Classy 100 flipped the switch to all Christmas music today. That means that they’ll be playing the Santa Songs for five weeks, nearly 20% of the broadcast year. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! P&T heard a jazzy version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” by Tony Bennett driving in the snow this afternoon. WCTL is slated to go all Contemporary Christian Christmas on Black Friday.
• Nielsen breaking into the radio biz: AllAccess.com reports that in a response to a Request for Proposal by Cumulus Media and Clear Channel Radio, Nielsen will begin measuring radio listening in 50 small and medium markets. This puts the TV and internet measurement firm in direct competition with Arbitron’s radio surveys. The closest market that will be surveyed by Nielsen: Youngstown/Warren, OH.
• Try some Miracle-Gro, Ray: After a couple weeks of no shaving, the ‘staches are coming in at WSEE and on the other folks involved with Mustaches for Kids. However, some of the boys are considerably further along with the facial growth than weather anchor Ray Petlin. Although they may not see the Norelco Santa anytime soon, you can help them raise funds for Make-a-Wish by pledging at m4erie.org.
• The move to online-only: Ziff-Davis Media is taking the granddaddy of computer periodicals, PC Magazine to an online-only distribution model, beginning in January. Wednesday the New York Times quoted Jason Young, Ziff-Davis chief executive, saying “the viability for us to continue to publish in print just isn’t there anymore.” Good for them, most of their revenue and profits already come from their digital assets. The PC Magazine announcement follows recent online-only announcements from US News and World Report, and the Christian Science Monitor.
• The NFL on HDTV: First a moment of frustration: will the Time Warner/NFL impasse ever be resolved? If Comcast can make it happen, why can’t TWC? Ok, back to what we can watch. Here’s the schedule with over the air and Time Warner Cable HD channels noted:
  • Sunday, 1 PM – Philadelphia @ Baltimore - WFXP: DT 66.1/City 418/Suburbs 706
  • Sunday, 1 PM – Buffalo @ Kansas City   – WSEE: DT 35.1/City 405/Suburbs 709
  • Sunday, 8:15 PM – Indianapolis @ San Diego – WICU: City 412/Suburbs 712
  • Monday, 8:30 PM – Green Bay @ New Orleans – ESPN: City 430/ Suburbs 772