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

• Shannon exits WYNE/Mercyhurst North East: Several sources have confirmed that Erie radio veteran Bill Shannon (former K104 Program Director) is no longer employed at Mercyhurst North East. Shannon ends his long affiliation with the college, most recently starting up a radio broadcasting course of study and flipping the old WHYP 1530 signal to an oldies format. Captain Dan Geary expands his role from doing mornings to basically manning the ship. Personal reasons were cited for the departure.




• High-flying ways ending at Google: Even one of the world’s richest online concerns has to embrace the reality of this recession. The Wall Street Journal reports that Google, who feeds their workers three meals a day, subsidizes personal trainers, and springs for ski trips, is pulling back on its high-spending ways. They are dropping their virtual world Lively, and SearchMash took a dive last month. Efforts to expand income past online ads have not been successful; the company counts on contextual ads for 97% of its revenue.
• Give to the Old Newsies today: Blustery and cold is the usual forecast for first Fridays of December, because that’s when the Times Old Newsies will be out in force. You’ll see them throughout the area selling their special edition newspaper to help the needy at Christmas time. In 2007, over 2,400 baskets of food were given away. Especially this year, be sure to be generous. And give them a warm pat on the back…they’ll need it.
• Old anchors don’t die; they do documentaries: The New York Times had a fascinating article Monday about how long time news anchors in major markets are seeing their jobs eliminated because of budget cuts. Many of the biggest names in local television are being asked to forgo wage increases or taking pay cuts, even as the amount of news produced for TV and web increases.
• The NFL on HDTV: Interest is high this week. Some fantasy teams are heading into playoffs, and for the rest of viewers, there are some make or break games ahead. Here’s your schedule with over the air and Time Warner Cable HD channels noted:
  • Sunday, 1 PM – Philadelphia @ NY Giants  – WFXP: DT 66.1/City 418/Suburbs 706
  • Sunday, 4 PM – Miami vs. Buffalo (in Toronto)   – WSEE: DT 35.1/City 405/Suburbs 709
  • Sunday, 4 PM – Dallas @ Pittsburgh  – WFXP: DT 66.1/City 418/Suburbs 706
  • Sunday, 8:15 PM – Washington @ Baltimore – WICU: City 412/Suburbs 712
  • Monday, 8:30 PM – Tampa Bay @ Carolina – ESPN: City 430/ Suburbs 772