|
December 19, 1998 KFVE TV To Switch to Warner Bros. Network Unconfirmed reports have indicated that Hawaii's UPN station, KFVE TV will be switching over to the Warner Bros. Network. In a partial switchover move, several WB network shows will be airing on KFVE starting in January. The station has started airing promos for shows like "Dawson's Creek" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." According to my sources, KFVE will still be a UPN station until their contract with the network expires in 2001, at which time the station will be converting to WB full time. More details on this will follow as they become available. Television station KWHE recently carried a limited schedule of WB shows until the start of this past fall's season.
KHON Fox 2 Dominates Ratings An article published in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin but for some reason not included on their website, writer Burl Burlingame reports that in the latest Neilsen sweeps period, KHON TV Fox 2 continues to dominate the island market. The station leads in the prime time slot and the all important local news slots at 6 and 10pm. The report stated that KHON's news holds about 33% of total news viewers, while KITV comes in 2nd with 19%. KGMB is at 14% while KHNL trails a distant fourth at 7%. The article was published on page B2 in the December 16 edition.
Tourist Information Radio No More Radio station KORL 99.5 FM has apparently scrapped their fledgling "Tourist Information Radio" music and info format geared to the Japanese visitor market. The station has apparently switched over to a temporary music format, which at this time, features a continuous cycle of holiday tunes. Also of note is the fact that they may have also lost a lease on their primary tower site as reception is now weaker than it once was. Calls made to the listed numbers for 99.5 FM are met with a recording stating the "phones are disconnected and are no longer in service. " More than likely the station's demise can be in part attributed to the continued decline of Japanese visitors, the bad Asian economic climate and probably poor ratings.
Oceanic Cable Scores With Prep Bowl Pacific Business News reports that the first ever live pay per view broadcast of the Oahu Prep Bowl interscholastic championship football game turned into a winner for Oceanic Cable. The broadcast was beamed into 8,000 homes and brought in $100,000. Story details can be found at this URL: http://www.amcity.com/pacific/stories/1998/12/14/story6.html
December 11, 1998. ABC Cancels "Fantasy Island" Island based TV series "Fantasy Island" got its pink slip yesterday. ABC TV cancelled the new series, which was a remake of the original from the 1970s, this time starring Malcolm McDowell as a darker Mr. Rourke. According to reports the series suffered from low ratings. Fantasy Island will wrap at 12 episodes. Three more episodes are to be aired. The cancellation of "Fantasy Island" ends Hawaii's current crop of network TV shows for the time being. After only airing 2 episodes, NBC TV cancelled its made on the Big Island series "Wind On Water" in early October.
Big Island Radio Stations to Be Sold Correspondent Charles Boehnke reports that the Brewer radio station group will be sold to a mainland firm. It was reported in the Hawaii Tribune Herald that Emerald City Partners of Washington DC will buy the stations in a deal that is scheduled to be finalized in March after getting the required FCC approvals. Brewer broadcasting operates Hilo's highly popular KKBG (KBIG) FM, KKOA FM and KHLO AM as well as Kona's KLEO FM. Current owner Phil Brewer was quoted in the article saying "the new owner intends to keep the current employees and continue to run the stations as they have been." The sale price has not been disclosed. Read the complete article as submitted by Charles Boehnke.
Oceanic Cable To Add 5 Standard Service Channels Oceanic Cable's standard TV service will be expanded by 5 channels. Channels are being transferred from Oceanic's Value Plus services to Standard Service include the Sci-Fi Channel, MSNBC, The Learning Channel, The Travel Channel and HGTV. The standard service rate will be increasing by $1.35 starting in January. The reason cited for the increase is an inflation adjustment and increased programming costs. Subscribers to Oceanic's Value Plus services will see pricing adjustments made to their services after the 5 channels move to standard service. For more information, visit Oceanic Cable's website. The changes effect customers in Oceanic's Oahu service areas only.
New Websites for Oahu Radio Stations In recent weeks a couple of Oahu based radio stations have set up new websites with new addresses. KQMQ FM & AM has a new website at the following URL: http://hawaiiradio.com/kqmq. The station was previously on a site hosted by Hula Net. It is reported that KCCN FM 100 will be setting up a new website with a Real Audio server to beam their broadcasts live on the internet. The site is up but not fully operational as indicated by the "Under Construction" graphic displayed on their page. FM 100's previous site was on Kestrok's server and has been closed recently. FM 100's new URL will be http://www.kccnfm100.com/. Update your bookmarks. If you have or know of a Hawaii based radio station on the net that is not linked from this site's dial pages, please send me the updated URL.
November 30, 1998 Sandra Sagisi Leaves KGMB TV Television reporter and anchorperson Sandra Sagisi recently left KGMB TV to pursue a new job at her old alma mater of BYU-Hawaii. She has taken the position of Director of Student Development and Activities at the college. Ms. Sagisi was with the station for more than 10 years according to a report published in the Honolulu Advertiser (Nov. 29, 1998, p.B4).
November 26, 1998. Jeff Kino Exits 99.5 FM Hawaii's radio airwaves changes again with the departure of Jeff Kino from The World's Greatest Music, fm99.5. With the economic condition being less than desirable, Jeff's position as Program Director, has been eliminated as of Monday, November 23rd, 1998. "Where I go to from here is still unanswered," said Jeff. "After 16 years in this business and the creation of huge radio groups, maybe radio is not in my future." Editor's Note: Anyone interested in hiring Jeff may drop an email to him at Jeff_Kino@iname.com.
Pacific Star Radio Stations To Move It was reported on the Channel 4 News last night that all of Pacific Star's radio stations will be moving to new facilities on the 4th floor at the Dole Cannery Shopping complex. The move will enable the public to watch the action at some of the stations, some or maybe all of the time. The Pacific Star stations include KSSK FM and AM, KIKI FM and AM, KKLV FM, KUCD FM and KHVH AM.
November 19, 1998 Veteran Broadcaster Dies Paul Wilcox, a longtime radio broadcaster was killed in an auto accident last Saturday (Nov. 14). The father of KHON TV morning anchor Leslie Wilcox, the elder Wilcox was a former radio announcer at KGMB and KGU radio in the 1940s. According to the Sunday Honolulu Advertiser report, he was considered "Hawaii's first disc jockey." Wilcox also worked at radio stations KPOA, KHVH and KUMU, the latter stint as a sales manager.
KIPA's Chris Loos Moves to Hawaii Tribune Herald Chris Loos, long time award winning News Director at Big Island Radio's KIPA-AM 620 in Hilo, has left the station for a position with the Hawaii Tribune Herald as Police and Court Reporter as of Saturday November 14, 1998. She brings a wealth of local knowledge and experience to the Trubune Herald.
Oliver North Makes Hawaii Appearance Nationally syndicated radio talk show host, Lt. Col. Oliver North made a public appearance in Hawaii last Thursday (Nov. 12) at a Hawaii Young Republicans' forum held at the U.H. Campus Center Ballroom. North spoke before a crowd of about 300 on subjects ranging from national defense, the Constitution, local politics to small business issues. The forum was co-sponsered by Small Business Hawaii. The Oliver North radio program is heard on KHVH 830 AM from 1 to 3 PM daily. He did a live broadcast to his national audience at the KHVH studio earlier that morning.
Short Takes Sean McLaughlin, head of Akaku Maui Public Access TV recently criticized Maui cable TV companies for lack of adequate service in a Honolulu Star Bulletin article. KHON's McHale Videofilm affiliate will cease operations at the end of the year, citing the poor Hawaii economy as reason for its closure. ABC TV's "Fantasy Island" TV series is on a short hiatus for the rest of the Nielsen sweeps month. The program has been replaced by a series of Saturday night movies. KHVH's morning news guy Steve Seinfeld has been let go. Rumour Mill: KFVE TV may drop UPN and switch to the WB network. Stay tuned.
November 2, 1998 Hawaii's First Macintosh Radio Show "Mac Saturday" debuts this weekend on KWAI 1080 AM from 9 AM to 10 AM. According to a release from the Hawaii Macintosh & Apple User Society (HMAUS) the radio program is "about the Mac by Mac people.". The special guest for November 7 debut show will be HMAUS' Byron Han of Han Chen and Son, a computer consultant and Mac OS programmer. On air personality Bryan Villados and Byron will be talking about various Apple technologies in the news. The main subject of the morning will be Apple sales in Hawaii -- the quality of service provided by Apple resellers in Hawaii. The show will be a live call in. The telephone number is 524-1080. The show will air the first Saturday of each month on KWAI.
KAIM Radio "Share-A-Thon" This Week Christian radio stations KAIM 870 AM/95.5 FM will be holding its annual "Share-A-Thon" radio broadcast this week. According to Jenai Fierro, the Share-A-Thon will be held November 4, 5, and 6. The purpose is to raise money to help keep the station's on-going ministry strong through the next six months. Anyone can call to make a pledge through the regular phone lines as well as a neighbor island toll-free line to the station.
Opposition to Haleakala Antenna Farm The Honolulu Advertiser reported yesterday (Nov. 1, 1998) that opposition exists for a state proposed "antenna farm" on the slopes of Haleakala mountain on Maui. The "farm" will sit on 5 acres on the southwest slope of the mountain and is to replace antennas currently on the mountain. Several organizations have come out in opposition.
Art Bell Show Resumes Broadcast The nationally syndicated late night Art Bell talk show recently resumed its nightly broadcasts. Art returned to the airwaves last Wednesday night after a still unexplained, but personal two-week absence. The popular talk show airs weeknights on KHVH and KAOI radio in Hawaii.
October 27, 1998 NBC Drops "Wind on Water" It was widely reported that after 2 episodes, NBC TV has decided to pull their Hawaii based series, "Wind On Water" from their schedule. The reason cited was the shows very low ratings on the 2 nights it aired this month. The Honolulu Star Bulletin reported that the cast and crew were told about the decision yesterday at their Big Island location. ABC's "Fantasy Island" may also be cancelled according to the article. For more information visit this URL: http://starbulletin.com/98/10/27/features/story2.html
KITV To Go Live KITV Channel 4 recently announced that they will start airing their prime time schedule "live" starting January 1999. This means that the station will no longer pad their prime time line-up with extra local commercials. This will allow all of their programming to start and finish on time. Details can be found at this URL: http://starbulletin.com/98/10/23/features/story2.html
October 22, 1998 Caribou Radio Stations Sold The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported yesterday that Caribou Broadcasting Hawaii is selling their 4 radio stations to another firm. New Wave Broadcasting, from New Jersey will be the buyer of the 4 stations pending FCC approval early next year. The stations involved in the sale are KQMQ AM & FM, KPOI 97.5 and country music station KKHN 102.7 FM. The complete story can be found at this URL: http://starbulletin.com/98/10/21/business/story2.html
October 18, 1998 Take the 3rd Annual Readers' Poll Survey The 3rd Annual Hawaii Radio & Television Guide Readers' Poll is online. This is your chance to vote for Hawaii's favorite TV newscaster, sports anchor, reporter and weatherperson. The poll takes about 5 to 8 minutes to complete and contains a dozen questions relating to Hawaii's television and radio media. It's your opportunity to voice your opinion about Hawaii's broadcasters, a chance rarely given to you by the established ratings firms. To vote click on the poll graphic adjacent to this article. Results from the 1st and 2nd annual polls, taken in 1996 and 1997 are available at the Hawaii Radio & Television Guide Archive site.
News in Brief Caribou Broadcasting recently changed the call letters of their country radio station from KHUL to KKHN. The station which recently changed to a country music format is located at 102.7 FM and is known as "Double K Country". Caribou Broadcasting also maintains a small webpage showcasing their 3 radio stations. It's at http://www.hawaiiradio.com. Listeners of the Art Bell show will want to keep up with the latest news surrounding the late night talk show host's recent departure. A statement will be made on tomorrow night's program. A visit to the Art Bell website will also yield the latest news about him. Local station KHVH plans to air the show until further notice. The Oliver North show makes its debut on KHVH radio tomorrow (Monday 10/19) afternoon at 1:PM on KHVH radio 830 AM.
October 13, 1998 Art Bell Show Leaves Airwaves In a surprise announcement made early this morning (last night for Hawaii listeners), popular night time talk show host Art Bell said that he was leaving the airwaves. The reason cited by Mr. Bell was a "threatening terrible event occured to my family". Further details on his sudden resignation are not available at this time. The Art Bell show is broadcast nationwide to more than 400 radio stations and also simulcast over the internet. Locally, radio stations KHVH 830 AM in Honolulu and KAOI 1110 AM on Maui carry the show. Callers into KHVH's Rick Hamada morning show expressed a sense of loss and speculated as to why Bell left the airwaves. The Art Bell website is still up. It contains a transcript of his final broadcast statement along with a sound clip and link to the message board. The URL is: http://www.artbell.com/artquits.html. For the time being stations that air the Art Bell Show will be running a "Best of Art Bell" series until further notice. Art Bell has a local connection to Hawaii in the fact that his wife, Ramona is from the Ewa Beach area on Oahu.
TV's Granny Goose Airing Hawaii Mall Infomercials Television personality George "Granny Goose" Groves has a successful new TV infomercial show on the air. His new show is "Hawaii TV Mall" and it showcases various island business in half hour segments. An article about Granny's new show (which has been on-air since June) appears in the latest issue of Pacific Business News. The URL to the article appears here: http://www.amcity.com/pacific/stories/101298/smallb1.html The infomercials appear on various days and times on KFVE TV.
October 10, 1998 KISA Radio Switches to All Korean Format Radio station KISA 1540 AM which up to now was simulcasting a lot of its programming with KWAI talk radio switched to an all Korean language format. Most of the shows previosly airing by themselves on KISA including Bruce Williams have moved to KWAI talk radio. KWAI broadcasts at 1080 AM and continues in its all talk radio and news format. KISA was originally founded as an all Filipino broadcasting station in the 1980s. The switch to all Korean is a first for any radio station in Hawaii. KISA joins with KBFD TV in serving the Korean community.
Hawaii On the Tube... ABC-TV's "Fantasy Island" starring Malcolm McDowell made its debut on local TV a few weeks ago. The premiere episode was ranked #74 in the Neilsen ratings for that week. "The Genius of Malcolm McDowell" website is up with some of the latest information and photos on Fantasy Island. The hotly contested Gubernatorial race between Governor Ben Cayetano and Maui Mayor Linda Lingle comes to ahead on October 16 when KITV Channel 4 airs the first of two TV debates between the candidates. Showtime is 7:PM. Another debate will be held on KHON TV Channel 2 later this month. It was reported in the Honolulu Star Bulletin that the annual Prep Bowl High School football game between the ILH and OIA champions will be broadcast by Oceanic Cable live on a pay-per-view basis. The syndicated game show, Wheel of Fortune will be returning to Hawaii for another location shoot. Wheel is seen locally on KHON TV Channel 2.
September 16, 1998 Fall Season To See Debut of Two Hawaii Based Shows The new fall television season has started on some networks and will be in full swing by next week. Two Hawaii based network TV shows will be premiering this fall. Both programs will be airing back to back on different networks Saturday nights starting September 26. On NBC (KHNL 13 locally, 7:PM) will be Wind On Water, a made on the Big Island drama starring Bo Derek and Lee Horsley and a cast of young unknowns as rival ranching families. From ABC (KITV 4 locally, 8:PM) comes a stylish remake of the old Fantasy Island TV series featuring Malcolm McDowell as the new Mr. Rourke, previously played by Ricardo Montalban. Industry sources and Hollywood buzz say this new version is darker than the previous incarnation. TV Guide picked it as one of their favorites. Ultimately the people and the ratings services will determine the fates of these shows.
KWXX Radio On the Web A couple of items to note in cyberspace. Chris Leonard reports that his radio station website, KWXX FM in Hilo has been updated. He says "KWXX's new site is available via the link listed below. It contains the lineup for this year's KWXX Mauna Loa Downtown Hilo Ho'olaule'a. Logos for linking are available on the links section of our site." The URL to KWXX is http://www.kwxx.com
Storytellers of the Pacific Native American Public Telecommunications, Pacific Islanders in Communications and the Nebraska ETV Network are pleased to bring Storytellers of the Pacific to PBS audiences this December. The two one-hour programs will be fed on consecutive Thursday evenings, December 19 and 26, at 10 p.m. EST. The programs will most likely air on KHET Channels 11 & 10 in Hawaii. The two hours of Storytellers of the Pacific examine the identity and self-determination of the Native people of the Pacific Rim. The programs depict the impact of colonization on the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Rim through contemporary personal stories of Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and others. The program's storytellers share with audiences their spirituality, histories, cultures and ability to survive in the face of colonizers' policies and customs. Storytellers of the Pacific was a major winner at the Dreamspeakers first Annual Aboriginal Film Festival in Edmonton, Alberta, receiving four awards: Best of Festival, Outstanding Series, Best Global Indigenous Production and Best Documentary over 30 Minutes. Most recently the series won the People's Choice Award for Best Film and the 1996 Northern Lights Film Festival Anchorage.
|
