Connecticut's Broadcasters

WPLR-FM, WDRC-FM Raise $120,000 for Children’s Hospital

Date Posted: 9/3/2015

Connoisseur Media’s WPLR-FM and WDRC-FM Hartford, Conn. raised nearly $120,000 on Aug. 13 in the "Connecticut Children’s Radiothon." On-air personalities Chaz and AJ broadcast live beginning at 5:30 a.m. from the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. The radiothon, which has raised $2 million in 12 years, included inspiring stories and interviews with patients, families and staff. Click here to watch video.

WPLR-FM, WFOX-FM, WYBC-FM, WEZN-FM Raise $10,000 for Area Charities

Date Posted: 5/6/2015

Connoisseur Media’s WPLR-FM, WFOX-FM, WYBC-FM and WEZN-FM raised $10,000 for four area charities. They also assisted an autism agency in Milford, CT with obtaining a grant for a new roof.

Connecticut Radio Stations Help Residents Stay Informed About Winter Storms

Date Posted: 2/10/2015

Connecticut broadcasters, including Hall Communications owned stations WCTY-AM, WICH-AM, WKNL-FM, WNLC-FM, and WILI-AM/FM in Eastern Connecticut; CBS owned WTIC-AM Hartford and Osbrey Broadcasting Company owned WINY-AM Putnam pre-empted regular programming this winter to make sure residents across the state were informed about storm conditions. Areas of Connecticut were hit with up to 34” of snow as four storms hit the state in two weeks. Stations provided information from the Governor, updates from local officials, weather reports, information about road conditions and closings, plus safety tips during the storms. “Connecticut radio and TV stations have made it their priority to continue to inform residents across the state about what to expect, how to keep safe and what is going on as it happened,” said Connecticut Broadcasters Association President Michael Patrick Ryan. Click here for the full story from Radio World.

WTNH Hosts Holiday Giving Competition

Date Posted: 1/13/2015

LIN Media’s ABC affiliate WTNH-TV New Haven, Conn. collected more than 1,000 toys for Toys for Tots during the station’s GR8 Holiday Give. WTNH-TV turned the toy drive into a fun competition between the station’s news and weather teams by asking participants to choose a "team tag" of news or weather when donating a toy. The station tracked each team’s progress online using a bar graph.

WPLR-FM Raises $15,000 for Breast Cancer

Date Posted: 12/4/2014

Connoisseur Media’s WPLR-FM New Haven, Conn., raised $14,749 for The Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center at Bridgeport Hospital. WPLR’s annual Golf Classic, hosted by afternoon personality Mike Lapitino, has raised nearly $200,000 in support of the center over 14 years. "If I made any difference in someone’s life concerning breast cancer at the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center, then that’s a legacy I am proud of," Lapitino said.

WTNH-TV Raises $15,000 for Breast Cancer

Date Posted: 12/4/2014

Lin Media’s ABC affiliate WTNH-TV New Haven, Conn., partnered with Kidde Fire Safety on Operation Save A Life, a program that increases awareness of fire and carbon monoxide (CO) dangers and distributes smoke alarms to low-income and elderly residents. From Sept. 15 through October, WTNH-TV aired educational vignettes to increase fire safety education and CO awareness. This year, Kidde donated 5,000 smoke alarms and 3,000 CO alarms, which local fire departments distributed throughout the state.

Gubernatorial Hopefuls Debate on Connecticut Radio and TV

Date Posted: 11/20/2014

Connoisseur Media’s WPLR-FM New Haven personalities Chaz and AJ hosted gubernatorial candidates Dan Malloy and Tom Foley on Nov. 3. The radio hosts and candidates kept the discussion light by playing with Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots on air. Malloy and Foley debated on several other occasions: Sept. 30 on Meredith Corporation’s CBS affiliate WFSB-TV Avon, Conn.; Oct. 9 at the Connecticut Broadcasters Association (CBA) conference, which aired live on television and radio and replayed on Tribune Broadcasting Company’s Fox affiliate WTIC-TV Hartford; and Nov. 2, on LIN Media’s ABC affiliate WTNH-TV New Haven.

WTNH-TV Helps Keep Connecticut Kids in the Game

Date Posted: 5/14/2014

LIN Media-owned ABC affiliate WTNH-TV New Haven, Conn., teamed with the Connecticut chapter of the Boys and Girls Club, New England Subaru dealerships and Connecticut high schools for the first annual SportsEdge Sports Equipment Drive. SportsEdge is WTNH-TV’s sports website for local Connecticut fans that is dedicated to youth athletics. Mark Higgins, vice president and general manager of WTNH-TV, said, "We want to make sure that all kids have the opportunity to be active and play sports in Connecticut." More than 30 boxes of equipment, sneakers and clothing were collected, and all the items were given to the Connecticut Boys and Girls Club.

WDRC-FM Collects $200,000 for Connecticut Children’s Hospital

Date Posted: 9/10/2013

Buckley Radio-owned WDRC-FM Bloomfield, Conn., held its 11th annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Radiothon to benefit the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. The three-day live broadcast from the hospital raised more than $200,000. Since 2002, WDRC-FM has collected more than $2.1 million for the hospital.

WTNH-TV Sparks 100 Percent Adoption Rate for Local Animal Shelter

For many years, LIN Media’s WTNH-TV New Haven/Hartford, Conn., has featured a weekly segment focused on a pet in need of adoption. The segments have resulted in a 100 percent adoption rate for featured pets on News Channel 8. Marketing Producer Sandy Potter expects WTNH-TV’s partnership with the Robin I Kroogman Animal Shelter to continue to be a winning campaign.

WVIT-TV Hartford Collects Donations for Local Organizations

NBC-owned WVIT-TV Hartford, Conn., held a storm relief drive on November 4 to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy. WVIT-TV solicited donations of non-perishable food, personal care items, warm coats and cash during the drive. The items were distributed through the Connecticut Food Bank, Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.

Connecticut Candidates Engage in WFSB-TV-Hosted Debate

Meredith Communication’s WFSB-TV Hartford, Conn., broadcast a senatorial debate between Chris Murphy and Linda McMahon. Moderator Dennis House encouraged social media engagement, pointing voters to WFSB-TV’s Facebook page and Twitter handles for himself and the candidates. House told TVSpy, "Even in a small state like Connecticut where the odds are greater that you will meet a candidate, it is still important to see them in action debating the issues."

Connecticut Broadcasters Association to Host Fall Debate

The Connecticut Broadcasters Association recently created a committee to plan and host a debate in October at its fall convention between candidates for U.S. Senate.

State Broadcast Associations Schedule Senate Debates

The Montana Broadcasters Association is sponsoring a debate between Sen. Jon Tester and his challenger, Rep. Denny Rehberg on June 24. The debate follows a June 16 debate requested by Tester’s campaign that will include Libertarian candidate Dan Cox.

The Connecticut Broadcasters Association also has launched a committee to plan and host a debate in October at its fall convention between candidates for U.S. Senate.

Hannity Holiday Concert Will Salute Troops

Sean Hannity’s Holiday Concert Salute to the Troops, produced by Townsquare Media, will hit four cities in November and December; New York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. The concerts will benefit the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, designated for children of U.S. service members who have been killed or permanently disabled in an operational mission or training accident. Hannity has raised over $8 million for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund in the last eight years.

Hannity’s Holiday Concert Salute to the Troops will feature three-time GRAMMY® winner Michael W. Smith, combat-decorated Marine/best-selling author Oliver North and platinum selling recording artist John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting.

Hurricane Irene Releif: WPLR-FM New Haven, WEZN-FM Bridgeport, WSTC-AM Stanford and WNLK-AM Norwalk

Cox Media Group’s stations WPLR-FM New Haven, WEZN-FM Bridgeport, WSTC-AM Stanford and WNLK-AM Norwalk simulcast a program called "IRENE Aftermath," in which station talent joined together to interview local officials about the storm, answer listeners’ questions and provide important information in the hurricane’s wake. Guests on the program included Senator Joe Lieberman, Governer Malloy, several Connecticut mayors and state representatives, among others.

LIN’s WTNH-TV Builds Awareness of Texting While Driving Danger With W82TXT Campaign

LIN’s WTNH-TV Builds Awareness of Texting While Driving Danger With W82TXT Campaign

LIN Media-owned WTNH-TV New Haven, Conn., recently launched the W82TXT (Wait to Text) community awareness initiative that encourages drivers not to text while behind the wheel of a car. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finds drivers who text are six times more likely to cause an accident than intoxicated drivers, making texting the most dangerous form of distracted driving. As part of the campaign, WTNH-TV is handing out red thumb bands with the W28TXT message. The bands serve as a reminder for drivers to focus on the road and avoid messaging while in their cars. WTNH-TV’s traffic reporter Teresa LaBarbera recently visited a local car wash to distribute W82TXT bands. Station Vice President and General Manager Mark Higgins said, "This campaign will augment [WTNH-TV’s] commitment to producing stories relevant to the safety and well-being of our viewers. Simply waiting to text could prevent numerous accidents and have a positive effect on our community."

WCTY-FM Listeners Raise $18K in Radiothon to Combat Domestic Violence

Hall Communications-owned WCTY-FM Norwich, Conn., hosted a radiothon for the local Women’s Center of Connecticut, which provides services to those affected by sexual assault and domestic violence. WCTY-FM raised $18,000 during the radiothon, with proceeds from the fundraiser going to support the Center’s community education and prevention programs.

WDRC-FM Raises $200,000 for Children’s Medical Center

Once again, WDRC-FM in Bloomfield, Conn., raised more than $200,000 to benefit the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center during its annual Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon. The three-day fundraiser aired live from the medical center’s cafeteria, where interviews with patients, families and staff provided a glimpse of the phenomenal impact the center has on the health of Connecticut’s children. Many of the station’s on-air personalities took part, including morning show hosts John "Cadillac" Saville and Marianne O’Hare. More than 250 promotional announcements were aired leading up to the event, and the station’s Web site acted as a gateway to a special site where listeners could make donations online and listen to podcasts of interviews. Since it began in 2003, WDRC’s radiothon has generated more than $840,000 in donations. The money raised goes toward the purchase of sophisticated medical equipment and supports special programs at the medical center. "WDRC-FM and their listening audience are extraordinary people," said Martha Schall, vice president of the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation. "Their generosity is an inspiration to everyone at Connecticut Children’s."

WSTC-AM and WNLK-AM Air Crucial Storm Information

When the first major snowstorm of winter 2007 hit, WSTC-AM and WNLK-AM in Norwalk, Conn., broadcast wall-to-wall coverage for seven hours. As soon as information about road, school and business closures came in, announcements were made on the air and posted on the station Web site. Live interviews were conducted with as many sources of information as possible, including local mayors, the governor and snow plow operators. Updates continued throughout the night, and the station broadcast information about clean-up progress and accident totals the next day during a three-hour live morning show. When a major spring storm brought heavy rains and flooding a few months later, the station responded with extensive coverage again. Situated in an area prone to flooding, listeners count on WSTC and WNLK when storms hit.

WTIC-TV and WTXX-TV Host "Student News" Program

For 17 years, WTIC-TV and WTXX-TV in Hartford, Conn., have fostered learning with their "Student News" program, which gives teens an opportunity to gain real-world experience in journalism. With the help of the WTIC evening news crew, students produce their own news stories, which are then broadcast on both stations. During this past school year, more than 100 students were able to watch their work on television. WTIC professionals make classroom visits to help students understand the steps involved in preparing a story for broadcast. Students sharpen multiple skills, including research, writing, critical thinking, shooting video and editing. WTIC staff provides feedback on every single story. Each spring, the stations host an Emmy-style Student News Awards Ceremony, emceed by WTIC anchor Susan Christensen. Students who produced standout submissions are given scholarships and equipment grants for their school. Each fall, teachers are invited to attend an annual workshop hosted by the station about the program, where they receive Continuing Education Units for their participation. Students from nearly 250 Connecticut middle and high schools from around the state have created their own news segment. "WTIC’s and WTXX’s ‘Student News’ has given an outlet for students to show their work and their talent on a statewide level," said Eric Larson, technology education teacher at Manchester High School.

WVIT-TV Hosts Health and Wellness Festival

Viewers were able to check up on the health of their eyes, ears, hearts and more at the NBC 30 Health and Wellness Festival, organized by WVIT-TV in Hartford, Conn. The two-day event drew a crowd of 22,000. Mammograms and blood pressure readings were among the 110 free health screening services provided at no charge. More than 1,500 people received the flu shot, nearly 900 were screened for early kidney disease and 44 people registered to be organ donors. The station aired more than 900 promotional announcements and began airing news stories two weeks prior to the event. Gov. M. Jodi Rell attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the start of the festival. Throughout the weekend, the station aired live from the event more than 20 times, reminding viewers to come to the festival. Station staff greeted visitors and helped direct them to the many areas of the exhibition. A live streaming camera shot from the event was featured on the station’s Web site. Viewers left the event with more knowledge about their health, as well as information on how to become active in maintaining or improving it.

WTNH-TV Airs Special on "Kids that Make a Difference"

WTNH-TV in New Haven, Conn., turned its cameras on the community’s youngest volunteers for its "Kids that Make a Difference" primetime special. The 30-minute program, hosted by a WTNH talent, told the stories of children ages 10 to 18 who are raising awareness of important issues and organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the March of Dimes and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The special was promoted with recorded promotional announcements, an email announcement, a press release, a newspaper ad and an interview on a local AM radio station the morning of the special. "Connecticut is filled with children who give back to their communities," says Mary Lee Weber, director of community development for WTNH. Because of the station’s efforts, many viewers are now aware of that.

WMRD-AM and WLIS-AM Airs "Best of the Valley/Shore"

In three half-hour live segments each week, WMRD-AM and WLIS-AM in Middletown, Conn., give airtime to the people and organizations that make the River Valley and Connecticut shoreline a great place to live. "Best of the Valley/Shore," hosted by WLIS/WMRD owner Don DeCesare has raised awareness about hundreds of local events and causes during its 12-year run. With two to three guests spotlighted on each show, listeners have learned about benefit concerts and local chili festivals; they have heard the work of authors, performers, and high school bands and choirs. As local cancer survivor and author Marci Alborghetti said of the show and its host, "Without great people like you, I would never have gotten off the ground. You can’t imagine how much your support and kindness meant to the launch of my book."