Houston.BloggersPub

Congrats to the folks at Channel 11 KHOU in Houston for grabbing a big-time Murrow Award:

National Murrow AwardsBelo Corp. (NYSE: BLC), one of the nation's largest pure-play, publicly-traded television companies, announced today that its television stations have won three national Edward R. Murrow Awards and one UNITY Award for 2009 from the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA). One Murrow Award went to KHOU-TV in Houston in the Hard News category and two Awards went to KTVB-TV in Boise in the categories of Continuing Coverage and Videography. The UNITY honor went to KMOV-TV in St. Louis for the station's outstanding diversity coverage.

Since 2000, Belo stations have been honored with a total of 26 national Edward R. Murrow Awards, more than any other television group in the nation. KHOU, Belo's CBS station in Houston, was recognized with a Murrow in the large-market television category for its in- depth coverage of the slaughter of thousands of U.S. horses in Mexico for food and the deplorable conditions facing these animals while en route to slaughter. This is the fourth national Murrow KHOU has received since 2000. READ THE REST

Pronetadvertising has a great article on the right way to start a Twitter account.

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Changes coming to Channel 2 KPRC and Channel 39 KIAH as weekenders Keith Northon and Ray Fisher leave their respective channel reports David Barron:

Once again, change is the constant of this holiday weekend. Keith Norton said Thursday he is leaving KPRC (Channel 2) after 2½ years, and KIAH (Channel 39) is revamping the format of its sportscasts with the recent involuntary departure of reporter/anchor Ray Fisher.
Norton said he is leaving for an undisclosed opportunity, and Channel 2 news director Rick McFarland told staff members in a memo that the position will not be filled. Fisher’s position also will not be filled as Channel 39, as is the case with so many local stations, takes a different track with local sports. READ THE REST

We will probably only see more of this with local sports across the country.

When I went to tape the social media episode for Houston 8 with Ernie Manouse, I was impressed by the artwork inside the lobby of Houston's PBS Channel 8 KUHT (and KUHF).

The human head sculpture suspended from the ceiling is called Radiohead (would Thom Yorke like this?) and it is composed of TV and radio parts. Pretty impressive. CLICK TO ENLARGE

Reminder...the Houston 8 episode airs tonight at 8pm on Channel 8 (Comcast HD 308).  It re-airs Sunday at 5pm.

Clips of television reporters being accosted by onlookers is almost getting passe. But this one from KTNV in Las Vegas makes it all worth it again.

Reporter Steve Ryan is just trying to do his live shot about Michael Jackson from downtown Las Vegas when a tourist, with drink in hand, tries to take over. What does Ryan do? He slaps the guy. Suddenly the director cuts back to the shocked anchors.

WATCH IT

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(Thanks Sid!)

A Katy, TX Realtor registerd the url thejaylenoshow.com and now has to hand it over to Jay Leno and NBC for nothing! READ MORE

Guadalupe Zambrano of Katy, we salute your attempt. At least he was re-directing users to his business and can you imagine all of the free publicity he is getting for this story?

We all know that longtime local talker Pat Gray of 700 KSEV (formerly of TalkRadio 950 KPRC) is Glenn Beck's best friend. Beck seems to have Gray on his shows subbing for him or as a guest quite often. That loyalty is obvious as Pat Gray exits Houston radio for BFF Beck:

Well, it’s been an incredible ride here in Texas. If you missed the announcement on the show this morning, next Thursday, July 9th will be my last show at KSEV. Monday, July 13th, will be my first show as part of the Glenn Beck Program…carried locally on KTRH, 9-11am, as I know you’re aware.

I’m sure that I won’t have much airtime at first. We’ll be working me into the mix gradually…we all know Glenn’s show isn’t broken, and doesn’t need to be fixed. I’ll just provide some extra fun, different perspective, and help him cope with the madness we’re facing.

I feel I owe you an explanation for this, because you are like family to me. There have been many opportunities over the years to leave, but I was never interested. I never thought that we’d ever accept a job that didn’t allow us to stay here. But now, things are so critical in our country, it’s different. When Glenn called me a couple months ago and asked if there was any way I’d consider coming to work with him, I just felt like something had changed this time. And when I flew out to do that Fox audience show with him, and we started talking about the possibility, I could feel that it was something I needed to do. I didn’t (and don’t) necessarily want to do it, I just know that I’m supposed to.

I think that the burden on him is so great now, with everything he’s involved in, and the constant, vicious attacks have really taken a toll, and he needs help. So, whatever help I can be, I’m headed out to be.

There really aren’t adequate words to describe how much I’ve loved Texas. The people, environment, culture, pride, attitude…lack of state income taxes, everything….except the weather. READ THE REST

Can you blame him.  KSEV or national?  HMMM...I'm probably choosing national with my BFF!

Watch me on Houston 8 with Ernie Manouse which airs Fridays at 8pm on Channel 8 KUHT (Comcast HD 308). I was on as a guest to discuss social media with Michael Garfield "The High Tech Texan" and Dave Fehling, a reporter at KHOU Channel 11.

The show also reairs Sunday at 5pm on Channel 8.

Make sure to tune in to see if our discussion goes too far.  Did I smash a chair over the High Tech Texan's head due to his Twitter remarks or splash a glass of water in Dave Fehling's face over Facebook?  You will have to watch to find out!

http://houston8.ning.com/

(Image courtesy of Flickr user mikemcguff)

Here is something you don't get a chance to see everyday! WATCH THE VIDEO

Houston band Galactic Cowboys are reuniting for a few shows around Texas. I had the band's Space in Your Face album back in the day. Here are the upcoming dates and locations:

Thursday August 13th (confirmed) The Prophet Bar - BIG ROOM in Dallas
Friday August 14th (pending confirmed by Ben Huggins himself!) Stubb's in Austin
Saturday August 15th (confirmed) Warehouse Live in Houston
http://www.galacticcowboys.com/
(Thanks Matt!)

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