Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, October 25, 1993 TAG: 9310260143
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Melanie Hatter
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
\ Local television stations that subscribed to the Arbitron service for market ratings are having to turn their attention solely to the A.C. Nielsen Co.
Arbitron announced last week that because of the decrease in broadcast subscribers it would stop its ratings of syndicated programs and cable television in local markets by Dec. 31.
More than 400 employees will be laid off at the company's headquarters in Laurel, Md.
Arbitron will continue its radio ratings business.
WSLS (Channel 10) subscribed to Arbitron. Fox affiliate WJPR/WVFT (Channel 21/27) had subscribed to Arbitron but had already begun subscribing to Nielsen as well. WSET (Channel 13) and WDBJ (Channel 7) had subscribed to both.
\ Halloween is almost upon us, and what better way to mark the occasion than with "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"? Fans of the outrageous and wacky movie can dress up as their favorite character from the film and watch the show at one of three local nightspots.
Scooch's in Roanoke, Eat at Joe's in Blacksburg and Rumors in Lynchburg will begin broadcasting the movie at 9 p.m. Saturday. And at 11 p.m., five of the best-dressed folks in the Rocky Horror Costume Contest can win T-shirts and copies of the movie, courtesy WJPR/WVFT (Channels 21/27).
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" airs on the Fox affiliate tonight, at 8 p.m., and again Saturday at midnight. Viewer discretion is advised.
\ Here's your chance to honor someone you know for outstanding community work.
During Black History Month in February, WSLS (Channel 10) will recognize eight black Americans "who best exemplify excellence in community service," says the station's director of community services, Greta Evans. Send nominees and the reason they should be recognized to Evans at WSLS-TV 10, P.O. Box 2161, Roanoke, Va. 24009. Deadline is Nov. 30. For more information, 981-9110.
\ Harvey "Jim" Saul, local sales manager of WROV AM/FM was named Certified Radio Sales Manager in September by the Radio Advertising Bureau in New York. Saul, 56, was one of the first to receive the certified radio marketing consultant designation in 1979.
A Salem native, Saul has spent 30 years in radio. He became WROV's local sales manager in 1989 and has been with the station for 20 years.
\ The "Spirit of Virginia" segment of Channel 10's "First News at 5" has a new look and a new face. Mark Early, a senior photographer and agriculture reporter at WSLS, replaces Vickie Damico, who left to further her education.
Early, who started his new job Oct. 4, will carry the camera and find stories throughout the entire viewing area.
"I grew up in the country," Early said. " I like the rural lifestyle, and I know there are a lot of stories out there that have never been told."
\ The Highland-Bath Community Radio Project was awarded a $139,000 public telecommunications facilities grant, and the steering committee has renewed its fund drive to match funds required for the grant.
Jack Taylor, chairman of the committee, said the project needs $30,000 to meet its goal of $50,000. Each $1 contribution will be matched by $3 from the grant.
The two counties joined forces to raise money to build local radio stations because neither county has one of its own. The stations, one in Monterey in Highland and the other in Hot Springs in Bath, will be linked to WVMR (1370 AM) in West Virginia.
For more information, call Taylor at 279-3111 or send donations to Radio Project, First Virginia Bank, Hot Springs, Va. 24445.
by CNB