The Big One on XM

First let me apologize up front for this being a long blog today, but I’ve been busy this week… and I’m gonna be out of the office until Tuesday. So here goes:

Truly the Nation’s Station
If you’re trying to decide between XM or Sirius satellite radio, here’s something to consider. WLW-AM will be added to the XM satellite radio lineup on Wednesday, March 1, on Channel 173.
The entire day – except for Reds and Bengals games – will be heard across North America on XM. (Major League Baseball has a separate deal with XM; the NFL has an exclusive deal with Sirius.) Alternative programming (taped or some live call-in shows) will air during Reds and Bengals games.
So this means Gary Burbank, Mike McConnell will be heard from coast to coast. And Cunningham and Furman? Is this a good idea? At least WLW-AM will truly be “the nation’s station” again – as it was in 1934-39 when it broadcast experimentally on 500,000 watts.

Nick’s turn tonight
Nick Lachey gets a little prime time on WB’s “Twins” today (9:30 p.m., Ch 64), after watching his brother dance on ABC the past two months. Nick plays a former underwear model named Chalie Solik, hired by Farrah (Molly Stanton) to be marketing director of the family undergarments company. Hijinks ensure, I'm sure...

Last 'cast
Channel 64’s 10 p.m. news signs off tonight after 26 months. Parent Sinclair Broadcast Group has pulled the plug on the WSTR-TV news operation. News Director Pete Janovas will close the newscast with a video of all the folks who worked behind-the-scenes in the newsroom.
“What was it Springer used to say on Channel 5? "For those you see... and those you don’t?" Anyway - it’s been an interesting few years. And this (cancellation) really is a shame because folks worked so hard.”
Here’s a question: How quickly will anchor Kim Moening -- or reporters Marjani Coffey, Jessica Donnellon or Karin Johnson -- get hired by another TV station in town?
Another question: Will Ch. 19's 10 p.m. audience immediately grow by a few thousand without any local news competition?