For the first time since 1984, you might not be able to watch the WEBN-FM Riverfest fireworks on TV.
With the fireworks less than two months away, WXIX-TV (Channel 19) has ended its agreement with iHeartMedia (formerly Clear Channel) to televise the annual “last blast of summer” and provide weather to WLW-AM (700).
“We have decided not to renew the deal,” said Debbie Bush, Channel 19 vice president and general manager. She took over the station in February from Bill Lanesey, who had obtained the fireworks and weather rights in 2010. “It didn’t make financial sense for us.”
On Thursday, WLW-AM newscasts started referring to forecasts from the “700 WLW weather center” instead of the Fox 19 Stormtracker center.