VENTURA TV TO LAUNCH AN ALL NEW, LIVE INTERACTIVE TALK SHOW 'CONNECT WITH ME' THIS APRIL 9 ON Me-TV FRESNO

Fresno, CA – April 3, 2012 – On June 2011, 60 year Fresno electronics and appliance dealer, Ventura TV Video Appliance Center became the first retailer in broadcasting history to launch it's own television station when it partnered with Fresno's Cocola Broadcasting Companies and Chicago based classic television network, Me-TV Network.  Today, less than a year later, Mark Shirin, President of Ventura TV Video Appliance Center announces the April 9, 2012 premier of Connect With Me, an all new talk show scheduled to air from a newly built studio in Ventura TV's showroom.

“We're proud to announce the launch of Connect With Me.”  stated Shirin.  “The show is truly a local show and has been formatted to entertain and educate our community, and also to involve and give back to our community.”  continued Shirin.

Connect With Me is a daily half-hour live talk show which is hosted by 38 year broadcast news journalist, John Malos, and features discussions on local, national, and world news, feature stories, and guest interviews with celebrities, community leaders, and local entrepeneurs. The format has varied daily themes ranging from Focus on Business, Your Community, Arts & Culture, Ask an Expert, Spiritual Spectrum, World of Sports, Spotlight on Entertainment to a feature called On the Air... Off the Press which examines traditional and electronic media. Viewers are able to interact with the host and guests in real-time via phone, social media, and email.

“One of the best things about this show is that viewers will be able to call-in or use social media to connect and interact with John and his guests, which ranges from local business owners, celebrities, industry experts, community leaders, and more.” stated Ara Catchatoorian, Executive Producer and one of the show's creators.  “We've spent months and countless hours planning, building, and reviewing everything from the show's set and equipment to the actual format of the show...” continued Catchatoorian, “And I really feel that we have a top notch program that will resonate well with our growing  audience on Me-TV Fresno.” he concluded.

The show will premier on Monday, April 9, 2012 and will broadcast from the studio in Ventura TV's showroom, live weekdays at 10:30am on KGMC Channel 43.6, Comcast Cable Channel 187 (Fresno), and Northland Cable Channel 9 (Coarsegold) & Channel 2 (Mariposa). The show will also be streamed over the Internet on its own Ustream™ channel.

Viewers who miss the live morning show can watch the taped show anytime online or at 7:30pm on MeTV Fresno.

“I am truly excited to host Connect With Me, as I feel that the show will provide a unique and interesting forum for viewers to engage me and my guests... to get the answers and stories they're not getting anywhere else.”  stated John Malos, Host and Producer.  “Since we started promoting the show about a two weeks ago, I have received numerous phone calls and emails expressing excitement and anticipation of the show launch.  I've already booked some of the Valley's prominent figures and have a long list of businesses that will be showcased during our Focus on Business segment which will air on Tuesdays.”  continued Malos regarding to the show's lineup.  “This should be a fun and informative show.”  concluded Malos.

John Malos began his television news career in 1974. Throughout his extensive broadcasting career, he has served the television news industry in many capacities including Sportscaster, Sports Reporter, News Anchor, News Reporter, Investigative Reporter, ESPN West Coast Correspondent, and Talk-show Host. His career has spanned the United States, including positions at WNBC New York, WLVI Boston, Mizlou Sports Network in Washington D.C., KIRO TV Seattle, KCRA TV Sacramento, KMPH Fox 26 Fresno, and Central Valley Talk. John's talents and experience, both on and off the screen, will provide viewers with a fast paced, informative and entertaining show.

“I have seen many shows launched on our stations over the years, but none of them have been as unique as Connect With Me.”  stated Gary Cocola, President of Cocola Broadcasting Companies.  “While MeTV gives viewers an opportunity to connect with their past through some of the greatest television shows ever produced, Connect With Me is going to give viewers and guests a chance to connect in a way that hasn't really been done on local television here in the Valley.”  continued Cocola.  “We're excited and proud to be a part of this adventure.”  concluded Cocola.

On June 1, 2011, Ventura TV Video Appliance Center entered into a historical agreement with Fresno broadcasting company, Cocola Broadcasting Companies and MeTV Network, a Chicago-based classic television network, being the first retailer in the United States to launch it's own television station.

For additional information about Me-TV Fresno or Connect With Me, please contact Ara Catchatoorian at (559) 265-4326 or ara@metvfresno.net.

For programming highlights, local listings and show promo videos, please visit: www.metvfresno.com

About Weigel Broadcasting Co.
Weigel Broadcasting Co. and affiliate companies own and operate The U/WCIU-TV 26.1, The U Too/ WCIU-TV 26.2, Me-TV/WCIU-TV 26.3, Me-Too/WCIU-TV 26.4, THIS/ WCIU-TV 26.5, WWME-CA 23, WMEU-CA 48 in Chicago, IL; CBS/WDJT-TV 58.1, WMLW/WDJT-TV 58.2, THIS/WDJT-TV 58.3, Shorewest TV/WDJT-TV 58.4, WMLW-CA 41, WMLW-LD 41.1, Me-TV/WBME-TV 49.1, Telemundo/WBME-TV 49.4, Telemundo/WYTU-LD 63.1, Me-TV/WYTU-LP 63 in Milwaukee, WI; and ABC/WBND-LD 57.1, Me-TV/WBND-LD 57.2, CW/WCWW-TV 25.1, THIS/WCWW-TV 25.2, My Michiana/WMYS-TV 69.1 in South Bend, IN. Weigel Broadcasting Co. also owns and operates the Me-TV, Memorable Entertainment Television network and in collaboration with MGM, created and operates THIStv Network.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in domestic and international TV channels reaching over 130 countries.  For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

About Cocola Broadcasting Companies
Cocola Broadcasting Companies is a locally owned television broadcast company headquartered in Fresno, California. Founded in the early 1980s by Valley broadcasting veteran Gary Cocola, Cocola owns full power digital and low power television stations in California and Idaho. Cocola was one of the first broadcasters in the US to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by low-powered television after the FCC approved such stations in the early 1980s.

About Ventura TV Video Appliance Center
Founded in 1951 by Fresno, California's pioneering businessman, Edward Shirin, Ventura TV Video Appliance Center opened its doors to serve as the 'local choice' for America's favorite brands in electronics and home appliances. Since its inception, Ventura TV has seen 10 U.S. Presidents and at least as many competitors come and go. Today, 60 years later and after having served three generations of loyal customers at their Fresno location at 3619 E. Ventura Ave., Ventura TV is managed by Edward's son, Mark Shirin, carrying on the same tradition of offering expert advise, excellent customer service, and real discounts everyday. As a member of Nationwide Marketing Group, the nation's largest buying group for independent retailers of Electronics, Home Appliances, and Furniture, Ventura TV effectively competes against national Big Box Stores leveraging the group's collective annual buying power of more than $12 Billion Dollars.

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Media Contacts:

Weigel Broadcasting Co.
Molly Kelly, 312-705-2632, mkelly@wciu.com

About Cocola Broadcasting Companies Broadcasting Co.
Gary Cocola, 559-435-7000,  garyc@cocolatv.com

Ventura TV Video Appliance Center / MeTV Freno / Connect With Me
Ara Catchatoorian, 559-265-4326 Store, 559-907-7826 Cell, ara@venturatv.com

Comments

  1. We have to be careful in selecting appliances as it would be very frustrating to spend thousands of dollars and it still breaks down in less than a year of use!
    best appliance brand

    ReplyDelete

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