March 2021
FCC Issues Reminder On Sponsorship Identification Requirements – Including Obligation to Ensure Syndicated and Brokered Program Providers Comply With the Rules
By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP Last week, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau issued an Advisory reminding broadcasters about their obligation to provide sponsorship identification information to their audiences whenever they receive something of value in exchange for airing any programming. The Enforcement Bureau’s advisory was quite concise, basically just reminding broadcasters of their sponsorship identification obligations. …
Read MoreBrent Alberts Appointed Brand Manager at WMMQ
Industry veteran Brent Alberts has been appointed Brand Manager of Townsquare Media’s WMMQ-FM (Lansing). Alberts has been Brand Manager of sister stations WJIM-AM and WVFN-AM and continues with those duties. Alberts will also host the station’s afternoon drive slot as well as continuing to host the station’s “All Request Saturday Night,” which he has hosted…
Read MoreWDET Launches Campaign to Purchase New Transmitter
Wayne State University’s WDET-FM (Detroit) has launched a campaign to raise the money required to replace its aging 21-year old main transmitter. The transmitter failed in January and since then the station has been operating in its 34-year old backup transmitter and notes that it is also not working properly. The station says some listeners…
Read MoreFCC Looks to Make EAS Updates as Recent Alerts Bring Added Urgency
Following false weather service alerts that went out this month across Kansas and Missouri warning of imminent danger from a tornado that did not exist, Federal Communications Commission Acting Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said Wednesday (3/17) that a system needs to be created to track false emergency alerts so lessons can be learned from the errors,…
Read MoreWLNS Hosts Digital Town Hall on Mental Health
On March 17, Nexstar Broadcasting’s WLNS-TV (Lansing) hosted a one-hour digital Townhall focused on Mental Health. The event was streamed live on the station’s website as well as Facebook. Experts answered viewer questions and discussed a number of topics, and resources available for those struggling with mental illness. Viewers were able to submit a question…
Read MoreBeasley Media Group to Debut the Mason & Starr Morning Show in the Motor City
Beasley Media Group Detroit has announced that the Mason & Starr Morning Show will debut on Monday, March 22 on its WDMK-FM (KISS-FM) (Detroit). A legendary Motor City radio veteran, John Mason most recently served as the Midday Personality at KISS-FM. Angie Starr is best known for her work as night host and weekend air…
Read MoreBenson Calls for FOIA Expansion in New Transparency Agenda; House Unanimously Approves FOIA, LORA Bills
The Freedom of Information Act would be extended to both the governor and Legislature, under a new transparency agenda released Monday (3/15) by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. The plan also calls for elected officials would have to wait two years before working as a lobbyist, according to a report in Gongwer. Dubbed “From Worst…
Read MoreStation Sales: One FM and Two Translators
Two applications for assignment of Michigan licenses were filed recently with the FCC. In the first application, filed on March 5, Central Michigan University is selling FM translator W236BU to Black Diamond Broadcast Holdings. CMU previously used the translator to relay WCMW-FM (Harbor Springs) into the Traverse City market. This is no longer necessary since…
Read MoreArt Vuolo’s Six Degrees of Separation!
In a note to the MAB, Art Vuolo wants to thank everyone who prayed for his recent successful hospitalization for, what turned out to be serious gallbladder surgery. It should have been routine, but it wasn’t. Doctors called the condition of his gallbladder “rotten.” The successful operation was March 9. However, while in Ascension Hospital…
Read MoreIs Your Radio Station Regularly Backing Up Its Website?
By: Seth Resler Jacobs Media Strategies This is one of those blogposts that you don’t need until you need it, and when you do need it, you really need it, and by then it’s often too late. So when you’ve finished reading this, consider taking some proactive preventative action. You’ve been warned. Disasters happen: Earthquakes,…
Read More