Broadcasting Industry News
Pistons broadcaster George Blaha inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame
During his acceptance speech, Blaha said, “I’ll start my 50th year broadcasting Detroit Pistons basketball this fall,” Blaha said. “It has been an awesome ride, describing the excitement that the Pistons have brought to the game, the great state of Michigan, and the entire basketball world.“
Read MoreWHMI Launches “Meet the People” – Announces Forthcoming Radiothon
“Meet the People” will feature round-table discussions with community leaders, influencers and elected officials, addressing the issues that matter most to area residents. The station also announced that they will air the first annual “WHMI Cares” Radiothon, to benefit the Livingston County United Way, Salvation Army, Gleaners Community Food Bank and Lacasa Center to assist those in need in their community.
Read MoreSinclair Files to Formally Acquire LMA/SSA Stations
According to press reports, Sinclair Broadcast Group, headed by President/CEO Christopher Ripley, has filed applications to formally acquire stations it has been operating under shared services agreements. These include three television stations and their associated digital subchannels here in Michigan.
Read MoreConnoisseur Media (Formerly Alpha) Saginaw Announces New Sales Manager
Connoisseur Media (formerly Alpha Media) in Saginaw has announced that Tracy Walker has been named the General Sales Manager of WSGW AM/FM, WTLZ, WCEN and WGER. Walker has served as an Account Executive for the company since 2020 and because of her outstanding efforts she has earned this position.
Read MoreMichigan Public’s Zena Issa Selected as Fellow for the AIR New Voices Radio Program
Michigan Public News Director Vincent Duffy has announced that Zena Issa has been selected as part of its 2025 cohort of the New Voices Radio program from The Association of Independents in Radio (AIR). This is the first New Voices cohort dedicated solely to public radio professionals. Zena Issa is Michigan Public’s new Criminal Justice reporter, joining the team after previously working as a newsroom intern and Statewide production assistant.
Read MoreMentor Partners to Acquire Additional FM in Big Rapids
Imlay City-based group owner Smile FM has filed an application to assign the CP for WWRW-FM (Big Rapids) to Mentor Partners, Inc. in a cash/swap deal. Mentor, headed by Jeff Scarpelli will pay cash as well as assign the license and assets of translator W256CC (Big Rapids) to Smile FM in exchange for the FM station construction permit.
Read MoreMichigan Design Center To Help WXYZ-TV’s Book Campaign with Special Event
Michigan Design Center is helping WXYZ-TV (Detroit) and the Scripps Howard Fund’s If You Give a Child a Book campaign. On Friday, September 12, the center will open its doors to timeless stories at the Designing the Classics decorating event. Donations raised at the event will help provide free books to students across metro Detroit, giving them a chance to build libraries at home and help their love for reading grow.
Read MoreGary Burbank: 1941-2025
Art Vuolo, Jr. has shared news of the passing of one-time CKLW air talent Gary Burbank Burbank died early Thursday (8/28) at the age of 84. Born Billy Purser in west Tennessee, he worked at numerous radio stations which included: WMPS (Memphis), WNOE (New Orleans), WAKY and WHAS (Louisville) and CKLW in Windsor/Detroit. He is best known for his years at “The Big One” WLW-AM in Cincinnati.
Read MoreMichigan Public and WJRT-TV Recipients of NABJ Awards
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) announced its 2025 Salute to Excellence Awards winners during its annual gala at the #NABJ25 Convention & Career Fair this past Saturday in Cleveland. Among the winners this year are Ann Arbor-based Michigan Public and Flint-based WJRT-TV.
Read MoreWZMQ-TV’s Trevor Forsythe Passes – Was 2024 MAB Scholarship Recipient
Lilly Broadcasting’s WZMQ-TV (Marquette) has announced the passing of photojournalist, director and colleague Trevor Forsythe. Forsythe passed away at 21 from complications of diabetes on August 21.
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