Broadcasting Industry News
WCMU Continues Efforts to Restore Alpena Signal
WCMU Public Media reports that progress is being made to restore the it’s television and radio signals in northeast Lower Michigan stations to the air, following a fire in late February. Both WCML-FM and WCML-TV were knocked off the air after the transmitter building in Atlanta was destroyed by the fire. The exact cause of the fire is still unknown.
Read MoreGreat Lakes Loons Announcer and WLUN-FM General Manager Jerry O’Donnell Passes
Former Great Lakes Loons PA Announcer and WLUN-FM (Pinconning) General Manager Jerry O’Donnell passed away April 26 after a battle with cancer. O’Donnell was the team’s first public address announcer, starting with the Loons’ inaugural 2007 season through the 2022 season.
Read MoreDetroit PBS’ Bill Kubota Finalist for 2023 Journalist of the Year Award
His work last year ranged from covering Detroit’s civil rights legacy 60 years after Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led the “Walk to Freedom” to a story on Vietnam veterans’ efforts to rename Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, helping reduce stigma and encouraging more individuals to seek treatment.
Read MoreWGRT’s Vickie Lemonis Triumphs At 2024 Community’s Choice Awards, Best Of The Blue Water Area
WGRT-FM (Port Huron) Sales Manager Vickie Lemonis received recognition at ceremonies for the 2024 Official Community’s Choice Awards, Best of the Blue Water Area. Lemonis secured the title of local best in Advertising/Marketing.
Read MoreDetroit’s ‘Sports Rap Radio’ to Debut May 16
Audacy’s WXYT-AM (Detroit) will debut the previously announced Sports Rap Radio on May 16. An all-Black lineup will be led by Rob Parker, a former host at WDFN, three-time NBA champion B.J. Armstrong, and former college athletes Dave Kenney and Maurice Ways.
Read MoreFCC Approves WADL Sale with Conditions
After a nearly 11 month wait, the FCC this week approved the sale of Adell Broadcasting’s WADL-TV (Detroit) to Mission Broadcasting, Inc. The $75 million deal has been held up with petitions to deny from various groups as well as the FCC’s own concern about Mission’s relationship with Nexstar Media Group Inc. The approval comes with several conditions, including that Texas-based Mission financially separate itself from Nexstar.
Read MoreWUPN-FM and WSBX-FM Combine Signals at “The Bridge”
On April 15, TSE Broadcasting’s WUPN-FM (Paradise) and Whiskey Sours Broadcasting and Productions’ WSBX-FM (Mackinaw City) began simulcasting a classic hits format as “94.5/95.1 The Bridge.”
Read MoreWKAR’s Shawn Turner Appointed to Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority Board
WKAR Public Media (East Lansing) General Manager Shawn Turner has been appointed to the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority Board of Directors, the ten-member board that governs Michigan Veteran Homes. He was selected by the majority leader of the senate and appointed by Gov. Whitmer, with the advice and consent of the senate.
Read MoreDetroit Public Television Unveils New Name and Announces Move
Detroit Public Television has announced that it has changed its name to Detroit PBS “to reflect our commitment and connection to the ‘Most Important City in America.’” The announcement was made in a release dated April 18. In addition to the name change, the organization announced that it will “return to its roots by moving its headquarters back to Detroit.
Read MoreMichigan Journalism Hall Of Fame Inductees Include WXYZ-TV’s Carolyn Clifford and WWJ-AM’s Jeff Gilbert
This past Sunday (4/14), ceremonies were held at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing to induct six media professionals into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. Among those honored are two broadcasters: WXYZ-TV anchor Carolyn Clifford and WWJ-AM automotive reporter Jeff Gilbert.
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