Broadcasting Industry News
Gray Media to Acquire WSYM-TV from Scripps
Gray Media, Inc. and The E.W. Scripps Company have entered into agreements to swap television stations across five mid-sized and small markets, resulting in the creation of new duopolies for each group. The local broadcasters anticipate these transactions will give them the market scale and depth to strengthen their financial durability, in turn allowing them to preserve and deepen public service to their communities with essential local news and sports programming.
Read MoreCivic Media Expands Footprint into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Wisconsin-based Civic Media is acquiring five stations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from J&J Broadcasting. Civic Media says the deal will be completed through a newly formed partnership between Civic Media and the Michigan Independent Media Group. Included in the deal are WJMS-AM and WIMI-FM in Ironwood; WUPY-FM, Ontonagon; and WKMJ-FM and WMPL-AM in Hancock-Houghton.
Read MoreDetroit Radio Icon Buzz VanHouten Passes Away at Age 81
VanHouten had a successful decades-long radio career in sales and management at Detroit radio stations, including WABX, WJR, WRIF, WLLZ and 97.1 the Ticket. Following his radio days, he became a digital consultant in the advertising and marketing industry. He most recently was a consultant to Blarney Stone Broadcasting in Graying.
Read MoreDetroit TV Veteran Ryan Ermanni Joins WJR As New Afternoon Host
Cumulus Media has announced that longtime Detroit media personality Ryan Ermanni is joining the company’s WJR-AM (Detroit) as afternoon host. Ermanni is best known as co-host of “The Nine” on “Fox 2 Detroit” WJBK-TV. He began his new shift this past Monday (7/7) and is on the air from 2 – 4 p.m. Eastern.
Read MoreWOOD-TV Employees Spend Time Volunteering for Annual Day of Caring
Last Friday (6/20), employees of Nexstar’s WOOD-TV participated in the company’s annual Founder’s Day of Caring event. The event celebrates Nexstar Media Group’s founding with a day of giving back. Employees across Nexstar’s over 100 stations are asked to spend a portion of their day volunteering.
Read MoreWDIV-TV to Open Coffee Shop in Detroit Suburb
“At Fourgrounds, we’re bringing journalism out from behind the screen and into your daily rhythm, as familiar and approachable as your morning coffee,” said Bob Ellis, our Vice President and General Manager. “We want our reporting to be accessible, rooted in community, and part of the conversations that matter most.”
Read MoreLongtime Marquette Sportscaster Ed Holmgren Dies at 85
The MAB has learned that veteran Marquette area sports announcer Ed Holmgren passed away June 6 at the age of 85. Holmgren was a beloved and comforting voice on the radio at multiple stations in the west-end communities of Ishpeming and Negaunee for his calling of sports contests, particularly football and basketball, for more than a half century.
Read MoreBlarney Stone’s WQON to Present Battle of the Bands
Blarney Stone Broadcasting’s WQON-FM (Grayling), in partnership with Odawa Casino, has announced the Odawa Casino Battle of the Bands 2025, a high-energy competition spotlighting Michigan’s best unsigned musical talent. The event offers local artists the chance to win $4,000 cash, radio airplay and live performance opportunities!
Read MoreWLUC-TV’s Andrew LaCombe Departs Michigan for Wisconsin Opportunity
This past Monday (6/16), Gray Television’s WLUC-TV (Marquette) announced that station News Director Andrew LaCombe will be leaving the station after four years. LaCombe will become the news director at WLUK-TV in Green Bay beginning in July. LaCombe previously worked at WLUK.
Read More2025 Regional EMMY® Winners Announced
Michigan broadcast stations and networks receiving awards included Bally Sports Detroit, WDIV-TV, WGVU-TV, WILX-TV, WJBK-TV, WJRT-TV, WKAR-TV, WSYM-TV, WTVS-TV, WXMI-TV, WXYZ-TV and WZZM-TV.
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