Broadcasting Industry News
Veteran Michigan Broadcaster Jim Higgs Dies
RadioInk reported this past Tuesday (5/7) that legendary Kalamazoo broadcaster Jim Higgs has passed away following an illness at age 79. The publication notes that Higgs is remembered for his tireless six-decade passion for radio, his memorable voice, and for being the Music Director that led to the Eagles’ first number-one single.
Read MoreWKAR’s Drew Henderson Moves on to Next Chapter in Professional Journey
Drew Henderson, WKAR Public Media (East Lansing) Senior Director of Broadcast Operations has announced that he is leaving the organization to embark on a new personal and career adventure. After more than a decade at WKAR, Henderson is pursuing his lifelong passion of aviation.
Read MoreGoodrich Sells WPRR-AM/Grand Rapids
Goodrich Radio, LLC has filed an application to transfer the license and assets of WPRR-AM (Ada/Grand Rapids) to Ghettothropic, LLC. The application was filed this past Monday (5/6). Goodrich Radio, headed by broadcast veteran and theater owner Bob Goodrich, has owned the station since it signed on in 2008.
Read MoreWCMU 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.”
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