Broadcasting Industry News

Nexstar’s WOTV-TV (Battle Creek/Grand Rapids) has announced the next chapter of its brand evolution. On March 23, viewers began experiencing their favorite WOTV content as “ABC 4 West Michigan.” ABC 4 West Michigan focuses on several brand pillars including special features on entertainment content, local guides and contests.  The station’s entertainment-centric rebrand happens just in…

On April 16, an application was filed with the FCC to assign the license of WMPA-FM (Ferrysburg/Grand Haven) from Will Tieman and Wendy Hart’s WGHN Inc. to non-commercial operator West Central Michigan Media Ministries. WGHN Inc. will retain AC 92.1 WGHN-FM and “Oldies 94.9” 1370 WGHN/94.9 W235CM Grand Haven. WMPA will join the buyer’s Christian…

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. announced Monday (3/14) that Rebecka Butcher has been named Vice President/General Manager of WSMH-TV (Flint). Butcher will also be responsible for oversight of providing services to WEYI-TV and WBSF-TV. This is a return home for Butcher, who served as VP and General Manager of WEYI/WBSF from 2008-2015. She most recently served…

Steve Asplund, longtime news anchor at WLUC-TV (Marquette), broadcast his final show this past Wednesday (3/16), retiring after a 43-year career at the station.  Asplund has held various roles at the station for more than 42 years, most recently with news director responsibilities. During his final broadcast, he delivered an emotional final farewell, surrounded by…

On March 15, Flint’s leading television stations began broadcasting with NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0), the revolutionary new digital broadcast technology. Stations participating in the launch include WJRT-TV, WNEM-TV, WSMH-TV, WEYI-TV and WBSF-TV. Based on the same fundamental technology as the Internet and digital apps, NextGen TV can support a wide range of features that are…

The Detroit Pistons announced this past Sunday (3/13) that legendary play-by-play announcer George Blaha will miss the remainder of the 2021-22 NBA season due to a heart bypass procedure. Doctors diagnosed the need for the procedure during a routine check-up completed last week. The team announced on Twitter Tuesday (3/15) that “George Blaha underwent a…

Terry Foster, noted sports broadcaster and writer in Michigan, has been named president of Detroit Sports Media Association, succeeding Jennifer Hammond. Foster leads up an organization that traces its roots to 1948 when founder Ty Tyson created the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association. Joining Foster on the DSMA 2022 Executive Board are Bobby Keyes, Vice President;…

Graham Media Group, the local media division of Graham Holdings, has announced that it has moved its headquarters back to Detroit. Corporate offices are once again located in the same building as its WDIV-TV at 550 W. Lafayette Blvd. Catherine Badalamente, President and CEO of Graham Media Group (as of March 1), announced the move,…