Broadcasting Industry News
WION and Local Communities Team Together for Annual “Treasures for Troops” Project
Now in its 8th year, WION (Ionia) Radio’s “Treasures for Troops” collected items on behalf of Blue Star Mothers Chapter #188 of Ionia, Montcalm and Kent Counties and was a success! WION’s broadcast week was November 15th through 19th with broadcasts and call-ins from the Village Market of Muir, Young Chevrolet-Buick-GMC of Ionia and the…
Read MoreGray Television Closes on Meredith Stations
As anticipated, Gray Television closed on its previously announced acquisition of Meredith Corporation’s Local Media Group (“Meredith”) and its 17 television stations in 12 local markets for $16.99 per share in cash, or $2.8 billion in total enterprise value. Gray’s portfolio of television stations now serve 113 local markets reaching approximately 36 percent of U.S.…
Read MoreWHTS’ Jackie Green Crowned Mrs. America 2022
WHTS-FM (Grand Rapids) morning show co-host Jackie Blankenship (known on-air as Jackie Green) has been crowned Mrs. America 2022. She won the Mrs. America Pageant in Las Vegas the weekend of November 20-21. Blankenship’s road to the crown was somewhat complicated, telling WZZM-TV, “I actually was first runner up, I was second place. But the…
Read MoreLongtime WDIV Anchor Steve Garagiola Announces Retirement
Longtime WDIV anchor and reporter Steve Garagiola has announced his retirement after 27 years with the station. Garagiola made the news public in a Facebook post on Wednesday (12/1) and here’s what he had to say: Those of you who know me well, know that I am not one for long emotional goodbyes. So, I have…
Read MoreBeasley Celebrates 60th Birthday!
On December 2, Beasley Media Group (BMG) employees across the country gathered to celebrate the company’s official 60th anniversary in broadcasting. Late BMG Founder George G. Beasley, who passed away in June this past year due to complications from COVID, officially launched the company with the unveiling of his very first radio station, WPYB-AM in…
Read MoreDetroit Rock Radio Personality John O’Leary Dead at 67
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, the MAB learned of the tragic death of Detroit radio personality John O’Leary. O’Leary, who was 67, had been missing for nearly a week. Friends told the Detroit Free Press that he wasn’t returning phone calls and was missing meetings about upcoming projects all while his Facebook page went dormant. O’Leary…
Read MoreMichelle Dunaway Joins WXMI-TV
WXMI-TV (Grand Rapids) has hired former WWTV/WWUP-TV anchor Michelle Dunaway. Dunaway will be joining Fox-17’s Morning News as anchor/reporter. She made the announcement on her social media pages including this announcement on her Facebook page: “In continuing coverage of our life’s transitions, I am beyond thrilled to announce my next big career move – back…
Read MoreWLEN’s “Thank A Vet” Breaks A New Record!
Lenawee Broadcasting’s WLEN-FM (Adrian) broke a record with its annual “Thank A Vet” fundraiser this year, raising $34,697.50 in 12 hours for the “Veterans Dire Need Fund,” distributed through Housing Help of Lenawee. Now in its 16th year, the fundraiser is in celebration of Veterans Day and is an event to raise funds and awareness…
Read MoreAlpha Media Names New Regional VPs; Foster to Oversee Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin
Alpha Media, which operates radio stations across 44 markets in the United States, announced this past Monday (11/15) the promotion of Brian Foster and Les Tuttle to the roles of Regional Vice Presidents. Foster will oversee Alpha markets in Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, while Tuttle will handle Missouri, Minnesota and select markets in Iowa. Both…
Read MoreMichigan Radio Expands Service in Lansing on 89.7 FM, WLNZ
Michigan Radio has announced that it has expanded its coverage in the Lansing area on 89.7 FM, WLNZ. Through a partnership with Lansing Community College, licensee of WLNZ, Michigan Radio will provide public radio programming for the Lansing station, with a simulcast of its NPR news and information programming and award winning statewide news coverage.…
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