Broadcasting Industry News
WRIF’s Steve Black Publishes Sci-Fi Novel
Industry veteran and WRIF-FM (Detroit) weekend personality Steve Black has announced the publication of a new book, a sci-fi novel titled “The Last Child.” The book is about Kyle Jordan, the last child ever born on Earth as humankind faces the prospect of extinction. “I wanted the story to be as real as possible,” Black…
Read MoreBrandstatter and Dierdorf to Retire at End of 2021 Michigan Football Season
Prior to the start of the season opening Michigan Wolverine Football game on September 4, play-by-play announcer Jim Brandstatter and analyst Dan Dierdorf announced they both will be retiring at the end of the season. Brandstatter has been heard on Michigan radio in some form since 1987. He was previously the color analyst while Frank…
Read MoreWXYZ-TV Helping to Give the Gift of Literacy
Scripps Media’s WXYZ-TV (Detroit) has launched its annual “If You Give a Child a Book …” campaign, supported by the Scripps Howard Foundation. In a release, the station says “we believe giving children books can take them to new places, open their imaginations, fuel big dreams, plant the seeds for future success and help break…
Read MoreiHeart Media’s Sports WMAX-FM Rebrands at “The Game”
iHeartMedia has branded long-time sports outlet WMAX-FM (Holland/Grand Rapids) from “ESPN 96.1” to “96.1 The Game.” Although the station will continue to air programming from ESPN, the new branding includes the Michigan Sports Network’s “X’s and Bro’s” hosted by Anthony Bellino for mornings and “The Huge Show” hosted by Bill Simonson for afternoons. These changes…
Read MoreBeasley Names New WRIF PD; Launches New Sports Station
Beasley Media Group/Detroit made several announcements this past week. The company (8/31) has promoted Jade Springart to the Program Director position at 101 WRIF-FM. She will begin her new position immediately. Springart, who has been with the station for the past 15 years and started working at the station as a promotions intern, most recently…
Read MoreInterlochen Public Radio Partners With TADL
This fall, the classical music side of Interlochen Public Radio (IPR) and the Traverse Area District Library (TADL) will launch a new partnership as part of an initiative to bring more classical music into the local community. The new series will take place every second Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. in the McGuire…
Read MoreWILX-TV Announces On-Air Changes Including New Branding
Gray’s WILX-TV (Lansing) has announced an updated look and lineup this past week. The station has launched new on-air graphics, including a new red logo and tagline Breaking News & First Alert Weather. This coincided with the appointment of Darrin Rockcole as First Alert Chief Meteorologist. Rockcole, who retired from television news last July after…
Read MoreDebbie Hamlett to Join WCMU as Executive Director/General Manager
WCMU Public Media (Mt. Pleasant) has announced that Debbie Hamlett will be joining the station as its new Executive Director/General Manager, effective October 4. Hamlett has 20 years experience in public media. Hamlett joins WCMU from Nebraska Public Media, where she held a dual role as Executive Director for the station’s 501c3 Foundation board and…
Read MoreDonovan Long Named Co-Anchor of WOOD-TV News 8 Daybreak
Nexstar Broadcasting’s WOOD-TV (Grand Rapids) has announced that Donovan Long has officially joined the station’s News 8 Daybreak as co-anchor alongside Teresa Weakley. Long makes the move from the station’s weekend morning newscasts, where he has been anchoring for two years. His commitment to excellent journalism has been recognized with two Emmy Awards and Michigan…
Read MoreWDIV-TV Highlights Historic Detroit Station WGPR-FM
As part of its coverage of National Black Business Month, on August 24, WDIV-TV (Detroit) Reporter/Anchor Evrod Cassimy took a look inside the city’s historic WGPR-FM. As Detroit’s first Black-owned Detroit radio station, WGPR is still thriving today. The station is owned and operated by the International Free and Accepted Modern Masons, after being purchased…
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