Longtime WDIV-TV (Detroit) staffer Kevin Ward just retired after 40 years, working as a photographer, cameraman and editor. Ward was asked by WDIV Digital Content Manager Ken Haddad, to share some reflections and memories on his career at the station. In a WDIV Insider Exclusive, Ward writes, “My employment at Channel 4 began within the…
By: Seth Resler Jacobs Media Strategies In the early days of the internet, broadcasters tried to use the internet to drive more radio listening. In time, this strategy proved futile, so broadcasters adopted the mantra, “Let’s meet the audience where they are.” They enacted this strategy by trying to create new content for each platform.…
InsideRadio reports that the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) has long been pushing for a so-called designated hitter system that would ensure that foreign-language programming is available on the radio during a disaster. It would depend on the Federal Communications Commission administering such a program. But with broadcasters resistant to such a formalized…
Scripps Media’s WXMI-TV (Grand Rapids) celebrated its 40th Anniversary this month! The station signing on as an independent station on March 18, 1982 under the call letters WWMA-TV. It became WXMI-TV in 1983 and four years later joined the FOX television network. WXMI-TV General Manager Kim Krause said in a statement, “It’s incredible to think…
By: Gary Berkowitz Berkowitz Broadcast Consulting With the spring book not far away, please consider these actionable points for a stronger morning show: 1. If they are still doing “This Day in History” (or any almanac type bit) consider dropping. It is boring and most important listeners do not care. 2. Review all bits. Drop…
Audacy has announced that television news veteran Jonathan Carlson has joined WWJ-AM (Detroit) as the new morning drive co-anchor. Carlson joins Roberta Jasina weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET, beginning April 18. “We are thrilled to have Jonathan, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, join our team as a morning anchor,” said Debbie Kenyon, Senior…
Krol Communications has announced that veteran Detroit newsman Ken Rogulski will be joining its WHMI-FM (Howell) as News Director and morning drive anchorman. Rogulski held down a number of assignments at WJR-AM (Detroit) for almost two decades including newscaster, street reporter, fill-in talk show host for the late Frank Beckmann and performing his live annual…
By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP Last week, NPR ran a story with the provocative headline – “The Truth In Political Advertising – You’re Allowed to Lie.” The story talked about how the FCC does not regulate candidate advertising to decide the truth of political ads, and then quoted a former FCC Chair to say that candidates…
WGVU Public Media’s Shelly Irwin has been named in the 2022 class of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan by The Grand Rapids Business Journal. The honorees were announced in February and were celebrated at a special luncheon on March 10. The honorees represent a wide cross section of industries and organizations and…
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…