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.…
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…
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…
By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP On Tuesday (11/30), we were deluged with press inquiries about Dr. Oz’s declaration that he was going to seek the open U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania – with many questions as to whether his syndicated television program would subject stations that aired it to equal time obligations. The…
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…
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…
Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI2) is the latest co-sponsor of the Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA). LRFA is a bipartisan Sense of the H ouse resolution which opposes any new fees, taxes, or royalties on local radio stations. The Michigan Broadcasters Association supports the measure and urges all members of Congress to cosponsor it. There are…
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…
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…
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…