By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP What are a noncommercial broadcaster’s obligations with respect to the political file and the rest of the FCC’s political broadcasting rules? That is a question that I have heard asked several times in the last few weeks as we approach this most important, and contentious, election. In short, I think that…
On September 28, Midwest Communication’s WKZO-AM/FM (Kalamazoo) hosted a debate between incumbent Congressman Fred Upton (R-6) and his Democratic challenger, State Representative Jon Hoadley (D-60). The candidates appeared at the WKZO studios with the debate aired live on the station as well as with video on Facebook Live. The one-hour broadcast was moderated by station…
Entercom Detroit has announced that WXYT-FM’s (97.1 The Ticket) broadcast studio will be renamed “The Jamie Samuelsen Studio” in honor of the late Jamie Samuelsen. The former station veteran and morning show host passed away at age 48 from colon cancer on August 1. “Jamie meant so much to our station and was a key…
In partnership with the Public Radio Program Directors Association, Jacobs Media has released Public Radio Techsurvey 2020 (“PRTS”), its latest annual study exploring the ongoing digital media revolution and its impact on public radio. PRTS 2020 takes a continued look at the ever-changing media consumption behaviors of core public radio listeners, and particularly, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the…
Townsquare Media (Lansing) has promoted McConnell Adams, Brand Manager of WJIM-FM and WFMK-FM, to Director of Content for the local media cluster, effective immediately. In his newly expanded role, Adams, who has been with Townsquare since 2017, will now annex operational oversight for all the cluster’s brands, which also include WITL-FM, WMMQ-FM, WVFN-AM and WJIM-AM.…
WOOD-TV reported that longtime WBCT-FM Morning Personality Dave Conrad (known on air as simply “Conrad”) has returned to the air in Grand Rapids on AM station/FM translator combo WYGR-AM/W235BN, known as “Jethro FM.” Conrad began his new show “Conrad’s Country Bunker” on October 1, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Conrad told the TV…
What began in July as an anonymous listener challenge grant to establish a Hillsdale College scholarship in honor of longtime Traverse City morning show host Ron Jolly, has grown to a $500,000 endowment. “We are very proud of the efforts by Ron Jolly to create this endowed scholarship, as well as the participation by generous…
Nexstar Broadcasting Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc., announced this past Tuesday (9/29) that it has appointed Julie Zoumbaris as Vice President and General Manager of its broadcast and digital operations in Erie, Pa. (DMA #152), overseeing WJET-TV (ABC), www.yourerie.com, and their related mobile and social media channels. Zoumbaris will also…
Delta Broadcasting, based at Delta College, has announced a new brand and name: Delta College Public Media. The change took place in late August to better align its stations as a service of Delta College. The name of the TV station (WDCQ-TV), formerly Q-TV, is now Delta College Public Media. The radio station (WUCX-FM), formerly…
Outgoing FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly has made a final push for more broadcast deregulation as he prepares to exit the regulatory organization. In a September 25 blog post, O’Rielly, whose re-nomination was recently withdrawn by President Donald Trump after he criticized a social media regulatory effort backed by the White House. He praised FCC chairman…