Morgan Murphy Media’s WBKB-TV (Alpena) announced April 4 that it will greatly expand its local news coverage through a partnership with UpNorthLive news from WPBN/WTOM in Traverse City. The hours of local news will expand from the current 7.5 hours of news per week without any weekend coverage to 24.5 hours per week over seven days a week.
The MAB has learned that former WOOD-TV (Grand Rapids) News Director, Dan Spaulding passed away April 7 at age 79. Spaulding, born and raised in Saginaw, graduated from the University of Michigan, earning BA and MA degrees. He served as as the “Voice” of the bands, announcing the marching band at the Big House.
The Detroit Red Wings have partnered with Scripps Sports and Bally Sports Detroit to allow fans free access to the final three games of the regular season on WMYD-TV (Detroit). This opportunity allows over 1.5 million fans in Southeast Michigan to tune in for free as the Red Wings make their final push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Michigan Public and Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts will present a live performance of The Moth Mainstage in Detroit on Friday, June 14, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. The Moth Mainstage features a line-up of writers, performers, and other unique national and Michigan storytellers, each with a ten-minute story to tell live without notes.
This past week on a Facebook post, Gray Television highlighted the 70 year birthdays of three of its television stations nationwide, including its WNEM-TV (Saginaw). The company posted a video featuring each station’s General Managers, including WNEM’s Ken Frierson talking about their station’s history and the service they provide to their communities.
Former weekend host and reporter, Melorie Begay has rejoined WKAR Public Media as the station’s new Morning Edition host.
On March 28, the Detroit Pistons announced that the organization will partner with Scripps Sports to broadcast five of the club’s remaining nine games over-the-air on TV-20 Detroit (WMYD-TV). It will mark the team’s first extended relationship with an over-the-air carrier since the 2007-08 season.
Detroit Television’s NextGen TV development was highlighted this week (4/1) in Broadcasting and Cable. NextGen TV has been on the air in Detroit for more than three years. At this point, not too many people are tuning in, but broadcasters there are using the market as a laboratory, testing features and getting ready for when more viewers are paying attention.
Nexstar Media’s WOOD-TV (Grand Rapids) has announced the hiring of Amber Krycka as a main evening anchor. Kyrcka co-anchors with award-winning journalist Brian Sterling weeknights on News 8 at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.
After more than 40 years on the air, Hillsdale radio icon will hang up his microphone at the end of the week. Bob Flynn is retiring from McKibbin Media’s WCSR-AM/FM. Bob’s radio career began as a part-timer during the summer of 1978 with WCSR.