Only three weeks ago, we published an article on the FCC’s request for public comment to update the record in the 2018 proceeding looking at whether to change the 39% national cap on the ownership of television stations. That request for comments was published in the Federal Register July 8, setting the deadline for comments. Comments are due August 4, 2025 and reply comments are to be filed by August 22. Although we published our look at the issues in this proceeding only a few weeks ago, we thought that we would republish it for those who may have missed it.
Last Friday (6/20), employees of Nexstar’s WOOD-TV participated in the company’s annual Founder’s Day of Caring event. The event celebrates Nexstar Media Group’s founding with a day of giving back. Employees across Nexstar’s over 100 stations are asked to spend a portion of their day volunteering.
“At Fourgrounds, we’re bringing journalism out from behind the screen and into your daily rhythm, as familiar and approachable as your morning coffee,” said Bob Ellis, our Vice President and General Manager. “We want our reporting to be accessible, rooted in community, and part of the conversations that matter most.”
The MAB has learned that veteran Marquette area sports announcer Ed Holmgren passed away June 6 at the age of 85. Holmgren was a beloved and comforting voice on the radio at multiple stations in the west-end communities of Ishpeming and Negaunee for his calling of sports contests, particularly football and basketball, for more than a half century.
Blarney Stone Broadcasting’s WQON-FM (Grayling), in partnership with Odawa Casino, has announced the Odawa Casino Battle of the Bands 2025, a high-energy competition spotlighting Michigan’s best unsigned musical talent. The event offers local artists the chance to win $4,000 cash, radio airplay and live performance opportunities!
The lazy days of summer provide little respite from the regulatory actions of importance to broadcasters. July brings quarterly requirements, including most importantly, the obligation to upload Quarterly Issues/Programs Lists to a station’s online public file. There are comment deadlines in July in three FCC proceedings: on regulatory fees, on a proposal for LPTV stations to operate under the 5G Broadcast transmission standard, and in the FCC’s proposal to expand foreign ownership disclosure requirements for FCC-issued licensees, including broadcasters.
This past Monday (6/16), Gray Television’s WLUC-TV (Marquette) announced that station News Director Andrew LaCombe will be leaving the station after four years. LaCombe will become the news director at WLUK-TV in Green Bay beginning in July. LaCombe previously worked at WLUK.
Michigan broadcast stations and networks receiving awards included Bally Sports Detroit, WDIV-TV, WGVU-TV, WILX-TV, WJBK-TV, WJRT-TV, WKAR-TV, WSYM-TV, WTVS-TV, WXMI-TV, WXYZ-TV and WZZM-TV.
The Detroit News has announced their 2025 Michiganians of the Year honors. Every year, the publication selects the “most impressive fellow citizens” to receive the distinction based on nominations by the readers and staff. Among the 10 picked this year are Mike Murri, of WMYD/WXYZ-TV and broadcaster George Blaha, the voice of the Detroit Pistons.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of Mike Campbell’s passing. Mike was more than a colleague at WWJ Newsradio 950; he was a friend to us all and a trusted voice for our listeners, bringing the stories of Detroit and Southeast Michigan to life. We are truly heartbroken by this loss and extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” said WWJ news director Rob Davidek in a statement.