On June 29, WUCF-FM-TV (Orlando) announced that Julie Sochay has been named the Director of Content. The station is home to Central Florida’s PBS channel and to 89.9 FM Jazz & More, which serves as a joint licensee with the University of Central Florida. Sochay comes to WUCF from a career at WKAR Public Media in East Lansing, Michigan, where she served as the Senior Director of Content and Communication.
Due to overwhelming demand, Michigan Radio is pleased to welcome NPR’s popular news quiz show Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me to Ann Arbor for a second live show. Fans now have a second chance to see Peter Sagal, Bill Kurtis and their panel live at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor on Friday, September 1.
July is relatively light on broadcast regulatory dates, but the Quarterly Issues/Programs List deadline on July 10 is one that applies to all full-power broadcasters and Class A TV stations. As set forth below, there are a few other dates worth noting this coming month – with more to come in August.
Sinclair Broadcast Group has announced that Kevin Dunaway has been named VP/General Manager of WSMH (Fox) in Flint, Mich. He will also be responsible for oversight of providing services to WEYI (NBC) and WBSF (CW).
On June 28, Beasley Media Group announced that Patti Taylor has been promoted to Vice President and Market Manager of the company’s Detroit-based properties, including 101 WRIF-FM, 94.7 WCSX-FM, 105.9 KISS-FM, 105.1 The BOUNCE, the Praise Network and ROAR. She will begin her new role immediately.
WDIV-TV (Detroit) has announced that Demond Fernandez, an award-winning journalist has joined the station’s news team as an anchor and reporter. Fernandez comes to WDIV from WFAA-TV in Dallas where he was a senior reporter focusing southern Dallas communities.
As a reminder, the FCC has enacted new rules that affect the programming of EAS decoders. All stations are required to install the updated software by December 12th, 2023. Stations should not to wait until the last minute to secure and install the updated software.
Four Michigan public radio stations were recognized by the Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA). Each year, PMJA recognizes the best of local public radio news in a wide array of categories. Michigan Radio, WDET-FM. Interlochen Public Radio and WMUK-FM were honored.
On June 26, iHeartMedia’s “Channel 95.5” WKQI-FM (Detroit) “Mojo in the Morning” (Thomas Carballo), was featured in an interview piece by WDIV-TV. The veteran morning host discusses his 23-year career in Detroit, the changing business of radio, and how he strives to be genuine and authentic for his listening audience.
Last Friday (6/23), the FCC released a Third Report and Order and Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Multicast Licensing Order), setting forth rules regarding Next Gen multicast hosting arrangements and seeking further comment on ATSC 3.0-related patent issues.