Broadcasting Industry News
WJR Unveils New Programming Lineup
On December 16, Cumulus Detroit’s 760 WJR announced a new on-air programming lineup, just in time for its 100th year anniversary celebration in 2022. The heritage Talk station launched the new ‘All Talk’ show in late mornings, “All Talk with Tom Jordan and Kevin Dietz,” capping a year of evolutionary moves that position WJR for…
Read MoreWKAR Presents ‘Evening with the Governor’
Premiering online this week, the WKAR Public Media original program Off the Record presents “Evening with the Governor 2021,” featuring Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and First Gentleman Dr. Marc Mallory in conversation with senior capitol correspondent Tim Skubick. The special edition episode of the weekly public affairs program is available for streaming now in the…
Read MoreWZZM’s Brent Ashcroft Leaves TV For New Career
After 31 years in television, all of it in West Michigan, WZZM-TV’s (Grand Rapids) Brent Ashcroft has retired from the business to pursue a second career as a buyer and seller of coin collections. The station made the announcement on December 23. “It’s been quite the 31 years in the West Michigan TV business,” said…
Read MoreFormer WILX-TV Chief Engineer Mike Winsky Passes
The MAB was saddened to hear over the holiday break that longtime Lansing broadcast engineer Mike Winsky passed away on December 26 at age 66. Winsky was known for years as Chief Engineer of WILX-TV (Lansing); and prior to that served in the same capacity at WLAJ-TV (Lansing), a station he helped build with the…
Read MoreWKAR Brings New Jazz Radio Show to Mid-Michigan Airwaves
WKAR Public Media at Michigan State is launching a new jazz radio show on New Year’s Day. A Groove Supreme presents two hours of jazz every Saturday evening, hosted by Michael Stratton. A Groove Supreme debuts at 8 p.m. ET on Sat., Jan. 1, 2022, on WKAR 90.5 FM from East Lansing. Mid-Michigan jazz fans…
Read MoreTownsquare Grand Rapids Ups Ken Evans to Director of Content
Ken Evans will now serve as Director of Content for Townsquare Media Grand Rapids, effective immediately. In his new role, Evans will oversee all of the on-air and online content creators in the market for Active Rock WGRD-FM, Hot AC WLHT-FM, Classic Hits WFGR-FM, Adult Contemporary WTRV-FM and Hip Hop WNWZ. “Ken’s leadership was evident…
Read MoreHyper-Local News Coming to WWJ-TV in 2022
WWJ-TV (CBS 62), the ViacomCBS-owned station in Detroit, will build from scratch a full-scale, hyper-local news department in 2022. The announcement was made December 14 by Wendy McMahon, President, and Co-Head, CBS News and Stations; Adrienne Roark, President, CBS Stations; and Brian Watson, Vice President and General Manager of WWJ-TV and sister station WKBD-TV (CW50).…
Read MoreiHeart West Michigan Raises $490,377 For Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
On December 9 and 10, iHeartMedia’s STAR 105.7 (WSRW-FM) and B-93 (WBCT-FM) aired the 22nd Annual Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Radiothon, sharing patient stories about how The Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital annual fund supports over 20 different programs like the center for child protection, the Pediatric Oncology Resource Team (P.O.R.T.), the Peter and Joan Secchia…
Read MoreRecord Amount Raised At WJR SAY Detroit 10th Annual Radiothon
On December 9, Cumulus Media’s WJR-AM (Detroit) presented its 10th Annual SAY Detroit Radiothon, hosted by Mitch Albom. The live broadcast originated from the Somerset Collection in Troy. The 15-hour event (6 a.m. – 9 p.m.) gathered a record $1,650,540 through donations, auctioned items and purchased autographed memorabilia. All proceeds went directly to charity —…
Read MoreWKAR Selected for Public Media Digital Transformation Program
WKAR Public Media at Michigan State University is among 75 public media stations selected to participate in the Digital Transformation Program, a virtual program developed by the Poynter Institute to educate, assist and coach public media senior leaders and their staff on the best strategies and tactics to transform their organization’s digital operations and culture.…
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