Broadcasting Industry News
Former WNEM News Anchor Passes
The MAB has learned that former WNEM-TV (Saginaw) News Anchor Allison Payne passed away September 1 at age 57. Payne began in television news as an intern at WNWO-TV (Toledo). Within months was promoted to main anchor of the station’s late evening newscast. Payne later moved to WNEM-TV as the co-anchor of the 6 and…
Read MoreNexstar Media Charitable Foundation and WLNS-TV Donate $5,000 to Izzo Legacy Foundation
The Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation announced September 16 that it will donate $5,000 to the Izzo Legacy Foundation in Lansing, Michigan, on behalf of its WLNS-TV (Lansing). Created and developed by the family of legendary Michigan State University college basketball coach Tom Izzo, including his wife, Lupe, and their daughter Raquel, The Izzo Legacy Foundation’s…
Read MoreArt Vuolo Remembers 9-11 with Documentary on Radio’s Reaction
Michigan-based “Radio’s Best Friend” Art Vuolo, Jr. has put together an extended 20th anniversary video of the awful attack on America, that as Art describes it, is “the only such special that shows how RADIO reacted on that terrible day. It’s a totally different perspective. It’s been aired on hundreds of radio stations across the…
Read MoreMichele Aenlle-Hayes Joins WDIV-TV As National Sales Manager
Graham Media Group’s WDIV-TV (Detroit) has announced today that Michele Aenlle-Hayes has been named the new National Sales Manager for the station. Aenlle-Hayes most recently was a Sales Executive for LocaliQ, part of the USA Today Network. In her new role, Aenlle-Hayes will work with national clients on ad schedules for broadcast and digital, building…
Read MoreMcKibbin Media’s Greg Jackson Receives Distinguished Service Award
McKibbin Media Group (Jackson) has announced that it’s very own Greg O’Connor is the recipient of Jackson College’s 2021 Distinguished Service Award. The Jackson College Board of Trustees presents this award each year to an individual or individuals who demonstrate exemplary service both to the community and to the College. Honorees are selected for their…
Read MoreMichigan Learning Channel Presents Statewide “Return to School” Townhall
On September 8, the Michigan Learning Channel, Detroit Public Television and the COVID313 Coalition presented “Michigan’s Great Return to School Statewide Town Hall.” The 90-minute virtual live event was presented on Facebook along with the Michigan Learning Channel and DPTV’s One Detroit websites. The program featured discussion, guidance and resources to help make this a…
Read MoreWRIF’s Steve Black Publishes Sci-Fi Novel
Industry veteran and WRIF-FM (Detroit) weekend personality Steve Black has announced the publication of a new book, a sci-fi novel titled “The Last Child.” The book is about Kyle Jordan, the last child ever born on Earth as humankind faces the prospect of extinction. “I wanted the story to be as real as possible,” Black…
Read MoreBrandstatter and Dierdorf to Retire at End of 2021 Michigan Football Season
Prior to the start of the season opening Michigan Wolverine Football game on September 4, play-by-play announcer Jim Brandstatter and analyst Dan Dierdorf announced they both will be retiring at the end of the season. Brandstatter has been heard on Michigan radio in some form since 1987. He was previously the color analyst while Frank…
Read MoreWXYZ-TV Helping to Give the Gift of Literacy
Scripps Media’s WXYZ-TV (Detroit) has launched its annual “If You Give a Child a Book …” campaign, supported by the Scripps Howard Foundation. In a release, the station says “we believe giving children books can take them to new places, open their imaginations, fuel big dreams, plant the seeds for future success and help break…
Read MoreiHeart Media’s Sports WMAX-FM Rebrands at “The Game”
iHeartMedia has branded long-time sports outlet WMAX-FM (Holland/Grand Rapids) from “ESPN 96.1” to “96.1 The Game.” Although the station will continue to air programming from ESPN, the new branding includes the Michigan Sports Network’s “X’s and Bro’s” hosted by Anthony Bellino for mornings and “The Huge Show” hosted by Bill Simonson for afternoons. These changes…
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