Cumulus Media/Detroit announced this past Monday (6/5) that will be “kicking off the next generation of its programing” for WJR-AM beginning Tuesday, June 20. The new lineup will offer all local voices during primetime hours.
Among the most significant changes, WJR’s longtime morning host Paul W. Smith will move to the newly-created noon – 2 p.m. timeslot as host of “Focus with Paul W. Smith.”
Billy Sours’ Whiskey Sours Broadcasting and Productions has filed a $140,000 deal to buy the currently-silent WYPV, Mackinaw City, MI (94.5) from John Yob’s Mitten News. WYPV is licensed to operate on 94.5mHz with 50kw ERP at 110 meters. The station has been silent since March 31.
Michigan Radio is bringing a popular National Public Radio (NPR) storytelling stage show to Grand Rapids. The Moth, a live storytelling project and podcast, will host a mainstage event at GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Thursday, June 15. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the storytelling will begin at 7:30 p.m. The theme is “Lost and Found.”
The MAB continues to work on preserving AM radio’s presence in vehicles, but as automotive technology continues to evolve, there is a growing trend towards digital and streaming services in car entertainment systems. On Thursday, June 8th at Noon ET, the MAB is offering a special, free webinar for member stations looking to learn more about developing apps to enhance their station’s presence.
Scheduling is underway for the 2023 Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP). The ABIP is a unique partnership between the MAB and the FCC under which stations that participate can receive a three-year exemption from routine FCC inspections.
WCMU (Mt. Pleasant) Public Media Executive Director and General Manager Debbie Hamlett has announced her resignation to join Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Milwaukee PBS as its Vice President and General Manager, effective June 12.
The MAB has learned that 47-year Broadcast Journalist and WDMK-FM (Detroit) host Mildred Gaddis is the subject of a feature article in the Michigan Chronicle’s Digital Daily.
Former MAB Chair and former WOOD-TV Vice-President and General Manager Diane Kniowski has announced her retirement. Kniowski leaves her position as Chief Local Media Officer for Univision Communications Inc., the leading Spanish-language media and content company in the United States.
Motor City Radio Flashbacks reports the sad news that Detroit radio legend Dave Prince has passed last week at the age of 91. Prince spent 45 years in broadcasting, working at WPAG (as Dave Pringle), WKMH, WXYZ, WCAR, WCZY and CKLW.
On May 26, 2023, the FCC released an order to extend for 18 months an existing waiver of the requirement that television broadcasters aurally describe visual but non-textual emergency information, such as maps or other graphic displays.