With the election over, broadcasters and their Washington representatives are now trying to decipher what the next administration will have in store at the FCC and other government agencies that regulate the media. Already, the DC press is speculating about who will assume what positions in the government agencies that make these decisions. While those speculations will go on for weeks, we thought that we would look at some of the issues pending before the FCC affecting broadcasters that could be affected by a change in administration.
The MAB is sad to pass along the news that Detroit radio personality Lee Alan, known to many in the Motor City as “Lee Alan On The Horn,” passed away this past Tuesday (10/29) at the age of 90. A lifelong Detroiter, Alan began his broadcasting career at WJLB and WJBK, later moving to WKMH and WXYZ.
Former WJBK-TV (Detroit) reporter Erika Erickson, who left broadcast journalism in 2021 has reportedly returning to television news as a general assignment reporter for WDIV-TV.
After more than 50 years in broadcasting, Brian Trauring has announced that he will be retiring from Lilly Broadcasting. As Executive Vice President, Trauring had the “remarkable privilege and experience of helping launch WZMQ-TV in Marquette as a CBS affiliate in 2020.”
Lilly Broadcasting has announced the promotion of John Christianson to Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Christianson was previously Chief Operating Officer. He will oversee all operations including the company’s television and radio operations, Caribbean television properties, digital and sales initiatives and other business interests.
On October 29, the winners have been named at the annual national College Broadcasters, Inc. (CBI) National Student Production Awards and two Michigan college radio stations are recipients of honors.
With much of everyone’s focus on the outcome of the November 5 general election, broadcasters can’t forget the regulatory dates and deadlines in November and early December. While the dates and deadlines in November are lighter than in many other months, many routine deadlines do fall in early December, and even the upcoming month does have dates worthy of note.
This week Morgan Murphy Media announced that Ben Raymond has expanded his role within the company and will now be overseeing day-to-day news operations for WBKB-TV in Alpena. This new role is in addition to his current position as News Director for WBUP/WJMN in Marquette, Michigan.
This past Wednesday (10/23), Black Diamond Broadcasting’s WCFX-FM (Clare/Mt. Pleasant) raised over $37,000 for Community Cancer Services of Isabella County with the station’s annual ”2024 CFX Bras for a Cause presented by Graff Mt Pleasant.”
On Thursday night (10/17), the department won the category of TV/Streaming Local for the station’s “Good morning, Detroit” initiative, where viewers and organizations submit videos to send the community a friendly morning greeting.