A decision from the past week shows that the FCC shows no mercy for broadcasters who don’t know the rules, even when the broadcaster attempts to comply. The FCC proposed a $369,190 fine against a Texas TV station because the station’s employees did not know how to properly participate in the 2018, 2019, and 2021 nationwide Emergency Alert Service tests.
2025 has begun – and everyone is speculating as to what the New Year will bring, particularly given the upcoming change in administration in the White House and at the FCC. On January 2, we published an article looking at some of the regulatory issues that we expect the FCC will address this year. And we promised to let you know about some of the deadlines that are already on the 2025 calendar. So, as we do each year at about this time, we put together a look at the regulatory dates ahead for broadcasters. To that end, we offer for your review, our 2025 Broadcasters Regulatory Calendar.
On January 6, Midwest Family Broadcasting’s WIRX-FM (St. Joseph/Benton Harbor) began simulcasting on the signal of sister station WYRX-FM (formerly WZOC), Plymouth/South Bend, IN.
MWC Lansing Market Manager Mark Jaycox commented, “Midwest Communications Lansing and Cruisin’ 92.9 (WLMI-FM) is pleased to welcome long time radio veteran Danny Stewart back to the Lansing airwaves! We believe that the strength of local radio lies not only in playing the right music that audiences want to hear, but that we have on-air talent that can relate with everyday folks who live, work and play in this market.”
Detroit sports broadcaster John Keating has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the current Detroit Red Wings’ season. Keating made the announcement that he will hang up his microphone after 45 years via social media on December 27.
On December 13, personalities from Radio Hillsdale WCSR-FM and The Dale (WCSR-AM/W258DE) rang bells for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign at the Hillsdale Market House. From 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. listeners, station partners, and the community made donations totaling $6,248.12!
Students attending a leading audio production and training facility in southeast Michigan, Audio Engineers of Detroit, will receive Ferris State University credit for their coursework under an agreement intended to build a pathway through Ferris State’s Television and Digital Media Production degree program.
Former WDET Program Director and host Judy Adams has passed away at age 75. Adams died December 24 after battling an illness. Adams spent more than 30 years at WDET, serving for most of them as PD. She hosted a program on the station called Morphogenesis and later, The Judy Adams Program. Adams left the station in 2005.
The Detroit Pistons and Scripps Sports are partnering once again to broadcast five games for the 2024-25 regular season on WMYD-TV (TV20)(Detroit). The first game aired January 9 when the Pistons hosted the Golden State Warriors.
News/Talk WFDF-AM (Detroit) has added the syndicated “Your Morning Show with Michael DelGiorno” to its morning programming, airing live weekdays from 6 – 9 a.m. The show is a mix of news, political commentary, lifestyle topics, pop culture, and humor.