Entries in 1999 Category

January 1999:

• WYKL-FM 94.9 Benton Harbor granted its license


• WKYL-FM 94.9 Benton Harbor changed formats from Gold to Hot AC with new calls/handle WCNF (Coast 94.9).


• WXMI-TV (Fox 17) Grand Rapids successfully launched first local newscast on Monday 1/11/99


• WHTV-TV 18 Jackson issued a new construction permit. This permit replaces the original construction permit that was granted 11/16/87 and expired on 11/29/92.


• WWBR-FM 102.7 Mt. Clemens/Detroit switched from Classic Rock to Adult Contemporary on 1/16/99


• WHFB-FM 99.9 Benton Harbor dumped Hot Adult Contemporary in favor of Country.


• Construction permit granted to Great Lakes Broadcast Academy for new FM station at 88.5 in Mackinaw City


• WMOM-FM Pentwater has construction permit modified for frequency change from 103.1 to 102.7


• WWJ-AM 950 Detroit moved to new tower in Monroe County, will boost nighttime power to 50,000 watts, daytime to 12,000


• WNIL-AM 1290 Niles dropped sports programming and now is Oldies full time


• The FCC officially proposes licensing low power FM stations (LPFM)

February:

• WAYG-FM 89.9 Grand Rapids signed back on (was previously public WBYW) as simulcast of sister station WAYK Kalamazoo (WAY-FM)


• Construction permit granted to Gospel Opportunities for a new FM station at 89.9 in Trout Lake


• WLJN-FM 89.9 Traverse City granted construction permit to upgrade to 39,000 watts from 12,500


• WJML-AM 1110 Petoskey added blocks of Oldies programming to talk lineup in response to FM 92.5 moving from Oldies to Country


• WMJZ-FM 95.3 Gaylord switched from Adult Contemporary to Oldies


• WJBK-TV 2 Detroit is first in state to get its digital facilites licensed

March:

• WDIV-TV 4 Detroit began airing digital programming on March 1st at 3pm with a video about the Chevy Corvette


• WCHB-AM 1200 Detroit returned to the air after being silent to upgrade its daytime signal to 50,000 watts


• LPTV station W18BT Alpena was granted its license


• WTLZ-FM 107.1 Saginaw repositioned from Urban to Adult Urban Contemporary


• D&B Broadcasting acquired WZTU-FM 100.1 Bear Lake and the construction permit for WBVE-FM 92.1 Beulah from Roger Hoppe


• WDRQ-FM 93.1 Detroit, while still CHR/Rhythmic, begans to lean CHR/mainstream


• Classic Rock simulcasters WMJK-FM 100.9 Pinconning and WMJA-FM 104.5 Saginaw began stunting. On April 1st, the format remained Classic Rock, but a new positioner, Wheelz 104.5/101 with new calls WYLZ/WILZ, was adopted.

April:

• WZTU-FM 100.1 Bear Lake retured to the air as '100.1 The Storm' with an Adult Alternative format for about one week before falling silent again


• WXDG-FM 105.1 dropped Modern Rock after only about 18 months in favor of Urban Oldies on Easter Sunday


• WYUR-AM 1310 Detroit added Classic Music blocks to its programming


• WIBM-AM 1450 Jackson switched its format from Soft Adult Contemporary to Sports


• WGKL-FM 105.5 Gladstone is on the air with an Oldies format as 'Kool 105.5'


• FCC approves transfer of WGVS-FM 95.3 and WGVS-AM 850 in the Muskegon area to Grand Valley State University from KBZ Broadcasting


• WYCE-FM 88.1 Grand Rapids granted construction permit to increase power to 7,000 watts from 1,000




• WYTZ-FM 97.5 Bridgman / WZTY-FM 103.7 Hartford won a Crystal Award (improving a community's quality of life) from the National Association of Broadcasters

May:

• Sister stations WVHQ-FM 92.1 and WDOW-AM 1440 Dowagiac sold to Jason Communications by VanHawke Communications for $680,000


• Announced that the Jerry Lewis Telethon on Labor Day weekend is moving off of WJBK channel 2 Detroit after 20 years. WDWB-TV 20 picks up the program


• New name for Chancellor Media will be AM/FM once acquisition of Capstar is complete. FCC approves transfer of the following Capstar-owned Michigan properties to Chancellor Media: WBCK-AM 930, WRCC-AM 1400, and WBXX-FM 95.3 Battle Creek, WNWZ-AM 1410, WLHT-FM 95.7, and WGRD-FM 97.9 Grand Rapids, WTRV-FM 100.5 Walker, and WWKN-FM 104.9 Marshall.


• WHFB-AM 1060 Benton Harbor switched format from 70's Oldies to CNN Headline News


• WEFG-FM 97.5 Whitehall/Muskegon switched format from 70's Oldies to Urban Oldies


• WHAK-FM 99.9 Rogers City switched format from Country to Oldies as "99.9 The Wave"


• Construction permit granted to Gaylord Baptist Church School for new FM station at 88.1 in Gaylord, to be 3,000 watts


• WOWE-FM 98.9 Vassar/Flint switched format from Urban AC to Urban Oldies


• WLKM-AM 1510 Three Rivers switched format from News/Talk to Nostalgia with some talk

June:

• Former WABX-FM 99.5 Detroit air-ace Dave Dixon passed away at age 60


• WJLB-FM 97.9 Detroit nighttime co-host Arthur Young passed away from leukemia at age 21


• Announced that former Domino's Pizza and Detroit Tigers owner Tom Monaghan will be purchasing WWCM-AM 990 Ypsilanti for $2.5 million


• WXBV-AM 1140 Grand Rapids switched format from News/Talk to Urban Oldies as WKWM


• WOMC-FM 104.3 Detroit morning man Dick Purtan was named Oldies Personality of the Year by Radio and Records


• WTCF-FM 100.5 Saginaw repositioned from Top 40/Mainstream to Top 40/Rhythmic as Pirate Radio


• WPLB-FM/AM 106.3/1380 Lakeview/Greenville was sold from Kortes Communications to Stafford Communications Group, pending FCC approval


• WSRQ FM 100.1 Bear Lake and WBVE FM 92.1 Beulah are on-air as 'Star FM' with 80's format


• Muskegon area stations WMHG AM 1600, WMRR FM 101.7, and WSHZ FM 107.9 Muskegon are sold from Goodrich Radio to Connoisseur Communications for $2.7 million.


• WZPX-TV 43 Battle Creek to add WB programming for Fall season.


• WBGV-FM 92.5 Marlette begins testing


• WVIC-FM 92.7 Charlotte, which had been running an automated Classic format, goes dark

July:

• WCXT-FM 105.3 Hart switched format from Adult Contemporary to Top 40/Rhythmic as 'The Whip' under prospective buyer Harbor Pointe Communications. The station is being operated under a local marketing agreement. Harbor Pointe is also in the process of purchasing WKBZ-AM 1520 Muskegon for $434,000


• Founder of Flint station WAMM (WFLT) Al Binder passed away at age 73


• WAGN-AM 1340 Menominee switched format from Oldies/Talk to Nostalgia


• WWJ-TV 62 Detroit increased power to 5,000,000 watts


• WHWG-FM 89.9 Trout Lake is on the air (duplicates WHWL-FM 95.7 Marquette)


• VCY America acquires WBUM-FM 104.3 Baraga


• WHTV-TV 18 Jackson signed on carrying programming from Bloomberg


• WWON-AM 1160 Fenton is acquired by Birach Broadcasting


• WGLQ-FM 97.1 Escanaba repositioned away from Hot Adult Contemporary towards Top 40/Mainstream


• 106.3 FM Stephenson is on-air testing


• WUPY-FM 101.1 Ontonagon granted construction permit to increase to 100,000 watts from 30,000


• WBGV-FM 92.5 is on-air full time with Country format


• Pathfinder Communications acquired WAOR-FM 95.3 and WNIL-AM 1290 Niles from Niles Broadcasting


• WODJ-FM 107.3 Greenville/Gd Rapids is sold to Bloomington Broadcasting from Goodrich


• WSNX-FM 104.5 Muskegon/Gd Rapids is sold to Clear Channel from Goodrich


• WJZZ-AM 1210 Kingsley/Traverse City returned to the air with an Urban Oldies format

August:

• Clear Channel took over operations of WSNX-FM 104.5 Muskegon/Gd Rapids, format moved to Top 40 from Top 40/Rhythmic


• WVTI-FM 96.1 Holland Gd Rapids moved from Top 40 towards Modern Adult Contemporary


• WHAK-AM 960 Rogers City switched from Country to Country Gold


• WION-AM 1430 Ionia acquired by Agricultural Resource Group as part of bankruptcy settlement for $111,000


• WOOD-TV 8 Grand Rapids began digital services on channel 7


• WZZM-TV 13 Grand Rapids aired final 'Bozo' program after 33 years


• Announced that West Michigan's UPN affiliation will move from WZPX to a group of Low Power TV stations in West Michigan owned by WOOD-TV


• Lakes Radio acquired WQXO-AM 1400 and WHCH-FM 98.3 Munising, and WFXD-FM 103.3 Marquette from Mid-Pen Broadcasting for $1.15 million


• WDMK-FM 102.7 Mt. Clemens/Detroit switched format from Adult Contemporary to Urban Adult Contemporary. The station retained use of the 'Kiss-FM' positioner

September:

• WWWW-FM 106.7 Detroit switched format from Country to Rockin' Hits


• WMFN-AM 640 Zeeland switched format from Sports to Business News


• Rockfleet Broadcasting purchases Fox affliates WGKI-TV 33 Cadillac and WGKU-TV 45 Vanderbilt


• WUGN-FM 99.7 Midland won the Marconi award for Religious Station of the Year


• WPLT-FM 96.3 Detroit tweaked format from Modern Rock Hits to Alternative Classics


• WKQI-FM 99.5 Detroit tweaked format from Hot Adult Contemporary to Adult Top 40, dropping most 80's music


• WJSZ-FM 92.5 Ashley is sold to Curwood Broadcasting by Owosso Broadcasting


• WIDL-FM 92.1 Caro changed format from Classic Rock to Hot Adult Contemporary


• WWCM-AM 990 Ypsilanti changed format from Christian Music to Catholic Talk


• WDEO-AM 1290 Saline changed format from Catholic Talk to Business News/Talk


• WCXT-FM 105.3 Hart switched its format back to Adult Contemporary from Contemporary Hits/Dance after the owners, Waters Broadcasting, pulled the Local Marketing agreement with Harbor Point Broadcasting. The deal to sell the station from Waters to Harbor Point is also off.


• WMOM-FM 102.7 Pentwater/Ludington signs on with Adult Top 40 format

October:

• John F. Wismer, owner and president of Wismer Broadcasting (WHLS 1450/WSAQ 107.1 Pt. Huron) passed away


• Clear Channel and AM/FM announce merger


• Construction permit for 88.5 FM Mackinaw City is sold by Great Lakes Broadcast Academy to Broadcast Music Ministries for $108,000


• WMJZ-FM Gaylord shifted frequency from 95.3 to 101.5


• WSHZ-FM 107.9 Muskegon moved its format from Hot Adult Contemporary to Adult Contemporary


• WCLS-FM 100.7 Oscoda switched format from Country to Adult Contemporary. The station had switched from AC to Country about 1 year ago.


• WHCH-FM 98.3 and WQXO-AM 1400 Munising, along with WFXD-FM 103.3 Marquette are swapped from Lakes Radio to Great Lakes Radio in exchange for WCCM 94.7 and WTIQ 1490 Manistique. Total value of transaction- $1.15 million plus accounts receivable

November:

• W68CH 68 Detroit granted license


• WJZZ-AM 1210 Kingsley went silent


• WTLI-FM 89.3 Boyne City granted license


• WIDG-AM 940 St. Ignace switched format from Country to Sports


• WMXG-FM 106.3 Stephenson granted license


• Simulcasters WSRI-FM 92.1 Beulah and WSRQ-FM 100.1 Bear Lake went silent


• Former WJBK-TV 2 Detroit anchor Beverly Payne passed away. Ms. Payne was Detroit's first African-American anchorwoman, and one of the first female anchors in the top 10 markets of the USA


• WZPX-TV 43 Battle Creek was sold by DP Media to Paxson Communications


• WGKL-FM 105.5 Gladstone granted license


• WBGV-FM 92.5 Marlette granted license


• WSTD-FM 96.9 Standish went silent


• WOBE-FM 100.7 Crystal Falls granted license


• Cumulus Media announced the acquisition of Connoisseur Communications in a deal worth $242 million. Connoisseur owned the following Michigan stations: Muskegon- WMRR, WMUS-FM/AM, WSHZ, WMHG; Flint/Saginaw- WDZZ, WRSR, WWCK-FM/AM, WTLZ, WFDF

December:

• Citadel announced the purchase of Liggett Broadcast- the sale included 9 stations (Lansing's WJIM-AM/FM, WFMK-FM, WITL-FM, WMMQ-FM, and WVFN-AM; Bay City's WHNN-FM; Flint's WFBE-FM; Saginaw's WTCF-FM). The deal was worth $120.5 million.


• WSNQ-AM 900 Gaylord went silent


• WDWO-LP 44 Detroit (moving to ch. 18) was sold from Detroit World Outreach Assembly of God to TCT Michigan


• WHTV-TV 18 Jackson was sold from Jackson TV Company to Spartan TV

December 31:

* WYUR 1310 Detroit morning host Jimmy Launce is leaving the station to move to Florida; former morning host Bob Hynes will return to that role- Oakland Press

* FCC Actions: Granted the modification of construction permit for W30BQ Pinconning to move to Flint on channel 54 as W54DA, effective radiated power 40.9 kW; Granted a construction permit for a new translator station at 88.1 FM (W201CM) in Traverse City for WPCS Pensacola FL (Rejoice Radio).

December 28:

* News from All Access:
WWWW 106.7 Detroit (Alice 106.7) morning host Michael J. Foxx has picked up and moved to Baltimore- he'll keep an on-air shift in Detroit via remote from Baltimore (cyberjocking); New operations manager for the Cumulus group of stations in Kalamazoo (WKFR, WRKR, WKMI) is John Flint, effective 1/4/00.

December 27:

* The Tri-Cities Sept-Nov 12+ Arbitrend report is now out- and with a surprise: Former #1 Country WKCQ has fallen all the way to 5th place overall with a 7.9 rating, down from a 10.5 for the Aug-Oct report. New at #1 is Oldies WHNN (up from 3rd), followed by Top-40 WIOG, Rock WKQZ, and News/Talk WSGW.

December 26:

* WWKK 750 Petoskey now on the air for engineering testing

* WWON 1160 Fenton returns to air for testing- dead carrier heard 12/23

* LPTV's in Petoskey now testing, running test pattern with 'U.P. Wireless' title on channels 14, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 31, 36, 39, 51, 53, 55, 57, 62, 64, 66, and 68.

December 21:

* The September-November (Fall Phase II) 12+ Arbitrend report has been released for Detroit. WNIC continued to lead the pack, followed by a surging WWJ which moved up to #2, WOMC 3rd, and a slipping WJLB in 4th overall. WJR fell from 3rd to 5th, followed by WYCD which has moved up to 6th overall since the demise of country music on WWWW. The final fall ratings - important to advertisers - will be released in January.

* Toledo's WBUZ 106.5 (simulcast on 97.3 WJZE) has dropped the Howard Stern program, effective yesterday.

* Call sign changes:
12/08/99 - 750 AM WJNL Petoskey now WWKK
12/07/99 - 91.5 FM WBMU Iron Mountain now WVCM

December 20:

* FCC Action: Granted the voluntary transfer of license from Jackson TV Company to Spartan TV for WHTV-TV 18 Jackson.

December 17:

* WDET 101.9 Detroit news director Roger Adams is leaving the station to become program director for Wyoming Public Radio- Oakland Press

* FCC Actions: Granted a construction permit for a new FM radio station to Superior Communications at 89.7 in Burton, facilities to be 15,000 watts ERP (directional) at 39 meters above average terrain; Granted a construction permit to WOBE 100.7 Crystal Falls to increase power from 350 to 100,000 watts and height above above terrain from 37 to 200 meters; Granted the voluntary assignment of license from MTVN Online to The Box Worldwide for WBXD-LP 5 Detroit.

December 15:

* As of Sunday 12/12, Chatham Ontario's CKUE 94.3 (The Rock @ 94.3) has started operating at its licensed power of 50,000 watts. As for the pirate station formerly at 94.3 in SW Detroit- it has apparently been shutdown to make room for CKUE.

December 14:

* FCC Actions: Approved the voluntary transfer of license from Detroit World Outreach Assembly of God to TCT Michigan for WDWO-LP 44 (construction permit on ch. 18) Detroit; Granted W46CR Saginaw/Midland its license to cover (new station).

December 13:

* FCC Actions: Approved the voluntary transfer of license from GRK Productions Joint Venture to Rockfleet Broadcasting for the following stations: WGKI 33 Cadillac, WGKU 45 Gaylord, W31BO Alpena, W40AY Traverse City, W61CR Sault Ste. Marie; Granted a construction permit to WOBC 20 Battle Creek to move to channel 14; Granted a construction permit and license to cover to WUFN 96.7 Albion for minor changes

* Digital TV applications: WGKI-TV 33 Cadillac on channel 47; WGKU-TV 45 Gaylord on channel 59

December 12:

* Digital radio coming to Windsor: The CHUM group of stations (CKWW 580, CKLW 800, CIMX 88.7, CIDR 93.9) is planning to bring up their digital transmitter by the beginning of January. It will carry 6 feeds (the 4 CHUM stations, plus the two CBC English-language services) and broadcast in the L-band (1.4 GHz) using the Eureka-147 system that was approved for use in Canada (and elsewhere around the world). The coverage area will be Windsor and downtown Detroit initially, but may expand in the future. The availability of receivers in Windsor is still uncertain; they are available in Toronto, and it is hoped that local stereo stores in Windsor will begin carrying them soon. Currently across Canada, digital stations are operating in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Vancouver.

Note that this is NOT the same as the proposed digital systems in the U.S. Those are all IBOC (In Band, On Channel).

December 10:

* Windsor stations CIMX 88.7, CIDR 93.9, and CKWW 580 have been granted an extension to their special status in reference to Canadian content (Can-con). The stations are required only to program 20% Can-con versus the 35% required of other Canadian broadcasters due to their special status: competing against large commercial broadcasters in the USA that don't have any content requirements- Oakland Press

* Effecive Jan. 1st the new general manager at Kalamzoo's WMUK 102.1 will be Floyd Pientka. He will be replacing Garrard Macleod who is retiring Dec. 31st after 30 years as the station's GM- Kalamazoo Gazette

* Pete Travers, music director at Windsor's CIDR 93.9, has left the station to accept a role as program director at CHUM group sister stations in Kitchener- All Access

* Digital TV application: WSYM-TV 47 Lansing on channel 38

December 9:

* The latest 12+ Arbitrend reports for August-October have been released for both Grand Rapids and Lansing.

In Grand Rapids WBCT remains at #1, followed by WLAV, WGRD, WOOD-AM, and WKLQ. The Adult Contemporary battle tightened considerably with WOOD-FM falling to 6th overall with a 5.4 rating and WLHT improving to 8th overall with a 5.0.

Lansing's WITL and WFMK continued to hold the 1-2 positions, followed by WHZZ, WJIM-FM, and WMMQ. Country WXIK fell to a 1.5 rating, behind Detroit's WJR-AM.

* Detroit's WKBD Channel 50 has fired anchor David Scott- he'll be replaced by former WXYZ and WJBK anchor Rich Fisher- Detroit News

December 7:

* WRIF 101.1 Detroit has unveiled its new website design, it now features both a live stream of the station's feed plus a new interactive Internet only radio station named iRIF.

* FCC Actions: Granted license to cover for WHZZ 101.7 Lansing for changes- power increase to 4,100 watts from 3,300 and antenna height to 121 meters from 88; Granted license to cover for W284AH 104.7 Lansing (translator of WSAE Spring Arbor) for a power increase to from 50 to 250 watts.

* Digital TV application: WBKB-TV 11 Alpena on channel 13

December 6:

* Citadel Communications will be acquiring 9 stations owned by Liggett Broadcast (Lansing's WJIM-AM/FM, WFMK-FM, WITL-FM, WMMQ-FM, and WVFN-AM; Bay City's WHNN-FM; Flint's WFBE-FM; Saginaw's WTCF-FM) for $120.5 million dollars. The acquisition will put Citadel over the ownership limit in the Tri-Cities as it already owns 6 stations in that market (Bay City's WIOG-FM; Midland's WKQZ-FM; Pinconning's WYLZ-FM; and Saginaw's WILZ-FM, WGER-FM, and WSGW-AM), requiring that at least 2 stations be sold off before the deal is approved. Liggett owner Robert G. Liggett, Jr. will get a new chair on Citadel's board of directors once the deal is closed.

* DirecTV signs deal with ABC and NBC to carry all of the networks owned-and-operated local affiliates. ABC/Disney owns WJRT 12 Flint and WTVG 13 Toledo, OH- Broadcasting and Cable

* WSNQ 900 Gaylord has gone silent; station is for sale

* Digital TV application: WDHS-TV 8 Iron Mountain on channel 22

December 3:

* WDIV 4 Detroit general manager Alan Frank has been promoted to president of parent company Post-Newsweek's Stations division, effective 1/1/2000. Mr. Frank has been GM at WDIV since 1988- Electronic Media

* Call sign changes: Assigned WJOF to new station at 88.1 in Monroe

* Digital TV applications: WWTV-TV 9 Cadillac/Traverse City on channel 40; WWUP-TV 10 Sault Ste. Marie on channel 49

* FCC Actions: Approved the voluntary assignment of license from Great Lakes Radio to Lakes Radio for the following stations: WTIQ 1490 Manistique, WCMM 94.7 Gulliver; Approved the voluntary assignment of license from Lakes Radio to Great Lakes Radio for the following stations: WHCH 98.3 and WQXO 1400 Munising, WFXD 103.3 Marquette.

December 2:

* WNIC's 'Pillow Talk' hosted by Alan Almond has agreed to a national syndication deal and will be distributed by Boston-based Superadio Networks- Detroit Free Press

* Digital TV applications: WGTU-TV 29 Traverse City on channel 31; WGTQ-TV 8 Sault Ste. Marie on channel 56

December 1:

* From All Access: Morning host Steve Cochran, co-host/comedian John Heffron, and producer Steve Grunwald have all resigned from Detroit's WQKI 95.5. Kevin O'Neill moves to mornings on an interim basis while a new morning show is sought; WTCF 100.5 Saginaw's new program director effective next Wednesday is Jay Slater who moves from weekends/creative image director

November 30:

* The Fall Phase I (August-October) Arbitrend 12+ ratings for the Tri-Cities have been released. Continuing to hold down the number 1 spot is WKCQ, followed by WIOG in second, a tie for third between WHNN and WKQZ, and WSGW in fifth.

* Update on WSTD Standish: the station will remain silent until a buyer can be found.

* Look for Detroit TV stations 2, 4, 7, and 62 to be added to satellite TV services soon with the passage of new legislation in Washington D.C.

* Digital TV applications: WLUC-TV 6 Marquette on channel 35; WHTV-TV 18 Jackson on channel 34

* FCC Actions: Granted WOBE FM 100.7 Crystal its license to cover for a new station; Granted W61BX Grand Rapids a construction permit to move to channel 48 as W48CL

November 29:

* Cumulus Media will be acquiring Connoisseur Communications in a deal worth $242 million. The impact on Michigan is large- the combined group will result in 19 stations across the state. Here's the rundown by current owner:
Cumulus- Ann Arbor: WIQB, WQKL, WTKA, WYBN; Monroe: WTWR; Kalmazoo: WKFR, WRKR, WKMI
Connoisseur- Muskegon: WMRR, WMUS-FM/AM, WSHZ, WMHG; Flint/Saginaw: WDZZ, WRSR, WWCK-FM/AM, WTLZ, WFDF

In addition Cumulus also owns 6 stations in the Toledo market, and is the process of acquiring a 7th. The deal also includes an option to acquire WFGR Grand Rapids.

November 24:

* Sold: Battle Creek TV station WZPX from DP Media to Paxson Communications as part of a 9 station deal worth $173 million- Electronic Media

* WSTD 96.9 Standish has gone silent. No official word as to why or when the station will return to the air.

* WKFR 103.3 Battle Creek morning co-host Lou Brock has left the station. John Hammer remains with the morning show- All Access

* Digital TV application: WILX-TV 10 Onondaga on channel 57

* FCC Actions: Granted a construction permit to Northland Community Broadcasters for a new station at 88.1 FM in Monroe- power is to be 10,000 watts at 75 meters above average terrain directional; Granted WGKL 105.5 Gladstone its license to cover for a new station.

November 22:

* WGRV-FM 105.1 Detroit parttimer Ron Jamez moves to the overnight gig- All Access

* Digital TV application: WJRT-TV 12 Flint on channel 36

* FCC Action: License to cover granted for a new station to WBGV 92.5 Marlette

November 19:

* Deaths:
Longtime Detroit Free Press columnist Bob Talbert at 63, from complications of heart bypass surgery
Former WJBK TV anchor Beverly Payne in California. Ms. Payne was Detroit's first African-American anchorwoman, and one of the first female anchors in the top 10 markets of the USA

* Program director / afternoon host Rich Stevens has left WTCF 100.5 Saginaw; no replacement has been named- All Access

* Digital TV applications: WNEM-TV 5 Bay City on channel 22, WPBN-TV 7 Traverse City on channel 50, WTOM-TV 4 Cheboygan on channel 14, WSMH-TV 66 Flint on channel 16, WLLA-TV 64 Kalamazoo on channel 45; WEYI-TV 25 Saginaw on channel 30; WOTV-TV 41 Battle Creek on channel 20; WLAJ-TV 53 Lansing on channel 51

November 17:

* On-air changes at WGRV Detroit- Mitzi Miles moves from nights at WOMC to morning co-host, Chris Morgan moves his parttime role from WKQI, and Scotty O'Jay joins the station as production director- All Access

November 16:

* The August-October (Fall Phase I) 12+ Arbitrend report has been released for Detroit. WNIC maintained the number 1 position, followed by WJLB, WJR. WOMC and WWJ tied for 4th overall. Overall the Urban format slipped- WJLB lost a full point (5.8 from 6.8), WDTJ was down .3 (3.6 - 3.9), and newcomer WDMK failed to crack a 1.0 rating. Top 40 / contemporary hits WDRQ continued its ratings climb, moving to 6th overall with a 4.9 rating. Country WYCD began to show improvement with the departure of W4 country, landing in the 10th position overall. The ratings for the new format on 106.7 came in at 2.6, down to 16th overall in the market. Ratings for WPLT have remained basically unchanged with the move to Alternative Classics. Talk radio showed improvement- WDFN had its best 12+ ratings ever, scoring a 2.0 and FM talker WKRK improved to a 1.6.

* WJMN-TV 3 Escanaba has applied for its digital facilities on channel 48

* FCC Action: Granted WGRV-FM Detroit a license to cover for auxiliary facilities on its new tower. The station still has a construction permit for its regular facilities on the new tower (shared with WCSX and WRIF, located near Wyoming and 8 Mile in Royal Oak Twp).

November 15:

* WZZM TV 13 Grand Rapids has applied for its digital facilites on channel 39; WBKP TV 5 Calumet has reapplied for its digital facilities, this time on channel 18 (original application was on channel 39)

* FCC Actions: Granted WOOD TV Grand Rapids a license to cover for its digital facilities on channel 7

November 12:

* Broadcasting twins WSRI 92.1 Beulah and WSRQ 100.1 Bear Lake (Star FM) have been off the air for about two weeks due to staffing problems at the facilities. Plans are for the outage to be temporary; the stations will return to the air once the staffing issues are resolved.

* Stephenson's (Escanaba/Marinette) new 106.3 WMXG has not yet hit the air, even with the FCC's recent license grant. According to station general manager Mike DuBord, the station is scheduled to hit the air sometime after December 1st with an alternative-rock based Top 40 format.

November 11:

* New WXYT Detroit programming lineup: Don Imus 6-10am, Mark Scott 10am-noon (moving from 3-6pm), Rush Limbaugh noon-3pm, John McCullogh 3-7pm, Jimmy Barrett 7-10pm (moving from 10am-noon). Frank Turner stays with the station for fill-in duties.

November 10:

* WXYT Detroit and defense lawyer/former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Geoffrey Fieger have announced the immediate end of the Fieger Time program. Due to continued and increasing commitments to his practice and other ventures, Fieger has found it too difficult to continue to do an every day radio show. The decision was made mutually by Fieger and management of WXYT.

November 9:

* WILX NBC 10 Lansing has filled its vacant nightside director position with an unusual candidate. Michael Gay, a 20 year old Michigan State University student, has been pulled from the Weekend News 10 Today show (which he helped develop) and been hired full time. The change hands over the reins of the station's 6pm and 11pm newscasts to it's youngest full-time employee.

* WIDG 940 St. Ignace has switched to all sports as 'The Fan', an affiliate of the 1 on 1 Sports Network

* WDWB 20 Detroit has applied for its digital facilities on channel 21

November 8:

* FCC Action: Granted license to cover for WMXG 106.3 Stephenson

November 7:

* Upcoming station changes: WIDG 940 St. Ignace will switch from country to sports (1 on 1 Sports), WYUR 1310 Dearborn will add 1 on 1 Sports to its lineup 7-10pm- DX-midAMerica

November 6:

* WLNS-TV 6 Lansing has applied for its digital facilities on channel 59

November 5:

* Former morning hosts at WDFN-AM Detroit Mark Wilson and Rob Parker will be hosting a sports talk program weekends on WKRK-FM Detroit. 'Parker and the Man' will air 3-7pm Saturdays and 5-9pm Sundays. Also on Sundays will be Brian Kilmeades with a live NHL talk program from 9-11pm, followed by Inside the NHL 11pm-1am; Matt Drudge will debut his show in Detroit this Sunday from 11pm-midnight on WJR; Summer 12+ ratings for public station WDET-FM Detroit came in at 2.1- the station's highest ever, placing it ahead of stations like WDFN, WKRK, and CIDR; Detroit area CBS-owned radio stations are shuffling- WXYT and WWJ have moved their offices into new facilities in Southfield, to be followed soon by their studios. WKRK's offices have moved to the building abandoned by WXYT, their studios will move into that building also once the WXYT move is completed- Oakland Press

* Kingsley/Traverse City WJZZ AM 1210 has been silent for about a week- and will continue to be off the air until Radio One secures a buyer for the station. The station does not fit into the company's objectives- operating stations that are part of the top 10 urban markets in the country. After operating in an automated mode for several months in order to maintain the station's license, the 50,000 watt daytimer now lies dormant.

* New program director at WKQI-FM Detroit effective about Nov. 22 will be Tim Richards who will be moving from an AMFM station in Tucson, AZ; Former WTCF Saginaw jock Eric Meier takes over the assistant program director and music director roles at WCNF 94.9 Benton Harbor and WCSY 98.3 South Haven. In addition, Eric will be on air afternoons at WCNF- All Access

* FCC Actions:
- Granted a construction permit for a new FM station at 104.1 in Pinconning. Listed ERP is 4,100 watts at 112 meters
- Granted a construction permit for a new FM translator for WAAQ Mackinaw City at 89.1 FM in Fremont (W206AZ) Listed ERP is 55 watts at ground level (0 meters HAAT)
- Granted license to cover for WOTV 41 Battle Creek for a power increase to 5,000,000 watts from 2,000,000
- Granted license to cover for new station WTLI 89.3 Bear Creek Twp (Boyne City)

November 4:

* Scanlan Television, the owners of WGTU/WGTQ ABC 29&8 in northern Michigan and WBKP ABC 5&28 in the western UP, is planning another full service television station in the UP. The VHF, 316,000-watt station will operate on channel 10. Construction on the station's tower, near Republic, will begin next spring. News, administrative offices, and studios will be located in the Marquette area. A decision to build or renovate an existing property has not been made. Channel 10's coverage area will stretch from Munising in the east to Ontonogon and Gogebic counties in the west, and south into northern Wisconsin- Traverse City Record-Eagle

* WDEO 990 Ypsilanti has dropped AM stereo due to the fact that all its programming is in mono

* New afternoon news anchor/reporter at WKHM Jackson is Scott Claw who moves over from WJKN- All Access

November 3:

* FCC Action: Granted license to cover to W68CH Detroit for a new station

November 2:

* Bill Dallman has left the news director position at WZZM-TV 13 Grand Rapids for a job in Denver- Electronic Media

* Call Sign changes:
- WWCM 990 Ypsilanti is now WDEO (10/18)
- 91.5 Iron Mountain assigned WBMU (10/29)
- 89.7 Schoolcraft assigned WBMY (10/29)

* FCC Actions: Approved the voluntary transfer of license for WODJ 107.3 Greenville to Michigan Media from Goodrich Radio; Granted WKQI 95.5 Detroit a construction permit for auxiliary facilities

November 1:

* Summer Arbitrend 12+ ratings for the Tri-Cities have been released. Country WKCQ remains number one, followed by Top 40 WIOG which moved up from 5th in the spring. Improving to 3rd overall was Rock WKQZ. Falling to 4th and 5th overall were Oldies WHNN and News/Talk WSGW. Other stations improving share since the spring included WTCF, WTLZ, WCEN, WEEG, WKNX, and WWBN. Other stations losing share were WGER and WILZ/WYLZ.

October 30:

* Station swaps: WHCH FM 98.3 and WQXO AM 1400 Munising, along with WFXD FM 103.3 Marquette are to be swapped from Lakes Radio to Great Lakes Radio in exchange for WCCM 94.7 and WTIQ 1490 Manistique. Total value of transaction- $1.15 million plus accounts receivable- Broadcasting & Cable

* WGPR 107.5 Detroit's Rosetta Hines celebrates her 31 year career in radio in style- with a celebration concert at Detroit's Music Hall tomorrow at 8pm. Featured acts include Angela Bofill, Najee, and Roy Ayers- Detroit Free Press

October 29:

* Arbitrend 12+ ratings for the summer quarter have been released for Grand Rapids and Lansing.

The top 5 stations in Grand Rapids this past summer were Country WBCT, Classic Rock WLAV, Adult Contemporary WOOD-FM, Alternative Rock WGRD, and News/Talk WOOD-AM. Country music as a whole showed a dramatic ratings boost- WBCT (+1.4- 2nd place to 1st), WCUZ (+1.7- 12th to 9th), and WMUS (+1.3- 18th to 13th) gave that format a 4.4% boost. WOOD-FM seems to have taken control of the Adult Contemporary battle, improving to 3rd overall while competitors WLHT and WTRV both sank. Other stations with gains included WOOD-AM, WVTI, WODJ, and WMJH. Stations losing ground included WLAV, WGRD, WSNX, and WKLQ.

In Lansing, Country WITL retains its #1 position, but with a 2.6 point drop since the spring. WFMK stays a solid second, improving its ratings to 10.1 from spring's 8.9. WHZZ, WJIM-FM, and WJXQ rounded out the top five- with each station improving its shave versus the spring book. Classic Rocker WMMQ has fallen into 6th place overall, losing another .8 off its ratings. Country WXIK's recent ratings improvements have seemed to reverse themselves; the station finished with a 2.5 rating in 11th place overall.

* WDET Detroit's recent fundraiser netted the station $520,000- Oakland Press

* New program director at WYUR Detroit is Cliff Coleman, who replaces Joe Martelle. Martelle remains as a consultant while he seeks other opportunities- Detroit Free Press

* Program director Mark Anderson officially adds the morning show to his tasks at Bay City's WIOG 102.5- the new show is called '2 Girls & a Guy' with Anderson, Andrea Patzer, and Lisa Farrell. More from WIOG- Music director and midday jock Brent Carey adds assistant program director duties. Lynn Roberts joins the station from WBTI 96.9 Lexington as on-air Promotion Director. Nighttime's Man At Large has added the role of creative director; Overnights are now handled by Dylan Forbes and Steve Spencer; New night host and imaging director at WRKR Kalamazoo is Weasel- All Access

* FCC Action: Granted a minor modification of the construction permit at 90.7 in Walker (W214AY)- increase in power from 8 to 13 watts.

October 27:

* Tim Kiesling has shifted from program director of WJIM-FM Lansing to the same role at sister station WFMK-FM. New PD at WJIM is Hunter Scott; WGRD-FM Grand Rapids' Remy moves from overnights to nights and picks up assistant promotion director duties- All Access

October 24:

* WCLS 100.7 Oscoda has switched format to satellite fed Adult Contemporary (Jones) as 'Sunny 100dot7' from Country. The change moves the station back to its original format after only about 1 year.

* Michigan Radio's (WUOM 91.7 Ann Arbor / WVGR 104.1 Grand Rapids / WFUM 91.1 Flint) raised a record $587,537 during its recent fund drive- over $100,000 more than what was raised in March- Ann Arbor News

October 22:

* FCC Action: Granted WKBD TV 50 Detroit a construction permit to increase ERP to 5,000,000 watts from current 2,340,000

October 21:

* WWTV/WWUP-TV 9&10 northern Michigan has added a co-anchor: Doug Petcash has joined Trish O'Shea for the stations' 6 & 11pm newscasts. Doug arrives to the area from Pocatello, ID- Traverse City Record-Eagle

October 20:

* Winners of the recent FCC Auction involving Michigan frequencies:
FM 99.9 Manistique- Todd Stuart Noordyk $196,000
FM 107.9 Charlevoix- WBCM Radio $150,000
TV 19 Marquette- Winstar Broadcasting $320,000

* New morning host at The Zone (N. Michigan 94.3/95.5/93.9) is Tom Devitt, replacing Mark Wayne

October 18:

* The quarterly Arbitron 12+ ratings for Detroit (Summer, July-Sept) have been released. None of the stations with format changes in the past 2 months showed ratings improvement- WWWW 106.7 and WPLT 96.3 lost .3 off their ratings since the last quarterly rating and WKQI dropped .2. WDMK 102.7 also fell, to below a 1 share. The most successful recent change has been by WGRV 105.1's switch to Urban Oldies, improving .9 since the Spring. Overall, WJLB has moved into a first place tie with sister station WNIC, WOMC continued a solid third, and WJR and WWJ tied for fourth. WRIF stayed steady in sixth and WDRQ continued its ratings rally, up to 7th overall with an improvement of .7 since the Spring book. Country WYCD has improved slightly with WWWW's September shift to a rock format.

* WSHZ 107.9 Muskegon has dropped its satellite feed in favor of local hosts. Positioner is 'Star 108', format shifts to Adult Contemporary from Hot AC, adding the syndicated Delilah program evenings. Sister station WMHG 1600 has been off the air today due to transmitter problems.

* WXYZ 7 Detroit weekend weatherman Chad Myers has left the station to pursue weekend weather tasks at CNN in Atlanta. Spouse Sandy Heng will retain her reporting duties at channel 7- Detroit Free Press

* Mike Benson has officially been named as program director and morning host at WOOD-FM 105.7, moving from WTRV 100.5- All Access

* FCC Actions: Granted construction permits for new FM translator stations- 91.5 in Iron Mountain for VCY America (WVCY Milwaukee), 500 watts @ 183 meters; 89.7 in Schoolcraft for Family Stations, 1100 watts @ 42 meters. The Schoolcraft translator will replace one currently at 88.7 FM, 88 watts @ 0 meters.

October 15:

* New WKFR 103.3 Battle Creek lineup effective Monday 10/18: 5:30-10am- John Hammer (ex of WCXT, The Whip) and Louise Brock (ex of WODJ), 10am-noon- program director Dave Michaels, noon-3pm- music director/assistant program director Woody Houston, 3-7pm- Dave Benson, 7pm-midnight- Nick 'at night' Taylor, midnight-5:30am- All Night Cafe. The former WKFR morning team heads in different directions- Kidd O'Shea will join WVTI Grand Rapids' Michelle McCormick for mornings, and Heather McGregor heads for a morning show in Maine- All Access

October 13:

* Clear Channel/AMFM spinoffs in Grand Rapids- WLHT 95.7, WGRD 97.9, and WTRV 100.5 have been identified as the stations to be sold off in order to meet FCC ownership requirements before Clear Channel can complete its purchase of AMFM. All 3 stations are currently owned by AMFM- no buyer(s) has been announced.

* WMJZ Gaylord has changed frequencies from 95.3 to 101.5- keeping its satellite fed oldies format from Jones. New positioner is Oldies 101.5.

* The lineup on WKRK 97.1 Detroit starting Oct 25th: Howard Stern 6-11am; Ed Tyll (local only) 11am-noon, (syndicated) noon-3pm; Deminski & Doyle 3-7pm; Tom Leykis 7-10pm (1 hour is dropped); Mancow 10pm-1am; Loveline 1-3am; Mancow repeat 3-6am. Ed Tyll has a bit of Detroit history on his resume- he was part of the short-lived talker WOWF 99.5 in 1993- Detroit Free Press

October 12:

* Watch for Gov. John Engler to take the reigns of WJR's morning show for one day sometime in November or December as the payoff of a bet between the governor and regular morning host Paul W. Smith- had Michigan won this past weekend's game versus Michigan St., Paul W. would have been governor for a day- Detroit News

October 10:

* A bit more information on CKUE FM 94.3: Currently, the station is running at 10,000 watts from an antenna 300 feet high. The final configuration (expected to be December) will be 50,000 watts from 495 feet. Look for the audio quality to improve this week once the station gets in a new console and audio processor. On November 17th, test programming will end and a full lineup will begin, operating from temporary studios. A new studio complex is under construction and expected to be finished in December or January. The new on air lineup is scheduled to be J.J. and The Bear in mornings, Teddy Bear (Ted Roop) middays and Cordell Green, program director/afternoons. Sister station CFCO AM 630 is also undergoing changes: AM stereo is coming soon- new transmitter equipment has arrived and work is being done to get the stereo signal up and running within the next few weeks. In November or December CFCO will also be getting a pattern improvement and boost to its nighttime power. Nighttime power will go from 1,000 to 6,000 watts, and the slight pattern improvement will improve the signal both west (towards Detroit) and east (towards London) both day and night.

October 8:

* Coming to WKRK 97.1 Detroit from Los Angeles for the noon-3pm shift will be Ed Tyll effective October 25th; the show will be syndicated to stations in Sacramento, CA and Portland, OR- All Access

* Kidd O'Shea has left mornings at Battle Creek's WKFR 103.3

* Sold: Construction permit for WAAQ 88.5 Mackinaw City for $108,000 from Great Lakes Broadcast Academy to Broadcast Music Ministries (owner/president is Del Reynolds)- Broadcasting & Cable

October 7:

* Steve Schram has been named cluster vice president of AMFM's entire station group in Detroit- WMXD FM 92.3, WKQI FM 95.5, WJLB FM 97.9, WNIC FM 100.3, WWWW FM 106.7, WDFN AM 1130. AMFM also owns WYUR AM 1310, but leases the signal to Advantage Communications. Previously Schram had been VP and general manager of WKQI and WNIC- Detroit Free Press

October 6:

* New station in Chatham, ON signs on at 94.3 FM. Station is playing Alternative Rock while operating at temporary facilities (20% of final power, and lower antenna height) using the call slogan 'The Rock at 94.3', call sign is CKUE.
* WZPX 43 Battle Creek debuts The WB network today: WB Kids runs from 7-8am and 3-5pm; WB Primetime 6-8pm Mon-Sat and 6-7pm Sun. Consult your local listings.

* FCC Actions: Approved the voluntary transfer of license for the following stations:
From Mid Pen Broadcasting to Lakes Radio- WQXO AM 1400 & WHCH FM 98.3 Munising, WFXD FM 103.3 Marquette
From Goodrich Radio to Clear Channel Communications- WSNX 104.5 Muskegon

October 4:

* Clear Channel will be acquiring AMFM in a huge merger that will result in a company that owns an anticipated 830 radio stations nationwide. In Michigan, AMFM currently owns 15 stations- 7 in Detroit, 4 in Grand Rapids, and 4 in Battle Creek. Clear Channel owns 6 stations in Michigan, and is in the process of acquiring a 7th (WSNX), all of them in the Grand Rapids area. In order to meet FCC regulations, the deal will have to include the divestiture of 3 Grand Rapids area stations (current FCC ownership limit is 8 radio stations plus 2 TV stations in a market the size of Gd. Rapids). The entire deal is valued at $23.5 billion.

October 3:

* WEYI 25 Saginaw has added programming from The WB network to its overnight schedule beginning October 4th. Consult your local listings for exact times and days of the week for air times.

October 2:

* WMUZ 103.5 1-4pm host Mark Gilman adds another hour to his on-air schedule when a new talk show debuts on October 18th. The new show, 'She's Right--He's Male' will run from 11am-noon Monday-Saturday and feature Gilman and co-host Nancy Rice, a former figure skater and model.

October 1:

* June-August 12+ Arbitrend ratings have been released for Grand Rapids, Lansing, and the Tri-Cities.

Country WBCT has returned to the top of the heap, displacing WLAV who fell to 2nd overall. WGRD maintained its 3rd place rating overall, with WOOD-FM and WKLQ finishing tied for 4th. The two Clear Channel programmed contemporary hits stations finished 7th and 8th, with WVTI moving ahead of WSNX. Adult Contemporary WLHT has fallen out of the top 10 stations, coming in at 11th overall.

In Lansing, WITL continued at #1 followed by WFMK. WJIM-FM and WHZZ tied for 3rd overall, followed by WMMQ. The ratings for News/Talk WJIM-AM lost 1.3 ratings points, falling from 4.5 to 3.2, putting it into a tie with Country WXIK.

While WKCQ continued its dominance in the Tri-Cities, rocker WQKZ is making its presence known pulling into a second place tie with Oldies WHNN. WIOG pulled into fourth spot, followed by the sagging News/Talk WSGW. Ratings at WSGW have fallen to 7.5 from 10.2 since the Spring (Apr-June) book.

* John F. Wismer, owner and President of Wismer Broadcasting (WHLS 1450/WSAQ 107.1) passed away last night at Port Huron Hospital. Mr. Wismer, who was 85, started his career at WHLS Radio in 1946. Over the years, he has owned radio stations in Bad Axe, Hillsdale, Grand Rapids and Otsego, Michigan. Wismer brought professional hockey to Port Huron, when he established the Port Huron Flags of the IHL in 1962. He also started cable television in Port Huron in 1968 and in Bad Axe in 1970- WHLS/WSAQ

* The FCC granted the following call sign changes effective 10/1/99:
105.1 FM Detroit from WXDG to WGRV-FM, to match their positioner as 'The Groove'
1290 AM Saline WDEO to WYBN, to match their positioner as 'Your Business News'
104.3 FM Baraga from WBUM to WVCN, to fit with their owner- VCY America
106.3 FM Stephenson from WWHK to WMXG, to fit with their upcoming 'Mix' slogan

* FCC action: Granted a minor modification to the construction permit of WUPT-LP Crystal Falls to modify the coordinates of the tower location slightly

September 30:

* More classical music programming is coming to WYUR 1310 Detroit starting October 11th. The station will add 5 more hours of classics- the new schedule will be: 6-9am- Jimmy Launce (moving from middays); 9am-Noon- Classical Music; Noon-1pm- 'Lunch With the Lawyers'; 1-3pm- Classical Music; 3-7pm- Jim Davis; and from 7pm-6am- Classical Music. Former WQRS host Dick Wallace will be the voice of the classical programming during the daytime, Davis Gloff and Pat McElroy will continue their nighttime and weekend duties. Voluntarily moving off the air is current morning host Bob Hynes and current afternoon host Joe Martelle. Hynes and Martelle are the co-founders of WYUR, and will remain with the station- Oakland Press

* WNMC 90.7 Traverse City has dropped its morning show, 'Community Connection', hosted by general manager Rita Mellotti and now signs on at 8am instead of 6am

* WKFR 103.3 Battle Creek recently raised over $74,000 for the Child At Heart Fund during 'Roof Sit 99'- All Access

September 29:

* WOMC 104.3 Detroit afternoon DJ Tom Ryan and his wife Joan will be undergoing transplant surgery today as Tom donates one of his kindeys to Joan. Mrs. Ryan has had kindey troubles for years, luckily husband Tom was a tissue match. Today's surgery comes one day before the couple's 27th wedding anniversary.

* Shannyn Cook is the new program director and afternoon drive host at Ann Arbor's WQKL 107.1. Previously Shannyn could heard parttime on WKQI 95.5 Detroit and as the midday traffic reporter on WWJ 950 Detroit.

September 28:

* Morning host Keith Kelly has left WIOG FM 102.5 Bay City. Filling in with current co-hosts Lisa Farrell an Andrea Patzer until a new permanent host is announced will be program director Mark Anderson- All Access

September 27:

* The owners of WCXT FM 105.3 Hart have taken control of the station once again, ending the Local Marketing Agreement with Harbor Pointe Entertainment, and ending the Dance format known as 'The Whip'. The station has reverted back to its previous format - Adult Contemporary - after about 3 months as The Whip.

* New station WMOM FM 102.7 Pentwater officially signed on yesterday (9/26) as Adult Top 40, current hits of the 80's and 90's. The liner being used is 'Remember to Listen to Your MOM - WMOM'.

September 24:

* New morning show host effective Monday Sept. 27th at WDMK 102.7 Detroit is Frankie Darcell, who is moving from afternoon drive at WJLB 97.9 Detroit. Reggie Reg will take over the vacated spot at WJLB- Detroit News

* The CRTC (Canadian equivalent of the FCC) has approved a new station for Chatham, Ontario to be located at 94.3 FM. Approved ERP is 50,000 watts, the owner is Bea-Ver Communications (current owner of CFCO 630 and CKSY 95.1).

* Changes at Grand Rapids area stations WVTI 96.1 and WSNX 104.5: Afternoon jock at WSNX Eric O'Brien adds assistant program director duties for both WSNX and WVTI, Brad Newman adds the music director title at WSNX to his night on air shift role, and Ken Evans is named as night timer and music director at WVTI- All Access

* New nighttime (7pm-midnight) jock at The Bear (northern Michigan) is Sue Carson.

* New program director at WXYT 1270 Detroit is Sean Cherry- Detroit Free Press

September 23:

* Format changes in the Ann Arbor area: WWCM 990 Ypsilanti, recently purchased by a group led by former Domino's Pizza owner Tom Monaghan, has dropped its Christian music format in favor of Catholic radio, simulcasting WCAR 1090 Livonia. This programming moved from WDEO 1290 Saline, which is now formatted as business news/talk '1290 Your Business News'.

* WJR AM 760 Detroit's Mitch Albom afternoon show has added a full time affiliate: WHJJ Providence, Rhode Island; Mike Austin has left the morning gig at WFAT 96.5 Kalamazoo, replaced by former WRKR Kalamazoo jock Dave Doran; Former morning show cost-host PJ Lacey at WNWN 98.5 Coldwater has moved to middays, bumping Jay Sommers to afternoons, nights are held down by Erica Crews. New to the WNWN morning show is Deana, who moves from Detroit- All Access

September 21:

* The June-August 12+ Arbitrend report has been released for Detroit. This is the last report before the recent changes at WDMK 102.7, WWWW 106.7, and WPLT 96.3 will be measured. WNIC maintained its #1 spot, followed by WJLB. WOMC and WJR swapped #3 and #4, with WOMC jumping ahead of WJR. WWJ moved into a 5th place tie with WRIF, followed by WVMV. WDRQ moved into 7th place overall, followed by WCSX, WDTJ, and WWWW. Urban Oldies WXDG increased to a 3.0 share and maintained its 14th place position.

* Lineup at WMRR 101.7 Muskegon so far: 5:30-10am is Andy O'Riley who also adds music director responsibilities; Bill Marshall does middays (10am-2pm) and holds the creative services director role; afternoons (2-7pm) are held by former morning host The Boatman who also keeps his duties as promotions coordinator- Muskegon Chronicle

September 20:

* Congratulations to Grand Rapids' WBCT 93.7 FM on the results of its recent Roofsit for Kids Marathon. The station raised $483,829 to aid in the fight of child abuse and neglect, bringing the seven year total for the event to over $2 million- Grand Rapids Press

September 19:

* WIDL 92.1 Caro has shifted its format from satellite fed Classic Rock to satellite fed Hot Adult Contemporary

* Bo Andrews, former 3-7pm and 7pm-midnight host on northern Michigan sister stations The Zone and The Bear has left the stations

September 17:

* Lineup changes at WDFN 1130 Detroit effective Monday 9/20: Jamie Samuelsen & Gregg Henson move to morning drive (6-9am) from middays, the Jim Rome show expands 1 hour from noon - 3 pm, and the Stoney & Wojo show (Mike Stone and Bob Wojnowski) gains an hour and will run from 3-7pm. Gone from the lineup is Parker & The Man (Rob Parker and Mark Wilson).

* FCC Actions: Granted license to cover for W296AX 107.1 Escanaba (translator of WNMU 90.1); granted voluntary transfer of license for WWON 1160 Fenton from GWC Inc. to Birach Broadcasting.

* NBC has purchased 32% of the Pax network for $415 million. Paxson plans to add appropriate programming from NBC, keeping with the Pax family-friendly theme, beginning with made-for-TV movies, miniseries, and shows from NBC News and CNBC. NBC also will have rights to air NBC programming not picked up by the local NBC affiliate on Pax stations.

* FCC Action: Approved a call sign change for TV 25 W25BI Grand Rapids to WOGC-LP, effective 9/10/99

September 15:

* On air changes at WHZZ 101.7 Lansing: joining the morning show is Joe 'Da Hunk' Reno and producer Jessica 'Sweeney' Addams (wife of program director Jason Addams), new afternoon host and promotions director is Jack Spooner, midday host Dave B. Goode adds interim music director duties, new night host and production coordinator is Mike Couchman (ex of WXIK), new to weekends are Mike Suttles (also ex of WXIK) and Jeff Dekett; WKFR 103.3 Battle Creek morning co-host Heather McGregor has left; WRKR 107.7 Kalamazoo assistant program director/afternoon host Dave Duran has left, WBXX's Greg Thomas takes afternoons and current night jock Kevin O'Conner picks up the APD role; Creative service director Jeff Green for the Cumulus stations in Kalamazoo (WKFR, WRKR, WKMI) is leaving, replacement is Tim Burt- All Access

* FCC Action: Approved the involuntary assignment of license for WKBZ 1520 Muskegon Heights from WLC Broadcasting to Harbor Pointe Broadcasting

September 13:

* Muskegon's WMRR 101.7 has dropped its satellite feed from Westwood One in favor of a full lineup of local jocks. Primary music format remains classic rock (60's - early 80's), but with a heavier emphasis on more current songs. Satellite feed heavily featured 60's - 70's classic rock.

* May-July 12+ Arbitrend reports are now available for the Tri-Cities. The top 13 stations maintained their positions led by Country WKCQ, News/Talk WSGW, and Oldies WHNN. Contemporary Hits WIOG improved its ratings by 1.6 points, while rhythmic based competitor WTCF showed a .5 increase.

* WDMK 102.7 Mt. Clemens/Detroit program director J.D. Kunes has left the station, accepting a promotion within the Radio One organization- All Access

September 11:

* May-July 12+ Arbitrend reports have been released for Grand Rapids and Lansing. In Grand Rapids, the top 7 stations maintained their positions led by Classic Rock WLAV, Country WBCT, and Alternative Rock WGRD. 4th place WOOD-FM increased its lead over Adult Contemporary rival WLHT to 1.7 points. 8th place Top40/CHR station WVTI increased its share to 5.1, up from 4.3. Over in the Capital City, the top 9 stations maintined their positions led by Country WITL, Adult Contemporary WFMK, and Top40/CHR WHZZ. Big gainers in Lansing were Nostalgia WILS (4.2 to 5.0) and Country WXIK (2.2 - 2.9).

* New afternoon jock (3-7pm) at WYCD 99.5 Detroit starting Monday is Chuck Edwards, who arrives from Dallas. Staying is co-host Linda Lee- Detroit Free Press

September 10:

* Andy O'Reilly has secured the morning drive slot full time at Muskegon's WMRR 101.7. Status of former morning jock The Boatman is still undetermined, but look for the station to switch off the satellite soon and go with local hosts all day.

* WXYZ 7 Detroit reporter Kurt Rivera will be leaving the station to take on a morning anchor gig in Bakersfield, CA- Detroit Free Press

September 9:

* New midday host and music director at WHZZ 101.7 Lansing is Dave B. Goode- All Access

* Michigan Radio's (WUOM Ann Arbor, WFUM Flint, WVGR Gd. Rapids) Todd Mundt will be subbing for NPR's Carl Kassell on next week's morning newscasts- Detroit Free Press

* FCC Actions: Approved a call sign change for TV 59 W59AZ Rockford (Grand Rapids) to WOHO-LP, effective 9/6/99; Granted license to cover for W280DD 103.9 Ironwood, a translator of WHWL 95.7 Marquette, for power increase to 10 watts from 5 watts; Granted voluntary transfer of license for WJSZ 92.5 Ashley from Owosso Broadcasting to Curwood Broadcasting; Granted voluntary transfer of control for WWCM 990 Ypsilanti from Louis H. Velker and Daniel D. Poole to 990 Investors

September 8:

* WDWB 20 Detroit helped raise $1,432,557 for the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon- down slightly from 1998, but considered successful in light of this years switch to channel 20 from channel 2.

* WKQI 95.5 Detroit has slightly modified its playlist, leaning more heavily towards an Adult Top 40 sound (more current selections, dropping many 80's tunes) instead of Hot Adult Contemporary; WTWR 98.3 Monroe weekend jock Dan Joseph has left the station- All Access

September 7:

* The pending merger of CBS and Viacom should not have an effect on local station ownership. CBS currently owns WWJ-TV 62 and 6 radio stations in Detroit and Paramount (owned by Viacom) owns WKBD-TV 50. The combined group would be 8 stations, 2 TV and 6 radio, right at the new FCC limits set last month.

* FCC Actions: Granted licenses to cover for 2 translators of WHWL 95.7 Marquette for power increases to 10 watts: W224AV Covington (from 5 watts) and W224AW Bergland (from 2 watts). Both stations are at 92.7 FM.

September 6:

* 4:30pm: WPLT 96.3 Detroit ended its 'Flashback 500' with Peter Gabriel's In Your Eyes, and immediately began repeating the teaser 'Planet 96.3, Modern Hits of the 80's and 90's? The end is near' and playing REM's It's the end of the World as we Know It over and over (with commercial breaks!).

* 7:30pm: Stunting ends with the on air announcement that the 'new' format is Alternative Classics- alternative music from the late 70's through the 90's. Morning team Johnny in Morning along with operations manager/program director Garrett Michaels, president/GM Mike Feezey begin the new format by announcing that this is first format of its type anywhere and play the Stone Temple Pilots Plush to kick things off. According to the station, the response to 'Flashback Weekends' is so great that they decided to take the entire format in that direction. The station will keep the Planet 96.3 positioner and on-air staff.

September 4:

* Winner of the $25,000 giveaway on WWWW 106.7 Detroit was Andrea Agee of Westland, who was the first caller once the tone was stopped- Detroit Free Press

* The new morning show host at 'Alice 106.7' (WWWW) will be Michael J. Foxx- the main target demographic for the new station is the 35-44 age group- Detroit Free Press

September 3:

* Congratulations to Midland's WUGN 99.7 on winning the Marconi award for Religious Station of the Year

* 2:05pm: New format is on at WWWW 106.7 Detroit- Rock Hits as 'Alice 106.7, Radio for the rest of us'. Liner is Rockin' Hits of the 80's, 90's, and 70's

* And 'the tone' continues... after 36 hours, the drone of 'the tone' continues on WWWW 106.7 Detroit, with occasional teasers about the $25,000 give away once the station's new format kicks off. Speculation is that the new format (forget about country!) will kick off later today. New program director is sister station's WKQI 95.5 PD Tom O'Brien who shifts to W4- Detroit Free Press

* WXMI 17 Grand Rapids has applied for its digital facilities on channel 19

* FCC Action: Approved the application for the construction permit of WOBE 100.7 Crystal Falls to decrease to 350 watts ERP, 17 meters HAAT (downgraded to Class A from Class C1).

September 2:

* The stunting continues at WWWW 106.7 Detroit- 'the tone' is still on the air as of 6:00am. The Detroit Free Press is reporting that morning duo Welch & Woody, program director Tim Roberts, and consultant Joel Raab have all been let go, while afternoon host Michael J. Foxx remains with the station. The Freep is speculating the new format will be rock based- Detroit Free Press

* West Michigan will have to wait several months before UPN programming starts on the WOOD TV owned low power stations across the region as the equipment at the stations needs to be updated before airing the UPN feed.

* Newscasts on Grand Rapids' WZZM 13 won the 25-54 ratings battle for the first time since the mid-1980s, sweeping the #1 position for noon, 5:30, 6 and 11- Grand Rapids Press

* Sold: WGKI 33 Cadillac, WGKU 45 Gaylord, plus 3 other LPTV stations in northern Michigan (all affiliates of Fox and UPN), from GRK Limited Partners to Rockfleet Broadcasting for $12 million- Electronic Media

September 1:

* At 6:00pm WWWW 106.7 Detroit stopped regular programing and started airing a 400 Hz steady tone. The station's website, http://www.w4country.com states 'something new is coming to WWWW Detroit'. The stunting has begun- they are promising to give away $25,000 once the test tone ends, along with teasers that the tone will end soon. Last country song played was The Dance, by Garth Brooks, followed by The Star Spangled Banner.

* WMFN AM 640 Zeeland (Holland) switched from all Sports programming to all Business News at midnight as 'My Financial News', leaving Grand Rapids without a Detroit Red Wings affiliate.

August 31:

* WNEM 5 Bay City captures pictures of funnel cloud live on newscast- Saginaw News (8/27/99)

* New assistant program director and music director at WYCD 99.5 Detroit is Ron Chatman; New night guy at WBTI 96.9 Lexington is 'Big Steve' Duncan, who also keeps his weekend gig at WKQI 95.5 Detroit. Heather Bopra moves from nights at WBTI to the morning show- All Access

* FCC Actions: Approved the voluntary transfer of control for WLKM-FM 95.9 Three Rivers to BJ and ZK Shipley, trustees, and J. Williams Middendorf; approved the acquisition of negative control for WLKM AM 1510 by BJ and ZK Shipley, trustees, and J. Williams Middendorf

August 30:

* The May/June/July Detroit 12+ Arbitrends were released- the top 6 stations maintain their positions. The big gainer was Urban Oldies WXDG 105.1 which increased its share from 2.2 to 2.8, and moved into the top 15 (#14). The recent format change to Urban Adult Contemporary at Mt. Clemens' WDMK 102.7 seems justified as the ratings sunk below the 1.0 level to 0.8 with the old mainstream Adult Contemporary format.

* WXYZ 7 Detroit expands local morning newscast- start time moved from 5:30am to 5:00am

* WPXD 31 Ann Arbor has applied for its digital facilities on channel 33

August 27:

* WDMK 102.7 Mt. Clemens shifts format to Urban Adult Contemporary, moving away from mainstream Adult Contemporary. The niche is to be somewhere between Urban WJLB 97.9 and Urban AdCon WMXD 92.3. The station will be running jockless until a new on-air staff is hired. The station will keep the 'Kiss-FM' positioner- Detroit Free Press

August 26:

* From All Access:
- Changes at WFAT 96.5 Kalamazoo: Music director Tony Travatto adds assitant program director tasks, and midday host Kristen Taylor adds promotion director duties
- WHZZ 101.7 Lansing program director/morning host Jason Addams adds music director to his role as former MD and afternoon host Jeff Welling has left the station

* Sold: WQXO 1400 and WHCH 98.3 Munising, WFXD 103.3 Marquette from Mid Pen Broadcasting to Lakes Radio for 1.15 million

* FCC Actions: Granted WHWG 89.9 Trout Lake its license to cover; granted WRKR 107.7 Portage a construction permit to change its TL and its HAAT from 149m to 148m

August 24:

* St. Clair Shores gets approval for 10 watt TIS station at 1170 AM- Detroit News

* FCC Action: Granted WCHB 1200 Detroit its license to cover for its 50,000 watt daytime and 15,000 nighttime power levels/patterns.

August 23:

* A voice from the past is returning: Former Big 8 (CKLW) jock Bill Gable - then known as 'Brother' Bill Gable - will be the new morning host at WXDG 105.1 Detroit. He'll be reunited with PD Bill Fries, who got his start in radio as Gable's intern in Orlando, FL- All Access

* Jim Johnson and the morning crew at WCSX recently raised $240,000 for the Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan during their annual Radiothon, eclipsing last year's $224,000 total; WDIV producer Jeff Fish is leaving the station to start his own production company, he's already landed local gigs such as the Freedom Festival Fireworks and Thanksgiving Day Parade- Detroit Free Press

August 21:

* Ratings for Michigan's newest rated market, Muskegon, are now available. Leading this debut book is Country WMUS, followed by Classic Rock WMRR, Rock WKLQ, Hot AC WSHZ, and Oldies WLCS rounding out the top 5.

* The translator for WFRN at 101.1 in Coldwater has fallen silent while the owners (Friends of Christian Radio) look for a new location for the hardware

August 20:

* Moving up from part time status to full time nights at WWDX 92.1 Lansing is Brock; Leaving WLJB 97.9 Detroit is promotions director Jason Gani- All Access

August 19:

* Replacing WZPX TV 43 Battle Creek as West Michigan's UPN affiliate will be the low power TV (LPTV) stations owned by WOOD TV- effective September 1st. There are currently 7 LPTV stations in West Michigan: 1 in Battle Creek, 1 in Muskegon, 1 in Kalamazoo, and 4 in the Grand Rapids metro area.

August 18:

* WZZM TV Grand Rapids set to air its final 'Bozo's Big Top' after 33 years on August 28th- Detroit Free Press

August 17:

* WOOD TV Grand Rapids has started broadcasting programming in digital format on channel 7- Grand Rapids Press

* New program director at WHZZ 101.7 Lansing is Jason Addams- All Access

August 15:

* The Dr. Laura Schlessinger show changes Jackson affiliates, moving from WJKN 1510 back to WKHM 970 effective 8/23- Jackson Citizen Patroit

August 13:

* Vice president and general manager of WJLB 97.9 Detroit Verna Green has resigned those positions. Taking over GM duties on an interim basis is Peter Connolly, current VP/GM for sister stations WMXD, WWWW, and WDFN- Radio & Records

August 12:

* The Spring 12+ Arbitron for Northwest Michigan has been released. Country combo WTCM/WBCM continue at #1 overall, with Rock combo WKLT/WKLZ improving to #2. Adult Contemporary WLXT/WLXV suffered sliding from 2nd to 8th, losing 3.5 ratings points. News/Talk moves up to third, followed by the surging Oldies WCCW. Classic Rockers WGFM/WGFN round out the top 5 stations. WKPK improves to #6, passing CHR rival WKHQ. Country combo WBYB/WBYC (formerly Oldies) lost almost 2 ratings points and finished 12th overall.

* WTLJ 54 Muskegon and WAQP 49 Saginaw have applied for digital facilities, WTLJ on channel 24 and WAQP on channel 48

August 11:

* New operations manager and program director at WXDG 105.1 Detroit is Bill Fries; marketing director Vanessa Wilde of Radio One's Detroit station (WDTJ 105.9, WDMK 102.7, WCHB 1200) has left the company. Maureen Barkume takes over for WDTJ and WCHB, and Jaysen Schaffer will handle WDMK- All Access

August 10:

* Sold: WION 1430 Ionia to Agricultural Resource Group by the Ionia County Bank for $111,000 as part of a bankruptcy proceeding

* FCC Actions: Application accepted for the voluntary transfer of license from VJN LPTV Corp. to MTVN Online L.P. for WBXD-LP 5 Detroit

August 9:

* Country WNWN-FM and CHR/Top-40 WKFR lead the Spring ratings for Battle Creek. Rounding out the top five were Rock WRKR, News/Talk WBCK, and Rock WJXQ.

* Programming change in Grand Rapids as G. Gordon Liddy moves back to WOOD 1300 from sister station WTKG 1230. The program can be heard from 5-9pm. The Big Broadcast hosted by Phil Tower drops to 2 hours, running from 3-5pm.

* WWMT 3 Kalamazoo has applied for digital facilities on channel 2

August 8:

* CHR/Top-40 WKFR 103.3 Kalamazoo has its best ratings report since 1992 with a 12+ jump of 9.2-12.6, taking the #1 spot from sister station WRKR. The station also had #1 demos in 18-34 and 18-49 (tied with WRKR). View the Spring 12+ Arbitrons for Kalamazoo- All Access, Radio & Records

* WKQI 95.5 Detroit afternoon jock Jo Jo Kincaid will be doing double shifts as he adds mornings at the new WLOL Minneapolis to his responsibilities until a permanent replacement is hired

* FCC Actions: Announced new ownership rules as follows (changes max # of TV stations to 2):
In markets with less than 20 media outlets- maximum of 4 radio stations and 2 TV stations
In markets with 20 or more media outlets- maximum of 8 properties, with no more than 2 TV stations;
Also, modified the call sign of 106.7 Detroit from WWWW to WWWW-FM

August 4:

* Spring Quarterly 12+ Arbitron reports for Grand Rapids, Lansing, and the Tri-Cities were released today:

In Grand Rapids, Classic Rock WLAV held the number 1 position followed by the surging Country WBCT. Fading but holding the #3 and 4 positions were Alternative WGRD and CHR-Rhythmic WSNX. WOOD-FM is tied for 4th with WSNX and continues to lead the Adult Contemporary battle over WLHT and the surging WTRV. Also tied for 4th is Rocker WKLQ which continues to improve, moving up a full ratings point since the Winter book. Country Gold WCUZ also showed improvement. Stations struggling include WGRD, WSNX, WODJ, WJQK, WMUS, and WMJH.
Over in Lansing, Country WITL increased its listener share by a full 5%, moving to a 14.4 rating overall. Adult Contemporary WFMK holds on to second, with CHR WHZZ surging to 3rd overall on the strength of an improved signal. Rounding out the top 5 were Oldies WJIM-FM and Classic Rock WMMQ.

In the Tri-Cities, Country WKCQ continues at #1 followed by News/Talk WSGW. Rock station WKQZ moves up to third with an impressive 9.4 rating, followed by Oldies WHNN and Hot AC WIOG. Classic Rock combo WILZ/WYLZ improved, along with Adult Contemporary WGER and Country WCEN. Losing listeners since the Winter book were Urban AC WTLZ, Nostalgia WSAM, and Classic Rock WEEG.

* WYCD 99.5 Detroit swing shifter/music director Brian Hatfield has left the station; Final lineup for WCXT 105.3 Hart is John & Connie mornings, Stewart Jerome 10am-2pm, Beau Derek 2-7pm, Tim Hartley 7pm-midnight, and Jeff Wicker overnights- All Access

* FCC Action: Granted WHTV 18 Jackson its license

August 3:

* Lineup changes at WDFN 1130 Detroit effective 8/16- Rob Parker and Mark Wilson lose an hour from the morning slot, it'll now run from 6-9am. Art Regner and Terry Foster move from evenings to 9am-noon, replacing the syndicated Sports Babe show. Afternoons remain the same, syndicated Jim Rome show from noon-2pm, Jamie Samuelsen and Gregg Henson from 2-4pm, Mike Stone and Bob Wojnowski from 4-7. New evening show (7-10pm) will be local and feature hosts Eric Pate and Sean Beligian.

* The shakeup continues at WSNX/WVTI- New program director at WSNX is current PD of WVTI Jeff Andrews. Former WSNX program director Todd Michaels has decided not to move to WVTI, and midday WSNX host Britta has resigned and is headed for WSHZ 107.9 Muskegon. The music on WSNX has shifted more towards mainstream CHR while the music at WVTI is now more Modern Adult Contemporary/Hot Adult Contemporary- All Access

* WHAK 960 Rogers City is now automated Country Gold

* Half of the Erin & Gonzo show has left WKRK 97.1 Detroit- Erin Carmen is gone, replaced this week by Karen Kay; At WXYT 1270 Detroit, Frank Turner and John McCulloch have started a trial run from 8-10pm, if all goes well this show may shift to a better time slot- Detroit Free Press

* Former WLHT 95.7 Grand Rapids night jock Kristen Taylor lands promotion director and middays at WFAT 96.5 Kalamazoo- All Access

August 2:

* Clear Channel takes over operation of WSNX 104.5 Muskegon/Gd Rapids- on-air changes already taking place with some jocks from WVTI 96.1 moving to WSNX. WSNX is also using the 'Continuous Hit Music' positioner used on WVTI; the WSNX web site has also been taken down. A break down of personality changes so far: Out is WSNX music director and night host Phil Becker; WSNX program director Todd Michaels is shifted to WVTI as assistant program director and host; Afternoon host at WVTI Eric O'Brien moves to the same shift at WSNX; Evening host at WVTI Brad Newman moves to the same shift at WSNX; Working the afternoon shift at WVTI today was swing-shifter Trace Atkins

* FCC Actions: Approved the voluntary assignment of licenses from Goodrich Radio to Connoisseur Communications for WMRR 101.7 Muskegon Heights, WSHZ 107.9 and WMHG 1600 Muskegon.

July 30:

* Sold: WKBZ 1520 Muskegon for $434,000 from WLC Broadcasting to Harbor Pointe Broadcasting

July 29:

* WJZZ 1210 Kingsley (Traverse City) has returned to the air daytime only with an Urban Oldies format. The station is being run from Radio One's studios in Detroit.

July 28:

* All Access is reporting that the sales of Goodrich stations WSNX 104.5 Muskegon/Gd. Rapids to Clear Channel and WODJ 107.3 Greenville/Gd. Rapids to Bloomington Broadcasting have been signed. WSNX sold for $10 million, WODJ for $7.5 million. Pending FCC approvals, Local Marketing Agreements will kick in on August 2nd for WSNX (Clear Channel takes over operations) and on August 9th for WODJ (Bloomington takes over operations).

* New afternoon team at WKRK 97.1 Detroit effective 8/23 will be Jeff Deminski & Bill Doyle, replacing the Don & Mike show; WJR has welcomed back Ken Calvert as a fill-in host, he held down the morning show on Monday and Tuesday this week- Detroit Free Press

July 27:

* Michigan Radio (WUOM Ann Arbor / WFUM Flint / WVGR Grand Rapids) won first place awards from the Public Radio News Directors, Inc. in two categories - Best Newscast (8 a.m. newscast of November 4, 1998, election results) and Best Interview/Call-In Program (The Todd Mundt Show)- Ann Arbor News

* FCC Actions: Approved the voluntary transfer of licenses for WNIL 1290 and WAOR 95.3 Niles from Niles Broadcasting to Pathfinder Communications.

July 26:

* WBGV 92.5 Marlette has finished testing and is on the air full time with a Country format

July 25:

* WGLQ 97.1 Escanaba has indeed switched format to CHR, dropping almost all of its 70's and 80's pop music. The station is playing artists such as TLC, Brandy, Lenny Kravitz, Puff Daddy, Pearl Jam, Jennifer Lopez, and Will Smith using the liners 'Today's Hits' and 'Today's Top Hits'. The change happened about 3 weeks ago.

* The new station at 106.3 Stephenson (near Menominee) has been heard testing, format will be CHR as 'Mix 106.3' as WMXG.

* Severe weather in SE Michigan knocked many stations either off the air or to reduced power. Most stations resumed normal service within a few hours. Stations with problems included WTVS ch. 56, WPLT 96.3, WKRK 97.1, WVMV 98.7, WRIF 101.1, WDMK 102.7, WRXF 103.1, WDTJ 105.9, and WGPR 107.5

* WYCD 99.5 Detroit afternoon driver Eddie Haskell is leaving the station for to take over program director duties in Denver; WSNX 104.5 Muskegon/Gd Rapids adds assistant program director duties to nighttimer Phil Becker's responsibilities- All Access

* FCC Action: Granted WUPY 101.1 Ontonagon a construction permit to increase power from 30,000 watts to 100,000 watts, HAAT will decrease to 185 meters from current 189 meters.

July 23:

* Sold: The silent WWON 1160 Fenton for $708,000 to Birach Broadcasting (owner of WNZK Dearborn) by GWC Inc- Radio & Records

July 22:

* Arbitron 12+ ratings have been released for two Michigan markets that are only surveyed twice per year (Spring and Fall)- Ann Arbor and Flint. In Ann Arbor, WJR is #1- among Washtenaw County stations, News/Talk WAAM leads over WQKL, WIQB, and WTKA. WQKL 107.1 has suffered a ratings decline from 5.3 to 2.9 with the station's format change from all Oldies to 'Gold' based Adult Contemporary. Both WIQB and WTKA enjoyed ratings increases.

The top 5 remains unchanged in Flint- those stations are Urban WDZZ, CHR WWCK, Adult Contemporary WCRZ, Country WFBE, and Oldies WHNN.

* An out of court settlement has been reached between Advantage Communications, operators of WYUR 1310 Detroit, and owner AMFM Inc. concerning a $100,000 right-of-purchase deposit that the operators wanted applied to monthly operation fees- Detroit Free Press

* WHTV 18 Jackson has signed on and is carrying Bloomberg TV

* Moved to morning drive from afternoons is WDMK 102.7 Mt. Clemens DJ Jeff Jennings

* New night jock at WTCF 100.5 Saginaw is Robb Tracy- All Access

July 21:

* No longer with WIOG 102.5 Bay City is weekend personality Dylan Forbes who was let go after both an on-air prank involving a Britney Spears song and an on-air comment were not received well.

* Replacing Margot Smith as program director at WGRD 97.9 Grand Rapids is Tony Williams, effective Monday 7/26- All Access

July 20:

* New call sign for 92.1 FM Beulah - WSRI; changed from WBVE

* WCUZ 101.3 Grand Rapids midday jock Bob Simonson has left the station- All Access

July 19:

* The Detroit quarterly Arbitron ratings have been released with Adult Contemporary WNIC and Urban WJLB continuing to hold the 1-2 spots. Although still #1, WNIC's ratings have dipped from 8.2 in the winter to 7.1- just .1 ahead of sister WJLB, which increased from 6.6 to 7.0.

News/Talk WJR continues its comeback, scoring a .9 increase to 6.3. Calm summer weather, along with a slow news period have contributed to WWJ's tumble out the Top 5. Other stations with notable ratings decreases include: Oldies WOMC, Smooth Jazz WVMV, Classic Rock WCSX, Urban AC WMXD, Hot AC WKQI, and Talk WXYT.

The big winners in this ratings book were Rock WRIF, which jumped from 9th overall in the winter to 5th this period (ratings of 4.1 to 5.2), and Nostalgia/Classical WYUR which moved from 0.3 to 0.9. Other stations making gains included Urban WDTJ, CHR WDRQ, Country WWWW, Urban Oldies WXDG, and Alternative CIMX.

Detroit's stations with recent format changes, Urban Oldies WXDG and Adult Contemporary WDMK, are experiencing opposite ratings success- although WXDG remains 18th overall, ratings have improved past those of any ratings period with the Alternative Rock format. WDMK's ratings remain flat, not achieving the numbers obtained by hard Classic Rock.

* Joining WIOG 102.5 Bay City on August 2nd for music director and middays will be Brent Carey, who moves from WKPK 106.7 Gaylord. Current midday host on WIOG Aaron Adams moves to afternoons, replacing Mark McGill who was filling in on an interim basis. Mark is pursuing programming opportunities elsewhere- All Access

* FCC Actions: Approved the voluntary transfer of control for WBUM FM 104.3 Baraga to VCY America from Keweenaw Bay Broadcasting; corrected the coordinates of WEXL AM 1340 Royal Oak

July 16:

* WDFN 1130 Detroit program director/afternoon host Gregg Henson has added operations manager to his responsibilities with the station- Oakland Press

* New program director at WXIK FM 94.1 Jackson is Brad Walker, moving up from Music Director

* WWJ-TV 62 Detroit is now broadcasting digital programming on channel 44, forcing WDWO off the air. WDWO has a construction permit to broadcast on channel 18, but has yet to begin operations on their new frequency

July 15:

* An unconfirmed report states that WGLQ FM 97.1 Escanaba has moved from Hot Adult Contemporary to CHR

* From the Detroit News:
- Former WWWW, WYCD, and WXYT Detriot morning host Joe Wade Formicola is leaving the area to host NASCAR Country/Racing Country USA, a syndicated two-hour weekly radio show that combines NASCAR news and country music interviews. The show, carried on about 370 radio stations nationwide, is based in Charlotte NC.
- WDRQ FM 93.1 Detroit will be moving its studios from Southfield to the Fisher Building in Detroit- home of sister stations WJR and WPLT.
- WXYZ TV 7 Detroit moves 'The View' from 3:05 am to 11:00am beginning 7/19. The Roseanne Show moves to 1:35am.

July 14:

* WJR 760 Detroit has named Steve Stewart as its Operations Manager.

* New Program Director of WAYK Kalamazoo and WAYG Grand Rapids is Jake Ryan, replacing Scott Veigel

* Spring Phase 2 Arbitrends (12+ ratings, March-May) for Grand Rapids, Lansing, and the Tri-Cities have been released. Grand Rapids' WLAV continues at #1, with former #1 WSNX and Country WBCT continuing to slide. In the always competitve Adult Contemporary battle, WLHT has edged ahead of WOOD-FM. WOOD-AM showed dramatic improvement since the Phase 1 ratings. Over in Lansing, WITL widened its lead over the competition, carding an impressive 13.5 rating. Classic Rocker WMMQ continues its ratings slide. 'KCQ continues to rule the Tri-Cities with a 13.3 rating. WSGW and WHNN remained strong.

* WHWG 89.9 Trout Lake (NW of St. Ignace) has hit the air, simulcasting 95.7 WHWL Marquette- DX-midAMerica

* FCC Action: Shut down a pirate FM station operating from Cheboygan on June 15th

* Ann Arbor's WTKA 1050 was the victim of a lightning strike July 4th that knocked the station off the air. After occasional interruptions this week, the transmitter has been repaired and the station is back at full power

* New night host at WLHT FM 95.7 Grand Rapids is Kevin O'Brian; Phil Becker moves from parttime status to Assistant Music Director and night host at WSNX FM 104.5 Muskegon/Gd Rapids- All Access

July 13:

* Co-founder of WAMM (now WFLT) AM 1420 Flint Al Binder passed away July 9th at the age of 73. Mr. Binder was a Flint businessman who in 1955 started the radio station which was among the earliest radio stations programming to the black community. As a co-owner of a furniture store located in a predominately black neighborhood, he saw that the black population in Flint was being underserved in the broadcast media which inspired starting WAMM. Legendary DJ Casey Kasem landed his first radio gig at WAMM. The station was sold in the early 1960s and continued to program to the African-American population until around 1980 when the then-new WDZZ (FM) in Flint took away most of WAMM's listeners. The call letters were changed to WFLT and the station today is owned by the Christian Evangelical Broadcast Association with a Black Gospel format.

* WAGN AM 1340 Menominee has picked up Westwood One's Nostalgia format, dumping Oldies/Talk- Dx-MidAMerica

* Jim Long, former president of WJR AM 760 Detroit passed away July 12th at the age of 66- All Access

* Temporarily replacing WFAT-FM 96.5 Kalamazoo Assistant Program Director Colleen Adams is current Music Director Tony Travatto; Ace Armstrong is now doing nights at the station- All Access

* From the Detroit Free Press:
- Stacey DuFord, ex of WNIC Detroit, has been hired by WXYZ TV 7 Detroit for traffic/construction reporting.
- Reuniting with Bill Thomas on his Sunday WKRK Detroit program is engineer Boutros Boutros LaCroix.
- WADL Detroit has picked up the new NBC soap 'Passions' after Detroit's NBC affiliate (WDIV) opted not to carry the show. The program airs at Noon weekdays.
- WWJ TV 62 Detroit announced plans to telecast Fash Bash live on August 11 from the Fox Theatre

* WWJ TV 62 Detroit has increased power to 5,000,000 watts

* FCC Actions: Granted transfer of control from LCH Holdings to LIN Broadcasting for the following stations: WOOD-TV 8, WOWD-LP 15, and WOLP-LP 27 Grand Rapids, WOKZ-LP 38 Kalamazoo, and WOMS-LP 29 Muskegon; WTVS TV Detroit was granted its application for digital facilities on channel 43

July 12:

* On July 2nd at noon, WCXT 105.3 Hart kicked off its new format as 'The Whip'. Format is Rhythmic CHR. New Program Director is Keith Curry who moves from new rival WSNX 104.5 Muskegon/Gd Rapids. The station, along with WKBZ 1520 Muskegon, are being purchased by Harbor Pointe Entertainment. The studios for WCXT have moved from near Hart to Muskegon- Muskegon Chronicle

* WTCF FM 100.5 Saginaw has announced its new slogan- 'Pirate Radio 100.5'. Gone from the station are afternooner Eric Meier and nighttime guy Ronnie Z. The new lineup includes 'Pirate Eric' (Eric Chase) late nights, and 'Pirate Mason' middays- All Access

* WKQS FM 101.9 Negaunee has added the syndicated Delilah program evenings- DX-MidAMerica

* New VP/GM fro WJXQ, WWDX, and WXIK Lansing/Jackson is Nancy Dymond- All Access

* The religious translator of the Calvary Satellite Network in Grand Rapids at 90.7 FM (W214AY) has hit the air full time

* New station with a construction permit at 88.1 in Gaylord has been granted its call sign- WBLW

* CKTY AM 1110 Sarnia, Ontario has fallen silent

July 1:

* Bill Thomas will return to the Detroit airwaves beginning July 11th at 11:00pm on WKRK FM 97.1 and host a weekly Sunday program called 'Sunday Big Fun Hour'- Detroit Free Press

June 29:

* WKRK FM 97.1 Detroit will be the new home of the Lovelines show beginning July 26th as the program moves from CIMX FM 88.7 Windsor. The show will air from from 1-3am - Detroit Free Press

* New Program Director and Operations Manager at WTCF FM 100.5 Saginaw is Rich Stevens; Greater Media announces the appointment of General Sales Managers for two stations, Ron Steinman (WCSX) and Vince Turco (WXDG). WXDG plans to announce its new slogan and winner of the 'Name the Station' contest on Friday, about 10,000 entries were received; WOOD-FM 105.7 Grand Rapids Program Director Steve Dirksen has moved to sales and is replaced in the PD chair by Robb Westaby- All Access

June 28:

* News from All Access:
o An agreement to sell WCXT FM 105.3 Hart from Waters Broadcasting to Harbor Pointe Communications has been reached; the perspective new owners have lots of big changes planned:
+ New calls to be WWIP as '105.3 the Whip', a CHR/rhythmic format by July 2nd under a LMA.
+ Pending FCC approval, the station will move to Muskegon to get full signal coverage over Grand Rapids
+ Moving from mornings at WHZZ FM 101.7 Lansing for mornings will be John Hammer and Connie
o Also leaving WHZZ is AE Cynthia Conklin who heads for a sales position at WGRD FM 97.9 Grand Rapids.

* WVIC FM 92.7 Charlotte has fallen silent.

* FCC Actions: Granted WOBE FM 100.7 Crystal Falls a modification to its construction permit: changed tower location and HAAT from 78 to 149 meters; Official call change date for 1140 Kentwood from WXBV back to WKWM was 6/21

June 27:

* The simulcasting WSRQ FM 100.1 Bear Lake and WBVE FM 92.1 Beulah have officially hit the air with an 80's Hits format 'Star FM'.

* WGRD FM 97.9 Grand Rapids has added live webcasting to its updated web site.

* Updates on a pair of new Upper Peninsula stations: WWHK 106.3 Stephenson- was announced earlier that this station was to be 'Hawk' with a Country format sometime in June, now expected to be WMXG and CHR sometime in July. WOBE 100.7 Crystal Falls expected to be B101 with Oldies format sometime in September- DX-MidAMerica

* WWMT TV 3 Kalamazoo is reporting that it will add Real Video to its web site soon.

June 25:

* WBGV 92.5 Marlette has (finally!) started its testing phase. The station has had at least 10 extensions to its construction permit over the past few years. No word on a format yet.

June 24:

* WZPX TV 43 Battle Creek will add WB programming to its lineup in the fall. Pax programming will remain in prime time and the station will also keep UPN programs in its lineup. Exact scheduling details for WB and UPN shows is still being worked out.

* Replacement for the Steve Dahl show afternoons on WKRK FM 97.1 Detroit is the Don & Mike show, syndicated from Washington DC.

June 23:

* Sold: Muskegon area stations WMHG AM 1600, WMRR FM 101.7, and WSHZ FM 107.9 Muskegon from Goodrich Radio to Connoisseur Communications for $2.7 million. Once this transaction is approved by the FCC, Connoisseur will own 11 stations in Michigan- 7 in the Flint/Saginaw area and 4 in Muskegon.

* WKRK FM 97.1 Detroit and Steve Dahl have parted ways. During yesterday's show, the live feed between Chicago and Detroit was dropped after Dahl said goodbye to Detroit. WKRK filled the remaining time of Dahl's program with 'Best of' segments of the Erin & Gonzo show. Today the lineup was Howard Stern mornings, Erin & Gonzo until 4pm, the tape delayed Mancow program, followed by Tom Leykis.

* Not to be outdone by fellow country station B93 Gd. Rapids, WKCQ FM 98.1 Saginaw drew 92,000 to its free Music Fest; Chuck Cordell, afternoon host at WIOG 102.5 Bay City, has left the station: filling in on an interim basis is Mark McGill while he looks for a new Program Director position (having left WTCF)- All Access

June 22:

* WSRQ FM 100.1 Bear Lake and WBVE FM 92.1 Beulah have started testing. Word is that there are engineers in the area attempting to get the stations on the air sometime soon with a 'format to be named later'.

* From All Access: Program Director and morning co-host Jay J. McCrae has left WXIK FM 94.1 Jackson to take over the PD post at rival WITL-FM 100.7 Lansing. McCrae's wife and morning co-host Jordan Lee has also left WXIK for WITL. This is McCrae's second tenure at WITL, having been the PD there from 1990 through 1995; Over 85,000 attended WBCT FM 93.7 Grand Rapids 7th annual birthday bash over the weekend (that's 10,000 more folks than attended the Dallas Star's Stanley Cup victory parade yesterday in Dallas).

* FCC Action: Granted the application of WOOD-TV for its digital facilities on channel 7. Also, WADL-TV 38 Mt. Clemens has applied for its digital facilities on channel 39.

June 21:

* WNIC and WJLB remain 1-2 with WJR moving to 3rd overall in the Spring Phase 2 Arbitrend Report for Detroit. The emergence of Classic Soul on 105.1 (WXDG) is being felt in the ratings; WXDG increased its share at the expense of competitors WOMC, WVMV, and WMXD. Other stations with improvements were WJR, WRIF, WDRQ, and WWWW. FM Talker WKRK is in danger of falling off the ratings reports, falling to 23rd overall behind WDFN, WDMK, and WGPR- All Access

* Sold for $450,000: WPLB-FM/AM 106.3/1380 Greenville by Kortes Communications to Stafford Broadcasting- Broadcasting & Cable

* Stations add webcasting capabilities: WJQK-FM 99.3 Zeeland and CHYR-FM 96.7 Leamington ON.

* FCC Action: Granted construction permit to WUOM FM 91.7 Ann Arbor for auxiliary facilities- 110kW, HAAT 146m

June 18:

* WKAR FM,AM,TV E. Lansing have all added webcasting of local programming to their revamped web sites- Michigan State University

* WGRD FM 97.9 Grand Rapids Program Director Margot Smith delays her departure until July 15th as the search for a replacement continues- All Access

June 17:

* WTCF FM 100.5 Saginaw has tweaked its format from Mainstream CHR to Rhythmic CHR.

* AM 1140 Grand Rapids has changed its call sign back to WKWM from WXBV.

* WJRT-TV 12 Flint breaks ground on addition to its facility; extra room needed for digital TV equipment- Flint Journal

* FCC Actions: The following LPTV stations have had their licenses cancelled and call signs deleted- W30AK, W35AK, W43AN, W47AF, W56BF, W59AQ, W63AW, W65BN, W67AO, K69BA. All of these stations were licensed to Bresnan Communications in Iron Mountain.

June 16:

* WXBV AM 1140 Grand Rapids has dropped its talk format in favor of Westwood One's Rhythmic Oldies format known as "Groovin' Oldies".

* Congratulations to Dick Purtan of WOMC-FM 104.3 Detroit on being honored as Oldies Air Personality of the Year by Radio & Records- Detroit Free Press

June 15:

* WKPK-FM 106.7 Gaylord has added live web broadcasting to its web site.

* WTCF-FM 100.5 Saginaw morning co-host and Program Director Mark McGill is leaving the station, along with consultant Mark Bolke- All Access

June 14:

* Sale price of WWCM AM 990 Ypsilanti: $2.5 million. Seller is Word Broadcasting Inc, offical buyer is Ave Marie Foundation- Broadcasting & Cable

June 12:

* FCC Action: Approved call sign change of WZTU FM 100.1 Bear Lake to WSRQ

June 11:

* The Tri-Cities Arbitrend report has been released- The top 3 stations remain Country WKCQ, News/Talk WSGW, and Oldies WHNN. Swapping 4th and 5th positions were Rock WKQZ and Hot AC/CHR WIOG, with WKQZ making a large jump from 7.3 to 8.9. Rival Rock station WWBN also made a noticeable increase. Stations struggling this period included CHR WTCF, Urban AC WTLZ, and Nostalgia WMRX/WMPX.

* Being sold: Ypsilanti's WWCM AM 990 to former Domino's Pizza owner Tom Monaghan. This will be the second venture into radio ownership for Mr. Monaghan; previously he owned WPZA AM 1050 Ann Arbor (now WTKA). Look for the format of WWCM to change to Catholic broadcasting- Oakland Press

* Changes at WCFX-FM 95.3 Clare: Johnny Danger takes over nights from Jon Carson who has moved to afternoons. Former afternoon host Tony Travatto has moved on to WFAT-FM 96.5 Kalamazoo as Music Director. Rob Ryan, former midday jock, is no longer with the station; filling in temporarily is Dann Hayes, who is leaving the station at the end of the month- All Access

* WKBD-TV 50 Detroit has applied for its digital facilities on channel 14.

June 10:

* Silent stations WZTU-FM 100.1 Bear Lake and WBVE-FM 92.1 Beulah will be simulcasting a CHR/Top 40 format once they get back on the air. Reported call new call for WZTU is WSRQ as 'Star'- DX-MidAMerica

* WWJ AM 950 Detroit has applied to upgrade its daytime signal to 50,000 watts from the current 12,000.

* Liggett Broadcasting has broken ground in a Saginaw Twp. on a new building to house the studios for WTCF-FM 100.5 and WHNN-FM 96.1. The current location originally held WHNN; with the recent purchase and move of WTCF to the WHNN building, space has become a premium item- thanks, Gary Flinn

* FCC Actions: WXYZ-DT 41 and WDIV-DT 45 Detroit were granted their licenses (for digital facilities).

June 9:

* From All Access, the lastest Arbitrend reports are out for Grand Rapids and Lansing covering February through April. In Grand Rapids, Classic Rock WLAV has moved back to number one, bumping former #1 CHR-Rhythmic WSNX to 3rd overall. Country WBCT landed in 2nd. Big winners were three Adult Contemporary stations, WOOD-FM, WLHT, and WTRV- WTRV increased its rating from 2.7 to 3.6. Urban WJNZ-AM continues to improve its ratings as more people find the station. Lansing's WITL-FM also returned to the #1 spot, followed by Adult Contemporary WFMK and the surging Oldies WJIM-FM. Also improving was CHR WHZZ-FM.

* WTCF-FM 100.5 Saginaw Assistant Program Director and midday host Juli Jay has left the station; New Program Director at WFBE-FM 95.1 Flint is Brian Cherry; WFAT-FM 96.5 Kalamazoo Assistant Program Director and midday host Colleen Adams has resigned, her last day is 6/23- All Access

June 8:

* The pending sales of Goodrich Radio owned WSNX-FM 104.5 Muskegon and WODJ-FM 107.3 Greenville are very close to becoming reality. WSNX will go to Clear Channel, WODJ to Michigan Media (Bloomington Broadcasting).

* New afternoon voice on WXDG-FM 105.1 Detroit beginning Monday 6/14 will be Doc Reno, in from Buffalo- All Access

* WGVU-TV 35 Grand Rapids has applied for its digital facilities on channel 11.

June 7:

* FCC Action: Granted LPTV station W68CH Detroit a construction permit to move to channel 33; ERP will decrease to 15,000 watts from current 21,900. Tower location will change from near Livernois and Davison to near I-96 and Evergreen.

June 5:

* The format for CHKS-FM 106.3 Sarnia will be Modern Rock Hits as 'K-106'; Program Director is Ron Dann- Oakland Press

* Adding Assistant Program Director duties at WKQI-FM 95.5 Detroit is afternoon jock Jo Jo Kincaid; New General Sales Manager at WDMK-FM 102.7 Mt. Clemens is Allen Gantman- All Access

* Westwood One (owned by CBS) has purchased Metro Traffic and will combine it with its own Shadow Traffic service. No official word on what this means to the on-air folks that provide traffic reports to many Detroit radio and TV stations.

June 4:

* All Access reports that WJLB-FM 97.9 Detroit nighttime co-host Arthur Young (Art in 'Da Dark) has passed away at age 21 from leukemia.

June 3:

* Promoted: Mark Shepherd of WDIV-TV 4 Detroit from Senior News Producer to Executive News Producer- Detroit Free Press

* FCC Actions: Granted a construction permits for 2 FM translators of WSAE Spring Arbor to increase power- the first, located at 96.5 in Adrian (W243AD) will go to 120 watts from 50 watts; the second, located at 92.5 in Battle Creek (W223AE) will go to 80 watts from 50 watts.

June 2:

* Former WABX-FM 99.5 Detroit Air Ace Dave Dixon passes away at 60

* FCC Action: Approved a construction permit for WXDG-FM 105.1 Detroit for an Auxiliary Facility; ERP 16,500 watts, HAAT 228 meters.

May 30:

* WOWE FM 98.9 Vassar has become part of the nationwide trend of format switches to Rhythmic Oldies, changing from Urban AC- DX-midAMerica

* WLKM AM 1510 Three Rivers has changed its primary format from News-Talk to Nostalgia (Jones Satellite Network). Retained is the G. Gordon Liddy program- DX-midAMerica

May 29:

* A new station in Sarnia, Ontario has signed on 106.3 FM and begun testing using the call sign CHKS. The plan is for AM 1110 CKTY to eventually go dark.

* Evening host Matt Gielczyk at WKLQ-FM 94.5 Holland has left the station.

* FCC Actions: Approved a construction permit for a new FM translator of KAWZ Twin Falls, ID in Baldwin at 88.1 (W201CF), ERP 13 watts, HAAT 118 meters; Approved a construction permit for the FM translator of WSAE Spring Arbor located at 104.7 in Lansing (W284AH) to increase power from 50 watts to 250 watts; Approved construction permits to increase power for 3 tranlators of WHWL Marquette: W224AV 92.7 Covington (5w to 10w), W224AW 92.7 Bergland (2w to 10w), W280DD 103.9 Ironwood (5w to 10w); Dismissed applications for power increases for 4 tranlators of WHWL Marquette: W259AD 99.7 Newberry, W260AC 99.9 Houghton, W261CI 100.1 Escanaba, W293AG 106.5 Trout Lake.

* WZPX-TV has applied to the FCC for its digital facilites on channel 44.

May 28:

* Leaving: WPLT-FM 96.3 Detroit Marketing Director Mark Wuggazer- Oakland Press; WXYZ-TV 7 Detroit News Director David Roberts who is returning to Atlanta- Detroit Free Press

* Detroit TV May sweeps: WDIV-TV 4 claims victory for 5 of 6 news slots, with WXYZ-TV 7 grabbing the 5pm title- Detroit Free Press

May 27:

* FCC Action: Granted a construction permit to Gaylord Baptist Christian School for a new non-commercial educational station at 88.1 FM just west of Gaylord. ERP on the permit is 3,000 watts with HAAT of 39 meters.

May 26:

* Announced on WJR's David Newman show today: WJR-AM 760 Detroit Program Director Al Mayers is leaving the station- thanks, Ted Hammond

* FCC Actions: Approved the Voluntary Assignment of Licenses for WDOW-AM 1440 and WVHQ-FM 92.1 Dowagiac from Van Hawke Communications to Janson Communications.

May 24:

* In the latest Arbitrend 12+ ratings (February - April), the ratings of WJR-AM 760 have rebounded to tie WOMC-FM 104.3 for 3rd place overall. WNIC and WJLB remain 1 - 2, while WWJ falls to 5th place. Country WYCD-FM 99.5 had the 2nd best ratings improvement with a .4 ratings increase, good for a tie with Country competitor WWWW-FM 106.7. FM Talker WKRK 97.1 continues to slide, falling behind Alternative/Urban Oldies WXDG-FM 105.1, Alternative CIMX-FM 88.7, and Urban WGPR 107.5. The ratings of Adult Contemporary WDMK-FM 102.7 have not reflected any significant change in its first complete ratings period since the format was changed from Classic Rock- All Access

* WHAK-FM 99.9 Rogers City has swapped formats from Country to an automated Oldies format as '99.9 The Wave', filling some of the gap left when the then WAIR-FM 92.5 (now WBYC) swapped from Oldies to Country

* WEFG-FM 97.5 Whitehall has stuck with Westwood One's Rythmic Olides format after WW1 changed formats of the syndicated service from 70's Oldies.

May 22:

* WHFB-AM 1060 Benton Harbor decided not to carry Westwood One's revamped 70's format in favor of CNN Headline News when the format was changed from 70's Oldies to Groovin' Olides

* FCC Action: Application Granted to FM Translator W214AY 90.7 Walker- modification of construction permit to change power and relocate station.

May 21:

* From All Access: Moving from WKPK-FM 106.7 Gaylord to Jackson's WIBM-AM 1450 & WKBM-FM/AM 105.3/970 is Jon Centala who takes on the role of Production/Imaging Director; Once the acquisition of Capstar is complete, look for Chancellor Media to change its name to AMFM Inc.

May 19:

* After 20 years on WJBK-TV 2 Detroit, the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Telethon is moving to WDWB-TV 20- Detroit Free Press

May 17:

* FCC Actions: Approved the voluntary transfer of control from Capstar Broadcasting to Chancellor Media for the following stations: WBCK-AM 930, WRCC-AM 1400, and WBXX-FM 95.3 Battle Creek, WNWZ-AM 1410, WLHT-FM 95.7, and WGRD-FM 97.9 Grand Rapids, WTRV-FM 100.5 Walker, and WWKN-FM 104.9 Marshall. This is a duplication of the FCC actions on March 17, 1999.

May 14:

* Detroit area sports radio changes: WDFN-AM 1130 Detroit has cut back both the Fabulous Sports Babe Show and the Jamie and Greg Show by one hour to make room for a 2 hour block of Jim Rome. The new schedule is: Sports Babe 10am-Noon, Jim Rome Noon-2pm, and Jamie & Gregg 2-4; WTKA-AM 1050 Ann Arbor has added NHL playoff hockey from Mutual Sports to its lineup.

* Two more Grand Rapids LPTV stations have joined WOOD-TV's Local Weather Station Network, Ch 25 (W25BI) and Ch 59 (W59AZ)

May 13:

* New Program Director at WKRK-FM 97.1 Detroit is Terry Lieberman; Nikki Chuminatto has been promoted to Music Director and morning host at WWDX-FM 92.1 St. Johns, replacing Jesse Addy- All Access

May 12:

* WJLB-FM 97.9 Detroit Programmer Michael Saunders has been promoted to Programming Vice President of Chancellor Broadcasting. He'll stay at WJLB and add consulting duties at WMXD-FM 92.3 Detroit- Detroit Free Press

* Music Director and nighttime host Craig Russell has left WKFR-FM 103.3 Battle Creek to rejoin WKPK-FM 106.7 Gaylord where he was Program Director from 1993-95. He'll take on the afternoon shift and become Assistant Program Director (APD). Back at WKFR, APD Woody Houston becomes Interim Music Director, while morning sidekick Todd Kangas leaves the station to become Promotion Director at WGRD-FM 97.9 Grand Rapids- All Access

May 10:

* WOLY AM 1500 Battle Creek has returned to the air - however the FCC database does not show an entry for the station. It's likely the station is operating with a Special Temporary Authority granted by the FCC.

* WJXQ-FM 106.1 Jackson is once again using the 'Q106' positioner - dropping 'New 106' after 2 years.

May 8:

* From All Access, the Winter 12+ Arbitron ratings are in for Lansing. Adult Contemporary WFMK-FM 99.1 wins the quarter over sister station Country WITL-FM 100.7. Every other station maintains the same position they held in the Fall.

May 7:

* From All Access, the Winter 12+ Arbitron ratings are in for Grand Rapids and the Tri-Cities. CHR-Rhythmic WSNX-FM 104.5 is #1 in Grand Rapids, followed by Country WBCT-FM 93.7, and the surging alternative WGRD-FM 97.9. Making improvements since the fall were Rock WKLQ and Oldies WODJ. Slipping was Classic Rock WLAV, News/Talk WOOD-AM, and Country Gold WCUZ. In the Tri-Cities, News-Talk WSGW-AM 790 has surged to tie Country WKCQ-FM 98.1 at the top of the ratings. Oldies WHNN and Hot AC WIOG continue to be strong. Urban AC WTLZ-FM has improved its ratings along with Classic Rock simulcasters WILZ/WYLZ. Stations losing share were CHR WTCF, Adult Contemporary WGER, and Country WCEN.

May 6:

* Grand Rapids pirate station 'La Voz' operating at 93.1 FM shut down by FCC on April 22nd- Grand Rapids Press

* FCC Actions: Approved the construction permit for LPTV station W58CU Big Rapids to move to channel 52 as W52DB. New ERP will be 22.4 kW, up slightly from the current 22.2 kW; Approved the construction permit for LPTV station WMKG channel 40 Muskegon to move to channel 38

May 5:

* WDET-FM 101.9 Detroit scored its highest ratings ever this winter (Jan - Mar). The station's 1.9 rating places it ahead of WXDG-FM 105.1 and WKRK-FM 97.1- Detroit News

* Sold: WDOW-AM 1440 and WVHQ-FM 92.1 Dowagiac from VanHawke Communications to Jason Communications for $680,000- Broadcasting & Cable

* Resigned: WGRD-FM 97.9 Grand Rapids Program Director Margot Smith effective 6/25- All Access

May 4:

* Fired from WTCF-FM 100.5 Saginaw was night DJ Thomas Grimm after a fight in the building that houses both WTCF and WHNN-FM 96.1 Bay City- Saginaw News

* New night guy at WIOG-FM 102.5 Bay City effective May 17th is McConnell Adams (Man at Large) who moves from afternoons and Assistant Program Director roles at WKPK-FM 106.7 Gaylord- All Access

* FCC Action: Granted a construction permit to LPTV station W40AY Traverse City to move to channel 54 as W54CR. ERP will decrease to 9.6 kW from 9.88 kW.

May 3:

* Bill Walters, ex-of WXDG-FM 105.1 Detroit, has joined WKLQ-FM 94.5 Holland for afternoons.

April 30:

* A live broadcast WDRQ-FM 93.1 Detroit is now available via Real Audio

* From All Access:
WGRD-FM 97.9 Grand Rapids has moved nighttime host Tim Hartley off the air to the Promotion Director position. New night host is Frank the Friendly Neighborhood DJ.
WIOG-FM 102.5 Bay City has a new morning show- Kelly & Company Keith Kelly, Lisa Farrell (from WTCF), and Andrea Patzer (from WBTI/WPHM). Keith Kelly moves from middays and hands the Music Director role to Program Director Mark Anderson. Morning show producer Aaron Adams will now handle middays. Nighttime jock Ronnie Z has left the station.
WODJ-FM 107.3 Greenville picks up some Jammin' Oldies with the addition of the syndicated Jammin' Party hosted by Al Bandiero.

April 28:

* WPON-AM 1460 Walled Lake has added live web broadcasts to their web site

* FCC Action: WKQS-FM 101.9 Negaunee has been granted its license to cover for an increase in ERP from 2,300 to 12,000 watts.

April 27:

* WQKL-FM 107.1 Ann Arbor has added the syndicated Delilah program evenings from 7pm - Midnight as the station migrates even more towards Adult Contemporary from Oldies.

April 24:

* Winter 1999 Quarterly Arbitron is out for Detroit- WWJ-AM 950 has passed WJR-AM 760 for the first time in over 30 years in a quarterly rating, moving into 4th place behind WNIC-FM 100.3, WJLB-FM 97.9, and WOMC-FM 104.3. The Edge, WXDG-FM 105.1, now defunct, scored its best ratings book ever with a 1.8 before this month's sudden format switch to Urban Oldies. Talk station WKRK-FM 97.1 has slid to a 1.4 rating, down from a 2.3 in the Fall '98 ratings. Morning host Howard Stern has fallen behind fellow talker Don Imus who is heard on WXYT-AM 1270. Adult Contemporary newcomer Kiss-FM 102.7 was not able to crack the top 20 this quarter- All Access, Radio Digest Detroit, Detroit News

* The former staffers of The Edge, WXDG-FM 105.1, will be doing a farewell show via the Internet on May 1st at 8:00pm. The 6 hour show will be broadcast via Real Audio from The Edge web site at http://www.radioedge.com- Detroit News

April 23:

* Detroit Emmy nominations: WJBK-TV 2- 51; WXYZ-TV 7- 48 + 1 shared; WDIV-TV 4- 42 + 3 shared; WKBD-TV 50- 25 + 3 shared; WTVS-TV 56- 17; WWJ-TV 62- 11 - Detroit Free Press

April 22:

* Congratulations to WYTZ-FM 97.5 Bridgman / WZTY-FM 103.7 Hartford on being honored with the National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Awards. 10 stations across the country were recognized for improving the quality of life in their communities- All Access

April 21:

* Detroit area public radio fundraisers exceed goals: Detroit's WDET-FM 101.9 raised $440,000 in a record 5 days; Michigan Radio (WUOM-FM 91.7 Ann Arbor / WFUM-FM 91.1 Flint / WVGR-FM 104.1 Gd Rapids) made $475,000, $175,000 over their goal; WEMU-FM 89.1 Ypsilanti raised $102,000, which exceeded their $85,000 goal- Detroit Free Press

April 20:

* The Zone in Northern Michigan (WAVC 93.9 Mio / WLJZ 94.5 Mackinaw City / WJZJ 95.5 Glen Arbor) has added DJ's for the first time. The schedule that started yesterday:
o 6-10 AM: Mark Wayne
o 10-3 PM: Kimberly Fox
o 3-7 PM: Bo Andrews
o 7 PM -6 AM: Automation/DJ-less

* Don't look for Detroit Lions games to be simulcast on WKRK-FM 97.1 Detroit this season. The plan is to simulcast the 4 games that kick off after 4:00pm on WWJ-AM 950 Detroit to take advantage of that station's increased broadcast range. WXYT-AM 1270 Detroit is the flagship for Lions football, but must power down at sunset leaving many Detroit area listeners without adequate reception- Detroit News

April 19:

* WSUE-FM 101.3 and WSOO-AM 1230 Sault Ste. Marie have both added live web broadcasting to their web sites

* FCC Action: Granted a construction permit to WYCE-FM 88.1 Wyoming (Gd. Rapids) to increase a)ERP to 7000 watts from 1000, b) HAAT to 51 meters from 22, c) structure height, and d) class to B1 from A.

April 16:

* WGRT-FM 102.3 Port Huron has added live web broadcasting to its website

* Former WHZZ-FM 101.7 Lansing Program Director Woody Austin has landed at WKFR-FM 103.3 Battle Creek as Assistant Program Director and midday host effective 4/26; Amy Doyle has left the Program Director slot at WXDG-FM 105.1 Detroit less than two weeks after the format switch from Alternative to Urban Oldies- All Access

April 15:

* From All Access: Jack Lawson of WKQZ-FM 93.3 Midland has been promoted to Operations Manager for WKQZ, WILZ-FM 104.5 Saginaw, and WYLZ 100.9 Pinconning; Former morning host at WXYT (and WWWW, WYCD, WWBR) Joe Wade Formicola has been pulling fill-ins at 'XYT; WXDG-FM 105.1 Detroit has picked up Al Bandiero's Jammin' Party.

* Temporarily filling in for an ailing Kim Craig as a street reporter for WXYZ-TV Ch. 7 Detroit is former WKBD-TV Ch. 50 Detroit reporter Joelle Lukasiewicz- Detroit Free Press

April 14:

* The new call sign for 102.7 FM Mt. Clemens Detroit will be WDMK, 'Detroit Michigan's Kiss-FM'. What happened to the plan to go with WKSK-FM? Negotiations with the North Carolina company that owns the call sign on AM broke down when the NC company wanted to reserve the right to take back the WKSK-FM sign, should they decide to use it themselves on FM- Radio Digest Detroit

* The contract for Don Imus' show on WXYT expires shortly; the Detroit Free Press and Radio Digest Detroit speculate a new, local show may replace the I-man soon.

* FCC Actions: Dismissed the application of WBKP-TV Calumet for digital facilities on channel 39 in Marquette County; Approved the voluntary assignment of licenses for WGVS-FM 95.3 Muskegon & WGVS AM 850 Whitehall from KBZ Broadcasting to Grand Valley State University; Approved the use of WGVS-FM 95.3 as a satellite station of WGVU-FM 88.5 Allendale; WWWW-FM 106.7 Detroit: Granted license to cover for auxiliary antenna (ERP: 19,000 watts, HATT: 135 meters), Granted construction permit to change HAAT of main antenna from 155 meters to 163 meters, Granted construction permit for installation of auxiliary antenna system.

April 13:

* At WXYT-AM 1270 Detroit, program director Doug Gondek has moved out of that role and placed on special assignments. Ken Beck takes over operations of WXYT as well as keeping the same post at WWJ-AM 950- Detroit Free Press

April 9:

* Three sets of Arbitrend reports today for Dec-Feb from All Access:
CHR WSNX-FM 104.5 remains at #1 in the Grand Rapids market, followed by Country WBCT-FM 93.7. WLAV-FM 96.9 has fallen to third place in the latest report. WOOD-FM 105.7 has again taken the lead in the Adult Contemporary battle with WLHT-FM 95.7. Falling on hard times is Classic Country WMUZ 101.3; the station has slid behind Classical WFGR-FM 98.7.

Tri-Cities Country station WKCQ-FM 98.1 continues at #1, followed WSGW-AM 790. Oldies WHNN-FM 96.1 has slid from second to fourth, while Hot AC WIOG has moved up to 3rd place overall.

In Lansing, Classic Rock WMMQ-FM 94.9 has taken the #1 spot away from longtime market leader Country WITL-FM 100.7. Adult Contemporary WFMK-FM 99.1 finished third, remaining .1 behind WITL.

* More on the WIBM 1450 Jackson format change to Sports from Bruce Golden, President/G.M.: The station is an affiliate of 1 On 1 Sports and carries play-by-play for the following teams: Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons, Detroit Lions, Michigan State Football, and Michigan State Basketball.

April 8:

* Confirmation from DXmidAMerica that WGKL-FM 105.5 Gladstone is indeed on the air with a satellite-fed Oldies format. During AM drive the station is simulcasting WCHT-AM 600 Escanaba.

April 6:

* Today's Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, and Oakland Press are all reporting that WYUR-AM 1310 Dearborn will take a Classical Music format from 7pm - 5am beginning Saturday 4/10. The overnight hosts of 'Classic Music Dusk 'til Dawn' will include Dick Wallace weeknights, Dave Wagner hosting a Sunday Evening Pops Concert, and Pat McElroy on Saturday. Dick Wallace and Dave Wagner are both popular former WQRS personalities.

* WPLT-FM 96.3 Detroit has added live web broadcasting

* WIBM-AM 1450 Jackson has dropped its Soft Adult Contemporary format in favor of Sports Talk.

* The report of the return of WZTU-FM 100.1 Bear Lake to the airwaves fulltime was a bit premature. Apparently, they signed on temporarily in order to prevent their license from being cancelled. Reports this week are that the station has fallen silent once again.

* New News Director at WXYZ-TV Channel 7 effective April 26th will be Detroit native David Roberts- Detroit Free Press

* FCC Action: License to cover granted to WGKI Channel 33 Cadillac for an increase in power to 776 kW from 219. HAAT was decreased to 297 meters from 311.

April 5:

* A bit more fallout from the format switch at WXDG-FM 105.1: The entire on-air staff has been let go. Remaining with the station is Program Director Amy Doyle- All Access

* Jeff Jennings, ex of WOMC, has returned to the airwaves for the 3-7pm afternoon drive slot at Kiss-FM (WWBR) 102.7 Mt. Clemens.

* On April 1st, WTKA-AM 1050 Ann Arbor dropped the syndicated Damon Perry show mornings in favor of local programming. The new morning show features Ann Arbor News sports columnist Rich Thomaselli.

April 4:

* In a shocking move, The Edge at 105.1 (WXDG-FM) in Detroit has dumped Alternative Rock in favor of Urban Oldies/Classic Soul. 105.1 was the former home of WQRS-FM, Detroit's Classical Music station for over 25 years, before that format was dumped for the Alternative format. In its approximately 18 months, the Edge never achieved the ratings levels of WQRS.

* WZTU-FM 100.1 Bear Lake, silent since March 1998, has returned to the air as '100.1 The Storm', a Modern Adult Contemporary (Adult Alternative)

April 3:

* New station manager at WYCE-FM 88.1 Grand Rapids is Michael Packer, effective April 5th- Grand Rapids Press

* Two stations in the UP with construction permits have plans for formats and sign-on dates: WWHK-FM 106.3 Stephenson is to be Hot Country on or about June 21st; WOBE-FM 100.7 Crystal Falls is to be 70's and 80's hits on or about Labor Day- Radio/DX Information from Wisconsin

April 2:

* New to the WILZ-FM 104.5 Saginaw/WYLZ-FM 100.9 Pinconning combo is the Bob and Tom Show mornings.

April 1:

* The stunting on WMJA-FM 104.5 Saginaw / WMJK-FM 100.9 Pinconning? The stations remain classic rock with a new positioner- 'Wheels 104.5 and 101' to go with new call signs, WILZ for 104.5 and WYLZ for 100.9.

* The winners of the 1998 Associated Press Michigan Broadcast Contest for news have been announced. Capturing the General Excellence awards were: WKBD-TV 50 Detroit, WZZM-TV 13 Grand Rapids, and WLAJ-TV 53 Lansing for television. For non-commercial radio, the winner was: WUOM/WFUM/WVGR (Michigan Radio) based in Ann Arbor. For commercial radio, the winners were: WJR-AM 760 Detroit, WSGW-AM 790 Saginaw, and WHMI-FM 93.5 Howell- Detroit Free Press

* Kalamazoo's WQLR-FM 106.5 has dropped the 'Q-Lite' positioner in favor of 'Q106.5' while adding a few more current up-tempo songs.

* WOOD-TV Channel 8 Grand Rapids has begun its 50th anniversary celebrations with the airing of the first of four specials about the history and future of TV 8. August 15th is the actual anniversary date for the station and will also be the day that digital programming begins

March 31:

* What's up with the simulcasting Oldies WMJA-FM 104.5 / WMJK-FM 100.9 Pinconning? As of this evening they are stunting with a coundown clock.

* WCSX-FM 94.7 Birmingham/Detroit has added live webcasts via the Windows Media Player

* Will 102.7 Mt. Clemens really be able to claim the WKSK call sign to replace WWBR? According to the Detroit Free Press maybe not- it seems the FCC has caused a snag in the plan. For now, WWBR lives on for 'Kiss' FM.

* That voice at night on WDRQ-FM 93.1 Detroit belonging to 'Tik Tac' that sounds so familiar? It's the DJ formerly known as Mojo; Lisa Dillon, who was hosting mornings on 'Kiss-FM' 102.7 Mt. Clemens, has left the station. Lisa is one of the few voices heard on the station after the switch from Classic Rock to Adult Contemporary- All Access

March 30:

* GM of WWWW-FM 106.7 and WDFN-AM 1130 Detroit has now added the same title for WMXD-FM 92.3 Detroit. Former WMXD boss Verna Green keeps her GM position at WJLB-FM 97.9 Detroit. New Program Director at WKRK-FM 97.1 Detroit is Terry Lieberman- Detroit Free Press

March 29:

* WDRQ-FM 93.1 Detroit has added some mainstream CHR hits from artists like Goo Goo Dolls, Eagle-Eye Cherry, and Matchbox 20 to its rhythmic CHR format. This from Program Director Alex Tear via All Access: "We are still leaning Top 40/Rhythmic, it's just time we didn't miss massive hit records and our positioner is still `Today's Hit Music 93-1 'DRQ, but we do have new on-air imaging by Imaging Dir. F.O.I.L."

The new airstaff lineup: 6-10a Assitant Program Director Jay Towers & Morning Revolution featuring Rachael Hunter, Clarke Kent, and Hugh Holesome; 10a-1p Jamie Reese upped from swing; 1-3p Dave Fuller; 3-7p Lisa Lisa; returning to nights is Mojo.

Exiting WDRQ is Music Director/middayer Jimi Jamm "who is a fine MD and air talent but he's pursuing other opportunities. Jay and and I will be handling music for the time being," said Tear.

March 26:

* In the lastest 3 month Arbitrend report (6am - Midnight, listeners age 12 and above) Detroit's WJR 760 AM has fallen behind Oldies WOMC and News WWJ into 5th place overall- All Access

March 24:

* FCC actions:
- Approved the voluntary assignment of licenses for LPTV stations W25BI Grand Rapids and W59AZ Rockford from Donald J. Crandall to WOOD License Co.
- Approved the voluntary assignment of licenses for the following stations from Ives Broadcasting to Northern Radio Network: WBMI-FM 105.5 W. Branch, WCLS-FM 100.7 Oscoda, WHAK-FM/AM 99.9/960 Rogers City, WHST-FM 106.1 Tawas City.
- Approved the voluntary assignment of license from Daraka Broadcasting to Northern Radio Network for WHSB-FM 107.7 Alpena.

* Debuting March 29th on WGTO-AM 910 Cassopolis will be the 'The Good Time Oldies Radio Network' with former WHLY South Bend morning hosts Mike Shannon and Deb Millard; New Promotion Assistant at WXDG-FM 105.1 Detroit is Josh Ryan- All Access

March 23:

* Friday's radiothon on WCSX-FM 94.7 Detroit to raise money for the purchase of a Red Cross Bloodmobile brought in over $251,000- Detroit Free Press

* WRKR-FM 107.7 Kalamazoo Program Director Mike Ferris has left the station for the same position in Madison, WI; New to WKFR-FM 103.3 Battle Creek on April 12th will be Brian Hayes as midday host and Assistant Program Director- All Access

March 20:

* On-the-air changes at WYCD-FM 99.5 Detroit: Jyl Forsyth moves from the 10am - 3pm shift back to the 7pm - Midnight slot. Taking over middays will be Erin Weber, in from WGAR Cleveland. The changes are effective Monday (3/22)- Detroit Free Press

* The first female DJ in Grand Rapids, Dorothy Trommater, passed away on March 10th at the age of 56. In 1962, Mrs. Trommater's broadcast career began at WJFM (now WBCT) and included a stay at WZZM-TV 13- Grand Rapids Press, 3/12/99

March 19:

* 3 Windsor stations add Real Audio presence to their web sites; CIMX-FM 88.7, CIDR-FM 93.9, and CKWW AM 580

* FCC Actions: Approved the volunatary transfer of license for WZTU-FM 100.1 Bear Lake and the construction permit for WBVE-FM 92.1 Beulah from Roger L. Hoppe II to D & B Broadcasting.

* Call Sign Change: 03/08/99 - 940 AM WCSY South Haven now WGMY

March 18:

* Reporter/weekend anchor Mike Holfeld is leaving WXYZ-TV 7 Detroit in April to accept an anchor/reporter position at the CBS affiliate in Orlando, FL- Detroit News

* New program director for 102.7 Kiss-FM will be J.D. Kunes, effective May 1st- All Access

March 17:

* WDCQ-TV 19 Bay City has been broadcasting at about 5% of its licensed power since "the 'Klystron' tube that creates all of the Radio Frequency that carries our signal went south in a big way and the new $65,000 replacement won't be here until Monday (3/22) at the earliest. Installation and tuning is also a time-consuming and delicate procedure. We're hoping to be back at full power by next Wednesday". The station has been operating this way for at least a couple of weeks now. Thanks to Program Director Kent Wieland for this information.

* FCC Actions: Approved the voluntary transfer of control from Capstar Broadcasting to Chancellor Media for the following stations: WBCK-AM 930, WRCC-AM 1400, and WBXX-FM 95.3 Battle Creek, WNWZ-AM 1410, WLHT-FM 95.7, and WGRD-FM 97.9 Grand Rapids, WTRV-FM 100.5 Walker, and WWKN-FM 104.9 Marshall.

March 16:

* From today's Detroit Free Press: The sell-off of Chancellor Media's radio stations has been cancelled by the parent company.

* FCC Action: WWHK-FM 106.3 Stephenson- Voluntary transfer of control from Pacer Radio of the Near North to Escanaba License Corp.

* WMXD-FM 92.3 Detroit Program Director Janet G. has taken over PD duties at sister WJLB-FM 97.9 Detroit on an interim basis. Jason Gani has also been named Promotion Director- All Access

March 15:

* Leaving the WKFR-FM 103.3 Battle Creek midday and Assistant Program Director posts is Mark Anderson. Starting March 29th, Mark will be the new Program Director at WIOG-FM 102.5 Bay City- All Access

March 14:

* WTLZ-FM 107.1 Saginaw, now owned by Connoisseur Communications, has shifted its mainstream Urban format towards an Urban AC using the positioner 'Today's Best R&B and Jammin' Oldies, the New Hot 107'. The station's music mix includes R. Kelly, Deborah Cox, Whitney Houston, etc. and sounds a lot like Mix 92.3 Detroit.

March 12:

* The top 6 stations in Saginaw/Bay City/Midland maintain their position: Country WKCQ-FM 98.1 and Oldies WHNN-FM 96.1 are still #1 and #2- All Access

* Former late night host Vertical is returning to WPLT-FM 96.3 Detroit for nights- All Access

March 11:

* Two sets of Arbitrend January ratings from All Access:

In Grand Rapids, CHR WSNX-FM 104.5 has shot to #1 with an 8.5, beating Classic Rock WLAV-FM 96.9 by half a point. The Adult Contemporary battle between WOOD-FM 105.7 and WLHT-FM 95.7 is now a dead heat with both stations carding a 5.8 rating. Country listenership continues to slide- WBCT-FM 92.7 and WCUZ-FM 101.3 both suffered declines.

Longtime ratings leader in Lansing, Country WITL-FM 100.7, is close to losing its #1 position as Adult Contemporary WFMK-FM 99.1 has closed to within .1 of a ratings point. Stations improving their ratings include Classic Rock WMMQ-FM 94.9 and Rock WJXQ-FM 106.1. Stations with declines are Oldies WJIM-FM 97.5, Alternative WWDX-FM 92.1, and Urban WQHH-FM 96.5.

* Former WKQI-FM 95.5 Detroit night jock Dave Fuller has accepted a swing shift role at WDRQ-FM 93.1- All Access

* FCC Action: WCSX-FM 94.7 Birmingham/Detroit has been granted its license to cover to change its Effective Radiated Power from 13,500 watts to 14,000 watts and decrease their Height Above Average Terrain from 290 meters to 225 meters.

March 9:

* Transmitter problems knocked Windor's CBE-FM 89.9 (CBC Radio Two) off the air yesterday. Plans called for the problems to be ironed out early this morning.

* The new afternoon guy at WRKR-FM 107.7 Kalamazoo is Dave Doran who also gets assistant program director duties- All Access

March 8:

* Returning to WDRQ-FM 93.1 Detroit will be Jay Towers for mornings and assistant program director. Jay has been in Philadelphia for the past two years- All Access

* FCC Action: Construction permit granted for a new FM station in Caro. W203AX will be at 88.5 FM and rebroadcast KAWZ-FM; Calvary Chapel of Twin Falls, Idaho.

March 6:

* WGRD-FM 97.9 Grand Rapids night jock Tim Hartley has been named Promotion Director and Frank Whalen has been promoted from part-time to night host- All Access

March 5:

* Kiss-FM 102.7 Mt. Clemens (soon to be WKSK-FM) has added jocks and is now airing advertising on Detroit TV.

* WDIV-TV 4 Detroit sweeps 'sweeps'- barely, WJBK-TV 2 Detroit's local am news beats national morning programs- Detroit News

* WDIV-TV 4 Detroit aired its first digital programming on March 1 at 3:00pm on channel 45- a Corvette video program- WDIV

* Gone from WYUR-AM 1310 Detroit's regular lineup is the Warren & Jackie Pierce afternoon program. Their contract was not renewed- Oakland Press

* From All Access: New program director at WDTJ-FM 105.9 Detroit is Nate Bell; WHZZ-FM 101.7 Lansing morning host/program director Woody Houston is out.

* Congratulations to former longtime Detroit jock Karen Dalessandro (WDTX/WDFX/WYCD/WWWW) on winning the Best Morning Show award during the recent Milwaukee Air Awards. Karen is now at country WMIL-FM 106.1 in Milwaukee.

* FCC Actions:
- Call Sign Changes:
03/02/99 - 1520 AM WQWQ Muskegon Hgts. now WKBZ
03/01/99 - 850 AM WKBZ Muskegon now WGVS
03/01/99 - 95.3 FM WKBZ-FM Whitehall now WGVS-FM
- Transfer of license granted for WOAP-AM 1080 Owosso from Connoisseur Communications to William J. Janego
- License granted for new low power translator TV station in Alpena, W18BT (Ch. 18), owned by Thunder Bay Broadcasting.

March 4:

* Former WOMC-FM 104.3 Detroit evening jock Jeff Jennings will be taking the afternoon drive time slot at 102.7 FM Mt. Clemens- Detroit Free Press

* Reports are that WCHB is operating at or near its construction permit power of 50,000 watts during daytime hours

March 3:

* WCHB-AM 1200 Taylor (Detroit) has returned to the air. The gospel programming heard between 3:30-4:00pm appears to be automated as the top of the hour station ID actually occured at 3:54.

* The format of WCHB is expected to be primarily gospel oriented; the lone exception being a morning talk show with Mildred Gaddis- Detroit News.

* WXYZ-TV 7 Detroit weatherman Chad Myers and wife/reporter Sandy Heng will be taking 6 weeks off starting next week on an extended vacation that includes travel to Hawaii, Europe, and the Caribbean- Detroit Free Press

* All Access reports a deal has been reached between WKRK-FM 97.1 Detroit (Extreme Radio) and the Tom Leykis show.

March 2:

* The sale of Owosso's WOAP-AM 1080 has been completed from Connoisseur Communications to William and Jessica Janego, returning the station to local ownership after 12 years. The Nostalgia format is expected to remain. Also making news is WJSZ-FM 92.5, as they move their studios two miles into downtown Owosso to better accomodate growing staff and to separate from the Shiawassee Independent newspaper- Flint Journal

* Battle for 5:00pm news ratings too close to call between WXYZ-TV 7 and WDIV-TV 4 Detroit- Detroit Free Press.

* More on WCHB-AM 1200- reports are coming in of more testing, including some gospel programming. The station hasn't returned to regular programming yet however. Apparently the station's plans for 50kw daytime are still in the works; the transmitter has been sent in for a retrofit to 50kw and the reference tower for the array was left up during construction.

March 1:

* Today's cutoff day for satellite TV customers (DirecTV, etc) that are receiving out-of-market Fox and CBS broadcasts and live within the viewing area of an over-the-air Fox and/or CBS affiliate. The reason? Local affiliates are forcing the satellite companies to drop coverage in order to protect their local ratings and advertising income. Look for ABC and NBC coverage to be dropped for the same reasons soon.

* Michigan Association of Broadcasters Station of the Year awards:
o Radio, Market 1: WJR-AM 760 Detroit
o TV, Market 1: WXYZ-TV 7 Detroit
o Radio, Market 2: WSGW-AM 790 Saginaw
o TV, Market 2: WOOD-TV 8 Grand Rapids
o Radio, Market 3: WHMI-FM 93.5 Howell
o TV, Market 3: WWTV/WWUP-TV 9/10 Cadillac
o Public Radio Station of the Year: WUOM-FM 91.7 Ann Arbor (also on WFUM-FM 91.1 Flint & WVGR-FM 104.1 Grand Rapids)

* WOOD-TV Channel 8 has applied for digital facilities on Channel 7.

February 27:

* The order of Detroit's top 7 radio stations remained unchanged in the January Arbitrend report. In order, these stations are: WNIC-FM 100.3, WJLB-FM 97.9, WJR-AM 760, WOMC-FM 104.3, WWJ-AM 950, WVMV-FM 98.7 and WMXD-FM 92.3. Classic Rock WCSX-FM 94.7 improved its ratings with the format change at WWBR-FM 102.7 to Adult Contemporary. WWWW-FM 106.7 continues to lead over rival country station WYCD-FM 99.5, however overall country ratings continue to suffer. Urban WDJT-FM 105.9 moves up to 11th overall and continues to improve its ratings each ranking period. Extreme Radio WKRK-FM 97.1 continues to suffer- the battle for the male audience with surging sports WDFN-AM 1130 has tightened to 2.0 - 1.9- All Access

* Also from All Access- new assistant program director/music director at CIDR-FM 93.9 Windsor is Pete Travers from sister stations CHUM-AM/FM Toronto.

* Coverage of West Michigan Whitecaps baseball expands to the Internet as WOOD-AM 1300 Grand Rapids plans to air all of this year's games live via Broadcast.com. Also, the Whitecaps' network expands by one affiliate for 1999- WBRN-AM 1460 Big Rapids joins WOOD, WHTC-AM 1450 Holland, and WPLB-AM 1380 Greenville- Grand Rapids Press

February 26:

* Congratulations to Dick Purtan and Purtan's People of WOMC-FM 104.3 Detroit for raising a record amount of over $667,000 for the Salvation Army's Bed & Bread Club during their 12th annual radiothon earlier today.

* WWCM-AM 990 Ypsilanti adds Real Audio broadcasts

* CIDR-FM 93.9 Windsor Music Director Jason Mason has left the station- All Access

February 24:

* WCHB-AM 1200 is back on the air testing with a loud test tone.

February 23:

* The FCC shutdown a pirate station in Howell on February 4th - all equipment was seized.

* In today's Detroit Free Press:
- WWJ's Sonny Eliot wins MAB award; details on other winners
- WRIF's Doug Podell wins recognition at the Gavin Convention as National Rock Program Director of the Year
- Watch for the syndicated Tom Lykis show to get the Midnight- 5 a.m. slot on 97.1 WKRK-FM soon (tape delayed)

* Morning man Domino has left WDRQ-FM 93.1 Detroit, citing differences in philosophy about the direction of the show. Handling AM chores for now are Clark Kent, Hugh Holesome, and Rachel Hunter- All Access

* FCC Action: WJBK-DT, digital channel 58, has been granted its license for a new station. This is the first licensed DTV station in Michigan.

February 21:

* Leaving WIOG-FM 102.5 Bay City for Toledo is morning duo Mike McDonald and Karrie

* WSNQ-AM 900 Gaylord adds Rush Limbaugh afternoons- DX-MidAMerica

February 20:

* Watch for WKRK-FM 97.1 afternoon guy Steve Dahl to broadcast his show live from the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor before he plays with former Beach Boy Brian Wilson on one of four stops of a short tour- Detroit Free Press

February 19:

* FCC Actions:
- Call Sign Changes:
02/19/99 - 89.7 FM Harrisville assigned WMIH
02/19/99 - 89.9 FM Trout Lake assigned WHWG
02/15/99 - 106.3 FM WZRK Stephenson now WWHK
02/08/99 - 88.5 FM Mackinaw City assigned WAAQ
- The construction permits for the following 10 LPTV stations in Petoskey were extended- W23BM, W25CD, W31BI, W36CD, W39CB, W51CR, W62CR, W64CK, W66CY, W68DH.

February 18:

* From All Access: WPLT-FM 96.3 Detroit Director of Creative Imaging Slater picks up similar duties at ABC sister WDRQ-FM 93.1; WIOG-FM 102.5 Bay City Program Director Mike McDonald has left the station, replaced on an interim basis by Kelly Kelly.

February 17:

* FCC Action: LPTV station W18CB Ch. 18 Houghton Lake has been an extension to its construction permit.

February 16:

* WMJZ-FM 95.3 Gaylord has changed formats from adult contemporary to oldies with the Jones Satellite Network. This change fills the void left in Northern Michigan when Oldies 92.5 WAIR changed to country as WBYC.

* WDIV TV 4 Detroit has added Real Video for its 5:30am, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, and 11:00pm Newscasts. The station had offered only its Noon newscast previously.

February 13:

* WXYZ-TV 7 Detroit News Director Dan Salamone is moved to Director of New Media- Detroit Free Press

* FCC is considering changes to local ownership limit and Local Marketing Agreement rules- mostly related to television station ownership- Detroit News

February 12:

* WJML-AM 1110 Petoskey has added ABC Pure Gold (an oldies program) to its lineup to give the area some oldies programming with the recent format switch of WAIR-FM 92.5 to country WBYC-FM- DX-MidAMerica

* FCC Actions: 1) WHZZ-FM 101.7 Lansing has been granted a construction permit to increase its effective radiated power to 4,100 watts (from 3,300) and to increase its height above average terrain to 121 meters (from 88). This will do little to increase WHZZ's listening area, but will improve reception in some fringe areas. 2) W46CR (LPTV channel 46) Saginaw has been granted an extension to its construction permit.

February 11:

* Joining WDIV-TV Ch. 4 Detroit a legal expert is retired Michigan attorney general Frank Kelley- Detroit Free Press

February 10:

* Remember former WKSG-FM 102.7 Mt. Clemens nighttime host Johnny Molson? He's been located in Springfield, IL writing and producing commercials for 3 radio stations in that market- Detroit Free Press

* Gone from WKRK-FM 97.1 is Program Director Mike Stern as he moves on to Denver- All Access

* FCC Actions: 3 translator stations granted their licenses: W205BH 88.9 Pt. Huron & W210BB 89.9 Benton Harbor (WPCS-FM Pensacola, FL), W216BF 91.1 Manistique (WHWL-FM 95.7 Marquette).

February 9:

* News bites from the Grand Rapids Press:
- John 'The Hoss' Perry has been let go at all sports WMFN-AM 640 as the 'The Locker Room' show is cancelled. Replacing 'Locker Room' from 3-6pm is 'The Ray Bentley Show'- 2/2/99
- Radio station WAYG-FM 89.9 Grand Rapids signs on February 1st, simulcasting sister station WAYK-FM 88.3 Kalamazoo. WAYK/WAYG are owned by Cornerstone College, who also own WCSG-FM 91.3 in Grand Rapids- 1/31/99
- WOOD-FM 105.7 broadcaster/program director Steve Dirksen has left his on-air job and PD slot for a job in sales with the WOOD stations. New PD is midday host Paul Westaby- 1/31/99
- WLLA-TV 64 Kalamazoo's goal for installing its new (replacement) transmitter and getting back up to full power: March 1- 1/31/99

* Toledo's fall ratings: 1)WKKO-FM 99.9, 2)WVKS-FM 92.5, 3)WRVF-FM 101.5, 4)WIOT-FM 104.7, 5)WSPD-AM 1370- Toledo Blade

* FCC Actions: WUNN-AM 1110 Mason was granted its license modification, WUPT-LP Ch. 49 Crystal Falls has been granted an extension of its contruction permit.

February 7:

* 6 Grand Rapids area stations, all owned by Clear Channel, add live Internet feeds as they affiliate with Broadcast.com. The stations are: Country WBCT-FM 93.7, CHR/Top-40 WVTI-FM 96.1, Country Gold WCUZ-FM 101.3, Adult Contemporary WOOD-FM 105.7, Talk WTKG-AM 1230, and News/Talk WOOD-AM 1300

February 6:

* Activity in Michiana: South Bend radio station WHLY-AM 1580, which had been duplicating its 'Radio Hollywood' Nostalgia format on its new station in the expanded AM band on WJVA-AM 1620 has stopped the duplication. The new station configuration- AM 1580 is now WJVA and playing 'Classic Country'. AM 1620 has adopted the WHLY calls and has kept 'Radio Hollywood'- DX-MidAMerica

February 3:

* All Access reports:
- Change for middays at WIQB-FM 102.9 Ann Arbor: in is Ken Ward who'll also serve as APD/MD; out is Chris Ammel.
- New GM for Regent Communications' Flint stations (WWBN-FM 101.5, WCRZ-FM 107.9, and WFNT-AM 1470) is Mark Thomas.

* FCC Action: WXYQ-FM 101.5 Manistee has been granted its license to cover for its new facilities: 2,900 watts ERP, 80 meters HAAT.

February 1:

* FCC Actions:
- Gospel Opportunities (owner of WHWL-FM 95.7 Marquette and many translators across the U.P.) has been granted a construction permit for a new non-commercial station at 89.9 FM in Trout Lake.
- WLJN-FM 89.9 Traverse City has been granted a consturction permit to increase its ERP from 12,500 to 39,000 watts.

January 31:

* WLAV-FM 96.9 continues as Grand Rapids' #1 station as country WBCT-FM 93.7 lands in second over CHR WSNX-FM 104.5. The twin WOOD stations both made gains; WOOD-AM 1300 lands in 4th place and WOOD-FM (EZ 105.7) passes AC rival WLHT-FM 95.7- All Access

* It seems that Kalamazoo's WLLA-TV 64 has had transmitter problems since 12/22/98- they've been running at reduced power on their auxiliary transmitter. According to information from the station, the problems require complete replacement of the main transmitter- which has been ordered.

January 30:

* WDZZ-FM 92.7 is Flint's new #1 station according to the Fall 1998 Arbitrends, jumping over CHR WWCK FM/AM. Country competitors WFBE-FM 95.1 and WKCQ-FM 98.1 each lost significant share, but still hang on in the top 6. Hot Adult Contemporary/CHR WIOG-FM 102.5 joins WDZZ as the stations with the most improved ratings.

January 29:

* The FCC has officially proposed licensing low power FM stations

* The Oakland Press reports today in Robert Musial's 'On The Radio' feature that the Young Country slogan for WYCD-FM 99.5 may stick around a bit longer than expected- although other CBS/Infinity country stations are repositioning themselves as 'Super Country' it's not likely to happen here; probably because competitor W-4 Country (106.7 FM) is already using that slogan.

January 27:

* WNIL-AM 1290 Niles has dropped sports programming and now is Oldies full time- DX-MidAMerica

* W25BI and W59AZ, two low power TV stations in/near Grand Rapids, have been sold to the owners of WOOD-TV. Applications filed with the FCC request the assignment of the licenses of these two stations from Donald Crandall to WOOD-TV.

* The new Detroit-area pirate on 92.7 is now reported to be programming in English- and providing a Classic Rock format.

* FCC Action- WZRK-FM 106.3 Stephenson has been granted a modification of its construction permit to change its antenna site.

January 26:

* FCC Action- WCUZ-FM 101.3 Grand Rapids has cancelled its construction permit to change its HAAT and ERP.

January 25:

* FCC Actions- WCSX-FM 94.7 Detroit, WWJQ-AM 1260 Zeeland: License to cover granted for license modification. WMOM-FM 102.7 Pentwater: Application granted for extension of construction permit.

January 24:

* Another Detroit area pirate is reported on the air, this time on 92.7 FM broadcasting in an Arabic-type language.

January 23:

* A couple of weekend TV announcements in Detroit- WDIV-TV 4 Detroit has hired former (1976-82) WXYZ-TV 7 Detroit reporter Rick Edland for weekend anchor work beginning March 3rd. He'll replace the retiring Dan Mountney. Over at WKBD-TV 50 Detroit, Sherry Jones has been named as co-anchor of that stations weekend newscasts- Detroit Free Press

January 22:

* WKBD-TV 50 Detroit announces plans to scale back its 10:00pm news to 35 minutes and increase local sports coverage to 25 minutes beginning 1/25/99. Channel 50 will attempt to boost up ratings by taking advantage of its unique position of local carriage of the Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, and Pistons- Detroit News

January 21:

* WWJ-AM 950 Detroit is now transmitting full time from its new tower in northern Monroe County; but not quite at the power on its construction permit (12,000 watts daytime and 50,000 watts nighttime). The signal has been improved considerably however for fringe areas around Detroit- thanks, Ken Beck of WWJ

January 20:

* WMOM-FM 102.7 Pentwater: Application approved to change frequency of construction permit from 103.1 to 102.7 FM.

* 88.5 Mackinaw City: Great Lakes Broadcast Academy has been granted a construction permit for a new non-commercial educational station. Power to be 3,800 watts.

* These Mt. Pleasant LPTV stations have had their construction permits have been extended: W32BT, W60CO, W61DC, W62CV, W69DX. These Pinconning LPTV stations have had their construction permits have been extended: W15BP, W17BY, W21BT, W22CC, W30BQ, W32BR, W41CB, W44BO, W51CS, W52CU, W54CM, W55CO, W57CS, W58CW, W61DB, W69DW.

January 19:

* Metro Detroit static from the Detroit Free Press:
o Just weeks after the original 'Young Country' station in Dallas dropped the ID, WYCD-FM 99.5 Detroit plans on doing the same. The format of the station will remain Country.
o Plans to move CBS/Infinity sister AM stations WWJ 950 and WXYT 1270 into the same building are off. New plans call for possibly constructing a new building to be ready sometime in late 2000 or early 2001.
o WKRK-FM 97.1 (Extreme Radio) is still moving towards becoming all talk. New plans include 'best-of' segements of Steve Dahl from 3-8pm on Saturdays. Will Ted Nugent get some weekend air time on Extreme Radio? Other possible shows targeting NASCAR and wrestling may fill weekend time slots too.
o The reason WWBR-FM 102.7 was off the air 'again' on Sunday/Monday after switching formats? It wasn't a plot to confuse listeners- instead there were electrical problems at the transmitter site.

* Grand Rapids static from the Grand Rapids Press:
o Bill Freeman has returned to the Grand Rapids airwaves on WXBV-AM 1140: The former WGVU-AM host kicked off "The Bill Freeman Show" on January 11th. The program airs 11am - 2pm weekdays.
o At WVTI-FM 96.1 Holland (I-96): Michelle McCormick is now hosting the morning show by herself as Eric O'Brien moves to afternoons 2pm - 7pm. Evening host (7pm - midnight) is Brad Newman.
o WCSG-FM 91.3 exceeded it's goal of $670,000 by about $14,000 during December's 19th annual Sharathon.
o New Director of Community Relations at WFGR-FM 98.7 is Dale Hull, former Executive Director of Grand Rapids Ballet.

January 18:

* More on the switch at WWBR-FM 102.7 Detroit:
o Once again, the station was silent overnight- they went dark at about 11:30pm or so.
o Today's Detroit Free Press reports that the new call sign applied for is WKSK (thus the "Kiss-FM" tag) and the station will be running jock-less for at least 2 weeks- and maybe up to an entire month.

January 17:

* WHFB-FM 99.9 Benton Harbor has dumped Hot Adult Contemporary in favor of Country.

* WWBR-FM 102.7 Mt. Clemens/Detroit remains silent as of 11:15am, but comes back on the air by Noon.

January 16:

* 102.7 FM Mt. Clemens/Detroit changes formats:
o As of this afternoon, WWBR-FM 102.7 Mt. Clemens (The Bear) is broadcasting their goodbyes. Steve Black is hosting the show as of 6:00pm and saying on the air that the station will have a format change / is going in a new direction.
o At 6:33pm, The new owners of 102.7 The Bear Mt. Clemens, Radio One, dumped 'classic rock that really rocks' and is now off the air. The last song played under the old format was When The Music's Over by The Doors.
o At 6:52pm, the station is back on the air as 'The new 102.7 Kiss-FM, the best variety of light rock from the 80's, 90's, and today'. The first song is Just Another Day by Jon Secada, format is Adult Contemporary.
o The new Kiss-FM will feature the syndicated Delilah program in the evenings.
o By midnight 102.7 is not providing any programming, but the transmitter still appears to be up.

January 15:

* From All Access: WKHM-FM 105.3 Jackson has hired Angie Hunter to team with Jamie McKibbin for the morning show. Sister station WKHM-AM 970 has brought back Dave Weatherwax for mornings with News Director Jennifer Guy. At WVTI-FM 96.1 Holland, afternoon host Beau Derek and night-timer Phil Becker are no longer with the station.

January 14:

* The Fall 1998 (Oct-Dec) 12+ Arbitrends are in for Detroit- WNIC remains the #1 station.

* John Risher, the General Manager of Regent Communications in Flint (WFNT, WCRZ, and WWBN), has resigned.

January 13:

* WHTV-TV 18 Jackson has been issued a new construction permit. This permit replaces the original construction permit that was granted 11/16/87 and expired on 11/29/92.

* Radio One has closed on the purchase of WWBR-FM 102.7 Mt. Clemens/Detroit- Washington (DC) Business Journal

* WKLQ-FM 94.5 Holland Music Director Mark Feurie has added the role of Assistant Program Director- All Access

January 12:

* WXMI-TV (Fox 17) Grand Rapids successfully launched first local newscast on Monday 1/11/99- Grand Rapids Press

* New to WXBV-AM 1140 Grand Rapids: Tom Leykis; WWCK-FM 105.5 Flint music director/mid-day host Nathan Reed adds assistant program director to his duties- All Access

January 9:

* Anchor Amyre Makupson has been signed to a new 3-year contract by WKBD-TV 50 Detroit- Detroit Free Press

January 8:

* All Access is reporting that WWBR-FM 102.7 Mt. Clemens might just become an Adult Contemporary station to compete with the number one station in Detroit, WNIC-FM 100.3, instead of taking on an urban related format.

* WRKR-FM 107.7 Kalamazoo afternooner Alan Cox has left the station for a job in Pittsburgh- All Access

* Former WKRK-FM 97.1 Detroit / CIMX-FM 88.7 Windsor and current Detroit Lions public address announcer Jerry Millen has joined the WKBD-TV 50 Detroit sports team- All Access

January 7:

* Update on WOLY-AM 1500 Battle Creek: On November 10th 1998, the FCC informed the station that their license had been cancelled. Turns out the reason for this was the station's failure to file for license renewal. The station is gone from the FCC database and is not supposed to be on the air.

* WKYL-FM 94.9 Benton Harbor has changed formats from Gold to Hot AC with new calls/handle WCNF (Coast 94.9). Jim Gifford remains the program director/morning host, Robin Van Dyke is in middays, Pat Garrison is the afternoon guy, and John Vance is the operations manager- All Access

* The former Gold WAIR-FM 92.5 Atlanta Petoskey, now WBYC-FM, has indeed begun simulcasting the country format of sister WBYB-FM 94.3 Leland.

* WWDX-FM 92.1 Lansing morning co-host/promotion director Stacie Hyde has left the station and is being replaced by WDBM-FM 88.9 program director Nikki Chuminatto- All Access

January 6:

* News from the Radio One trio of Detroit stations: WDTJ-FM 105.9 will debut the Russ Parr show on Monday January 11th, one week later than originally scheduled. WCHB-AM 1200 is now scheduled to return to the air on February 1st, but at only 50% (25,000 watts daytime) of its licensed power. And finally, WWBR-FM 102.7 will debut a new format with a new call sign on January 15th- Detroit Free Press

January 4:

* Debut day on Detroit area radio: Russ Parr/Olivia Fox on WDJT-FM 105.9, Steve Cochran on WKQI-FM 95.5, Erich 'Mancow' Muller on WKRK-FM 97.1, and Cynthia Canty on WNIC-FM 100.3's Breakfast Club.

* WIQB-FM 102.9 Ann Arbor is now an affiliate of the Bob & Tom morning show.

* WWBN-FM 101.5 Tuscola (Banana 101, Flint) is now an affiliate of the Bob & Tom morning show. Former morning host Stu Allen moves to WCRZ 107.9 (Cars 108) for afternoons- All Access

* WYKL-FM 94.9 Benton Harbor has been granted its license to cover for a new station.

January 1998:

• WJZZ-AM 1210 Frankenmuth - granted a modification of its construction permit to change tower location.


• WILV-TV 41 Battle Creek - application granted for assignment of license from Horizon Broadcasting Corp to DP Media License of Battle Creek.


• WBYW-FM 89.9 Grand Rapids - application granted for assignment of license and construction permit from Grand Rapids Public Broadcasting Corp. to Cornerstone Baptist Educational Ministries.


• WAVC-FM 93.9 Mio - application granted for transfer of control from Todd A. Mohr to Del & Mary Reynolds.


• Construction permit granted to Fairfield Broadcasting to build AM station at 1660 AM in Kalamazoo. Station applied for by WQSN-AM 1470 Kalamazoo.


• Applications granted for transfer of license for the following stations: WDEO-AM 1290 Saline, and WTKA-AM 1050, WIQB-FM 102.9, and WQKL-FM 107.1 all of Ann Arbor from Arbor Radio to Cumulus Licensing Corp.

February:

• WDEE-FM 97.3 Reed City is granted its license.


• Application granted for a transfer of control for WAAH-FM 102.3 Houghton from Houghton Radio Group to Tu-Mar Broadcasting.

March:

• Application granted for assignment of license for WFXD-FM 103.3 Marquette from Vista Point to Mid Pen Broadcasting.


• Application granted for assignment of license for WXMI-TV 17 Grand Rapids, W42CB-LP TV42 Hesperia, and W58CU-LP TV58 Big Rapids from TV 17 Unlimited to Tribune New York Radio.


• Application granted for transfer of control for WXMI-TV 17 Grand Rapids, W42CB-LP TV42 Hesperia, and W58CU-LP TV58 Big Rapids from Dudley Communications Corp to Emmis Broadcasting Corp.


• Application granted for assignment of license for WKQS-FM 101.9 Negaunee from Todd Staurt Noordyk to Great Lakes Radio.


• Construction permit granted to Goodrich Radio Marketing for new station at 1680 AM. Currently WMHG-AM is broadcasting on 1600 AM.


• Application granted for transfer of control for WQBH-AM 1400 Detroit from The Order of the Fisherman Ministry to Martha Jean Steinberg.


• Application granted for assignment of license for WEWM-FM 94.1 Pentwater from C & S Broadcasting to Quest Communications.


• Application granted for assignment of licenses for WKYO-AM 1360 and WIDL-FM 92.1 Caro from Jackson Communications to Edwards Communications.

April:

• Applications granted for voluntary transfer of control to Bloomington Broadcasting Acquisition Corp. for the following stations: WBBL-AM 1340 Grand Rapids, WKLQ-FM 94.5 Holland, and WLAV-FM 96.9 Grand Rapids.


• Construction permit granted to Northern Radio of Michigan for new station at 100.7 FM in Honor.


• Applications granted for transfer of licenses of the following stations to Calibre Communications: WIDG-AM 940 St. Ignace, WCBY-AM 1240 Cheboygan, WGFN-FM 98.1 Glen Arbor, WMKC-FM 102.9 St. Ignace, WCKC-FM 107.1 Cadillac, WLJZ-FM 94.5 Mackinaw City, WGFM-FM 105.1 Cheboygan, WAVC-FM 93.9 Mio, and WJZJ-FM 95.5 Glen Arbor.


• Applications granted for transfer of control of the following stations to Quaestus Management Corp: WTKA-AM 1050 Ann Arbor, WDEO-AM 1290 Saline, WQKL-FM 107.1 Ann Arbor, WIQB-FM 102.9 Ann Arbor, and WTWR-FM 98.3 Monroe.


• Applications granted for transfer of control of the following stations to Radio One Inc: WCHB-AM 1200 Taylor, WJZZ-AM 1210 Frankenmuth, and WCHB-FM 105.9 Detroit.


• Construction permit granted to Lakes Radio Inc. for new station at 105.5 FM in Gladstone.

May:

• Applications granted for transfer of licenses of WKMI-AM 1360 Kalamazoo, WRKR-FM 107.7 Portage, and WKFR-FM 103.3 Battle Creek from Crystal Radio Group to Cumulus Licensing Corp.


• Applicaton granted for transfer of license of WYBR-FM 102.3 Big Rapids from KMF Communications to Mentor Partners.


• Applicaton granted for transfer of license of WION-AM 1430 Ionia from Rhoden Enterprises to Agricultural Resource Group.


• Construction permit granted to Superior Communications for new station at 89.3 FM in Bear Creek Township.


• Construction permit granted to Northland Community Broadcasters for new station at 89.7 FM in Harrisville.


• Applicaton granted for transfer of license of WTWR-FM 98.3 Monroe from Lesnick Communications to Cumulus Licensing Corp.


• Application granted for transfer of license of WWMT-TV Channel 3 Kalamazoo from WWMT-TV License to Freedom Broadcasting of Michigan.


• WGRI-FM 88.9 Flint is granted its license (150 watts).


• WJZZ-AM 1210 Kingsley is granted its license (10,000 watts daytime / 2,500 watts critical hours). Station also has a construction permit to increase daytime power to 50,000 watts.


• Construction permit granted to Frankenmuth Radio company for new station at 93.7 FM in Frankenmuth.


• WCUP-FM 105.7 L'Anse is granted its license (51,000 watts).

June:

• WJZZ-AM 1210 Kingsley, WCHB-AM 1200, and WCHB-FM 105.9 - Applications granted for assignment of licenses / construction
  permits from Bell Broadcasting to Radio One of Detroit.


• The Oakland Press reports that WCAR-AM 1090 will be "purchased by a group of Catholic business and professional people, and will begin broadcasting all-Catholic programming all day this fall". WCAR is already carrying some of the same religious programming heard on WDEO-AM Saline.


• WHGR-AM 1290 & WUPS-FM 98.5 Houghton Lake - Application granted for voluntary transfer of control from Melling Tool Company to John M. Salov.


• WJKN-AM 1510 Jackson - Application granted for transfer of license from Jackson Radio Partners to Northlands Communications.


• WDFN-AM 1130, WYUR-AM 1310, WMXD-FM 92.3, WKQI-FM 95.5, WJLB-FM 97.9, WNIC-FM 100.3, & WWWW-FM 106.7: Applications granted for transfer of licenses to Chancellor Media Radio Licenses.

July:

• WCAR-AM 1090 Livonia - Application granted for transfer of control from Children's Radio of Detroit to Children's Broadcasting Corporation.


• WQXC-AM 980 Otsego - Application granted for transfer of license from Forum Communications to Vintage Radio Enterprises.


• Granite sells WWMT-TV 3 Kalamazoo - Freedom Broadcasting completes acquisition.


• Radio One takes over WCHB-FM/AM Detroit from Bell broadcasting for $40 million.


• Application for a construction permit for a new station at 99.5 FM in Naguanee is granted to MWC Inc. Station is to be 1,850 watts.


• WCAR-AM 1090 Livonia - Application granted for assignment of license from WCAR-AM NC to 1090 Investments.


• Application for a construction permit for a new station at 88.3 FM in White Star is granted to Superior Communications. Station is to be 30,000 watts.


• WLAJ-TV 53 Lansing - Application granted for assignment of license from Lansing 53 Inc. to WLAJ License Inc.

August:

• Fox Kids affiliation in Detroit switches to WADL-TV 38 from WKBD-TV 50 on September 1st.


• WNIC-FM leads July 12+ Arbitrend for Detroit, taking #1 for the first time


• The closing of the sale of WLAJ-TV 53 Lansing to Freedom Communications from Granite Broadcasting was announced yesterday. This completes the deal between the two companies that moved both WLAJ and WWMT-TV 3 Kalamazoo from Granite to Freedom.


• WCRZ-FM 107.9 & WFNT-AM 1470 Flint, WWBN-FM 101.5 Tuscola - Application granted for voluntary transfer of licenses from Faircom Flint to Regent Licensee of Flint.


• WYBR-FM 102.3 Big Rapids - Application granted for voluntary transfer of control from Thomas R. Dilley to Jeffrey Scarpelli.


• The CTRC (Canadian regulatory agency) has approved plans for Detroit's 4 major network affilated TV stations to broadcast digital TV. WXYZ-TV 7 and WJBK-TV 2 plan to broadcast a digital signal starting in November.


• WMUS FM & AM 106.9/1090 Muskegon - Application granted for voluntary transfer of license from Greater Muskegon Broadcasting to Connoisseur Communications of Muskegon.


• WAGN-AM 1340 & WHYB-FM 103.7 Menominee - Application granted for voluntary assignment of license from Good Neighbor Broadcasting to Badger Communications.


• WCHB-AM 1200 Detroit has goes silent in order to upgrade its signal. The station is scheduled to return to the air in November with 50,000 watts daytime / 15,000 watts at night and a new talk-gospel format.

September:

• WQSN-AM 1470 Kalamazoo starts simulcasting on the AM extended band at 1660.


• WGRI-FM 88.9 Flint- Voluntary assignment of license from Nationwide Inspirational Broadcast to Gospel Radio International.


• The FCC has approved the voluntary assignment of licenses from Calibre Communications to Northern Star Broadcasting for the following stations: WIDG-AM 940 & WMKC-FM 102.9 St. Ignace, WCBY-AM 1240 & WGFM-FM 105.1 Cheboygan, WCKC-FM 107.1 Cadillac, WLJZ-FM 94.5 Mackinaw City, WAVC-FM 93.9 Mio, WGFN-FM 98.1 & WJZJ-FM 95.5 Glen Arbor.


• WCMB-FM 95.7 Oscoda- New station is granted its license.


• WTCF-FM 100.5 Saginaw - Liggett Broadcasting has filed an application with the FCC to acquire this station from Mid-America Broadcasting.


• Veteran WJR-AM on-air personality and commercial producer Mike Deja passes away at age 46. Deja had worked for 19 years at WJR.


• WKRK-FM 97.1 Detroit on Monday unveiled a harder rock format termed "Extreme Radio". The format was created by the station's new program director Mike Stern during his stint in Las Vegas. The station has dropped all classic rock from its playlist in favor of artists like Metallica, Against the Machine, and Nine Inch Nails. The Howard Stern program will continue to occupy the morning drive slot

October:

• WJKN-AM 1510 Jackson to swaps format from Full Service to All News.


• WWBR-FM 102.7 Mt. Clemens will be sold by Allur-Detroit to Radio One. Radio One currently owns WDTJ-FM 105.9 and WCHB-AM 1200 in the Detroit area.


• WBUM-FM 104.3 Baraga was granted its license as a new station.


• WXYZ-TV to debut HDTV in Detroit on November 1st with airing of '101 Dalmations'


• WVIC-FM 92.7 Charlotte is heard on the air again with a Classical format


• WLHT-FM 95.7 Grand Rapids wins the NAB's 1998 Marconi Award for AC Station of the Year


• The license of WTCF-FM 100.5 Carrollton (Saginaw) has voluntarily been transferred from Mid-America Broadcasting to Liggett Broadcast.


• The licenses of WKNW-AM 1400 & WYSS-FM 99.5 Sault Ste. Marie have voluntarily been transferred from Algoma Broadcasting to Marathon Media of Michigan.


• The licenses of WMIQ-AM 1450 & WIMK-FM 93.1 Iron Mountain, WUPK-FM 94.1 Marquette, and WZNL-FM 94.3 Norway have voluntarily been transferred from Zephyr Broadcasting to Marathon Media of Michigan.


• The license of WIHC-FM 97.9 Newberry has voluntarily been transferred from Cambrian Broadcasting to Marathon Media of Michigan.


• WBUM-FM 104.3 Baraga is on the air with religious programming, most of it coming from VCY America.


• WNIC-FM 100.3 Detroit is new #1 station in Detroit according to new quarterly ratings report


• WBHD-AM 1680 Ada (Grand Rapids) has started broadcasting with a format of Urban/Rap


• Citadel Communications agrees to acquire 6 Michigan radio stations (WKQZ-FM Midland, WMJK-FM Pinconning, WIOG-FM Bay City, WMJA-FM Saginaw, WSGW-AM Saginaw, and WGER-FM Saginaw) for $35 Million from 62nd Street Communications


• The FCC has approves the request of WMJZ-FM Gaylord to move up the dial from 95.3 FM to 101.5 FM.


• Both WXYZ-TV Channel 7 and WJBK-TV Channel 2 Detroit are now providing digital service. Channel 7 says they started at 4:32pm on 9/29/98, Channel 2 says they started on 10/1/98.


• Construction permit granted to Interlochen Center for the Arts for a new station at 91.5 FM in Traverse City, power 4,400 watts. This station will replace the translator for WIAA-FM 88.7 (Interlochen Public Radio) currently at 100.7 FM in Traverse City. The 100.7 FM frequency will be used by WIAR-FM, which currently has a construction permit for a new station in Honor.


• WIXC-FM 97.3 Essexville: Application granted for voluntary assignment of license from WIXC Limited Partnership to The MacDonald Broadcasting Co.

November:

• WKQL-FM 107.1 Ann Arbor has been slowing modifying its playlist to include soft rock hits from the 70's, 80's, and 90's. The station's web site now refers to their music mix as Adult Contemporary Gold instead of pure oldies.


• WBKP-TV 5 Calumet- License granted for new station (station has been operating under a construction permit).


• As a result of bankuptcy, ownership of WKBZ-FM/AM in the Muskegon area has been awarded to Grand Valley State University. GVSU orginally sold the stations to WLC Broadcasting- who declared bankruptcy before paying off the debt on the stations. WLC has moved the news/talk format of WKBZ-AM to WQWQ-AM and GVSU has begun simulcasting the signals of WGVU-FM/AM on the WKBZ pair- Muskegon Chronicle


• Voluntary assignment of licenses from MacDonald Broadcasting to MacDonald Garber Broadcasting for these stations: WKHQ-FM 105.9 & WMKT-AM 1270 Charlevoix, WLXT-FM 96.3 & WMBN-AM 1340 Petoskey, WLXV-FM 96.7 & WATT-AM 1240 Cadillac.


• WOLY-AM 1500 Battle Creek: The FCC notified this station via a letter on November 10th that their licensed has been cancelled. The station has applied for reinstatement of their license.


• WIAN-AM 1240 & WJPD-FM 92.3 Ishpeming, WDMJ-AM 1320 Marquette, and WNGE-FM 99.5 Negaunee: Voluntary transfer of licenses (construction permit for WNGE-FM) are approved from Goetz Communications to Marathon Media Midwest.


• WCVM-FM 94.7 Bronson: New station is granted its license.


• WDIV-TV 4 Detroit started live RealVideo webcasts of its Noon newscasts on October 30th.


• WCLS-FM 100.7 Oscoda- Application granted for voluntary transfer of control from Spectrum Communications to Ives Broadcasting.


• WJBK-TV Detroit reports that rock legend Ted Nugent's last day at WWBR-FM 102.7 Mt. Clemens will be November 25th.

December:

• Voluntary transfer of licenses from 62nd Street Broadcasting to Citadel is approved for the following stations: WSGW-AM 790, WMJA-FM 104.5, and WGER-FM 106.3 Saginaw; WKQZ-FM 93.3 Midland; WMJK-FM 100.9 Pinconning; WIOG-FM 102.5 Bay City.


• WGDN-AM 1350 Gladwin switched format to satellite fed Southern Gospel


• WAIR-FM 92.5 Atlanta has dropped its Gold format in favor of simulcasting the country format of WBYB-FM 94.3 Leland. New call sign is WBYC.


• Goodrich Radio to sell West Michigan stations WSNX-FM 104.5, WODJ-FM 107.3, WXBV-AM 1140, and WJNZ-AM 1680 according to a report on WOOD-AM Grand Rapids. Potential buyer- Clear Channel Communications


• Ernie Harwell signs a contract with the Detroit Tigers to return to the radio broadcast booth for 1999-2000


• The FCC approved the voluntary assignment of the licenses of these West Michigan stations from Patterson to Capstar TX Limited Partnership: WNWZ-AM 1410, WGRD-FM 97.9, and WLHT-FM 95.7 Grand Rapids; WBCK-AM 930, WRCC-AM 1400, and WBXX-FM 95.3 Battle Creek; WTRV-FM 100.5 Walker; and WWKN-FM 104.9 Marshall.


• WCHB-AM 1200 is hoping to be back on the air in early January with 50,000 watts of daytime power as Spirit 1200, a talk-gospel music format.


• WTLZ-FM 107.1 Saginaw- Application granted for voluntary transfer of license from WTL Inc. to Connoisseur Communications of Saginaw.


• Look for WKBZ-FM/AM Muskegon to get new call signs in January: WGVS-FM/AM. WQWQ-AM will probably then pick up the WKBZ call sign


• WOAP-AM 1080 Owosso is being sold from Connoisseur Communications to William J. Janego.