Recently in Mid-Michigan Category

Midland Daily News:

Despite being fired as general manager and morning show host at Coyote Country WGDN 103 FM, Bobby Randall's Birthday Bash is still on. The event is scheduled for Sept. 19 at the Midland County Fairgrounds and features headliner Sammy Kershaw. The event is a fundraiser for 4-H of Midland and Gladwin counties. The Moose, 94.5 FM, stepped in as sponsor. "Thank God for The Moose," Randall said during a recent interview. "It will be fine and probably be bigger now that The Moose is on board." When Randall was fired, several others went with him including co-host Chris Schaeffer, other show hosts and behind-the-scenes folks. Randall said he felt responsible for others losing their jobs. "I feel responsible for those people because I hired those people and they all saw the vision," Randall said. "There was nothing I could do to stop this." Schaeffer has recently joined WMPX and will be joining the Gary Williams Morning Show on 97.7 on Sept. 7. "We are excited that the opportunity to add Chris to our team presented itself and hope her devoted listeners will enjoy her new home and our listeners enjoy the great addition," said Tom Steele, general manager. "She will bring an element of fun and excitement to the long running morning show. Listeners will have the opportunity to meet Chris at events such as live remotes, parades, dances, local businesses and other community events." Bill Gilderstern, new station general manager, told the Daily News previously that Randall's firing came as result of an ownership change at the station... Bobby Randall Birthday Bash still on (Sun, 8/29)

 

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Flint Journal:

Dan Richards fell into the country music business by accident, but after 30 years he has never looked back. Richards of Flushing Township will be inducted Friday into the Michigan Country Music Hall of fame for his accomplishments as a country radio announcer. You can hear him these days on Sunday nights on Saginaw-based KCQ-FM. "It was pretty cool. Very exciting," he said. "Kind of a recognition of all the work you've done. A nice way to say, 'Thanks. Good job.'" Richards, 56, grew up a rock 'n' roll fan, but that all changed after getting his first radio job at WTAC-AM in Flint in 1980. "Once I started playing the (country) music and hearing it every day, it was great," he said. Over the years, Richards also has worked for Flint's country station WKMF-AM, W4 Country-FM out of Detroit and Flint's B95-FM... Flushing Township man, WKCQ DJ is inducted into the Michigan Country Music Hall of Fame on Friday (Sat, 8/28)

 

Central Michigan Life:

Tim Patishnock is excited for the opportunities that could come with the new radio station he is working with. He is the program director for the Mountain 101, a new radio station focusing on adult album alternative music. The Mount Pleasant junior said the station currently broadcasts on 101.1 FM, has been on the air for a couple of months and will be officially launched in September. The new station will be run by WMHW. "You can really find something that you like on this station," Patishnock said. "Acoustic, jazz, world, rock, indie, folk -- I really tried to make it as diverse as possible." The Mountain 101 originally started as an HD station that would require a subscription to listen to. After HD failed to catch on as they had hoped, Patishnock said they went back to the drawing board to create a local radio station anyone in town can listen to. The station will feature artists from as far back as the 1970s to more modern musicians such as Coldplay and John Mayer. Patishnock said his goal was to keep a good balance between music that is both new and exciting and old and familiar... Mountain 101 radio station officially launches in September, focuses on older, local crowd (Mon, 8/23)

 

Kalamazoo Gazette:

Western Michigan University football and men's basketball games will be carried on Lansing's WVIC-FM 94.1, the university announced Thursday. WVIC, which serves Lansing, Jackson and Battle Creek, is owned my Midwest Communications, which also owns WKZO-FM 96.5. WKZO is returning as the flagship station of the Bronco Radio Network after WZUU-FM 92.5 decided not to renew its contract with WMU. WMAX-FM 96.1 (Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon) and WBCH-FM 100.1 (Barry, Calhoun and Ionia counties) will also carry Bronco football this fall... Bronco football, men's basketball add radio affiliate in Lansing (Thu, 8/19)

 

AllAccess.com:

CUMULUS MEDIA Urban AC WDZZ (Z 92.7)FLINT, MI PD/middayer BOBBY HOLIDAY is up to his old tricks again. Reminiscent of a similar stunt he pulled in PHILADELPHIA several years ago, HOLIDAY will be living in a truck until it is completely filled with school supplies. When the truck is filled, all supplies are going to be donated to CARRIAGE TOWN MINISTRIES, who will then distribute them to those less fortunate. HOLIDAY says they need all school supplies to include calculators, rulers, pens, pencils, notebooks crayons, markers and protractors... Bobby Holiday Is Truckin' In Flint (Tue, 8/16)

 

AllAccess.com:

NEXTMEDIA Country WCEN (94.5 THE MOOSE)/SAGINAW, MI PD JOBY PHILLIPS tells ALL ACCESS about a new promotion that the station has launched, asking listeners to go out and search for "BIGGINS' BALLS." Morning personality JIM BIGGINS has hit 144 golf balls at area golf courses this summer, and listeners can go out and find these logoed balls to receive a free round of golf at the BAY CITY COUNTRY CLUB for themselves and three guests (a $180 value). More info can be found online at www.945themoose.com... WCEN Listeners Search For Biggens' Balls (Thu, 8/12)

CITADEL Top 40 WIOG/SAGINAW's Lizard Fair 2010 is set for SATURDAY, AUGUST 14th. IYAZ and BOYS LIKE GIRLS will be the event's headline acts. KEVIN RUDOLF, WHITE TIE AFFAIR, SHONTELLE, BURNHAM BROTHERS, and FINDING CLYDE will also perform. The event marks the second consecutive year Lizard Fair will be held at DOW DIAMOND in MIDLAND. A portion of the concert proceeds will benefit the TRI CITIES' Child Abuse and Neglect Councils... WIOG Lizard Fair 2010 Is This Saturday (Wed, 8/12)

 

Battle Creek Enquirer:

During a recent Bombers game at C.O. Brown Stadium, Battle Creek shortstop Greg Garcia made a spectacular diving catch to rob a sure base hit and to end the inning. The play invoked oohs and aahs from the 400-plus fans in attendance. But if it weren't for a coordinated effort behind the scenes, the fans might have been the only ones to see it, and the play would have been lost in time. The Northwoods League offers live webcasts of its games and replays online at www.northwoodsleague.tv. And it is five video interns and a pair of broadcasters who help bring Bombers games right into the computers of fans... Eye on the Bombers (Fri, 7/16)

 

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AllAccess.com:

NEXTMEDIA Country WCEN (94.5 THE MOOSE)/SAGINAW, MI will host the MOOSE CRUISE FOR KIDS, to benefit St. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL, on AUGUST 29th. The four-hour trip from BAY CITY, MI to SAGINAW BAY will feature music from local bands and a Country music memorabilia raffle. Tickets are $20 and more info will be available starting this weekend online at www.945themoose.com... WCEN To Host 'Moose Cruise For Kids' (Thu, 7/15)

 

Mint City Radio set to provide coverage of Elsie Dairy Festival Super Parade

Mint City Radio, the Internet radio station serving Mid-Michigan with emphasis on Clinton county, will offer delayed coverage of the Elsie Dairy Festival Super Parade again this year. The parade coverage will be broadcast all next week (the week of July 12th-18th), at 10 am and 7 pm daily, and can be heard by clicking the "listen live" link on the station's website (mintcityradio.com). Mint City Radio has provided listeners with "play-by-play" coverage of the annual parade since 2004.

"We're looking forward to covering another great parade this year, and sharing the parade not only with our listeners locally, but around the world via the internet", says Mint City Radio manager Dan Drolett. "This is a great time of year and a great part of Michigan for summer festivals.". Plans for summer programming on Mint City Radio also include coverage of the St. Johns Mint Festival Parade, DeWitt Ox Roast Parade and Ovid Carriage Days Parade, as well as coverage of the Clinton County 4-H and Youth Fair.

 

AllAccess.com:

MIDWEST Active Rocker WJXQ/LANSING, MI PD SHERI VEGAS exits to due some management changes... Sheri Vegas Exits WJXQ (Wed, 6/30)

With MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS taking over Classic Hits WQTX (92X)/LANSING, MI, the station's morning producer and co-host MIKE HOLDER has exited the station. HOLDER, who could not come to an agreement on a deal to join MIDWEST, had worked with morning host TIM BARRON since 2006 at crosstown Adult Hits WHZZ (101.7 MIKE FM), moving with BARRON to 92X in SEPTEMBER 2008... Mike Holder Exits WQTX (Thu, 7/1)

 

AllAccess.com:

MACDONALD BROADCASTING Country WKCQ/SAGINAW has announced the "9th Annual KCQ Drive To End Hunger Golf Outing," on TUESDAY, AUGUST, 3rd. All proceeds will go to help the FOOD BANK of EASTERN MICHIGAN. They are looking for teams and sponsorships for the event. Sponsorships range from $500-$2,500. .. WKCQ Plans Golf Outing To Aid Food Bank (Fri, 6/25)

 

Saginaw News:

Randy Houser knew he would arrive in Saginaw running on adrenaline -- the popular country singer was a key player in last week's CMA Fair in Nashville -- but at Saturday's KCQ Country Music Fest on Ojibway Island, Richie McDonald had him beat. After performing a benefit concert Friday night at First Baptist Church in Nashville, the former lead singer of Lonestar found out his flight from Louisville, Ken., to Detroit was cancelled. So, renting a car, he made a mad dash for Michigan, eager to finally say, "I'm alread there!" "My show was done around 11, and when I found out about the flight, it was time for Plan B," he said, sitting for a few minutes in the clubhouse before taking the stage. "Coming out of Nashville, the interstate was closed down and I thought, oh, this is going to be a long night. But I called a friend who talked me through some back roads... KCQ Country Music Fest draws 85,000 to Saginaw's Ojibway Park ... with a few detours (Sat, 6/19)

 

Saginaw News:

Finding Clyde is popping up everywhere, and the WIOG Lizard Fair, coming Saturday, Aug. 14, to the Dow Diamond in Midland, is no exception. Boys Like Girls are back, and so is IYAZ, an unbilled addition to Sean Kingston's set last year. And new to the mix is Kevin Rudolf, Shontelle and The White Tie Affair, the radio station announced at a press conference today. Gates open at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for general admission bowl seats, $25 for general admission field seats, $35 for VIP field seats, and $102.50 for the Ultimate Fan Package, which include a seat in the front two rows, a special event T-shirt and a chance to meet the day's artists. Tickets go on sale Saturday, June 26, at www.loons.com, www.wiog.com and at the Dow Diamond box office at 825 E. Main in Midland. Only 50 Ultimate Fan Package tickets are available and they are sold only at the box office. "We started planning this in February, trying to guess what would be hot in August," said Demas, the morning show host at WIOG-FM, 102.5. "In the poll we took after last year's show, Boys Like Girls was the hands-down winner of the favorite moment, and they said they would love to play again"... WIOG Lizard Fair returns to Dow Diamond with Boys Like Girls, IYAZ and more (Tue, 6/15)

 

Mix 106.3 adds a new Storey

Ray Storey joins WGER-FM 106.3 (Mix 106.3) where he'll be doing weekends and swing shift work. Prior to joining WGER, Storey started his career in 1999 in Flint before moving to WKFR Battle Creek/Kalamazoo in 2002. In '08, he moved back to Flint area where he was at WRCL.

 

Ernie Harwell, Michigan's most beloved broadcaster ever, has died this evening at the age of 92 in his home in the Detroit suburb of Novi after an inspiring fight with bile duct cancer.

There will be countless accolades and articles written about the life of a man that cared for his family, friends, and fans in a way that no one ever has before or will again. Whatever it is that is written, it won't be enough to capture just how much Mr. Harwell meant to our state.

Godspeed Ernie and thank you.

 

 

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Detroit Free Press:

In Ernie Harwell's voice, the South rose again and conquered Michigan in a way no one else ever has. When Harwell arrived in Detroit to join the Tigers radio broadcast team in 1960, he was an unknown to Tigers fans. When he died Tuesday night at his home in Novi, at 92, after nearly a year-long bout with cancer, he had a strong case as the most beloved figure ever in Michigan. He rose to that cherished place through the combined power of radio and baseball and just as importantly his own charm and warmth, which were as steady through the decades as his unchanging Georgia accent. Harwell did Tigers radio from 1960 through 1991, then -- after an ill-conceived dismissal by the Tigers that lasted only one season -- he did a combination of Tigers radio and TV from 1993 through 2002. He ended his 55-year big-league career at the end of 2002 season... Ernie Harwell dies at 92 (Tue, 5/4)

 

In a telephone interview tonight, Detroit Tigers legend Al Kaline was asked why Harwell was so overwhelmingly popular in Michigan. "There wasn't a nicer person," Kaline said. "He had time for everybody. He lived here and stayed here. He didn't just work here and then go away in the off-season. He would have young announcers up to his booth all the time and give them advice. He had time for everybody." Kaline worked as Harwell's broadcast partner on television in the 1990s... Dignitaries share warm memories of Ernie Harwell (Tue, 5/4)

 

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Detroit News:

Ernie has died. After a battle against bile duct cancer, one he knew he would lose, Ernie Harwell died Tuesday. He was 92. With his death, Michigan -- and baseball -- loses one of its most beloved figures. For 55 years, Harwell was a major league broadcaster, 42 with the Tigers. He broadcast his last game Sept. 22, 2002. Instead of moving away from the Detroit area, he spent his final years in Novi, still being part of our lives as an author and corporate spokesman. William Earnest Harwell was born Jan. 25, 1918 in Washington, Ga. As a boy, his family moved to Atlanta, where he grew up loving newspapers and baseball, which is how and why he became a paperboy and a batboy for his hometown minor league club, the Atlanta Crackers... Legendary broadcaster Ernie Harwell dies at 92 (Tue, 5/4)

 

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MLive.com

The voice that we fell asleep to while listening to baseball games on transistor radios, the one that called Detroit Tigers games for four decades and became part of our lives, has gone silent. Ernie Harwell died Tuesday of cancer. He was 92. Harwell was the 1981 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, placing him in the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown as a broadcaster. He said that his induction speech and the Christian testimony he gave at a Billy Graham Crusade in Tampa were the two most memorable speaking engagements of his life. He loved God, baseball, his family and countless friends. "When you met Ernie Harwell, you walked away feeling you were his best friend," said Tigers radio broadcaster Jim Price, who first met Harwell as a rookie catcher with Detroit in 1967. "People who never met him before would say, 'It's like I've known him forever.' "He was very unique that way." Harwell was a one-of-a-kind person and broadcaster, who had first-hand experiences with nearly every big name in the history of the game... Hall of Fame Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell dies at 92 after battle with cancer (Tue, 5/4)

 

Grand Rapids Press:

Radio broadcasting and digital media company Regent Communications, Inc., which owns five stations in Grand Rapids, is changing its name and replacing its top executives. The company emerged from its bankruptcy reorganization plan April 27. The company originally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 1. In an announcement today, Regent is now titled Townsquare Media Inc., and has replaced C.E.O. Bill Stakelin and E.V.P. Anthony Vasconcellos, both of whom resigned, with Steven Price and Stuart Rosenstein, respectively. Price and Rosenstein are co-founders of FiveWire. Townsquare Media operates 62 radio stations in 13 mid-sized markets. In the Grand Rapids market, the company operates WLHT-FM (95.7), WGRD-FM (97.9), WTRV-FM (100.5), WFGR- FM (98.7) and WNWZ-AM (1410). "No local changes are contemplated," said Phil Catlett, president and general manager of the company in Grand Rapids... Regent Communications changes name to Townsquare Media (Mon, 5/3)

 

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AllAccess.com:

Congratulations to the crew at CITADEL Top 40 WIOG/SAGINAW on the completion of their annual CARES FOR KIDS RADIOTHON. Done in conjunction with the CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK and led by EARLY SHIFT hosts DEMAS & MANDI, the station raised over $75,000 for the HURLEY MEDICAL CENTER, broadcasting live from the facility for three days straight (4/29 - 5/1)... WIOG Cares For Kids (Mon, 5/3)

 

RadioInfo.com reporter extraordinaire Tom Taylor reports that Michigan attorney General Mike Cox has filed information with federal bankruptcy court that Citadel (which owns several radio stations in Detroit, Grand Rapids and mid-Michigan) has "failed to file its 2008 Michigan Business tax return and to remit the taxes, penalties and interest," and that Michigan doubts "as to whether the debtor's proposed plan [to re-organize and flush away two-thirds of its debt] is offered in good faith." The AG's office also claims that under Michigan law, "Certain 'responsible persons' and officers [are] personally liable for certain unpaid corporate obligations."

Michigan is an an unsecured creditor as Citadel proceeds through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and the state has obviously decided to make an attempt to collect on those taxes.

 

Lansing State Journal:

WKAR-TV's "BackStage Pass" is about to go national. The East Lansing-based television music series will soon be distributed through the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA), a professional association that serves public television licensees and educational entities in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Executive Producer Tim Zeko says "BackStage Pass" has a good working relationship with the NETA. "We've submitted programming in the past to them, and they know and like our work," he said. What helped set the series apart in the selection process this time around? "Quality musical performances, video production and sound," Zeko said. "BackStage Pass," which airs on HD/23 in Lansing, is the community's prime outlet for getting local bands and singer-songwriters on the small screen... WKAR's 'BackStage Pass' series to be nationally televised (Sat, 4/17)

 

AllAccess.com:

CITADEL Top 40/Mainstream WIOG/SAGINAW, MI has promoted APD/MD DEMAS to PD. "For the past several years, DEMAS has played a key role in selecting the music, creating station imaging and steering the creative direction of WIOG," OM SCOTT STINE said. "GM CHRIS MONK and I have every confidence that the team of DEMAS and Promotions Dir. RACHEL GEDDES will continue to roll out massive station events like 'Lizard Fair,' successful promotions such as 'Baby Idol' and doing great things in the community like the 'CMN Radio-thon'."... WIOG Ups Demas To PD (Wed, 4/14)

 

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Adrian's WLEN wins Crystal Award

WLEN-FM 103.9 wins it's fourth Crystal Award from the National Association of Broadcasters for its year-round commitment to community service. The Adrian station also was recognized for the award in 2005, 2001 and 1998.

 

Broadcasting & Cable:

Flint's struggles have been endlessly documented. Michigan's unemployment rate is near 15%, and the figure for Flint-Saginaw-Bay City is even higher. Dependent on the automotive giants for decades, Flint is fighting to redefine itself. "These are the challenges we face every day," says WNEM VP/General Manager Al Blinke. But Flint is getting there. Home of Dow Chemical and Dow Corning, the No. 68 DMA is betting big on alternative energy. Downtown Flint is going through what WJRT President/General Manager Tom Bryson calls "a bit of a renaissance"--a few new restaurants, industrial space turned into lofts and the construction of University of Michigan-Flint dormitories. "We're going from zero students downtown to more than 1,000 in 2½ years," Bryson says. Meredith-owned CBS affiliate WNEM and ABC O&O WJRT are locked in a terrific ratings duel. WJRT won very close morning and evening news races in February, while WNEM and its Asking Tough Questions branding took total day ratings and late news, its 8.5 household rating/23.1 share at 11 topping WJRT's 6.9 rating/18.6 share. WNEM won an even closer late-news race in November. Barrington's NBC affiliate WEYI won February's prime, thanks in large part to the Olympics... Market Eye: The New Face of Flint (Mon, 4/12)

 

Battle Creek Enquirer:

Somewhere, bouncing around the atmosphere in a sea of static, is a voice waiting to hear from you. It's an allure that's drawn in more than a few amateur radio enthusiasts, and they'll gather today at the 50th annual Michigan Crossroads Hamfest and Radio Swap. The meet up will be held this year at the Marshall Activity Center, 15325 W. Michigan Ave., Marshall. That's where radio hobbyists will get together for a swap of old radios, radio parts and whatever else they think to bring along. "It's 90 percent radios, and 10 percent could be anything," event chairman John Davidson said Friday. "It's everything from old parts to build your own equipment, new equipment, to publications." Having grown up in a radio household, Davidson said his interest in the hobby started as a child... Radio enthusiasts sign on for Hamfest (Sat, 3/20)

 

Saginaw News:

Johnny Burke of Frankenmuth is a morning radio personality for 96-FM WHNN. What is your typical day like? My day starts at 3:30 a.m. when I get up, make coffee and read the overnight news. After showering and driving to work for the 5:30 start time, Blondie and I broadcast the show until about 9:15 a.m. After our show, we have calls (related to programming and the Johnny Burke Children's Foundation) and e-mail to return, decisions to make about the next day's show topics, reading the news, editing jokes and meeting with sales staff about upcoming giveaways, interviews, contests and promotions. We also typically have commercial and promotional production (recordings) to do. Then we might have to go to a personal appearance, remote broadcast or business meeting with public officials or sponsors. Usually it's eight to 10 hours a day... Meet your neighbor: Johnny Burke, WHNN-FM radio personality (Fri, 3/19)

 

Radio-Info.com

Tom Taylor reports this morning that Rubber City Radio has agreed to sell its Lansing 4-station FM cluster (active rock WJXQ 106.1, modern rock WVIC 94.1, classic hits WQTX 92.1 and smooth jazz WJZL 92.9) to MIdwest Communications for an amount that's not yet been revealed. Operating as Mid-Michigan Radio Group, Rubber City first bought into Lansing in 2000.

For Midwest Communications, it's an expansion eastward of its Michigan group of stations - it already owns 9 plus an FM translator in Kalamazoo, Coldwater, and Holland.

 

WWSJ AM St. Johns gets spot on FM dial

FM translator W262BD 100.3 is now airing gospel programming from WWSJ 1580 AM St. Johns.The translator is licensed to Dimondale, owned by Educational Media Foundation and operates with 22 watts from the Boji Tower about 300 feet above ground level. Operation began at 5 pm yesterday, March 14th.

The translator's signal can be heard more than 10 miles away from downtown Lansing on car radios and greatly increases WWSJ's reach into Lansing.

 

Saginaw News:

A documentary on the women of the Saginaw Valley and a theme penned by a Flint musician was recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. Delta College Public Broadcasting received 10 Broadcast Excellence Awards at the annual event held in Lansing on Wednesday, March 3. "We are emphasizing local productions that provide our listeners and viewers a window on our amazing community," said Barry Baker, general manager for Delta College Public Broadcasting. Both WDCQ-TV and Q-90.1 FM were the only television and radio stations in the Great Lakes Bay Region area to receive recognition. Delta competed against other public broadcasters in the Tri-Cities, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Kalamazoo... Delta's public broadcasting wins 10 awards for excellence (Thu, 3/11)

 

AllAccess.com:

MACDONALD BROADCASTING Country WKCQ/SAGINAW has announced the lineup for its "19th KCQ COUNTRY MUSIC FEST" free concert. The show is set for SATURDAY, JUNE 19th at 12p (ET) at OJIBIWAY ISLAND in SAGINAW. This year's artists include RICHIE McDONALD, JASON MICHAEL CARROLL, RANDY HOUSER and JIMMY WAYNE... WKCQ Announces "Music Fest" Lineup (Tue, 3/2)

 

Grand Rapids Press:

Radio broadcasting company, Regent Communications, Inc. (RGCI), filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday and reached a restructuring agreement with its senior lenders. The restructuring will eliminate approximately $87 million of Regent's debt, said a press release from Brainerd Communicators, the public relations firm representing the company. Day-to-day operations will continue without interruption and no changes will be made to senior leadership, it further stated. Phil Catlett, president and general manager of Regent in Grand Rapids, was not at liberty to comment, but confirmed a meeting this morning to discuss the changes. Catlett said the mood was far from somber. "I would say not at all somber, no. It's quite positive step I think for Regent and for our people here," he said. Based in Cincinnati, Regent owns and operates 62 stations located in 13 markets. They locally operate WLHT-FM (95.7), WGRD-FM (97.9), WTRV-FM (100.5), WFGR-FM (98.7) and WNWZ 1410 AM... Regent Communications files Chapter 11 bankruptcy (Mon, 3/1)

 

AllAccess.com:

Kudos to NEXTMEDIA Country WCEN/SAGINAW, MI for raising over $59,000 for St. JUDE CHILDREN's RESEARCH HOSPITAL during their COUNTRY CARES FOR St. JUDE KIDS RADIOTHON. Their two-day event was held THURSDAY and FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18th-19th. WCEN Raises Over $59K For St. Jude (Mon, 2/22)

 

Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun:

Sometimes, being the grand prize winner isn't what it's cracked up to be. April Flaugher, 24, of Weidman, discovered that after she won a trip to Las Vegas to attend a Garth Brooks concert. But an outside promoter that promised the trip for two to WCEN 94.5 FM, "The Moose," didn't deliver. Now Flaugher, who was originally to go to Las Vegas on New Year's Day, is still waiting for her prize. Shannon Dunlap, general manager at the radio station, said the situation was unfortunate and that she is working with Flaugher to make good on a trip to Las Vegas to see Brooks, or, if that isn't possible, an equitable prize. Dunlap said the station has given away trips for years without problems, but there are no tickets available to Brooks' Las Vegas concerts until he announces new dates. Current shows are sold out. Flaugher said the station offered her either $1,500 or a trip to Las Vegas when tickets are available. Flaugher said she looked into Brooks' concert schedule and found that he is releasing new dates within the next few weeks... Woman upset radio station did not deliver prize in contest (Wed, 2/17)

 

Gaylord Herald Times:

CMU Public Television is launching the "PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest," a national/local competition designed to promote the advancement of children's reading skills through hands-on, active learning. The local effort encourages children in grades kindergarten through third in the CMU Public Television coverage area to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their own original works. The deadline for submission of entries is Monday, March 15. Applications and additional information are available at www.wcmu.org.

"WCMU has long been involved with early childhood literacy," said Linda Dielman, CMU Public Television programming/outreach manager. "PBS Kids programming is focused on school readiness skills to ensure each child's success. This contest is an extension of that effort that brings plenty of fun and excitement for the children and their families"... CMU Public TV launches kids writing contest (Tue, 2/16)

 

Two veteran Detroit-area radio personalities announced plans to move on from their current gigs on Facebook this morning:

Lisa Jesswein, morning show co-host at pop WDVD-FM 96.3 posted on her Facebook account the following-

I invite you to take joy in all that is new in your life. I have decided to leave the morning show on 96.3 WDVD to forge a new path. I am so very grateful to all who have followed me over the years, those who met me at WDVD and those who will continue to watch my progress. Where will I end up? Hmmm...stay tuned! :-)

 

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Weekender Steve Black of rock WRIF-FM was less mysterious about his destination on his posting-

Time to announce my new job. Starting tomorrow I'm the Program Director at 103.9 The Fox in Flint. I will be on the air weekdays starting Wednesday. I will be finishing up my WRIF duties over the next couple of weeks. I'm excited to be going back to my hometown! I can't thank Doug Podell and Mark Pennington enough. They have taught me well. I'll have a new Fox FB page up on Monday. please friend us when you can.

Black grew up in Flushing and has been on Detroit radio for nearly 20 years at six different stations including WRIF. The Fox 103.9 is Cumulus Broadcasting's classic rock WRSR-FM Owosso/Flint.

 

Regent Communications WFNT AM 1470 Flint this week has dropped its longtime adult standards/oldies format in favor of talk as "Flint's News Talk". The move brings back the syndicated Bob and Tom show to the market - the duo was heard for a number of years on Regent rocker WWBN-FM 101.5 before being dropped in favor of the Grand Rapids based Free Beer & Hot Wings show which is syndicated out of Regent's WGRD-FM 97.9.

WFNT previously featured a news-talk format prior to switching to adult standards in the Spring of 2000.

With a 5,000 watt daytime / 1,000 watt nighttime signal from near Burton, WFNT covers the immediate Flint area well, but quickly runs into interference issues to the south of Flint because of co-channel WLQR AM 1470 in Toledo, OH.

The new weekday programming lineup on WFNT:

• 5:00am - 6:00am: Wall Street Journal
• 6:00am - 10:00am: The Bob & Tom Show
• 10:00am - 11:00am: Value Connection
• 11:00am - Noon: Brenda Brissette-Mata
• Noon - 3:00pm: Laura Ingraham
• 3:00pm - 6:00pm: Jerry Doyle
• 6:00pm - 9:00pm: Mark Levin (Wednesdays - Racetalk from 7 - 9)
• 9:00pm - 12:00am: Brian & Judge
• 12:00am - 5:00am: Bob & Tom All Nighter

 

Great Lakes Loons accepting internship applications

The Great Lakes Loons have announced the expansion of their successful internship program with additional positions available for 2010. Since the 2007 season, the Loons internship program has created 56 internship positions which have been filled by college students throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond. In addition, the program has created many practicum volunteer hours with students.

The Loons offer paid internships for college students who are interested in working in a fun, fast-paced environment where they are able to learn all aspects of professional sports organization while being significant contributors to the team's operation. Each intern will have a focus area, such as marketing & promotions, video production, media relations, ticket sales and operations. In addition, each intern will be involved in the planning and implementation of cross departmental projects to create a well-rounded experience.

"The Loons internship program has been very successful over the first three seasons of our franchise's existence and we look to build on that success for 2010," said Loons President and General Manager, Paul Barbeau. "Our interns have been vital to the success of the Loons, and many have gone on to work in professional sports, including several current Loons employees."

Internship candidates should be enthusiastic, self-motivated, detail-oriented and enjoy working in a team environment. In addition, candidates must possess excellent communication, decision-making and interpersonal skills. Qualified candidates should have the ability to cooperate and work well with all areas of the organization and truly enjoy having FUN! The Loons are currently accepting internships in the following areas:

• TV & Video Production
• Communications & Media Relations
• Marketing & Promotions
• Business Operations
• Finance & Accounting
• Ticket Sales

For more detailed internship descriptions and application requirements, please visit the Internship Opportunities page in the About section of the Loons website at www.loons.com.

 

Lansing State Journal:

Two major changes are coming to local talk-radio:
• Tony Conley takes over Monday, as morning man at WILS (1320-AM). "It's going to be fast, it's going to be fun and it's going to be local," said Conley, who grew up in Okemos and lives in Williamston. An emphasis will be on interaction, he said, via phone, Twitter, Facebook and E-mail.
• An Internet-only station is being created. TalkLansing.net is scheduled to debut Feb. 15, with 12 hours of talk aired twice each weekday. Both changes revolve around Walt Sorg. He quit the WILS show - Friday was his day - and will own the Internet station with Chris Holman and Jim Fordyce. "I see this as the evolution of radio," Sorg said. "We call it 'Radio 3.0.'" The first phases were AM and FM., he said. Now Internet-radio offers a stronger sound... Web-only radio hits airwaves in Feb. (Sat, 1/30)

 

Brian Figula gets added responsibility for NextMedia

NextMedia has promoted Brian Figula who will add program director responsibilities at hot AC WHBC FM 94.1 in Canton, OH to his duties at hot AC WGER FM 106.3 Saginaw and will be now be overseeing both stations.

"Fig has taken WGER - Magic from a background, wallpaper radio station to an active, entertaining Hot AC station with great audience participation. Brian's passion, vision and expertise in executing the Hot AC format has proven to be a winning combination in a year's time in Saginaw. Fig has been a great asset to our Saginaw team and while his physical presence will be missed in the halls of the Saginaw office, I am sure he will continue to be effective in moving WGER forward," commented VP/General Manager of NextMedia's Saginaw cluster Shannone Dunlap.

 

Lansing State Journal:

Comcast Corp. reached a lawsuit settlement that will allow customers with analog television service to continue viewing public access channels without change. The Philadelphia, Pa.-based telecommunications company's Michigan region settled a lawsuit with three communities regarding access to public, education and government (PEG) channels. The parties will ask the U.S. District Court to dismiss the pending suit. Meridian Township, Bloomfield Township and the city of Dearborn sued Comcast in January 2008 to prevent it from digitizing public access channels. They alleged the move was discriminatory against the public access channels and would have required analog customers to purchase a digital-ready television or a digital converter box to view the channels. Comcast wanted to move the public access channels from the basic tier to digital channels in order to free up bandwidth for more services and high definition channels, said spokeswoman Mary Beth Halprin. In the settlement, Comcast agreed to continue offering existing public access channels in analog format on the $15.99-per-month limited basic tier until the company digitizes the entire tier or until the communities agree to digitize the channels... Comcast settles suit on access to public channels (Sat, 1/23)

 

As of Friday January 15th, The University of Michigan has turned over the programming of its WFUM-TV Channel 28 to Central Michigan University's WCMU operation. The handoff occured just past 11am.

CMU is in the process of acquiring WFUM from U-M and the paperwork has now been filed with the FCC and the official ownership transfer will happen once the sale has been approved.

WCMU plans to put together a community advisory board in the Flint area to help make decisions about what local programming initiatives are appropriate for the market. Already there are plans to incorporate the Flint area in many of the local programs WCMU already produces, such as:

• ASK THE SPECIALISTS- a live call in show every Thursday evening at 8 pm. Viewers are invited to call in their questions to a panel of experts ranging weekly from Doctors, Lawyers, Builders, Veterinarians, etc.

• DESTINATION MICHIGAN- this is a new local series that started this year featuring stories about the people and places that make up our great state of Michigan.

• CAPITOL REPORT- a weekly public affairs program featuring one on one interviews with elected officials. This series is expanded into MEET THE CANDIDATES during election years in order to interview candidates for State and National office seats.

• QUIZ CENTRAL- this series is very close to the High School quiz bowl program formerly produced by WFUM. WCMU has been producing its version for the past 4 years and currently have 32 teams competing.

 

Central Michigan's press release:

Central Michigan University has entered into an agreement with the University of Michigan to acquire WFUM TV which serves the greater Flint area. We are excited to be in the Flint area and to offer the same great PBS programs you love along with our own brand of local shows which highlight the best that Michigan has to offer, including Quiz Central, Destination Michigan, Ask The Specialists, and Capitol Report--just to name a few.

But we're much more than a broadcaster. As Michigan's largest television service, CMU Public Television takes pride in working with local arts and service organizations throughout the state. We've successfully partnered with schools and local groups to provide early childhood literacy training through our Ready to Learn program, encouraged creativity among early elementary students with the annual PBS Kids Go! Young Writers and Illustrators Contest, ensured families have warm clothes through the annual Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive, and taught young mothers how best to prepare healthy meals for their children in our Healthy Weight for Preschoolers program. At the other end of the age spectrum, WCMU addresses issues facing our older viewers including programming and community projects that deal with caring for parents and Alzheimer's disease. We look forward to getting to know the Flint community better, and to tell the stories in the greater-Flint and southeast Michigan areas that need to be told and shared with the rest of the state.

We pride ourselves at being available and responsive to our viewers. If you should ever have any questions, comments, praise, complaints, advice or concerns regarding a program you saw or perhaps the station in general, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-727-9268 or contact us via e-mail at the following addresses:

• TV Programming Matters - Rick Schudiske @ schud1ra@cmich.edu
• Membership Matters - Kim Walters @ walte1kj@cmich.edu
• General Station Matters - Ed Grant @ grant1eb@cmich.edu

 

Midland Daily News:

Delta College's Public Television Station, Q-TV, will launch the new year with a community forum that brings together local leaders to discuss the future trends and directions for the region. The discussion will pursue what is needed for the region to successfully provide for its citizens and effectively compete in the global marketplace. "Hard Times. Hard Choices. How Will Mid-Michigan Recover?" airs Monday, starting at 9 p.m. The evening looks at the Michigan and mid-Michigan region's economy and features expert panelists and community members. This broadcast town meeting is a partnership between MacNeil/Lehrer Productions and Delta College's WDCQ-TV. Starting a 8 p.m., the channel will air "By The People: Michigan Hard Times, Hard Choices." Kwame Holman, correspondent for "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," moderates this statewide documentary that looks at the crucial issues related to Michigan's economy, education and housing as the 2010 general election approaches. At 9 p.m., the Mid-Michigan program begins. Andy Rapp, a 40-year broadcast journalist and host of Q-TV's "Currently Speaking," moderates the live discussion... Delta College's Q-TV program examines the future of our region (Sat, 1/16)

 

Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun:

Central Michigan University Public Radio has joined a handful of Michigan stations in offering a digital service that its backers boast provides CD-quality sound from FM radio. Without much fanfare, WCMU-FM 89.5 in Mt. Pleasant turned on its HD service last week, said John Sheffler, CMU Public Broadcasting's director of radio. "The quality is going to be significantly better," Sheffler said. But that's for people who have receivers capable of getting the digital signal. In radio, HD stands for "hybrid digital," but its boosters don't mind at all if its meaning is confused with the television term that means "high definition." With an HD signal, a high-quality digital stream is folded into, or multiplexed, into the station's regular, analog signal. A digital receiver can pick up that signal and reproduce the higher-quality sound. HD radio receivers, however, are still fairly rare. About 1.3 million receivers were in service in late 2009, according to the HD Radio Alliance... WCMU offers digital radio signal for those with the right receiver (Tue, 1/5)

 

WEYI-TV:

A local television legend and dear friend of employees at NBC25 passed away Saturday morning. Jon Bengtson, who worked at WEYI for 35-years, knew just about every job at the station. He served as programming and operations manager. He also managed the traffic department, production, master control, and engineering. His knowledge of television broadcasting business was second to none. JB, as employees knew him, was 58 years old... WEYI staple Jon Bengtson passes away (Sun, 1/3)