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Michigan Sinclair-owned TV stations preparing DISH customers for blackout
Another retransmission dispute between an over-the-air broadcasting company and a satellite company appears to be headed to a blackout for affected viewers. Sinclair Broadcast Group is warning that it expects its stations to be off DISH network beginning at midnight on August 16th.
Sinclair's Michigan stations include CBS affiliate WWMT-TV Ch. 3 Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo, ABC affliate WLAJ-TV Ch. 53 Lansing, and FOX affiliate WSMH-TV Ch. 66 Flint. In addition Sinclair has CW affiliations in Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo ("CW7", over-the-air Channel 3.2) and Lansing ("CW5", over-the-air Channel 53.2).
As has become typical in these disputes, each side is blaming the other for the possibility of a blackout - with viewers likely being stuck in the middle without TV service. DISH carries 70 Sinclair signals in 45 cities across the U.S.
WXYZ-TV Detroit elevates Murri to Station Manager
Scripps Broadcasting ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV Ch. 7 Detroit has named Mike Murri as Station Manager, effective immediately. In his new role he'll be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of WXYZ. Murri has been with the station since 1983 and previously held the titles of Account Executive and Local Sales Manager before being promoted to Director of Sales in 2001.
"Mike has tremendous knowledge of the Detroit market and a history of success with the organization, said WXYZ Vice-President and General Manager Ed Fernandez. "More importantly, the passion and dedication he brings to his work makes him the ideal candidate to assume this role."
"With all the momentum at the station these past few years, this is a tremendously exciting time for WXYZ and for Detroit," said Murri. "It's a great privilege to work with such a dedicated and talented group of professionals. WXYZ is truly one of the great stations in America and I'm humbled by the opportunity to be in a leadership role at this station."
