The MAB was recently informed that the Michigan Army National Guard (MIANG) has chosen to distribute PSAs rather than air within the NCSA Program. MIANG has received significantly less funding for FY 19-20 and plans to utilize their own social and digital media platforms and distribute PSAs. “Though not a surprise, it was certainly disappointing,”… read more
Scheduling has begun for the 2020 Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP). The MAB conducts these alternative inspections regionally from April to October. Every broadcaster wants to be in full compliance with FCC rules, but finding out that you are not in compliance by receiving an FCC fine, can be a costly learning experience. The Michigan Association… read more
The MAB is sad to pass on the news that GB Broadcasing founder George E. Benko V passed away on October 22 at his home in Birmingham, Mich., surrounded by his family and friends. GB Broadcasting is licensee of MAB Member WBGV-FM (Marlette). He was 56. Benko was born December 12, 1962 in Yale, Michigan… read more
Mid-West Family Broadcasting has promoted longtime Director of Programming and Content Bill Gamble to General Manager at their South Bend, Indiana cluster. Gamble had been with the South Bend stations since 2010. Mid-West Family acquired the stations in 2015. WSJM, Inc. President Dave Doetsch said, “Bill is a person who knows me, knows Mid-West Family… read more
On October 22, Liggett Communications/Radio First’s Port Huron radio stations, together with the Port Huron Police Department, hosted the annual Cops & Jocks Spaghetti Dinner. The fundraiser supports the local C.A.P.T.U.R.E. Program. The general public was invited to have a dinner served by either Port Huron Police or an on-air talent from Radio First’s WPHM-AM/WBTI-FM/WSAQ-FM/WHLS-AM/WHLX-AM…. read more
Public radio station WDET-FM (Detroit) has received a $5000 prize as winner in the 2019 Local That Works contest, for a project that tells stories of the region’s communities through audio and photography. Since 2014, “Framed by WDET” has featured 10 communities, presenting images and audio stories in art exhibitions and community spaces. The annual Local… read more
This past Saturday, October 19, iHeartMedia’s WMXD-FM (Detroit ) presented the 20th Annual Sista Strut Cancer Walk. The event is held to increase awareness to the benefits of breast cancer screenings and other breast cancer resources in the African American community. PD Cheron Sanders said, “We hope our 20th Annual Sista Strut event will help… read more
This past Sunday, October 20, marked the 50th Anniversary of West Michigan Radio/TV personality Andy Rent. The current morning personality at Townsquare Media’s WTRV-FM (Grand Rapids) began his West Michigan career in 1969 at WOOD-TV, where he served as live booth announcer, weatherman and children’s television host known as “Captain Woody.” Rent later went on… read more
Michigan-based Jacobs Media announced on Thursday that registration is open for commercial radio stations to participate in the company’s annual Techsurvey. In a press release, the company said the previous survey launched early in 2019 broke ground once again in the annual series that began in 2005. Overall, more than 500 radio stations across North… read more
In a letter, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposed changes to overtime eligibility, which substantially lowers overtime pay protections for working people from the far stronger Obama-era standard. “These changes to the overtime rule are far too weak to provide Michigan’s workers with the overtime pay protections that they need… read more