| DTV |
MAB Educates Michigan on DTV Transition
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MAB Director of Technology Larry Estlack reviews converter box wiring
to a statewide audience. |
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The Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB), along with the Michigan National Guard hosted a statewide digital televison preparedness training on Thursday, October 23 at 18 National Guard locations across the state.
There were over 500 participants statewide for the DTV training including volunteers from the Michigan Jaycees, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Don-Lors Electronics; all of which have teamed with the MAB to help educate and prepare the public.
The training focused on why and when the digital transition will take place and included how to install and operate a digital converter box. Additionally, the training brought to light the importance of having the right antenna that will work in coordination with a converter box.
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Above: MAB President/CEO Karole White speaking during the broadcast. |
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Eighteen Michigan National Guard Video-Teleconferencing (VTC) training centers participated, offering the use of their interactive VTC equipment. This equipment allowed each site to communicate with each other. Television broadcast engineers from Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio gathered at facilities across the state to answer area-specific questions from the public. MAB President and CEO Karole White and Director of Technology Larry Estlack, were on hand in Lansing to answer questions statewide.
"The DTV preparedness training was a huge success," said Karole White.
Both the MAB and the Michigan National Guard realize the important role a successful DTV transition will play in the continued safety of the citizens of Michigan.
"The MAB has been at the forefront on digital transition education," said White. "Our research indicates that 50% of our 600,000 over-the-air (OTA) households have a transition plan. Cable and satellite subscribers are not directly impacted." The 100-day countdown to the digital transition began on November 10.
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| GLBC 2009! |
Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference - You Can't Miss This One........
 Beg or borrow the money, even if it have to take it out of your own pocket, you must attend GLBC in 2009. You will get real world solutions to your economic down-turn blues from those who’ve been through similar situations before.
Lynn Anderson from the RAB is one of the nations leading authorities on growth in challenging economic times. Her session alone is worth the priced of admission. Additionally you’ll receive three different topics from Merritt Mattson, including "Selling Against the Yellow Pages", their strengths versus Radio & TV and how to win those advertising dollars to your media. Plus lots, lots more…. See below and click through to our list of speakers and more are being added every day.
If you want to thrive in this economy, you need to have the right attitude and the tools to do so. GLBC fits both these areas of need. March 10 and 11 in Grand Rapids.
Register today and save, save, save!
Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference & Expo (GLBC) registration is open!
Register now to lock in the early registration discount. Details and online registration are available at: http://michmab.com/conferences/glbc_main.html.
 Mary Collins, President & CEO of the Media Financial Management Association has just been booked to speak to you directly on how to thrive in today’s economy, instead of just surviving it. See below an article by Mary Collins with concrete tips and strategic steps your company should be taking today, then register to see her speak in person.
GLBC 2009 Speaker Commentaries:
"Recession Readiness: Strategies to Succeed in a Down Market."
by Mary M. Collins, President & CEO, Media Financial Management Association
Earlier this fall, the Media Financial Management Association (MFM) held a Distance Learning Seminar entitled "Recession Readiness: Strategies to Succeed in a Down Market."
 download pdf
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| Chairman's Message |
100 Days and Counting: DTV Transition Quickly Approaching
 by Diane Kniowski, Chairman, Michigan Association of Broadcasters and President/General Manager, WOOD-TV/WOTV-TV, Grand Rapids.
100, 99, 98…the countdown to the Digital Transition is in full swing as we officially reached 100 days out on Monday, November 10. To mark this date, the MAB along with Michigan broadcasters, hosted a statewide training day that educated more than 500 Michigan citizens. The event marked the beginning of the final phase of MAB’s effort to assist people to make the transition to digital television.
MAB and members have refocused to a grassroots, neighbor helping neighbor campaign, with a primary focus on the issues involved with antenna and rescanning boxes. A Michigan DTV hotline was created to do just that. Please help us keep your communities informed by promoting the hotline (1-888-MI-DTV-09). While the DTV efforts of both the MAB and its members have been widely successful, there is much more to be done in the little time remaining. The DTV survey, commissioned by the MAB, suggests that the public is well aware of the transition, but reveals that a bulk of the viewers still do not have a plan to transition. And so, it is crucial that members step up efforts to reach the public in the waning days leading up to February 17, 2009. Every station, both television and radio, I hope will step up their DTV outreach in the homestretch, making every effort to engage the public on a personal level.
The last 100 days before the DTV deadline are not only a crucial time in our industry’s future, but also represent an opportunity for broadcasters to continue their long history of service to local communities and the public interest.
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| In The News |
Deminiski & Doyle Return To Detroit Airwaves on WCSX
 Greater Media/Detroit has announced that veteran radio personalities Jeff Deminski and Bill Doyle will host the new morning show on WCSX-FM beginning January 5. The Deminiski & Doyle Show will cover a wide variety of topics, ranging from serious issues to comedy, while also sharing with listeners more insight into their personal lives than most traditional radio shows.
John Gallagher, Greater Media's market manager said "We are thrilled to have such a popular Detroit radio team join us on the country's legendary classic rock radio station. The combination of Deminiski and Doyle in the morning and the Motor City's only home for classic rock all day will prove to be a dominate force in Detroit radio."
Dom Theodore Named VP/Programming for CBS Radio/Detroit
 Radio veteran Dom Theodore has been hired as VP of programming for CBS Radio's six Detroit area radio stations, as well as becoming the VP of CHR programming for CBS. Debbie Kenyon, CBS senior VP and Detroit market manager made the announcement.
Theodore is a Detroit native and over his 20-year plus career has worked in various stations throughout the country, including WHYT, WCZY and WDFX in Detroit as well as WIOG and WTCF in Saginaw. Theodore most recently was operations director of Clear Channel's Detroit cluster.
Daniels Appointed Interim PD for WKQI
Clear Channel Detroit president/market manager Til Levesque has announced that Beau Daniels has been appointed Interim program director for the company's WKQI. The appointment was effective on October 27.
Jim Kramer Appointed Interim OM at MacDonald Broadcasting/Saginaw
MacDonald Broadcasting has named 20-year company veteran and WKCQ PD/morning personality Jim Kramer as interim program director. In addition to WKCQ, Kramer will oversee WSAG and WMJO.
Tom Van Howe Re-Ups at WWMT/Kalamazoo
 Michiguide reports that current WWMT-TV anchor Tom Van Howe has extended his contract and will continue anchoring the station's 5, 5:30 and 6 o'clock newscasts through June of 2009. Van Howe is currently filling the anchor role while Jeff McAtree serves as a U.S. Navy Commander overseas.
Jim Lutton, WWMT VP and general manager noted that "Tom has been a great addition, adding depth and experience to our news team."
Van Howe had initially retired in 2006 after 20 years of reporting and anchoring at WOOD-TV. Lutton adds that this is Van Howe's second contract extension.
WWWW/Ann Arbor Sends Soldier's Mom to Korea
Cumulus Media's WWWW, along with employees of Key Bank, has sent the mother of a soldier assigned to a camp outside of Seoul, South Korea, to visit her son. In addition, WWWW morning host "Bubba" traveled to South Korea to surprise the soldier with his mother, along with Key Bank President Bill Koehler.
The "Breakfast With Bubba" program has been on the air at WWWW for six years, and this is the second such international trip to benefit a local soldier.
Packer Radio Expands with WSCG Purchase
Packer Radio, owner of WION/Ionia has filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission to purchase WSCG-AM/FM in nearby Greenville. Packer Radio is owned by James Angus, James Chesley and Mayo Sanders. |
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| MAB Says Goodbye To Richard Sommerville |
 Richard S. Sommerville
1918-2008
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of 1985 MAB President Richard Sommerville. Richard S. Sommerville, 90 of Port Huron, passed away Saturday, November 8, 2008 in Port Huron Hospital.
He was born on October 20, 1918 in Evart, MI, the third youngest of 12 children, to Harry and Minnie Sommerville. Dick grew up in Flushing and graduated from Flushing High School in 1936. On May 23, 1942, he married Letty Pilon. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served through the end of World War II. Dick graduated from the Pasadena, CA Institute of Broadcasting in 1948, moved back to the Flint area, and then joined WTTH Radio in Port Huron, becoming station manager within five years.
In October of 1967 he purchased WSMA, and in March of 1973 with sons, David and John, bought WTHM in Lapeer. The family then purchased three newspapers in southern St. Clair County. In 1984, Dick and son, Jeff, bought WADM and WQTZ in Decatur, IN, and in 1986 with son, Jim, purchased WCEN in Mt. Pleasant.
In 2000, Dick and Letty returned to the Port Huron area. When SC4 became a community college, Dick served as the first chairman of the Board of Trustees. He was a long-time supporter of the St. Clair County March of Dimes, serving as board member and chairman. He was instrumental in beginning the Jail and Bail project. He was a board member of the National Association of Broadcasters and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters where he was presented their Lifetime Achievement Award this past July. He was a former member and past president of the Port Huron Rotary Club. Dick was a past chairman of the St. Clair County Republican Party, was a past member of the State Republican Party Central Committee, and was a two-time delegate to the National Republican Convention. In 1968 and 1970 he was a candidate for the Michigan State Senate.
Dick is survived by his wife of 67 years, Letty J. Sommerville; five sons, David (Nancy) Sommerville of Lapeer, John (Debbie) Sommerville of North Street, Tom Sommerville of Jacksonville, FL, Jeff (Pam) Sommerville of Ruby, and Jim (Debbie) Sommerville of Fort Gratiot; eight grandchildren, Robert Sommerville, Lorie (George) Karnegis, Chris (Holly) Ochodnicky, Todd (Stacy) Sommerville, Amy (Trip) Limehouse, Alex Sommerville, and Racheal & Janelle Sommerville; eleven great grandchildren, one brother, David (Mary Lou) Sommerville of Alma; and several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Florence, Marion, Jean, and Suzie, and his brothers, Harry, Don, Todd, Robert, George, and Alvin. |
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| Legislative Updates |
Get the latest legal updates by reading the MAB Legislative & Legal Monitor!
 The MAB Legislative & Legal Monitor is published as neccessary with the latest information important to broadcasters. Not receiving the monitor? Please email Dan Kelley at dkelley@michmab.com to sign up TODAY!
Past issues are available in the Members Only section of the MAB website. Click here to view the latest Legislative & Legal Monitors. |
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| Federal and Regulatory Update |
FCC Rules on Digital Closed Captioning Rules
 The FCC has adopted new procedures for the submission of complaints about the failure to adequately provide closed captioning of video programming carried on television stations and cable systems. Read more from MAB Washington Attorney David Oxenford here.
DTVAncillary and Supplemental Services Fee Report Due December 1
By December 1, 2008, all commercial and noncommercial digital television (DTV) stations must electronically file an FCC Form 317 with the Commission reporting on whether the station has provided any ancillary and supplementary services during the twelve-month period ending on September 30, 2008. Continue reading here.
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The official publication of the Michigan Assocation of Broadcasters and the Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters
© 2008 - The Michigan Association of Broadcasters
WE SERVE OUR MEMBERS BY HELPING THEM TO BETTER SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES |
by Mike McVay, President, 
by Kevin Robinson, Strategic Consultant, 
