October 2020
Free Online Session: Battleground Michigan – A Virtual Election Briefing featuring Rachel Bitecofer
MAB members have been invited by the association’s lobbyist firm Kelley-Cawthrone to register and log in to view “Battleground Michigan: A Virtual Election Briefing.” The online event will be live Wednesday, October 21 from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. The program will feature Rachel Bitecofer, who has appeared on nationally televised networks as the “election whisperer.”…
Read MoreMIOSHA Issues COVID-19 Emergency Rules to Clarify Requirements for Employers
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) is one of the first state OSHA programs to promulgate rules which clarify the safety requirements employers must follow to protect their employees from COVID-19. Governor Gretchen Whitmer On Wednesday (10/14) signed her concurrence of the need…
Read MoreMusic in Podcasts – As Podcasts Shut Down Following Infringement Notices, Looking at the Required Music Rights
By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP The use of music has long been an issue for those looking to provide music-oriented podcasts to the public. As we have written before (see, for example, our articles here and here), clearing rights to use music in podcasts is not as simple as signing up with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC (or…
Read MoreMurrow Award Winners Announced, 6 Michigan Stations Honored
The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has announced the recipients of the 2020 RTDNA National and Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. Six Michigan broadcasters were honored for their excellence this year. Michigan Radio (Ann Arbor) received five awards, including one national award this year. The RTDNA has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism…
Read MoreBlack Diamond Broadcasting Grows with WMRX/WMPX Purchase
On October 1, Black Diamond Broadcasting announced an agreement to acquire Midland, MI based radio stations WMRX-FM (Sunny 97.7 FM) and WMPX-AM/W299CK (The Highway 1490 AM/107.7 FM) and “Discover Michigan Magazine”, from Steel Broadcasting. Black Diamond will expand from 10 to 13 radio stations covering central and northern Michigan with the acquisition, and will look…
Read MoreArt Vuolo, Jr. Profiled by Inside Michigan Football
On October 11, Inside Michigan Football (IMF) did a profile piece on “Radio’s Best Friend,” Michigan’s own Art Vuolo, Jr. The profile gives a good look at Art’s 40+ year love affair with Michigan football and also a behind-the-scenes look at Art’s basement studios and archives. Watch below:
Read MoreTownsquare Raises Nearly $95K for Flint’s Hurley Children’s Hospital
Townsquare Media radio stations in Flint raised $94,915 in its first annual ‘Let’s Make Miracles’ Radiothon for Hurley Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network. The 2-day event was held October 8 and 9. The stations (WCRZ-FM/WFNT-AM/WLCO-AM/WQUS-FM/WRCL-FM/WWBN-FM) were broadcasting from a tent setup outside the Townsquare Media studios and solicited donations from listeners, many which…
Read MoreRadio First, Port Huron Police Join Forces for ‘Cops & Jocks Dinner’
On October 13, Radio First/Liggett Communication’s Port Huron radio stations, together with the Port Huron Police Department, hosted the annual Cops & Jocks Spaghetti Dinner, a fundraiser that supports the local C.A.P.T.U.R.E. program. And this year’s dinner exceeded all fundraising expectations, according to Port Huron Police Chief Joe Platzer. The final total was announced Wednesday…
Read MoreHelp Your Clients Run The Gauntlet
By: Mark Levy, Revenue Development Resources As a broadcaster, you are already aware that this week was the start of the 4th Quarter “Gauntlet” for many of your local businesses. Amazon Prime Days launched October 13th. Black Friday is expected to have significantly less foot traffic but greatly increased online shopping. Immediately after that, local…
Read MoreWSYM to Build Local News Staff in 2021
The E.W. Scripps Company has announced that it will expand its commitment to Michigan audiences early next year by producing its own local newscasts at WSYM-TV, its FOX affiliate in Lansing. The introduction of local news operations at WSYM builds on Scripps’ footprint across Michigan: its three markets reach approximately 81% of the state’s TV…
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