Northern Michigan Radio Landscape
- Three major companies dominate Northern Michigan radio: MacDonald Garber Broadcasting, Midwestern Broadcasting, and Black Diamond Broadcasting.
- These companies have undergone significant changes in programming and personnel recently.
- The radio industry faces challenges from satellite radio and streaming services, necessitating adaptation to listener preferences.
MacDonald Garber Broadcasting Changes
- 96.7 WLXV in Cadillac returned to simulcasting AC Lite 96 (WLXT 96.3 Petoskey) due to tower damage from a major ice storm.
- The change raises questions about the permanence of 96.7's format, previously Country 'The Bull'.
- Tower reconstruction is a lengthy process requiring FCC approval and engineering expertise.
Midwestern Broadcasting Developments
- 1310 AM WCCW, formerly Classic Country WTCM Gold, rebranded as '1310 The Ticket' to join the 97.1 Detroit statewide sports network.
- The station faces a challenge as 'The Ticket' name is already used by MacDonald Garber stations in other areas.
- 1310 AM is currently a daytime-only operation due to a lost transmitter site, impacting its future viability.
Black Diamond Broadcasting Adjustments
- Classic Rock 'The Bear' introduced new midday and afternoon hosts, Dave Barr and Guy Dark.
- Rock 105 and 95.5 adjusted its schedule, extending Cartman's morning show and adding a syndicated night show from Canadian Greg Beharrell.
- The syndicated Greg Beharrell show is criticized for its canned, non-local content, reflecting a low-budget approach.
Radio Industry Challenges and Listener Engagement
- Radio stations are criticized for being cheap and not prioritizing listener preferences, leading to declining ratings.
- The rise of digital platforms like Spotify and online streams provides significant competition to traditional radio.
- Understanding listener engagement now involves website visits and online stream data, beyond traditional Nielsen ratings.
Howard Stern's Reduced Schedule
- Howard Stern announced a reduced work schedule, broadcasting only on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- His decision is attributed to prioritizing his health as he approaches 72 years old.
- The change means he will only be working six hours a week, three hours per show.
