Michigan Radio & TV Buzzboard

WZUU is streaming on the old Hits 96.5 playlist website: https://wzox.tunegenie.com/.

The most recent radio contract announcement that I could find for WMU was from 2021. It did not indicate that it was a multi-year agreement. One can assume WMU has a year-to-year contract with Midwest Communications: https://wmubroncos.com/news/2021/7/15/general-bronco-radio-network-announces-jack ...

I predicted a revival of Adult Contemporary on 106.5 in another thread. I suspect that Midwest will use the upcoming spring ratings period as a test bed for the Modern AC leaning playlist. If the Nielsen numbers meet their expectations, the Modern AC format may stay put. If not, they may continue ...

It should be noted that The Touch branding has been removed from most of the station's imaging. Voiceovers now identify the station as "96.5 FM WTOU" or "96.5 FM Kalamazoo." I hope that means the Westwood One feed will be dropped soon. The station should really be programmed in-house. A sports ...

I can confirm that The Touch is simulcasting on 95.5, 96.5 and 1660. 1660 is back online today after several days of downtime.

I would welcome a return of sports to 1660. A dedicated sports format could pick up play-by-play broadcasts from several teams that don't have a radio affiliate in Kalamazoo. The Red Wings, Pistons, and Michigan State currently lack affiliates in Kalamazoo. Regarding the status of 1660, I am still ...

Last night I noticed that WTOU (AM 1660) was offline or at significantly reduced power. As of this afternoon, it is still not audible from my neighborhood in Kalamazoo. However, the 95.5 translator for WTOU is online with regular programming from The Touch. I did not notice any HD subchannels on ...

According to RadioInsight, the NASH Icon frequencies in the Muskegon area are set to be shut off this weekend. The shut offs include 1490 WLAW, 97.5 WLAW-FM and translator 99.1 W256DM. Source: https://radioinsight.com/headlines/296690/twenty-cumulus-townsquare-media-stations-cease-operations-with ...

I think it’s more likely that the rebooted Jack FM format moves back to its original home on 96.5. There is strong support for an alternative-leaning format in Kalamazoo, Portage and adjacent townships. There is far less support for such a format in other parts of 106.5's coverage area (especially r ...

This is a very interesting development. Changes were needed on WVFM even before the acquisition of Forum's stations. According to Nielsen's 12+ ratings, WVFM's listener base has been steadily declining in the Kalamazoo market over the past two years: Spring 2023: 6.5 Spring 2024: 4.3 (34% decrease ...

A few observations after one week: On the negative side, Midwest needs help in the digital/online space. WZUU and WQXC are still using the dated web site designs and antiquated audio streaming services that were established under Forum's ownership. Also, the Fat One branding is still active on ...

Will be interesting to see if any changes are made to 96.5. Might a simulcast with 98.5 be in the cards? I hope so. 96.5 garnered a lackluster 1.8 in the Fall 2024 12+ ratings. I would like to see a Kalamazoo-focused AC format, but Country would also make sense. By the way, WZUU played a TON of nu ...

It sounds like Midwest Communications is now operating WZUU and WQXC. Here are some of my observations: WZUU has some new imaging and a new voiceover guy (I am not a fan). The imaging sounds like it was thrown together at the last minute. They are no longer using the "Hometown Music Authority ...

For anyone monitoring this transaction, the assignment of authorization was granted by the FCC yesterday: https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/assignmentDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff3919ff72b0191a3cfa29304cb&id=25076ff3919ff72b0191a3cfa29304cb&goBack=N The asset ...

Crisis averted. Both stations are back on the air.