Future plc, the owner of Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News, announced that the longtime publications will end print and digital publication at the end of September. Their sister digital outlet, NextTV, will also end its daily newsletters and all three will be replaced by “a new, curated SmartBrief newsletter on Media & Entertainment.” Your reporter learned much about the industry back in the analog era by studying back issues of B&C at the library.
Michigan-based Bridge News has ended operations of the NewsNet and SportsNews Highlights channels. The networks had aired on digital TV subchannels in some markets and also made up part of the schedule on BEK’s KNDB/26.1 (Bismarck), KNDM/24.1 (Minot), and KNGF/27.1 (Grand Forks-Fargo). Bridge News owns several low-power TV stations in the Upper Midwest; there’s no word of any staff being affected outside of Michigan.
The owners of Alexandria-based “KOOL TV” have released more information about the decision to shut down the service. “We certainly had very dedicated viewers from all over Minnesota and beyond,” said Mark Anthony (Anderson), who operated the station with Jason Hirsch. “However, the advertising was just not there to make it sustainable long term,” Anthony said. “KOOL TV” had launched on the Selective TV broadcast system, cable, and streaming nearly ten years ago in an effort to bring local TV back to the Alexandria area. Hirsch say he and Anthony are talking about potential new streaming programs in the future.
KARE 11 reports that Boyd Huppert, one of the leading journalists in the country, recently suffered a setback in his battle against multiple myeloma and is hoping to be back at work in six weeks. Other reporters are helping to continue Huppert’s “Land of 10,000 Stories” series in the meantime.
Gray ABC affiliate WBAY-TV/2 (Green Bay) introduced Maria Parmigiani as their new morning traffic anchor.
Sarah Blakely announced that she has stepped down from the anchor desk at Lilly CBS affiliate WZMQ/19.2 (Marquette) but will continue as a special correspondent.
Gray NBC affiliate KTTC/10 (Rochester) has promoted Zach Fuller to news director and Larissa Martin to community engagement coordinator.
The Austin Daily Herald reports that PBS station KSMQ/15 (Austin) has hired Laura Archbold as station manager.
RadioInsight reports that Paul Fletcher’s job at “Cities 97.1” (KTCZ Minneapolis) was part of a round of national cuts at iHeartMedia.
Skyview Networks announced plans to launch “Donna & Steve” featuring Donna Valentine and Steve Patterson. The four-hour weekend show is designed for Adult Contemporary and Hot AC stations. The duo hosts late mornings at “myTalk 107” (KTMY Coon Rapids-St. Paul).
Audacy has named Jason Bjorson senior vice president and market manager of its Madison stations. He retains duties as Audacy’s Milwaukee market manager.
In case you missed it here:
- iHeart Launches Iowa Sports Network, Flips Cedar Rapids Station
- FCC Monitor: Another LPTV Station Granted Move into Twin Cities
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Disclosure: Jon Ellis was an employee of Gray Media Group at the time this item was posted. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.