Some may find it surprising that broadcast reception of some major TV networks is not possible in a number of Upper Midwest communities.
Author: Jon Ellis
Ask NorthPine: Why Aren’t There More Alternative Formats?
A reader asks why there aren’t more Alternative formats, specifically in Green Bay. The city lost its commercial Alternative station five years ago and has no non-comm Alternative outlet.
Newsroom Notes: Reflecting on 20 Years of Change and What’s Next
A lot has changed in my 20 years in TV news, and there’s undoubtedly more change to come. But some things can’t change if there is going to continue to be news.
FCC Monitor: Austin, MN, PBS Station Back to Full Power
Recent FCC filings include a southern Minnesota PBS station returning to full power and another step in a major tower project in Nebraska’s panhandle.
Off Topic: Roadtripping to the Four Corners Region
A long-awaited roadtrip last summer took me to the southwest. I was prepared to find the region packed with other people hitting the road after pandemic lockdowns, but still managed to find many moments of solitude.
Broadcast History: A Look at the Duluth Radio Dial in the 1950s and ’60s
A look through old Broadcasting Yearbooks provides a glimpse at what listeners heard on the Duluth radio dial in the 1950s and 1960s.
Weekly Log: News Director Moves in Fargo, Eau Claire; Tafoya Gets Podcast
This week’s log includes new TV news directors in Fargo and Eau Claire, a new evening news anchor in Cedar Rapids, and a new national podcast based in the Twin Cities, and WBA Awards.
Data Dump: Who Has the Most Public Radio?
The Upper Midwest has a wide variation in the number and type of public radio services. Some small cities have four or more offerings, while others have only one.
Classic Hits Get an Upgrade in North-Central Minnesota
De La Hunt Media has shuffled formats in the Walker area, upgrading Classic Hits, adding a Sports outlet and dropping full-time Adult Contemporary.
Ask NorthPine: How are TV Markets Assigned?
TV markets aren’t assigned by station owners or Washington regulators. Viewers are actually the ones who made the choice, even if they don’t realize it.