TV, Radio Station Owner Stephen Marks Dies

Stephen Marks, who owned more than a dozen TV and radio stations in the Upper Midwest and other regions, died May 11 at the age of 72.

Marks was born in Washington, D.C., in 1950, the son of an FCC attorney and a journalist. He started in radio at age 17 in suburban Washington and bought his first TV station, WBKB/11 (Alpena, MI), in 1983, which his company still owns today.

Marks’ holdings in the Upper Midwest include the ABC and CW affiliates in the Marquette market; three radio stations in Houghton, MI; two radio stations in Iron River, MI; two radio stations in Park Falls, WI; two radio stations in Williston, ND; and two radio stations in Dickinson, ND. He also has stations in several Montana cities.

Two of his TV stations have interesting distinctions: WBKB is affiliated with all four major networks, while KXGN-TV/5 (Glendive, MT) is the only TV station in the country’s smallest market.

Marks served on the board of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and his stations funded scholarships for students. His obituary says he crisscrossed the country throughout the year, never missing a network affiliate meeting or industry conference and working up until the day he died.

Services for Marks were held in Maryland on May 18.