Archive for the ‘Flint-Saginaw-Bay City’ Category

Dawn Jones returns to WJRT anchor desk

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Posted 29 Mar 2012 — by Michigan Media
Category Flint-Saginaw-Bay City

Dawn JonesDawn Jones will return to SJL Broadcasting’s WJRT (Channel 12) in Flint at the end of May. She will take over some of Karen Gatlin’s anchoring duties.

Dawn Jones is headed home to TV after a stint at City Hall.

Jones was a reporter and anchor at WJRT (Channel 12) but left in 2009, when Flint Mayor Dayne Walling appointed her communications director for City Hall.

Now, she’s headed back to the news desk at the end of May.

“I enjoy the news. I really enjoy it,” Jones said. “It’s always wonderful to go back home.”

WJRT anchor Karen Gatlin is retiring, and Jones will take over some her duties, anchoring at noon and 4 p.m.

MLive

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Harris joins WEYI as 6 p.m. news anchor

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Posted 05 Jan 2012 — by Michigan Media
Category Flint-Saginaw-Bay City

Bill HarrisVeteran news anchor Bill Harris has joined WEYI (NBC 25) in the Flint-Saginaw-Bay City DMA. Harris will anchor the station’s 6 p.m. newscast starting on January 30.

NBC25 strengthens its news team and brings back a trusted news resource to viewers. Bill Harris, a 35-year news veteran and nine-time EMMY winner at the local ABC affiliate, will be the anchor of NBC25 News at 6 p.m. After parting ways with his previous station, he is very excited to be back as the face of Mid-Michigan news. He will be starting Jan. 30, 2012.

“I still have very warm and sincere connection to everyone in our communities, and it’s great to be back. This is not just a perfect fit personally; it’s a perfect fit for the viewers and all the special community projects I have been a part of in the past,” Harris said. “The need for true and fair journalism for our viewers has never changed, but the way we cover things has. We at NBC25 are starting 2012 with a great team. It’s a new attitude, and new goals.

WEYI

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Harris out at WJRT, in talks with WNEM and WEYI

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Posted 29 Dec 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Flint-Saginaw-Bay City

Bill HarrisLong-time news anchor Bill Harris is no longer employed by WJRT (Channel 12) in Flint. Harris is in “active discussions” with local news rivals WNEM (Channel 5) and WEYI (Channel 25).

Longtime WJRT (Channel 12) news anchor Bill Harris says he has worked his last day for ABC12.

Harris said today that his work on special projects for the station ended with this year’s Holiday Pops concert and said he is in active discussions with both WNEM (Channel 5) and WEYI (Channel 25) about joining one of those rival stations.

“My vision for what I want to do … didn’t mesh with (the work at) ABC12,” Harris said. “It is hurting me deeply (but) the marriage wasn’t perfect.

Flint Journal

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Joel Feick joins WEYI as morning anchor

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Posted 03 Oct 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Flint-Saginaw-Bay City

Joel FeickBarrington Broadcasting’s WEYI in Mid-Michigan hired veteran anchor Joel Feick. Feick was let go from WJRT in April after SJL Broadcasting bought the station from ABC.

The “Voice” of Mid-Michigan returns as Joel Feick joins the NBC25 Today team.  Feick will captain the show as anchor, surrounded by an ensemble cast who will wake viewers up with a smile and laugh, while providing the necessary news and weather information needed to start the day.

“I am excited to be working for a team that wants me and to get back to telling stories again. It’s what I love to do,” said Feick. “I am thankful for the people who sent me well wishes and prayed for me, and I am looking forward to working with a great team.”

Feick previously worked 27 years as an anchor / reporter at WJRT but parted ways as that station downsized.  The loss of his position fueled an outcry from viewers who wanted him back on the air.

WEYI

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Nielsen releases new rankings for DMAs

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Posted 31 Aug 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Detroit, Flint-Saginaw-Bay City, Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Lansing, Marquette, Traverse City-Cadillac

NielsenNielsen released new rankings for local television markets. The Detroit, Lansing and Alpena markets did not change. Grand Rapids, Traverse City and Marquette moved down one spot. Flint moved up one spot in the rankings.

Here is an overview of Michigan DMAs:

2010-11
Rank		  – 2011-12
Rank		 - - Difference – DMA Name – 2011
TV Homes		 – 2012
TV Homes
11 11 Detroit 1,883,840 1,842,650
41 42 -1 Grand Rapids-Kalmzoo-B.Crk 740,230 722,150
69 68 +1 Flint-Saginaw-Bay City 455,840 451,880
115 115 Lansing 253,380 252,890
119 120 -1 Traverse City-Cadillac 242,700 244,050
179 180 -1 Marquette 87,670 85,230
208 208 Alpena 17,040 17,100

 

Read the full list here.

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Akerly departs WLNS after 21 years

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Posted 29 Jul 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Flint-Saginaw-Bay City

Dave AkerlyDave Akerly, lead news anchor at Young Broadcasting’s WLNS (Channel 6) in Lansing, is leaving the station after 21 years of service.

Dave Akerly, who has been with WLNS since 1990 and a main anchor for the Lansing CBS-affiliate since 2002, is leaving the station after August 1st.

“They say that all good things must come to an end,” Akerly posted on his Facebook wall this week. “After nearly 21 years on the anchor desk of TV-6, first in Sports, then in news, I will be leaving WLNS.”

Akerly joined the station as a weekend anchor and was promoted to sports director in 1991. After more than a decade of covering Michigan State’s football and basketball triumphs, Akerly transitioned to news anchor.

TVSpy

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WJRT and WEYI name new news directors

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Posted 06 Jun 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Flint-Saginaw-Bay City

WJRT, WEYIJayne Hodak has been promoted to news director at SJL Broadcasting’s WJRT in Flint. Hodak replaces Jim Bleicher. Also, Kathy Reynolds has replaced Jeff Reinarz as news director of Barrington’s Broadcasting’s WEYI in Flint. Reinarz will stay on as the media operations manager.

WJRT-TV, Flint, MI: JAYNE HODAK has been promoted to News Director for this SJL Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. She has been the Assistant ND here, and replaces longtime WJRT ND JIM BLEICHER. Bleicher left the station in late March, shortly after SJL took over ownership of the station from ABC, from whom SJL had bought the station in 1995. Jayne’s a former EP in Raleigh, and has also worked in Lansing and Detroit, where her father JERRY HODAK spent many years as the chief meteorologist for WXYZ-TV.

WEYI-TV, Flint, MI: KATHY REYNOLDS has been named ND for this Barrington Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate. Kathy has been running the newsroom at WAOW-TV in Wausaw, WI, most recently. Earlier she was an investigative reporter and Special Projects Manager for WGGB-TV in Springfield, MA. She’s also worked in Grand Rapids, MI, Burlington, Fargo, and Elmira, NY. She replaces JEFF REINARZ who continues as Media Operations Manager here, overseeing promotion and operations. He’s been doing double duty as ND since January, 2009.

Rick Gevers and Associates

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Bill Harris returns to WJRT

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Posted 03 May 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Flint-Saginaw-Bay City

Bill HarrisBill Harris will return to the air today on SJL Broadcasting’s WJRT in Flint. Harris will report from a homeland security training conference in Grand Rapids during the newscasts at 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. It is not clear what role he will take with the station.

Nearly a month after being let go from his anchor position at WJRT (Channel 12), Bill Harris will return to the air today, according to the station’s website.

Harris will report from a homeland security training conference in Grand Rapids at the 4, 5 and 6 p.m. shows.

“Harris will use his more than 30 years experience with local, state and federal agencies to explain what the training entails and why it’s important to Mid-Michigan residents,” an article on the website says.

It is unclear what role Harris will take with the station.

David Harris | Flint Journal

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Meredith partners with WorldNow for station sites

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Posted 08 Apr 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Flint-Saginaw-Bay City

Meredith, WorldNowMeredith is partnering with WorldNow for its 12 local broadcast web sites, including WNEM in Bay City. WorldNow plans to relaunch Meredith’s local web sites in June.

Meredith Local Media is partnering with web solutions outfit WorldNow to provide its 12 sites with “a suite of online services including web publishing, video, mobile, sales support and national editorial content,” the two companies said in a statement.

WorldNow had supplied web services for Meredith years ago, before the two parted ways.

“Meredith is very focused on expanding its digital footprint, and the WorldNow team offers robust products to support those priorities,” said Steve Schwaid, Meredith Local Media Group vice president of digital content. “Additionally, WorldNow has built strong social media applications which are very impressive.”

Michael Malone | Broadcasting & Cable

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Exodus continues: Harris and Feick depart WJRT

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Posted 06 Apr 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Flint-Saginaw-Bay City

Bill Harris, Joel FeickVeteran news anchors Bill Harris and Joel Feick depart SJL Broadcasting’s WJRT in Flint. News director Jim Bleicher left the station last week.

In another apparent shake-up at WJRT (Channel 12), two top on-air talents are reportedly no longer with the station.

Both Bill Harris and Joel Feick are no longer working at the station, multiple sources have confirmed.

Harris has worked at the station since 1977, according to ABC12′s website. Feick has worked at the station since 1983.

Changes are being made following the purchase of the Mid-Michigan ABC affiliate by SJL Broadcasting, which agreed to buy the station from Walt Disney Co. in November and recently finalized the deal.

Khalil AlHajal | The Flint Journal

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