Posts Tagged ‘Barrington Broadcasting’

Fairbanks departs WPBN/WTOM for job in Buffalo

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Posted 06 Jan 2012 — by Michigan Media
Category Traverse City-Cadillac

Diana FairbanksNews anchor Diana Fairbanks is leaving Barrington Broadcasting’s WPBN/WTOM (Channel 7 & 4) in Northern Michigan for a job at LIN Media’s WIVB in Buffalo.

WPBN-WTOM anchor Diana Fairbanks is joining Buffalo’s WIVB-WNLO on January 16.

Fairbanks, who tells TVSpy she is “excited about the opportunity,” says she will anchor the 5:30 p.m. newscast on WIVB and the 10 p.m. newscast on WNLO on weekdays. Her last day at WPBN-WTOM, the NBC-affiliate in Traverse City, MI, is Friday.

In a statement on the station’s website, WPBN-WTOM president Jill Sareela called Fairbanks an “integral part” of the station for the past 11 years, adding WPBN-WTOM was “fortunate to have her for that long.”

TVSpy

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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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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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MAB announces 2010 broadcast awards

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Posted 10 Mar 2011 — by Michigan Media
Category Detroit, Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Marquette, Traverse City-Cadillac

MABThe Michigan Association of Broadcasters announced their 2010 broadcast excellence awards.

Commercial Broadcasting Stations of the Year:

  • TV Market 1: WXYZ
  • TV Market 2: WOOD-TV
  • TV Market 3: WWTV/WWUP
  • TV Market 4: WLUC

Read More: 2010 Broadcast Excellence Awards

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Watkins savors predicting region’s diverse weather

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Posted 11 Dec 2010 — by Michigan Media
Category Traverse City-Cadillac

Mark WatkinsThe Grand Traverse Insider writes about WPBN/WTOM Chief Meteorologist Mark Watkins.

It’s not difficult to notice when someone both enjoys and excels at their chosen path in life, and that is no exception with TV 7&4′s new Chief Meteorologist, Mark Watkins.

On the post for just about six months, Watkins has already managed to procure a solid and growing following with his new northern Michigan viewers – just as loyal as the many he left behind at his former tenure at WSOC TV in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Watkins, an Emmy Award-winning meteorologist, has been forecasting the weather for more than 20 years. He also had a head start, having grown up in the broadcasting business.

Grand Traverse Insider

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