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{{Infobox radio station
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WMIC
| name = WMIC
| logo = WMIC 660 am logo.png
| logo =
| city = [[Sandusky, Michigan|Sandusky]], Michigan
| city = [[Sandusky, Michigan]]
| area = [http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WMIC&service=AM&status=L&hours=D] (Daytime)
| area = [http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WMIC&service=AM&status=L&hours=D] (Daytime)
| branding = ''WMIC 660 AM''
| branding = ''WMIC 660 AM''
| slogan = The Thumb's Information Station
| airdate = June 27, 1968
| airdate = June 27, 1968
| frequency = 660 [[kHz]]
| frequency = 660 [[kHz]]
| translator = {{Radio Relay|95.3|W237EQ|Sandusky}}
| format = [[Full Service (radio format)|Full service]] radio atation - [[news talk]] and [[country music]]
| format = [[Full Service (radio format)|Full service]] radio atation - [[news talk]] and [[country music]]
| power = 1,000 [[watt]]s (daytime only)
| power = 1,000 [[watt]]s day
| erp =
| erp =
| class = D
| class = D
| coordinates = {{coord|43|23|34|N|82|50|06|W|type:landmark}}
| facility_id = 59026
| callsign_meaning = '''W'''ireless '''MIC'''rophone
| callsign_meaning = '''W'''ireless '''MIC'''rophone
| former_callsigns =
| former_callsigns =
| former_frequencies = 1560 [[kHz]]
| former_frequencies = 1560 [[kHz]]
| owner = [[Sanilac/GB Broadcasting]]
| owner = Sanilac/GB Broadcasting
| sister_stations = [[WBGV]], [[WTGV]]
| sister_stations = [[WBGV]], [[WTGV]]
| webcast =
| webcast = [https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/index.cfm?stationCallSign=WMIC Listen Live]
| website = [http://www.sanilacbroadcasting.com/ www.sanilacbroadcasting.com]
| website = [http://www.sanilacbroadcasting.com/ sanilacbroadcasting.com]
| affiliations = [[Citadel Media|ABC]], Michigan Farm Radio Network
| affiliations = [[ABC News Radio]]<br>[[Genesis Communications Network]]<br>[[USA Radio Network]]<br>[[Westwood One]]<br>Michigan Farm Radio Network
| licensing_authority= [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
}}
}}
'''WMIC''' (660 [[AM broadcasting|AM]]) is a [[news/talk]] and [[Country music|country]] [[radio station]] licensed to [[Sandusky, Michigan|Sandusky]], Michigan. WMIC signed on the air at 1560&nbsp;kHz on June 27, 1968, and changed its frequency to the current 660 in 1987, serving [[Sandusky, Michigan|Sandusky]], [[the Thumb]] and the Blue Water area of Michigan.<ref>[http://www.sanilacbroadcasting.com/history.shtml Sanilac Broadcasting] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511221359/http://www.sanilacbroadcasting.com/history.shtml |date=May 11, 2008 }} - About Us</ref><ref>[http://www.michiguide.com/dials/rad-m/wmic.html Michiguide.com - WMIC History]</ref> Part of WMIC 660's success is mostly due to the large area the station covers. WMIC covers the complete Thumb area of Michigan, unlike any other area station. Also, WMIC can be heard from both sides of Lake Huron, [[Standish, MI|Standish]] and [[Oscoda, MI|Oscoda]] to the west, and [[London, Ontario|London]], Ontario to the east. On clear weather days, the station can be heard as far away as [[Roscommon, MI|Roscommon]], [[Ann Arbor, MI|Ann Arbor]], and [[Lansing, MI|Lansing]].<ref>[http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WMIC&service=AM&status=L&hours=D WMIC Coverage]</ref>


'''WMIC''' (660 [[AM broadcasting|AM]]) is a [[full Service (radio format)|full service]] [[radio station]] licensed to [[Sandusky, Michigan]] with a power output of 1,000 [[watt]]s. WMIC covers [[Sanilac County, Michigan]] and [[The Thumb]] area of Michigan. The station is owned by Sanilac/GB Broadcasting and broadcasts from studios on Elk Street in Downtown Sandusky, along with sister stations [[WTGV]] and [[WBGV]]. Its programming is also simulcasted on [[Broadcast relay station#United States|FM Translator]] '''W237EQ''', also licensed to [[Sandusky, Michigan|Sandusky]] at 95.3&nbsp;MHz, with an [[effective radiated power]] of 250 watts.
WMIC has two co-owned FM [[sister stations]], Light and Easy Listening 97.7 [[WTGV-FM]] and Country 92.5 [[WBGV]]; the stations are locally owned and operated by [[Sanilac/GB Broadcasting|Sanilac Broadcasting]].


WMIC's transmitter is located south of Sandusky off Cooper Road Road in [[Sanilac County, Michigan|Sanilac County]]. WMIC provides a strong signal to both eastern Michigan and western [[Ontario]] due to its low dial position and corresponding long wavelength. On clear weather days, the station can be heard as far away as [[Roscommon, Michigan|Roscommon]], [[Ann Arbor, Michigan|Ann Arbor]], and [[Lansing, Michigan|Lansing]].<ref>[http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WMIC&service=AM&status=L&hours=D WMIC Coverage]</ref> The station, however, must sign off at sunset to protect [[WFAN (AM)|WFAN]] [[New York City]], a 50,000 watt [[clear-channel station|clear channel]] radio station.
WMIC carries 1,000 [[watt]]s operating during the day only. The station signs off between sunset and sunrise to protect [[WFAN]] New York, a 50,000 watt [[clear-channel station|clear channel]] radio station. In the late evenings and early mornings, they interfere with each other.


==History==
==History==
WMIC was first granted a construction permit to operate at 1560&nbsp;kHz on May 10, 1965, and at a thousand watts maximum power. The station was authorized to operate only from sunrise to sunset, protecting [[WFME (AM)|WQXR]]. Transmitter facilities were constructed along Cooper Road near M-19, about a mile and a half south of Sandusky. Shortly before sign-on, the station set up studios at 19 South Elk Street in downtown Sandusky [http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=65038].
WMIC was first granted a construction permit to operate at 1560&nbsp;kHz on May 10, 1965, and at a thousand watts maximum power. The station was authorized to operate only from sunrise to sunset, protecting [[WFME (AM)|WQXR]]. Transmitter facilities were constructed along Cooper Road near M-19, about a mile and a half south of Sandusky. Shortly before sign-on, the station set up studios at 19 South Elk Street in downtown Sandusky.<ref>[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=65038 Broadcasting station license record]</ref>


The call letters were assigned that October. Unforeseen delays resulted in extensions being granted, pushing its actual sign-on date to 1968. Prior to sign-on, the station was granted pre-sunrise authority of 500 watts, which allowed it to sign on two hours before local sunrise, keeping its sign-on time consistent to 6:00am daily.
The call letters were assigned that October. Unforeseen delays resulted in extensions being granted, pushing its actual sign-on date to 1968. Prior to sign-on, the station was granted pre-sunrise authority of 500 watts, which allowed it to sign on two hours before local sunrise, keeping its sign-on time consistent to 6:00{{nbsp}}am daily. The call letters were previously used by a now defunct radio station in [[St. Helen, Michigan]].


In 1969, George Benko, a Croswell resident, bought into Sanilac Broadcasting Company. He and his family still control the station today.
In 1969, George Benko, a Croswell resident, bought into Sanilac Broadcasting Company. He and his family still control the station today.


In 1971, WMIC-FM signed on the air, giving Sandusky radio listeners local service after sunset, but this would change six years later, when both entities would separate programming and WMIC-FM would become [[WTGV]].
In 1971, WMIC-FM signed on the air, giving Sandusky radio listeners local service after sunset, but this would change six years later, when both entities would separate programming and WMIC-FM would become [[WTGV]].

[[File:WMIC 660 am logo.png|thumb|Former logo]]


In 1987, WMIC moved to the stronger dial position of 660&nbsp;kHz, but retained its same power values and daytime-only status.
In 1987, WMIC moved to the stronger dial position of 660&nbsp;kHz, but retained its same power values and daytime-only status.

In 2021, Sanilac Broadcasting added [[FM Translator]] W237EQ 95.3 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]. The addition of this translator allows WMIC to have 24-hour programming for the first time. 95.3 [[FM broadcasting|FM]] is not affected by [[WFAN (AM)|WFAN]] [[New York City|New York]], and [[Federal Communications Commission]] rules allow [[FM Translator]]s to continue to broadcast, even if their parent station is of daytime only status.


==Programming==
==Programming==
WMIC features a [[full Service (radio format)|full service]] radio station that consists of both local news and programming, as well as syndicated [[news talk]] programs weekday afternoons. The station also airs a [[classic country]] program weekday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to noon, as well as a popular long-running [[polka]] program on weekend afternoons.program on weekend afternoons.
* WMIC features a [[News Talk Information|news and talk]] format weekdays, including:

** [[Rush Limbaugh]] weekday afternoons from 2 to 5 pm, and a heavy commitment to local news and information.<ref>[http://www.sanilacbroadcasting.com/shows.htm Shows & Programming]</ref>
*Eddie Fury, who spent much of his career at Thumb area competitor [[WLEW-FM]], hosts "The Morning Fury" weekdays 6:00 to 9:00{{nbsp}}a.m.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sanilacbroadcasting.com/show/the-morning-fury/ | title=The Morning Fury }}</ref>
* A country classics show is aired weekdays from 9am-Noon.
*A country classics show airs weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
* WMIC 660 AM is home to "[[Tradio|Swap Shop]]" a buy, sell, and trading show from 1 to 2 pm weekdays, and 8 am Saturdays. This show draws in listeners from all over [[The Thumb|the region]].
*Local news and information blocks air weekdays at noon and 5:00 p.m.
⚫
* On the weekends, the station carries [[Today's Homeowner With Danny Lipford]], [[The Tech Guy With Leo Laporte]], and a [[Polka]] music show, hosted by Paul Osentoski, a member of the Michigan Polka Hall of Fame.
*"[[Tradio|Swap Shop]]" a popular buy, sell, and trading show airs from 1:00 to 2:00{{nbsp}}p.m. weekdays, and at 8:30{{nbsp}}a.m. on Saturdays.
* When not featuring news/talk programming, WMIC plays a [[traditional country]] format. After 6:15 pm weekdays (pending on sign off time), the station is completely dedicated to music.
*[[Dan Bongino]] is heard weekday afternoons on tape-delay from 2 to 5{{nbsp}}pm, his show airs live nationwide from noon to 3{{nbsp}}pm. <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sanilacbroadcasting.com/show/the-dan-bongino-show/ | title=The Dan Bongino Show }}</ref> Bongino's show takes the place of [[Rush Limbaugh]], who was heard in the same time slot on the station for over three decades.<ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511221359/http://www.sanilacbroadcasting.com/history.shtml |date=May 11, 2008 }} - About Us</ref>
⚫
* Staff list includes reporter and General Manager Bob Armstrong, Assistant Manager Nick Lien, Program Director and Morning Show Host Eddie Fury, News Director Dave Fredrick and Paul Osentoski.
*Additional talk shows including [[The Jesse Kelly Show]] and ''Caravan to Midnight'' hosted by [[John B. Wells]] are heard evenings. ''America Tonight'' with Kate Delaney and ''Captain's America'' with Matt Bruce is heard overnights.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sanilacbroadcasting.com/wmic-programming/ | title=WMIC Programming Schedule }}</ref>
⚫
* On the weekends, the station carries Today's Homeowner with [[Danny Lipford]], Outdoor Magazine with Mike Avery, a [[traditional country]] music show, and a [[Polka]] music show, hosted by Paul Osentoski, a member of the Michigan Polka Hall of Fame.
⚫
* Staff list includes reporter and General Manager Bob Armstrong, Assistant Manager Nick Lien, Program Director and Morning Show Host Eddie Fury, News Director Arica Frisbey and Paul Osentoski.


Being a full service radio station, WMIC finds itself in competition with many area radio stations for listeners, including co-owned [[WBGV]] which has a 24 hour country format. Port Huron radio stations [[WSAQ]] (country) and [[WPHM]] (news-talk) compete with WMIC from the south. Other Thumb area stations with similar formats include [[WLEW (AM)|WLEW]] in Bad Axe and [[WKYO]] in Caro.
WMIC has faced tough competition in the [[Thumb Radio|Thumb Area Radio Region]], due to its full service format. [[WLEW (AM)|WLEW]] in Bad Axe also features a show similar to "Swap Shop", and features a more music-intensive country format. [[WPHM]] in Port Huron carries a news/talk format, including [[Sean Hannity]], and [[Glenn Beck]], as well a morning show similar to WMIC's. WPHM is also on the air 24 hours a day allowing them to carry [[Coast to Coast AM]]. Larger FM country stations, like [[WKCQ]] in Saginaw and [[WSAQ]] in Port Huron provide competition. Nevertheless, WMIC has still found an audience of loyal listeners.


==References==
==References==
Line 55: Line 64:
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.michiguide.com/dials/rad-m/wmic.html Michiguide.com - WMIC History]
*[http://www.michiguide.com/dials/rad-m/wmic.html Michiguide.com - WMIC History]
{{AM station data|WMIC}}
{{AM station data|59026|WMIC}}


{{Thumb Radio}}
{{Thumb Radio}}

Latest revision as of 23:03, 14 November 2024

For the extension to the Windows Driver Model, see Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line.
WMIC
Broadcast area[1] (Daytime)
Frequency660 kHz
BrandingWMIC 660 AM
Programming
FormatFull service radio atation - news talk and country music
AffiliationsABC News Radio
Genesis Communications Network
USA Radio Network
Westwood One
Michigan Farm Radio Network
Ownership
OwnerSanilac/GB Broadcasting
WBGV, WTGV
History
First air date
June 27, 1968
Former frequencies
1560 kHz
Call sign meaning
Wireless MICrophone
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID59026
ClassD
Power1,000 watts day
Transmitter coordinates
43°23′34″N 82°50′06″W / 43.39278°N 82.83500°W / 43.39278; -82.83500
Translator(s)95.3 W237EQ (Sandusky)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitesanilacbroadcasting.com

WMIC (660 AM) is a full service radio station licensed to Sandusky, Michigan with a power output of 1,000 watts. WMIC covers Sanilac County, Michigan and The Thumb area of Michigan. The station is owned by Sanilac/GB Broadcasting and broadcasts from studios on Elk Street in Downtown Sandusky, along with sister stations WTGV and WBGV. Its programming is also simulcasted on FM Translator W237EQ, also licensed to Sandusky at 95.3 MHz, with an effective radiated power of 250 watts.

WMIC's transmitter is located south of Sandusky off Cooper Road Road in Sanilac County. WMIC provides a strong signal to both eastern Michigan and western Ontario due to its low dial position and corresponding long wavelength. On clear weather days, the station can be heard as far away as Roscommon, Ann Arbor, and Lansing.[2] The station, however, must sign off at sunset to protect WFAN New York City, a 50,000 watt clear channel radio station.

History

[edit]

WMIC was first granted a construction permit to operate at 1560 kHz on May 10, 1965, and at a thousand watts maximum power. The station was authorized to operate only from sunrise to sunset, protecting WQXR. Transmitter facilities were constructed along Cooper Road near M-19, about a mile and a half south of Sandusky. Shortly before sign-on, the station set up studios at 19 South Elk Street in downtown Sandusky.[3]

The call letters were assigned that October. Unforeseen delays resulted in extensions being granted, pushing its actual sign-on date to 1968. Prior to sign-on, the station was granted pre-sunrise authority of 500 watts, which allowed it to sign on two hours before local sunrise, keeping its sign-on time consistent to 6:00 am daily. The call letters were previously used by a now defunct radio station in St. Helen, Michigan.

In 1969, George Benko, a Croswell resident, bought into Sanilac Broadcasting Company. He and his family still control the station today.

In 1971, WMIC-FM signed on the air, giving Sandusky radio listeners local service after sunset, but this would change six years later, when both entities would separate programming and WMIC-FM would become WTGV.

Former logo

In 1987, WMIC moved to the stronger dial position of 660 kHz, but retained its same power values and daytime-only status.

In 2021, Sanilac Broadcasting added FM Translator W237EQ 95.3 FM. The addition of this translator allows WMIC to have 24-hour programming for the first time. 95.3 FM is not affected by WFAN New York, and Federal Communications Commission rules allow FM Translators to continue to broadcast, even if their parent station is of daytime only status.

Programming

[edit]

WMIC features a full service radio station that consists of both local news and programming, as well as syndicated news talk programs weekday afternoons. The station also airs a classic country program weekday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to noon, as well as a popular long-running polka program on weekend afternoons.program on weekend afternoons.

  • Eddie Fury, who spent much of his career at Thumb area competitor WLEW-FM, hosts "The Morning Fury" weekdays 6:00 to 9:00 a.m.[4]
  • A country classics show airs weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
  • Local news and information blocks air weekdays at noon and 5:00 p.m.
  • "Swap Shop" a popular buy, sell, and trading show airs from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. weekdays, and at 8:30 a.m. on Saturdays.
  • Dan Bongino is heard weekday afternoons on tape-delay from 2 to 5 pm, his show airs live nationwide from noon to 3 pm. [5] Bongino's show takes the place of Rush Limbaugh, who was heard in the same time slot on the station for over three decades.[6]
  • Additional talk shows including The Jesse Kelly Show and Caravan to Midnight hosted by John B. Wells are heard evenings. America Tonight with Kate Delaney and Captain's America with Matt Bruce is heard overnights.[7]
  • On the weekends, the station carries Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, Outdoor Magazine with Mike Avery, a traditional country music show, and a Polka music show, hosted by Paul Osentoski, a member of the Michigan Polka Hall of Fame.
  • Staff list includes reporter and General Manager Bob Armstrong, Assistant Manager Nick Lien, Program Director and Morning Show Host Eddie Fury, News Director Arica Frisbey and Paul Osentoski.

Being a full service radio station, WMIC finds itself in competition with many area radio stations for listeners, including co-owned WBGV which has a 24 hour country format. Port Huron radio stations WSAQ (country) and WPHM (news-talk) compete with WMIC from the south. Other Thumb area stations with similar formats include WLEW in Bad Axe and WKYO in Caro.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WMIC". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ WMIC Coverage
  3. ^ Broadcasting station license record
  4. ^ "The Morning Fury".
  5. ^ "The Dan Bongino Show".
  6. ^ Archived May 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine - About Us
  7. ^ "WMIC Programming Schedule".
[edit]

43°23′34″N 82°49′57″W / 43.39278°N 82.83250°W / 43.39278; -82.83250

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