WMIC

WMIC (660 AM) is a news/talk and country radio station licensed to Sandusky, Michigan. WMIC signed on the air at 1560 kHz on June 27, 1968, and changed its frequency to the current 660 in 1987, serving Sandusky, the Thumb and the Blue Water area of Michigan.[1][2] 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 and Oscoda to the west, and London, Ontario to the east. On clear weather days, the station can be heard as far away as Roscommon, Ann Arbor, and Lansing.[3]

WMIC
CitySandusky, Michigan
Broadcast area (Daytime)
BrandingWMIC 660 AM
SloganThe Thumb's Information Station
Frequency660 kHz
First air dateJune 27, 1968
FormatFull service radio atation - news talk and country music
Power1,000 watts (daytime only)
ClassD
Call sign meaningWireless MICrophone
Former frequencies1560 kHz
AffiliationsABC, Michigan Farm Radio Network
OwnerSanilac/GB Broadcasting
Sister stationsWBGV, WTGV
Websitewww.sanilacbroadcasting.com

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 Broadcasting.

WMIC carries 1,000 watts operating during the day only. The station signs off between sunset and sunrise to protect WFAN New York, a 50,000 watt clear channel radio station. In the late evenings and early mornings, they interfere with each other.

History

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 .

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.

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

Programming
  • WMIC features a news and talk format weekdays, including:
    • Rush Limbaugh weekday afternoons from 2 to 5 pm, and a heavy commitment to local news and information.[4]
  • A country classics show is aired weekdays from 9am-Noon.
  • WMIC 660 AM is home to "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 region.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

WMIC has faced tough competition in the Thumb Area Radio Region, due to its full service format. 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
  1. Sanilac Broadcasting Archived May 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine - About Us
  2. Michiguide.com - WMIC History
  3. WMIC Coverage
  4. Shows & Programming

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