In August 2023, RBR+TVBR exclusively reported on the acquisition of WBKB-11 in Alpena, Mich., from The Marks Media Group by Morgan Murphy Media. WBKB under Marks branded itself as the “Thunder Bay News Network,” and is home to all of the “Big Four” networks, with the DT1 signal home to CBS. NBC is on DT2, ABC is on DT3 and FOX is on DT4.
Now, Morgan Murphy is poised to “greatly expand its local news coverage” by entering a partnership with Sinclair Inc.‘s two stations in Traverse City.
The agreement provides WBKB with content from “UpNorthLive,” the news brand for WPBN-7 in Traverse City and full-time satellite WTOM-4 in Cheboygan.
As such, the hours of local news will expand from the current 7.5 hours of news per week without any weekend coverage to 24.5 hours per week over seven days a week.
“Through the unique partnership, WBKB becomes part of the UpNorthLive news network and all newscasts produced by WPBN/WTOM will be provided to the Alpena market,” Morgan Murphy Media explains. “At the same time, nearly every newscast will include segments anchored and produced by journalists in Alpena and on-screen graphics will continuously provide news headlines and weather information customized for the Alpena
viewers.”
To some, however, the agreement could be seen as a cost-reduction move that eliminates WBKB’s own newscasts. In contrast, others view the pact with Sinclair Inc. as a reflection of the realistic fiscal challenges of operating a linear television station in one of the nation’s smallest markets. Alpena, DMA No. 207, has a 12+ population of roughly 34,700 and is comprised of two Michigan counties — Alpena and Alcona, the latter home to small Lake Huron towns including Harrisville. Absent the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act‘s passage by Congress, similar arrangements in the nation’s smallest DMAs could become more commonplace.
MMM EVP/COO Brian Burns commented, “Local news is the lifeblood of any TV station and we take our commitment to serving the community seriously.”
And, as WBKB eliminates its own, self-produced newscasts, Burns reiterated that working with Sinclair adds newscasts to the WBKB lineup.
“This partnership instantly gives our local news viewers much greater access to high-quality news and weather covering all parts of northern Michigan while providing a greater spotlight on what’s happening in Alpena and the surrounding communities,” he said.
The newscast schedule outlined here will be available in total on WBKB’s NBC affiliate and select simulcasts will be provided on the CBS and ABC affiliates for the Alpena DMA.
• Monday – Friday: 430 a.m. to 7 a.m.
• Monday – Friday: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Monday – Friday: 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Monday – Friday: 11 p.m. to 11:35 p.m.
• Saturday – Sunday: 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday – Sunday: 11 p.m. to 11:35 p.m.
Meanwhile, MMM notes that “UpNorthLive” evening anchor Miya Ingle was raised in Alpena and has continued ties to the community.
WPBN and WTOM GM TJ Clark commented, “We are excited about the new partnership and to again be able to provide news and weather to the Alpena community. This expands our footprint and brings great news and information to all of northern Michigan.”
The new newscasts and program schedule are expected to begin by the end of the month.
— With reporting by RBR+TVBR in Northville, Mich. Additional reporting by Adam R Jacobson in Boca Raton, Fla.
