Recent changes in Saginaw Valley radio...

There are times where you really do need a playbook just to keep up with changes in radio industry. One station has a new owner, another changes format, one announcer moves to another radio station, and a longtime program is dropped. An example only but you get the point...

The latest changes... (according to a variety of local media)

• WYLZ (100.9 FM) - When Citadel Communications stations merged with ABC radio, the FCC ordered Citadel to sell some of its existing stations. This Pinconning based station was one of those put up for sale. The buyer - the Great Lakes Loons baseball team for only $325,000. With the change in ownership comes a new format - sports talk, as supplied by ESPN Radio. Now known as ESPN 100.9 FM, the Loons hope to eventually acquire the call letters WLUN. Get it?
  
• WTKQ (100.5 FM) - Again. This station has made more changes to its format than any other station (combined) in the Tri-Cities in the last 10 years. The station will keep its daytime talk radio lineup of Mancow, Dennis Miller, Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, and Laura Ingraham. But from 9pm to 6am and on weekends, it too will broadcast sports talk radio as supplied by Fox Sports.
  

WYLZ (WLUN) was the flagship station for Loon's baseball last year. Buying this station secured a broadcast home for Loons' broadcasts for as long as they own this station, at least. I think the Loons ownership of this station will provide some security and stability for this station for many years to come. The future is less clear at 100.5 fm. I know the changes are well documented (just need to find out where I can find this list). By the time we reach, say 2012 or 2013 (only 5 years from now) will we still be listening to a talk / sports hybrid or will we be listening to something totally different. We will see.