Houghton Community Broadcasting Stations Sold

Houghton Community Broadcasting, along with several sister, co-owned companies, is being sold. Locally, the proposed transaction includes radio stations WOLV (97.7 The Wolf), WHKB (KBear 102.3), WCCY (99.3 and AM 1400 The Lift), along with the KeweenawReport.com website. The transaction still needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission.

Here is the official release:

ALPENA, MI (Sept. 15, 2023) – Marks Media Group is selling its Michigan TV and Radio properties to Morgan Murphy Media.

Morgan Murphy Media, a family-owned media company, is buying three TV stations and five radio stations in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula from the Marks Media Group. “For more than 100 years and through four generations, our company has been committed to small market journalism and community service,” said Brian Burns, executive vice president and chief operating officer for MMM. “We are thrilled to carry forward the tremendous legacy built by the Marks family.”

The Marks family has been an important part of the Michigan broadcasting landscape since 1983 when Stephen A. Marks purchased controlling interest of Thunder Bay Broadcasting Corporation, doing business as WBKB-TV. It was acquired from a group of local investors from Alpena, Michigan. WBKB would become the foundation for The Marks Group which grew to 19 radio and five network television stations spanning small markets in five states. WBKP-TV, Calumet, and WBUP-TV, Ishpeming/Marquette were added to the group in 2003. “I believe the Morgan Murphy Group will carry on our family legacy in Michigan and build upon our service to the local communities which were so important to Steve,” said Mary Marks, who became CEO of The Marks Group following the passing of her husband in May of 2022. “Still, it was difficult to let WBKB go, because it was Steve’s first TV station and he loved it, the employees, and the entire area so much. Broadcasting was his life.”

One of the original founders of WBKB and current General Manager, Curt Smith, believes the change of hands will be a positive move. “I’m confident Morgan Murphy Media, with its family-owned approach, experience, and dedication to broadcast journalism will carry on and build upon Steve’s desire for the employees and all of the communities we serve to be well taken care of,” he said.

The proposed transaction includes:

• WBKB-11 in Alpena, MI with a primary CBS affiliation.
• WBUP-10 in Ishpeming/Marquette, MI with a primary ABC affiliation
• WBKP-5 in Calumet/Marquette, MI with a primary CW affiliation.
• WCCY-AM 1400; WHKB-FM 102.3; and WOLV-FM 97.7 in Houghton, Michigan
• WFER-AM 1230 and WIKB-FM 99.1 in Iron River, Michigan

In 2017, Morgan Murphy Media bought TV stations in two markets previously owned by Saga Communications. “We continue to search for ways to smartly grow our footprint in line with our demonstrated track record of success,” Burns said. “We are excited to meet the needs of our new audiences and advertisers in Michigan.”

After acquisition, Morgan Murphy Media will operate in eight TV markets and four radio clusters serving communities in Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2023 pending regulatory approval.