Big Radio Inc. has promoted three on-air staffers to Program Director positions at their stations in Janesville WI.
Morning Host Paul Michaels takes the role at Rock “105.9 The Hog” WWHG. Micki Morgret, who hosts mornings at 90s Hits “The Beat” 1380 WBEL/92.3 W222AU/98.9 W255CZ, adds those duties at that station. Morning host Greg ‘Big Red’ Hanthorn takes the PD stripes at “Iron Country” 1490 WGEZ/101.9 W270CW.
Owners Scott and Ben Thompson previously oversaw all programming at those stations.
Big Radio has underscored its commitment to local programming by recently naming three new Program Directors to head up the Rock County radio operations of their 10-station group.
Effective immediately Paul Michaels assume the programming duties of 105.9FM – The Hog (WWHG); Micki Morgret is now Program Director of “The Beat” 92.3FM and 98.9FM (WBEL); and Greg “Big Red” Hanthorn is the newly named PD for “Iron Country” 101.9FM and 1490AM (WGEZ).
Historically, the programming of the stations had been directly overseen by father and son owners Scott and Benjamin Thompson.“Over the years, and through all our various expansions, that has become challenging” said Ben Thompson. “Obviously we are more involved in the programming decisions on our stations than most owners and that will always continue. That said, it is impossible for [us] to listen to all 10 radio stations all the time.”
Thompson indicated that having locally based individuals oversee the day-to-day programming elements and manage the talent will enable the group to continue to serve the local communities of which their stations are a vital part.
The Program Director assignments come just two months before an anticipated extensive relocation effort that will centralize most operations of the group’s five Rock County radio stations in one newly constructed studio facility at 1 Parker Place in Janesville.
Big Radio owns 10 radio stations in Southern Wisconsin and Nothern Illinois. They employ 95 employees throughout their 7 offices in Beloit (WI), Freeport (IL), Monroe (WI) and Janesville (WI).