MacDonald Broadcasting
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Founder | Kenneth MacDonald Sr. |
| Headquarters | Saginaw, Michigan , United States |
Area served | Mid-Michigan (Tri-Cities and Lansing areas) |
Key people | Kenneth MacDonald Jr. |
| Products | Radio stations, MUZAK service |
| Owner | Kenneth MacDonald Jr. |
MacDonald Broadcasting is a privately owned radio broadcasting enterprise headquartered in Saginaw, Michigan, under the ownership of Kenneth MacDonald, Jr. This family-operated group manages eight radio stations throughout Mid-Michigan, serving markets such as the Tri-Cities and Lansing areas.
Through MacDonald Audio Communications, Kenneth MacDonald also offers a MUZAK service that supplies commercial-free music to retail outlets within the region.
The company formerly held stations in the Petoskey and Cadillac regions, which were later divested to MacDonald-Garber Broadcasting. Prior to this division, MacDonald Broadcasting was recognized as Michigan’s largest family-owned broadcaster.
History
Established in 1962 by Kenneth MacDonald Sr., the business originated with the acquisition of AM 1400 WSAM in Saginaw. WSAM's distinctive 300-foot transmission tower remains a prominent local feature. Initially, the station adopted a top 40 format before FM radio's rise altered market trends. In 1968, WSAM-FM was introduced at 98.1 FM and was subsequently rebranded as WKCQ with a focus on country music programming.
During the 1970s, MacDonald broadened its reach into the Petoskey and Cadillac areas by purchasing stations from Les Biederman, including 1340 WMBN and 96.3 WMBN-FM (WLXT) in Petoskey, along with 1240 WATT and 96.7 WLXV in Cadillac. The portfolio expanded further in 1994 with the addition of Charlevoix’s 1270 WMKT and 105.9 WKHQ acquired from Midwest Family Broadcasting.
Entry into the Lansing-East Lansing market took place in 1992 through the acquisition of 1320 WILS and 101.7 WHZZ. WILS shifted from an adult standards format to news/talk, whereas WHZZ transitioned from country music to CHR and eventually to a variety hits format branded as Mike FM.
In 1998, stations located in Northern Michigan were spun off into MacDonald-Garber Broadcasting, managed by Patricia MacDonald. This new entity later grew by acquiring additional stations, including some based in Colorado.
Within Saginaw, FM stations 104.1 WSAG and 97.3 WMJO became part of the company’s holdings; WMJO changed its format from country to classic rock and currently operates as variety hits "Joe FM." Meanwhile, WSAG simulcasts WSAM’s soft adult contemporary programming known as "The Bay."
In Lansing, MacDonald added 1180 WXLA and 96.5 WQHH to its lineup in 2006. WXLA moved from contemporary R&B to adult standards, while WQHH continued with its urban contemporary format. A significant upgrade occurred in 2008 when WILS installed a new 25,000-watt transmitter, establishing itself as Mid-Michigan’s most powerful AM station.
Both Kenneth MacDonald Sr. and Jr. have been honored with induction into the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Following the passing of Kenneth Sr. in 1989, leadership responsibilities transitioned to Kenneth Jr. alongside Patricia MacDonald-Garber. Their collection of broadcasting materials is maintained at the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan.
Tri-Cities
- WSAM AM 1400, Saginaw, Michigan – Soft Adult Contemporary
- WSAG FM 104.1, Linwood, Michigan – Soft Adult Contemporary
- WKCQ FM 98.1, Saginaw, Michigan – Country
- WMJO FM 97.3, Essexville, Michigan – Variety Hits
Lansing-East Lansing
- WILS AM 1320, Lansing, Michigan – News and Talk programming
- WXLA AM 1180, Dimondale, Michigan – Soft Adult Contemporary music
- WHZZ FM 101.7, Lansing, Michigan – Variety Hits format
- WQHH FM 96.5, Dewitt, Michigan – Urban and Hip-Hop genres