MI Radio: WHMI Morning Duo Exit Over Alleged Sponsor Pressure

Mike Marino and Jon King co-hosted Mike & Jon in the Morning radio show on WHMI 95. FM in Livingston County, Michigan for nearly 20 years, reports WLNI TV6.

“It was truly an honor to over the years be a part of people’s lives. For some people, they had their 5 or 10 minutes with us. People come up and they will be like ‘omg that trivia question the other day, or when you brought that thing up it really made me laugh.’ That was very satisfying on another level. We got to know these people like friends, and we saw kids grow up,” said King.

King also served as news director for the station, and says the radio station WHMI forced him to leave hsi position at the station. He says the company did not ask Marino to leave; however, they decided they are a package deal.

“It’s an unfortunate turn that I think that an independent news operation is being coerced honestly, and news independence is being compromised,” said King.

“I felt pressured that sooner or later I was going to be forced out as well, so why not make it on my terms instead of them showing me the door. Me walking out the door with my head held high, saying you know what we’ve done a heck of a radio show for almost 20 years here. You can’t replace the mike and Jon show, it’s not going to be Mike and somebody else,” said Marino.

On the other side, WHMI said in a statement that reports of an advertiser forcing King out are not true, and said the station would never cower to something like that.

"Regarding Jon King’s decision to exit early from WHMI, there are reports that state a single advertiser is responsible for his exit which is completely false. The fact is that no advertiser gave an ultimatum to terminate Jon King or they would pull their advertising. The company would never cower to such a demand. Additionally, no advertiser pulled their advertising due to threats of boycotts from various groups. 

WHMI Coverage Area 93.5 FM (5.2 Kw)

"In our need to address the concerns of the Station’s news presentation, the management team at WHMI met with Jon to discuss this. We had fundamental disagreements on the direction of the News Department moving forward. As hope for an agreed strategy failed, Jon suggested that we create an exit plan for him. On January 27, 2022 Krol Communications presented Jon with a Separation Agreement making February 25, 2022 his last day at WHMI. Without informing us, the following day on the air, Jon decided to make Friday, January 28 his last day signing off near the end of the shift. Mike Marino independently submitted his resignation and signed off as well. We wish the two of them all the best! WHMI will continue to provide our community with the best in local news and information. We ask for your patience during the process of hiring our next News Director and Morning Show."

King disagreed and responded in a public statement.

“It was relayed to me by WHMI management. Specific advertisers either threatened to, or already had, pulled their advertising based on stories that I had written. In addition, I always asked for specific examples of stories or reported facts that were untrue. At no time was an example provided to me.”