MI Radio: Huge Change As WBBL Flips To Country

As Cumulus Media drops sports for country on its WBBL 107.3 FM, Bill Simonson, a longtime Michigan sports personality known for “The Huge Show,” has moved to a new radio network.

According to mline.com, WBBL, the flagship station for Simonson’s show, let go a number of employees Friday, according to numerous sources. That included Eric Zane, morning host of “The Eric Zane Show” along with his on-air partner, Ben Glaze, as well as program director Marcus Bradman.

Bill Simonson

Zane said he received a phone call mid-morning informing him of the decision from Bruce Law, the vice president/market manager for Cumulus Media in Grand Rapids.

When reached, Law said he “could not comment yet” on the future plans of WBBL. The station also carries high school games and

“The Huge Show” will remain on the air as part of an agreement in principle with the Michigan Media Network and Cumulus Media. The show will be on at its regular 3 p.m. time slot Monday, according to a release from MMN. It won’t be on WBBL, but rather on WJRW 1340-AM in Grand Rapids and WKLQ 1490-AM in Muskegon, with plans to quickly expand.

It will soon be on WJXQ 106.1-FM and a new FM dial spot yet to be determined in Muskegon, according to MMN.

The Huge Show website listed 12 affiliates across Michigan that air is show. Simonson said those will remain intact.

“There won’t be a lot of changes that a lot of you will notice at all,” Simonson said Friday afternoon in a Facebook Live post. “None. Actually, there will be a lot of growth.”

Simonson said plans are still being worked out for online listening. His producer, Brett Hayes will remain with him.

Michigan Media Network is best known for running “Shep, Shower 'n Shave” with Matt Shepherd that airs in the mornings on WDFN 1130-AM in Detroit.

“It’s great to get a chance to work with Bill again,” he said. “Plus, the West Michigan markets now get Shep in the morning, and they are going to love him. The opportunity for West Michigan Sports fans to actually listen and engage in Sports in the mornings again will be well received in West Michigan.”

Shepard, whose show is also presented via the Michigan Media Network to a statewide Comcast audience of 1.1 million households via CN900, is a two-time Emmy winner and two-time MSBA Michigan Sportscaster of the Year. He re-launched his unique 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. radio show last November on WDFN 1130 AM in Detroit and expanded in the Michigan Media Network.