WI Radio: Big Radio Announces 3 New Program Directors

Big Radio has announced the promotion of 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)
• Greg “Big Red” Hanthorn is the newly named PD for “Iron Country” 101.9FM and 1490AM (WGEZ).

Previously 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).