MUSKEGON, MICH.: The sale of WMKG-TV, a low-power TV station on the shore of Lake Michigan, is pending FCC approval. The station is being bought by Bag LLC, a New York for $500,000, RBR said. The current owner, Fenton “Bud” Kelley, now 67, started WMKG 20 years ago with a live bingo game. The station’s original call letters were W40AK. Kelley intends to retire.
Kelley told the Muskegon Chronicle that viewership has increased after the digital transition, when certain households in the market lost over-the-air reception. Interest in advertising followed, he said. Kelley first put the station license and assets up for sale two years ago, listing it on eBay for $700,000. No one met the minimum bid.
WMKG is known in the Grand Rapids, Mich. media market for its local programming. The station’s schedule is filled with local sports, hunting shows, live bingo, community parades and car shows. Original fare included “Dial a Bargain” and “Table Talk.” The pending owners haven’t yet disclosed a programming plan, the Chronicle said.
