WMOM Expected to Resume Broadcasting Under New Management, Format

Earlier this year on April 1st, Patrick Lopeman, owner of WMOM called it quits.  In his farewell put as a post in their Facebook sports page, Lopeman expressed a hope that they could find a new operator who would provide continuing sports coverage this fall and winter as his station has done over the course of many years.  Shortly thereafter, RAMP helped advertise that a unique opportunity awaited radio entrepreneurs who wanted to buy a radio station in this western Michigan paradise after its injured owner finally retired.

It appears that has happened.  At the September 9th, 2019 Downtown Ludington Board (DDA) meeting, former WMOM marketing director and current Ludington mayor, Steve Miller made a rather sheepish yet confident announcement that it was almost certain that WMOM is coming back as early as the end of the month.  The format will be a little more eclectic, featuring music from the last four decades rather than primarily top forty, and is expected to have the same commitment to area sports as Mr. Lopeman did.

If the deal finalizes as expected, the new owners will need to move a lot of equipment into the downtown WMOM building as it has been mostly gutted.  They plan on running at least a four hour morning show like the old WMOM, have a full-time news director, and refill the gap on the radio dial at their old frequency.  The Ludington Torch has sent an E-mail asking for more information from Mr. Lopeman, but has yet to hear back from him on this potential great news for Ludington.

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More information coming through regarding new management and prospective directors.  Unfortunately no locals, so there may be a learning curve when it comes to local coverage:

If all this is true, it will be nice to hear LHS football be broadcasted again now. Last Friday the Orioles tromped Hesperia 55-24, and the LHS marching band again sounds great.

This evening the Ludington JV squad trounced the Manistee Chippewas 44-6.  I am hearing forward to see how the new radio station will perform.  I would normally be saying 'looking forward', but this is radio after all. 

Having a radio station actually in the City and being active as a media source and entertainment venue can only be a plus for the City and the citizens.  That is, unless they totally sell out.

I just found out the genre they will be playing. I must say it very energetic and upbeat. The tourist will love it.

Word is out that the WMOM 'deal' broadcast by Mayor Miller involving Steve Putnam and friends has fallen through.  

This isn't all bad news for local radio aficionados who want a station in Ludington, there does appear to be another good possibility on the horizon for the station to arise from the ashes by spring.  

For those excited that Daler Mehndi and his unique peppy middle-eastern sound may be on the future playlist for WMOM, be advised that Willy was looking at the playlist for WRAM, your go-to spot on the dial for the best of Ramadan music. 

The owner of WMOM has just put a statement out on the station's Facebook page about coming back from a one year hiatus.  Whatever the format and whoever the manager, it will be nice to have a hometown radio station back within the city limits:

An update on WMOM. Almost daily people have contacted us to inquire about what progress is being made with the station coming back on the air. Several months ago, a rumor was circulated that the station had be sold. As with most rumors, there was a kernel of truth. A company in Chicago had contacted us. They had rented our old office space and hired several employees. A press release was issued stating their new ownership of WMOM but that was premature. The fact is we are still negotiating a contract with them to be filed with the FCC. Yesterday, the FCC gave us permission to remain silent through the winter. The station is still for sale and no permanent deal has been made. Whether the station is sold or we put it back on ourselves, a staff will be needed. You may contact us at Patrick@wmom.fm. You'll be hearing something on the air by April 1st. This time it's not an April Fool's joke.

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