Media in Farmington Hills, Michigan

Farmington Hills is a suburban city located in southeast Michigan, just west of Detroit. With a population of over 80,000 residents, Farmington Hills has a vibrant local media scene covering news, arts, entertainment and more for the local community. Here is an overview of the major media outlets and resources in Farmington Hills.

Newspapers

The Farmington Observer

The Farmington Observer is the main newspaper covering Farmington Hills and the surrounding Farmington area. Published 5 days a week, The Observer has a daily circulation of around 12,000 and covers local news, sports, business, arts and entertainment. The paper has been serving the community since 1957.

Some of the key journalists and columnists at The Observer include:

• Sarah Matthews – City Hall reporter
• Bill Johnson – Sports editor and lead columnist
• Amy Sullivan – Lifestyle and arts writer

Hometown News

Published twice a week, Hometown News is another local print newspaper focusing on community events and hyperlocal news in Farmington and Farmington Hills.

Television

WXYZ Channel 7

The Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ Channel 7 is the major TV station covering news in the Farmington Hills area. WXYZ has a news bureau located in Farmington Hills that reports on stories throughout the suburban Detroit metro region.

Popular programs on WXYZ include:

• Action News – Evening news program
• 7 Sports Cave – Nightly sports news and commentary

Farmington Community Access Television

Farmington Community Access Television (FCAT) is the public, educational and government access TV station for Farmington and Farmington Hills. FCAT can be found on Comcast channels 8 and 19 and features local programming created by residents and community organizations.

Radio

WFRW 88.1 FM

WFRW 88.1 FM is a low-power community radio station serving Farmington and Farmington Hills. The volunteer-run station focuses on providing local news, music and talk shows.

WUOM 91.7 FM

WUOM 91.7 FM is the Ann Arbor NPR station from the University of Michigan that reaches into the Farmington area. The station provides NPR national programs as well as local news coverage.

Online News

Farmington Voice

Farmington Voice is an online-only local news site covering the Farmington and Farmington Hills area. Farmington Voice features original reporting on local government, business, crime, schools and lifestyle.

Patch.com

Patch.com has a local edition for Farmington-Farmington Hills that provides community news and information. Users can subscribe to receive daily or weekly newsletters compiling top local stories.

Arts and Entertainment

The Farmington Players

Founded in 1934, The Farmington Players is a community theater organization that puts on productions throughout the year at the Farmington Players Barn Theater.

Jazz on the Grand

Jazz on the Grand is a free outdoor jazz concert series held on the weekends in July and August along the Grand River in downtown Farmington.

Farmington Civic Theater

The Farmington Civic Theater shows arthouse and independent films. It has two screens and shows films Friday through Sunday.

Public/Educational Media

Farmington Community Library

The Farmington Community Library serves as a vital information hub for the city. In addition to its circulating books and media collection, the library offers free programs, classes, meeting spaces and internet/computer access. The library publishes program guides and newsletters with local information.

Farmington Public Schools

Farmington Public Schools operates several media channels to communicate with students, parents and the public. This includes the FPS TV education channel, the Focus school newspaper and the district’s social media pages.

Government Access Channel

Farmington Hills operates a government access TV channel that broadcasts public meetings, local programming and bulletins. It can be found on Comcast Channel 15.

Major Events Covered by Local Media

Throughout the year, Farmington Hills media outlets band together to provide extensive coverage of major community events. These include:

Founders Festival

The Founders Festival is a 4-day summer event with a parade, carnival, fireworks and entertainment. All local media promote and report on the festival.

Holiday Lighted Parade

This nighttime parade in early December draws crowds to downtown Farmington. The parade features floats, bands and lights.

Ice Sculpture Showcase

Local sculptors create stunning ice sculptures in Riley Park in January during the Ice Sculpture Showcase. The event always receives media attention.

Hilltop Golf Course Opening Day

Hilltop Golf Course’s Opening Day in April is covered by media as one of the signs of spring in Farmington Hills.

Media Listings

Here is a full listing of media outlets based in or covering Farmington Hills:

Newspapers

• The Farmington Observer
• Hometown News

Television

• WXYZ Channel 7 (Detroit)
• Farmington Community Access Television

Radio

• WFRW 88.1 FM
• WUOM 91.7 FM (Ann Arbor)

Online News

• Farmington Voice
• Patch Farmington-Farmington Hills

Arts/Entertainment

• The Farmington Players
• Farmington Civic Theater

Public/Education

• Farmington Community Library
• Farmington Public Schools
• City of Farmington Hills

This overview covers the major media landscape in Farmington Hills across print, TV, radio, online and public access outlets. The local media provides comprehensive news coverage and entertainment options for the 80,000 residents of this vibrant Detroit suburb.