Kaspar Broadcasting will sell their WSHW-FM (99.7fm, Frankfort) to the Olivet Media Group from Olivet Nazarene University for $1.452 million. Olivet has 7 radio stations throughout Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, and they run the contemporary Christian ‘Shine FM’ format, along with Spanish network ‘Brilla.FM’.
Northeast
Congratulations to the team at Federated Media’s N-T/WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) and W298BB (107.5fm, Fort Wayne) on earning a 2022 NAB Marconi Award as Medium Market Station of the Year. WOWO last won this award in 2014.
Sarkes Tarzian takes their CHR “The Twenty FM” format off translator W258BY (99.5fm, Fort Wayne), but the format remains on the HD3 subchannel of sister Hot AC/WAJI (95.1fm, Fort Wayne). The 99.5fm translator flips to a simulcast of sister Alternative/WGBJ (102.3fm, Auburn) which is also heard on WAJI-HD2.
Gray Television has both the ABC and NBC affiliations (among others) in Fort Wayne, with ABC on WPTA-TV (Channel 21.1, Fort Wayne) and NBC on WPTA-TV (Channel 21.2).
Lots going on here, so let’s break it down.
WPTA-TV drops their ‘ABC21’ branding on Channel 21.1 and reverted to prior branding as ’21 Alive.’ All local newscasts are now ’21 Alive’.
Personnel-wise:
- ABC21 sports reporter Chad Maxwell exits and becomes Sports Director at Gray sister station WTOC-TV in Savannah, Georgia. There, he joins another WPTA-TV alum: Sam Bauman.
- ABC21 weekday morning meteorologist Nick Marusiak exits and joins the weather team at WKEF-TV and WRGT-TV in Dayton, Ohio.
’21 Alive’ local newscasts now appear on both the ABC 21.1 and NBC 21.2 channels. 21 Alive also added a weekday 4:00pm newscast, co-anchored by Linda Jackson and Krista Miller, along with meteorologist Chris Daniels.
Northcentral
A tip of the IRW cap to Tricia Sloma, morning news anchor at Gray Television's NBC affiliate/WNDU-TV (Channel 16, South Bend) on 30 years at WNDU-TV. The TV station marked the anniversary.
Sinclair's CBS and FOX affiliate/WSBT-TV (Channel 22, South Bend) welcomes Jessica Burns as their new weekend morning meteorologist. Ms. Burns last worked for WCYB-TV in the Bristol, Virginia/Tri-Cities TV market. Also, reporter Ashley Dager exits after just over a year, and becomes a reporter at WRGB-TV in Albany, New York.
Marion Williams’ Rhythmic CHR/WSMK (99.1fm, Buchanan, Michigan) adds the syndicated DeDe in the Morning show.
Before leaving Michigan, we also note the death of Andrews University’s Classical/WAUS (90.7fm, Berrien Springs, Michigan) GM Sharon Dudgeon. Ms. Dudgeon died after injuries she suffered when falling outside her home. Ms. Dudgeon was 66 and lead WAUS for nearly 30 years. Here’s the complete obituary.
Northwest
A tip of the IRW cap to Lafayette Schools' WJEF (91.9fm, Lafayette) who celebrated their 50th anniversary and hosted an open house.
Eastcentral
David Horner becomes PD for Hoosier AM/FM’s CHR/WXXC (106.9fm, Marion), while remaining in afternoons. Mr. Horner also does middays at sister Hot AC/WZWZ (92.5fm, Kokomo). Mr. Horner interned at Hoosier AM/FM while in college. Mr. Horner last worked on-air in Yuma, Arizona for KTTI.
Central
Longtime Indianapolis area radio engineer Jeff Goode died. He was 64. Between being a contract engineer and before that, the Chief Engineer for Cumulus Media/Indianapolis (and for prior owner Susquehanna), he worked at many radio stations. He also once worked in Fort Wayne in the engineering department at WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) and what was then WOWO-FM on 103.1fm. Here's the complete obituary.
Darlene Park becomes VP/MM of the Cumulus/Indianapolis radio stations. Ms. Park last spent over 7 years with Bonneville in Denver, Colorado, rising to cluster Director of Sales.
Westcentral
American Hope Communications’ Religious/WPFR-FM (93.7fm, Clinton) will changed call letters to WEHP.
Southeast
Ray Rice, owner of D.R. Rice Broadcasting's Country/WMPI (105.3fm, Scottsburg) died after suffering a stroke while on vacation. He was 62 years old. Mr. Rice and his Dad (Donald R. Rice) bought the station together in 1986. In our next IRW, we'll tell you about a new GM for the station. Here's the complete obituary.
Southwest
Veteran Evansville radio broadcaster, TV broadcaster, and sportswriter Jerry Birge died after a short battle with leukemia. He was 83. Mr. Birge worked all over southwestern Indiana: WITZ Radio in Jasper, WJPS, WVJS, and WSTO Radio (News and Sports Director at WVJS and WSTO), and WTVW-TV in Evansville (Evening news co-anchor and News Director at WTVW-TV), and The Dubois County Daily Herald. In April 2010, the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame inducted him. Here’s the complete obituary.
Former Gray Television's NBC affiliate/WFIE-TV (Channel 14) News Director Scott Galloway died. Mr. Galloway was an Owensboro, Kentucky native and worked many years at WFIE-TV, including as a photojournalist, assignment editor, Assistant News Director, and News Director. Scott was 56. Here’s the complete obituary.
Gray Television's NBC affiliate/WFIE-TV (Channel 14) welcomes Breann Boswell as an anchor and reporter. Ms. Boswell last worked for Nexstar CBS affiliate/WANE-TV (Channel 15, Fort Wayne) in the same roles.
Employment Opportunities
WLFI-TV is looking for an experienced, aggressive and collaborative-style Assistant News Director to join our team. The Assistant News Director must be a proven newsroom leader who knows how to win breaking news and weather coverage on all platforms, maintain a strong sense of urgency with our newscast production and newsroom culture, and knows how to balance serious journalism with lighter moments critical to the success of our newscasts.
The successful candidate must have a drive and passion, with an innovative mind and truly be able to see the big picture. This position will be responsible for the day-to-day news operation and be involved in long-term planning of news content across all platforms.
Key Activities:
- Assist News Director with supervisory responsibility for all news broadcasts and online content.
- Involved in hiring and performance management of direct reports.
- Assist News Director in the on-going evaluation of personnel.
- Create tactics and strategies to increase ratings performance in key target areas for multiple platforms.
- Assist in execution of news content strategy.
- Implement and have working knowledge of federal, state and local laws impacting operations.
- Ability to manage cross platform content creation and distribution.
- Write copy and edit scripts for air and web.
- Knowledge of and proficiency in posting content to station websites.
- Schedule anchors and multi-media journalists.
- Lead coverage planning of major events: elections, other special events.
- Proactively communicate news initiatives & community efforts across departments.
- Evaluate workflow efficiencies.
- Assist News Director in managing the budgetary aspects of newsroom operations
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education/Experience:
- College degree in related field or equivalent experience preferred.
- At least 5 years producing or reporting experience preferred.
Skills and Abilities:
- Advanced oral and written communication skills.
- Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office.
- Broad understanding of newsroom operations and equipment.
- Proven ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast paced environment.
- Positive reinforcement style of management with the ability to hold staffers accountable while helping them to grow their skills.
Allen Media Broadcasting is an equal opportunity employer. Allen Media Broadcasting recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other legally-protected status.
Must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (subject to any medical or religious accommodations or other applicable law.)
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Michigan Ag Today, the state’s #1 farm radio network, is seeking a freelance reporter to cover Michigan agriculture. The position will require the production of at least 3 news packages a week that focus on the issues and activities of interest to Michigan farmers and farm families. Each package would consist of a 90sec - 2min radio news report and accompanying text version for web publication. This material will be included in network farm news programs aired on over 33 stations across the state. The position will require the development of news sources and contacts
Candidates should have radio news experience; knowledge of agricultural issues is helpful but not required. Candidate’s work location does not have to be within the state, though that would be preferred. Technical equipment will be provided.
Send resume and audio sample to: Gary Truitt gtruitt@michiganagtoday.com
Hoosier Ag Today is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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WFMG (G101-3) in Richmond, IN is looking for our next Afternoon Drive star / Social Media Director. You'll do live afternoons on Adult Top 40 G101-3 and track middays on Classic Hits Star 98.3 (WZZY). Plus you'll spearhead the social media presence for Whitewater Broadcasting's 5 stations. Not only will you flex your creative muscles daily, but you'll be doing it in an area brimming with activity (sports, theatre, improv, symphony, farmer's market, etc)! You'll also be centrally located between Indy, Dayton and Cincinnati. We're super involved in our community so be prepared to jump right in! First gig or next gig, this is the one you're looking for!
Send materials (aircheck, any station social media activity) to rickduncan@g1013.com. Whitewater Broadcasting is an EOE.
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Hoosier Ag Today, Indiana’s #1 farm radio network, is seeking a freelance reporter to cover national agriculture news. The position will require the production of at least 3 news packages per week that focus on the issues and activities of interest to farmers and farm families. Each package would consist of a 90sec - 2min radio news report and accompanying text version for web publication. This material will be included in network farm news programs aired on over 100 stations across the Indiana and Michigan. The position will require the development of news sources and contacts.
Candidates should have radio news experience; knowledge of agricultural issues is helpful but not required. Candidate’s work location is flexible and could be remote. Technical equipment will be provided.
Send resume and audio sample to: Gary Truitt gtruitt@hoosieragtoday.com
Hoosier Ag Today is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Woof Boom Radio Lima, Ohio, is looking to add a Chief Engineer to our team. This person will be our on-site Radio Engineer to ensure our equipment is fully functional and maintained to a high standard. This person will work with the Market Manager and Program Directors to oversee and support the technical functioning of two studio locations and several AM & FM transmitter sites in west central Ohio.
About Woof Boom
• Our employees work and maintain a performance culture that serves our customers and listeners.
• We work and live the company values.
• Employees provide visible leadership both inside the station and inside the community.
• All Woof Boomers develop strong relationships with key clients and other business partners.
• We work in a collaborative, team-based environment.
• All adhere to Woof Boom policies while observing the highest ethical standards.
Primary Responsibilities
• Troubleshoots issues with IT, transmission, studio equipment, and streaming.
• Works cross-functionally with production, sales, and traffic teams to maintain a high-functioning work environment.
• Maintains company equipment to the highest standard.
• Manages file backup operations for office computers and special-purpose radio automation.
• Manages and maintains the business firewall and security of 50+ computers and industry-specific devices.
• Handles building entry security systems and transmitter sites.
• Respond to off-air alarms 24 hours per day.
• Routine inspections of transmitter sites and maintaining grounds at site locations. Monitoring remotes of each transmitter site.
• Weekly station log reporting.
• Ensuring FCC and FAA compliance. This includes the required logging and filing.
• EAS rules and record keeping.
• Management of equipment inventory for in-house equipment, remote broadcast gear, and users with laptops offsite.
Secondary Responsibilities
• Oversee building maintenance as needed.
• Live Broadcast and Engineering vehicle maintenance logging and directing repairs by others.
• Satellite dish installation, alignment, and upkeep
• Work with the Traffic department to troubleshoot missing satellite closures and missing spots/recon files.
• Surveillance camera monitoring/archiving of event footage.
Minimum Qualifications
• Intermediate IT knowledge AND administration in local and remote IT environments.
• Advanced knowledge of business firewall management.
• Experience in project management.
• IT certification or equivalent work experience.
• A good driving record and reliable transportation.
• The ability to lift 50 pounds.
Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in electronics or computer field.
• Advanced radio frequency broadcasting.
• Management of Watchguard Firebox and the Fireware OS.
• Experience with managing audio streams and PC encoding hardware.
• Proficient with audio and networking wiring methods
• RF point-to-point data equipment (Ubiquiti).
• Experience with RF cable types, connectors, jumpers, and grounding methods
• Experience with the repair of both tube-type and Solid-State AM & FM transmitters
• FCC and FAA rules familiarity.
• XDS satellite receiver experience.
• Experience repairing multiple brands of audio consoles and their custom auxiliary equipment hookups is a plus.
• Experience with various automation environments. Nextgen and RCS Selector are a plus.
Woof Boom Radio is a midsized broadcasting company with stations in Ohio and Indiana. Our culture is central to how we operate in the communities where we live and work. Please apply via e-mail to Camille McCreery: camille.mccreery@woofboom.com
Woof Boom Radio is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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A full time Advertising Sales Position is available for Henson Media, in the Henderson, Kentucky and Evansville, Indiana area. The primary job will be helping local companies grow their business through the power of a radio group, primarily WSON AM/FM and ESPN 97.7 The REF. The position will possibly include production responsibilities. Knowledge of digital media is helpful. Send resume and salary requirements to greg@wsonradio.com and to edhenson1@bellsouth.net. Henson Media of Henderson County, LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
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Forcht Broadcasting Crawfordsville – Assistant Program Director
Stations: WIMC FM, WCDQ FM, WCVL
Forcht Broadcasting Radio and Digital is a community-focused, progressive small market radio and digital group of 25 radio stations in 9 markets in 3 states.
Forcht Broadcasting Crawfordsville, IN (WIMC 103.9 FM, WCDQ 106.3 FM, and WCVL 92.1 FM/1550 AM) is accepting applications for a Full-Time Assistant Program Director for their group of radio stations. WIMC, WCDQ, and WCVL serve the communities of West Central Indiana. All candidates must have excellent verbal and written skills and must be able to use social media. Knowledge of using the Zetta automation system is preferred, as is having a working knowledge of a WordPress based content management system. Forcht Broadcasting Crawfordsville is a radio and digital company, so the Assistant Program Director must be comfortable using digital media to promote the radio stations.
Career duties may include but are not limited to:
•interviewing officials and station clients for on-air radio and social media segments
•hosting station programs as needed
•setting up and hosting live remote broadcasts in the Crawfordsville area
•writing and producing radio commercials
•creating and facilitating station promotions
•assisting the multi-media account executives as needed
•assisting with digital and social media projects and campaigns
•representing the radio stations at community events as needed
•other duties as assigned by the WIMC, WCDQ, and WCVL General Manager
A one-year experience minimum working in live radio is preferred. A post-secondary degree in communications or broadcasting is preferred, but not required.
Compensation will reflect on-air and work experience. A competitive package, that includes health benefits, will be offered to qualified candidates. Forcht Broadcasting Crawfordsville is looking for team players, who share the mission of Forcht Broadcasting and who assist all members of the team as needed.
If you are ready to begin a career with a radio and digital group named one of The Best Places to Work in Kentucky in 2021, email Forcht Broadcasting General Manager Dave Peach at dapeach@forchtbroadcasting.com.
Forcht Broadcasting is an Equal Opportunity Employer who seeks to recruit qualified and diverse candidates for career openings.
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Sarkes Tarzian’s WAJI, WLDE, and WGBJ are looking for some part-time help having fun 25-30 hours a week assisting in programming, promotions, and production. Some on-air fill-in possible. Should have Adobe Audition experience. Reach out to Capt. Chris: captainchris@stfortwayne.com. No calls please. Sarkes Tarzian is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============
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=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============
