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Indiana RadioWatch
Serving Hoosier Broadcasters Since 1998
31 October 2021
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Good Evening,
From the Reading List: Higher ed and public radio are enmeshed. So what happens when the culture wars come?
From the Reading List: The view from here: Rethinking what local news can and should be.
Northeast
Corrected: Taylor University Broadcasting's Contemporary Christian/WBCL (90.3fm, Fort Wayne) morning co-host Phil Reaser retired. Capping a 60+ year broadcasting career that took him around the country (Cleveland, Phoenix, San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Memphis), he worked at several Fort Wayne radio stations (ex-WLYV 1450am, ex-WZRQ 106.3fm) as 'Phil Gardner'.
Gray Television has several changes at both their ABC and NBC affiliates in Fort Wayne. WPTA-TV (Channel 21, Fort Wayne) has the ABC affiliation on their .1 channel and the NBC affiliation on their .2 subchannel.
Reporter Karli VanCleave earns a promotion to weekend anchor on Fort Wayne's NBC, succeeding Louie Tran. Ms. VanCleave joins meteorologist Liz Braden and sports anchor Chaz Frazier.
Finally, ABC21 evening anchor Kaitlyn Kendall exits and will join Scripps' ABC affiliate/WRTV (Channel 6, Indianapolis).
After nearly 5 years (IRW 08/03/2017), Petar Hood exits as sports anchor and reporter for Heartland Media's FOX affiliate/WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne). Here is last WFFT on-air clip. Read below for the next stop on his career journey.
Adams Radio's Classic Rock/WXKE (96.3fm, Churubusco) replaced the syndicated 'Free Beer and Hot Wings' with a local morning host. Jack Hammer joins WXKE from 6am until 10am each morning. Mr. Hammer previously worked at several Fort Wayne radio stations, including co-hosting the long time "Elvis and Hammer" show with Billy Elvis at Federated's WBYR (98.9fm).
Where Are They Now? Former WANE-TV anchor David Scott becomes evening anchor at KAKE-TV in Wichita, Kansas.
Northcentral
Dream Weaver Marketing turns off their WARU (1600am, Peru), and returns the license to the FCC. 1600am signed on as WARU on September 12, 1954, and was owned then by the Wabash-Peru Broadcasting Company (owned by the late Rev. Dr. Wendell Hansen).
Sound Management's 1980s CHR/WYET (102.3fm, New Carlisle) adds 1990s tunes to their playlist, and rebrands as 'Throwback 102.3." This format is produced by Throwback Brands, the national syndicator of Throwback Nation Radio with Tony Lorino. Core artists include Bon Jovi, Madonna, Prince, Janet Jackson, Backstreet Boys, and Mariah Carey. Paul Cook hosts mornings, Trisha Cook does middays, Chase Murphy takes afternoons, and Tony Lorino remains in nights.
Gray Television's NBC affiliate/WNDU-TV (Channel 16, South Bend) welcomes back Christine Karsten to weekday morning anchor. Ms. Karsten was a reporter and anchor at WNDU-TV from 2013 through early 2017. Also at WNDU, reporter Carly Miller exits. Ms. Miller joined WNDU-TV in May 2020, after graduating from Purdue University.
Sinclair's WSBT-TV (Channel 22) has CBS on their .1 and FOX on their .2, but both channels have local news. WSBT-TV promotes reporter Erica Finke to weekend evening anchor.
Weigel Broadcasting's ABC affiliate/WBND (Channel 57, South Bend) reporter Mayra Franco exits. Ms. Franco joined 'ABC 57' earlier this year, after graduating last year from California State University, Fresno.
Northwest
Northwest Indiana Public Broadcasting's PBS affiliate WYIN-TV (Channel 56, Gary) VP/Television Operations Matt Franklin exits after 16 years with the organization (the last decade in the VP/TV role).
After 4 years, sports reporter Dakota Simon exits Allen Media Broadcasting's CBS affiliate/WLFI-TV (Channel 18, Lafayette). Mr. Simon joined WLFI after graduating from Purdue University.
Where Are They Now? Former WBAA(AM) and FM Operations Manager David Baes now serves as Executive Director of Northern Community Radio (Grand Rapids, Minnesota and Bemidji, Minnesota).
Eastcentral
Jayland Radio sign on WZJR (91.7fm, Portland) with a Classic Rock format. Jayland purchased this station last year from Ball State University for $40,702.43.
Brewer Broadcasting Corp. signs off and turns in the license to Classic Hits/WHON (930am, Centerville). Brewer also dismantled the four-tower array of WHON. The classic hits format remains on WQLK-HD2 (96.1fm, Richmond) and on translator W269BP (101.7fm, Richmond). WHON debuted in 1964 with 500 watts, directional, later adding 145 watts at night. Before we leave Brewer, they also welcome Dave Paxton as production director and Middays on WQLK ('Kicks 96').
Central
Racing commentator Robin Miller died at age 71 after battling leukemia. He had a multifaceted broadcasting and journalism career, writing for The Indianapolis Star, did a nightly show on what was then WIBC (1070am), did racing commentary for The Bob and Tom Show, and did television at WTHR-TV (Channel 13).
Jeff Rickard exits as PD and morning host of Emmis' Sports/WIBC-HD2 & HD3 (93.1fm, Indianapolis) and two FM translators. He's now PD at Boston's WEEI-FM. Kevin Bowen does mornings. Mr. Bowen joined Emmis in 2017, after being a beat writer for Colts.com.
Cumulus' Sports/WXNT (1430am, Indianapolis) will become Butler University men's basketball flagship radio station for the 2021-2022 season.
Moody Radio's WGNR(AM) and WGNR-FM (1470am, 97.9fm; both Anderson) hires Devon Harris as Production Director.
TEGNA's NBC affiliate/WTHR-TV (Channel 13, Indianapolis) reporter Meredith Juliet exits the station.
Petar Hood will join Circle City Broadcasting's CW affiliate/WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis) as sports and special projects producer and reporter. Mr. Hood last worked for nearly five years at Heartland Media's FOX affiliate/WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne). He will produce 'All Indiana Bets' which is hosted by Jason Hammer (from WIBC), comedian Scott Long, and WISH-TV entertainment reporter (and former radio DJ) McKinzie Roth.
Where Are They Now? Former WXIN-TV news producer Sarah Burke becomes the News Director for WCBS-TV and WLNY-TV in New York City.
Westcentral
In Terre Haute, two former WBOW (then on 1230am) air personalities have died. First, Mickey Burk was 61 when he died in August. He did mornings at WBOW in the 1970s ('Mickey in the Mornings'). Here's the complete obituary.
Also, Martin Plascak died yesterday (10/30). Mr. Plascak worked for WBOW, and then at WTHI(AM) and FM, along with working for WTHI-TV. Mr. Plascak retired in 1996 and was named Sagamore of the Wabash that year. In 2014, the Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame welcomed him into their ranks. Here's the complete obituary.
Southeast
Dan Daggett exits as GSM for D.R. Rice Broadcasting's Country/WMPI (105.3fm, Scottsburg). Mr. Daggett went to Illinois, where he's now Sales Manager for Studstill Media and Digital Solutions including roughly a half dozen Peru, Illinois area radio stations.
Classic Country/WXKU-FM (92.7fm, Austin) adds a Nautel 2.5kW transmitter. Also, W257DO (99.3fm, Seymour) has a new Nautel VS1 transmitter. W257DO is the FM translator for Soft AC/WZZB(AM) (1390am, Seymour) ('The Buzz 1390 & 99.3').
Southcentral
Educational Media Foundation closes on their $250,000 acquisition of WCJL (90.9fm, Morgantown) from Calvary Radio Network. 90.9fm is now WBKC with EMF's K-Love format. Griffin Media Brokers brokered this deal.
Southwest
Tri State Public Media names Tim Black as their president/CEO, leading both PBS affiliate WNIN-TV (Channel 9, Evansville) and NPR affiliate WNIN-FM (88.3fm, Evansville). Mr. Black joined WNIN in 2015 and took the interim president/CEO role when Brad Kimmel left Tri State Public Media and became Executive Director of Indiana University's Radio and Television Services (Indiana Public Media).
Morning hosts Claire Ballard, Tyler Cooper, and Gavin Eddings all exit Midwest Communications' CHR/WSTO (96.1fm, Owensboro, Kentucky). Ms. Ballard began hosting mornings in October 2016, while Mr. Cooper joined a year later, and Mr. Eddings joined in 2019. Also, Tyler Foxx joins WSTO as APD and middays. Mr. Foxx last did afternoon drive at KLUC in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Former Evansville broadcaster Linda Kay died. Linda was Evansville's first female radio PD and morning drive host. Starting in 1977, she worked at 1400am in Evansville which was WROZ ('Linda Kay'). Then, she moved to 1330am in Evansville, which was WKKR, where she did afternoon drive, and eventually programmed the radio station. Linda was 66 years old. Here's the complete obituary.
This Week in Indiana Radio History
Sign-on dates seem to be a prickly matter, subject to great debate, and mostly impossible to confirm. If there is something we need to add to the calendar, please let us know. Please also e-mail us if you have updated information.
October 31: In 1948, 1330am in Evansville signs on as WJPS. Today, it's WBGW. In 1971, Channel 49 in Muncie changed call letters from WLBC-TV to WIPB-TV. Channel 49 was established by Muncie broadcasting icon Don Burton. Mr. Burton sold the station to a citizen's group, Eastern Indiana Community Television, and Ball State University, whose trustees hold the FCC license. In 2014, 98.9fm in Newburgh signs on as WDXM-LP and remains so today.
November 1: In 1963, the FCC granted Star Stations, Inc. of Omaha (Donald Burden, et. al.) the license of the former WISH-AM / FM (1310am and 107.9fm) with the call letters WAWE. From November 16, 1963 until December 4, 1963, 1310am and 107.9fm were WAWE. After that, they became WIFE(AM)/FM. Also in 1963, 104.7fm in Jasper signs on as WITZ-FM, and remains so today. In 1971, 91.7fm in Pendleton signs on as WEEM (for founder Ernest E. Miller), and remains so today. In 1973, 1110am in Noblesville signs on as WHYT. This was an AM daytimer which later went dark. In 1987, Channel 23 in Marion signs on as WMCC-TV. Today, it's WNDY-TV. In 1997, 98.5fm in Ferdinand signs on as WQKZ, and still is.
November 2: In 1920, WLK in Indianapolis signs on, as Indiana's first radio station. Financial difficulties lead to WLK going off the air for good in March 1923. In 2001, 1620am in South Bend changed call letters from WHLY to WDND.
November 3: In 2003, 1380am in Fort Wayne changed call letters from WONO ('One on One Sports') to WKJG ('William Kunkel Journal Gazette').
November 4: In 1949, 1390am in Seymour signs on as WJCD. It's now WZZB. In 1964, 1500am in Valparaiso signs on as WAYK. Today, it's WAKE. In 2012, Mike Fry ('Happy the Hobo') on WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne) died. Age 52. In 2014, WHBU(AM) in Anderson adds an FM translator at 103.7fm (W279CL).
November 5: In 1950, 1370am in Gary signs on as WGRY. It's now WLTH.
November 6: In 1964, 97.1fm in Shelbyville signs on as WSVL-FM. It's now WLHK. In 1998, 1620am in South Bend signs on as WJVA. The station went silent several years ago.
Employment Opportunities
WITZ FM, WQKZ FM and WITZ AM 990 & 99.1 FM Radio Juan in Jasper, Indiana has an opening for a full-time account executive. You will be taking over an established client list. Sales and marketing will be the main focus of this position but if you have other related broadcast experience, it would be helpful. Copy writing and production skills are important. You must be a motivated self-starter and understand the importance of building and maintaining client relationships. Social media and website sales will also be part of this position. We will train the right person. Our stations are members of the Indiana Broadcasters Association with full access to Local Broadcast Sales P1 Training. If you’re looking for a great opportunity with an award winning radio station that’s been a major part of the local community since 1948 then send your resume to Gene Kuntz, P.O. Box 167, Jasper, IN 47546 or email gkuntz@witzamfm.com. Jasper On The Air is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Hoosier Ag Today is currently looking for an Indiana-based, farm broadcaster and multimedia content producer. Content would be created for the network’s 70 Indiana radio stations, website, and e-newsletter products and for the company’s Michigan Ag Today radio network and multimedia outlets. The ideal candidate would have experience in radio/TV on-air content, audio and video editing, social media skills, and analytics knowledge. Experience in the agriculture industry is a plus, but not required.
We are looking for an individual who can stay on top of the ever-evolving agriculture and media world. This candidate must be able to thrive in a work-at-home environment as well as out in the field gathering content. We need someone who can work as part of an award winning and experienced team. Good communication and organizational skills are a must.
Benefits include paid membership in the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) and a company match IRA retirement program.
Hoosier Ag Today LLC was founded in 2006 for the specific purpose of serving the informational needs of the Hoosier agricultural community. HAT currently has 70 radio stations broadcasting its programs. In addition, HAT operates a multi-media website and publishes a daily e-mail newsletter. In 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2018, Hoosier Ag Today was rated the most listened to farm radio network in Indiana by Ag Media Research. In 2019, Hoosier Ag Today purchased Michigan Ag Today, a 16-station farm network serving the Michigan farm community. HAT is also part owner of the Indiana Farm Equipment and Technology Expo, held each December in Westfield, Indiana.
Send Inquiries/materials to:
Andy Eubank - President
Hoosier Ag Today - Michigan Ag Today
andy@hoosieragtoday.com
70 Huntington Way
Lafayette, IN 47905
765-588-4105 - studio/office direct
765-404-4159 - mobile
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WNAP, The Buzzard, seeks the right person or people for our stations as we develop Underwriting Sales. Our format is a fun Oldies presentation with sarcasm and tongue in cheek delivery. Our stations include: 56-year-old 990 WNAP Muncie and translator 101.5 W268BJ; WNAP-FM 88.1 Morristown, Indiana; 91.7 W219DO Edinburgh, Indiana, and WNPP Cole Indiana.
This is an outside position. Cities to be served include Muncie, Indianapolis, Greenfield, Shelbyville, Rushville, Anderson, Noblesville, and many others. If you have a history in customer service and want to help us grow, contact Martin Hensley at hensleym31@aol.com. New Beginnings Movement, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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A locally owned, multi-station cluster in a historic community is seeking a News/Sports Director interested in informing listeners in multiple counties who depend on the stations to be their primary news source. Additionally, the candidate will have a passion to do high school sports play-by-play. You'll even work with the Miami (OH) Sports Network providing scoreboard updates on G101-3.
If you are looking for a community to call home, send your materials demonstrating your talent in news writing and delivery as well as your play-by-play skills to rickduncan@g1013.com. Hurry…football season is coming soon!
Whitewater Broadcasting is an EOE and encourages the hiring of females and minorities.
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Cumulus-Indianapolis is looking for an experienced Program Director to lead rock station WNDX-FM. Ideal candidate should have a proven successful track record in the Rock and/or Classic Rock formats with a minimum of three years PD experience in a medium or large market preferred. Must be able to maximize productivity, be a multi-tasking and time management master and implement a strategic programming plan unique for the station in service to the Indianapolis market. This is a full-time position inclusive of a weekday and weekend on-air shift. Salary will be commensurate with experience and ratings history. Resume, references, ratings history and on-air demo should be included in confidence with your application. Click here to learn more and apply. CUMULUS MEDIA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
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Indiana Country – 101.5 WKKG – Columbus seeks its next Program Director / Morning Host for South-Central Indiana’s leading country station.
Our ideal candidate would be an experienced team player with solid social media chops to lead WKKG to the next level. This individual is not afraid to hit the streets and help promote our stations.
Wow us with your resume and audio material. Mail your best stuff to: Brad Jackson, Programming Coordinator, PO Box 1789, Columbus, Indiana 47202, or email to bradjackson@wkkg.com. Visit – https://fpcjobconnection.com/.
White River Broadcasting is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Cumulus Media | Indianapolis is searching for an experienced Promotions Director. The Promotions Director will be responsible for the overall brand marketing strategy and day-to-day promotions director duties for three radio stations. The Promotions Director will work cross departmentally to plan and execute marketing and promotional programs designed to drive ratings and revenue through listener-focused promotions and client-centric sales campaigns.
More about the job, including Responsibilities, Qualifications, and more, all here.
Cumulus Media, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)
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Federated Media South Bend - Account Executive - New Business Development
This is an outside Sales position that will focus on building new business partnerships for the radio stations. It requires creativity and marketing savvy to discover and satisfy the needs of potential new clients with Integrating Marketing campaigns that include radio, content marketing, digital and event marketing. If you have been described as a self-starter, confident, driven, persistent, competitive, always closing, organized, problem solver, then you may love this opportunity!
Some requirements:
• College degree or 2 years sales experience, marketing preferred
• Can clearly communicate ideas through verbal and written presentations
• Operates by the Core Values of Integrity, Passion, and Innovation
Some benefits:
• Inbound Marketing Program to provide Qualified Leads
• CRM that helps you to work Smarter and Faster
• A comprehensive Sales Play Book to help you move the process along
• Healthcare (Health, Dental, Vision) and 401k
• A culture that’s driven by purpose. Creating big events. Helping local businesses. Raising money and giving back to non-profits.
I’m interested!
• Take our online assessment here.
• Send resume & cover letter to: smichel@federatedmedia.com
Federated Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Are you a salesperson with a positive attitude who hates to lose? Our Kokomo and Marion radio groups both have immediate openings for our next multi-media sales superstars! We're looking for team players who are a whiz with technology, and previous sales experience, a knack for developing new business and creativity are all a plus. If a competitive salary plus commission, benefits, and extras get your attention, contact us today! Hoosier AM/FM, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. Please send resume to Joel Pyle at jpyle@star1069fm.com.
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Locally owned and operated WGCL (98.7 and AM 1370) and Rock 96-1 The Quarry are looking for both full-time and part-time account executives to help develop commercial, non-traditional, and digital revenue. Successful candidates:
• Have had success in selling their particular industry
• Possess a solid work ethic and are self-motivated
• Understand what it takes to develop and nurture mutually beneficial business relationships
In this non-corporate, Bloomington-based position, you'll help local businesses grow through the power of advertising on WGCL, Rock 96-1 The Quarry, and WTTS (92.3). You'll also have the opportunity to sell a vast array of digital products through our new ST Digital arm. Whether you're looking for a full-time career or a part-time opportunity, we will craft and customize the right scenario for the right candidate.
Send an introductory email along with your resume to dmyers@wgclradio.com. Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. 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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