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Indiana RadioWatch
Serving Hoosier Broadcasters Since 1998
14 May 2021
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Good Morning,
Between on-air ratings and online streaming metrics, the proof is undeniable: people are yearning for local information, delivered by people they know, like and trust. Another lesson from safe distancing: whether radio or TV, consumers empathize with anchors, reporters and entertainers working from locations other than their studios.
That is where VIRTUAL NEWS CENTER™ can help. Current economic interruptions make it difficult for local stations to provide the kind of quality information and talent that consumers and advertisers' demand. And now, your biggest competition is most likely their cell phone!
Why does my station even need local news?
Research shows that the not-so-secret ingredient to radio success is content that is 'local, local, local'. However, economic pressures have forced many stations to rely on only a national news network, eliminate a news presence all together ceding local information to other technologies. Whether you have a Music Station focusing primarily on drive-time updates, or a News/Talk format demanding round-the-clock updates, relevant local information is a critical key to keeping your audience. Markets with electronic ratings measurement have found that their news and information segments are among the highest-rated minutes of the hour. This, in turn, adds value to news sponsorships.
Why should I outsource my station's news?
For too many radio operations, recent events have made it more challenging to justify the cost of even one full-time news staffer. But when you share the cost with other stations, everybody has better quality at far less expense. Each VIRTUAL NEWS CENTER™ anchor has years of industry experience and your anchor (or anchors if you like) will be exclusive to your stations. Plus, they sound like they are part of your staff.
How can you know what's going on in my market?
Of course, VIRTUAL NEWS CENTER™ can do the normal beat calls and web site checks. We also get on relevant email and fax distribution lists for your station. In a Corona world, we've seen that technology makes it simple for virtually every staffer to work from outside the building. In many situations, traffic and billing is handled somewhere else, and now you can have a larger sounding newsroom and not worry about all the issues that go along with a local hire.
Want to learn more?
Go to virtualnewscenter.com or call CEO Joel Dearing at 877-470-6397 to learn how VIRTUAL NEWS CENTER™ can help you.
Northeast
The FCC cancels the $3,500 fine against Lighthouse Ministries of Northwest Ohio. Lighthouse owns WKJH-LP (103.5fm, Bryan, Ohio). Since WKJH-LP did not file their station renewal on time, the FCC first sent a Notice of Apparent Liability. After WKJH-LP filed financial paperwork, the FCC determined the penalty would be a financial hardship and canceled that penalty.
Sarkes Tarzian Fort Wayne adds Dirk Walker as an engineer under Director of Engineering Jamie Till. Mr. Walker moves up from part time work at S-T, and taught for several years at Columbia City High School, along with managing their WJHS (91.5fm, Columbia City). The Sarkes Tarzian Fort Wayne cluster includes AC/WAJI (95.1fm, Fort Wayne), Classic Hits/WLDE (101.7fm, Fort Wayne), Alternative/WGBJ (102.3fm, Auburn) and CHR/WAJI-HD-2, along with FM translator W258BY (99.5fm, Fort Wayne).
Nexstar CBS affiliate/WANE-TV (Channel 15, Fort Wayne) weekday evening co-anchor Terra Brantley will leave the station this summer, and then join the Fort Wayne Urban League as their new president and CEO. Ms. Brantley joined WANE-TV 28 years ago, and WANE-TV says she is Indiana's longest-serving African American news anchor.
Also, at WANE-TV, weekend anchor and reporter Kaitor Kay exits and will join Nexstar sister station KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. There, he will be a weekday evening anchor and reporter, anchoring the 9:00pm nightly newscast. Mr. Kay joined WANE-TV in January 2016 and became weekend evening anchor in 2018.
Quincy Media 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. Tylor Brummett will join this month as a reporter. He is a Ball State University graduate and interned at Circle City Broadcasting's CW affiliate/WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis). Also, 'Fort Wayne's NBC' weekend sports anchor and sports reporter Megan Salle exits after over two years at the station.
Federated Media's N-T/WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) and FM translator W298BJ (107.5fm, Fort Wayne) will drop the Rush Limbaugh Show later this month. Taking that time slot will be The Dan Bongino Show. WOWO will begin airing the show when it starts in syndication: Monday May 24, from Noon until 3:00pm.
Heartland Media's FOX affiliate/WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne) weekend meteorologist & reporter Caleb Saylor will exit this Saturday May 15. Mr. Saylor joined WFFT in the summer of 2017, after earning his Master's Degree in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology from Ball State University.
Where Are They Now? Former WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) PD Ryan Wrecker now co-hosts middays as part of 'St. Louis Talks' on KMOX in St. Louis, Missouri.
Northcentral
A tip of the Cubs cap to South Bend broadcaster Mark McGill. Mr. McGill recently became a fill-in public address announcer at Wrigley Field for the Chicago Cubs. Mr. McGill works part time for Mid-West Family Broadcasting/South Bend, and serves as Director of Community Engagement for South Bend non-profit A Rosie Place for Children.
Weigel Broadcasting's ABC affiliate/WBND (Channel 57, South Bend) adds Tim Spears as their new weekday evening anchor, and he will also help lead their investigative unit. Mr. Spears last worked for Spectrum News in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Federated Media's N-T/WTRC-FM (95.3fm, Niles, Michigan) will drop the Rush Limbaugh Show later this month. Taking that time slot will be The Dan Bongino Show. 'Michiana's News Channel' will begin airing the show when it starts in syndication: Monday May 24, from Noon until 3:00pm.
Northwest
HC2 Holdings sells the CP for a Lafayette low power station to Ravi Kapur's Major Market Broadcasting. The $100,000 deal includes W22DW-D (Channel 22, Lafayette) along with 5 other LPTV CPs in Georgia (1) and North Dakota (4).
Eastcentral
Woof Boom Radio adds Jared Boomer for afternoons at their Hot AC/WLBC-FM (104.1fm, Muncie) and Muncie Production Director. Mr. Boomer last did mornings and programmed across the state at Star City Broadcasting's CHR/WAZY-FM (96.5fm, Lafayette).
Central
Circle City Broadcasting's CW affiliate/WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis) meteorologist Marcus Bailey moves from weekends to Daybreak Monday through Friday. Meteorologist Tara Hastings moves to weekends with anchor Brenna Donnelly. Mr. Bailey joined WISH-TV in 2015. Ms. Hastings joined WISH-TV in 2018. Also, reporter Angeli Kakade exits and joins KING-TV in Seattle, Washington as a reporter. Ms. Kakade joined WISH-TV in March 2019.
Nexstar's CBS affiliate WTTV-TV (Channel 4, Bloomington) and FOX affiliate/WXIN-TV (Channel 59, Indianapolis) add Meteorologist Beth Finello. Ms. Finello last worked in the Springfield, Missouri market for KOLR-TV. Also, reporter and weekend fill-in anchor Darius Johnson exits after two years. Mr. Johnson joined the Nexstar stations after working in Savannah, Georgia for WSAV-TV. Finally, Alia Blackburn just joined from Heartland Media's CBS affiliate/WTHI-TV (Channel 10, Terre Haute). I now have her role at Channels 4 and 59: She is a reporter.
Continental Broadcast Group's Classic Mexican Hits/WNTS (1590am, Indianapolis) adds Erazno Y LA Chokolata, weekdays from 5pm until 10pm.
Where Are They Now? Former WISH-TV Executive Producer Mike Schram will become News Director at WILX-TV in Lansing, Michigan. Mr. Schram begins on Monday May 3.
Westcentral
American Hope Communications files a $179,000 purchase of Paul Ford's Word Power radio stations and translators. Word Power includes:
WPFR (1480am, Terre Haute)
WPFR-FM (93.7fm, Clinton)
WKZI (800am, Casey, Illinois)
WLHW (91.5, Casey, Illinois)
W292FT (106.3fm, Terre Haute)
W234CK (94.7fm Casey, Illinois)
W300DD (107.9fm, Greenup, Illinois)
Nexstar NBC affiliate WTWO-TV (Channel 2, Terre Haute) and Mission Broadcasting ABC affiliate WAWV (Channel 38, Terre Haute) reporter and anchor Taylor Johnson exits. Ms. Johnson joins Meredith's KCTV in Kansas City, Missouri as a reporter.
Where Are They Now? Former WVUB PD, WNOW-FM DJ, and WMGI DJ Ryan Crash now hosts mornings at KRAT ('Alt 92.1') in Reno, Nevada.
Southeast
Leeson Media's Country/WRBI (103.9fm, Batesville) News Director Jody Coffman exits. Ms. Coffman joined WRBI about two years ago. Leeson Media has a job ad for this role in our 'Employment Opportunities' section.
Southcentral
DuBois County Broadcasting's Country/WBDC (100.9fm, Huntingburg) afternoon host Jenna Budell exits after just over four years.
Good Shepherd Radio's Contemporary Christian/WKJD (90.3fm, Columbus) replaces their transmitter with a new Nautel VS2.5 transmitter.
Southwest
Raycom NBC affiliate/WFIE-TV (Channel 14, Evansville) reporter Joseph Payton exits. Mr. Payton graduated from Ohio University, and then joined '14 News' in June 2018.
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.
May 8: In 1953, Channel 49 in Muncie signs on as WLBC-TV. Today, it's WIPB-TV.
May 9: In 2016, WJCP(AM) (1460am, North Vernon) added a 97.7fm translator (W249DG).
May 10: In 2007, Charles Hanks, Jr. (Chuck Riley) died. Age 66. Mr. Riley was on air at WIBC (Afternoons) and at WNAP, where he recorded the legendary 'The Wrath of the Buzzard' ID. Mr. Riley was also a significant voice over artist. Mr. Hanks' brother is Michael Hanks, also known as 'Buster Bodine.'
May 11: In 1955, 860am in Marion signs on as WMRI. Later, 860am became WGOM before returning to the WMRI call letters in 2006. In 1965, 102.3fm in Logansport signs on as WSAL-FM. Today, it's WLHM-FM. In 1981, WIFE (1310am, Indianapolis) flipped formats from Soft AC ('W-I-F-E The Station you grew up with is growing up with you.') to a simulcast of CNN Headline News.
May 13: In 1961, 105.7fm in Indianapolis signed on as WAIV. Today, it's WYXB. In 1987, 750am in Portage signs on as WNDZ, and remains so today.
May 14: In 1977, 103.9fm in Batesville signs on as WRBI (for original owner Radio Batesville, Inc.), and remains so today.
May 15: In 1960, 98.1fm in Princeton signs on as WRAY-FM, and remains so today. In 1963, 810am in Indianapolis signs on as WIGO. Today, it's WSYW. In 1964, 103.3fm in Indianapolis signs on as WGEE-FM (sister station to WGEE(AM) 1590am). Today, it's WOLT.
Employment Opportunities
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WFHB is Indiana’s first community radio station! Volunteer-powered and listener-supported since 1993. WFHB exists to provide an open forum for the exchange and discussion of ideas and issues, and to celebrate and increase the local cultural diversity.
Do you have a passion for diversity-focused Community Radio and want to share it? Do you like making connections and building community partnerships? If so, WFHB needs you!
WFHB is seeking a Full-time Development Director to lead our volunteer-powered team to fundraising success.
Please find WFHB Development Director job description here.
Deadline to apply is May 31st. Please send your cover letter and resume to nominations@wfhb.org Bloomington Community Radio, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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News Director: 103.9 WRBI in Batesville is looking for someone to build our local news brand and become a valued member of the local area we serve. We are a locally owned standalone station, where the owner is your GM. Responsibilities include gathering local news (including pictures and sound), writing stories and posting them to the web, composing/anchoring newscasts, attending local governmental meetings, and serving as assignment editor and copy editor for part-time contributors. Opportunities for live sports broadcasting available for interested candidates, but not requisite. MUST BE all-in on local news coverage. You will need to learn the contacts and generate your own stories. Those only interested in regurgitating press releases need not apply. Some experience preferred. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must. Our market is all Southeastern Indiana. Batesville is a beautiful, safe, small-town, 40 minutes west of Cincinnati, with incredible public schools and amenities not often found in towns this size. Email all inquiries to Brent Lee at brent@wrbiradio.com. No calls. Leeson Media LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Majic 95.1, Fort Wayne is searching for a Morning Show Sidekick with a feisty, energetic, fun, likable personality who’s not afraid to be vulnerable on-air to compliment the morning show host. This person must be comfortable with regular show critiques, loves editing, is hungry to win, and is willing to build and maintain relationships with listeners, advertisers, and promotional partners; serve as the liaison representing the station as a member of the morning show. If you want to have fun and be paid for doing it, apply now.
Send package to majicmornings@waji.com
Sarkes Tarzian is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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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, than 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!! (Please click here)
• 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 ===============
Indiana RadioWatch is (c) 2021, Blaine E. Thompson
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=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============
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