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Indiana RadioWatch
Serving Hoosier Broadcasters Since 1998
28 February 2022
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Good Evening:
Before we jump into the news, IRW wants to restart a feature called 'Radio Spotlight'. It's a Q&A section of our column, where IRW interviews a current or former Indiana broadcaster. Here's a few interviews we've done over the years:
Now, here's an advertorial:
The pandemic has created many changes and disruptions. We have been told that SAFE AT HOME is one of the best ways to ensure social distancing, even as the state tries to reopen. Yet with fewer people in their cars, radio listening has INCREASED in many markets.
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.
Remember our 'Radio Spotlight' interview section? It is a Q&A section, where we interview a current or former Hoosier broadcaster. If you would like a chance on the hot seat, please drop us a line.
Northeast
Federated Media in Fort Wayne has been based at 2915 Maples Road, south downtown Fort Wayne for five decades. Later on, they added an additional facility at 1005 Production Road. All of their radio stations and employees will move to a building at 5503 Coventry Lane, on the southwest side of Fort Wayne, near I-69 and US-24. Once the Coventry Lane building is ready, the radio stations that will be based there:
N-T/WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) and W298BB (107.5fm, Fort Wayne)
Country/WQHK (105.1fm, Huntertown)
CHR/WMEE (97.3fm, Fort Wayne)
Active Rock/WBYR (98.9fm, Woodburn)
Classic Hits/WFWI (92.3fm, Fort Wayne)
Sports/WKJG (1380am, Fort Wayne) and translator W265CY (100.9fm, Fort Wayne)
Ben Saurer, Federated Media Fort Wayne VP/General Manager, tells IRW:
"The Maples Road location has served us faithfully for 5 decades.
At Federated Media, our mission is to discover and satisfy the needs of our three primary customer groups: our consumers, our clients, and our co-workers.
• All-new, first-class tech will enhance the audio experience for our consumers and provide a product of the highest level of quality in audio to achieve our clients’ marketing goals.
• Our clients, consumer guests, and co-workers will be better served by a more convenient location.
• And for our valued co-workers, we needed to get our 'band' back together by combining both our Maples Road (Programming and Admin) and Production Road (Sales) locations. Like the old saying goes, ‘take care of your people and the results will follow’. We will have a state-of-the-art broadcast/podcast/media facility that is worthy of our talented roster and that sets Federated Media, our legacy brands, and our co-workers up for audio success for years to come.
We are highly confident our consumers, clients, and co-workers will benefit in a way that is profitable for all."
Where Are They Now? Former Federated Media/Fort Wayne broadcaster Chris Tyler now does afternoons for Midwest Communications' WWDK in Lansing, Michigan.
Northcentral
Where Are They Now? There was once a radio station known as WYPW ('Power 95.7') licensed to Nappanee. It's now under a new owner, with new call letters, and a different format. Former 'Power 95.7' midday host David 'DJ No Sleep' Wendt is now PD at WILN ('Magic 106') in Panama City, Florida.
Northwest
As first reported by Chicago media reporter Robert Feder, Newsweb's Ethnic/WNDZ (750am, Portage) began simulcasting the EWTN Global Catholic Network by simulcasting WSFI-FM in Antioch, Illinois. WNDZ broadcasts 15,000 watts during the day.
Allen Media Broadcasting's CBS affiliate/WLFI-TV (Channel 18, Lafayette) sports anchor and reporter JD Arland exits. Mr. Arland joined WLFI-TV in 2020.
Eastcentral
Ball State University's CHR/WWHI (91.3fm, Muncie) flips call letters to WCRD. Fun fact: The call letters stand for 'Cardinal Radio Dave', referencing famous alum David Letterman. Mr. Letterman provided seed funding for the radio station when it began as an AM carrier current station in the mid-1980s.
Olivet Nazarene University earns a construction permit to build a new Class A radio station on 91.5fm, licensed to New Castle. The call letters are WONS. Olivet Nazarene University owns several Indiana-based FM radio stations and translators:
WTMK (88.5fm, Wanatah) Contemporary Christian / 'Shine.FM'
WHZN (88.3fm, New Whiteland) Contemporary Christian / 'Shine.FM'
W207BF (89.3fm, Goshen) Spanish Christian AC / 'brilla.fm'
W208BF (89.5fm, Elkhart) Spanish Christian AC / 'brilla.fm'
A former Indiana broadcaster died. Oleta Martin worked at several Anderson area radio stations (WHBU, WQME, what was then WHUT), and in Indianapolis at what was then WTPI (107.9fm). Ms. Martin was 65 years old. Here's the complete obituary.
Central
Circle City Broadcasting's CW affiliate/WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis) promotes Alexis Rogers to weekday evening anchor, alongside Phil Sanchez. Ms. Rogers joined WISH-TV in 2020.
The announced TEGNA & Standard General deal impacts TEGNA-owned Indianapolis' NBC affiliate/WTHR-TV (Channel 13, Indianapolis). If the deal goes through, how will it impact the station? That's not yet known. If the deal closes, Deb McDermott will be CEO of the combined company, and Soo Kim will become chairman.
Beech Grove High School Radio/TV teacher Chris Carter exits and joins 7 Mountains Media in Olean, New York, as their cluster OM and PD/Afternoons of their WPIG. In the early 2000s, Mr. Carter programmed and did mornings for WMXO in Olean, New York.
Westcentral
Nexstar NBC affiliate WTWO-TV (Channel 2, Terre Haute) and Mission Broadcasting ABC affiliate WAWV (Channel 38, Terre Haute) promote Shelby Reilly to weekday morning anchor, succeeding Nicole Krasean, recently earned a promotion to assignment manager.
DLC Media's WVIG (95.9fm, Seelyville) changes call letters to WHLR. The station will be sold to Educational Media Foundation. At DLC Media, they now have the WVIG call letters on their classic country format, on 105.5fm, licensed to West Terre Haute.
Southeast
Country/WRBI (103.9fm, Batesville) broadcaster Ron Raver died Sunday evening at age 82. In addition to teaching and coaching, Mr. Raver called high school football touchdowns and basketball swishes on WRBI for many years. He also hosted the highly rated 'Coaches Corner' sports program. Here's the complete obituary.
Southwest
Where Are They Now? Former WUEV GM Len Clark now leads the Sports Media and Analytics program at Virginia Tech. Dr. Clark will also continue covering Notre Dame Football with Irish Illustrated and will continue contributing ('Notre Dame Report') during the On The Ball radio show on City FM in Dublin, Ireland.
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.
February 27: In 1948, 100.3fm then licensed to Connersville signs on as WCNB-FM. The allocation now resides in the Cincinnati, Ohio market as WOSL (100.3fm, Norwood, Ohio). In 2003, 91.1fm, then-licensed to Columbus signed on as WYGS. WYGS later moved their city of license to Hope.
February 28: In 1997, Edgewater Radio's $4.3 million sale of WFWI (92.3fm, Fort Wayne) to Pathfinder Communications closed.
March 1: In 1979, Channel 31 in Owensboro, Kentucky signs on as WKOH-TV, and remains so today. In 1985, former Indianapolis Chief Engineer Odes E. Robinson died. Age 74. In 1993, 96.9fm in Bremen signed on as WYEZ. It's now WHPZ. In 2000, Terre Haute's WJSH (1300am) flipped formats from Oldies to Sports. Also, sister WSDM (1130am) flipped from Gospel to Sports. In 2002, WWWD (96.3fm, Churubusco) switched formats from Country to CHR, as 'Hits 96.' The call letters changed to WHTD. In 2003, South Bend's WUBU (106.3fm) flipped formats from Urban AC to Smooth Jazz. Finally, in 2013, WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne) returned to FOX affiliation, after roughly 18 months as an independent.
March 3: In 1969, Channel 30 in Bloomington signed on as WTIU-TV, and remains so today. In 1997, Chicago's Mancow Muller debuted at his first network affiliate - what was then WEJE (96.3fm, Churubusco). The Fort Wayne affiliate lasted about a year.
March 4: In 1993, 92.3fm in Fort Wayne signed on as WFWI ('We're Fort Wayne, Indiana'), and returned to those call letters in late 2015. In 2005, Dave Bailey, VP/GM of WTHI/WWVR television and radio in Terre Haute retired.
March 5: In 1931, WGL (1250am, Fort Wayne) broadcasts the first American Basketball League championship series game between the Brooklyn Visitations and the Fort Wayne Hoosiers. Final score was 14-10. In 1984, 1180am in Newburgh signed on as WJJN. Today, it's airing a religious format as WGAB (with an FM translator). In 2009, Backyard Broadcasting (Anderson/Muncie) News Director Dave Stout died. Age 63. In 2017, former Indianapolis and Kokomo DJ Kevin Burris died. Age 58.
Employment Opportunities
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Federated Media, a family-owned radio group in Northern Indiana, is looking for an entry level Broadcast Engineer for the Fort Wayne radio market. We are looking for someone that is proficient in maintaining computer hardware and software in a Microsoft network environment. That same person needs to be able to handle some basic electronic troubleshooting to fix other radio broadcast problems. The radio industry today is all computer driven but we still have radio personalities that we need to communicate and work with daily. The ideal candidate not only can ‘speak geek’ they must work well with others. The Fort Wayne market consists of a large studio facility and 7 transmitter sites with 12 towers. Because it is a large operation, all candidates must be highly motivated, responsible, able to work unsupervised, and can pay attention to details. Candidates must also have dependable transportation, valid driver’s license, and proof of auto insurance.
If you think you are qualified, please fill out an application or send us your resume to:
Federated Media
2915 Maples Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46816
Atten: Market Chief Engineer
Email resumes to: mdavid@federatedmedia.com
Federated Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Legendary Midwest News/Talk station, WOWO 1190 AM & 107-5 FM is searching for its next great News Director.
Preferred candidates should have a strong understanding of local news reporting, a background in news programming and experience as a news anchor; the capability of great news writing, presentation, and on-air execution; an ability to work well with others and lead a news team with ethics and integrity, while holding others accountable as we strive to bring local news issues, current events, and politics to the WOWO Land. Digital integration is a must!
WOWO is a top-rated station in Fort Wayne with a storied heritage as one of America’s last bastions of independent ownership. You will have all the tools you need to achieve anticipated growth.
The candidate we chose will be joining the Fort Wayne Morning News Team as News Anchor from 5am-9am, so you will need the ability to work those hours. We welcome all applicants, regardless of experience but WOWO is a Legacy Radio station, previous Marconi Winner and 2021 Winner of The IBA Spectrum Award for Station Of The Year, so our standards are high.
If you feel you have the talent and can prove it to us, we want to hear from you. Confidentiality assured. E-mail resume and all relevant materials to ragz@federatedmedia.com
Federated Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Radio Forecast Network, a nationwide network that provides weather forecasts for stations in the United States, Canada and the British Virgin Islands is currently looking for announcers to read forecasts and sponsor information. Most lists are between 11 and 18 stations and will fit your availability. You will need a computer, microphone, and audio editing software. Working for RFN, you earn trade dollars to buy the things you need personally, or for business purposes if you own a business. Choose from the member lists and marketplace ads found in the trade exchanges we deal with. This list of businesses (some of which may be in your area) who are members, are paid in trade exchange dollars through organized barter exchanges. It's a great way to stay connected with the radio industry, and to earn some extra money in your free time. For more information, click this link.
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Kensington Digital Media is seeking an experienced professional to join our team as a News and Content Director.
Our stations include 107.3 WRSW, Willie 103.5, News Now Warsaw 1480-AM & 99.7 FM (all in Indiana), and Hippie Radio 94.5 and 100.7 WHIN 1010 AM (in Tennessee); in addition to a highly visited news website. The position is based in Warsaw, IN.
Duties include gathering and preparing daily news, anchoring live newscasts on air, producing locally based public affairs programming and other news related vignettes throughout the day. Applicants should also be interested in attending local news worthy events. A strong understanding of social media and online presence is also requested.
Equal Opportunity Employer. Send resume, writing samples and audio mp3 of newscasts/news reporting (if available) to Operations Manager Kris Lake at klake@kensington.media.
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If you enjoy making someone’s day and spreading positive vibes first thing in the morning, this position has your name on it! Hot AC Z92.5 in Kokomo, IN has an immediate opening for a morning show co-host and Director of Digital Content for the cluster. You’ll become part of 'Z-Breakfast' on one of the top stations in the market. Each morning you’ll be responsible for producing compelling and engaging content for both on-air and online platforms. You’ll share positivity with our listeners each day and just have fun! We take our mission of 'Turn Up The Feel Good' very seriously. Life’s too short not to laugh and just feel awesome! In addition to being part of a dynamic morning duo, you’ll also take lead on our digital platforms for all three stations in the cluster, which includes an Active Rock and Sports station. Skills? Time behind the microphone preferably as part of an on-air team, production, creative writing, website maintenance, creating social media content (beyond just posting or reposting), blogging, podcasting, and working with graphics. We’re looking for someone to lead us into the future. If this gets you excited, please email MP3 samples (no cloud links please) of on-air work along with any podcasting or production audio. Included in your package should be a cover letter and samples of social media engagement that you’ve custom generated. Send material to our Operations Manager, Stevie Riggs: stevie@rock985.com. Hoosier AM/FM is an EOE.
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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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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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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) 2022, Blaine E. Thompson
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=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============
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