Indiana RadioWatch: March 11, 2009

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No word on future programming from stations that currently carry Bob Costas' programming. The various Costas-hosted shows will end on 31 May. Our records show that WPRS/WIBQ in the Terre Haute market and WNUY in the Fort Wayne market all air Costas programming.

Northeast

At Russ Oasis' Country/WBTU (93.3fm, Kendallville), PD Chris Sargent exits. He will be replaced by Dave Steele, last the PD and afternoon host at Cumulus' WQXK in Salem (Youngstown), Ohio. Steele is no stranger to the Hoosier state, having programmed Federated Media's Country/WBYT (100.7fm, Elkhart) in the 1990's.

Sad news from Fort Wayne, as former DJ James Dunn ("Pat Thomas") passed away on 26 February. The 52 year old Dunn was a DJ at WBCL (90.3fm, Fort Wayne), WAJI (95.1fm, Fort Wayne), and WFWI (92.3fm, Fort Wayne).

Northcentral

Schurz' N-T/WSBT (960am, South Bend) replaces Bill O'Reilly with Glenn Beck, who now airs weekdays between 3:00PM and 6:00PM. Also, Beck is heard on Saturday between 7:00AM and 10:00AM

Eastcentral

Sad news from Muncie with the passing of Backyard Broadcasting Anderson/Marion/Muncie News Director Dave Stout last week. The 63 year old Stout had been News Director there for a few years.

Central

A pair of departures at two Indianapolis broadcasters:

First, Cumulus Country/WFMS (95.5fm, Indianapolis) PD Bob Richards will step down on 20 March, after 15 years with the station. No word on a successor that will program this highly successful radio station.

Second, both OM Jon Quick and afternoon host Dave Wilson exit Emmis' N-T/WIBC (93.1fm, Indianapolis). Wilson handled afternoons since August, 1995, and Quick had been there for thirteen and a half years. Sports/WFNI (1070am, Indianapolis) PD Kent Sterling adds Quick's duties as WIBC PD, while Steve Simpson slides from his "Indianapolis Tonight" 6:00PM - 8:00PM timeslot into afternoons (now 3:00PM - 7:00PM), and the syndicated Clark Howard starts at 7:00PM.

The FCC approves the transfer of the CP that is WDVL (88.1fm, Danville) from Michael MacIntosh's Horizon Christian Fellowship to Dave Keesee's Calvary Chapel of Crawfordsville. The sale price was $14.951.68.

Very sad news, as voiceover legend Brian James passed away on 6 March from a heart attack. The 48 year old James worked in Indianapolis, as the Creative Director at WIBC (then 1070am, Indianapolis) and the former WNAP (then 93.1fm, Indianapolis), before journeying off to Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Tampa, and points beyond.

Where Are They Now? The "Morning Mess" trio of Marco, Shannon, and "Superphat Mikey" exit Atlanta Georgia's "Star 94" after just over a year on the air. They handled mornings at Emmis' WNOU while it was on 93.1fm, before present occupant WIBC moved over from AM to FM.

Southwest

Unconfirmed reports into IRW say that the tower of WNDI (1550am, Sullivan), has fallen, after the guy wires rusted through. The tower was a Rohn 25 model.

That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.


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