Indiana RadioWatch: May 29, 2017

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Northeast

Quincy Broadcasting's ABC affiliate WPTA-TV (Channel 21, Fort Wayne) adds several new faces:

We originally missed this: In January, Sam Bauman joined "ABC21" as a reporter, from anchoring mornings at WLUC-TV in Marquette, Michigan.

Finally, "ABC21" recently put a new weekend morning news anchor team in place: anchor Kristin Kasper and meteorologist Caleb Chevalier. Ms. Kasper last worked in Cheyenne, Wyoming as the Capital City Bureau Reporter for KTWO-TV, licensed to Casper ("K2TV"). Mr. Chevalier last worked in Bowling Green, Kentucky as the weekday morning meteorologist at WNKY-TV.

Northcentral

In Kokomo, Hoosier AM/FM's Sports/WIOU (1350am, Kokomo) had an unfortunate incident which caused them to reduce their power. A quick check of the scorecard shows "ESPN Sports 1350 WIOU" has 5kW during the day and 1kW at night. An excavating contractor doing work nearby (not for Hoosier AM/FM) had a "misadventure" (as WIOU said in their STA filing with the FCC). The damage included tower transmission lines and antenna system cables.

Northwest

Tonight, Star City Broadcasting FOX and NBC affiliates WPBI-LD (Channel 16.1 for FOX, Channel 16.2 for NBC, both Lafayette) will begin local newscasts: 6pm on NBC, followed by 10pm on FOX.

Also, later this summer, Star City will launch an ABC affiliate in Lafayette. We don't yet have all of the details, but we believe Star City will perhaps acquire KPDS-LD (Channel 49, Wolcott), and move the tower to somewhere in or near Monticello. Historically, Lafayette DMA TV viewers saw Indianapolis ABC, NBC and FOX affiliates, but that's changed dramatically over the last year with Star City Broadcasting launching FOX and NBC affiliates last fall.

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's something we need to add to the "calendar," please let us know. Please e-mail us if you have updated information.

May 28: In 1967, 100.9fm in Lebanon signed on as WNON. Today, it's WNOU, and licensed to Speedway.

May 29: In 2003, WYBL (93.1fm, Clarksville) flips formats from country to jazz. In 2004, William Sites Fraser dies at age 81. Mr. Fraser started high school radio stations WJEF (91.9fm, Lafayette) and WJHS (91.5fm, Columbia City).

May 30: In 1949, Channel 6 in Indianapolis signs on as WFBM-TV. Today, it's ABC affiliate WRTV-TV ("RTV 6").

May 31: In 1991, 103.5fm in Syracuse signs on as WAWC, and remains so today.

June 1: In 1962, 99.5fm in Greenfield signs on as WSMJ. Today, it's WZPL. In 1974, 103.9fm in Crawfordsville signs on as WLFQ-FM. Today, it's WIMC-FM. In 1982, 103.1fm in Covington signs on as WVWV. Today, it's WKZS. In 1992, former Lafayette and Michigan City radio Chief Engineer Harry Garba dies. Age 74. In 1998, Sarkes Tarzian co-founder Mary Tarzian dies. Age 93. In 2002, WBDG (90.9fm, Indianapolis) flips formats to Hot AC. In 2013, Woof Boom Radio begins, with the acquisition of the former Backyard Broadcasting radio stations in Muncie/Anderson.

June 2: In 2000, "Dean of Northwest Indiana Talk Shows" Warren Freiberg dies. Age 60. Mr. Freiberg worked at WWCA, VP/GM at WLTH, then-WWJY, WJOB and WIMS.

June 3: In 2013, WGL-FM (102.9fm, Huntington) flips formats to "Oldies 102.9"

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

Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch

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All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.