Indiana RadioWatch: September 2, 1998

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Northeast

Standards/WHWD (1380am, Fort Wayne) has changed formats to sports talk, as "The Game". They are using syndicated programming from One-on-One Sports. IRW anticipates a call letter change. They will continue airing all the local sports they have aired, including the Fort Wayne Wizards (baseball), and Fort Wayne Fury (basketball). "The Game" will add Indiana University football and select University of Michigan football games. Hourly ABC Newscasts have been dropped with the format change, also. Local newscasts, produced in their sister WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) newsroom air in the morning.

Talk/WGL (1250am, Fort Wayne) adds syndicated Tony Kornheiser from 3pm - 5pm. Former local talk host Shane Albahrani is out, after a very brief stint at the station. That makes two hosts in and out, in two weeks: Andy Roman was doing his show and had an on-air confrontation with owner Frank Kovas. Roman criticized the ratings of WGL and the antiquated equipment at the station.

Scott Hamilton, PD at Classic Rock/WBYR (98.9fm, Van Wert, Ohio) decides to leave, after just arriving, for Chattanooga, Tennessee. MD Roxanne McVay assumes Interim PD duties, again.

News-Talk/WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) loses ESPN Radio to rival Talk/WGL (1250am, Fort Wayne). Replacing ESPN Radio on WOWO is programming from the WOR Radio Network.

Alternative WEJE (96.3fm, Churubusco) APD & Production Director Jamie Marchiori departs for KKDM in Des Moines, Iowa.

Northcentral

Dave Steele is now PD at Country/WBYT (100.7fm, Elkhart). He arrives from KFGE in Lincoln, Nebraska.

CHR/WZWZ (92.5fm, Kokomo) loses MD & midday guy Rob Rupe. Rupe heads to sister News-Talk/WIOU (1350am, Kokomo) as Production Director and morning man. Overnight guy Matthew Paul takes evening and slides into the MD slot. Chanel Williamson grabs middays.

Northwest

At AC/WGLM (106.7fm, West Lafayette), Derrick Long departs for overnights at WABB in Mobile, Alabama.

Across town at Rock/WKHY (93.5fm, Lafayette), Production Director & Afternoon guy Jeff Strange heads to afternoons at Rock/WZZQ (107.5fm, Terre Haute).

Central

Bob & Tom add WXRA in Greensboro, North Carolina, WZEW in Mobile, Alabama, WMGM in Atlantic City, New Jersey, KVRQ in Merced, California, WNGZ in Elmira/Corning, New York, and KCRR in Waterloo, Iowa.

At Country/WGRL (104.5fm, Noblesville), Afternoon gal Vicki Cub moves to mid-days. Also, Overnighter Mike Patrick departs for MD & nights at Country/WKKG (101.5fm, Columbus).

Country/WMDH (102.5fm, New Castle) MD & Afternoon guy Brent Lee departs for Country/WFMS (95.5fm, Indianapolis). There, he'll be the morning show producer.

Indianapolis broadcast veteran Joni Michaels has left for WCNC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina. Michaels worked at Rock/WNAP (93.1fm, Indianapolis), WXIN-TV, and Country/WFMS (95.5fm, Indianapolis).

Horizon Christian Fellowship applies for 91.9fm in Lebanon.

Over on the TV side, FOX affiliate WXIN-TV (Channel 59, Indianapolis) has applied for its DTV position at channel 45.

Southeast

Bill Gentry is now the Market Manager at Jacor's Louisville stations, which include Oldies/WSFR (107.7fm, Corydon).

Good Shepherd Radio applies for a translator at 88.1fm in Versailles.

Southwest

Posey County Broadcasting has agreed to sell WPCO(AM) and WBLZ-FM (1590am, 106.7fm, both Mount Vernon) to The Original Company.

CHR/WSTO (96.1fm, Owensboro, Kentucky) PD Barry Witherspoon exits after 18 years at the station, the last 14 as PD. MD & afternoon guy Tim Michaelson and morning drive duo Ben & Jim also depart. OM Sky Phillips takes the PD chair, while Cindy Mercer takes MD duties.

Classic Rock/WRZR (94.1fm, Loogootee) will move frequency from 94.1fm to 94.5fm.

That's it for this issue! See you in two weeks...

Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch

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