Indiana RadioWatch: November 2, 2017

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Northeast

Nexstar Broadcasting's CBS affiliate/WANE-TV (Channel 15, Fort Wayne) adds the Katz Broadcasting diginet Escape to their Channel 15.4 subchannel.

Northwest

In a story you will first read here, media broker Ray Rosenblum (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) tells IRW that six qualified prospective buyers expressed interest in acquiring LaPorte County Broadcasting's Oldies/WLOI (1540am, La Porte) and Country/WCOE-FM (96.7fm, La Porte). Both radio stations continue on the air and operating under Chapter 11 reorganization.

Central

After two years, Heartland Media's FOX affiliate WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne) weekend anchor/producer Olivia McClellan exited in September. Ms. McClellan recently joined as a digital reporter at Tribune Broadcasting's FOX affiliate WXIN-TV (Channel 59, Indianapolis) and CBS affiliate WTTV-TV (Channel 4, Bloomington)/WTTK-TV (Channel 29, Kokomo).

Westcentral

After two years, Heartland Media's CBS affiliate/WTHI-TV (Channel 10, Terre Haute), weekend meteorologist and reporter Matt Brooks exits. Mr. Brooks will join as Chief Meteorologist at "News-Press Now"; a trio of LPTV stations in St. Joseph, Missouri: NBC affiliate KNPG, FOX affiliate KNPN and CBS affiliate KCJO.

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.

October 29: In 1970, 99.3fm in Aurora signed on as WSCH, and still is. The call letters represent founder John Schuler's.

November 2: In 1938, 1050am in Indianapolis signed on as WIBC. The 1941 NARBA agreement moved WIBC from 1050am to 1070am, and today it's WFNI. In 1957, Channel 13 in Indianapolis signed on as WLWI. Today, it's WTHR-TV. In 2008, WJFX PD Thomas Foley ("Tommy Frank") dies at age 43.

October 31: In 1948, 1330am in Evansville signed on as WJPS. Today, it's WBGW. In 2014, 98.9fm in Newburgh signs on as WDXM-LP, and remains so today.

November 1: In 1963, 104.7fm in Jasper signed on as WITZ-FM, and remains so today. In 1971, 91.7fm Pendleton signed on as WEEM (for founder Ernest E. Miller), and still is. In 1973, 1110am in Noblesville signed on as WHYT. This was an AM daytimer which later went dark. In 1987, Channel 23 in Marion signed on as WMCC-TV. Today, it's WNDY-TV. In 1997, 98.5fm in Ferdinand signed on as WQKZ, and still is.

November 2: In 1920, WLK in Indianapolis signs on (it was only on the air for about 3 years). In 2001, 1620am in South Bend changed call letters from WHLY to WDND.

November 3: In 2003, 1380am in Fort Wayne changed call letters from WONO ("One on One Sports") to WKJG ("William Kunkel Journal Gazette").

November 4: In 1949, 1390am in Seymour signed on as WJCD. It's now WZZB. In 1964, 1500am in Valparaiso signed on as WAYK. Today, it's WAKE. In 2014, WHBU(AM) in Anderson adds an FM translator at 103.7fm (W279CL).

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.