Indiana RadioWatch: January 5, 2017

Statewide

The Joshua Johnson-hosted show "1A" succeeds The Diane Rehm Show. Around the state, you can hear that show:

WNIN Tri-State Public Media's NPR affiliate WNIN-FM (88.3fm, Evansville)

Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting's WFYI-FM (90.1fm, Indianapolis)

Purdue University's WBAA(AM) (920am, West Lafayette) and W290CM (105.9fm, Lafayette)

Northeast Indiana Public Radio's WBOI (89.1fm, Fort Wayne)

Northwest Indiana Public Broadcasting's WLPR (89.1fm, Lowell)

Elkhart Community Schools' WVPE (88.1fm, Elkhart) tries something unique with "1A": In January, they will air 1A on their WVPE-HD2 ("WVPE News2"), while "On Point" airs on their main channel (in the same timeslot). In February, the two shows will flip (but remain in the same timeslot).

Northeast

Quincy Broadcasting's NBC affiliate WPTA-TV (Channel 21.2, Fort Wayne) rolls out their website. Also, "Fort Wayne's NBC" adds weekend meteorologist Timothy Albertson and sports reporter/weekend sports anchor Chris Ryan. Mr. Albertson last worked as a meteorology intern for WICU-TV in Erie, Pennsylvania. Mr. Ryan last worked for HOMTV in Lansing Michigan.

After going all holiday music, Adams Radio Group's AC/WWFW (103.9fm, Fort Wayne) returns to their AC format, but rebrands as "Sunny." Their first song was George Michael's 1987 hit "Faith." PD Robbie Mack also went on the air at Midnight on Monday 12/26 as the station re-launched.

Where Are They Now? According to his Twitter, former ABC WPTA-TV Chief Meteorologist Carlo Falco now works at KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Northwest

Lafayette TV, LLC closes on their $2.3 million purchase of the Artistic Media Partners/Lafayette radio stations: FOX Sports/WSHY (1410am, Lafayette), CHR/WAZY-FM (96.5fm, Lafayette), Classic Hits/WBPE (95.3fm, Brookston), and Country/WYCM (95.7fm, Attica). Kalil & Co., Inc. was the exclusive broker on this transaction.

Eastcentral

Brewer Broadcasting's Country/WQLK (96.1fm, Richmond) morning host Buddha (Dan Mills) will leave the Kicks96 Morning Crew. 33 years ago, Buddha joined WQLK and has an over two decade tenure in Richmond morning drive. Buddha will now program Contemporary Christian/WQLK-HD3, also heard on translator W237AT (95.3fm, Richmond), and do weekends on "Kicks96." The Kicks96 Morning Crew continues with Josh Michaels and Kaysie Chase.

Central

Anthony Schoettle at the Indianapolis Business Journal discovered that Chris Widlic, sports anchor at Media General's CW affiliate WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis) exited, and joined Tribune Broadcasting's CBS affiliate WTTV-TV (Channel 4, Bloomington)/WTTK-TV (Channel 29, Kokomo). Mr. Widlic will remain off the air for a year; that's the duration of his non-competeH.

Also at "CBS 4," morning news anchor Marianne Lyles and traffic report Katie Solove both exit. Ms. Lyles joins the corporate communications world, while Ms. Solove becomes morning and noon anchor at WTVQ-TV in Lexington, Kentucky.

Dispatch Broadcasting's NBC affiliate WTHR-TV (Channel 13, Indianapolis) reporter Jeremy Brilliant exits after a decade. Mr. Brilliant told the Indianapolis Business Journal that he will leave journalism. Before joining WTHR, Mr. Brilliant worked for four years at WRTV-TV (Channel 6, Indianapolis) and for a year at WEVV-TV (Channel 44, Evansville).

Westcentral

Midwest Communications' CHR/WMGI (100.7fm, Terre Haute) PD/Mornings Shawn Powers exits. PM driver Jessica Leach now covers mornings. In September 2013, Mr. Powers arrived at "100.7 Mix FM" from the PD chair and afternoons at WHBC-FM in Canton, Ohio.

Where Are They Now? Former WMGI-FM morning hosts Nick Steele and Kristen Flowers join in mornings at KOIT-FM in San Francisco, California, effective January 5, 2017.

Southeast

On Tuesday, Word Broadcasting began an LMA with the Salem Media/Louisville cluster. Salem's Louisville portfolio includes Christian/WFIA-FM (94.7fm, New Albany) and several Louisville, Kentucky stations.

Southcentral

Mid-America Radio's WDCK (101.1fm, Bloomfield) flips format after the holidays to Classic Country as "K-101."

Southwest

Super Waves, LLC sells their WLZT (94.1fm, Worthington) for $70,000 to Mid-America Radio Group.

Bayou City Broadcasting's WEVV-TV (Channel 44, Evansville) welcomes Eli Roberts as weekday evening anchor. Mr. Roberts last worked for Israel's Channel One.

Covenant Network religious translator W267BO (101.3fm, Vincennes) makes several changes: First, it moves to 90.5fm and becomes W213CD. Second, it drops power from 250 watts to 55 watts. Finally, it moves tower sites from the north side of Vincennes just north of where US-41, US-50 and US-150 converge to North Sixth Street, near the Knox County Courthouse.

Where Are They Now? Former then-Regent Evansville VP/GM Mark Thomas joins Community Broadcasters, LLC as Market Manager in Watertown, New York.

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

Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch

Back to the Archive Index

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