Indiana RadioWatch: January 7, 2009

As we start writing this issue, we have been pondering the fates of two distinct groups of radio stations: Those that run the Bill O'Reilly talk show (WXNT, WSBT, WGBF, WNUY, WNDA, etc.) and NPR's Day to Day (WFYI, WBOI, WVPE, WBAA, etc.) Also, NPR will end its "News and Notes" program next year. However, NPR's website indicates no Indiana affiliates for that show. As we find out replacement programming for each station, we will tell you. In the case of O'Reilly affiliates, Fred Thompson is what Westwood One is replacing him with (12:00PM - 2:00PM) starting Monday 2 March 2009. We will see how many O'Reilly affiliates take the new offering.

Also, many stations have been off the air over the past few weeks, due to different adventures that Mother Nature has thrown at Indiana. Among the stations off the air (in alphabetical order): WAJI, WBCL, WJFX, WOWO, WQHK, and WTMK.

Northeast

The weather took both Sarkes Tarzian's Hot AC/WAJI (95.1fm, Fort Wayne) and Federated Media's Country/WQHK-FM (105.1fm, Decatur) off the air for most of the December 19-20 weekend. Also, the ice storm knocked Federated Media's N-T/WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) off the air Sunday evening (20 December), during its Fort Wayne Komet hockey broadcast. The station was not back on the air before the game ended (the K's lost 2-1).

Independence Media's Talk/WNUY (100.1fm, Bluffton) has filed an application with the FCC for a power increase from 6000 watts/299 feet to 16,000 watts/299 feet, thereby moving them from a Class A station to a Class B1 station. WNUY would remain at its present transmitter site, just off IN-1, south of Ossian. If approved, this application would move Progressive Broadcasting System's Religious/WFRI (100.1fm, Winamac) to 96.1fm.

In other news, there is another schedule remodeling at Independence Media's Talk/WNUY (100.1fm, Bluffton). The new schedule adds an hour to Imus (now 6:00AM - 10:00AM) and moves Dennis Miller to 10:00AM - 12:00PM. Jim Rome and Dave Ramsey keep their slots. However, in anticipation of Bill O'Reilly's show ending, WNUY chops an hour off (now 6:00PM - 7:00PM), and moves Laura Ingraham to 7:00PM - 10:00PM, when FOX Sports Radio takes over through the overnight.

GSM Jim Tighe exits Federated Media's N-T/WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne).

Greg Barkley (aka "Harry Truman") is new to overnights (12:00AM - 5:00AM) at Russ Oasis' Country/WBTU (93.3fm, Kendallville).

If we were that other Fort Wayne media publication, we would write lots about the former northeast Indiana GM who launched a smear campaign of their former radio station, by writing local advertisers and encouraging them not to advertise on the radio station. What a shame.

Where Are They Now? Former WBTU (93.3fm, Kendallville) PD Mitch Mahan left CBS Radio's WIRK in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he handled PD and midday duties.

Northcentral

Elkhart Community School's NPR affiliate - WVPE (88.1fm, Elkhart) - is in the middle of a significant signal upgrade. First, WVPE moved transmitter sites on 30 December from the PBS/WNIT analog transmitter site to the WNIT-DT (Channel 34, South Bend) transmitter site, across the street, just southwest of US-20 and IN-331. Second, WVPE moved its antenna up from 420 feet to 920 feet. Last, WVPE went from omnidirectional (10,500 watts) to directional to the southeast (11,500 watts). The directional array is new, as the antenna was reoriented from north-northwest to southeast. Soon, WVPE will have its HD signal up.

Goshen College's WGCS (91.1fm, Goshen) celebrated its 50th anniversary in October with an open house that had over 150 former staffers, including staffers from their 2 October 1958 sign on.

WGCS GM Jason Samuel also passes on a trio of "Where Are They Now" updates. First, former WGCS morning man/student station manager Nick Gingerich ("Nick James") is now doing nights at WFPK in Louisville, Kentucky. Second, student station manager Kimberlee Rohrer is now morning producer for CW affiliate KWGN-TV in Denver, CO. Finally, former morning man/student station manager Zach Miller is now handling weekends for Federated Media's Talk/WTRC (1340am, Elkhart) and AC/WLEG (102.7fm, Ligonier).

Central

Emmis Communications EVP/CFO Patrick Walsh is now COO and will oversee the company's stations nationwide, including its properties in Indianapolis (WFNI/WIBC-FM/WLHK-FM/WYXB) and Terre Haute (WTHI-FM/WWVR-FM).

Southwest

At DLC Media's Standards/WAMW (1580am, Washington) and Classic Hits/WAMW-FM (107.9fm, Washington), "The Dave Crooks Show" is now two hours, effective last Saturday (3 January). The show (Saturday 10:00AM - 12:00PM) is a mix of interviews and call-ins, and has been on the air since September, 2007.

Horizon Christian Fellowship is selling its Vincennes translator (W238BQ) on 95.5fm to DLC Media for $22,000. The FCC filing lists Vincennes University's WVUB (91.1fm, Vincennes) as the parent station for this translator, but perhaps one of DLC's other stations will be the benefactor in this case.

Employment Opportunities

WXIN-TV FOX 59, seeks News Director to develop and execute strategies designed to make the station's six hours of newscasts per day the audience leaders in the market. Position oversees day-to-day newsroom operations, staffing and supervision of the department. Degree in broadcast journalism or equivalent related experience and a minimum of 5 years TV news management experience required. Successful candidate will have experience managing a complex news operation, as well as knowledge of research and promotional tools, human resources policies and FCC guidelines as they relate to news, and a firm grasp of strategic planning and positioning. Requires the ability to effectively manage a large staff in a deadline-oriented environment while providing staff consistent, constructive performance feedback. Send resume with cover letter stating referral source and salary history to Human Resources, WXIN/WTTV, 6910 Network Place, Indianapolis, IN 46278. EOE.

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

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