Indiana RadioWatch: February 10, 2008
Northeast
Classical/WBNI (94.1fm, Roanoke) added a new omnidirectional antenna which has increased its signal; however, they remain at 6000 watts. 94.1fm was off the air for a few days (which at least, at IRW Central in Northeast Fort Wayne,
gave us the chance to hear 94.1fm in both Lansing, Michigan, and east central Illinois. Yes, it is a geek thing.)
A trifecta of Fort Wayne television updates (or, the "radio with pictures" department, if you prefer):
First, Malara Broadcasting's ABC affiliate WPTA (Channel 21/DT24, Fort Wayne) main anchor Keith Edwards retires on December 27, after 24 years with WPTA. Edwards arrived at WPTA in 1983 from KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Second, LIN Television's CBS affiliate WANE (Channel 15/DT31, Fort Wayne) lead evening news anchor David Scott exits after eight years at WANE. Scott is now main anchor at FOX affiliate WDRB in Louisville, Kentucky. Replacing
Scott at WANE is Mark Mellinger, who moves up from morning anchor.
Finally, Nexstar Broadcasting's FOX affiliate WFFT (Channel 55/DT36, Fort Wayne) rebrands after seven years as "Fox 55" and now is simply "Fox Fort Wayne." This new moniker eliminates the dial position, as WFFT has multiple dial
positions, depending on whether you are watching over the air, via various cable outlets, over various satellite dish networks, or through Verizon FiOS.
Northcentral
Artistic Media Partners' Classic Rock WZOW/WOZW (102.3fm, New Carlisle; 97.7fm, Goshen) PD/morning man Chili Walker exits.
Northwest
The Chicago Sun-Times' Robert Feder reports that Starboard Network's WWCA (1270am, Gary) is now on the sale block, along with sister station WAUR (930am, Sandwich, Illinois).
After nine years with country music, Artistic Media Partners' WLFF (95.3fm, Brookston) switches format on 6 December 2007 to adult hits as "Bob FM." New call letters WBPE (they stand for: Bob Plays Everything) debuted in January.
The "Bob" simulcast continues on WSHY (1410am, Lafayette), except when WSHY is airing Purdue University sports broadcasts.
Central
IRW thinks it's most interesting driving through Indianapolis, radio tuned to 1070am, yet not hearing "Radio Indiana WIBC Indianapolis." That's right - Emmis' N-T/WIBC (1070am, Indianapolis) moved to 93.1fm, replacing "Radio Now,"
which is now on Radio One's 100.9fm (licensed to Speedway). 1070am then flipped formats, running classic sports play by play broadcasts, before become Sports/WFNI, affiliating with ESPN Radio. The new WFNI airstaff lineup:
6:00AM - 10:00AM - Mike and Mike in the Morning
10:00AM - 1:00PM - Colin Cowherd
1:00PM - 3:00PM - Mike Tirico
3:00PM - 6:00PM - Bob Kravitz and Eddie White
6:00PM - 7:00PM - Jersey Johnny
7:00PM - 10:00PM - Doug Gottleib
10:00PM - 2:00AM - ESPN GameNight
2:00AM - 6:00AM - Jason Smith
Finally, WFNI's website is: http://www.1070thefan.com
As for 93.1fm, once "Radio Now" moved down the dial, the call letters briefly became WEXM, which then disappeared once WIBC-FM arrived. Their website remains http://www.wibc.com
Now, what about "Radio Now"?
Radio One's CHR/WNOU (100.9fm, Speedway) is now in place, under PD Tim Rainey. A new morning host - Scotty Davis - will debut on Monday 18 February. Davis arrives from afternoons at KDWB in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The remainder of
the weekday on-air lineup:
10:00AM - 2:00PM - McKinzie
2:00PM - 6:00PM - PD Tim Rainey ("Rayne")
6:00PM - 10:00PM - Austin (arrives from nights at WBTS in Atlanta, Georgia)
Also, Rainey adds weekenders Ashley Figueroa, Kyle Smelser, and Kate Davis. Finally, the "Radio Now" website is: http://www.radionow1009.com
Russ Oasis' Classic Hits/WKLU (101.9fm, Brownsburg) changed formats from Classic Hits to Oldies at Midnight on 4 December 2007, kicking off its new "Oldies 101.9" format with a most appropriate song: The Grass Roots' 1968 hit -
"Midnight Confessions."
Southcentral
Sarkes Tarzian's AAA/WTTS (92.3fm, Bloomington) adds welcomes Johnette Cruz as Promotions Director, starting 19 February.
Southeast
After briefly going silent, WLRX (104.3fm, Charlestown) flips format to contemporary Christian, as "Way FM," with new call letters WAYI. Radio One sold the station to WAY-FM Media Group for $1 million. The sale was brokered by
Patrick Communications, and Star Media Group Inc.
Cumulus flips the format of Classic Country/WAVG (1450am, Jeffersonville) to Sports, using the ESPN Radio Network. The ESPN Radio Network affiliation changes hands from Sports Zone Radio's simulcast WWSZ/WTSZ (1570am, New Albany;
1600AM, Eminence, Kentucky) to Cumulus. The WWSZ/WTSZ duo retains their sports simulcast, but now uses Sporting News Radio Network.
That's it for this issue.
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All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and
other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.