Indiana RadioWatch: April 2, 2013

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Northeast

Oasis Radio Group makes many changes, including a new pair of syndicated morning shows. Let's work station by station through their three station Fort Wayne portfolio: Country/WBTU (93.3fm, Kendallville), Rhythmic/WHPP (106.3fm, Columbia City) and Rhythmic CHR/WJFX (107.9fm, New Haven).

WBTU: The newly reimaged "New Country US 93.3" adds the Charlotte, North Carolina-based morning show Bob and Sheri. WBTU Director of Content Lenny Diana exits for Long Island and the PD chair at WWSK. GM Phil Becker takes over as WBTU Director of Content and promotes WJFX night slammer Caden to WBTU PD, MD and nights, along with WJFX MD role.

WHPP: "Nugget" and "Jes" both exit mornings. Afternoon host "Ice" exits and replaces Mr. Cruise in afternoons at WJFX. "Nugget" resurfaces where former WJFX morning host "Austin" now works: KHTT in Tulsa, Oklahoma. All these changes strangely leave "ClickHop" jockless. A history footnote: 26 September 2011 featured the debut of Clickhop.com (powered by Daniel Anstandig's Listener Driven Radio).

WJFX: "Hot 107.9" adds the Atlanta, Georgia-based morning show "The Bert Show." Chris Cruise moves from his afternoon shift to an off air role, becoming Production Director for all three Oasis Radio Group stations. Middayer Brooke Taylor adds afternoons at WBTU and becomes PD/Content Director for WJFX. WJFX weekender (and YouTuber) Andrea Russett takes Caden's night shift. Weekender Patrick Grey exits for nights at WHTP in Portland, Maine.

Summit City Radio Group's Rhythmic CHR/WNHT (96.3fm, Churubusco) shakes up their on air lineup. Mornings lead off with Big Kess (from nights) and APD Sara Lauer (remains in mornings). Miss Janay remains on middays. PD/MD Shady Spencer moves from mornings to afternoons. Finally, "Alibi" takes Mr. Kess' night shift.

Dave Michaels moves from APD/MD and takes the PD chair at Federated Media's Country/WQHK (105.1fm, Huntertown).

Let's recap what's going on in Fort Wayne TV. There's no news shortage there, so we'll grab the remote and go up the dial:

WANE-TV: At LIN Media's CBS affiliate WANE-TV (Channel 15, Fort Wayne), weekend anchor/reporter Drew Blair exits for sister LIN Media CBS affiliate WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis).

WPTA-TV and WISE-TV: At Malara's ABC affiliate WPTA-TV (Channel 21, Fort Wayne) and Granite's NBC affiliate WISE-TV (Channel 33, Fort Wayne) GM Jerry Giesler and Director of Sales Dan Hoffman both exit. Also, Granite and Nexstar settle their lawsuit over antitrust allegations, mainly concerning the FOX affiliation moving from Nexstar's WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne) to Granite's WISE-TV, thereby giving the single TV station affiliations with NBC (33.1), FOX (33.2) and MyNetworkTV. Additionally, WISE-TV adds a 4:00PM and 11:00PM local newscast, both hosted by Megan Trent. The 11:00PM newscast will be different from the prior WISE-TV simulcast at 11:00PM of WPTA's 11:00PM newscast. Ms. Trent also hosted the 10:00PM local newscast when the FOX network was on Channel 33.2. Also, starting last Monday (11 March), WISE-TV discontinued their local news between 5:00AM and 7:00AM, preferring to air repeats of TV shows ("NewsRadio," "Coach," "The Munsters," and "The Addams Family").

WFFT-TV: At Nexstar's FOX affiliate WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne), they regained the FOX affiliation on 1 March. Also, News Director and evening news anchor Jim Blue exits for Toledo, Ohio and the news directorship at his former stomping grounds of WNWO-TV. Dan Ball replaces Mr. Blue as News Director. An Archbold, Ohio native, Mr. Ball last anchored in Las Vegas at KSNV-TV.

Northeast Indiana Public Radio files a CP for a translator on 99.5fm, licensed to Fort Wayne.

Where Are They Now (Part 1)? Former WQHK PD/Midday host Rob Kelley now programs and handles afternoons at KZKX in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Where Are They Now (Part 2)? Former Fort Wayne DJ Sammy Suarez now programs WMXZ in Charleston, South Carolina.

Where Are They Now (Part 3)? Former WJFX DJ "Busboy Bryan" (Brian LaRoche) now is APD and does afternoons at WKQI in Detroit, Michigan.

Where Are They Now (Part 4)? Former WBYR morning host Lester St. James now does afternoons at KLNC in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Where Are They Now (Part 5)? Former then-WFWI PD Tony Coles moves up the Clear Channel ladder and now is SVP/Programming for the west region of Clear Channel.

Northcentral

We give a large tip of the IRW cap to GM Jason Samuel and his group of broadcasters at Goshen College's AAA/WGCS (91.1fm, Goshen). First, the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System named WGCS the 2013 Best College Station in the Nation. Also, the Indiana Association of School Broadcasting named WGCS as Indiana's Radio School of the Year.

Tommie Lee replaces Annette Weston (who exits) in the newsroom at Federated Media's N-T WTRC (1340am, Elkhart) and WTRC-FM (95.3fm, Niles, Michigan). Ms. Weston now works for Saga Communications at their Minnesota News Network in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Northwest

Tim Singleton retires as WBAA(AM)/WBAA-FM GM after six years at the WBAA stations and 39 years in radio.

Olivet Nazarene University closes on its $50,000 sale of W240BJ (95.9fm, Crown Point) to Calvary Radio Network, Inc.

The WASK Radio Group promotes DOS Brian Green to President/GM of Sports/WASK(AM) (1450am, Lafayette), Oldies/WASK-FM (98.7fm, Battle Ground), Classic Rock/WKHY-FM (93.5fm, Lafayette), Country/WKOA-FM (105.3fm, Lafayette) and CHR/WXXB-FM (102.9fm, Delphi). Mr. Green replaces John Schurz, who moves into a corporate role with parent Schurz Communications.

Where Are They Now? Former Artistic Media Partners/Lafayette OM Dan McClintock now programs KCMO(AM) and KCFX-FM in Kansas City.

Eastcentral

Brewer Broadcasting buys translator W237AT (95.3fm, Richmond) from the Educational Media Foundation (that's the K-LOVE and Air-1 folks). Purchase price is $50,100, and Brewer files an FCC application to move the translator to its Country/WQLK (96.1fm, Richmond) tower.

Central

There's good and sad news from Dispatch Broadcasting's NBC affiliate WTHR-TV (Channel 13, Indianapolis). First, WTHR names Kathy Hostetter as News Director. Ms. Hostetter moves up I-65 from Louisville, Kentucky and WAVE-TV. We're sorry to pass along the news that former WTHR-TV reporter Jane Harrington-Smith who passed away of heart failure. Ms. Harrington-Smith was the lead WRTV reporter for the 1992 Mike Tyson trial and also worked for the WRTV investigations team. Ms. Harrington-Smith was in her early 60s.

At Tribune Broadcasting's FOX affiliate WXIN-TV (Channel 59, Indianapolis), News Director Lee Rosenthal will soon exit for the west coast and the News Director chair at KTVU-TV in Oakland, California.

After nine years in the PD chair, Steve Cannon exits at Cumulus' Classic Hits/WJJK (104.5fm, Indianapolis). Cumulus/Indianapolis sister WRWM PD Jay Michaels takes programming responsibilities for WJJK. Also, WJJK just rearranged the deck chairs a bit: Mr. Cannon handled afternoons. Now, night guy Steve Stuart moves to middays. Nikki Miller moves from middays to Mr. Cannon's afternoon slot.

David Wood becomes Director of Talk Programming at Emmis' Sports/WFNI (1070am, Indianapolis) and N-T/WIBC (93.1fm, Indianapolis). Mr. Wood programmed WFNI and will hire a new PD for WFNI. Alan Furst last programmed WIBC before leaving there last year.

Radio One goes Espaņol and drops its "Indy's Music Channel" programming on WDNI-CD (Channel 19, Indianapolis), flipping to Telemundo. This is the second attempt at Spanish language television in Indianapolis: From 2003 until 2008, LIN Media had a Univision affiliate on its low power WIIH-TV (Channel 17, Indianapolis) Also at 21 E. St. Joseph's Street, Rhythmic CHR/WHHH (96.3fm, Indianapolis) MD "DJ Wrekk 1" moves from nights to middays. He replaces Jaquay Bangs ("Broadway Quay") who exits WHHH and now programs KFYV in Oxnard, California.

Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting names Ron Broughton VP/CFO for their WFYI-FM (90.1fm, Indianapolis) and WFYI-TV (Channel 20, Indianapolis).

Robb Ellis joins LIN Media CBS affiliate WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis) as evening meteorologist. Mr. Ellis last predicted the highs and lows in Wilmington, North Carolina at WECT-TV and WSFX-TV.

Stephanie Ortmann exits as weekend meteorologist at E.W. Scripps' ABC affiliate WRTV-TV (Channel 6, Indianapolis) and heads west, joining KOAA-TV in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Where Are They Now (Part 1)? Former WZPL OM/PD Scott Sands now programs WIOT-FM and WSPD(AM) in Toledo, Ohio.

Where Are They Now (Part 2)? Former Radio One/Indianapolis OM Brian Wallace now programs WQUE-FM and WYLD-FM in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Where Are They Now (Part 3)? Former Emmis/Indianapolis OM Greg Dunkin now programs KMAJ-FM and KWIC-FM in Wichita, Kansas.

Westcentral

Calvary Chapel of Terre Haute donates its WVWG (88.9fm, Seelyville) to Calvary Radio Network, Inc.

In Terre Haute, they're remembering Kathy Bell-Walker, former GSM at WMGI and WWSY, who passed away on Saturday 9 March. She was only 59. Ms. Bell-Walker leaves behind her husband, stepdaughter, brother and many other relatives.

Hoosier Broadcasting Corp. files a CP for a translator on 92.1fm, licensed to Crawfordsville.

Southeast

Leeson Media, LLC completes its $350,000 purchase of Country/WRBI (103.9fm, Batesville) from White River Broadcasting Company.

Southwest

Dave Crooks' DLC Media sells its translator W249BP (97.7fm, Princeton) to Ralph Turpen's Turpen Communications, LLC for $25,000. Mr. Turpen already owns daytimer WBNL (1540am, Boonville). Hmm...

Jessica Raatz starts her TV career as a multimedia journalist in the Madisonville bureau of Raycom's NBC affiliate WFIE-TV (Channel 14, Evansville). Ms. Raatz graduated from The University of Evansville. Also, reporter Emily Mieure exits and begins reporting for WDRB-TV in Louisville, Kentucky.

DTV America 1, LLC grabs an extension to complete its CP for W33CU-D (Channel 33, Evansville). Once complete, the station will broadcast: from a tower in extreme southern Illinois.

This week in Indiana Radio History

Monday 1 April: In 1947, 100.7fm/Elkhart signs on. Today, it's WBYT. In 1951, 91.5fm, Evansville signs on. Today, it's WUEV. In 1965, 95.9fm/Wabash signs on as what's still WKUZ. In 1990, 89.5fm/Henderson, Kentucky signs on as what's still WKPB-FM. In 2004, WWEG (102.5fm, Orleans) became WNUF.

Tuesday 2 April: In 1994, 93.5fm/Chandler signs on. Today, it's WLFW.

Thursday 4 April: In 1922, 920am, West Lafayette signs on as what's still WBAA. In 2005, WOWO(AM) flipped the HD switch on.

Friday 5 April: In 1948, 1580am/Connersville signs on. Today, it's WIFE. In 1965, 98.5fm/Peru signs on. Today, it's WMYK.

Employment Opportunities

True Oldies 104.9 WAXI in Rockville is hiring! We have up to three jobs available immediately; Operations Manager (Applicants need on-air and production experience). We have up to two openings for Advertising Sales. You need dependable transportation. Territory is; Parke, Vermillion, Vigo and Clay Counties. Sales and/or Retail experience preferred. DLC Media offers an attractive salary and benefit package which includes Health Insurance and paid vacation. If you want to join a growing Media Company, send a resume today to dlcmediainc at gmail dot com. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

South Central Indiana's Country leader, WKKG, is searching for its next morning co-host. If you can relate to the 30-something female, are a whiz with social media, love country music and getting involved in the community then send us your stuff. You will also do production and voicetrack another station within the cluster and possibly assist the Brand Manager with day-to-day responsibilities depending on experience. White River Broadcasting offers a competitive salary, health benefits and 401k. Send your resume along with an audio demo and any other pertinent materials to jobs at wkkg dot com. White River Broadcasting is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Privately Owned Oasis Radio Group in Fort Wayne, Indiana is in need of a GREAT GSM who has a track record of actual selling and knows how to get deals done. Training will be important as we have a mixed team of vets and new AE's. This is NOT a desk sitting job. If you like corporate paperwork, long conference calls, and out of market inventory management...this is NOT for you. We need a ride along GSM who knows how to craft a deal, know s the national game and has a track record of proof to hit the numbers and manage budgets. You will be surrounded by resources and a team that operates outside the confines of radio with true innovation...and we have a lot of FUN. Please only apply if you can produce and enjoy making money. Send materials here (to myfuture at oasisradiogroup dot com. ) or fax to (260) 482-8655 Attention: Susan Mullen.

Eagle Tower Services, Inc., committed to continuing improvement and to being the lowest cost provider of tower services consistent with a high degree of quality, professionalism, and safety, is seeking a BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE to engage in outside sales leading to growth of our business. Our primary market is Indiana and surrounding states, specializing in AM/FM and television, but also serving customers in paging, wireless Internet and 2-way radio including commercial, utilities and government. We are a full service tower company engaged in routine maintenance, component installation and new tower construction. This is a contract commission position with generous commission and superb customer service support. The ideal candidate will have excellent knowledge of the broadcast industry throughout Indiana with excellent people skills in working with and providing excellent service to broadcast engineers and, often, station general managers. We proudly serve some of the finest names in Indiana broadcasting and wireless communications. If this is of interest, please send your resume to Terry Garrity, Eagle Tower Services, Inc., P.O. Box 387, Arcadia, IN 46030; E-MAIL: terry.garrity at eagletowerindiana dot com and feel welcome to visit our website at www.eagletowerindiana.com to learn more about what we do. Eagle Tower Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F.

A quality multi-station cluster in a beautiful, historic small community is seeking a radio news anchor/reporter interested in informing listeners in multiple counties who depend on the stations to be their primary news source. Additionally, the candidate will have a passion to do high school sports play-by-play. Here is a chance to become an integral part of the lives of listeners by demonstrating skill and insight into their issues and interests. If you are looking for a community to call "home" while doing important work as part of a talented team of radio pros, send a package demonstrating your experience and talent in news writing, reporting, and newscast delivery as well as your play-by-play to: Rick Duncan, Director of Programming, Whitewater Broadcasting, 2301 W. Main, Richmond, IN 47374. Whitewater Broadcasting is an EOE and encourages the hiring of females and minorities.

FOX 59 WXIN, a Tribune Broadcasting station, seeks an experienced Anchor/Reporter who thrives on breaking news, enterprising stories and working under tight deadlines. The successful candidate will also regularly post content to the station's website and social media outlets. Degree in broadcast journalism or related field and at least 3 years anchoring and/or reporting experience in a television newsroom required. Job Description: Presents news and information on news and other station programs and covers news stories when not anchoring. Represents WXIN/WTTV-TV to the public viewing audience. Reads stories on regular scheduled newscasts and other programs produced by the station. Writes and/or proofreads stories on assigned broadcasts. Acts as general assignment reporter when not performing anchor duties. Consistently contributes story ideas for newscasts. Develops and maintains productive relationship with news contacts and sources. Works with producers, reporters and associate producers on assigned news broadcast. Regularly posts content to the station's website and updates social media sites. Monitors news feeds when necessary. Answers viewer phone calls and mail. Performs public speaking engagements and makes other appearance deemed important to the station image by management. Develops community contacts. Other duties as assigned by supervisor. Qualifications Necessary: College degree in broadcast journalism or a related area of study. At least 3 years experience anchoring regularly scheduled news broadcasts on a commercial or public television station and/or reporting for a broadcast news organization. Effective writing skills. Good organizational skills. Must be able to accept constructive feedback and criticism designed to enhance individual's performance. Ability to appear live in a broadcast to deliver reports in a professional and effective manner. Ability to perform duties and make decisions under deadline pressure. Must have a clear understanding of web and social media outlets. Send resume, cover letter stating position desired, and referral source plus a non-returnable DVD with your latest newscast to Human Resources, WXIN-TV, 6910 Network Place, Indianapolis, IN 46278. EOE.

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

=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============

(c) 2013, Blaine E. Thompson

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