Indiana RadioWatch: July 28, 1999

Northeast

National programming influence (via major group ownership) hasn't existed in Fort Wayne since the early 1980's when Westinghouse owned WOWO. This dry spell came to an end a few weeks ago as AC/WDFM (98.1fm, Defiance, Ohio) flipped formats. Clear Channel (then Jacor) bought WDFM late last year, from Steve Lakenau. The station kept its locally programmed AC format and its home town image, while Clear Channel & Jacor made wedding plans. After the nuptials were complete, Clear Channel flipped WDFM to its homogeneous "Mix" format, heard in other markets. IRW notes that the "Mix" format originates from Jacor HQ - station WVMX in Cincinnati, Ohio. No call letter change has been made, and we note that former WDFM staffers are still on the air (with a noticeable DJ void in evenings and overnights, according to our ears.)

Bob Taylor is at it again. Taylor's Lite AC/WEXI (102.9fm, Huntington) files another application with the FCC to change frequency & power. Earlier this year, his application to move to 103.1fm was returned by the FCC. This application also has the move to 103.1fm along with raising the power from 3000 watts to 4500 watts. According to the application, the tower site will remain the same (U.S. 24, just south of WOWO's transmitter, between Roanoke and Huntington.)

Urban/WJFX (107.9fm, New Haven) welcomes Randy Alomar for Promotions, along with the occasional air shift. Alomar arrives from Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, where he worked at WBHT.

Woody, previously nights at Rock/WBYR (98.9fm, Van Wert, Ohio) is now assignment manager at local ABC affiliate WPTA (Channel 21, Fort Wayne)

Northcentral

Now that FCC v. Pathfinder Communications has concluded, the Commission has granted several station sales involving Pathfinder. Pathfinder acquires Oldies/WNIL(AM) & Rock/WAOR-FM (1290am, 95.3fm, both Niles, Michigan) from Niles Broadcasting. Pathfinder will also complete the sale of several Tulsa, Oklahoma stations to Clear Channel.

Mid-America Radio's CP, currently WBFK (101.9fm, Roann) changes calls to WMYK.

Northwest

Talk/Standards WJOB (1230am, Hammond) and Talk/Oldies WIMS (1420am, Michigan City) are sold by M&M Broadcasting to St. George Broadcasting for $4 million.

Oldies/WNJY (102.9fm, Delphi) is sold by Kenneth Manning to Radioworks/Stay Tuned Broadcasting for $1 million. Manning is the trustee for former owner Bill Diebel's estate. Radioworks/Stay Tuned also owns Rock/WKHY (93.5fm, Lafayette) along with several other Illinois stations.

Eastcentral

Country/WQLK (96.1fm, Richmond) gets a license to cover, as they're now running on a new, taller tower.

Central

Hymn Time, Inc. applies for a station at 88.3fm in Muncie. We question their choice of transmitter location (unless the FCC made a goof) - they are proposing running 200 watts from a site near the intersection of U.S. 224 and I-69, roughly 60 miles north of Muncie proper.

Southeast

Kris Kaane is the new PD at Oldies/WINN (106.1fm, North Vernon). Kaane was previously APD at Oldies/WDBQ in Galena, Illinois.

That's it for this issue! See you in two weeks...

Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch

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