Indiana RadioWatch: August 15, 2016
Northeast
Federated Media's Country/WQHK (105.1fm, Huntertown) makes several on-air changes: First, "K105" promotes Kylie Havens from nights to mornings (part of "Dan and Dude"), continuing solo from 10am until Noon. Second, OM Dave Michaels and Aricka McCauley swap shifts (Mr. Michaels: Noon until 3pm; Ms. McCauley: 3pm until 8pm). Finally, succeeding Ms. Havens at night will be Coyote. Coyote does middays at Talking Stick Communications' Country/WAWC (103.5fm, Syracuse).
Where Are They Now? Things change: Mark Allen remains in Dothan, Alabama, now as OM of the four station Alabama Media, LLC cluster (including WECB). Mr. Allen remains in afternoons at "B105.3"
Northwest
Neuhoff Media/Lafayette OM and Country/WKOA (105.3fm, Lafayette) morning co-host Mike Shamus earns a promotion to VP/Programming and Content with Neuhoff. Shamus joined "K105" seven years ago, under prior ownership. Shamus retains his OM duties, but will move off-air.
Central
Let's try this one more time: Saying it was completely her decision, Dispatch Broadcasting's NBC affiliate WTHR-TV (Channel 13, Indianapolis) reporter Kris Kirschner exits after 19 years (and 27 years in broadcasting.)
In January, Emmis' Indianapolis Market Manager Charlie Morgan became the interim Market Manager for Emmis' New York City cluster. Emmis recently removed "interim" from that title. Chuck Williams succeeds Mr. Morgan at Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. Mr. Williams last served over a decade in the GM chair at crosstown Radio One/Indianapolis. Mr. Williams will report to Mr. Morgan.
At E.W. Scripps' ABC affiliate WRTV-TV (Channel 6, Indianapolis), reporter Jack Rinehart retires, along with photographer Danny Wills. Between the two, that's 84 years of working at "RTV 6."
Tribune Broadcasting's CBS affiliate WTTV-TV (Channel 4, Bloomington)/WTTK-TV (Channel 29, Kokomo) sports anchor Mike Berman joins WMAQ-TV in Chicago, as a sports reporter and fill-in anchor.
Southcentral
Artistic Media Partners transfers control of their CHR/WBWB (96.7fm, Bloomington) and Country/WHCC (105.1fm, Ellettsville) to AI Radio, LLC. AI Radio, LLC consists of Arthur Angotti, Arthur Angotti III and Steve Isenberg. AI Radio paid Artistic Media Partners $4.4 million for "B97" and "Hoosier Country 105."
Southwest
Nexstar ABC affiliate WEHT-TV (Channel 25, Evansville) anchor Ryan Braschler exits and joins KTUL-TV in Tulsa, Oklahoma as a reporter and substitute anchor. Also, after nearly three years, late evening anchor Tina Stein exits. Co-anchor Brad Byrd wrote on his Facebook that Ms. Stein left "to pursue professional opportunities closer to her extended families outside of the Evansville region."
Where Are They Now? On 8/1, former WSTO morning co-host Shawnda McNeal reunited with Atom Smasher for mornings at KDGE in Dallas, Texas.
This Week in Indiana Radio History
If there's something we need to add to the "calendar," please let us know. Also, errors do sometimes occur. Please e-mail us if this information is not correct!
August 14: In 2003, the Northeast blackout happened. While Indiana wasn't directly impacted, the blackout stretched to Toledo, Ohio. In some cases, restoration took 48 to 72 hours, if not longer.
August 15: In 1969, Woodstock opened in Bethel, New York. IRW presumes one or more of you were there.
August 16: In 1963, WHJE ("High School, Junior High, Elementary") (91.3fm, Carmel) signs on (it's still WHJE).
August 17: In 1991, 102.5fm, then licensed to Mitchell, signs on. Today, it's WPHZ (102.5fm, Orleans).
August 18: In 1948, WXLW (Indianapolis) signed on at 1590am. They moved to their current 950am frequency in early 1955. In 1964, 1050am, Plymouth signs on as WTCA (and still is). In 1965, 104.9fm, Fairfield, Illinois signs on as WFIW-FM (and still is). In 2003, 89.3fm, Linton signs on as WYTJ (and still is).
August 19: In 1906, Serena Farnsworth gave birth to a son: Philo Taylor.
August 20: In 1962, 88.7fm, Indianapolis signs on as WICR (and still is). It's also National Radio Day.
That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch
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