Indiana RadioWatch: August 22, 2016
Central
Earlier this month, former WZPL-FM Morning DJ Dave McKay passed away. Brad Paisley paid tribute to Dave McKay in this Facebook video.
On October 1, E.W. Scripps' ABC affiliate WRTV-TV (Channel 6, Indianapolis) will shut down their Hometown Sports & News network on their .2 digital subchannel. Hometown Sports and News had a five year run of high school, college (Franklin College, Marian University, University of Indianapolis, Wabash College), Indianapolis Indians, and Indy Fuel programming, among other offerings. Replacing "HTSN" will be the Katz Broadcasting-syndicated network "Grit" (Old TV shows and films). This will be the first Indiana TV station for "Grit."
After six years as anchor at E.W. Scripps' ABC affiliate WRTV-TV (Channel 6, Indianapolis), Todd Connor exits. Mr. Connor was the station's late afternoon and evening anchor.
Where Are They Now? Former WRTV-TV investigative reporter Jim Parsons now works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the News Director at WTAE-TV.
Where Are They Now? Former WXIN-TV News Director Gavin Maliska becomes GM/News Director for the Cala Broadcast Partners' TV stations in Greenwood, Mississippi.
Westcentral
Emmis Chairman/CEO Jeff Smulyan wants to take Emmis private, offering over $46 million through his E Acquisition Corp. The proposed offer includes selling four Terre Haute radio stations: Hot AC/WFNB (92.7fm, Brazil), ESPN affiliate Sports/WFNF (1130am, Brazil) also heard on translator W258BA (99.5fm, Terre Haute), Country/WTHI-FM (99.9fm, Terre Haute) and Classic Rock/WWVR (105.5fm, West Terre Haute). Jeff Smulyan started Emmis in 1979, going public in 1994, and Mr. Smulyan unsuccessfully tried taking Emmis private in both 2006 and 2010.
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 21: In 1953, 1590am, Fairfield, Illinois signs on, and today it's still WFIW(AM). In 1955, 1590am, Mount Vernon signs on as WPCO (Today, it's WRCY). In 1956, WTVW-TV (possibly "TV/Western Indiana") signs on as an ABC affiliate on Channel 7 in Evansville.
August 22: In 1994, 91.1fm, Lafayette Township signs on, and today it's still WCYT. In 2005, Terre Haute broadcaster Sharla Cretors-Daniel dies. In 2010, Salem broadcaster and founder of WSLM(AM) and WSLM-FM Don Martin dies.
August 23: In 1976, 88.3fm, Fort Wayne signs on as WLHI. Today, it's WLAB. In 1997, WLOI (LaPorte) founder Isabel Scott Rumely Bowyer dies.
August 24: In 1970, 101.7fm, Fort Wayne signs on as WCMX. Today, it's WLDE.
August 25: In 1989, 105.7fm, Defiance, Ohio signs on as WZOM, and still is. In 2008, Indianapolis DJ Kevin Spencer dies.
August 26: In 1873, Anna Margaret de Forest gives birth to a son: Lee.
August 27: In 1993, 92.7fm, Berne signs on as WZBD, and still is.
That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch
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