Indiana RadioWatch: August 26, 2013
Two items caught my eye this weekend:
If you engineer for LPFM stations, last Friday's FCC Memorandum Opinion and Order may interest you. The order approves one and
denies five Applications for Review, all with explanations.
If your radio station runs baseball play by play, you should read this CNN opinion piece: "Are ads ruining baseball on the radio?" If you work
at a radio station that airs play by play baseball, and you and want to give me a comment for Wednesday's column, I'm all ears. If you'd rather be anonymous (in print), that's fine too.
Finally, more Federal Communications Commission decisions from the 2003 translator window means another round of construction permit applications. Please read about several of those below.
Northeast
American Family Association applies to the FCC for a Construction Permit to build a translator on 100.9fm licensed to Fort Wayne. As far back as IRW can remember, AFA hasn't had any presence in the Fort Wayne market. Will they
build this translator and begin programming? Or, sell it off to another broadcaster?
Federated Media's N-T/WOWO and WOWO-FM (1190am, 92.3fm; both Fort Wayne) drop Fox News Sunday and replace it with "Casey Hendrickson Weekend," hosted by sister News-Talk/WTRC(AM) (1340am, Elkhart) and WTRC-FM (95.3fm, Niles,
Michigan) afternoon host Casey Hendrickson.
Northcentral
Before Lew Wood became famous at both NBC TV and CBS TV, his second stop in media was in 1953 in South Bend and the studios of Schurz' WSBT(AM) (960am, South Bend) and WSBT-TV WSBT-TV (Channel 22, South Bend). After South Bend, Mr.
Wood served as a CBS News correspondent and was in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963 to cover President John F. Kennedy's visit. At NBC, he held the news anchor chair as the third ever news anchor for their morning product "Today."
Mr. Wood died last Wednesday of kidney failure in Riverside County, California. Age 84. A memorial service is scheduled for August 31 at 10:30am at The St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Temecula, California.
Family Life Broadcasting System applies to the FCC for a Construction Permit to build a translator on 106.1fm, licensed to Benton Harbor, Michigan, but in this application, they shift the primary station to WUFN-FM in Albion,
Michigan.
Eastcentral
Hoosier Broadcasting Corp. applies to the FCC for a Construction Permit to build a translator on 103.7fm, licensed to Anderson.
Central
Tribune Co. moves Paul Rennie back to Indianapolis, now as VP and GM of its duopoly of CW affiliate WTTV-TV (Channel 4, Bloomington) and FOX affiliate WXIN-TV (Channel 59, Indianapolis). Mr. Rennie succeeds Larry Delia, who left
to become GM of Dispatch Broadcasting's NBC affiliate WTHR-TV (Channel 13, Indianapolis) in June. Mr. Rennie returns from Seattle, Washington, where he worked as GSM for Tribune's KCPQ-TV and KZJO-TV. Before moving to Seattle, Mr.
Rennie was the GSM at then-McGraw-Hill owned ABC affiliate WRTV (Channel 6, Indianapolis).
Speaking of WTHR-TV, after nine years producing for Dispatch Broadcasting's NBC affiliate WTHR-TV (Channel 13, Indianapolis), Duane Becker moves into management as an EP for WCSH-TV in Portland, Maine. The move gets Duane closer
to his family on the East Coast.
Southcentral
Good Shepherd Radio, Inc. applies to the FCC for a Construction Permit to build a translator on 101.1fm licensed to Seymour.
Southwest
Fifty years. That's how long Don Sheridan worked at WMSK (1550am, Morganfield, Kentucky). Mr. Sheridan passed away on Tuesday, after battling cancer. Mr. Sheridan was 80. At WMSK, Mr. Sheridan was station manager and served
as the play by play voice of Union County High School Sports. In 2008, the Kentucky Broadcasters Association inducted him into their Kentucky Mic Hall of Fame. In a statement, WMSK said: "Don shaped the Union County radio station
from the beginning, and his spirit will always be felt at WMSK. Don wasn't just a radio veteran of 50 years. He was a man filled with compassion, humor and passion for his work and for those he worked with. For us at WMSK, he was
a mentor, a leader and, most importantly, a friend."
Tina Stein will join the Evansville TV duopoly Nexstar ABC affiliate WEHT-TV (Channel 25, Evansville) and Mission Broadcasting's CW affiliate WTVW (Channel 7, Evansville). Ms. Stein last co-anchored at WIFR-TV in Rockford,
Illinois. Ms. Stein replaces Whitney Ray in the evening news anchor chair.
Jasper on the Air's AC/WITZ(AM) and WITZ-FM (990am, 104.7fm; both Jasper) now streams online from their website. You will also find Apple iPhone and Google Android mobile apps.
Hancock Communications applies to the FCC for a Construction Permit to build a translator on 97.9fm, licensed to Whitesville, Kentucky.
WAY Media's Religious/W267BM (101.3fm, Tell City) files its license to cover to increase power (99 watts to 250 watts), change city of license (to Hawesville, Kentucky), and do all that from a different Cromwell Group transmitter
site. Right now, W267BM broadcasts from Cromwell's WLME-FM (102.7fm, Lewisport, Kentucky) tower, west of KY-105 and south of Cloverport, Kentucky. The new W267BM transmitter site will be Cromwell's WXCM-FM (97.1fm, Whitesville,
Kentucky) tower site which is northeast of Cannelton, Indiana, east of IN-237.
This Week in Indiana Radio History
August 25: In 1989, 105.7fm, Defiance, Ohio signs on as WZOM, and still is.
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.
August 28: In 1989, 99.3fm, Van Buren signs on as WCJC-FM (but why was it WMRR, before sign on?) It's still WCJC.
August 29: In 1948, 104.1fm, Evansville signs on as WIKY-FM, and still is. In 1971, 92.1fm, Rochester signs on as WROI-FM and still is.
August 30: In 2007, Andy Ober became PD at WOWO(AM) (1190am, Fort Wayne).
August 31: In 2006, WGL-FM (102.9fm, Huntington) flips format from Variety Hits (remember "Mike FM"?) to a simulcast of then-Standards formatted WGL(AM) (1250am, Fort Wayne) "The River."
Employment Opportunities
WZZY Winchester, Indiana is looking for our next Morning Show host. Not only will you be the morning "voice" of our A/C station but through your work and interaction within the community you'll also be the "face" of the station as
well. Plus you'll VT evenings on our winning Adult Top 40 sister FM and do plenty of remotes and appearances on both stations. Even if you've never done Mornings before send along your best. Our former host has been with us for 13
years so we believe in longevity and loyalty. Send along an on-air sample (please keep it short) and resume to rickduncan at g1013 dot com. Or you can mail it to 2301 W. Main St. Richmond, IN 47374. Whitewater Broadcasting is proud
to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
WBCL Radio Network is looking for an energetic, organized and creative person to join the ministry team as Promotions Director. This position will be responsible for supervising and overseeing promotional efforts, contests, interns
and volunteers. Person will: work closely with the Development Director to implement strategic promotions that can increase revenue and listenership to WBCL; needs a proven track record in promotions and community involvement;
passion for and experience with social media; on-air experience a plus! Details on responsibilities and qualifications listed at wbcl.org. Send resume to Personnel Director, WBCL Radio Network, 1115 W. Rudisill Blvd. Fort Wayne,
IN 46807 or email to employment at wbcl dot org No phone calls, please. Taylor University Broadcasting, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
89.1 WBOI and 94.1 WBNI public radio in Fort Wayne seeks a Business Development Specialist to secure financial support for our stations. Duties include: prospecting potential program underwriters, preparing proposals for
underwriting and event sponsorship, and writing copy to satisfy client needs, FCC regulations and station policies. In collaboration with the General Manager, annual goals will be set for underwriting and sponsorship, as well as
monthly targets and weekly activity levels for meeting goals. This position will also assist with on-air fundraising and community promotional activities. The successful candidate will be a self-starter with a track record of
developing new business and a demonstrated ability to work independently. College degree or comparable experience, computer literacy, valid driver's license and dependable transportation required. Knowledge of public radio and an
understanding of and commitment to its values are highly desirable. Position is salaried, non-commission. Send resume and cover letter to: gmpd at nipr dot fm. No calls, please. Open until filled. WBOI and WBNI are an Equal
Opportunity Employer.
Hoosier AM/FM is seeking an experienced media Account Executive to join the sales team of our four-station cluster in Muncie-Marion, IN. This person will be responsible for prospecting and developing new business as well
as growing and maintaining existing accounts. A positive attitude and excellent verbal and written communications skills are a must. This is a full time position. Hoosier AM/FM offers a competitive compensation package including
Medical, Dental, Paid Vacations. Minimum education level is High School diploma or equivalent. Resume and letter of introduction are to be sent to indianaradiojobs at yahoo dot com. Hoosier AM/FM is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch
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