Indiana RadioWatch: September 24, 2003

Northeast

Both Fort Wayne newspapers report that FOX affiliate WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne) has been sold. Nexstar Broadcasting tentatively agrees to acquire Quorum Broadcasting, owner of WFFT-TV. No financial details were released. The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel reports that Robert M. Blacher, VP of Sales and Marketing for Meredith Broadcasting is now WFFT's GM. Blacher was GSM at KPHO-TV (Channel 5, Phoenix, Arizona [CBS]).

Several complaints and queries into the IRW mailbox about the signal of Sports/WONO (1380am, Fort Wayne). Folks at WONO tell IRW that the towers were painted over the past few weeks. As of September 8, WONO is back up to full power.

Rock/WBYR (98.9fm, Van Wert, Ohio) PD Jim Fox exits (soon) for station manager duties at KRXQ in Sacramento, California.

Artistic Media Partners welcomes Linda Bowman-Bradley as Market Manager of their two Fort Wayne stations: Country/WBTU (93.3fm, Kendallville) and Standards/WSHI (106.3fm, Columbia City). Ms. Bowman-Bradley arrives in the Summit City from Poughkeepsie, New York, where she was Director of Sales for the Clear Channel owned stations.

"Big" Dave Eubanks is promoted from PD at CHR/WNHT (96.3fm, Churubusco) to OM of WNHT ("Hits 96.3") and sister AC/WYLT (103.9fm, Fort Wayne).

APD/MD/afternoon guy Mark Allen exits Country/WQHK (105.1fm, Decatur).

Country/WQHK (105.1fm, Decatur) drops "Lia Neon Nights." (Jones Radio Networks) No word on a replacement.

Former CHR/WSTO (96.1fm, Owensboro, Kentucky) PD Dave Michaels returns to Fort Wayne as PD of Country/WBTU (93.3fm, Kendallville). Michaels once was on the airstaff of then-CHR/WDJB (106.3fm, Columbia City) - now WSHI.

Where Are They Now? Former Rhythmic CHR/WJFX (107.9fm, New Haven) Production Director/night guy Slammin' Sammy Suarez is now holding down nights at KTFM in San Antonio, Texas.

Northwest

Mark Allen, former APD/MD/afternoon guy at Country/WQHK (105.1fm, Decatur) is now PD/mornings at Country/WKOA (105.3fm, Lafayette). IRW has no comment on him going from "K-105" to "K-105."

AllAccess reports several changes at Country/WKOA (105.3fm, Lafayette): First, Annie James rejoins "K-105" in middays. She formerly did overnights. Second, former midday lady Kristy Summers exits to Country/WFMS (95.5fm, Indianapolis) for weekends. Finally, Bob Vizza is now MD.

American Family Association will add another simulcast of WAFR, Tupelo, Mississippi on 90.7fm in Lafayette. The calls will be WQSG, and there is no word on when the station will be on the air.

Central

Former WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis [CBS]) news director Lee Giles joins the Indiana University School of Journalism as a visiting professor of broadcast news. According to The Indianapolis Star, Giles joins IU this fall, after retiring from Channel 8 in May. He was at WISH-TV for 35 years.

Emmis CHR/WNOU (93.1fm, Indianapolis) PD David Edgar has been promoted to OM and will oversee WNOU, Hot AC/WENS (97.1fm, Shelbyville), and Soft AC/WYXB (105.7fm, Indianapolis). R&R reports that Edgar will be PD at WENS and WYXB but gives up programming duties at WNOU. In the PD post at WENS and WYXB, Edgar replaces Greg Dunkin, who recently departed Emmis.

Westcentral

Where Are They Now? Former CHR/WMGI (100.7fm, Terre Haute) PD Beau Richards is now PD/mornings at WAOA ("A1A") in Melbourne, Florida.

Southeast

Standards/WNVI (1460am, North Vernon) flips format to Sports as "1460 ESPN."

Southwest

CHR/WSTO (96.1fm, Owensboro, Kentucky) welcomes Keith Allen as PD. Allen arrives in Evansville from WBHV in State College, Pennsylvania.

According to Robert Feder at The Chicago Sun Times, Cindy Patrick is now PD at Oldies/WJPS (93.5fm, Chandler/Evansville). Patrick arrives from Traffic Pulse Networks in Chicago. She is also a former MD at Oldies/WJMK (104.3fm, Chicago).

Employment Opportunities

WTHR-TV, the top rated NBC station in Indianapolis is searching for a meteorologist with strong on-air delivery skills and a track record showcasing strong technological skills. We have all the bells and whistles for superior forecasts: Weather Central Liveline Genesis graphics systems including Magic Trak and StormSentinel, a 9000 watt Collins Radar, two weather studios with continuous live capabilities and a weather van equipped to track storms and exclusive network of traffic cameras. We are a multi-platform weather provider servicing the NBC station, a 24-hour live weather channel, The Indianapolis Star, the top-rated radio station and various internet and phone services with weather. This job is for serious meteorologists with at least five years of on-air weather forecasting and the passion and flexibility for being on-air whenever it matters. AMS seal preferred. Please send resume and non-returnable tape to: Meteorologist Opening, WTHR-TV, 1000 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. No phone calls please. We are a drug-free and smoke-free company. Equal Opportunity Employer.

That's it for this issue. See you soon!

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