Indiana RadioWatch: October 6, 2001
We'll take a detour from our normal region-by-region summary since one of the biggest stories in radio broadcasting this week was partially based in Indiana.
Missouri based Contemporary Media had all of its stations shut down on Thursday. Contemporary Media Owner Michael Rice's stations in Columbia, Missouri and Terre Haute were turned off, and station staffers were let go. We had hoped
to compile a list of staffers, so that other interested stations who had openings could contact them, but no luck.
Rice's Terre Haute stations include Country/WBOW (640am, Terre Haute), Alternative/WBUZ (1230am, Terre Haute), and Alternative/WZZQ (107.5fm, Terre Haute).
Rice had his licenses revoked following an August 11, 1994 conviction on 12 criminal counts, all of a sexual nature. According to Zach Taylor's article in The Terre Haute Tribune-Star, The FCC gave Rice a 90 day temporary
authorization, so the stations could remain on the air while he found a new owner/operator. Rice could not find one, and when his attempt to extend that authorization failed, the stations' fates were sealed.
The licenses for all stations will be auctioned by the FCC in December.
Now, onto the other news of the week...
Northeast
News-Talk/WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) OM Tommy Allen adds OM duties at sister Hot AC/WMEE (97.3fm, Fort Wayne). Allen shifts OM duties for Sports/WONO (1380am, Fort Wayne) to Dean McNeil. McNeil is also OM/PD at Country/WQHK (105.1fm,
Decatur). One aside: WONO used to be WQHK(AM) until March 1996. McNeil now programs WQHK-FM and the former WQHK(AM).
Guy Forrest is the new Production Director and afternoon guy at Country/WBTU (93.3fm, Kendallville).
Northcentral
Tom Pagna, morning drive personality at C&W WHLY/WJVA (1580am & 1620am/both South Bend) exits.
Central
Formatics changes at CHR/WZPL (99.5fm, Greenfield), as PD Scott Sands announces the end of their 5 year old moniker "99-and-a-half Z-P-L" in favor of the new "Z-99.5, the new WZPL." According to a station press release, musical
changes include the removal of "a majority of pop music by artists such as Backstreet Boys, Dream, O-Town, Britney Spears, and N'Sync as well as any urban or rhythmic product from the likes of Janet Jackson, Shaggy, and Jennifer
Lopez." Resulting from philosophical differences, night guy Jason Burns (aka Buzz Craven) exits. Also, Jude Corbett is now the new station imaging voice. Finally, there's a new on-air lineup which you'll see at the WZPL page on our
website.
Speaking moniker changes, Hot AC/WENS (97.1fm, Shelbyville) is now "The New Sound of 97.1 - The Best Mix of the 90's and Today."
Employment Opportunities
WYFX/WRCY Mt. Vernon Indiana, has an immediate opening for an account executive. Salary/commission and benefits. Info to John Curry, WYFX/WRCY, 7109 Upton Road, Mount Vernon, IN 47620 or e-mail wyfx@evansville.net.
WXIN Fox 59, Tribune Broadcasting's Indianapolis affiliate, is looking for an Associate Producer to join the team on our non-traditional morning show, "Fox 59 a.m." Prior newsroom and producing experience required. Good writing skills
essential. Send resume, cover letter stating position desired, salary history and referral source, and non-returnable writing samples to Human Resources, WXIN, 1440 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. No phone calls please. EOE.
WXIN Fox 59, Tribune Broadcasting's Indianapolis affiliate, seeks Managing Producer to help lead a talented news department that is poised for success and destined for greatness. We have a live, 3-hour weekday morning news and a
half-hour daily 10PM newscast. Position will assist overall supervision of the News Department and direct responsibility for staff scheduling, special projects and election planning. Minimum 5 years television newsroom experience as a
producer, reporter or assignment desk manager required. Previous experience as an assistant news director, executive news producer, or managing editor a plus. Successful candidate will demonstrate a proven track record guiding a
successful news operation, effective communication and leadership skills, and a positive, enthusiastic attitude. Send resume and cover letter stating position desired, salary requirements and referral source to: HR, WXIN, 1440 N.
Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. EOE. No phone calls please.
That's it for this issue. See you in a week!
Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch
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