Indiana RadioWatch: October 17, 2016

Before we begin our usual look around the state, we will pause for a remembrance of a woman whose Indiana broadcasting career brought her to several Indiana cities. Last Thursday, Ann Wagner Harper passed away at age 92. In 1946, Ms. Harper joined WAOV in Vincennes for a radio show "Silver Lining Time." Ms. Harper moved to Indianapolis in early 1947, to become part of WIBC radio ("Annie's Almanac." In 1949, WFBM-TV signed on (Channel 6) and Ms. Wagner performed the first TV musical on WFBM-TV ("Circle B Ranch.") The Indiana State Museum now displays Ms. Wagner's western costume. Ms. Wagner also worked as a DJ on WFBM radio ("Make Mine Music" and "Party Line.") Ms. Wagner worked for WFBM radio for nine years. After retiring from radio and TV, Ms. Wagner joined Butler University as a professor of Radio and Television, eventually becoming Chairperson of the department and manager of Butler University radio station WAJC on 104.5fm. In 1985, the Indiana Broadcast Hall of Fame inducted Ms. Harper. Calling will be Tuesday October 18, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30am on Wednesday October 19, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Vincennes, with Fr. David Fleck as celebrant. There will be an interment service at Crown Hill Cemetery Mausoleum in Indianapolis, IN at 2:30pm prior to entombment.

Northeast

Where Are They Now? Former then-CHR/WCKZ (then 102.3fm, Auburn) APD/MD/Night guy Mike Thomas now program in Hartford, Connecticut at WKCI and WKSS. Mr. Thomas (whose nom de plume is "Jagger") last served as Music Director for NYC's legendary Z100 and did nights at 103.5 'KTU.

Northcentral

Mid-West Family Broadcasting's CHR/WQLQ (99.9fm, Benton Harbor, Michigan) launches as a CHR at noon on Tuesday. How did the first hour sound? I'm glad you asked:

"This Is What You Came For" - Calvin Harris
"Starboy" – The Weeknd, featuring Daft Punk
"Let Me Love You" – DJ Snake, featuring Justin Bieber
"My House" – Flo Rida
"Cheap Thrills" – Sia, featuring Sean Paul
"Luv" – Tony Lanez
"Fancy" – Iggy Azalea, featuring Charli XCX
"Treat You Better" – Shawn Mednes
"Pillowtalk" – Zayn
"Too Good" – Drake, featuring Rihanna
"I Took a Pill in Ibiza" – Mike Posner
"That's My Girl" – Fifth Harmony
"Work" – Rihanna, featuring Drake
"Whatever You Like" – T.I.

Finally, the syndicated Brooke and Jubal morning show begins this morning.

This morning, Sound Management's Rock/WYXX (97.7fm, Goshen) added the syndicated Bob and Tom Show.

Eastcentral Whitewater Broadcasting's Oldies/WLPK (1580am, Connersville) and translator W295BT (106.9fm, Connersville) welcomes Annette Miller for morning news and on-air in middays. Ms. Miller last worked in Watertown, New York, where she did middays for several radio stations.

Central

Michele Kiefer moves from iHeart/Indianapolis Senior VP of Sales to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she joins sister iHeart/Charlotte as GSM of their five radio stations.

At Tribune Broadcasting's FOX affiliate WXIN-TV (Channel 59, Indianapolis), Lindy Thackston gains a promotion to morning co-anchor (4am until 7am) alongside Scott Jones. Ms. Thackston succeeds Kristin Kane. Ms. Thackston joined "Fox 59" in 2013 as a morning report and fill-in anchor.

Westcentral

A three-way deal will repaint the Terre Haute radio market. Let's take this piece by piece. Here's how the Terre Haute radio market stands today:

Emmis Communications Corp.
Hot AC/WFNB (92.7fm, Brazil)
ESPN affiliate WFNF (1130am, Brazil), simulcast on W258BA (99.5fm, Terre Haute)
Country/WTHI-FM (99.9fm, Terre Haute)
Classic Rock/WWVR (105.5fm, West Terre Haute)

Midwest Communications, Inc.
AC/WBOW (98.5fm, Paris, Illinois)
Country & Western/WDKE (95.9fm, Seelyville)
Country/WDWQ (102.7fm, Terre Haute)
N-T/WIBQ (1230am, Terre Haute) and WPRS (1440am, Paris, Illinois)
CHR/WMGI (100.7fm, Terre Haute)

DLC Media, Inc.
Oldies/WAXI (104.9fm, Rockville)
Country/WAMW (1580am, Washington), simulcast on W240CE (95.9fm, Washington)
Classic Hits/WAMW-FM (107.9fm, Washington)

In a $4.3 million deal, Emmis will sell WTHI-FM and the intellectual property of WWVR to Midwest Communications.

In a $865,000 deal, Emmis will sell WFNF(AM), W258BA, WFNB and the 105.5fm, West Terre Haute allocation to DLC Media. Originally announced as a $900,000 deal, IRW hears this sale price will actually be $865,000.

Since Midwest will have too many stations, Midwest Communications will sell WDKE to DLC Media for $300,000.

DLC Media will move the 105.5fm, West Terre Haute radio station to the studios of WAXI, south of Rockville. WFNF, WFNB and the translator will eventually be in a building on West National Avenue in Brazil. DLC Media budgeted over $200,000 to build new office and studio space. No word yet on staffing or format changes.

Southwest

Angela Allen exits her afternoon shift at DLC Media's Classic Hits/WAMW-FM (107.9fm, Washington). Ms. Allen will host "Saturday Moring Live." Renee Lyle will succeed Ms. Allen and host afternoons.

Where Are They Now? Former WTVW-TV Managing Editor/Anchor Polly Van Doren joins WDAF-TV in Kansas City, Missouri as the evening Executive Producer.

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!

October 16: In 1989, 103.7fm in Royal Center signs on as WHZR, and still is. In 2000, WRSW(AM) (1480am, Warsaw) flips format from Rock to ESPN Sports.

October 19: In 2011, former then-WIAN(FM) (90.1fm, Indianapolis) GM (1958 until 1986) Art Van Allen dies (Age 81).

October 20: In 2014, WKUZ (95.9fm, Wabash) dropped its AC format and flipped to a country music format.

October 21: In 1962, 100.5fm in Kokomo signed on as WFKO.

October 22: In 1940, 1450am in Vincennes signs on as WAOV, and still is. In 2001, WMYS (1430am, Indianapolis) flips format from Standards to Talk (WXNT).

That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.

Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch

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All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.