Indiana RadioWatch: October 29, 2008

Northeast

Ken Allen replaces Dayle Mentzer as GM at Independence Media's N-T/WNUY (100.1fm, Bluffton). Allen was with several radio stations in Biloxi/Gulfport, Mississippi.

Mia Amini exits middays at Rhythmic CHR/WJFX (107.9fm, New Haven), after about a year and a half with the station. Also, "Hot 107.9" adjusts their airstaff lineup: Weasel and "Angie the White Girl" shift back an hour (From 6AM - 10AM to 5AM - 9AM). The 9AM hour is jockless. From 10AM - 1PM, they will add Ryan Seacrest's "On Air" show on Monday 27 October. Randy Alomar takes 1PM - 6PM, and Chris Cruise remains on nights.

Federated Media N-T/WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) drops Clark Howard's syndicated show and adds Allen Hunt's syndicated show on Saturday evenings, 9PM - 12AM. Hunt's show is syndicated by Dial-Global Radio Networks.

Northcentral

The Schurz/South Bend stations have moved into their new facility on Douglas Road. Schurz/South Bend OM/PD Jim Roberts says in a published report that the two and a half year project includes new equipment. Schurz sister CBS affiliate WSBT-TV (Channel 22/DT30, South Bend) will move into the new building later this fall.

At the Talking Stick/Warsaw stations (WRSW/WAWC), GM Patrick Brown exits. Replacing him is Clint Marsh; inbound from Federated Media's OM/PD slot at Country/WBYT (100.7fm, Elkhart). Also, PD John Adams segues from nights to middays at Classic Hits/WRSW-FM (107.3fm, Warsaw). Over at sister Country/WAWC (103.5fm, Syracuse), Kristen Moore debuts in nights. Finally, Jim Brennan's Noon - 6PM afternoon shift is shortened to 3PM - 7PM at WRSW-FM.

Partnership's Urban AC/WUBU (106.3fm, South Bend) moves its studios to a new facility in the Commerce Center on East Colfax Avenue in South Bend. Gene Walker remains OM, and GSM/NSM Erica Morse adds production duties.

Northwest

Radio One Communications' Standards/WAKE (1500am, Valparaiso) changes format on 10 October to News. WAKE now airs CNN Headline News along with local news, weather, and traffic content.

Eastcentral

At Brewer Broadcasting's Country/WQLK (96.1fm, Richmond), Steve Baker exits on Friday (31 October), after 16 years with the station, and the last ten years as PD/afternoon host. Replacing Baker is Phil O'Reilly. O'Reilly arrives from PD at KIAI in Mason City, Iowa.

Central

On 29 September, Jeff Pigeon returned to Indianapolis morning radio, at Russ Oasis' Oldies/WKLU (101.9fm, Brownsburg). Jeff will co-host the 5AM - 9AM shift with Libby Farr.

Ryan Seacrest's "On Air" show takes afternoons (4PM - 7PM) at Entercom Hot AC/WZPL (99.5fm, Greenfield), replacing Kelly McKay.

The Main Street Tattler reports changes at Entercom/Indianapolis: First, Brian Moore is promoted to APD for all three stations and producer for Abdul Hakim-Shabazz's morning show on N-T/WXNT (1430am, Indianapolis). Also, Bob Horner moves from overnights at afternoon News on WXNT.

Kay Feeney-Caito exits Radio One Indianapolis, where she was group Promotions Director since 2004.

Indianapolis public radio station WFYI (90.1fm, Indianapolis) adjusts the format on its HD-2 feed from local talk programs to an AAA music format, as "XPoNential Radio."

Hoosier Public Radio's WSMJ (89.1fm, Wilkinson) signs on with a religious format, using programming from the EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network.

Where Are They Now? Former Indianapolis DJ "Trapper John" is now doing weekends and fill-in at KSCS in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.

Westcentral

Jamie Dawson exits as PD/Morning co-host at Midwest Communications CHR/WMGI (100.7fm, Terre Haute).

At Crossroads/Terre Haute, Hot AC/WBOW-FM (102.7fm, Terre Haute) is now using Dial Global's "Hot AC" music format, and they keep Julie Henricks in middays. Also, Oldies/WAXI (104.9fm, Rockville) is now using Dial Global's "Oldies Plus" music format, and they keep Ray Leach ("C. Ray the DJ") in mornings. Finally, Country-Rock/WSDM (92.7fm, Brazil) will add ESPN's "Mike and Mike" from 6AM - 9AM on 1 November, simulcasting with sister stations Sports/WSDX (1130am, Brazil) and Sports/WBOW (1300am, Terre Haute). This move was done to increase the audience for "Mike and Mike," as WSDX has a night power of 20 watts and WBOW has a night power of 75 watts.

Southwest

South Central Communications' CHR/WSTO (96.1fm, Owensboro, Kentucky) welcomes two new DJ's. Atom Smasher debuted in mornings (6AM - 10AM) on Monday (27 October). Smasher last handled afternoons at KHKS in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Also, on Monday 20 October, Bryan LaRoche ("Tiki Bryan") debuted in nights (6PM - 12AM).

In late September, Union County Broadcasting's WMSK-FM flipped formats from AC to K-Love's religious programming. This coincides with Educational Media Foundation (EMF) buying the station for $1.4 million ($425,000 in cash and $975,000 in a 6% promissory note for 100 months). EMF has LMA'ed the station since 15 September. Henson Media, Inc. was the exclusive broker on this transaction.

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

Back to the Archive Index

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