Indiana RadioWatch: December 31, 2013
From the weekend reading pile: Let's go across the pond to Australia and look at how one of their morning radio announcers spends his day.
From the IRW Mailbag: A reader asked where former WFMS folks Larry Evans and Jenny Edwards are now.
Northeast
Later tonight, Nexstar FOX affiliate WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne) will add its first subchannel that will carry Bounce TV, an African American focused network, featuring sports, movies, documentaries, specials, faith-based programs, off-network series and original programming. IRW happened to see a Bounce TV promo (screen grab) and felt the need to explain. At the bottom, you'll notice BFFT-TV. Why BFFT? Some TV stations with DTV subchannels use alternate identifiers to help prevent confusion by advertisers and syndicators. For example, the MyTV Network (Channel 33.2) on Granite Broadcasting's NBC affiliate WISE-TV (Channel 33, Fort Wayne) is "EISE" to the TV ratings services. Nexstar identified its new 55.2 feed as "BFFT" not only behind the scenes, but also on the air; its FCC-required legal ID remains WFFT-TV Fort Wayne.
Northcentral
Talking Stick Communications' Classic Rock/WRSW-FM (107.3fm, Warsaw) promotes Kenny Edwards to APD. WRSW-FM also adds Kris Lake to morning drive, alongside Mr. Edwards. Finally, night DJ A.C. McCray earns the promotion to afternoon drive.
Kirk Mason exits as morning and noon anchor at Schurz Communications' CBS-affiliate WSBT-TV (Channel 22, South Bend). Starting in January, Mr. Mason will join WWMT-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan for the same two anchor slots. Before WSBT-TV, Mr. Mason worked in Rhinelander, Wisconsin (WJFW-TV) and Springfield, Missouri (KSPR-TV).
Northwest
Chief Engineer Jim Keen retires from Purdue University's NPR-Classical-Jazz/WBAA and WBAA-FM (920am, 101.3fm; both West Lafayette) after 45 years in the radio business. Mr. Keen joined WBAA in January 2011.
Where Are They Now? Former WLPR Vice President of Radio Operations Dan Bindert is now station manager at WDCB in suburban Chicago, Illinois.
Central
Indiana Community Radio Corp. sells its translator W275BD (102.9fm, Greenfield) to Radio One for $275,000. I'll note that Radio One has one Indianapolis AM station: Gospel/WTLC (1310am, Indianapolis). Ed Roehling of Roehling Broadcast Services, Ltd. was the broker working for Indiana Community Radio Corp.
Horizon Christian Fellowship of Indianapolis signs on their WWQI (91.3fm, Morristown). , WWQI airs the Greenville, South Carolina-based The Life FM Network and broadcasts 14,250 watts, vertical and 5000 watts, horizontal at 184 feet, from a tower site on County Road 200 North, northeast of Shelbyville.
Rob Cressman joins as OM for the Clear Channel/Indianapolis radio stations: Classic Rock/WFBQ (94.7fm, Indianapolis), Sports/WNDE (1260am, Indianapolis) and Modern Rock/WRZX (103.3fm, Indianapolis). Mr. Cressman last worked in Springfield, Massachusetts, as OM/PD of Saga's WAQY and WLZX.
Tony Katz joins Emmis' N-T/WIBC (93.1fm, Indianapolis) for an evening talk show from 9pm until Midnight. Mr. Katz recently hosted a weekend show on Emmis sister KFTK in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Katz usually broadcasts from his Los Angeles, California home studio, but he sometimes broadcasts from the road (Mr. Katz also has a public speaking career), and he also visits Indianapolis, broadcasting live from WIBC's Monument Circle studio.
Creative Data Management's Talk simulcast WXLW (950am, Indianapolis) and Pilgrim Communications' WFDM-FM (95.9fm, Franklin) adds the syndicated Dennis Miller program from Midnight until 3:00AM. Mr. Miller's program once aired on crosstown Entercom WXNT (1430am, Indianapolis), before WXNT became a sports formatted station one year ago.
Southcentral
Cleveland Dietz II becomes the new GM at Bloomington Community Radio's Variety/WFHB (91.3fm, Bloomington) and its three FM translators.
Southwest
Later tonight, Mission Broadcasting's CW affiliate WTVW (Channel 7, Evansville) will also add Bounce TV on its .2 digital subchannel. Bounce TV is an African American focused network, featuring sports, movies, documentaries, specials, faith-based programs, off-network series and original programming.
South Central Communications' CHR/WSTO (96.1fm, Owensboro, Kentucky) morning host Atom Smasher and morning co-host/middays Shawnda McNeal both exit to co-host mornings at KHMX in Houston, Texas.
Where Are They Now? Former WSTO PD Jason Addams will now work with the new Cumulus 'Nash' brand. Mr. Addams will coordinate all of the programming originating from the Nashville, Tennessee 'Nash' studios.
Employment Opportunities
Are you currently a news director ready to grab the wheel and jam your foot to the floor of an aggressively expanding news operation? WSJV, FOX for South Bend IN (market #96) has an immediate opening for an experienced news director. If you're a sleeves rolled up mentor who can drive compelling content and products on multiple platforms, and put this award winning team on a clear course to the future, we need to talk.
We're looking for a collaborator, a strategic thinker, a brand builder for this expanding organization. If you're someone that can effectively lead in this highly competitive market, apply now to wsjvnewsdirector at quincyinc dot com. FOX 28 is a Quincy station. Learn why our family owned broadcast group has a reputation as one of the best companies to work for in the industry today at http://www.careersatquincy.com.
WTWO (NBC) and WAWV (ABC) in Terre Haute, Indiana are looking for a News Director who is a dynamic leader and possesses a hands-on approach to local news. If you are inspired by producing quality, compelling local news that matters to the viewer's we need to hear from you. In recent years the station's work has been recognized with numerous awards including the Indiana Broadcasters Association, a Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award and numerous RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards. Our reporters have covered the Super Bowl, the Country Music Awards, and traveled to Auschwitz with a Holocaust survivor. This is an incredible opportunity to continue excellence in local journalism while mentoring the next generation of storytellers and journalists while working for one of the fastest growing companies in the industry, Nexstar Broadcasting. Solid producing skills, the ability to coach and manage talent and superior communication skills are a must. Candidate will also be responsible for news content on our web portal www.mywabashvalley.com. Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work related experience required. We want a minimum five years' experience in News with at least two years in a leadership role. Terre Haute was named the Community of the Year in Indiana in 2010 and is a great place to live and raise a family. Cover letter and resume via email to tsturgess at wtwo dot com or via mail to: Tim Sturgess, VP/GM, WTWO-TV, PO Box 9268, Terre Haute, IN 47808. Nexstar Broadcasting Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Artistic Media Partners' WSHP (Your Country 95.7)/Lafayette, IN needs a PD to guide their new country station. Ideal candidates can relate to and generate ratings among Persons 35-44. Send your materials to Market Mgr. Bob Dakin bdakin at artisticradio dot com. Artistic Media Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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.
If you've always harbored a burning desire to someday call Terre Haute home, that day has arrived -- Midwest Communications Top 40 WMGI (100.7 Mix-FM)/Terre Haute, IN has an immediate fulltime night opening. Just Plain Joe is headed to another gig TBA, so Brand Manager Shawn Powers has already swung into action to find a qualified replacement that is a motivated, organized team player that loves both community and listener involvement and lives the Top 40 lifestyle. You will roll live for a minimum of five nights a week and be tracked as needed. "This is not a starter position... we are looking for superstars! Can you light up the phones, Facebook, Twitter, texting... and keep your listeners coming back for more? We are the market leader, so if you have an outstanding work ethic, great people skills and a proven track record of dominant ratings, apply today!" Send your resume, cover letter and MP3 demo (no longer than 2 minutes) to Shawn.Powers at mwcradio dot com or snail-mail to Shawn Powers, Brand Manager, WMGI-FM Radio, 824 S. 3rd Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807. Midwest Communications, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
WGTO AM-FM is looking for a salesperson to handle local and regional sports and general market sales. Position pays high commission rate but requires a self-starter who can operate without direct supervision. List is unrestricted and the right candidate can name his or her territory. This person will be responsible for prospecting and developing new business as well as growing and maintaining existing accounts. A positive attitude and excellent communications skills are a must. WGTO is the local voice of Cass County Michigan and the home of local high school sports. The music format is Classic hits with a live local swap shop program, Dowagiac High School Football and University of Michigan football and afternoon talk with Ed Shultz. WGTO is 3000 watts at 910AM and FM at 101.1 WGTO covers Cass County as well as Niles, And St Joe Benton Harbor in Berrien County and South Bend Indiana. Send letter of introduction and or resume to WGTO at larrylangford at aol dot com. WGTO welcomes applications from ALL interested persons as 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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