Indiana RadioWatch: August 28, 2017
Northeast
After roughly six weeks, "Tiny" exits as morning host at Swick Broadcasting's Hot AC/WLKI (100.3fm, Angola). Succeeding him in mornings (starting this morning) will be Mike Scott. Mr. Scott last served as OM for Midwest Communications' Kalamazoo, Michigan cluster. Several years ago, Mr. Scott programmed in Fort Wayne for Adams Radio Group. Mr. Scott will also track airshifts for the Swick Broadcasting-owned Local Radio Networks "Country" and "Classic Hits" 24 hour formats.
In a story you'll first read here, Terry Thacker exits as host of "Terry's Bluegrass Corner", heard for 22 years on Northeast Indiana Broadcasting's Classic Hits/WAWK (1140am, Kendallville) also heard on translator W238BH (95.5fm, Kendallville). Banner Kidd took over the show ("Route 23 Bluegrass Country"), so it's still locally hosted. Also at "The Hawk," Sean Lathrop joins in mornings. Elliott James joins in afternoons. Mr. Lathrop graduated from Central Michigan University. Mr. James attends college, and "The Hawk" is his first broadcasting job.
Nexstar Broadcasting's CBS affiliate/WANE-TV (Channel 15, Fort Wayne) promotes weekend evening producer Michael Kuhn to overnight reporter, succeeding Chris Darby. Mr. Kuhn graduated from Ball State University last December. While at Ball State University, Mr. Kuhn worked for Indiana Public Radio, NewsLink Indiana, and served as a reporter intern at WANE-TV during his senior year.
Northcentral
In May, the FCC found a pirate radio station operating on 93.9fm in the Osceola area. The FCC recently sent a letter to Kevin and Allison Blume. The FCC claims the radio signals originated at the Blume's home in Mishawaka.
In 2002, Federated Media paid $550,000 and purchased what was then WGSN (102.7fm, Ligonier). Federated put their Hot AC "Froggy" format on 102.7fm, and that format lasted until June 2012. In June 2012, Federated flipped 102.7fm's format to Sports, first as FOX Sports, then as ESPN. Over the weekend, 102.7fm stunted with sounds of croaking frogs.
At Midnight this morning, WAOR (102.7fm, Ligonier) flipped format back to Hot AC "Froggy 102.7" as "Elkhart County's #1 Hit Music Station." Their first song was Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You."
Let's detail the new "Froggy" airstaff lineup:
Doug Williams from 6am until 10am. Production Director Zach Miller ("Zach Attack") from 10am until 2pm. PD Mark McGill from 2pm until 7pm. Shannon from 7pm until Midnight. Here's the Froggy website.
One of our readers e-mailed a music log which included songs by Billy Joel, John Mayer, OneRepublic, Taylor Swift, Rob Thomas, and Shania Twain, among others.
Back to "The Fan" for a moment: this format change means Pat Doherty's locally hosted afternoon drive "Home Stretch" ends.
Northwest
Brian Green exits as GM for the Neuhoff Media/Lafayette cluster. Mr. Green joined prior owner Schurz in 1994 and rose through the ranks (AE, GSM, DOS) becoming GM in 2013. Succeeding Mr. Green is Chris Fleming. Mr. Fleming most recently worked for Ramar Communications (Chief Revenue Officer and radio stations GM) along with their "2501 Interactive" unit. Mr. Fleming begins at Neuhoff this morning.
Heartland Media's CBS affiliate/WLFI (Channel 18, Lafayette) Assistant News Director Keith Hatten exits and joins Scripps' ABC affiliate/WRTV (Channel 6, Indianapolis) for the same role.
Southwest
Where Are They Now (Part 1)? Former then-Regent Evansville VP/GM Mark Thomas joins Alpha Media as their Market Manager in Saginaw, Michigan.
Where Are They Now (Part 2)? Former WFIE-TV Assistant News Director Janis (Demarest) Harper) recently earned a promotion from Assistant News Director to News Director at KTVA-TV in Anchorage, Alaska.
This Week in Indiana Radio History
Sign-on dates seem to be a prickly matter, subject to great debate, and mostly impossible to confirm. If there's something we need to add to the "calendar," please let us know. Please e-mail us if you have updated information.
August 27: In 1993, 92.7fm in Berne signs on as WZBD, and still is.
August 28: In 1989, 99.3fm in Van Buren signs on as WCJC, and still is. In 2006, broadcaster Kevin Bradley dies. Age 52. Mr. Bradley worked in TV and Radio in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Terre Haute.
August 29: In 1948, 104.1fm in Evansville signs on as WIKY-FM, and still is. In 1971, 92.1fm in Rochester signs on as WROI-FM and still is.
August 30: In 2007, Andy Ober became PD at WOWO(AM) (1190am, Fort Wayne).
August 31: In 2006, then-WGL-FM (102.9fm, Huntington) flips format from Variety Hits ("Mike FM") to a simulcast of then-Standards formatted WGL(AM) (1250am, Fort Wayne) "The River."
September 1: In 1928, 1280am in Fort Wayne signs on as WGL. It later moved to 1250am. In 1965, Channel 2 in Terre Haute signs on as WTWO-TV (and still is). Also on the same day and year, 103.1fm in Huntington signs on as WHLT-FM. Today, it's WJCI-FM on 102.9fm. In 1998, Fort Wayne's then-WHWD (1380am) flips format from Adult Standards ("Radio Hollywood") to Sports ("The Game"). In 2006, there was a double Fort Wayne format change: WXTW (102.3fm, Auburn) flipped from Alternative to Spanish, under a new owner. Also, WYLT (103.9fm, Fort Wayne) returned to their WXKE call letters, flipping from pop CHR back to Rock as "Rock 104."
September 2: In 1994, 105.5fm in LaGrange signed on as WTHD. On the same day, WMEE (97.3fm, Fort Wayne) flipped formats from CHR to Hot AC, as "Mix 97.3." In 2002, Jon Zimney became OM/PD of WOWO(AM) (1190am, Fort Wayne) and then-WONO(AM) (1380am, Fort Wayne).
That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch
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