Indiana RadioWatch: November 10, 2001
Northeast
Rumors turn to reality as Kovas Communications sells 4 of its Fort Wayne
radio stations to Travis Broadcasting Corporation. Included in the sale
are N-T/WGL(AM) (1250am, Fort Wayne), 1980's/WCKZ (94.1fm, Roanoke),
Country/WWWD (96.3fm, Churubusco), and Alternative/WXTW (102.3fm, Auburn).
IRW hasn't heard what's become of Kovas' 5th station: WGLL(AM) (1570am,
Auburn) - IRW has heard it on the air once in the past year. As for
the financials, no purchase price was mentioned, according to both Rhea
Edmonds article in The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, and Lynne McKenna
Frazier's article in The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. Both newspaper
articles mention an LMA between Kovas and Travis until the sale is closed
(this planned for the first quarter of 2002). George Hays, formerly GSM
at Rock/WFWI (92.3fm, Fort Wayne) is now GM of the 4 stations.
Rock/WBYR (98.9fm, Van Wert, Ohio) and Classic Rock/WFWI (92.3fm, Fort
Wayne) GM Bob Schutt retires after 5 years with the Federated Media
stations. Also, Production Director "Tuna" Jon Rose (Earl Rolling) exits.
Rose has opened up his own production company.
Before we leave Production Road, Carol Kovach is now GSM at Rock/WFWI
(92.3fm, Fort Wayne). Kovach arrives from FOX affiliate WSJV-TV (Channel
28, South Bend) where she was Local Sales Manager.
Where Are They Now? Former WJFX PD, and WMEE APD Ange Canessa is now PD
at WLTO in Lexington, Kentucky.
Northwest
Changes at Artistic Media Partners' Lafayette stations...J.J. Davis adds
PD duties at Country/WLFF (95.3fm, Brookston). Davis continues
programming CHR/WAZY (96.5fm, Lafayette). Also at WLFF, they've dropped
Radio One's "Go Country" format and will program in-house. Production
Director Mike Warner returns to the airwaves, doing middays. Also, Matt
Ryan handles afternoons (2pm - 6pm), in addition to his night slot at
sister WAZY.
Eastcentral
Former Hot AC/WTGR (97.5fm, Union City, Ohio) PD Keith Wade is now
handling mornings at AC/WZZY (98.3fm, Winchester).
Central
Kelli Thompson departs mornings at Country/WMDH-FM (102.5fm, New Castle)
for morning co-host at Religious/WGNR(AM) & FM (1470am, 97.9fm, both
Anderson).
Where Are They Now? Former Country/WGRL (93.9fm, Noblesville) weekender
Matt Carter is now APD/MD/Afternoons at KDAO in Des Moines, Iowa.
Southeast
A correction from last issue...we erroneously reported that WRZQ and WYGB
are sister stations of WWWY - they're not. WRZQ/WYGB are owned by Keith
Reising.
Employment Opportunities
Fort Wayne's Rock Powerhouse WBYR/WFWI has a rare Production Director
opening. The last guy parlayed this position into a freelance business
that will net him millions (over his lifetime). We wish him well, but now
the opportunity is yours! If you can write & produce and add to the
creative collective that keeps these two stations dominant, send your
production demo & resume along with anything else you think might impress
us to: Jim Fox, Operations Manager, Federated Media, 1005 Production Road,
Fort Wayne, IN, 46808 - or e-mail jfox@wbyr.com EOE.
That's it for this issue. See you in a week!
Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch
irw@well.com
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