Indiana RadioWatch: July 28, 1999
Northeast
National programming influence (via major group ownership) hasn't existed in Fort Wayne since
the early 1980's when Westinghouse owned WOWO. This dry spell came to an end a few
weeks ago as AC/WDFM (98.1fm, Defiance, Ohio) flipped formats. Clear Channel (then Jacor)
bought WDFM late last year, from Steve Lakenau. The station kept its locally programmed
AC format and its home town image, while Clear Channel & Jacor made wedding plans. After
the nuptials were complete, Clear Channel flipped WDFM to its homogeneous "Mix" format, heard
in other markets. IRW notes that the "Mix" format originates from Jacor HQ - station WVMX in
Cincinnati, Ohio. No call letter change has been made, and we note that former WDFM staffers
are still on the air (with a noticeable DJ void in evenings and overnights, according to our ears.)
Bob Taylor is at it again. Taylor's Lite AC/WEXI (102.9fm, Huntington) files another application
with the FCC to change frequency & power. Earlier this year, his application to move to 103.1fm
was returned by the FCC. This application also has the move to 103.1fm along with raising the
power from 3000 watts to 4500 watts. According to the application, the tower site will remain
the same (U.S. 24, just sout of WOWO's transmitter, between Roanoke and Huntington.)
Urban/WJFX (107.9fm, New Haven) welcomes Randy Alomar for Promotions, along with the occassional
air shift. Alomar arrives from Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, where he worked at WBHT.
Woody, previously nights at Rock/WBYR (98.9fm, Van Wert, Ohio) is now assignment manger at
local ABC affiliate WPTA (Channel 21, Fort Wayne)
Northcentral
Now that FCC v. Pathfinder Communications has concluded, the Commission has granted several station
sales involving Pathfinder. Pathfinder acquires Oldies/WNIL(AM) & Rock/WAOR-FM (1290am, 95.3fm, both
Niles, Michigan) from Niles Broadcasting. Pathfinder will also complete the sale of several Tulsa,
Oklahoma stations to Clear Channel.
Mid-America Radio's CP, currently WBFK (101.9fm, Roann) changes calls to WMYK.
Northwest
Talk/Standards WJOB (1230am, Hammond) and Talk/Oldies WIMS (1420am, Michigan City) are sold by
M&M Broadcasting to St. George Broadcasting for $4 million.
Oldies/WNJY (102.9fm, Delphi) is sold by Kenneth Manning to Radioworks/Stay Tuned Broadcasting
for $1 million. Manning is the trustee for former owner Bill Diebel's estate. Radioworks/Stay
Tuned also owns Rock/WKHY (93.5fm, Lafayette) along with several other Illinois stations.
Eastcentral
Country/WQLK (96.1fm, Richmond) gets a license to cover, as they're now running on a new, taller
transmitter.
Central
Hymn Time, Inc. applies for a station at 88.3fm in Muncie. We question their choice of transmitter
location (unless the FCC made a goof) - they are proposing running 200 watts from a site near the
intersection of U.S. 224 and I-69, roughly 60 miles north of Muncie proper.
Southeast
Kris Kaane is the new PD at Oldies/WINN (106.1fm, North Vernon). Kaane was previously APD at
Oldies/WDBQ in Galena, Illinois.
That's it for this issue! See you in two weeks...
Blaine Thompson
Fort Wayne RadioWatch
irw@well.com
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