Indiana RadioWatch: October 6, 2001
We'll take a detour from our normal region-by-region summary since one of
the biggest stories in radio broadcasting this week was partially based in
Indiana.
Missouri based Contemporary Media had all of its stations shut down on
Thursday. Contemporary Media Owner Michael Rice's stations in Columbia,
Missouri and Terre Haute were turned off, and station staffers were let
go. We had hoped to compile a list of staffers, so that other interested
stations who had openings could contact them, but no luck.
Rice's Terre Haute stations include Country/WBOW (640am, Terre Haute),
Alternative/WBUZ (1230am, Terre Haute), and Alternative/WZZQ (107.5fm,
Terre Haute).
Rice had his licenses revoked following an August 11, 1994 conviction on
12 criminal counts, all of a sexual nature. According to Zach Taylor's
article in The Terre Haute Tribune-Star, The FCC gave Rice a 90 day
temporary authorization, so the stations could remain on the air while he
found a new owner/operator. Rice could not find one, and when his attempt
to extend that authorization failed, the stations' fates were sealed.
The licenses for all stations will be auctioned by the FCC in December.
Now, onto the other news of the week...
Northeast
News-Talk/WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) OM Tommy Allen adds OM duties at
sister Hot AC/WMEE (97.3fm, Fort Wayne). Allen shifts OM duties for
Sports/WONO (1380am, Fort Wayne) to Dean McNeil. McNeil is also OM/PD at
Country/WQHK (105.1fm, Decatur). One aside: WONO used to be WQHK(AM) until
March, 1996. So that makes McNeil in charge of WQHK-FM and the former
WQHK(AM).
Guy Forrest is the new Production Director and afternoon guy at
Country/WBTU (93.3fm, Kendallville).
Northcentral
Tom Pagna, morning drive personality at C&W WHLY/WJVA (1580am &
1620am/both South Bend) exits.
Central
Formatics changes at CHR/WZPL (99.5fm, Greenfield), as PD Scott Sands
announces the end of their 5 year old moniker "99-and-a-half Z-P-L" in
favor of the new "Z-99.5, the new WZPL." According to a station press
release, musical changes include the removal of "a majority of pop music
by artists such as Backstreet Boys, Dream, O-Town, Britney Spears, and
N'Sync as well as any urban or rhythmic product from the likes of Janet
Jackson, Shaggy, and Jennifer Lopez." Resulting from philosophical
differences, night guy Jason Burns (aka Buzz Craven) exits. Also, Jude
Corbett is now the new station imaging voice. Finally, there's a new
on-air lineup which you'll see at the WZPL page on our website:
http://www.well.com/~irw/stations/wzpl.html
Speaking moniker changes, Hot AC/WENS (97.1fm, Shelbyville) is now "The
New Sound of 97.1 - The Best Mix of the 90's and Today."
Employment Opportunities
WYFX/WRCY Mt. Vernon Indiana, has an immediate opening for an account
executive. Salary/commission and benefits. Info to John Curry,
WYFX/WRCY, 7109 Upton Road, Mount Vernon, IN 47620 or e-mail
wyfx@evansville.net
WXIN Fox 59, Tribune Broadcasting's Indianapolis affiliate, is looking for
an Associate Producer to join the team on our non-traditional morning
show, "Fox 59 a.m." Prior newsroom and producing experience required. Good
writing skills essential. Send resume, cover letter stating position
desired, salary history and referral source, and non-returnable writing
samples to Human Resources, WXIN, 1440 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN
46202. No phone calls please. EOE.
WXIN Fox 59, Tribune Broadcasting's Indianapolis affiliate, seeks Managing
Producer to help lead a talented news department that is poised for
success and destined for greatness. We have a live, 3-hour weekday morning
news and a half-hour daily 10PM newscast. Position will assist overall
supervision of the News Department and direct responsibility for staff
scheduling, special projects and election planning. Minimum 5 years
television newsroom experience as a producer, reporter or assignment desk
manager required. Previous experience as an assistant news director,
executive news producer, or managing editor a plus. Successful candidate
will demonstrate a proven track record guiding a successful news
operation, effective communication and leadership skills, and a positive,
enthusiastic attitude. Send resume and cover letter stating position
desired, salary requirements and referral source to: HR, WXIN, 1440 N.
Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. EOE. No phone calls please.
That's it for this issue. See you in a week!
Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch
irw@well.com
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