November & December, 2001

December 31, 2001

All Access reports that KMCD & KIIK (KICK 96) Fairfield has promoted Scott Krause to Station Manager, while KBIZ & KTWA Ottumwa brings in new Station Manager Judy Bushong.  Also KBEA (B100) Quad Cities has a new Program Director, Matt Williams who comes from WGFB in Rockford, IL....The Iowa Attorney General's office is monitoring Mediacom's advertising for its high-speed Internet service.  The point of contention is whether or not Mediacom should disclose that Excite@Home, the current provider is shutting down on February 28.  Mediacom says there will be no interruption in service as a deal is near with a new provider.....Upper Midwest Broadcasting reports that Dave St. John returns to KZZQ Des Moines as Program Director and midday host and that Radio Dubuque has applied to move the construction permit for a proposed station at 101.1 closer to Dubuque.  The station will be licensed to Dickeyville, WI.     

December 12, 2001

The Des Moines Register reports that Continental Broadcasting of La Crosse, WI was the high bidder for Lifestyles Communications Central Iowa Stations including KJJC. (The Jock)  The sale is expected to close in March or April.  The stations are expected to bring more than $2 million.....One morning host comes to WMT-FM Cedar Rapids but another leaves.  Jay Myers is new to mornings at Mix 96 1/2 but co-host Kristen Murphy leaves for mornings at WDEZ Wausau, WI.   

December 9, 2001

The message board component of this site has a new home.  The Iowa Media Message Board is now part of the Radio-Info.com network.  This means greater access to message boards from all over the country and greater exposure for Iowa radio and TV issues.  The new address is http://radio-info.com/boards/iowa.....KSTZ (Star 102.5) Des Moines is looking for a new midday personality and Music Director to replace Jen Myers who is moving to a top 20 market.....In recent weeks KRNA Cedar Rapids has moved to a Classic Rock approach using the "Classic Rock That Really Rocks" positioner.  Musically it is harder than competitor KKRQ (The Fox).....Just a clarification of the news item on Christmas formats.  KCHA in Charles City carries the Westwood One Nostalgia format and WW1 has replaced the regular music on that service with Christmas music. 

December 7, 2001

KGGO and KJJY Des Moines have been fined $16,000 by the FCC for violations including failure to log Emergency Alert System tests.....KXNO Des Moines has made some changes in it's lineup.  Jim Walden moves from mornings to afternoons where he will co-host with former WHO radio personality Larry Cotlar who makes his return to Des Moines.  Walden's former co-host Gary Howe and afternoon co-host Jack Emerson are out, afternoon co-host Alex Ryan is reportedly being reassigned within Clear Channel Des Moines.  KXNO will go with Fox Sports Radio during AM Drive.....All Access reports that Grant Field, formerly of WLTI Chicago joins KLTI Des Moines for afternoon drive.....Also from All Access, KCCQ (Channel Q) Ames-Des Moines, morning man and Music Director Johnny Maze leaves for KSYR in Shreveport, LA.....Fred Petrick, better known as Mombo the Clown, died November 27 due to complications from a stroke.  Mombo entertained Eastern Iowa children with his magic tricks on WMT-TV's (now KGAN) Dr. Max Show from 1961-1981.  He was 94.....WMT-FM Cedar Rapids, KCHA Charles City, KOMJ Omaha, KGBI Omaha are among the stations that are going with an all Christmas music format.....Upper Midwest Broadcasting reports that Gillbro Communications is selling Ottumwa radio stations KBIZ-AM and KTWA-FM to Fairfield Media for $950,000.....

November 15, 2001

KBOB Quad Cities changed format from Mainstream Country to Classic Country November 12.....The Cyclone Radio Network announced that WMT-FM (Mix 96 and 1/2) Cedar Rapids will carry Iowa State football next season.  Negotiations are underway for men's basketball as well.  Both the network and the station are owned by Clear Channel Communications and would allow greater coverage of Eastern Iowa.....Iowa Hawkeye fans in Southeast Iowa will be able to see Iowa basketball on TV after all.  The Burlington Hawk Eye reports that at one point, the longtime rights holder KYOU was forced to drop the games after the Fox network threatened to pull it's affiliation from the Ottumwa based station due to the prime-time pre-emptions for the games.  As a result of a compromise between the two parties, KYOU will show most of the games starting December 1.  KYOU was not allowed to pre-empt Fox programming to air games in the season opening Guardian's Classic.....Upper Midwest Broadcasting reports that Saga Communications has applied for a new combined transmitter site for Des Moines KIOA, KSTZ (Star 102.5), and KAZR (Lazer 103.3).  The stations would all operate with 100kW at 342m, representing an upgrade for KIOA and KAZR but a downgrade for KSTZ.  KLTI  (Lite 104.1) is not included in the plan. 

November 6, 2001

All Access reports that KLYV (Y 105) Dubuque APD/MD Laura Ford has exited.....On October 31, WHTS (All Hit 989) Quad Cities debuted a local morning show with Malibu Mark Manuel moving from PM Drive .  Manuel is assisted by Liz Kedley.  The syndicated "Bob & Tom" moves from WHTS to sister station KUUL (Kool 101.3).....Jessica Dol moves from mornings at KRNA Cedar Rapids to middays at KEZO (Z 92) Omaha.....Iowa State University announced a five year marketing rights agreement with Clear Channel Sports and ESPN Regional Television.  It will extend Clear Channel's radio rights for football and men's and women's basketball as well as ESPN Regional's TV rights for men's basketball through 2006-2007.