Media Watch

KXCI Moves Closer to GM Selection

For close to 10 months, community radio KXCI FM 91.3 has been operating without an official general manager. Randy Peterson has handled the day-to-day duties on an interim basis since Larry Bruce's departure last March.

But KXCI could be close to finding a replacement. The board of directors interviewed three candidates earlier this month, and a group of volunteers and staff members got their crack at the applicants Jan. 11.

The board passed on the finalists during the initial search process some months ago. This is the second go-round.


KUAT GETS GOOD HOLIDAY CHEER

The annual December pledge drive turned in strong donation figures for Tucson's PBS affiliate. KUAT Channel 6 raised $219,801. Its Tucson Remembers pledge drive segment drew $6,465. KUAT will air Tucson Remembers the War Years as part of a mini-pledge effort at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3, and 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 4.


KVOA ADDS NEW SPORTS FACE, LOSES ANOTHER

KVOA Channel 4 has nabbed Ryan Recker as its new sports anchor. Recker makes the move from WTOV, the NBC affiliate licensed to Steubenville, Ohio, but serving Wheeling, W.Va. The move is a significant step up; WTOV sports a market rank in the 150 range. Tucson hovers around 70.

"The News 4 sports team has an outstanding reputation for its coverage of Arizona sports, and I look forward to carrying on the tradition of excellence," said Recker in a press release. "Tucson is a great sports town with great sports teams, and I can't wait to become a part of the local sports scene."

Recker begins his duties at KVOA on Feb. 5, although an official on-air debut has yet to be determined.

Recker's entrance coincides with the departure of Dan Joseph. The KVOA weekend sports anchor has decided to pursue other career options.


LA RAZA MAKES FREQUENCY MOVE

Jim Slone's purchase of KCEE AM 1030 has led to a shift on the dial for La Raza, KEVT. The Mexican music format has moved to 1210 AM, where it occupies a 10,000-watt signal. Slone purchased KCEE in the fall of 2006.


CHEAP PLUG

John Schuster--that's me!--and Brad Allis are now hosting a weekly sports talk show on KCUB AM 1290, The Source. The Bank of Tucson Wildcat Hour airs Saturdays at 8 a.m.

Allis is the editor of wildcatinsider.com and handled the editorial reins at Cat Tracks, a publication that covered UA sports, for four years. I have gabbed about Arizona sports in some capacity since 1991 and have co-hosted UA-related radio pregame and/or postgame shows since 1998, the last four years on 1290.