WISH-TV canceling Ahern talk show after 2-year run

A 30-minute talk show hosted by retired WISH-TV Channel 8 anchor Mike Ahern is coming to an end, about 2-½ years after it was launched.

“Mike Ahern: One on One” adopted a format akin to "Larry King Live," with Ahern interviewing newsmakers such as racing legend Bobby Unser, astronaut David Wolf and Gov. Mike Pence.

It typically aired Sunday mornings on WISH and followed the 10 p.m. newscast Thursdays on sister station WNDY-TV Channel 23. Its last airing is scheduled for Sept. 5.

“We determined that long-form programming just doesn’t work as it once did,” WISH/WNDY spokesman Scott Hainey said of the decision to cancel the show.

Ahern’s show replaced "Access Hollywood," which will return to the 10:30 slot on Thursdays. 

WISH will continue to look for opportunities to feature Ahern, he added.

Although Ahern’s show is ending, WISH is committed to locally produced programming in addition to newscasts, Hainey said. WISH produces the city’s only lifestyle TV show, "Indy Style." Running weekday mornings, "Indy Style" is hosted by Andi Hauser and Tracy Forner.

WISH/WNDY also has a full platter of high school sports games, Butler basketball and coverage of events such as the 500 Festival Parade and the Mini Marathon.

Locally produced shows can be cheaper than buying syndicated programming, although the trick is to generate sufficient local advertising.

Ahern, now in his early 70s, retired from WISH in 2004 after working 37 years at the CBS affiliate. Often likened to the Walter Cronkite of Indianapolis TV, Ahern co-anchored the station’s evening newscast with Debby Knox, who continues to work at the station.