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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowiHeart Media’s Indianapolis radio stations—including WFBQ-FM 94.7 and WOLT-FM 103.3—are facing another major change.
After nearly a decade leading iHeart Media’s (formerly Clear Channel) Indianapolis cluster of radio stations, Rick Green is departing the market Feb. 12.
Rick GreenGreen, 58, is set to become iHeart’s area president in the mid-Atlantic region, overseeing 29 stations in six markets and iHeart’s Virginia News Network. He begins his new job, which is based out of Richmond, Virginia, on Feb. 15. Green will be one of iHeart’s 18 area presidents.
Green, who took over for Chris Wheat as iHeart’s Indy market manager in October 2006, expects his replacement in Indianapolis to be named in the next two weeks. He said internal and external candidates are being considered for the job.
It’s been a busy last couple of years for Green.
Under his direction, iHeart rebranded and reprogrammed its FM 103.3 station from hard rock to mainstream alternative in June 2014; rebranded WNDE-AM 1260 to Fox Sports Radio and launched a simulcast of the station (with a bit of new programming) on FM 97.5—a Franklin frequency it acquired in early July; and acquired FM 98.3 from Disney and launched a country station on that frequency in late July.
In addition to that, Green saw two on-air stars—Bob Kevoian and Kristi Lee—depart from the popular "Bob & Tom Show" on WFBQ-FM last month.
Green said he isn’t too concerned with the changes on "Bob & Tom," which airs weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.
“The Nielsen data shows without Bob and Kristi during the first two weeks of January, the station is still No. 1 with listeners 25 to 54 in the mornings,” Green said. “It appears the change of the cast hasn’t had any impact on the ratings—yet. It doesn’t feel like we’ve lost any momentum on that show.”
Q95, despite a somewhat aging demographic, is still a strong property for iHeart, Green said.
“We see a lot of kids following their parents to Q95,” he said. “We have a lot of 25-, 30- and 35-year-old guys who still like classic rock. We’ve not seen any reason to believe there will be format adjustments to the station.”
Green, a Cincinnati native, said leaving Indianapolis wasn’t an easy decision.
“Leaving wasn’t my first desire,” Green said. “We’ve really liked it here. For a city its size, it has amazing amenities and attractions. But my wife is from Richmond, Virginia, so this is a chance to get closer to her family.”
Green said he’ll be back to visit in May.
“In my time in Indianapolis, I’ve become a huge IndyCar fan,” Green said. “Our first trip back will be for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in May. This year is going to be a great spectacle out at the track.”
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