Indy Radio: Tony Katz Moves To AM Drive On WIBC

Steve Simpson

June 13 was the last day on the air at N/T WIBC 93.1 FM for longtime radio news personality Steve Simpson.

According to the Indianpolis Business Journal, his contract would not be renewed by Indianapolis-based Emmis Communications Corp., which owns WIBC.

“We now have more empathy than ever for what the [Indianapolis] Colts went through with Peyton Manning,” said Emmis market manager Charlie Morgan. “This certainly has nothing to do with Steve’s performance. … This should not be taken in any way as our lack of appreciation for Steve’s 22 years of service at WIBC.

“He’s just not the right guy for what the role of host now requires,” Morgan added. “What we’re asking our hosts to do is offer opinion and perspective, and [Simpson] was not comfortable with that. He was more comfortable in a more traditional news role.”

WIBC 93.1 FM (13.5Kw) 54dBu Coverage

Tony Katz

As of Monday (6/30), mornings on WIBC has been filled by conservative news talk show host Tony Katz, Morgan said.

Katz, who is based out of Los Angeles, had been doing a show on WIBC from 9 p.m. to midnight. Katz is in the process of selling his L.A. home and moving to Carmel, Morgan said.

“Tony’s is a local show,” Morgan emphasized, “not a syndicated show.”

The shakeout, Simpson said, didn’t catch him completely by surprise Friday.

“Times change, and the direction they were headed is a place I couldn’t take them,” he said. “I had a nice, long run at WIBC and certainly still have some friends there and wish them the best of luck.”

Simpson, 50, said he’d like to stay in Indianapolis and is considering a number of future career options. “I have some ideas on what I’d like to do … anything from public relations to being a spokesperson to writing are some of the things I’d consider.”

Simpson said he’d also consider another radio gig if one came available.

Simpson, a Syracuse University graduate, started his career in Syracuse, New York at WHEN and WKFM. He moved to Indiana in 1987 to work at WKLR-FM, and in 1992 made the move to WIBC.

Previously, Kats was a host on N/T KFTK 97.1FM in St. Louis. He also hosted various daily shows with the All Patriots Media Network.

Tony is a contributor to TownHall.com and ChristianPost.com, and his work has appeared on Breitbart.com and The Daily Caller.