TN Radio: WNWS Wants to Keep Dan Reaves Off WTJS

Dan Reaves

News/Talk WNWS 101.5-FM in Jackson, TN has filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent radio talk host Dan Reaves from remaining on the air at Talk WTJS 93.1-FM, the Jackson Sun reports.

"Dan broke the promise he made to me personally, and a legal commitment to our company which has supported him for 20 years," Carlton Viers, President of WNSW parent company Wireless Group, said.

Previously, Reaves worked at WNWS and served as its 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. weekday host. He left on May 12 and joined WTJS, filling the same time slot. Reaves launched his new show on WTJS on May 26.

The lawsuit alleges that Reaves violated his non-compete agreement with WNWS by joining a competing radio station. The non-compete states that Reaves has to wait a year after leaving WNWS before he can join any radio or TV broadcast company that competes with them in West Tennessee.

The lawsuit says that Reaves signed the non-compete on June 24, 2001.

WNWS also filed a second lawsuit against Reeves, alleging he violated his contract, intentionally interfered with its business and revealed company secrets to a competitor.

The company sent Reaves a letter notifying him that he was in breach of contract on May 18 to prevent him from working at WTJS.

Reaves was unavailable for comment but confirmed Grace broadcast, the parent company of WTJS, had hired a lawyer and was reviewing the lawsuit.