59’s Rariden moving on

Transitions

Marc D. Allan

WXIN (Channel 59) is looking for a new news director. Karen Rariden, who ran the newsroom for the past four-plus years, is leaving to become daytime executive producer at KYW, the CBS affiliate in Philadelphia.

“I enjoyed every minute of it here,” said Rariden, who jumps from the No. 25 market to the No. 4 market. “I think we made some great strides here and have a good team assembled. We’ve improved the product, improved our coverage. Besides moving into the new building, those are the things I’m most proud of. And the awards were just because we worked hard and did the best we could. I really like these people, I really like the area, I really like the station. But this is a great opportunity for me.”

The awards she’s referring to are the four regional Emmys Channel 59 won this fall, including best daytime and best evening newscast. Rariden also oversaw coverage of several big stories, including Sept. 11 — she’d been here a month when the attacks occurred — the death of Gov. Frank O’Bannon and the Pacers’ brawl. And, she was at the helm as WXIN moved from downtown Indianapolis to its more spacious, more luxurious digs on the Northwestside.

Although there have been rumors of discord between Rariden and General Manager Jerry Martin, neither had a negative word to say.

“We had ratings hikes under her leadership and we certainly won critical acclaim with the Emmys — and that’s always good,” Martin said. “That’s always a nice pat on the back that you’re producing a great product. We wish her well.”

Martin said he’s started the search for Rariden’s replacement and hopes to have someone on board shortly. “I’ll go out and try to hire someone equal or better. That’s always the goal when anybody leaves. That would be the goal when I leave. I’m starting the search as of yesterday, quite frankly, so we’ll see how the resumes come in.”

Another media move

In another media move, WRZX-FM (103.3) moves Dave Gunn from afternoons to mornings to team up with Don Stuck. Stuck ’n’ Gunner, as the show will be known, begins Nov. 28. Stuck had been flying solo in the mornings since his cohort Gonzo Greg and the station parted ways. Program director Lenny Diana said the station is close to deciding who’ll replace Gunn in the afternoons.