A new afternoon show and the full-time return of John Landecker highlight a slew of changes at WGN Chicago. Former " US99 " WUSN morning co-host and " Big 95.5 " WEBG midday host Lisa Dent is returning to Chicago radio as afternoon co-host on Nexstar News/Talk 720 WGN. Here's what they wrote: "We have lived a dream. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. John Williams (including the Wintrust Business Lunch at noon) First Lt. Elmer McKesson, Capt. [18] In July 1941, WGN was given tentative permission to operate FM station W59C[19] on 45.9 MHz,[20] pending the outcome of an FCC review whether newspaper ownership of radio stations should be restricted. You can find Bill and Wendy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. After a protracted four-year process, on December 31, 2012, Tribune formally exited from bankruptcy under the control of its senior debt holders, Oaktree Capital Management, JPMorgan Chase and Angelo, Gordon & Co.[48][49][50], On July 10, 2013, Tribune announced plans to split off its broadcasting and newspaper interests into two separate companies. I was happy for Pete that he would get a morning show, but I had this bad feeling it was a bad move/risk/ Mornings as we know are a very competitive and no offense to 97.1 The Drive or its listeners, but its a music station for people that like type/genre of music. WGN (AM) is broadcast in five states, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. : Bengston, Bob - Retired from radio. moving Lin Brehmers morning show to middays. Over the years, WGN has waffled between the 1922 and 1924 origin stories to mark significant anniversaries, but settled on 2022 for the centennial, Marzullo said. And they all understand that. Im thrilled to have Bob Sirott back on!! This afternoon news-oriented program led by Steve is a welcome addition to our WGN Radio weekday lineup.. Crazy..I will tune out and listen to bill and Wendy when they move. WGN 720-AM, the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station, chose the Friday night of a three-day holiday weekend to drop the bombshell that it's overhauling its weekday afternoon and evening lineup. Were not relevant anymore. Ive listened to GN for over nearly 6 decades and the decline is painful to hear. Jenkins and Donnelly are at their transmitter in the Wrigley Building in 1922. badrogue17. He was annoying and loud. After listening to WGN radio for many decades (even with my father as a child) Im done. [5], The Chicago Tribune purchased WDAP, and on June 1, 1924, renamed it WGN. He was notified after he got off the air Friday that it was his last show. Love Pete. Chicago media message boards exploded with traffic and posts, many excited over a possible permanent Meier presence on the station. Over many decades, WGN was a "full service" radio station. Rivian expects a loss of $4.5 billion in 2023, Post Kane era starts with 4-1 loss to Coyotes, Video: Morning shows annual toast to Bob Collins, City of Chicago Election Results: Key Races, Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in. Bring Wendy & Bill back too!!! List of old-time American radio people. Im more happy than ever to pay the small Sirius XM monthly fee. And then replace him with the also-was used to be Sirrot? Williams' former timeslot, 1-4 p.m. was left vacant for several months, with the station's other radio hosts filling in on a rotating basis including weekend host Nick Digilio, and Bob Sirott, who formerly hosted "The Noon Show" on the same station, in addition to a weekend program that is pre-recorded with his wife, Marianne Murciano (Sirott was also a prominent news anchor at NBC owned-and-operated station WMAQ-TV, channel 5, and later at Fox-owned WFLD, channel 32). The station also streams its programming on its website and supplies podcasts as well. Digilio, an inductee in the WGN Radio Walk of Fame who recently marked his 35th year at the station, moved up to full-time host in 2013. A perennial ratings powerhouse, WGN Radio had double-digit audience shares and millions of regular listeners from the 1960s through the 1980s, when Wally Phillips, Bob Collins, Roy Leonard and other legendary broadcasters ruled the airwaves. The reason I got into this business was listening to Cubs broadcasts growing up, said Sirott, 72. 27 de fevereiro de 2023 | celebrities with short upper lip. WGN's YouTube Page. The city's first disc jockey was Halloween Martin, whose show, Musical Clock, was a morning staple on various stations from 1929 to 1946. Shame on you. Morning producer Mary Boyle was appointed General Manager of the station after former Station Manager Todd Manley was terminated on the first day of Nextar's takeover. [21] Effective November 1, 1943, the FCC modified its policy for FM call signs,[22] and the station's call letters were changed to WGNB. In 2012, John Williams announced his departure from the station upon the December 31 expiration of his contract (leaving on December 21, 2012), in order to concentrate exclusively on his program on WCCO in Minneapolis instead of splitting time between stations. But the golden voice came on the air at 11pm. Chicago News Anchors: Past and Present. Not only did the station have all of the front-line talent that was really world class, we had the Cubs and the Bears and two helicopters and an in-house weather guy, and on and on and on, said Fabian. [33][34][35] Eleven years later, WGN suffered another helicopter-related tragedy when Flying Officer Irv Hayden and his pilot were killed on August 10, 1971, after their helicopter struck a utility pole in the Chicago suburb of Bellwood.[36][37][38]. I am a WGN junkie so I hope things work out. The Nexstar Media news/talk station announced the move Thursday as part of a new weekday lineup starting January 3. Absolutely agree about Hochberg. The station gained some early listeners, including Chicago Tribune publisher Col. Robert McCormick, who wrote to his mother, you cannot help being thrilled at the little box that picks sounds from the air, according to a WGN history published by the station in 1961. [23], On June 27, 1945, the FCC announced the reassignment of the FM band to 80 channels from 88106MHz, which was soon expanded to 100 channels from 88108MHz. What is the new WGN thinking, are all the bosses afraid to read the numbers, or are there egos so large that they are smarter than the chicago listeners, I hope that the person who put Sinatra on Sunday mornings didnt do this, but it sounds like the same logic. I can remember being 10 years old and thinking how boring. I thought of my Dad often as I tuned in every morning. On November 20, 2014, Chicago media blogger Robert Feder reported that WGN management planned to end operation of both WGWG-LP and internet station WGN.FM on December 31, 2014. [40] The former WGN annex onto Tribune Tower is now used as a retail space containing Dylan's Candy Bar. I would miss tuning in. He sounded lost and confused. Text is available under the Creative Commons . The station will also launch a limited-edition centennial beer dubbed Chicagos Very Own golden lager, which will be available beginning Friday at Metropolitan Brewing in Chicago and at other retailers. Fabian, who tried to hire Sirott at least six times over the years to work at WGN Radio, said the versatile Chicago air personality is the rightful heir to the morning chair. Couldnt stand the way he interrupted his guests. Also during weekdays, the radio station simulcasts the first two hours of the WGN Morning News at 4a.m. Out effective immediately is afternoon personality Roe Conn, whose contract runs through the end of the year. If they would smarten up and get rid of him I just might start listening again. I really miss,Nkck Digilio. The numbers for Cochran have been great and this station is looking to shut itself down. The station used ABC News Radio for national news reports as the network's Chicago affiliate. Anna Davlantes impeccable resume includes decades of award-winning investigative reporting," Sandberg Boyle said. In the latest Nielsen Audio survey, WGN tied for 21st place in afternoons with a 2.0 percent share and cumulative weekly audience of 124,300. Read; Edit; View history . Steve Bertrand, who has been hosting afternoons solo since he replaced Roe Conn in September 2020, will continue with Dent from 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays. Late in the game for a response but I still miss Spike and Judi and Kathy! [56][needs update] In October 2012, then back into Tribune Tower in October 2012. WGN radio personality Wally Phillips hosts Mayor Harold Washington on Phillips' telephone call-in show fielding a wide range of questions from listeners in November 1983. Following the 2014 season, Cubs radio broadcasts moved to 780 AM WBBM.[69]. 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The only personalities to make the format transition were Don Wade and Roma. I am absolutely delighted to not have to hear Cochran anymore; I listen to GN all day and I couldnt wait for 10 am to come; as happy as I am that Cochran is gone, Im that sad that bill and Wendy are gone- was nuts for them. I look forward to see what Bob brings to the table, WITHOUT his wife. (Chicago Tribune historical photo). Ill never understand the cut throat business that is radio. In the spring of 1986, as Phillips was ceding the morning show to Collins after nearly 20 years, he still had a 15.7 audience share, nearly double the nearest competitor. One of her first personnel moves in December 2019 was naming veteran Chicago radio and TV personality Bob Sirott as morning drive host on WGN Radio. Radio Ink. With Brandmeier's addition to WGN radio's weekday lineup, the morning drive timeslot shifted to 5:30-9 a.m., followed by Mike McConnell from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., John Williams from 12-3 p.m., and Garry Meier from 3-7 p.m. News anchor Steve Bertrand moved to mornings with Brandmeier and Jim Gudas shifted to the midday/afternoon slot. WGN Radio missed out on calling the Cubs 2016 World Series victory after 90 years of futility. The agreement is for three years. The Bill and Wendy Show airs Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, then streaming from noon to 1 p.m. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Most, Karen Conti, Dan Hampton and most anyone he spoke with. Dent will join Steve Bertrand in the 2-6pm slot starting Monday, January 3, 2022. All thats left worth listening to now are the best Colour Analysts in the NHL-Troy Murray & John Wiederman. Will definitely tune into their show. Whats more interesting here is the recently retired Joyner who is the same age as Sirott (70) said about the state of radio recently in Billboard: When I came along, you didnt have a lot of listening choices. Maybe he did some good things but good grief who needed it when you had to listen to him! Above: Political analyst, Paul Green. Harvey's news and commentary shows were carried nationally by ABC Radio, although he was based in Chicago and the programs aired locally on WGN. While residing in TX 09/2015 DeCastro fired Bob and Marianne. Column: No one is in custody is an unfortunately overused phrase that should be banished, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. He got what he deserved! Ill miss you. You can find Bill and Wendy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Similarly, new radio jingles from JAM Creative Productions and sister company PAMS of Dallas were introduced to the station. WGN Radio is just another radio station. (I am now 76). And unfortunately it didnt work out. Over-the-air radio industry revenue peaked at about $18 billion in 2006, but it fell precipitously during the Great Recession and has never really recovered. Cochran was re-hired in 2013 for morning drive after spending a few years at Salems WIND-AM. It was a return to the station for Sirott, who co-hosted middays with his wife, Marianne Murciano, from 2013 to 2015, and previously hosted The Noon Show from 2007 to 2010 while co-anchoring the WFLD-Ch. Slogans during its ratings pinnacle included WGN Radio is Chicago, a bold assertion issued in TV spots by a cartoon bird, reflecting both the stations market dominance and cultural significance. Posted: Aug 6, 2014 / 06:53 AM CDT. Age: 58. Steve Bertrand has always been committed to reporting the news in a fair and thoughtful way. WGN still conducts itself as if it were the Voice of Chicago, as if it were the station of record. [2] WGN has a news/talk format, along with broadcasts of Chicago Blackhawks hockey and Northwestern University football and basketball. In 1934, WGN became a founding member of the Mutual Broadcasting System. While he aspired to be the Cubs radio play-by-play man, Sirott turned down an offer from Fabian to take the job during the height of his TV hosting commitments. . He told Robert Feder "I've done everything I can to respect and build on the legacy of this amazing place, and I believe I accomplished everything I set out to do." On May 22, 2009, WGN announced the cancellation of The Kathy and Judy Show effective after that day's broadcast. : Bateman, Bob - On air personality at WMIL-FM in Milwaukee. Don't worry, this story isn't over. Cochran becomes the highest-rated host to be canned in Chicago radio in years; in 2007, Howard McGee was released from WGCI despite finishing first in adults 18-34 in morning drive and was replaced by Steve Harveys syndicated morning show (McGee has since returned to Chicago radio in a weekend/fill-in role at WVAZ-FM, WGCIs sister station.). On August 13, 2010, the station's branding changed again to "News 720 WGN." His time slot announced was 10:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M, which moved then mid morning hosts Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder to the afternoon drive from 3:00-7:00p.m. Garry Meier would be moved to WGN.FM, with Steve Cochran's morning show getting expended by 1 hour, and Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano still having their 12:00-3:00p.m. Above: WGN Radio General Manage Wayne Vriesman and Assistant Ellen Blomberg. ) I sure dont want to listen to theMrs if the Mister is dry as clay. Agree with canning Cochrane. Cochran constant bashing of Trump tiresome. LOVE Bob and could not wait to return to WGN. I have a disease (Parkinsons) which often ikeeps me up at night. Goodbye to the left leaning, Hillary loving, agenda pushing fool. [42] Industry observers described Metheny's tenure as one that nearly destroyed the venerable WGN, with staff moves that included replacing a popular evening host with radio rookie Jim Laski, a Chicago politician and convicted felon.[43]. Former morning host Greg Jarrett was released from the station. [14] During this period, Count Cutelli installed one of the most advanced sound effects system to date into the WGN studios, the same system used in Hollywood films.[15]. Proper response would be to ask an endless series of follow ups until the person regrets having spoken to you in the first place. WGN radio personality Wally Phillips hosts Mayor Harold Washington on Phillips' telephone call-in show fielding a wide range of questions from listeners in November 1983. He always interrupted people. The loss of the Cubs, however, still stings for listeners and WGN staffers alike, hanging on like a phantom limb to the station where Chicago play-by-play broadcasts were born. 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