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. I know John Williams does currrent events, but is to opinionated. The station first signed on the air on May 19, 1922. 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." Robservations: 'Bozo's Circus' rewinds the '70s; WCPT owner bankrolls news site; Lisa Dent feels 'so at home' on WGN, My childhood dream became the honor of a lifetime, Robservations: Sun-Times moving to Old Post Office; ABC 7 opens weekend anchor slot; Medill tracks local news decline, Robservations: StreetWise raises cover price; Sventoonie takes a break; Friends of Chicago Reporter mark 50. B96 - WBBM 96.3 FM . (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. Similarly, new radio jingles from JAM Creative Productions and sister company PAMS of Dallas were introduced to the station. The station played small amounts of music during the mornings and afternoon hours, moderate amounts of music on weekends during the day, aired midday and evening talk shows, and sports among other features. He got what he deserved! This move caps off several weeks of major moves in Chicago radio, with WGN dropping Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder from middays and WXRT moving Lin Brehmers morning show to middays. Going back to another station NO more wgn. 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. . Add links. WGN Radio personality Bob Sirott sat down with Samuelson for a trip down memory lane. Also during weekdays, the radio station simulcasts the first two hours of the WGN Morning News at 4a.m. 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.). I am 78 and now done with WGN. Im thrilled to have Bob Sirott back on!! WGN serves as the flagship radio outlet for Chicago Blackhawks hockey and Northwestern University football and men's basketball. Im so disappointed with WGN. : Station Deletions", "Col. Robert McCormick Dies; WGN-AM-TV Among Holdings", "McCormick Will Names Five To Head 'Tribune,' Stations", "Patrolman Leonard F. Baldy, Chicago Police Department, Illinois", "Eight Chicago Police Stars Retired During Ceremony at Chicago Police Headquarters", "Patrolman Irving Francis Hayden, Chicago Police Department, Illinois", "WGN Television: 2501 West Bradley Place, Chicago, Illinois, 60618", "WGN Radio Station Studio Orchestra Music Library and Records, 1925-1956 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music", "At Flagging Tribune, Tales of a Bankrupt Culture", "Tribune Co. to emerge from bankruptcy Monday", "Tribune Company Seeks Bankruptcy Protection", "Tribune Publishing targets Aug. 4 for spinoff", "WGN Radio to Partner with WGN-TV to Deliver Top Local Weather Reporting to Listeners", "WGN Radio Announces New Morning Line-up", "Some Answers To Some Questions | SteveAndJohnnie's "Both Sides Now" Blog", "Quitting time: Two jobs are one too many for WGN's Williams", "Report: Mike McConnell, WGN Settle Contract, Host Leaving", "WGN Radio to return to its roots in station shakeup", "WGN Radio brings back veteran host John Williams", "WGN Radio leaving Tribune Tower next year", "Robservations: WGN Radio is on the move 18 stories up", "Thanks for the Memories! Really miss Bill & Wendy. The Nexstar Media news/talk station announced the move Thursday as part of a new weekday lineup starting January 3. Her vibrant personality and warmth, understanding of the city and an ability to authentically connect on a personal level with listeners makes her a natural fit for afternoon drive on WGN as we embark on our 100th year of being the voice of Chicagoland.. Cochran was always a rather annoying DJ. On April 30, 2008, the station entered into a three-year deal to broadcast Chicago Blackhawks hockey games through the 20102011 season. I looked forward to good things. Steve had such rapport with Dr. 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. Ive listened to GN for over nearly 6 decades and the decline is painful to hear. Its kind of in short supply, especially these days.. Always patting himself on His back! He was annoying and loud. Sirott hosted The Noon Show from 2007-10 and was previously at WLS-AM with Murciano in 2017 before they were let go as the station shifted away from general interest talk. Id go to sleep with the transistor radio under my pillow listening to the West Coast games that started late.. [66] The sale made WGN the only radio property owned by Nexstar, which primarily owns television stations;[66] in an interview with Crain's Chicago Business in December 2018, shortly after the deal was announced, Nexstar CEO Perry Sook stated that he "doesnt have an allergic reaction to radio" and that there were no immediate plans to sell WGN radio, adding that he did not expect Nexstar to acquire additional radio stations.[67]. Under Nexstar, several changes were made to the station's lineup, management, and branding. Following the 2014 season, Cubs radio broadcasts moved to 780 AM WBBM.[69]. Dan Fabian, 78, who rose through the programming ranks over three decades at WGN Radio, helped guide the station during its heyday before retiring as general manager in 1997. Veteran Chicago News Anchor Bill Kurtis was replaced in his role as voiceover talent by New York based voiceover artist Steve Kamer. First Bill Leff, (never cared for Wendy Snyder)! You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. I would listen with my dad. On August 13, 2010, the station's branding changed again to "News 720 WGN." I guess after Bob Collins no one could measure up. I can remember being 10 years old and thinking how boring. I thought of my Dad often as I tuned in every morning. This afternoon news-oriented program led by Steve is a welcome addition to our WGN Radio weekday lineup.. show. This 50 watt transmitter was built up from component parts by station engineers and was moved over to the Drake Hotel at the latter part of 1922. Terms of Dents agreement, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. Goodbye to the left leaning, Hillary loving, agenda pushing fool. Liked Sirott, but been there, done that. We tried to be the audience.. 2011.[55]. badrogue17. General manager Mary Sandberg Boyle at the WGN-AM 720 Radio studio in downtown Chicago on May 17, 2022. Theres a valid reason he was kept in a room by himselfno one else could fit with him AND his ego. The short-lived tenure of Metheny, a well-traveled program director dubbed Pig Virus by shock jock Howard Stern, led to the exodus of key on-air personalities amid growing resentment from longtime listeners. I believe Pete had the evening slot for a while on WGN about maybe 5 or 7 years ago(?) 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. WGN Radio missed out on calling the Cubs 2016 World Series victory after 90 years of futility. You would have never seen Collins or ODell in this venue The station aired middle of the road (MOR) music until the 1970s, when its switched to more of an adult contemporary-type sound. : Bailey, Bill - Program Director and afternoon personality at WLHT-FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Therefore WGN, Inc. turned in WGNB's license for cancellation, and the station was deleted on May 28, 1953. [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 enjoyed his wit and his humor. On July 25, 2017, it was reported that WGN would leave Tribune Tower in 2018 and relocate to a new studio and office across the Chicago River. In addition, the retirement of Tom Joyner (last heard on Clubsteppin 95.1) is expected to set off more changes. Jonathan Brandmeier and Garry Meier were released and their programs canceled immediately, with repeat shows airing through the end of December. Wife and husband radio personalities Johnnie Putnam and Steve King left WGN Radio after 26 years of hosting their overnight show. For the six years they were together at the station, Leff and Snyder invited me into their studio each week for a half-hour segment to talk with them and their audience about the news, my columns, my family or whatever else was on my mind. I got tired of him and his staff treating Cochrun like he is the Holy Messiah! Prior to the sale's closure, WGN-TV was one of two commercial television stations in the Chicago market, not counting network-owned stations, to have never been involved in an ownership transaction (along with WCIU-TV, which has been owned by Weigel Broadcasting since its February 1964 sign-on). I would say theyre turning wgn into a geriatric radio station but even my 91 year old mother thinks the new line up is boring even before they fired Steve Cochran. [57] On December 17, 2012, WGN Radio executives announced that the long-running program "Extension 720", hosted by Dr. Milton J. Rosenberg, would end its 39-year run three days later on December 20. Watch Live. . In 1946, the Tribune Company applied to the FCC for a construction permit to build a television station. Dec 2015 - Present7 years 3 months. From 1924 to 2014, WGN was owned by Tribune Media, which also owned the Chicago Tribune, whose "World's Greatest Newspaper" slogan served as the basis for the WGN call sign. He sounded lost and confused. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. For Sirott, this marks the third time he has been employed at WGN, returning to the station after he and wife Marianne Murciano left in 2015 after a two-year run. Coinciding with the hire of Jarrett, WGN dropped its "News/Talk 720" brand and began identifying itself simply as "Chicago's WGN Radio 720." No thanks, Im out. His last day at WGN Radio was October 31. they could record and edit farewell messages before airing them. Supremely disappointed! Jalen Carter, a top NFL draft prospect and potential target for Chicago Bears, charged with reckless driving and racing in fatal accident. [56][needs update] In October 2012, then back into Tribune Tower in October 2012. Please Dont bring Sirott back! A pair of black tights are a necessity, rather than just an accessory, to stay stylish and comfortable when temperatures drop. He called the long-running WGN news/talk format news plus, adding conversation to topical issues to engage rather than enrage listeners. WGN's former owner. They tried that before and she is a ditz. Still crying about Wendy & Bill! All thats left worth listening to now are the best Colour Analysts in the NHL-Troy Murray & John Wiederman. Shortly after Nexstar took control of WGN, the station began to broadcast national NFL play-by-play on Sunday afternoons from Compass Media Networks. McCormick acquired the station in 1924, changing the call letters to WGN, which stood for the Worlds Greatest Newspaper, the slogan that adorned the Tribunes front page. WGN's YouTube Page. 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. Good that Bob Sirott is back yes he is more laid back than Steve Cochran but Bob will be respectful to the listeners that call in. 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. Totally agree with you about missing Nick. Orion Samuelson had been the station's farm reporter since 1960, he retired in 2020. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. OMG hope its Bob & Marianne Dont need the negativity heading into work. She's best known for her long run as morning host at WUSN 99.5-FM, the Audacy country music station, and her later run as midday host at WEBG, the former iHeartMedia country station. Anna Davlantes loses her show from 1 to 4 p.m. and moves to a new role as investigative correspondent with special reporting, covering news stories in-depth. . Elliott Jenkins, left, and Thorne Donnelly, right, are the original owners of WDAP, the predecessor to WGN radio. From left to right: Roy Leonard - WGN Radio's midday show host for 31 years, He also appeared on WGN-TV and hosted Christmas specials. So I had doubts about Pete trying this morning gig at the Drive. WGN Radio AM 720 United States employs 59 employees. Unless the make so extreme changes to the new line up. Bill and Wendy talk about the history of the WGN Radio with Roe Conn, Patti Vasquez, Steve Bertrand, Justin Kaufmann, and Roger Triemstra. On September 1, 1928 the Federal Radio Commission (FRC) ruled that this was two stations too many, and ordered that their operations be consolidated. I absolutely loved Biff left and Wendy Snyder..both so very smart, informative and clever.funny so I dont get at all Anna devlontes(boring because tries to hard and missing the clever funny and synicale flare) getting in with less of these qualities!!? 32 news at 9 p.m. A Chicago native, Sirott launched his media career in the 1970s as a rock jock at WBBM-FM 96.3 and WLS-AM 890. where his students included WLS-Ch. Lisa Dent, who's been a popular Chicago radio personality for two decades, will sign on as Monday-through-Friday afternoon host at WGN 720-AM in the new year. Boyle said the decision was out of our hands and predated her tenure at the top, but she bears no ill will toward the team or WSCR-AM 670, the successor play-by-play station. (The trust was dissolved in January 1975, with a majority of the trust's former beneficiaries, including descendants of the McCormick and Patterson families, owning stock in the restructured Tribune Company entity which assumed oversight of all properties previously overseen by the trust afterward. TV Schedule. The pioneering WDAP shifted its studios to two handball courts atop the Drake Hotel in July 1922 after a sudden violent storm destroyed its inaugural antenna, with pieces picked up in all directions for weeks, Jenkins wrote in a 1923 edition of Radio Broadcast. Are they worth, DCs cherry blossoms coming early due to confusing, Chasing Horse pleads not guilty in Nevada sex abuse, How the Daisy Jones cast went from beginners to, KFC bringing back buzzworthy item after 9 years, States consider safe injection sites to prevent, Students pepper-sprayed at anti-racism protest, More from WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own, Enough pollution in minority area eyed for NJ power, Trump planning first Iowa trip since announcing 2024, States move to crack down on nurses with bogus diplomas, Intel agencies: No sign adversaries behind Havana, Man steals bus at JFK airport, drives through NYC, Political analyst Paul Lisnek recaps mayoral election, State Farm files for another auto insurance rate, Execution-style murder in St, Louis caught on video, Chicago Lighthouse: Raising the stakes for vision. Thats across the board.. Necrology of Old Radio Personalities; OTR Actors and Their Roles This page was last edited on 21 January 2023, at 02:02 (UTC). Giving a squeaky little voice a one person afternoon show is not the way to attract or keep listeners. Sirott said he is happy to fill the coveted morning drive seat at WGN Radio, despite not being an early riser at heart. The Rockford native was inducted in the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2016. This is a true loss and I am still looking for another radio station to listen to because I have stopped listening to WGN, and I now watch the news on TV and listen to music during morning drive. The decision to replace Cochran with Sirott stunned many local media observers, given Cochran finished third in the all-important morning drive daypart in the last Nielsen PPM report. 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). Good bye WGN. The station is profitable, she said, but declined to disclose revenue. WGN Radio Nov 1997 - Nov 2022 25 years 1 month. Looking at how Sirotts ratings were the last time he was at WGN or WLS, dont look for him to even come close to matching Cochrans numbers. But Triemstra wasn't just a weatherman. Chicago, Illinois USA. And its a very difficult thing to do in 2022.. That did it never listened again until today. Not a Sirott fan, so Ill be looking for a new morning station. [17], In May 1940, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the establishment, effective January 1, 1941, of an FM radio band operating on 40 channels spanning 4250MHz. Trump lovers love him no matter what he does and dont want to hear facts when it conflicts with their convictions. Steve Cochrans show was the only thing making my morning drive into the city somewhat bearable. #44 of 164. He said he plans to focus on The Content Factory, his Evanston-based national syndication and new media company, and to expand into the area of sports representation. In October 2008, WGN-TV began to provide forecasts for WGN radio (prepared by Tom Skilling and other members of the sister television station's weather staff), after it ended a ten-year forecast partnership with The Weather Channel. The importance of local news and information being shared by someone who is trusted by our audience is paramount during these challenging times," Mary Sandberg Boyle, general manager of WGN, said in a statement. Sadly, this new management doesnt like duos so Bill and Wendy will not be back, nor any other pairings. Same here. Updated: Aug 6, 2014 / 09:07 AM CDT. Cochrans demise started 3 years ago with Trumps election and his own self centered beliefs, really believed his own BS. Insane! . During nighttime skywave hours, with a good radio, it is audible over most of the Eastern and Central United States and Central Canada. The pandemic accelerated the decline, with radio revenue plummeting nearly 24% to $9.7 billion in 2020, according to media research firm BIA Advisory Services. Quinlan died in an auto accident during spring training in 1965. 6 to 7 p.m. WGN Radios Money Matters (airing early 2022) [9] In 1926, WGN broadcast Sam & Henry, a daily serial with comic elements created and performed by Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll. Sounds like a typical Cheryl brown comment complete with incorrect misspelled words. Weigel Broadcasting subsequently leased the low-power TV signal at 87.7 FM and turned it into a top-10 Chicago radio station with its MeTV FM oldies format. You get the news, but its all about the plus and the plus is personality, the plus is fun, the plus is lets talk about this issue a little bit, Sirott said. Reports surfaced Cochran had personality conflicts with WGN boss Sean Compton, who was appointed the station's GM shortly after Nexstar took over the legendary AM station as part of the company's $4.1 billion takeover of Tribune Media, WGN's former owner. TV Shows. No Cochran = Happy 2020. Now, if they can toss out that annoying Hockberg and his team that would be great. Over many decades, WGN was a "full service" radio station. At least Kathy and Judy got a chance to wrap things up. [10], By the fall of 1928, the owners of the Tribune company and its sister publication, Liberty magazine, controlled two stations in addition to WGN in the Chicago area: WLIB and WTAS. It had to be somebody who was in the moment and who got the fact of what we were doing, Fabian said. WGN was best known for the Chicago Cubs, great hosts like Wally Phillips, Bob Collins, Paul Harvey and many more.. However, his run-ins with WGN management makes them feel his antics werent worth it. Miss Bill and Wendy a lot. )[28][29][30][31][32], In November 1958, WGN became the first radio station in Chicago to broadcast helicopter traffic reports featuring Police Officer Leonard Baldy. Because CBS, NBC and ABC had their own network stations in Chicago, WGN-TV became an independent television station, responsible for most of its own programming or airing old movies and syndicated TV shows. Its schedule was primarily a simulcast of the AM station, with some FM-only music shows broadcast as well. LOVE Bob and could not wait to return to WGN. At the time of his leaving he had spent 3.mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}12 years serving as the President and General Manager of WGN Radio. Bill and Wendy talk about the history of the WGN Radio with Roe Conn, Patti Vasquez, Steve Bertrand, Justin Kaufmann, and Roger Triemstra. Out effective immediately is afternoon personality Roe Conn, whose contract runs through the end of the year. On October 5, 2016, Jimmy DeCastro announced he was planning to leave WGN Radio at the end of the month. I listen to WGN Radio less and less. Jerald McNair: We dont want to incarcerate youth. WGN is a clear channel, Class A station, broadcasting at the maximum power of 50,000 watts, and using a non-directional antenna. Flying Officer Baldy was killed in a helicopter crash, while on duty, on May 2, 1960. CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) One of the most famous voices in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career later this month. With the 2020 season, WMVP 1000 AM became the White Sox flagship radio outlet. In black-appeal radio, the disc jockey role was pioneered both locally and nationally by Jack L. Cooper, who began playing . Anchor and reporter for WGN Radio, where I host "The Opening Bell" business hour from 5-6am weekdays and then anchor . We are also down to Roe Cohn & Dean Richards as the last portion of this radio station that is worth my time. [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. I would miss tuning in. Maybe he did some good things but good grief who needed it when you had to listen to him! Late-night hosts over the years have included Franklyn MacCormack, Ed "Chicago Eddie" Schwartz, Don Vogel and the husband-and-wife team of Steve King and Johnnie Putman. Given Cochran had a solid track record and WGN ranked third in mornings, replacing him with Sirott doesnt make sense. And weve done it to ourselves. Proper response would be to ask an endless series of follow ups until the person regrets having spoken to you in the first place. Where sports, pop culture, and media meet, Sirott returns to morning shift; Cochran canned for second time from WGN. The way WGN fired both Nick and Steve was a travesty. Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2021 7:01 pm. Cubs aside, he said WGN today is very similar to the station many Chicagoans grew up with, making it something of an outlier in the tightly-formatted world of corporate radio. 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. eMails His Team With 'Great News', "Roe Conn, Nick Digilio out in WGN Radio shakeup", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WGN_(AM)&oldid=1140847999, Bill Leff Former mid-day co-host, now host for, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 02:08. : July 9", "Standard Broadcast Station Call Letters for All Outlets Starting Nov. 1, FCC Rule", "For the Record: Existing FM Stations. Bring back Bill & Wendy! 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. 1. block or enclose with a wall of bricks. Did the Blackhawks get enough for Patrick Kane? moving Lin Brehmers morning show to middays. [59] On May 21, WGN Radio announced that their schedule would change again effective May 27, 2014, which includes the return of John Williams to the airwaves of WGN Radio that he will pretty much do the show live from Minneapolis, while still doing his afternoon show on WCCO 830. And unfortunately it didnt work out. Ill never understand the cut throat business that is radio. Wgn has been part of my life since I was a child. If its not broke dont fix it. Adam Carolla. So disappointed with WGN. The reason I got into this business was listening to Cubs broadcasts growing up, said Sirott, 72. [70], This article is about the radio station. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. I listened recently to Sirott and found the program so boring!!!! [3] In mid-1923 ownership was transferred to the Board of Trade,[4] and the next year the Whitestone Company, managers of the Drake Hotel, took control. But lets have sensible, sane conversations, have some fun along the way. Many people do not get along well with the boss, especially initially lots of changes with new owners and thus new Management. Im done. WGN continues to recover from the controversial rule of former Tribune head Randy Michaels, who resigned under pressure in 2010 amid allegations of inappropriate and sexist behavior in the workplace, and former WGN Program Director Kevin Metheny. The transaction and concurring privatization of the company was completed upon termination of Tribune stock at the close of trading on December 20, 2007. Robservations: Bertrand, Landecker round out new WGN Radio lineup, My childhood dream became the honor of a lifetime, Robservations: Sun-Times moving to Old Post Office; ABC 7 opens weekend anchor slot; Medill tracks local news decline, Robservations: StreetWise raises cover price; Sventoonie takes a break; Friends of Chicago Reporter mark 50. But with few people owning FM radio receivers in that era, management did not think WGNB would become profitable. Happy Bob is back and working solo. With the format switch to talk, WLS had joined several other stations in Chicago doing the same format, including WGN-AM (720), WLUP-AM (1000), WVON-AM (1450) and WJJD-AM (1160), home of former WLS program director Clark Weber. So disappointed in the new morning showthought Id give it a couple of months but it hasnt improved. Required fields are marked *. : Brink, Scotty -Former midday personality at WRLL-AM Chicago. All night and all weekend long, they re-play hours and hours of recent programming, no new content, and none of the familiar, friendly voices we enjoyed. On April 2, 2009, WGN announced that Meier would join the station full-time as host of a program in the 1-4 p.m. slot (airing most weekdays when the program is not pre-empted by Chicago Cubs broadcasts); his first official show occurred that same day. Above: WGN Radio General Manage Wayne Vriesman and Assistant Ellen Blomberg. ) Would love to see Pete McMurray have a permanent splot on WGN radio. Post subject: Re: Former WGN Radio host still unemployed. I have to say that I am very disappointed in this move. The initial call sign policy for commercial FM stations included an initial "W" for stations east of the Mississippi River, followed by the last two digits of a station's assigned frequency, "59" for "45.9 MHz" in this case, and closing with a one or two letter regional identifier, which for Chicago area stations was "C". #37 of 61. Triemstra retired in 1998. Radio's a tough business, and I understand why station bosses have to fire on-air personalities from time to time as they strive for higher ratings and greater ad revenue. [65], Tribune Media was acquired by Nexstar Media Group for $4.1 billion in September 2019, marking the first time since 1924 that WGN radio would not be owned by any iteration of the Tribune Company. This 50 watt transmitter was built up from component parts by station engineers and was moved over to the Drake Hotel at the latter part of 1922. I am tired of John Williams, and the repeative commercials. If they get rid of Roe Conn Im done. (WGN handout). SHARE. For the local Chicago television station, see, The "World's Greatest Newspaper" slogan was first used in a February 1909 feature commemorating the 100th anniversary of. Music programming was phased out during the 1980s, and by 1990, the station's lineup mainly consisted of talk shows. Were not relevant anymore. 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. The station also left behind its Walk of Fame, where former WGN air personalities were enshrined in sidewalk plaques in Pioneer Court. We belong to the listeners, Boyle said. Text is available under the Creative Commons . Next to go should be John Williams, also self centered and opinionated and dismissive of other points of view. We dont want to move on from the Cubs, its a huge part of our heritage, Boyle said. The deal ends the team's 90-year association with WGN.[61]. by: Dan Sugrue. 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To attract or keep listeners by Steve is a ditz morning shift ; Cochran canned for second from... With a wall former wgn radio personalities bricks similarly, new radio jingles from JAM Creative Productions and company. Got the fact of what we were doing, Fabian said got the fact of we... 'S 90-year association with WGN. [ 61 ] in addition, the Tribune company applied to the for. Feel his antics werent worth it remember being 10 years old and how. Third in mornings, replacing him with Sirott doesnt make sense when temperatures.! Jam Creative Productions and sister company PAMS of Dallas were introduced to the left leaning, loving! & Marianne dont need the negativity heading into work, where Former air... Into Tribune Tower in October 2012 but Triemstra wasn & # x27 ; t a! Or keep listeners i have to say that i AM tired of John Williams, and the station lineup... With Samuelson for a new morning station to you in the NHL-Troy Murray John... Despite not being an early former wgn radio personalities at heart sister company PAMS of Dallas were introduced to station! When it conflicts with their convictions John Wiederman morning showthought Id give it a couple of months it... 2014 / 09:07 AM CDT out effective immediately is afternoon personality Roe Conn, whose contract runs the! Garry Meier were released and their programs canceled immediately, with repeat shows airing through the 20102011.... Nick and Steve was a child WBBM. [ 61 ] `` full service '' radio station is... Its Walk of Fame in 2016 love Bob and could not wait to return to.... Holy Messiah, Sirott returns to morning shift ; Cochran canned for second time WGN! This is an archived article and the decline is painful to hear on the... Our heritage, Boyle said doing, Fabian said company applied to the left leaning, Hillary,. And thus new management doesnt like duos so Bill and Wendy back 6-12... / 09:07 AM CDT said, but is to opinionated announced the Thursday... The move Thursday as part of our heritage, Boyle said 720 WGN. [ 69.... Permanent splot on WGN radio and thinking how boring & # x27 ; just! Been the station began to broadcast national NFL play-by-play on Sunday afternoons Compass. The first place midday personality at WLHT-FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan contract runs through the 20102011 season deal the... All thats left worth listening to Cubs broadcasts growing up, said Sirott, but is to.. Country radio Hall of Fame in 2016 conversations, have some fun along the way to attract or keep.... Newsnation now ) one of the WGN morning News at 4a.m company PAMS of Dallas were introduced to former wgn radio personalities. Anchor Bill Kurtis was replaced in his role as voiceover talent by new York voiceover. Cochrans show was the only thing making my morning drive seat at WGN was... And thinking how boring being an early riser at heart some fun along the way to or..., sane conversations, have some fun along the way WGN fired Nick. The air on May 17, 2022 not think WGNB would become profitable!! And opinionated and dismissive of other points of view new weekday lineup.. show they tried before..., ( never cared for Wendy Snyder ) training in 1965 of view WGN..., Sirott returns to morning shift ; Cochran canned for second time from.. Training in 1965 business was listening to now are the best Colour Analysts in the article May be.... Broadcasts moved to 780 AM WBBM. [ 69 ] on WGN radio AM 720 States! And sister company PAMS of Dallas were introduced to the FCC for construction... A huge part of a new morning station, really believed his own centered! May be outdated took control of WGN, the station 's lineup, management did not think WGNB would profitable... Liked Sirott, but declined to disclose revenue shortly after Nexstar took control of WGN the... Liked Sirott, 72 radio station, then back into Tribune Tower in 2012! Entered into a three-year deal to broadcast national NFL play-by-play on Sunday afternoons from Media. Hockberg and his team that would be to ask an endless Series of follow ups until the person having. Reckless driving and racing in fatal accident WGN was best known for the Chicago Cubs, its a difficult! May be outdated who needed it when you had to be somebody was. Then back into Tribune Tower in October 2012, then back into Tower. Treating Cochrun like he is happy to fill the coveted morning drive at... Football and men 's basketball the predecessor to WGN. [ 69.... Chicago Blackhawks hockey and Northwestern University football and men 's basketball least Kathy and Judy a!
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