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. Same too bill and Wendy, trump haters, Agree. It was granted the sequentially issued call letters WDAP to Mid West Radio Central, Inc. in Chicago. WGN is responsible for the activation of the Chicago metropolitan area Emergency Alert System when hazardous weather alerts, disaster area declarations, and child abductions are issued. . The numbers for Cochran have been great and this station is looking to shut itself down. Therefore WGN, Inc. turned in WGNB's license for cancellation, and the station was deleted on May 28, 1953. WGN Marketplace. Jenkins and Donnelly are at their transmitter in the Wrigley Building in 1922. 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. It ended later that year when she left the station for an acting career in Hollywood. Since then, WGN Radio has been an integral part of the conversation and culture in Chicago, broadcasting news, sports, entertainment and major events across the Midwest with 50,000 watts of power. . Still crying about Wendy & Bill! Im done. John Williams pulls us in to listen. But change has been in the air at WGN Radio during the new millennium, as the station struggles to navigate the fragmented digital landscape that has diluted audience and revenue for traditional legacy media. Clarence Dittman, and WGN radio announcer Jack Brickhouse broadcast from the Chicago airport tarmac in 1942. The firing of Bill, Wendy and Steve Cochran make many of us feel like weve lost some family members. Were not relevant anymore. What the hell is wrong with WGN? Music programming was phased out during the 1980s, and by 1990, the station's lineup mainly consisted of talk shows. Above: WGN Radio General Manage Wayne Vriesman and Assistant Ellen Blomberg. ) The reason I bring this up is that on Wednesday news talk station WGN-AM 720 fired its midmorning team of Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder, and I want to give them a chance to address their audience one last time. The studios were moved to the Drake Hotel the following July. What I don't understand, though, is why they so seldom give ousted personalities the chance to say goodbye and thanks to their listeners. Ill never understand the cut throat business that is radio. Jonathan Brandmeier and Garry Meier were released and their programs canceled immediately, with repeat shows airing through the end of December. Sounds like a typical Cheryl brown comment complete with incorrect misspelled words. No Cochran = Happy 2020. Bill Leff took over the midnight to 5:30a.m. slot on December 12. It had to be somebody who was in the moment and who got the fact of what we were doing, Fabian said. Too many replacements with less than par talent. Goodbye to the left leaning, Hillary loving, agenda pushing fool. The way WGN fired both Nick and Steve was a travesty. Don't worry, this story isn't over. It isnt bashing to tell the facts. Jalen Carter, a top NFL draft prospect and potential target for Chicago Bears, charged with reckless driving and racing in fatal accident. I agree with you completely AND your mother! You can find Bill and Wendy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Like Cochran, Sirotts resume is quite long an alum of WLS during its Musicradio era and WBBM-FM during its progressive rock era and worked for four local television stations in a variety of roles and a stint as a correspondent for CBS West 57th newsmagaine in the mid-1980s. But Sirott grew up listening to WGN Radio, and specifically, his beloved Cubs. I would miss tuning in. In addition, Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano's program moved to the weekday lineup and Steve Cochran was announced to be returning to WGN. WGN was the longtime Chicago outlet for Paul Harvey from 1951 until his death on February 28, 2009. Lisa Dent has long been a significant and well-known presence in Chicago radio, Mary Sandberg Boyle, vice president and general manager of WGN, said in a statement. While Brandmeier was reportedly not under contract with Tribune Media at the time of his release, Meier's contract with Tribune continued through September 2015. Post subject: Re: Former WGN Radio host still unemployed. In the fall of 1937, WGN was one of several Chicago radio stations to donate airtime to Chicago Public Schools for a pioneering program in which the school district provided elementary school students with distance education amid a polio outbreak-related school closure. I am hoping that eyes are opened and things change for the better. 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. Steve had such rapport with Dr. Nexstar also dropped their affiliation with ABC News Radio and instead is supplying national news updates for WGN America's national newscast, NewsNation with WGN newscasters and audio from Nexstar-owned television stations. Weekend hosts Jerry Agar and the "News Junkie" Sean Wasson left the station, in a shift towards more general and less controversial talk programming. Radio Hall of Famer John Records Landecker, who's been a frequent fill-in host, just signed on as a full-timer. Coinciding with the hire of Jarrett, WGN dropped its "News/Talk 720" brand and began identifying itself simply as "Chicago's WGN Radio 720." Flying Officer Baldy was killed in a helicopter crash, while on duty, on May 2, 1960. Reveal contacts of top WGN Radio AM 720 managers and employees. While residing in TX 09/2015 DeCastro fired Bob and Marianne. And nobody else could come close to having as much of that stuff as we had.. I get not stand Landdecker. 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. Giving a squeaky little voice a one person afternoon show is not the way to attract or keep listeners. [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. Article; Talk; English. So it's a betrayal of the listeners when management severs those connections without notice. Ill miss you. We tried to be the audience.. A pair of black tights are a necessity, rather than just an accessory, to stay stylish and comfortable when temperatures drop. 27 de fevereiro de 2023 | celebrities with short upper lip. I certainly dont patronize their advertizers! You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. Steve Cochrans show was the only thing making my morning drive into the city somewhat bearable. 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. Bring Wendy & Bill back too!!! To not even have a chance to say goodbye to long-time listeners was just cruel. they could record and edit farewell messages before airing them. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. He was annoying and loud. 320 stanton rd, mobile, al 36617 . Liked Sirott, but been there, done that. A new afternoon show and the full-time return of John Landecker highlight a slew of changes at WGN Chicago. "A very important thank you needs to go out to our listeners. And then replace him with the also-was used to be Sirrot? [9] In 1926, WGN broadcast Sam & Henry, a daily serial with comic elements created and performed by Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll. WGNs hiring of Sirott tells us there is a lot of truth to what Joyner said because quite basically, relying on the same ol limited list of names to keep your radio station relevant is particularly asinine at a time when radio is failing to attract the next generation of listeners. I listen every morning while driving to work from 5:30 to 7am and had to change to a another station as his comments did NOT Make my day as a Customer Service Manager. Clarence Dittman, and WGN radio announcer Jack Brickhouse broadcast from the Chicago airport tarmac in 1942. So I had doubts about Pete trying this morning gig at the Drive. I stopped listening months ago Required fields are marked *. former wnem tv5 reporters former wnem tv5 reporters. And yesthe ever present I am right and you are wrong my way or nothing, THE last wordALWAYSand the continuous bashing of the current administrationWAY TOO POLITICAL for a morning drive personality Not much different than the next. 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. 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. 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. Will definitely tune into their show. (I am now 76). Jenkins and Donnelly are at their transmitter in the Wrigley Building in 1922. 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. [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. The split was completed on August 4, 2014, ending the Tribune's joint ownership with WGN-TV and WGN Radio after 66 and 94 years, respectively. Ive listened to GN for over nearly 6 decades and the decline is painful to hear. Early programming was noted for its creativity and innovation. [5], The Chicago Tribune purchased WDAP, and on June 1, 1924, renamed it WGN. 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. 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. Other initiatives that did not fare well included The Game, WGNs short-lived foray into FM sports talk radio, which lasted less than a year in 2014. One major issue was Cochran not coming to work on time and starting late for his show. Phillips, Collins and Leonard have all moved on to that radio booth in the sky, and the Cubs pulled up stakes for CBS Radio and their new home at the Score nearly a decade ago. 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. Add languages. Trump lovers love him no matter what he does and dont want to hear facts when it conflicts with their convictions. Now you can get anything you want, anytime you want, anywhere you want and you dont have to wait for radio or television to do it for you. WGN Radio host Judy Markey poses with her plaque as WGN Radio honors 10 inaugural walk of fame inductees to celebrate the station's 90th year on June 27, 2014. Above: Political analyst, Paul Green. In addition, the retirement of Tom Joyner (last heard on Clubsteppin 95.1) is expected to set off more changes. (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. 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. But its OK that theyre no longer broadcast out of here. What a loudmouth he is! On Sundays it runs Sunday Night Live with Bill Cunningham from WLW Cincinnati. On May 22, 2009, WGN announced the cancellation of The Kathy and Judy Show effective after that day's broadcast. 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 used to listen to Bod in the 70s..But I also used to listen to my mother. 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. Recently Robin Robinson ended a great run at Fox 32 . First Lt. Elmer McKesson, Capt. LOVE Bob and could not wait to return to WGN. Quinlan died in an auto accident during spring training in 1965. Steve was too negative constantly focusing on the political scene from Only his prospective. If its not broke dont fix it. Listeners would feel respected. He sounded lost and confused. This afternoon news-oriented program led by Steve is a welcome addition to our WGN Radio weekday lineup.. There's a bit of quid pro quo at work here, I admit. Insiders suggested another poor showing in the latest Nielsen Audio survey hastened the move. 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. Supremely disappointed! The Nexstar Media news/talk station announced the move Thursday as part of a new weekday lineup starting January 3. 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." Havent gotten over losing Steve and Johnnie. Yuck , what dry and better than thou persona. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. Please Dont bring Sirott back! Just started listening to WGN last year for something different. 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. Someone doesnt know their audience. WGN is a commercial AM radio station in Chicago, Illinois, with studios on the 18th floor of 303 East Wacker Drive in the Chicago Loop. TV Shows. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. His last day at WGN Radio was October 31. Democracy dies in darkness and GN has gone over to the dark side. I actually turned Sirott off today-dull with not much to say. 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. Now it is loosing me as a listener. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). This is not at all a GOOD thing. 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. [54] In June 2010, WGN announced the hiring of longtime Cincinnati-based host Mike McConnell from WLW for the late morning (8:30a.m.-12:30p.m.) slot, shifting Williams back to his original midday time slot (now from 12:30-3:00p.m.) on August 9, 2010. There is a need for a radio station that caters to the seniors; though Ive been listening to GN since I was in high school. However the ship's skipper (and namesake) agreed to relinquish it in order to free it for adoption by the newspaper. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. [45][46][47] On December 8, 2008, Tribune filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing a debt load of around $13 billion making it the largest media bankruptcy in American corporate history that it accrued from the Zell buyout and related privatization costs as well as a sharp downturn in revenue from newspaper advertising. Lets work together on policies to protect them. Meier hosted four shows, which is believed to have caused a surge in interest among younger people, who traditionally rarely listened to WGN. The Rockford native was inducted in the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2016. We dont want to move on from the Cubs, its a huge part of our heritage, Boyle said. WGN (720 AM) is a commercial radio station in Chicago, Illinois, featuring a talk radio format.WGN's studios are located in the Chicago Loop, while the transmitter is in Elk Grove Village.WGN also features broadcasts of Chicago Blackhawks hockey and Northwestern University football and basketball.. WGN is the only radio station owned by Nexstar Media Group, which primarily owns television . weekdays at 3 p.m. in Meier's former WGN AM afternoon show . WGN's former owner. Out effective immediately is afternoon personality Roe Conn, whose contract runs through the end of the year.

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