Chicago Urban Radio On-Air Shakeup

5-20-15

Two Urban radio stations in Chicago, owned by two different companies, have each lost two on-air talents... and the changes are very much connected. iHeartMedia's WGCI and Crawford Broadcasting's WPWX will both be using fill-ins for middays and afternoons for a while, as both stations currently have no full-time employees in those roles. WGCI has released theirs, while it appears WPWX's missing employees are heading to WGCI.

At WGCI-FM, midday host Loni Swain and afternoon host UB Rodriguez have both been released. A spokesperson for iHeartMedia Chicago issued the following statement to Radio Ink Wednesday morning: "Loni Swain and UB Rodriguez are no longer with the company. It's our policy not to discuss employee matters for privacy reasons."

WPWX-FM said goodbye to Frankie Robinson as its midday host and afternoon host Tone (aka Tone Kapone, aka Anthony Mays). Both voluntarily exited and parted company with Crawford Broadcasting on the best of terms.

WPWX-FM consultant Tony Gray, of the Chicago-based Gray Consultants, confirmed to Radio Ink the exits of Frankie Robinson and Tone Kapone. Gray says that iHeartMedia Chicago approached both talents and made them a much higher offer than the smaller Crawford Broadcasting could match. iHeartMedia Chicago will be placing these two on WGCI-FM in the very near future, Gray said. Both exiting employees are wished the best with their new jobs.

(5/20/2015 8:12:19 PM)
How come when people get the boot, it isn't expressed in the sappy BS lingo used at other times? You never read: "X has been let go from the iHeart family." These places aren't very good families!

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WBBM-AM Rules Chicago

4-6-15

The Chicagoland Radio and Media blog has posted the top ten billing radio stations in the City of Chicago and CBS owns four of those stations with WBBM-AM raking in $39.2 million. WBBM-FM (CHR) was 4th on the list with $22.7 million, followed by Sports talker WSCR-AM at $22 million and Country outlet WUSN which billed $21.2 million. iHeartMedia had three of the top ten stations. The other three companies to crack the top ten in the Windy City were Hubbard at #2 (WTMX-FM), Tribune (WGN-AM) at #3 and Univision (WOJO-FM) at #9. Here's a look at the full list...

1. WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM (News/Sports) $39,200,000 (2013: $42,000,000) -- CBS Radio
2. WTMX-FM (Adult CHR/Hot AC) $30,900,000 (2013: $37,500,000) -- Hubbard Broadcasting
3. WGN-AM (News/Talk/Sports) $27,300,000 (2013: $29,200,000) -- Tribune Broadcasting
4. WBBM-FM (CHR) $22,700,000 (2013: $25,300,000) -- CBS Radio
5. WSCR-AM (Sports/Sports Talk) $22,000,000 (2013: $24,800,000) -- CBS Radio
6. WUSN-FM (Country) $21,200,000 -- CBS Radio
7. WKSC-FM (CHR) $20,200,000 -- iHeartMedia
8. WVAZ-FM (Urban AC) $19,500,000 -- iHeartMedia
9. WOJO-FM (Regional Mexican) $18,500,000 -- Univision
10. WGCI-FM (Urban) $18,200,000 -- iHeartMedia

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Steve Stewart to Program Chicago Big 95.5

1-9-2015

iHearMedia's new Country station in Chicago has a new PD, Steve Stewart. Steve was a top-5 pick for Radio Ink Country PD of the year in 2014, and he's now in place to lead Big 95.5's Country battle in the Windy City.  He most recently served as Regional Program Manager for iHeartMedia St. Louis and Program Director of 93.7 The Bull. Under Stewart, 93.7 The Bull logged its highest ratings in the station's history. KSD 93.7 The Bull's PD chair is currently empty following Stewart's departure. He has also held programming and on-air positions in Grand Rapids and Providence.

Tommy Austin, Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Chicago says, "Steve Stewart brings a wealth of experience to Big 95.5 and we look forward to him providing his tremendous programming expertise to the station."

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Mason & Remy Take Mornings at Big 95.5 Chicago

1-9-2015

Hot on the heals of the announcement of Steve Stewart taking the PD reins at iHeartMedia's Big 95.5, iHeart has now announced that Mason & Remy will fill AM drive on the new Country station starting January 20th. Mason and Remy follow Stewart from KSD 93.7 The Bull/St. Louis where they handled morning drive for the last 5 years. Tapping into the Chicago lifestyle on the air shouldn't be too much of an issue for the morning team, Mason and Remy first met while working in Bloomington earlier in their career. The team airs their first show on Big 95.5 January, 20th. As part of an expanded role with the company, Mason and Remy will continue their PM drive show on The Bull.

Steve Stewart, Program Director, Big 95.5 says, "These are two of the brightest and most talented talents in our industry today. I am proud of the success they have achieved and look forward to continue working with them on the future success of Big 95.5."

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CBS Chicago Promotes Rosen

11-17-14

Market Manager Rod Zimmerman made the announcement that Mitch Rosen has been named operations director for WSCR-AM and WXRT-FM. Rosen has been PD for the all-sports AM since 2005 and now oversee programing for both stations. Zimmerman said, "The two stations have a long history of working together and Mitch?s organizational skills, management style, and sales/NTR focus will help grow the great brand that is XRT." Long-time WXRT PD Norm Winer continues in his position, responsible for all on-air elements and the brand development, while Rosen will concentrate on the marketing, NTR, and overall administrative side of operations.

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93.9 MYfm Chicago Makes The Flip

11-14-14

iHeartMedia's 93.9 MYfm will begin its annual tradition of non-stop Christmas music starting Friday. It's familiar holiday favorites on the playlist for 93.9 MYfm, now in its 14th year spinning holiday music in The Windy City. PD Mick Lee says, "Eleven months on 93.9MYfm you can hear Maroon 5, P!nk, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry and more variety from the 90?s til now. But it?s time to officially kick off Chicago?s holiday season with non-stop Christmas music."

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Diamond Signs With WLS Chicago

10-30-14

Jack Diamond steps into the morning show slot at Cumulus' WLS-FM in the Windy City. He joins the current morning lineup, including air talent/meteorologist Brant Miller, Marty Jones with information/traffic updates, and producer Dan Wolfe. Diamond sat in for one week in the summer and it has turned into a permanent morning gig that begins this coming Monday.

Diamond says, ?As a kid listening to the radio at night, WLS and WABC were the stations that sparked a desire to spend my life doing what those great personalities were doing from so many miles away. Pure magic. Hosting mornings at 94-7 WLS is not only a career dream come true, it brings my career full circle and is truly 'going home.' In a city with such great air talent through the years, it?s an honor to join them, past and present, in Chicago. Thanks to John Dickey, Mike McVay, Market Manager Donna Baker, and the one and only Jan Jeffries, Cumulus SVP/PD of WLS-FM, for the enthusiastic welcome and great opportunity at such a legendary radio station?.

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Staff Changes At CBS Chicago

10-17-14

Ashley Fields is the new marketing director for WBBM Newsradio and WSCR Sportsradio in Chicago. Fields will oversee Integrated Marketing (NTR) efforts for play-by-play sports, including the Bears, White Sox, and Cubs. Now reporting to Fields will be Sheri McDonnell, who will take on a larger role at Newsradio as promotions and events manager. McDonnell has worked in the department for more than six years. Angela Pargas joins the cluster from Disney Radio as the WSCR promotions and events manager at WSCR. 

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WTMX Chicago Raises Over $1.4 Million

9-6-14

The final numbers are in and the 15th Annual Eric & Kathy Radiothon on WTMX in Chicago has raised $1,403.229.61 for the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children?s Hospital of Chicago. From 6:00 AM until 8:00 PM this past Friday Eric & Kathy (the WTMX morning show) were live from the Crown Sky Garden on the 11th floor of Lurie Children?s, airing stories of children battling critical, or even fatal conditions in hopes of helping other children in need. Since 2000 The Eric and Kathy Radiothon has now raised a total of $26 million dollars for Lurie Children?s.

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WCKG Chicago Moves Into New Digs

8-19-14

The team at WCKG says it has moved into luxurious new offices with state-of-the-art digital audio and video studios in suburban Chicago. AM 1530 WCKG (The Voice of DuPage County) has moved to Carr Workplaces' Oak Brook Terrace Tower, the tallest building in Illinois outside of Chicago with panoramic views of both the Chicago skyline and the western suburbs. WCKG Station Manager Matt Dubiel said he's thrilled about the move. ?I wanted to move WCKG to the tallest building in the Chicago suburbs, and Carr Workplaces made that easy. They make it possible for small businesses like ours to afford a world-class office environment smack dab in the middle of Chicago-land, which is exactly what we need to serve the community and our local advertising partners."

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That Fresh Set Of Eyes Has Arrived In Chicago

8-8-14

John Gallagher is named VP/market manager for Hubbard Radio in Chicago. Gallagher (pictured) replaces Jerry Schnacke who was let go in April. Then-Hubbard Executive VP and CEO Drew Horowitz said Schnacke was let go because the company wanted to get a fresh set of eyes on the Hubbard stations (Horowitz is now president/COO). Horowitz says, ?John is the perfect person to lead our great brands in Chicago." Gallagher was with Cumulus as a regional VP for Wisconsin and had managed in Ohio and Kansas. Before Cumulus, Gallagher was a GM for Greater Media Detroit and ABC Radio Chicago.

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Luv Out at V103 Chicago

7-10-14

The Chicagoland Radio and Media Blog reports no reason was given for Ramononski Luv's departure at WVAZ-FM/V103. Luv was part of the #1 rated nighttime program, V103's "The Real Show," which he had long co-hosted with his on-air partner Joe Soto. The duo had celebrated their 10th anniversary together this past April. Luv has not made any official comment about the matter either.

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WKQX Chicago PD Inks Multi-Year Deal

6-18-14

Cumulus has signed WKQX Chicago Program Director PJ Kling to a new multi-year contract. Kling has served as Program Director of WKQX since 2012. He was Interim Operations Manager of WLUP from 2011-2012, and prior to that, was Director, User Insight for Tribune Interactive. He has held PD positions at WLDI in West Palm Beach and at KKRD/KZCH in Wichita. Kling also worked in programming for Clear Channel Corporate.

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What Happened to Joe Walsh in Chicago?

6-19-14

The talk show host on Salem's 560-AM The Answer was apparently pulled off the air during a commercial break. Mail Online reports the former U.S. Congressman from Illinois says he was kicked off his own show for trying to have a frank and honest discussion about race in America. Walsh took to Twitter as soon as he was pulled off the air. 'Found out if I said Redskins or Cracker or Redneck Bible Thumper, I could stay on. But if I said N***** or S***k, they cut me off,' he wrote. He'll be off the air today and has a 5PM meeting with his producers. Walsh's show was recently expanded to three hours on the station because of its popularity.

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Were There More Univision Cuts in Chicago?

4-3-14

The Chicagoland Radio and Media Blog says yes. According to the blog, "A heavy number of staffers were released." While Univision executives will not comment, insiders called what happened today a "mass" layoff.  Among those known to be gone are Jesse "El Grandote" Becerra. Called a "jack of all trades," Becerra had been with Univision for nearly ten years, serving as an WOJO-FM/La Que Buena 105.1 on-air talent, producer, production assistant, and more.

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The Kat in Chicago Fires DJ Freak

3-31-14

The Chicagoland Radio and Media Blog has the details about DJ Freak who was PD and afternoon driver on WYKT-FM/The Kat in Chicago leaving the station on Friday. The Will County Active Rock radio station released Freak in a cost-cutting move. His position will not be filled. Instead, the music will be programmed remotely at STARadio sister-station KZZK-FM in Quincy, IL.

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WLS Chicago Must Pay $44K FCC Fine

2-11-14

This fine is for violating the FCC rule on identifying a sponsorship. Back in 2009 the station ran ads from Workers Independent News without disclosing that the ads were sponsored by the organization. The ad discussed federal economic stimulus money. The Commission rule is in place so listeners are never confused whether the ad is actually programming. "The rules are grounded in the principle that listeners and viewers are entitled to know who seeks to persuade them.? WLS admitted 11 ads ran without proper tags and asked the fine be reduced to $4K claiming it was really only one incident and it was quickly caught and corrected. The commission didn't go for that and hit WLS with $4K per ad for a total of $44K. Read for full forfeiture order HERE

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Goodman Ready To Take Chicago

2-7-14

Chicagoland Radio and Media has the early details about management changes at the suburban Chicago stations Goodman's company Digity will take over from NextMedia upon closing, which the blog says will happen Monday. Brian Foster, a 13-year veteran of NextMedia, will oversee the several of the nine stations Goodman will soon own (see call letters below). Foster replaces Patrick Pendergast, who is the GM of WJOL-AM, WCCQ-FM, WRXQ-FM, and WSSR-FM, and Scott Kosak who was managing WERV-FM.

Digity will take over the following suburban Chicago radio stations according to Chicagoland Radio and Media:
WERV-FM/95.9 The River - Classic Rock
WRXQ-FM/Q Rock 100.7 - Rock/Classic Rock
WCCQ-FM/98.3 WCCQ - Country
WSSR-FM/Star 96.7 - Hot AC
WJOL-AM/1340 WJOL - News/Talk
WKRS-AM/ESPN Deportes 1220 - Sports
WXLC-FM/102.3 WXLC - Hot AC
WIIL-FM/95 WIIL Rock* - Rock (licensed to Milwaukee)
WLIP-AM/AM 1050* - News/Talk

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Chicago Revenue Drops 2.5% For Year

1-16-14

Robert Feder has the details from Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co. on his blog. The number three market generated $419.7 million compared to $430.9 million in 2012. Digital advertising was up 10% to $28.2 million. CBS' all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM was the top biller with $41.9 million, down from $45.7 million. Hubbard's WTMX-FM jumped 10% to $37.4 million. WGN, WBBM-FM and WSCR round out the top five in Chicago, according to Miller Kaplan numbers quoted in the Feder blog.

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Hannity Moves To Salem In Chicago

1-2-14

The Sean Hannity affiliate shuffling continues as Cumulus moves Michael Savage into the PM Drive slot on many of its stations. In Chicago, as of Monday, Hannity will move to Salem-owned WIND-AM (560). He was previously heard on WLS in Chicago. WIND-AM is making additional changes to its programming lineup as of Monday, January 6, including an expanded morning show with John Howell and Amy Jacobson.

Bill Bennett's Morning in America returns live to AM 560 in the 5 a.m. hour. Big John and Amy will follow with their Chicago morning show, 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dennis Miller will remain 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but will now be live for three hours. Sean Hannity will be live, aired from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Joe Walsh, who was moved into the 5 p.m. hour last summer, will continue with a live and all-Chicago show 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Michael Medved will air 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., followed by Dennis Prager at 11, and Hugh Hewitt at 2 a.m.

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