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. Cochran was always a rather annoying DJ. Clarence Dittman, and WGN radio announcer Jack Brickhouse broadcast from the Chicago airport tarmac in 1942. Music programming was phased out during the 1980s, and by 1990, the station's lineup mainly consisted of talk shows. I am 78 and now done with WGN. 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. Given Cochran had a solid track record and WGN ranked third in mornings, replacing him with Sirott doesnt make sense. WGN Radio's Orion Samuelson has graced airwaves throughout the heartland in places across the Midwest and beyond. 2 to 6 p.m. Lisa Dent and Steve Bertrand This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. 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. How long can you hear about Ross, Abigail, and the same ol s Nobody cares. I looked forward to good things. So I had doubts about Pete trying this morning gig at the Drive. Now, if they can toss out that annoying Hockberg and his team that would be great. show. [68] On September 1, 2020, WGN Radio dropped ABC News Radio in favor of being an "audio news hub" for the co-owned NewsNation TV channel. Ill never understand the cut throat business that is radio. 9, while former on-air personalities including Lyle Dean, Spike O'Dell, Orion . In 2018, with Tribune Tower sold for redevelopment as million-dollar condos, WGN Radio left its longtime street-level studio on North Michigan Avenue for new digs and an 18th-floor perch at 303 E. Wacker Drive. Jonathan Brandmeier and Garry Meier were released and their programs canceled immediately, with repeat shows airing through the end of December. [13], On November 1, 1931, WGN's network affiliation changed from NBC to CBS as a result of NBC's purchase of a half-interest in WMAQ, which then became Chicago's NBC station. The Chicago Tribune reported that the simulcast would continue through January 2015, after which Chicago-based Weigel Broadcasting was expected to assume operation of 87.7 FM; Weigel eventually began programming what is now WRME-LD on February 23, 2015. [64], On February 14, 2018, WGN was named the new flagship station of the Chicago White Sox, who were left without a station after Cumulus Media voided their contract to air on WLS as part of their Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Updated: Aug 6, 2014 / 09:07 AM CDT. 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. Flying Officer Baldy was killed in a helicopter crash, while on duty, on May 2, 1960. [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. [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. WGN (720 AM) is a commercial radio station in Chicago, Illinois, featuring a talk radio format. Glad Cochran is goneso self aggrandizing and self centered the world did NOT center on him and his opinions!! Thats why I decided to retire. I certainly dont patronize their advertizers! A pair of black tights are a necessity, rather than just an accessory, to stay stylish and comfortable when temperatures drop. Did the Blackhawks get enough for Patrick Kane? 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. Therefore WGN, Inc. turned in WGNB's license for cancellation, and the station was deleted on May 28, 1953. Sadly, this new management doesnt like duos so Bill and Wendy will not be back, nor any other pairings. moving Lin Brehmers morning show to middays. Giving a squeaky little voice a one person afternoon show is not the way to attract or keep listeners. If us older generation folks are tuning out, just what listeners are you catering to? Above: (front Ito r) Bob Collins, Kathy O'Malley, Dean . 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. He always interrupted people. Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers magazine, a radio trade publication, called WGN a national treasure among radio stations for embracing its heritage, something most other legacy radio stations have long since abandoned. Could Rogers Park dispensary move next to a CTA terminal? by: Dan Sugrue. Steve Bertrand has always been committed to reporting the news in a fair and thoughtful way. I am a WGN junkie so I hope things work out. . 9, while former on-air personalities including Lyle Dean, Spike ODell, Orion Samuelson and Max Armstrong will make guest appearances on the radio station during the day. 6 to 7 p.m. WGN Radios Money Matters (airing early 2022) On April 30, 2008, the station entered into a three-year deal to broadcast Chicago Blackhawks hockey games through the 20102011 season. [65] WLS 890 AM previously had the contract to carry the White Sox, but its parent company, Cumulus Media, ran into financial problems and gave up the rights to White Sox broadcasts. It had to be somebody who was in the moment and who got the fact of what we were doing, Fabian said. We belong to the listeners, Boyle said. Anchor and reporter for WGN Radio, where I host "The Opening Bell" business hour from 5-6am weekdays and then anchor . 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 . We dont want to move on from the Cubs, its a huge part of our heritage, Boyle said. Glad Steve C is gone. In March 2009, longtime Chicago radio host Garry Meier was given an audition for the 1-4 p.m. slot. Here's what they wrote: "We have lived a dream. I enjoyed his wit and his humor. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2021 T Dog Media, Inc.. All rights reserved. Fabian, who hired morning drive successors Collins and ODell, said the key to success at WGN was not necessarily a big voice. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). 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. 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. Bring back Cochran and Wendy. 51. Heres everything you need to know about The Grinch sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now. I am tired of John Williams, and the repeative commercials. Jenkins and Donnelly are at their transmitter in the Wrigley Building in 1922. Proper response would be to ask an endless series of follow ups until the person regrets having spoken to you in the first place. Jerald McNair: We dont want to incarcerate youth. (WGN handout). Totally agree with you about missing Nick. I actually turned Sirott off today-dull with not much to say. 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. Agree with canning Cochrane. [56][needs update] In October 2012, then back into Tribune Tower in October 2012. This new identity was implemented in all station promos, and used by all on-air talent. I suppose Sirott doesnt feel the same way because if he did, he wouldnt have signed a deal so he can get up at 3 a.m. every day to do a morning show. These staffing changes were made over the course of months after Sean Compton began to oversee radio operations as Nexstar's Executive Vice President of WGN America, WGN Radio & Director of Content Acquisition. I really miss,Nkck Digilio. (I am now 76). Watch Live. 6 to 10 a.m. Bob Sirott The station is profitable, she said, but declined to disclose revenue. Coinciding with the hire of Jarrett, WGN dropped its "News/Talk 720" brand and began identifying itself simply as "Chicago's WGN Radio 720." First Bill Leff, (never cared for Wendy Snyder)! In 1982, he became full-time meteorologist for the radio station. WGN Radio has changed up their Saturday night and early Sunday morning line up, while ending the Best of Jim Brohannon Show, and bringing the husband and wife team of Steve King and Johnnie Putman from 9 pm to 2 am, and expanded and moved The Sinatra Hours from 2 to 5 am, and a few more shows. Chicago, IL . 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). It isnt bashing to tell the facts. Theyre firing the WRONG people! Would love to see Pete McMurray have a permanent splot on WGN radio. The Rockford native was inducted in the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2016. The firing of Bill, Wendy and Steve Cochran make many of us feel like weve lost some family members. Democracy dies in darkness and GN has gone over to the dark side. Id go to sleep with the transistor radio under my pillow listening to the West Coast games that started late.. 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. [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. Under Nexstar, several changes were made to the station's lineup, management, and branding. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. Phillips, whose people helping people mantra personified the station, rose to the top of the ratings after camping out at the station during the blizzard of 67, and hitting the airwaves the next morning while all of Chicago including his competition was snowed in, Fabian said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Late in the game for a response but I still miss Spike and Judi and Kathy! 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. As first reported by Robert Feder Friday morning, WGN-AM morning personality Steve Cochran was dropped from the station and replaced by a returning Bob Sirott, wholl take over January 6. Clarence Dittman, and WGN radio announcer Jack Brickhouse broadcast from the Chicago airport tarmac in 1942. The Steve Cochran Show, Weekdays 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. He got what he deserved! 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. Dark day for WGN. Yes there is no replacement for Bob Colins (whom I now believe you would wish to fire). Veteran Chicago News Anchor Bill Kurtis was replaced in his role as voiceover talent by New York based voiceover artist Steve Kamer. So long WGN youve lost another listener! On September 1, 1928 the Federal Radio Commission (FRC) ruled that this was two stations too many, and ordered that their operations be consolidated. OMG hope its Bob & Marianne The new Sinatra hour does not apply to me, I will miss Steve B at lunch, and the old schedule of news, weather, business, current events discussions. Really miss Bill & Wendy. Steve was open and honest, refreshing and absolutely transparent. Thats across the board.. 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. 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. 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. Nothing against Bob Sirott but he his somewhat insipid and totally a follower, which also can mean he falls right in line with what some TIGER would tell him to do. And they all understand that. 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. : Bateman, Bob - On air personality at WMIL-FM in Milwaukee. Movies. It was granted the sequentially issued call letters WDAP to Mid West Radio Central, Inc. in Chicago. I have been listening to WGN since high school. Chicago, Illinois USA. . No Cochran = Happy 2020. He joined WGN-AM and WGN-TV Channel 9 in 1965. "Davlantes will continue to be heard frequently across the stations dayparts," according to WGN's announcement. [40] The former WGN annex onto Tribune Tower is now used as a retail space containing Dylan's Candy Bar. The original WGN began operating on the evening of March 29, 1924, after the newspaper took over programming of the former WJAZ. Cant stand that snotty, conceited Sirott. The station first signed on the air on May 19, 1922. Over many decades, WGN was a "full service" radio station. John Williams pulls us in to listen. Compartilhar isto. I always listened to the business lunch with Steve Bertran. For many Chicagoans, the history of WGN Radio runs much deeper than a commemorative 12-ounce can of beer. Elliott Jenkins, left, and Thorne Donnelly, right, are the original owners of WDAP, the predecessor to WGN radio. Samuelson: It . Above: From the WGN Radio Mailroom, it's Gary Barton! Not much different than the next. 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. 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. Thats just my opinion. Age: 58. WGN's YouTube Page. Please Dont bring Sirott back! The disc jockey became important in Chicago radio during the 1930s, well before the term "disc jockey" was coined in the 1940s. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. Its kind of in short supply, especially these days.. He hosts The Adam Carolla Show, a talk show distributed as a podcast .more. 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. Orion Samuelson had been the station's farm reporter since 1960, he retired in 2020. We are fortunate to have her expertise at WGN Radio.. 7 traffic and transportation anchor Roz Varon and former WGN-AM news anchor and current "Garry Meier . 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. And nobody else could come close to having as much of that stuff as we had.. No personality is larger than what the brand is. Nextstar is destroying what was a legend in radio . Supremely disappointed! OH my I left Chicago in 2012, but still listened to WGN Stream. What I don't understand, though, is why they so seldom give ousted personalities the chance to say goodbye and thanks to their listeners. Steve had such rapport with Dr. 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. End of an era sadly. Just started listening to WGN last year for something different. Goodbye to the left leaning, Hillary loving, agenda pushing fool. Reveal contacts of top WGN Radio AM 720 managers and employees. 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. I wish them well and perhaps they are better off not working for WGN EVER AGAIN!! If they would smarten up and get rid of him I just might start listening again. 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. Wont be listening. Thank God you got rid of Cochran! They tried that before and she is a ditz. WGN Radio AM 720. WGN joined with WOR New York City, WXYZ Detroit and WLW Cincinnati to form the network, a rival to NBC and CBS. [9] In 1926, WGN broadcast Sam & Henry, a daily serial with comic elements created and performed by Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll. He also provided the original voice of the cartoon bird. Its public service to the people listening, its not about building stars, or their own brand or ego.. Similarly, new radio jingles from JAM Creative Productions and sister company PAMS of Dallas were introduced to the station. 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. And then replace him with the also-was used to be Sirrot? Former morning host Greg Jarrett was released from the station. PLEASE BRING THEM BACK. Theres a valid reason he was kept in a room by himselfno one else could fit with him AND his ego. Post subject: Re: Former WGN Radio host still unemployed. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. I have to say that I am very disappointed in this move. WGN was best known for the Chicago Cubs, great hosts like Wally Phillips, Bob Collins, Paul Harvey and many more..