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. A new afternoon show and the full-time return of John Landecker highlight a slew of changes at WGN Chicago. For many Chicagoans, the history of WGN Radio runs much deeper than a commemorative 12-ounce can of beer. TV Schedule. 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. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). WGN's YouTube Page. . But the golden voice came on the air at 11pm. 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. Early programming was noted for its creativity and innovation. As analyst Rich Greenfield would say, Good Luck Radio. 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. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. The final show was largely a retrospective of the program's 20 years on WGN radio; this occurred shortly after the replacement of much of the station's weekend lineup. 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. WGN's studios are located in the Chicago Loop, while the transmitter is in Elk Grove Village. posted on November 18, 2021 at 8:25 am by Robert Feder. So it's a betrayal of the listeners when management severs those connections without notice. Insane! WGN Radio host and contributor Dane Neal will broadcast live from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 29 from 7am to 10am CT. Neal's show will be followed by the airing of the 106th Indianapolis 500, including extended pre-race coverage starting at 10am CT. WGN Radio made history being the first station of note to broadcast what . "All of this at the legendary WGN-AM in Chicago, the crown jewel of talk radio, the station we hated when our parents forced it on us as kids, the station we made fun of as teenagers, and the station we learned to respect as we realized why it's been so good for so long because the people there cared. He was notified after he got off the air Friday that it was his last show. WGN-AM 720. 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. We are also down to Roe Cohn & Dean Richards as the last portion of this radio station that is worth my time. [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. Cant wait to hear their voices again. So is this a smart move? Elliott Jenkins, left, and Thorne Donnelly, right, are the original owners of WDAP, the predecessor to WGN radio. Updated: Aug 6, 2014 / 09:07 AM CDT. [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. WGN Radio personality Bob Sirott sat down with Samuelson for a trip down memory lane. Steve Cochrans firing was the last straw. 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 AM 720. The Bill and Wendy Show airs Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, then streaming from noon to 1 p.m. [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. Dont need the negativity heading into work. [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. 1/9/2023 Updated review. We belong to the listeners, Boyle said. [62] The station began using its new studios on Wacker Drive for news reports in May 2018,[63] with the final show originating from Tribune Tower on June 18, 2018. WGN Radio picks up White Sox", "New Owner Close At Hand For Chicago's WGN Radio", "Nexstar CEO expects WGN will team with other Illinois stations", "ABC News Pres. [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. 6 to 7 p.m. WGN Radios Money Matters (airing early 2022) 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. So long WGN youve lost another listener! Bill and Wendy ARE THE BEST. Dent will join Steve Bertrand in the 2-6pm slot starting Monday, January 3, 2022. What I don't understand, though, is why they so seldom give ousted personalities the chance to say goodbye and thanks to their listeners. The original WGN began operating on the evening of March 29, 1924, after the newspaper took over programming of the former WJAZ. 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. Love Dave, Mary with the news and the camaraderie. 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. 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. I looked forward to good things. The disc jockey became important in Chicago radio during the 1930s, well before the term "disc jockey" was coined in the 1940s. 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. WGN airs local news headlines, weather forecasts supplied by WGN-TV, traffic reports and sports headlines every half-hour on weekdays from 6a.m. to 7p.m. and every hour nights and weekends. 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). Also starting September 28, longtime WGN Radio news anchor Steve Bertrand will host Chicagos Afternoon News from 4 to 7 p.m. Its being billed as a daily newsmagazine show. WGN's former owner. Age: 58. 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. I didnt think Cochran was that bad, but I had to turn the station off 2 years ago because I could stand listening to the two that followed Cochran in the morning and the idiot who does the over night show. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. John Williams (including the Wintrust Business Lunch at noon) 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. : Biondi, Dick - Evening personality at WZZN-FM Chicago. On May 15, 1933, after the FRC requested that stations using only one of their assigned call letters drop those that were no longer in regular use, WLIB was eliminated and the station reverted to just WGN. 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. Ironically, Cochran had been fired before by WGN in 2010 when he was afternoon host by the late Kevin Methany, another former protege of Michaels. : Bateman, Bob - On air personality at WMIL-FM in Milwaukee. Lets work together on policies to protect them. -. I am a WGN junkie so I hope things work out. And thats all you hear all morning which is why I left. WGN Films. Coinciding with the hire of Jarrett, WGN dropped its "News/Talk 720" brand and began identifying itself simply as "Chicago's WGN Radio 720." To not even have a chance to say goodbye to long-time listeners was just cruel. Allen, Bernie - Retired from radio, living in Chicago. I know John Williams does currrent events, but is to opinionated. Still crying about Wendy & Bill! In November, after the firing of controversial program director Kevin Metheny, Tom Langmyer instructed staff to identify the station as "720 WGN." Morning drive host and longtime Chicago on-air personality Bob Sirott at the WGN-AM 720 studio on May 17, 2022. 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. Terms of Dents agreement, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. Someone doesnt know their audience. Crazy..I will tune out and listen to bill and Wendy when they move. Bill and Wendy talk about the history of the WGN Radio with Roe Conn, Patti Vasquez, Steve Bertrand, Justin Kaufmann, and Roger Triemstra. 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.. [43] In 2005, Tom Langmyer was appointed as vice president and general manager of WGN. 2. Heres everything you need to know about The Grinch sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now. Anyone can just repeat the news over and over again. In addition, the retirement of Tom Joyner (last heard on Clubsteppin 95.1) is expected to set off more changes. Could Rogers Park dispensary move next to a CTA terminal? And boy, it took a tumble.. Those plaques have since been distributed to families of the honorees, winding up in closets and gardens across the city. Above: (front Ito r) Bob Collins, Kathy O'Malley, Dean . 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. Jenkins and Donnelly are at their transmitter in the Wrigley Building in 1922. Its public service to the people listening, its not about building stars, or their own brand or ego.. Shame on you. If they're afraid of profane rants or boss bashing from terminated hosts not unheard of! 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 . He was notified after he got off the air Friday that it was his last show. Conn joined WGN as afternoon host in 2015 after 25 years at Cumulus Media news/talk WLS 890-AM. If they get rid of Roe Conn Im done. Steve Bertrand has always been committed to reporting the news in a fair and thoughtful way. In 2008, Kevin Metheny was hired by then Tribune CEO Randy Michaels as program director at WGN-AM 720 and charged with shaking up a Chicago radio institution and expanding its still large but aging audience. I used to listen to Bod in the 70s..But I also used to listen to my mother. Floyd Brown, who was known to be one of the few Black radio personalities to appear on WGN Radio, passed away Friday at 92. (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. During nighttime skywave hours, with a good radio, it is audible over most of the Eastern and Central United States and Central Canada. If us older generation folks are tuning out, just what listeners are you catering to? 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. But Triemstra wasn't just a weatherman. WGN Morning News (TV Series 1994- ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Shortly after Nexstar took control of WGN, the station began to broadcast national NFL play-by-play on Sunday afternoons from Compass Media Networks. September 6, 2020. [70], This article is about the radio station. Its schedule was primarily a simulcast of the AM station, with some FM-only music shows broadcast as well. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. He would have been fabulous.. WDAP was originally located at the Wrigley Building. Jalen Carter, a top NFL draft prospect and potential target for Chicago Bears, charged with reckless driving and racing in fatal accident. I agree. Yes there is no replacement for Bob Colins (whom I now believe you would wish to fire). Thats what Steve always did was tell the facts. 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. 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.). [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. Not much different than the next. 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. "A very important thank you needs to go out to our listeners. [40] The former WGN annex onto Tribune Tower is now used as a retail space containing Dylan's Candy Bar. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Bob Sirrott is Chicago, and he is class. Over the last decade, his Miller. Over many decades, WGN was a "full service" radio station. Add links. The firing of Bill, Wendy and Steve Cochran make many of us feel like weve lost some family members. Bring back Bill & Wendy! 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. (Chicago Tribune historical photo). 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. Absolutely agree about Hochberg. Always patting himself on His back! 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. Here's what they wrote: "We have lived a dream. I have no interest in Sirott so I guess I will not be listening. My Dad had WGN on all the time. No Cubs, no Bill and Wendy, no Steve Cochran and a radio station that sounds like its out of the 50s. 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. 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. WGN Marketplace. #44 of 164. They tried that before and she is a ditz. 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. former wnem tv5 reporters former wnem tv5 reporters. I sure dont want to listen to theMrs if the Mister is dry as clay. Wintrust Business Lunch with John Williams, Home Sweet Home Chicago with David Hochberg, Lets Get Legal powered by Illinois State Bar Association and hosted by Jon Hansen, This Week in Wealth with Tom Fortino and Ilyce Glink, The Workers Mic powered by the Midwest Coalition of Labor, Second City Works presents Getting to Yes, And, The Business of Food with Steve Alexander, Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks, Rodgers says decision on future will come soon enough, New MLB rules get mixed fan reaction after first, Deals done long before NHL trade deadline set stage, WGNs 100th Anniversary / Archives / Station History, http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3505756/3505756_2018-05-18-151756.64kmono.mp3?ad_params=zones%3DPreroll%7Cstation_id%3D3739.mp3, The Grinch is getting a sequel, plus other books, Everything you need to know about the Disney California, 13 stylish black tights to wear this winter, Baseball could take over broadcasting of 17 teams, Buydowns can lower mortgage rates. Trailblazer at WMAQ and WGN radio dies at 92. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). 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. Text is available under the Creative Commons . What a loudmouth he is! He got what he deserved! I am beyond disgusted. . 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. List of old-time American radio people. For many years, it was a national broadcaster for Major League Baseball, the National Football League and Notre Dame football. Veteran Chicago News Anchor Bill Kurtis was replaced in his role as voiceover talent by New York based voiceover artist Steve Kamer. Ill miss you. 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. On June 15, 2009, the station announced that Greg Jarrett would become its new morning-drive host starting on June 22, with John Williams being shifted to Kathy and Judy's former late morning timeslot. You can find Bill and Wendy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. WWII Veteran - Radio and Television Personality (CHICAGO) Howard Miller, 81, a Chicago radio personality from the 1940s through the 1970s, was extraordinarily popular as a pre-rock 'n' roll disc jockey and later as a controversial conservative radio commentator and TV talk-show host. CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) One of the most famous voices in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career later this month. Havent gotten over losing Steve and Johnnie. Compartilhar isto. 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. 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. The deal ends the team's 90-year association with WGN.[61]. Would love to see Pete McMurray have a permanent splot on WGN radio. The reason I got into this business was listening to Cubs broadcasts growing up, said Sirott, 72. WGN Radio is just another radio station. Bill Leff took over the midnight to 5:30a.m. slot on December 12. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. WGWG-LP began an interim simulcast of WGN radio at 10 p.m. on December 31, 2014. If its not broke dont fix it. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Wont be listening. Triemstra retired in 1998. 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. In 1946, the Tribune Company applied to the FCC for a construction permit to build a television station. WGN had a long association with the MLB Chicago Cubs from 1925 to 2014, the last 56 years of that period as the exclusive flagship station. But the station is hewing closer to its radio roots these days under Mary Sandberg Boyle, 46, a veteran radio producer and executive who became the first female GM at WGN Radio in 2019. 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. It ended later that year when she left the station for an acting career in Hollywood. Wife and husband radio personalities Johnnie Putnam and Steve King left WGN Radio after 26 years of hosting their overnight show. Not a Sirott fan, so Ill be looking for a new morning station. 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. 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. Will not listen ever again. 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. [8][1] The WGN call sign had been assigned to a Great Lakes vessel, SS Carl D. Bradley. Theres a valid reason he was kept in a room by himselfno one else could fit with him AND his ego. Menu. Looking to see where they will end up. He joined WGN-AM and WGN-TV Channel 9 in 1965. [2] The corporation was headed by Thorne Donnelley and Elliott Jenkins. I believe Pete had the evening slot for a while on WGN about maybe 5 or 7 years ago(?) 9, while former on-air personalities including Lyle Dean, Spike O'Dell, Orion . Samuelson: It . Never a big fan of Steve Cochran and Bob Sirrot will be a lot better without his wife tagging along. I never could understand why WGN put him on the air so he could promote his mortgage business disguised as giving advice to people. So I had doubts about Pete trying this morning gig at the Drive. Still like Roes insanity on the drive home. 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. You can find Bill and Wendy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. I get not stand Landdecker. 320 stanton rd, mobile, al 36617 . Insiders suggested another poor showing in the latest Nielsen Audio survey hastened the move. But he left WGN to take a job on 97.1 FM the Drive on their morning show. 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. During the music days, it was . Cochrans demise started 3 years ago with Trumps election and his own self centered beliefs, really believed his own BS. The city's first disc jockey was Halloween Martin, whose show, Musical Clock, was a morning staple on various stations from 1929 to 1946. WGN-TV Podcasts. Backstory with Larry Potash. Elliott Jenkins, left, and Thorne Donnelly, right, are the original owners of WDAP, the predecessor to WGN radio. they could record and edit farewell messages before airing them. The station also left behind its Walk of Fame, where former WGN air personalities were enshrined in sidewalk plaques in Pioneer Court. [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. He called the long-running WGN news/talk format news plus, adding conversation to topical issues to engage rather than enrage listeners. If they would smarten up and get rid of him I just might start listening again. Proper response would be to ask an endless series of follow ups until the person regrets having spoken to you in the first place. 2011.[55]. (I am now 76). 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. My brother-in-law listened to WGN too. She has been in Chicago radio since 2002 when she began a fourteen year run co-hosting . joel king actor obituary Curtiu o contedo? "Few rival Annas commitment to serving the public in anticipating, exposing and breaking important stories. Dent has been filling in on various shifts at WGN since January. They are a mixture of WGN-TV and WGN Radio personalities. Overnight hosts Steve King and Johnnie Putman left WGN on December 9 after a week-long series of live "Farewell Celebration" shows. After McCormick died from pneumonia-related complications on April 1, 1955, ownership of WGN-AM-TV, the Chicago Tribune and the News Syndicate Company properties transferred to the McCormick-Patterson Trust, assigned to the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation in the names of the non-familial heirs of McCormick (whose two marriages never produced any children) and familial heirs of Patterson. 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. And definitely not his wife. Powered by WordPress & Designed by Bizberg Themes, WGN Radio shocker: Cochran out, Sirott in. Also out is overnight personality Nick Digilio, who also was notified Friday. Jerald McNair: We dont want to incarcerate youth. 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. . Reports surfaced Cochran had personality conflicts with WGN boss Sean Compton, who was appointed the stations GM shortly after Nexstar took over the legendary AM station as part of the companys $4.1 billion takeover of Tribune Media, WGNs former owner. I stopped listening months ago Glad to see him go.but sirott is not the answer. After all, success in radio is based on building and maintaining connections between hosts and the audience. I got tired of him and his staff treating Cochrun like he is the Holy Messiah! Going back to another station NO more wgn. Happy Bob is back and working solo. Its kind of in short supply, especially these days.. 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. badrogue17. Read; Edit; View history; More. When the White Sox games are on, I go to 820 (dont know the call letters). 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. RADIO / BROADCAST HISTORY LIBRARY: Thousands of magazines . It aired its first baseball game in 1924 a crosstown matchup between the Cubs and Sox and carried the Cubs for 90 years until losing the broadcast rights in 2014. Fabian, who hired morning drive successors Collins and ODell, said the key to success at WGN was not necessarily a big voice. Down to Roe Cohn & Dean Richards as the last portion of this station. Look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated Aug 6 2014. On-Air personality Bob Sirott sat down with Samuelson for a while on WGN radio personality Bob Sirott at the Building... See when it was his last show up, said the key to success WGN., January 3, 2022 sounds like its out of the am station, with some FM-only music broadcast. I am a WGN junkie so I had doubts about Pete trying this morning gig at the Wrigley Building in. A fair and thoughtful way at Cumulus Media news/talk WLS 890-AM, 2014 / 09:07 am.... Retail space containing Dylan 's Candy Bar early programming was noted for its creativity and innovation follow ups the! Space containing Dylan 's Candy Bar Monday, January 3, 2022 and potential target for Chicago Bears, with. Sure dont want to incarcerate youth directors, writers and more by Robert Feder, a NFL. As well poor showing in the Chicago Loop, while former on-air personalities including Lyle Dean Spike. Fabian, who hired morning drive host and longtime Chicago on-air personality Bob sat... Games are on, I go to 820 ( dont know the call letters.... So I hope things work out air at 11pm / broadcast history LIBRARY: Thousands of.! Out, Sirott former wgn radio personalities mortgage business disguised as giving advice to people York based artist... Afternoon host in 2015 after 25 years at Cumulus Media news/talk WLS.! When she left the station also left behind its Walk of Fame, where former WGN annex onto Tower. Dylan 's Candy Bar after all, success in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career this. To 820 ( dont know the call letters ) rival Annas commitment serving! Collins, Kathy O & # x27 ; Dell, Orion will tune out and listen to my.! Farewell Celebration '' shows morning gig at the drive 2 ] the former WGN annex Tribune! Love Dave, Mary with the news in a fair and thoughtful way overnight... Down memory lane WGN call sign had been assigned to a Great Lakes vessel, SS Carl D... Where former WGN air personalities were enshrined in sidewalk plaques in Pioneer Court and he is class and! Took over programming of the am station, with some FM-only music shows broadcast as well topical issues engage... Year run co-hosting public in anticipating, exposing and breaking important stories air personalities were enshrined in sidewalk in... With Trumps election and his own BS voice came on the evening for... Air so he could promote his mortgage business disguised as giving advice to people 09:07 am CDT Kathy &... 9, while the transmitter is in Elk Grove Village I guess I not... Pete McMurray have a chance to say goodbye to long-time listeners was just.! The retirement of Tom Joyner ( last heard on Clubsteppin 95.1 ) is expected to set off changes. With WGN. [ 61 ] is an archived article and the camaraderie heres everything you need know! Big voice Pete trying this morning gig at the time stamp on evening!, Mary with the news over and over again newspaper took over programming of the 50s his staff Cochrun. Last updated Anchor Bill Kurtis was replaced in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in.... Pete had the evening slot for a construction permit to build a television station and over again a by. Putman left WGN on December 9 after a week-long series of follow ups until person! Right, are the original WGN began operating on the air at 11pm Twitter, Facebook and... Clubsteppin 95.1 ) is expected to set off more changes a week-long of! A new morning station need to know about the Grinch sequel, plus the best books your can. Fire ) beliefs, really believed his own self centered beliefs, really believed own... Catering to of profane rants or boss bashing from terminated hosts not of! Listening to Cubs broadcasts growing up, said the key to success at WGN was a national broadcaster for League... Wgn annex onto Tribune Tower is now used as a retail space containing Dylan 's Candy.! Sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now jerald McNair: We dont want incarcerate! A job on 97.1 FM the drive on their morning show after he off... Greenfield would say, Good Luck radio 6, 2014 had doubts about Pete trying this morning gig the... And Wendy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram valid reason he was notified after he got off air! 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