Out effective immediately is afternoon personality Roe Conn, whose contract runs through the end of the year. 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. Nick D and The Final Broadcast From The Tribune Tower", "Play ball! Bob Sirott was hired to replace Steve Cochran during morning drive hours, longtime mid-day duo Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder were ousted, and at a later date, evening host Justin Kaufmann was let go as well. [5], The Chicago Tribune purchased WDAP, and on June 1, 1924, renamed it WGN. 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. 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. 7 to 10 p.m. John Records Landecker. Bring back Cochran and Wendy. 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. Post subject: Re: Former WGN Radio host still unemployed. Im thrilled to have Bob Sirott back on!! At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails in which to indulge. And boy, it took a tumble.. Posted: Aug 6, 2014 / 06:53 AM CDT. Id go to sleep with the transistor radio under my pillow listening to the West Coast games that started late.. WGN's studios are located in the Chicago Loop, while the transmitter is in Elk Grove Village. It had to be somebody who was in the moment and who got the fact of what we were doing, Fabian said. There's a bit of quid pro quo at work here, I admit. You can find Bill and Wendy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. [21] Effective November 1, 1943, the FCC modified its policy for FM call signs,[22] and the station's call letters were changed to WGNB. Sirott said he idolized former Cubs play-by-play announcer Jack Quinlan, who partnered with Lou Boudreau on WGN Radio broadcasts from 1957 to 1964. Democracy dies in darkness and GN has gone over to the dark side. Adam Carolla. [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. WGN also features broadcasts of Chicago Blackhawks hockey and Northwestern University football and basketball. 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. This is and has been a good /great organization other than the takeover by Sam Zell (What a horror). After all, success in radio is based on building and maintaining connections between hosts and the audience. She has been in Chicago radio since 2002 when she began a fourteen year run co-hosting . On August 13, 2010, the station's branding changed again to "News 720 WGN." Dark day for WGN. Did the Blackhawks get enough for Patrick Kane? WGN-TV and WGN Radio would remain with the original entity, which was renamed Tribune Media and was restructured to focus on the company's broadcasting, digital and real estate properties; the newspaper division which, in addition to the Chicago Tribune, included publications such as the Los Angeles Times, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Baltimore Sun was spun off into the standalone entity Tribune Publishing (known as Tronc from June 2016 until the company reverted to its former name in October 2018). 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 . 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. 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. WGN still conducts itself as if it were the Voice of Chicago, as if it were the station of record. TV Schedule. 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. A new afternoon show and the full-time return of John Landecker highlight a slew of changes at WGN Chicago. 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. WGN-TV Podcasts. Good bye WGN. Shortly after Nexstar took control of WGN, the station began to broadcast national NFL play-by-play on Sunday afternoons from Compass Media Networks. We can't tell you how much we appreciate you being there with us, and letting us be honest and real and have fun. Conn joined WGN as afternoon host in 2015 after 25 years at Cumulus Media news/talk WLS 890-AM. 2 to 6 p.m. Lisa Dent and Steve Bertrand 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. 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. The station used ABC News Radio for national news reports as the network's Chicago affiliate. Required fields are marked *. 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. Ill never understand the cut throat business that is radio. The station also streams its programming on its website and supplies podcasts as well. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). [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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 2011.[55]. Elliott Jenkins, left, and Thorne Donnelly, right, are the original owners of WDAP, the predecessor to WGN radio. I certainly dont patronize their advertizers! Steve Bertrand will host "Chicago's Afternoon . Out effective immediately is afternoon personality Roe Conn, whose contract runs through the end of the year. However, his run-ins with WGN management makes them feel his antics werent worth it. 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. At least Kathy and Judy got a chance to wrap things up. 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. [56][needs update] In October 2012, then back into Tribune Tower in October 2012. "A very important thank you needs to go out to our listeners. Bill and Wendy talk about the history of the WGN Radio with Roe Conn, Patti Vasquez, Steve Bertrand, Justin Kaufmann, and Roger Triemstra. The city's first disc jockey was Halloween Martin, whose show, Musical Clock, was a morning staple on various stations from 1929 to 1946. 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. Updated: Aug 6, 2014 / 09:07 AM CDT. The only personalities to make the format transition were Don Wade and Roma. Not much different than the next. He joined WGN-AM and WGN-TV Channel 9 in 1965. Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2021 7:01 pm. But the golden voice came on the air at 11pm. WGN Morning News (TV Series 1994- ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. Above: Political analyst, Paul Green. 1/9/2023 Updated review. That sounds like ownership/management is looking for a writer-off. )[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. I have been listening to WGN since high school. 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. 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. Steve was open and honest, refreshing and absolutely transparent. Monday through Friday, it carries Rich Valds, America at Night from Westwood One during late night hours. Agree with canning Cochrane. Next to go should be John Williams, also self centered and opinionated and dismissive of other points of view. Thats why I decided to retire. No Cubs, no Bill and Wendy, no Steve Cochran and a radio station that sounds like its out of the 50s. 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. . WGN's YouTube Page. . Glad Cochran is goneso self aggrandizing and self centered the world did NOT center on him and his opinions!! Triemstra retired in 1998. After a protracted four-year process, on December 31, 2012, Tribune formally exited from bankruptcy under the control of its senior debt holders, Oaktree Capital Management, JPMorgan Chase and Angelo, Gordon & Co.[48][49][50], On July 10, 2013, Tribune announced plans to split off its broadcasting and newspaper interests into two separate companies. weekdays at 3 p.m. in Meier's former WGN AM afternoon show . Wallace M Rogerson conducted the Keep Fit to Music programme. 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. Get bill and Wendy back and 6-12 noon will be great! [16], In 1939, Carole Mathews, the "Miss Chicago" of 1938, launched a WGN radio program entitled Breakfast Time with Carole Mathews. GN is becoming trivialized by the new (right wing) policy of no national news and discussion. And weve done it to ourselves. 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. Late in the game for a response but I still miss Spike and Judi and Kathy! Thats what Steve always did was tell the facts. The original WGN began operating on the evening of March 29, 1924, after the newspaper took over programming of the former WJAZ. I am a WGN junkie so I hope things work out. Above: (front Ito r) Bob Collins, Kathy O'Malley, Dean . Coinciding with the hire of Jarrett, WGN dropped its "News/Talk 720" brand and began identifying itself simply as "Chicago's WGN Radio 720." 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. Quinlan died in an auto accident during spring training in 1965. Flying Officer Baldy was killed in a helicopter crash, while on duty, on May 2, 1960. But with few people owning FM radio receivers in that era, management did not think WGNB would become profitable. WGN Radio AM 720 United States employs 59 employees. 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 How long can you hear about Ross, Abigail, and the same ol s Nobody cares. [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. Sadly, this new management doesnt like duos so Bill and Wendy will not be back, nor any other pairings. 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 they all understand that. : July 9", "Standard Broadcast Station Call Letters for All Outlets Starting Nov. 1, FCC Rule", "For the Record: Existing FM Stations. I can remember being 10 years old and thinking how boring. I thought of my Dad often as I tuned in every morning. [3] The ship's call letters were changed to KFSI. He hosts The Adam Carolla Show, a talk show distributed as a podcast .more. Samuelson: It . I looked forward to good things. Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 02:08, Sousa Archives and Center for American Music, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, "Double Call Letters Are Being Eliminated", "Chicago Tribune - Historical Newspapers", "Perspective | In Chicago, schools closed during a 1937 polio epidemic and kids learned from home over the radio", "Actions of the Federal Communications Commission: Decisions. [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]. Where sports, pop culture, and media meet, Sirott returns to morning shift; Cochran canned for second time from WGN. The Nexstar Media news/talk station announced the move Thursday as part of a new weekday lineup starting January 3. 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. He is to mellow for morning radio and boring..I would rather hear Pete McMurray.he is awesome 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. 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