Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. [56][needs update] In October 2012, then back into Tribune Tower in October 2012. Wife and husband radio personalities Johnnie Putnam and Steve King left WGN Radio after 26 years of hosting their overnight show. This was the second Tribune-affiliated radio station to hold the WGN call letters. Hope its soon! Glad to see him go.but sirott is not the answer. Im thrilled to have Bob Sirott back on!! Thank you WGN!!! Cochran constant bashing of Trump tiresome. On December 2, 2011, WGN announced that Jonathon Brandmeier was named the new morning drive time host, effective December 9. Chicago media message boards exploded with traffic and posts, many excited over a possible permanent Meier presence on the station. Bring back Cochran and Wendy. Steve Cochrans firing was the last straw. Morning drive host and longtime Chicago on-air personality Bob Sirott at the WGN-AM 720 studio on May 17, 2022. 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. The transaction and concurring privatization of the company was completed upon termination of Tribune stock at the close of trading on December 20, 2007. On April 5, 1948, WGN-TV Channel 9 signed on the air. Fabian, who hired morning drive successors Collins and ODell, said the key to success at WGN was not necessarily a big voice. So is this a smart move? . Nextstar is destroying what was a legend in radio . Therefore WGN, Inc. turned in WGNB's license for cancellation, and the station was deleted on May 28, 1953. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). WGWG-LP began an interim simulcast of WGN radio at 10 p.m. on December 31, 2014. 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. . [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]. Dent will join Steve Bertrand in the 2-6pm slot starting Monday, January 3, 2022. John Williams pulls us in to listen. Flying Officer Baldy was killed in a helicopter crash, while on duty, on May 2, 1960. Always patting himself on His back! Steve made me think and laugh, while stuck in traffic on the Kennedy each morning. Glad Steve C is gone. McCormick acquired the station in 1924, changing the call letters to WGN, which stood for the Worlds Greatest Newspaper, the slogan that adorned the Tribunes front page. For the 2018 and 2019 seasons, WGN was the flagship station for the Major League Baseball Chicago White Sox. Meier hosted four shows, which is believed to have caused a surge in interest among younger people, who traditionally rarely listened to WGN. This new identity was implemented in all station promos, and used by all on-air talent. : Bateman, Bob - On air personality at WMIL-FM in Milwaukee. Really miss Bill & Wendy. 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 still conducts itself as if it were the Voice of Chicago, as if it were the station of record. Sadly, this new management doesnt like duos so Bill and Wendy will not be back, nor any other pairings. Are they worth, DCs cherry blossoms coming early due to confusing, Chasing Horse pleads not guilty in Nevada sex abuse, How the Daisy Jones cast went from beginners to, KFC bringing back buzzworthy item after 9 years, States consider safe injection sites to prevent, Students pepper-sprayed at anti-racism protest, More from WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own, Enough pollution in minority area eyed for NJ power, Trump planning first Iowa trip since announcing 2024, States move to crack down on nurses with bogus diplomas, Intel agencies: No sign adversaries behind Havana, Man steals bus at JFK airport, drives through NYC, Political analyst Paul Lisnek recaps mayoral election, State Farm files for another auto insurance rate, Execution-style murder in St, Louis caught on video, Chicago Lighthouse: Raising the stakes for vision. Music programming was phased out during the 1980s, and by 1990, the station's lineup mainly consisted of talk shows. A perennial ratings powerhouse, WGN Radio had double-digit audience shares and millions of regular listeners from the 1960s through the 1980s, when Wally Phillips, Bob Collins, Roy Leonard and other legendary broadcasters ruled the airwaves. I enjoyed his wit and his humor. 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.. So I offered them a little Tribune real estate here as a return favor. This is not at all a GOOD thing. 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. 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. When the White Sox games are on, I go to 820 (dont know the call letters). Clarence Dittman, and WGN radio announcer Jack Brickhouse broadcast from the Chicago airport tarmac in 1942. Part of a successful radio talent is not only wit and intelligence, but also an appealing voice. Its public service to the people listening, its not about building stars, or their own brand or ego.. Jerald McNair: We dont want to incarcerate youth. He and his team were terrific morning entertainers. Like you said the ratings were great. During the music days, it was . I know John Williams does currrent events, but is to opinionated. During the "Golden Age of Radio," Mutual was the home of The Lone Ranger, The Adventures of Superman and The Shadow. At least Kathy and Judy got a chance to wrap things up. Reveal contacts of top WGN Radio AM 720 managers and employees. Jalen Carter, a top NFL draft prospect and potential target for Chicago Bears, charged with reckless driving and racing in fatal accident. Liked Sirott, but been there, done that. [44], On April 1, 2007, Chicago-based real estate investor Sam Zell announced plans to purchase the Tribune Company in an $8.2-billion leveraged buyout that gave Tribune employees stock and effective ownership of the company. 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. Top. . 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. The reason I got into this business was listening to Cubs broadcasts growing up, said Sirott, 72. 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. Think about it Wgn only Sirotts wife kept it alive when he was on. Not a Sirott fan, so Ill be looking for a new morning station. (Phil Greer / Chicago Tribune). How long can you hear about Ross, Abigail, and the same ol s Nobody cares. 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. Supremely disappointed! One major issue was Cochran not coming to work on time and starting late for his show. WGN Radio AM 720. Landecker will fill in during afternoons until September 28 when he'll move permanently to a new evening show airing from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. 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. Listeners would feel respected. In 1961, the WGN radio and television stations moved to a studio facility on West Bradley Place in the North Center neighborhood, a move undertaken for civil defense concerns in order to provide the station a safe base to broadcast in case of a hostile attack targeting downtown Chicago. Get bill and Wendy back and 6-12 noon will be great! Thats why I decided to retire. 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. #44 of 164. 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. Allen, Bernie - Retired from radio, living in Chicago. Lets not yell and scream about it. No Cochran = Happy 2020. posted on November 18, 2021 at 8:25 am by Robert Feder. Lets work together on policies to protect them. WGN Morning News (TV Series 1994- ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails in which to indulge. 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. Please Dont bring Sirott back! Read; Edit; View history . 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. For Sirott, this marks the third time he has been employed at WGN, returning to the station after he and wife Marianne Murciano left in 2015 after a two-year run. Article; Talk; English. Havent gotten over losing Steve and Johnnie. weekdays at 3 p.m. in Meier's former WGN AM afternoon show . 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. What a loudmouth he is! The Steve Cochran Show, Weekdays 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. Menu. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. GN is becoming trivialized by the new (right wing) policy of no national news and discussion. Required fields are marked *. : Station Deletions", "Col. Robert McCormick Dies; WGN-AM-TV Among Holdings", "McCormick Will Names Five To Head 'Tribune,' Stations", "Patrolman Leonard F. Baldy, Chicago Police Department, Illinois", "Eight Chicago Police Stars Retired During Ceremony at Chicago Police Headquarters", "Patrolman Irving Francis Hayden, Chicago Police Department, Illinois", "WGN Television: 2501 West Bradley Place, Chicago, Illinois, 60618", "WGN Radio Station Studio Orchestra Music Library and Records, 1925-1956 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music", "At Flagging Tribune, Tales of a Bankrupt Culture", "Tribune Co. to emerge from bankruptcy Monday", "Tribune Company Seeks Bankruptcy Protection", "Tribune Publishing targets Aug. 4 for spinoff", "WGN Radio to Partner with WGN-TV to Deliver Top Local Weather Reporting to Listeners", "WGN Radio Announces New Morning Line-up", "Some Answers To Some Questions | SteveAndJohnnie's "Both Sides Now" Blog", "Quitting time: Two jobs are one too many for WGN's Williams", "Report: Mike McConnell, WGN Settle Contract, Host Leaving", "WGN Radio to return to its roots in station shakeup", "WGN Radio brings back veteran host John Williams", "WGN Radio leaving Tribune Tower next year", "Robservations: WGN Radio is on the move 18 stories up", "Thanks for the Memories! During daytime hours, near-perfect ground conductivity gives WGN at least secondary coverage to almost two-thirds of Illinois (as far south as Springfield) as well as large slices of Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Iowa. So long WGN youve lost another listener! I have no interest in Sirott so I guess I will not be listening. Born in Dallas, Brown arrived in Chicago enrolling in Evanston's . Sirott is ok. WDAP was originally located at the Wrigley Building. (I am now 76). On April 30, 2008, the station entered into a three-year deal to broadcast Chicago Blackhawks hockey games through the 20102011 season. : Bailey, Bill - Program Director and afternoon personality at WLHT-FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I got tired of him and his staff treating Cochrun like he is the Holy Messiah! While he aspired to be the Cubs radio play-by-play man, Sirott turned down an offer from Fabian to take the job during the height of his TV hosting commitments. And its a very difficult thing to do in 2022.. The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign holds the WGN Radio Station Studio Orchestra Music Library and Records, 19251956,[41] which consists of scripts, programs, production notes, correspondence, music library rental records, sheet music manuscripts, and music scores with annotations that document the WGN Studio Symphonic Orchestra from 1925 to 1956. . 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. He brings a fresh perspective with humor. 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). [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. 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. : July 9", "Standard Broadcast Station Call Letters for All Outlets Starting Nov. 1, FCC Rule", "For the Record: Existing FM Stations. Will definitely tune into their show. 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. 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. I agree with you completely AND your mother! Wont be listening. 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.