WGN Radio unveils brand new lineup

WGN Radio's new logo.
WGN Radio’s new logo.

[Editor’s Note: This is the 2,500th post. And what better way to celebrate than to talk about WGN Radio’s rebirth! As always, thank you for for your support and visiting T Dog Media! -T.H.]

What fall lineup is the most talked about in Chicagoland?

Believe it or not, it isn’t any of the broadcast television networks fall slates (don’t be surprised.)

Judging by the chatter on message boards and social media, WGN Radio’s upcoming changes has dominated the media conversation in Chicago as of late, and will likely do so for the next few months as Jimmy DeCastro rolls out a new lineup, undoing several years’ worth of mistakes made by his predecessors. Many Chicago radio listeners – not to mention media columnists, advertisers, and the radio industry in general –  are eager to find out how this upheaval is going to work out.

What’s great about WGN-AM’s schedule is its live and local – the way the radio Gods intended.

Last minute weekday changes include Wendy Snyder being paired with Bill Leff from 9 a.m. to noon, reuniting the duo who held sway at WLUP-FM from 1994-96 and worked WKQX-FM’s (Q101’s) morning shift from 1996-98. Pete McMurray takes the 11 p.m.- 2 a.m. shift, followed by Nick digilio from 2 a.m.-5 a.m.

As for weekends, Saturdays features the return of Kathy O’Malley and Judy markey to WGN as previously noted. Others with weekend slots include Bill Moller, Nick Digilio, Lou Manfredini (Mr. Fix-it), and Rick Kogan. Of note on Sundays is a new public affairs program Chicago Way: Politics With Pearson, hosted by Chicago Tribune political writer Rick Pearson.

But enough from me. Here’s the full WGN Radio lineup, effective September 3, 2013. Remember, programs may be pre-empted or moved around due to sporting events.

WEEKDAYS (Mon-Fri.)

2-5a.m.: Nick Digilio
5-9a.m.: Steve Cochran
9a.m.-12p.m.: Bill & Wendy (Leff & Snyder)
12-3p.m.: Sirott and Murciano
3-7p.m.: Garry Meier
7-11p.m.: David Kaplan
11p.m.-2a.m.: Pete McMurray

SATURDAY

2-5a.m..: Matt Bubala
5-6a.m.: The Morning Show with Orion Samuelson & Max Armstrong
6-7a.m..: The Design Dude Frank Fontana
7-10a.m.: Mr. Fix-it Lou Manfredini
10a.m.-12p.m.: Kathy & Judy
12-3p.m: Bill Moller
3-6p.m.: Sports Central
6-8p.m.: Girls Night Out with Hannah Stanley
8p.m-Midnight – Nick Digilio

SUNDAY

Midnight-5:00a.m. Various Hosts
5:00a.m.-5:30a.m.: Great Outdoors with Charlie Potter
5:30-6:00a.m.: Love Changes Life
6-6:30a.m.: The Lutheran Hour
6:30-7a.m.: Steve Dale’s Pet World
7-9a.m.: The Chicago Way: Politics with Pearson
9a.m.-1p.m.: The Dean Richards Sunday Special
1-3p.m.: Bill Moller
3-6p.m.:Sports Central
6-9p.m.: Brian Noonan
9p.m.-11p.m: After Hours with Rick Kogan
11p.m.-2a.m. Patti Vasquez

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