T Dog’s Grab Bag: Ramonski Luv out at Soul 106.3

WBBM news woes continue; CBS criticized for Mentalist reruns to replace Letterman; former Chicago FM call letters find a new home – As first reported by Robert Feder Wednesday, Soul 106.3 (WSRB) evening radio personality Ramonski Luv was released by the station after only a few months on the air. Luv, whose real name is Ramon Wade, was paired with […]

Report: WLS-AM looking to drop Limbaugh; Cumulus denies it

Is the end of Rush Limbaugh’s show near in Chicago? A report Thursday by Robert Feder stated Cumulus’ WLS-AM was looking to drop the controversial show as the station is looking to revamp its image by adding more mainstream talk. The report didn’t sit well with Cumulus execs; in fact, John Dickey, EVP of Content and Programming, said his company denied WLS […]

He’s back: Ramonski Luv returns to Chicago radio

Also: Tom Joyner’s Dallas station changes formats Per Robert Feder, Ramonski Luv (a.k.a. Ramon Wade) is back with a new radio gig in Chicago – this time at WVAZ’s (V103) main rival. Wade has signed on with Crawford Broadcasting’s WSRB-FM (Soul 106.3) to be their new evening personality, effective December 3. Wade’s show is scheduled to air every weeknight from […]

Grab Bag: CBS in lead to snare Cubs’ radio rights

  * As first reported by Ed Sherman in Wednesday’s Chicago Tribune, CBS Corp. is the leading candidate to land the radio rights to the Chicago Cubs in 2015 and beyond. The most likely destination would be WBBM-AM, who already hold rights to the Chicago Bears and whose sports station (WSCR) holds rights to the Chicago White Sox. Current rights-holder […]

The Grab Bag: You, the people

This Grab Bag is for you – that’s right. You – the people. You have the right to gripe about yet another newscast or yet another new daytime courtroom show (We The People) on the horizon. You also have the right to have an alternative to the regular crap on TV – thanks to two new diginet TV channels. You […]

WSRB rebrands itself as "106.3 Real Radio"; scales back on music

Back on August 23, 1989, a dying WLS-AM stopped playing the hits (or by then, middle-of-the-road music) and ventured into talk radio and hasn’t looked back since. Or in other words, they’re throwing in the towel against competitor WVAZ-FM. 21 years later, WSRB-FM is hoping for the same successful results with the station rebaranding itself as “106.3 Real Radio”. In […]

Tom Joyner heads to Power 92 – and stays at Soul 106.3

The Fly Jock is going to be doing double-duty in Chicagoland beginning this week. As reported by Chicagoland Radio and Media, the Reach Media/Radio One-syndicated radio program is going to be simulcast on both WSRB-FM (Soul 106.3) and WPWX-FM (Power 92). Both stations are owned by Crawford Broadcasting. As you recall, Joyner’s show was dropped by WVAZ-FM in March 2009 […]

Chicago PPM September results

Back to school, fool! Last month’s radio PPM results from Arbitron: (Remember, these are based only on 6+ numbers:) Winners: WOJO-FM, WGCI-FM, WDRV-FM (The Drive), WKSC-FM (Kiss), WILV-FM. WMVP-AM (ESPN 1000) Honorable Mention: WBBM-FM (B96), WIND-AM, WLFM Shocking Big Drop: The Mix (WTMX) Disappointing: WLS-AM, WLIT-FM (The Lite) Losers: WPWX-FM (Power 92), WSRB-FM (Soul 106.3), WPPN-FM, WKQX-FM (Q101) Analysis: – […]

Chicago’s August PPM results

Here are the results for the August PPMs for 12+ and for adults 25-54. Among the findings: – Winners include WSCR, WPPN, WXRT, WUSN, and drumroll please…. Q101! Yes, Q101 – or WKQX-FM grew 27% in 12+ month-to-month. – The biggest winner of all is WTMX-FM (The Mix), who dominated the 25-54 ratings and 12+ with Eric & Kathy leading […]

Chicago’s June PPM results

Remember, these are based on are 6+ numbers. Winners: WGN-AM, WTMX-FM (The Mix), WLS-FM, WUSN-FM, WSCR-AM (The Score), WSRB (Soul 106.3), WXRT-FM Not an impressive debut: WNUA-FM (Mega 95.5) Losers: WPPN-FM, Q101 and any music station not in the winner’s circle Analysis: The Cubs may be the lovable losers, but they’re anything but when it comes to local radio in […]

Sam Sylk heads to Power 92

Former WGCI-FM afternoon personality Sam Sylk is headed back to Chicago to fill the same capacity at WPWX-FM (Power 92). Sylk kept WGCI at or near the top of the ratings during his tenure there, but left in 2006 to join WUSL-FM in Philadelphia to become the morning personality. Subpar ratings forced him out, and wound up at Cleveland’s WENZ-FM, […]

Tom Joyner heads to Soul 106.3

It’s official: The Tom Joyner Morning Show, which was bounced off of WVAZ-FM (V103) after 13 years last month, is heading to WSRB-FM (Soul 106.3) effective Wednesday (and was predicted here – and well, everywhere else.) No details were available on the terms of the deal between The Fly Jock’s syndicators (Reach Media and Radio One) and Crawford Broadcasting, the […]

All Access: Tom Joyner to move to Soul 106.3

Have the suits at Crawford Broadcasting been reading this blog? (Scary.) A few weeks ago, yours truly suggested Crawford should go after The Tom Joyner Morning Show for its WSRB-FM (Soul 106.3) after it was dropped by crosstown rival WVAZ-FM (V103). Well, it looks like they may have taken my advice. According to radio trade website All Access, WSRB acquired […]

WGCI moves Scoulfield to mornings

Mornings are going to be a riot on WGCI… As speculated on Monday, beginning April 1 (and no, this isn’t an April Fool’s Joke), currently afternoon personality Tony Sculfield will take over the morning drive spot from Steve Harvey, who is moving from WGCI to sister station WVAZ (V103) to replace the canceled Tom Joyner Morning Show. Sculfield (who was […]

Tom Joyner out at V103

In a move that is a huge blow to his nationally syndicated show, The Tom Joyner Morning Show (aka The TJMS) lost its biggest – and most important – affiliate. Clear Channel-owned WVAZ-FM (V103) has canceled Joyner’s show, effective immediately, and is replacing it with The Steve Harvey Morning Show, which airs on sister station WGCI-FM. No word yet on […]