WGN-AM revamps schedule, adds Lisa Dent in afternoons

Sirott, Williams shifts an hour later; Davlantes reassigned

Chicago radio veteran Lisa Dent has a new full-time gig – an afternoon talk show co-host at storied WGN Radio. 

The move is one of many at the Nexstar-owned news/talk radio station – the only one in the TV station group’s portfolio. She’s being paired with Steve Bertrand in afternoons starting January 3. 

“Lisa Dent has long been a significant and well-known presence in Chicago radio,” said Mary Sandberg Boyle, who is WGN Radio’s vice president and general manager. “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.”

After stints in San Diego, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Houston, Dent arrived in Chicago at country station WUSN-FM in 2002 where she spent fourteen years as co-host. After being released from WUSN in 2016, Dent shifted to the former WEBG-FM (Big 95.5) two years later as midday host until September 3, 2020 when the iHeartMedia-owned station flipped to a rock format, now known as WCHI-FM (Rock 955). Since January, Dent joined WGN in a fill-in role – one that’s now permanent. 

The new afternoon show – scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., is a part of numerous changes at the station, also effective January 3: 

– Both Bob Sirott and John Williams’ shows will now start and end an hour later: Sirott’s program shifts from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Williams moves from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., leading right in to Dent and Bertrand. WGN’s business-focused noon hour remains unchanged. 

– In addition to its noon show, WGN-AM is also launching a new program focused on finance from 6 to 7 p.m. titled WGN Radio’s Money Matters. However, the show won’t be debuting January 3 but is scheduled to launch “in early 2022”. No other information was released. 

 – John Records Landecker retains his 7-10 p.m. slot. 

–  WGN expands its simulcast of sister station’s WGN-TV’s morning newscast an hour to now cover 4-6 a.m. 

– Anna Davlantes, who hosted a 1-4 p.m. show at WGN, is shifting to a new role as investigative correspondent, whose reports would be heard throughout the day on the station. “Anna Davlantes’ impeccable resume includes decades of award-winning investigative reporting. Few rival Anna’s commitment to serving the public in anticipating, exposing, and breaking important stories,” said Boyle. “We are fortunate to have her expertise at WGN Radio.” A Northwestern alum, Davlantes’ resume includes stops at NBC-owned WMAQ-TV and Fox-owned WFLD-TV as anchor/reporter.