B96, WLS-FM announce new hires
Stations fill midday, afternoon shifts respectively with live talent
If you listen to Chicago radio during the day, you’ll notice some new talent on the airwaves.
On Monday, Audacy-owned B96 (WBBM-FM) announced Letty B is taking the reigns of the midday shift, appearing from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“I’m delighted to be joining the legendary B96!”, said Letty. “Huge thanks to Kevin Cassidy and [B96 Brand Manager] Molly Cruz for helping make this dream come true, and to Michael Martin for being a mentor through the years. I can’t wait to hit the ground running with the Audacy Chicago team and build connections with our listeners.”
Letty arrives from iHeartMedia’s cluster in Los Angeles, where she hosted at KOST-FM and KIIS-FM, and had similar duty at iHeart’s San Diego and San Francisco stations, and a co-hosting stint in Miami. She also hosted mornings at the former CBS Radio’s KMVQ San Francisco, known as 99.7 Now.
“Letty has a wealth of experience at iconic stations across the country, and we’re excited to bring her to the Chicago airwaves,” said Cruz. “Her vibrant energy and passion for radio make her the perfect addition to the team.”
Letty replaces Jeana Shepard in middays after just sixteen months. Shepard was part of the “Morning Mess” at B96 until the show dissolved in February 2024. Audacy has not announced her current employment status, but it’s a good bet she will be exiting the cluster soon.
Meanwhile, crosstown WLS-FM made a move of their own last week, by hiring Tyler Naylor as their new afternoon host, replacing voice-tracked evening host Jaybeau Jones, who was pulling double-duty after Tim Virgin left for KSHE-FM St. Louis.
“It is such a privilege to work for Cumulus Chicago and 94.7 WLS”, said Naylor, who once went by Tom “Jammer” Naylor. “To be on the air every day and a part of this great media brand, in this amazing city is beyond belief.”
“We are so excited to welcome Tyler to our 94.7 WLS-FM Cumulus team”, said VP/Classic Hits and WLS-FM Program Director Todd Cavanah. “His major market on-air and programming experience will be very beneficial as we continue to evolve the Classic Hits format in Chicago. He understands how to connect all the elements to engage on social media and on a daily on-air radio show.”
In the latest overall PPM results released Monday for May, WLS-FM was tied in eighth place with WGN-AM, down slightly from last month while B96 was in a three-way tie for 20th. Neither station ranked in the top five in any key adult demo.