Terrific survey for Audacy properties For the first time in its storied history, Triple A (Adult Album Alternative) WXRT-FM took the top spot in Nielsen’s monthly PPM rankings. The Audacy-owned station finished first ahead of competitors The Drive (WDRV-FM) and WLIT-FM, ahead of sister station WBBM Newsradio, which finished second. WXRT also finished second in the key adult 25-54 […]
NBC 5 hires Lou Caneills away from Fox 32 It’s rare, but two Chicago media personalities were ousted from their gigs on the same day. As first reported by the Sun-Times on Wednesday, NBC 5 (NBC-owned WMAQ-TV) has parted ways with sports anchor Mike Berman after a decade. The Northbrook native had been anchoring weekends until fellow anchor Leila Rahimi […]
Was part of a duo that entertained Chicago radio listeners for nearly two decades Chicago radio fans are mourning the loss of Joe Colburn, better known as “JoBo” to listeners of the Eddie & JoBo show on Top 40/CHR powerhouse WBBM-FM/B96, who died Monday morning in his home in Freeport, Ill., some one hundred miles west of Chicago and in […]
Sister station 103.5 KissFM remains on top in demos As iHeartMedia’s AC 93.9 The Lite (WLIT) kicked off its 25th annual Christmas Music format Tuesday, the station has already perched itself on top of the overall PPM ratings for October and won’t be budging from that position anytime soon. WLIT topped all comers with a 4.9 rating, and for the third […]
Includes four other radio stations As first reported by Radio Insight on Thursday, iHeartMedia has signed a mega-renewal deal with Christopher “Fred” Frederick to continue his morning show at CHR/Top 40 103.5 Kiss FM for the next five years, with a new contract that runs through 2030. “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue growing ‘The Fred Show’ in […]
Agrees to stream on archrival’s platform Starting today, Audacy’s 200+ radio stations will be available on the iHeartRadio app. Joining iHeartMedia’s local stations on the platform in Chicago are sports talker 670 The Score (WSCR-AM), Newsradio 105.9 FM (WBBM-AM 780/WCFS-FM 105.9), Adult Album Alternative 93XRT (WXRT-FM), Top 40/CHR B96 (WBBM-FM), Country US99 (WUSN-FM), and Classic R&B/Hip-Hop 104.3 Jams (WBMX-FM). Other […]
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 […]
Steve Dolinsky takes job at Levy Restaurants; Chicago Sky expands distribution; 93.9 The Lite returns to the top of the PPMs [Editor’s Note: The first item of this piece was updated on May 22 to add Facebook post.] “The Food Guy” has reviewed his final plate on Chicago television. Steve Dolinsky announced this week he was departing NBC 5 (NBC-owned […]
Plus, Chicago radio ratings, Comcast considering the sale or spinoff of cable channels, and the CW returns to a Cleveland station after Nexstar buys it Elon Musk has finally expressed his thoughts on television, and he is not a fan. The South African billionaire who bought Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 blasted the major networks on his platform recently, […]
Audacy to go private The FCC approved a controversial Audacy bankruptcy plan in a politically divided three-to-two vote in which Soros Fund Management becomes the biggest shareholder in the company with a 57 percent stake through the Laurel Tree Opportunities Corporation. As a result, Audacy – who filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year, will go private and David Field […]
Also: Shift is underway in Chicago PPM ratings; Pelicans leave Bally Sports Look who’s back in the public eye – it’s none other than former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who was hired by CBS Chicago (WBBM-TV) to provide analysis during the Democratic National Convention here in Chicago later this month in a press release posted on social media Wednesday […]
Station shifts music to 1990s-2000s to attract younger listeners As first reported by Radio Insight, Hubbard-owned WSHE-FM adjusted its music playlist Thursday to feature pop hits from the 1990s and 2000s and rebranded itself as Throwback 100.3. WSHE is also promoting the new format by launching a promotion where listeners have a chance to win a “throwback experience” and qualify […]
Also: The Talk to end after 15 years; NCAA Women’s Championship draws record high; NHL team headed to Utah With the future of Paramount Global all the chatter, there could be some radio merger and acquisition action, too. A report in Radio Insight suggests Audacy – soon to be controlled by Soros Fund Management after coming out of bankruptcy – […]
Mirrors station’s success as a Classic Hits outlet Back some time ago, format changes at WLS-FM were similar to Chicago’s weather – quite frequent and varied. The 94.7 frequency went through more format changes than a singer’s wardrobe on stage through disco, rock, contemporary hit radio, talk, oldies, alternative, and even country over the years. But a decade ago, WLS-FM […]
Low-rated Top 40 station tries again to create a morning franchise As it continues to get whipped in the ratings, Audacy-owned B96 (WBBM-FM) announced yet another new morning drive radio show, Moug & Karla. “Moug” is John Moug, late of Hot AC station KPLZ-FM in Salt Lake City, who hosted alongside Angie Parker for two years. He started his career […]
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