Tim Virgin heads to The Drive

Will continue to appear on KSHE St. Louis Veteran Chicago radio personality Tim Virgin is returning to town as the new afternoon host of Hubbard Broadcasting’s The Drive, aka WDRV-FM, starting today where he will host weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. “A few months away was long enough to remind me exactly where I belong – on a legendary […]

Chicago PPM Report: Immigration blitzes and ICE protests sends listeners to news and talk stations

The Drive tops overall ratings while Kiss 103.5 FM is first in 25-54s With the continuing ICE enforcement and National Guard drama in Chicago, listeners tuned in to the city’s news, talk, and information stations in increasing numbers during the month of September in PPMs released earlier this week.  Operation Midway Blitz was fanned across the nation’s third-largest radio and […]

Chicago radio ratings: Rock 95.5 surges in ratings; WKSC sweeps demos

WLIT tops overall numbers The August PPMs were an awesome one for iHeartMedia Chicago, with Rock 95.5 (WCHI-FM) surging, Kiss 103.5 FM sweeping the demo races, and WLIT topping the overall numbers. Rock 95.5 moved from — to thirteenth with a 3.2, the highest share number in the station’s five-year history, and the highest for the frequency since the WNUA […]

Dan Bernstein heads to Hubbard via podcasting with “Unfiltered”

“Unfiltered” already in top ten in Apple Podcasts Disposed by Audacy for a doxxing incident, former 670 The Score (WSCR-AM) morning host Dan Bernstein signed a deal with Hubbard Broadcasting, as reported by the Sun-Times on Monday, not to a terrestrial radio deal, but to host a podcast.  Titled Dan Bernstein: Unfiltered, the new venture from Hubbard is 312 Sports, […]

The Media Notepad: “The Food Guy” exits NBC 5

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 […]

March PPMs: Q101 maintains hot streak

Best ranking since the return to 101.1 frequency The March PPMs were released on Tuesday and showed an interesting trend: the resurgence of Q101.  The Cumulus-owned Alternative station is on a hot streak. WKQX scored an overall ratings increase for the fourth consecutive month and finished in a tie for eleventh place with WBEZ – the highest overall ranking since […]

The Media Notepad: Lisa Allen out at 101.9 The Mix

Also: CBS wins another stay in Wheel/Jeopardy battle It’s quiet this Easter week, and not much is going on, so here are two notable items making news this week (this has to be the shortest Media Notepad ever:) – After thirteen years at Hubbard Chicago, 101.9 The Mix/WTMX midday host Lisa Allen has exited the station, per Radio Insight. Allen […]

Hubbard’s 101.9 The Mix and Throwbacks 100.3 names Chris Eagan as VP of Brand and Content

Fills vacant position left by Jimmy Steal Hubbard’s two FM stations targeted to 25-54 female listeners have new leadership. Chris Eagan was named VP of Brand and Content for Hot AC 101.9 The Mix (WTMX) and 90s/2000s pop hits Throwback 100.3 (WTBC-FM, formerly WSHE-FM). Eagan arrives after spending sixteen years at Atlanta-based Cox Media Group, where he was Senior VP […]

The Media Notepad: Elon Musk wants to get rid of over-the-air TV

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, […]

Hubbard Chicago lays off two on-air personalities

Podrumedic, Kotsy exit as ratings fall The sting of media layoffs has arrived in Chicago. Minneapolis-based Hubbard Radio announced two departures from its Chicago cluster this week. On Thursday, 101.9 The Mix’s Violeta Podrumedic exited the station’s morning show after six years. “I will keep everyone posted with updates, and I know this is change and change can be somewhat […]

Brand And Content Manager Jimmy Steal exits Hubbard Chicago

No word on a replacement Hubbard Radio’s vice president of brand and content Jimmy Steal is exiting the position at the end of the year and is starting a new consulting business for the company, focusing on new talent.  Steal was in charge of two of Hubbard’s stations: Hot AC 101.9 The Mix and 90s/2000s Pop Hits Throwback 100.3. Steal […]

WSHE changes course (again), rebrands as Throwbacks 100.3

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 […]

The Media Notepad: WLIT takes early Chirstmas ratings lead

WGN-TV hires new traffic reporter; NBC Sports Chicago adding alternative Blackhawks telecasts; New Orleans Pelicans latest Bally team to seek an over-the-air TV deal  The PPM ratings survey for November was released this week and to no one’s surprise, iHeartMedia’s 93.9 The Lite is ahead of the competition. WLIT took first place from Hubbard’s The Drive as the Gold AC […]

Hubbard appoints Keith Lawless as new Chicago Market Manager

Replaces Jeff Enguland, who steps down  Minneapolis-based Hubbard Radio announced Friday a management change at the executive suites at its Chicago cluster, with Keith Lawless taking over as Market Manager for Hot AC 101.9 The Mix/WTMX, Classic Rock 97.1 The Drive/WDRV/WWDV, and Classic Hits WSHE-FM.   “We are pleased to welcome Keith to Hubbard Radio and look forward to watching him […]