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 […]

The Drive, WLIT tie again in latest PPM survey

Also: Ali Matta departs Q101  A touch of Christmas has led iHeartMedia’s 93.9 The Lite (WLIT-FM) to tie Hubbard’s The Drive (WDRV-FM) for first place in the overall ratings for the second time this year. The last time the two tied for first in the overall ratings was in September.  Both stations came up with even 6 shares in the […]

Chicago radio ratings: The Drive stays on top

But a Santa ratings wave is coming to 93.9 Lite FM In the final ratings period for 2022 not impacted by holiday music (in other words, before Lite 93.9 FM dominates the ratings and demos for the next two months), Hubbard’s classic rocker The Drive (WDRV-FM) topped the ratings charts, despite a month-to-month drop. Lying in wait to take over […]

The Media Notepad: The Chicago Sun-Times drops its paywall

Also: The Drive promotes Janda Lane to middays; Nexstar closes the deal to buy The CW; NATPE files for bankruptcy; Svengoolie is hiring! The move was expected for months, and now it’s official: The Chicago Sun-Times announced Thursday it is removing the paywall for all stories. This comes as the newspaper and Chicago Public Media’s WBEZ-FM announced a non-profit merger […]

Chicago radio ratings: The Drive dominates, B96 slips

The Drive wins overall; WLS-FM finishes first in 18-34s At the start of the year, no one would ever guess Hubbard’s The Drive (WDRV-FM) would top the ratings, let alone dominate them. And as it turns out, the classic rocker is performing a clinic on how to dominate. In September, The Drive’s ratings topped all Chicago radio stations, speeding up […]

Chicago Radio Ratings: WLIT finishes second overall

The Drive is tops for the third straight month; WOJO dominates demos Who needs Rudolph anyway?  That’s the attitude iHeartMedia’s classic hits heavy-AC outlet WLIT has after scoring its highest non-Christmas ratings in years.  According the July Nielsen Audio numbers released Monday, WLIT place second, up 13 percent from June, finishing behind Hubbard’s The Drive (WDRV-FM). Generally, WLIT dominates in […]