DreXed out

In a surprise move – or maybe not considering his ratings were declining, Clear Channel’s Contemporary Hit WKSC-FM (103.5 FM, better known as Kiss FM) dropped its morning personality Drex (Kevin Buchar) after a seven-year run at the station. Also out are his co-hosts Mel T and Angi Taylor, though they may be asked to stay if there is a […]

Bob Sirott returns to WFLD

He’s back! Veteran Chicago media personality Bob Sirott  is returning to Fox-owned WFLD as an anchor for the station’s signature 9 p.m. newscast on July 19, alongside Robin Robinson. He replaces Jeff Goldblatt, whose contract at the station was not renewed. The station initially denied it was pursuing Sirott, even though Vocalo’s Robert Feder and the Tribune’s Phil Rosenthal said […]

"American Top 40" to celebrate 40 years

American Top 40 – the legendary radio program which counted down the week’s popular hits from number 40 to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and gave us the Long Distance Dedication, marks its 40th anniversary on July 4 – the exact day the program was born back in 1970, when it was heard on only seven stations. Two […]

Arbitron PPMs results for March: WOJO’s En Fuego!

This is based on 6+ numbers; the 18-34 numbers;  the 25-54 numbers: Male, Female, and Adults. Winners: WOJO-FM, WGCI-FM, V103 (WVAZ), The Mix (WTMX), The Drive (WDRV) , WBBM-FM, WKSC-FM (Kiss) Honorable Mention: US 99 (WUSN-FM), In the Top 5 overall, but very old skewing: WGN-AM Loser: WNUA-FM, ESPN 1000 (WMVP-AM) Results: All-news WBBM-AM may have been number one overall, […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: The Court Jester

Last week, A memo Tribune CEO Randy Michaels sent through WGN-AM News Director Charlie Meyerson, had a list of 119 words and phrases his employees at WGN should not say on the air in order to “improve the product”. And if they say any of these “forbidden” words, other employees can “rat them out” by noting the precise date and […]

Chicago January PPM ratings

The following is based on 6+ numbers only: Winners: WBBM-AM, WLS-AM, WGN-AM, WTMX-FM, WUSN-FM, WSCR-AM, WILV-FM, WNUA-FM, WBEZ-FM (whew!) Honorable mention: WGCI-FM, WDRV-FM, WBBM-FM,WPWX-FM, WLS-FM, WXRT-FMBig drop as expected: WLIT-FM Losers: Nothing. A first! Analysis: January was a very strong month for Chicago’s radio stations as more than 15 radio stations showed period-to-period increases, debunking the myth radio in Chicago […]

Chicago PPM September results

Back to school, fool! Last month’s radio PPM results from Arbitron: (Remember, these are based only on 6+ numbers:) Winners: WOJO-FM, WGCI-FM, WDRV-FM (The Drive), WKSC-FM (Kiss), WILV-FM. WMVP-AM (ESPN 1000) Honorable Mention: WBBM-FM (B96), WIND-AM, WLFM Shocking Big Drop: The Mix (WTMX) Disappointing: WLS-AM, WLIT-FM (The Lite) Losers: WPWX-FM (Power 92), WSRB-FM (Soul 106.3), WPPN-FM, WKQX-FM (Q101) Analysis: – […]

Chicago’s August PPM results

Here are the results for the August PPMs for 12+ and for adults 25-54. Among the findings: – Winners include WSCR, WPPN, WXRT, WUSN, and drumroll please…. Q101! Yes, Q101 – or WKQX-FM grew 27% in 12+ month-to-month. – The biggest winner of all is WTMX-FM (The Mix), who dominated the 25-54 ratings and 12+ with Eric & Kathy leading […]

Melissa Forman out at WLIT

WGN wins July PPM survey overall; WTMX dominated 25-54s; Rock stations and WKSC gains; WLS-AM declines. The second time isn’t so great after all. Clear Channel’s WLIT-FM has dropped Melissa Forman and her show from the morning time slot at the station after two years. The move was due to declining ratings. Forman was one of only two live personalities […]

Chicago’s May PPM results

This is based on the 6+ numbers provided by Arbitron and Stationratings.com (don’t forget – Radio & Records – who also provided numbers – no longer exists.) Winners: WBBM-AM, The Mix (WTMX), V103 (WVAZ), WUSN-FM, Kiss 103.5 (WKSC), The Loop (WLUP) Honorable Mention: Soul 106.3 (WSRB-FM – thank you, Tom Joyner) Losing Steam: WLS-AM, The Drive (WDRV-FM) Losers: Power 92 […]

T Dog’s Groovy Grab Bag

ABC pickups; Millionaire returns to prime-time; Caprica is here; B96’s new hires. – ABC has picked up twelve veteran series for the 2009-2010 season, despite the fact some have eroded in the ratings. Renewals include Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Supernanny, Wife Swap, and Ugly Betty. Betty, who returns on April 30 at 7 p.m. (CT) will likely keep its time […]

WBBM-AM tops 2008 revenue list

CBS-owned all-news outlet WBBM-AM was Chicago’s top billing radio station in 2008, according to BIA Financial Network. WBBM-AM earned $44.9 million in revenue for 2008, according to the report. Tribune’s WGN-AM came in a close second with $44.5 million, no doubt fueled by Cubs baseball. WGN’s huge haul comes despite an older-skewing audience. The top music station was Bonneville’s WTMX-FM, […]

WGCI moves Scoulfield to mornings

Mornings are going to be a riot on WGCI… As speculated on Monday, beginning April 1 (and no, this isn’t an April Fool’s Joke), currently afternoon personality Tony Sculfield will take over the morning drive spot from Steve Harvey, who is moving from WGCI to sister station WVAZ (V103) to replace the canceled Tom Joyner Morning Show. Sculfield (who was […]

DreX scores new five-year deal

Call it a reward for helping take down a morning show powerhouse. Clear Channel-owned WKSC-FM has renewed morning man Drex’s contract for five more years. The move assures his fans that he will be waking them up every morning through 2013 on the Top 40 outlet. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Drex’s morning show was instrumental in taking […]

Chicago’s January PPM results

WBBM-AM big winner These are based on Persons 6+ numbers. Winners: WBBM-AM, WLS-AM and FM, Love FM (WILV-FM), WGRB-AM, The Drive (WDRV-FM), US99 (WUSN-FM) Honorable Mention: The Mix (WTMX-FM), WOJO-FM, The Loop (WLUP-FM), JACK FM (WJMK-FM) Down, but potent: Lite FM (WLIT-FM), V103 (WVAZ-FM) Losers: B96 (WBBM-FM), WGCI-FM, Q101 (WKQX-FM), Fresh (WCFS-FM) Analysis: All news WBBM-AM – with its coverage […]