WLS-AM slammed for coverage of NIU shootings

From the Sun-Times’ Robert Feder (and rightfully so.) But he also praised the coverage of WBBM-AM and WGN-AM – as well as NextMedia’s west suburban classic hits outlet WERV-FM (95.9 FM, a.k.a. “The River”) for their continuing coverage of the tragedy.

WBBM-AM tops WGN-AM in revenue dept.

2007 was a good year for WBBM-AM, even if the Bears didn’t win the Super Bowl. In a stunner, the news/talk station ranked first in revenues for 2007 with $47.5 million – up from $45.9 million a year ago, surging ahead of arch rival WGN, which had $43.5 million. WGN ranked first for the last three years. WTMX’s demo-friendly upscale […]

Mo’ Radio Ratings

Because there’s more to life than Chicago and Milwaukee… Peoria: It’s a trifecta for Triad as the radio station owner holds the top three spots with Country outlet WXCL-FM leading the way. Regent’s Rhythmic outlet (WZPW-FM) finished fourth. The biggest loser here was Regent’s Active Rock station (WIXO-FM) which fell from first place in the Spring book to eighth. Ouch! […]

The Fall Arbitron books

Here are your radio Fall Arbs (+12) for: Chicago Quick analysis: Tribune’s WGN is first, but stumbled. Clear Channel’s Urban Contemporary WGCI is back in second place, while sister Urban AC WVAZ fell from fifth place to eighth (they announced a huge schedule change today – more on that later, so watch the blog.) CC’s WLIT surged to fifth place*, […]

Da Trends

The second set of trends for the Arbitron fall book for Chicago radio stations are out, and there is some movement on the chart among several radio stations. Thoughts… – It looks like WGN is going to be #1 for the foreseeable future. – WGCI rebounded to third place this trend, perhaps silencing critics (such as yours truly) -WLS-AM rebounded […]

WGN-AM sweeps Chicago summer book

A clean sweep of every major daypart kept WGN on top of the ratings in Arbitron’s summer book. WGN’s dominance started with Spike O’Dell in the mornings and went through John Williams and Cubs baseball in the afternoon. Other news of note: Mornings: – WGCI paid dearly for replacing top-rated (in 18-34) Howard McGee with syndicated Steve Harvey, with WVAZ’s […]

WLS, WGCI big losers in book

Both down a full point since last summer, while WGN blows out the competition (like the Colorado Rockies, WGN may never lose a book again!) For the complete results, click here. Update (10-16-06): No Feder today for some reason, so the daypart breakdowns will have to wait. In the meantime, here’s a Tribune story on the numbers, which contains some […]

Radio rating trend

First trend for Chicago stations – WGN a dominant number one (thanks to the Cubs), with WGCI (and WLIT) performing like the White Sox…

Amy Jacobson tells her side of the story

Amy Jacobson made the media rounds today telling her side of the story, first to Robert Feder of the Chicago Sun-Times, who broke the story yesterday, and then went to WGN-AM, and talked with Spike O’Dell. Jacobson defended her actions, and criticized WBBM-TV for the way they edited the video that someone sent in to the station, to make it […]

FEMA screws up again

This morning, Chicagoland radio and TV outlets were interrupted by the Emergency Alert System, then dead air, and then the voice of WGN-AM’s Spike O’Dell, who wondered what the heck was going on. The cause? a FEMA contractor’s installation of the state’s Emergency Alert System satellite receiver in Springfield as part of a nationwide upgrade.  

Bob Sirott heads to WGN-AM

All right, enough with Imus. We have some news on one of the best media personalities in Chicago (despite the fact he’s a Cub fan.) Bob Sirott, who currently co-anchors with Marion Brooks on WMAQ-TV’s 4:30 newscast, is returning to radio on a weekday basis – he’s landed a weekday gig at noon on WGN-AM, hosting a hour-long magazine show. […]

Spike O’Dell out at WGN – three years from now

Times may change, but many things stay the same in Chicago year after year – Daley in City Hall, Democrats controlling Cook County, WLS-TV topping in the Nielsens and WGN-AM ruling the roost in morning drive. But a change in morning drive at WGN is coming – three years from now. Spike O’Dell told the Trib’s Phil Rosenthal that he’s […]

Chicago, Milwaukee Arbitrends out (Part 2)

From Radio and Records, the Arbs Part 2 from Chicago and Milwaukee.Thoughts: News-talk rules in this region as WGN and WTMJ top the charts. Among CHRs, WBBM-FM (B96) is tops while WKSC (Kiss 103.5) slips a little. WZZN’s oldies format is a big winner — best ratings for that frequency in 18 years. WKQX (Q101) may be headed for a […]

Chicago Arbitrends

First Arbitrends ratings radio report for the fall season: WGN and WGCI are tied for first, WZZN’s Oldies format is starting to pay dividends (best ratings for that frequency I’ve seen in least 18 years), The “feel good music” revolution is making WILV (Love FM) and WLIT feel bad, and WLUP (The Loop) and WKQX (Q101) continue to s(t)ink. Where’s […]