Jacked out: WJMK dumps Variety Hits format

Eddie & JoBo return to Chicago radio to new “K-Hits”, which replaces JACK-FM. WJMK will not be “jacking” their body any longer. In news that was circulating ferociously for the last 48 hours, it is now official: CBS Radio’s WJMK-FM – known for the last six years as rock-leaning Variety Hits (a.k.a. Adult Hits) JACK FM – is flipping to […]

Cumulus buys WLS-AM/FM owner

WLS-AM and WLS-FM have new owners in the form of Atlanta-based Cumulus Broadcasting, Inc., which acquired the troubled Citadel radio group for $2.4 billion in cash and stock, with Cumulus paying $37 a share to Citadel. While Citadel wasn’t officially up for sale, it was being pursued by both Cumulus and Bala Cynwyd, Pa. –based Entercom Communications. Cumulus made several […]

Chicago stations in for political ad revenue windfall

With Mayor Richard M. Daley’s decision not to run for a seventh term, it could mean good news for local television and radio outlets in the terms of revenue in the form of increased political advertising. While the rest of us will being running to our nearest electronics store to buy Tivos, the announcement would mean a huge influx of […]

Tom Joyner heads to Power 92 – and stays at Soul 106.3

The Fly Jock is going to be doing double-duty in Chicagoland beginning this week. As reported by Chicagoland Radio and Media, the Reach Media/Radio One-syndicated radio program is going to be simulcast on both WSRB-FM (Soul 106.3) and WPWX-FM (Power 92). Both stations are owned by Crawford Broadcasting. As you recall, Joyner’s show was dropped by WVAZ-FM in March 2009 […]

T Dog’s Four Pack – Putting the biscuit in the basket

Here’s who is scoring goals – and who isn’t – it’s a hockey-themed T Dog’s Four Pack: Lighting the lamp: Family Guy. No, you don’t see this show in the winner’s circle too often, but Sunday’s night episode – despite some rather uncomfortable dialogue in the first act – was the best of the season and perhaps ever, on a […]

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’s June PPM results

Remember, these are based on are 6+ numbers. Winners: WGN-AM, WTMX-FM (The Mix), WLS-FM, WUSN-FM, WSCR-AM (The Score), WSRB (Soul 106.3), WXRT-FM Not an impressive debut: WNUA-FM (Mega 95.5) Losers: WPPN-FM, Q101 and any music station not in the winner’s circle Analysis: The Cubs may be the lovable losers, but they’re anything but when it comes to local radio in […]

Chicago PPMs for March

Winners: WBBM-AM, WLS-AM & FM, The Drive (WDRV-FM), The Mix (WTMX-FM) Honorable Mention: Power 92 (WPWX-FM), WNUA-FM, WVIV-FM Losers: WGCI-FM, WFMT Analysis: WBBM continued to ride the top of the PPM chart into the month of March with a 16% advantage over second place WLS-AM. If anyone tells you AM radio is dead, send them here so they can see […]

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 […]

Chicago PPM results for November (updated)

The results from November’s PPMs are here, just three days after the radio ratings period ended. Isn’t it great to get results like this so quick? (Just don’t ask WGN-AM…) Borrowing the formula from Marc Berman’s Programming Insider from Mediaweek: Winners: WBBM-AM, WLS (AM and FM), The Drive (WDRV-FM), V103 (WVAZ-FM) Honorable Mention: Lite FM (WLIT-FM), WBEZ-FM, WIND-AM Disappointing (like […]

Chicago PPM numbers for October

Click here to see the PPM numbers for 6+ and here for adults 25-54 for the month of October. Winners: The Drive (WDRV-FM), WBBM-AM, WLS-AM, V103 (WVAZ-FM), Kiss FM (WKSC-FM), WOJO-FM Honorable Mention: The Mix (WTMX), WLS-FM, WLUP-FM (The Loop), US 99 (WUSN-FM) Losers: Fresh 105.9 FM (WCFS-FM), Love FM (WILV-FM), WNUA-FM, Power 92 (WPWX), Jack FM (WJMK), Nine FM […]

Chicago’s PPM results are here

Here they are… the first official Portable People Meter results for the Chicago market. Arbitron decided to release the numbers today instead of Wednesday for Chicago, New York, and six other markets to avoid an injuction by the New York State Attorney General, who isn’t happy with the system because he feels the system discriminates against minorities (never mind that […]

Chicago PPM secrets revealed

In addition to the last-ever diary book released in Chicago yesterday, Arbitron’s pre-currency Portable People Meter results were also released, and according to Tom Taylor of Radio-Info and Dave Martin’s blog, they show the following: – WGN continued to rank first among 12+, followed by WDRV-FM (The Drive), WBBM-AM, Ht AC outlet WTMX-FM, and Country station WUSN-FM. – Ranking from […]

WLS-FM is back!

(Courtesy of Citadel broadcasting) An old name from the past is resurfacing. With the tentative date of June 26, Citadel Broadcasting plans to change the call letters of its True Oldies outlet from WZZN-FM back to WLS-FM, with FCC approval. Many message board posters have been suggesting this move for the last three years, since it flipped to True Oldies. […]