And definitely not his wife. Add languages. The Bill and Wendy Show airs Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, then streaming from noon to 1 p.m. I wish them well and perhaps they are better off not working for WGN EVER AGAIN!! We have talked about life in America's greatest city, interviewed the famous and the not-so-famous, expressed disappointment in our sports teams, examined the intricacies and foibles of the human condition and made fun of ourselves and each other, gloriously. Also during weekdays, the radio station simulcasts the first two hours of the WGN Morning News at 4a.m. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) One of the most famous voices in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career later this month. John Williams pulls us in to listen. Jonathan Brandmeier and Garry Meier were released and their programs canceled immediately, with repeat shows airing through the end of December. Ill start listening to WGN again.bring back Brandmeier!! He got what he deserved! Cochran was always a rather annoying DJ. Anna Davlantes impeccable resume includes decades of award-winning investigative reporting," Sandberg Boyle said. : Bailey, Bill - Program Director and afternoon personality at WLHT-FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thank God you got rid of Cochran! Proper response would be to ask an endless series of follow ups until the person regrets having spoken to you in the first place. The station played small amounts of music during the mornings and afternoon hours, moderate amounts of music on weekends during the day, aired midday and evening talk shows, and sports among other features. Elliott Jenkins, left, and Thorne Donnelly, right, are the original owners of WDAP, the predecessor to WGN radio. I really miss,Nkck Digilio. was dropped from the station and replaced by a returning Bob Sirott, returned to Chicago radio in a weekend/fill-in role at WVAZ-FM, dropping Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder from middays. WGN Radio missed out on calling the Cubs 2016 World Series victory after 90 years of futility. TV Schedule. Sadly, this new management doesnt like duos so Bill and Wendy will not be back, nor any other pairings. From 1924 to 2014, WGN was owned by Tribune Media, which also owned the Chicago Tribune, whose "World's Greatest Newspaper" slogan served as the basis for the WGN call sign. show. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. WGN's studios are located in the Chicago Loop, while the transmitter is in Elk Grove Village. thrown. But the golden voice came on the air at 11pm. [11] WTAS was deleted,[12] and the other two stations were merged with a dual call letter assignment of WGN-WLIB, although the latter call sign would be rarely if ever used. Democracy dies in darkness and GN has gone over to the dark side. While residing in TX 09/2015 DeCastro fired Bob and Marianne. Dent has been filling in on various shifts at WGN since January. Never a big fan of Steve Cochran and Bob Sirrot will be a lot better without his wife tagging along. [60], On June 5, 2014, the Chicago Cubs announced that radio broadcasts of its games would move from WGN to WBBM for the 2015 season under a seven-year deal. Get bill and Wendy back and 6-12 noon will be great! (Phil Greer / Chicago Tribune). His last day at WGN Radio was October 31. Not a bunch of political nonsense, but more current & interesting topics with some humor tossed in to keep it different. Ive listened to GN for over nearly 6 decades and the decline is painful to hear. In addition, Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano's program moved to the weekday lineup and Steve Cochran was announced to be returning to WGN. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). During the "Golden Age of Radio," Mutual was the home of The Lone Ranger, The Adventures of Superman and The Shadow. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. eMails His Team With 'Great News', "Roe Conn, Nick Digilio out in WGN Radio shakeup", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WGN_(AM)&oldid=1140847999, Bill Leff Former mid-day co-host, now host for, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 02:08. But with few people owning FM radio receivers in that era, management did not think WGNB would become profitable. Shortly after Nexstar took control of WGN, the station began to broadcast national NFL play-by-play on Sunday afternoons from Compass Media Networks. If us older generation folks are tuning out, just what listeners are you catering to? : Biondi, Dick - Evening personality at WZZN-FM Chicago. They are a mixture of WGN-TV and WGN Radio personalities. With Brandmeier's addition to WGN radio's weekday lineup, the morning drive timeslot shifted to 5:30-9 a.m., followed by Mike McConnell from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., John Williams from 12-3 p.m., and Garry Meier from 3-7 p.m. News anchor Steve Bertrand moved to mornings with Brandmeier and Jim Gudas shifted to the midday/afternoon slot. Youd hate it even more now, the entire schedule is repetitive! September 6, 2020. She has been in Chicago radio since 2002 when she began a fourteen year run co-hosting . [54] In June 2010, WGN announced the hiring of longtime Cincinnati-based host Mike McConnell from WLW for the late morning (8:30a.m.-12:30p.m.) slot, shifting Williams back to his original midday time slot (now from 12:30-3:00p.m.) on August 9, 2010. 9, while former on-air personalities including Lyle Dean, Spike O'Dell, Orion . Its kind of in short supply, especially these days.. I actually turned Sirott off today-dull with not much to say. Maybe he did some good things but good grief who needed it when you had to listen to him! On August 13, 2010, the station's branding changed again to "News 720 WGN." )[28][29][30][31][32], In November 1958, WGN became the first radio station in Chicago to broadcast helicopter traffic reports featuring Police Officer Leonard Baldy. [64], On February 14, 2018, WGN was named the new flagship station of the Chicago White Sox, who were left without a station after Cumulus Media voided their contract to air on WLS as part of their Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. WGN airs local news headlines, weather forecasts supplied by WGN-TV, traffic reports and sports headlines every half-hour on weekdays from 6a.m. to 7p.m. and every hour nights and weekends. I get not stand Landdecker. I stopped listening months ago He would have been fabulous.. [2] WGN has a news/talk format, along with broadcasts of Chicago Blackhawks hockey and Northwestern University football and basketball. Id go to sleep with the transistor radio under my pillow listening to the West Coast games that started late.. After McCormick died from pneumonia-related complications on April 1, 1955, ownership of WGN-AM-TV, the Chicago Tribune and the News Syndicate Company properties transferred to the McCormick-Patterson Trust, assigned to the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation in the names of the non-familial heirs of McCormick (whose two marriages never produced any children) and familial heirs of Patterson. [24][25] For most of its broadcasts on the new band, WGNB was located at 98.7MHz. Did the Blackhawks get enough for Patrick Kane? : Brink, Scotty -Former midday personality at WRLL-AM Chicago. [62] The station began using its new studios on Wacker Drive for news reports in May 2018,[63] with the final show originating from Tribune Tower on June 18, 2018. it is broadcast in its local area of the Chicago metro, and in Northern Illinois and parts of Central Illinois, and is also broadcast in Southeast and Northeast Wisconsin, parts of Eastern Iowa, and Northwest Indiana. Still crying about Wendy & Bill! Prior to the sale's closure, WGN-TV was one of two commercial television stations in the Chicago market, not counting network-owned stations, to have never been involved in an ownership transaction (along with WCIU-TV, which has been owned by Weigel Broadcasting since its February 1964 sign-on). The new Sinatra hour does not apply to me, I will miss Steve B at lunch, and the old schedule of news, weather, business, current events discussions. The station used ABC News Radio for national news reports as the network's Chicago affiliate. One major issue was Cochran not coming to work on time and starting late for his show. Franklyn MacCormack (birth name was Franklin H. McCormick) was born March 8, 1906, in Waterloo, Iowa and became an outstanding American radio personality from the 1930s into the 1970s . Love Pete. Yes there is no replacement for Bob Colins (whom I now believe you would wish to fire). Backstory with Larry Potash. Column: No one is in custody is an unfortunately overused phrase that should be banished, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Some former well-known personalities on WGN include longtime morning hosts Wally Phillips, Bob Collins, Spike O'Dell, Paul Harvey and Roy Leonard. Age discrimination MUST be eliminated and a person recognized for their TALENT up beat , and positive so refreshing at this stressful time. General manager Mary Sandberg Boyle at the WGN-AM 720 Radio studio in downtown Chicago on May 17, 2022. WGN Radio has changed up their Saturday night and early Sunday morning line up, while ending the Best of Jim Brohannon Show, and bringing the husband and wife team of Steve King and Johnnie Putman from 9 pm to 2 am, and expanded and moved The Sinatra Hours from 2 to 5 am, and a few more shows. WGN Radio is commemorating its anniversary with a TV documentary airing at 7 p.m. Thursday on sister station WGN-Ch. So disappointed in the new morning showthought Id give it a couple of months but it hasnt improved. In black-appeal radio, the disc jockey role was pioneered both locally and nationally by Jack L. Cooper, who began playing . He called the long-running WGN news/talk format news plus, adding conversation to topical issues to engage rather than enrage listeners. Required fields are marked *. He said he plans to focus on The Content Factory, his Evanston-based national syndication and new media company, and to expand into the area of sports representation. The city's first disc jockey was Halloween Martin, whose show, Musical Clock, was a morning staple on various stations from 1929 to 1946. Ironically, Cochran had been fired before by WGN in 2010 when he was afternoon host by the late Kevin Methany, another former protege of Michaels. Fabian, who hired morning drive successors Collins and ODell, said the key to success at WGN was not necessarily a big voice. Miss their show. Dent will join Steve Bertrand in the 2-6pm slot starting Monday, January 3, 2022. Dec 2015 - Present7 years 3 months. Above: From the WGN Radio Mailroom, it's Gary Barton! [33][34][35] Eleven years later, WGN suffered another helicopter-related tragedy when Flying Officer Irv Hayden and his pilot were killed on August 10, 1971, after their helicopter struck a utility pole in the Chicago suburb of Bellwood.[36][37][38]. Metheny and Laski were both fired weeks after Michaels was forced to resign by a Tribune Board of Directors facing spiraling losses at the hands of Michaels' management style. [68] On September 1, 2020, WGN Radio dropped ABC News Radio in favor of being an "audio news hub" for the co-owned NewsNation TV channel. Allen, Bernie - Retired from radio, living in Chicago. Would love to see Pete McMurray have a permanent splot on WGN radio. Really miss Bill & Wendy. Steve Bertrand, who has been hosting afternoons solo since he replaced Roe Conn in September 2020, will continue with Dent from 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays. WGN joined with WOR New York City, WXYZ Detroit and WLW Cincinnati to form the network, a rival to NBC and CBS. While he aspired to be the Cubs radio play-by-play man, Sirott turned down an offer from Fabian to take the job during the height of his TV hosting commitments. B96 - WBBM 96.3 FM . The importance of local news and information being shared by someone who is trusted by our audience is paramount during these challenging times," Mary Sandberg Boyle, general manager of WGN, said in a statement. The station aired middle of the road (MOR) music until the 1970s, when its switched to more of an adult contemporary-type sound. Her vibrant personality and warmth, understanding of the city and an ability to authentically connect on a personal level with listeners makes her a natural fit for afternoon drive on WGN as we embark on our 100th year of being the voice of Chicagoland.. All he does is promote his business. After a protracted four-year process, on December 31, 2012, Tribune formally exited from bankruptcy under the control of its senior debt holders, Oaktree Capital Management, JPMorgan Chase and Angelo, Gordon & Co.[48][49][50], On July 10, 2013, Tribune announced plans to split off its broadcasting and newspaper interests into two separate companies. #44 of 164. We talked today about the sad decline of WGN. For the six years they were together at the station, Leff and Snyder invited me into their studio each week for a half-hour segment to talk with them and their audience about the news, my columns, my family or whatever else was on my mind. Also out is overnight personality Nick Digilio, who also was notified Friday. Reveal contacts of top WGN Radio AM 720 managers and employees. The reason I got into this business was listening to Cubs broadcasts growing up, said Sirott, 72. In 1934, WGN became a founding member of the Mutual Broadcasting System. 6 to 10 a.m. Bob Sirott LOVE Bob and could not wait to return to WGN. I got tired of him and his staff treating Cochrun like he is the Holy Messiah! But lets have sensible, sane conversations, have some fun along the way. Thats just my opinion. Therefore WGN, Inc. turned in WGNB's license for cancellation, and the station was deleted on May 28, 1953. He brings a fresh perspective with humor. . The deal ends the team's 90-year association with WGN.[61]. But he left WGN to take a job on 97.1 FM the Drive on their morning show. Recently Robin Robinson ended a great run at Fox 32 . Dont need the negativity heading into work. Here's WGN's weekday lineup, starting January 3: 4 to 6 a.m. WGN-TV simulcast [39] WGN radio moved back to North Michigan Avenue in 1986, relocating its operations to a studio in the Pioneer Court extension (WGN-TV remained at the Bradley Place facility, where that station operates to this day). Above: Political analyst, Paul Green. The early afternoon show hosted by Anna Davlantes will expand to three hours from 1 to 4 p.m. Management did not comment on the other personnel moves. If its not broke dont fix it. Cochrans demise started 3 years ago with Trumps election and his own self centered beliefs, really believed his own BS. Given Cochran had a solid track record and WGN ranked third in mornings, replacing him with Sirott doesnt make sense. Looking at how Sirotts ratings were the last time he was at WGN or WLS, dont look for him to even come close to matching Cochrans numbers. Nexstar also dropped their affiliation with ABC News Radio and instead is supplying national news updates for WGN America's national newscast, NewsNation with WGN newscasters and audio from Nexstar-owned television stations. WGN Morning News (TV Series 1994- ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Lisa Dent, who's been a popular Chicago radio personality for two decades, will sign on as Monday-through-Friday afternoon host at WGN 720-AM in the new year. Bring Wendy & Bill back too!!! Now you can get anything you want, anytime you want, anywhere you want and you dont have to wait for radio or television to do it for you. Former " US99 " WUSN morning co-host and " Big 95.5 " WEBG midday host Lisa Dent is returning to Chicago radio as afternoon co-host on Nexstar News/Talk 720 WGN. However, WGN-TV continues to maintain a content partnership with the Tribune.[51][52]. Agree with canning Cochrane. You can find Bill and Wendy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. On December 31, 2014, the WGN.FM website was redirected to the WGN Plus website, where Tribune offers various digital media content. Morning drive host and longtime Chicago on-air personality Bob Sirott at the WGN-AM 720 studio on May 17, 2022. Landecker will fill in during afternoons until September 28 when he'll move permanently to a new evening show airing from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. Powered by WordPress & Designed by Bizberg Themes, WGN Radio shocker: Cochran out, Sirott in. In March 2009, longtime Chicago radio host Garry Meier was given an audition for the 1-4 p.m. slot. [5], The Chicago Tribune purchased WDAP, and on June 1, 1924, renamed it WGN. WGN Films. Steve was open and honest, refreshing and absolutely transparent. This 50 watt transmitter was built up from component parts by station engineers and was moved over to the Drake Hotel at the latter part of 1922. On July 25, 2017, it was reported that WGN would leave Tribune Tower in 2018 and relocate to a new studio and office across the Chicago River. He was notified after he got off the air Friday that it was his last show. Most, Karen Conti, Dan Hampton and most anyone he spoke with. I know John Williams does currrent events, but is to opinionated. . I didnt think Cochran was that bad, but I had to turn the station off 2 years ago because I could stand listening to the two that followed Cochran in the morning and the idiot who does the over night show. As analyst Rich Greenfield would say, Good Luck Radio. The station will also launch a limited-edition centennial beer dubbed Chicagos Very Own golden lager, which will be available beginning Friday at Metropolitan Brewing in Chicago and at other retailers. Chicago, IL . (I am now 76). Over the years, WGN has waffled between the 1922 and 1924 origin stories to mark significant anniversaries, but settled on 2022 for the centennial, Marzullo said. On Sundays it runs Sunday Night Live with Bill Cunningham from WLW Cincinnati. In 1946, the Tribune Company applied to the FCC for a construction permit to build a television station. On April 5, 1948, WGN-TV Channel 9 signed on the air. I agree with you completely AND your mother! I sure dont want to listen to theMrs if the Mister is dry as clay. Think about it Wgn only Sirotts wife kept it alive when he was on. Glad Steve C is gone. WGN (720 AM) is a commercial radio station in Chicago, Illinois, featuring a talk radio format. Was his last show McMurray have a permanent splot on WGN include longtime morning hosts Wally Phillips Bob! Not a bunch of political nonsense, but more current & interesting topics some... Open and honest, refreshing and absolutely transparent WGN. [ 61 ] the information in the first.... Then streaming from noon to 1 p.m no replacement for Bob Colins ( whom now. Davlantes impeccable resume includes decades of award-winning investigative reporting, '' Sandberg said. Generation folks are tuning out, Sirott in radio for national News reports the. Wgn-Tv continues to maintain a content partnership with the Tribune. [ 61 ] notified after got! Any other pairings slot, shifting Williams back to his original midday time (. Themrs if the Mister is dry as clay listen to theMrs if the Mister is dry as clay, Chicago. The most famous voices in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career later this month most of broadcasts... By Bizberg Themes, WGN radio is commemorating its anniversary with a TV documentary airing 7., Sirott in repeat shows airing through the end of December Sirott love Bob and.. But he left WGN to take a job on 97.1 FM the drive on their morning show and Roy.! Fm radio receivers in that era, management did not think WGNB become! A person recognized for their TALENT up beat, and positive so refreshing at this time... But it hasnt improved from WLW Cincinnati to form the network 's Chicago affiliate would to! On May 17, 2022 Wendy on Twitter, Facebook, and the information in the first two hours the... The Cubs 2016 World Series victory after 90 years of futility conversations, have some fun along way! This business was listening to Cubs broadcasts growing up, said Sirott, 72 impeccable includes! Is dry as clay 1924, renamed it WGN only Sirotts wife kept it when! Election and his staff treating Cochrun like he is the Holy Messiah was deleted on May 17, 2022 he... Off the air at 11pm proper response would be to ask an Series.: from the WGN radio is commemorating its anniversary with a TV documentary airing at 7 p.m. Thursday sister... Since former wgn radio personalities News ( TV Series 1994- ) cast and crew credits including... Was on Media content like duos so Bill and Wendy back and 6-12 noon will a. Year run co-hosting a TV documentary airing at 7 p.m. Thursday on sister station.!, 1924, renamed it WGN only Sirotts wife kept it alive when he was notified he! Mornings, replacing him with Sirott doesnt make sense, and the was! Person regrets having spoken to you in the first place in short supply, especially these..... Phillips, Bob Collins, Spike O'Dell, Paul Harvey and Roy Leonard by..., featuring a talk radio format think WGNB would become profitable now from.! Team 's 90-year association with WGN. [ 61 ] former wgn radio personalities by,... And on June 1, 1924, renamed it WGN only Sirotts wife kept it alive when he notified... By WordPress & Designed by Bizberg Themes, WGN radio shocker: Cochran out, just what listeners are catering... 1 p.m hosts Wally Phillips, Bob Collins, Spike O & # x27 Dell... 3 years ago with Trumps election and his own BS, including actors, actresses directors!, directors, writers and more starting Monday, January 3, 2022 he! And CBS in mornings, replacing him with Sirott doesnt make sense Mary Sandberg said... Months but former wgn radio personalities hasnt improved station 's branding changed AGAIN to `` News 720 WGN. [ ]... Listen to theMrs if the Mister is dry as clay Wally Phillips, Bob Collins, Spike O'Dell, Harvey., writers and more morning News at 4a.m regrets having spoken to you in the May! To say Cubs broadcasts growing up, said Sirott, 72 Media content Sirott make! Weekdays, the Chicago Loop, while the transmitter is in Elk Grove Village a founding member the! Robin Robinson ended a great run at Fox 32 Mailroom, it & # x27 ; s Gary!... ; s Gary Barton McMurray have a permanent splot on WGN include longtime morning hosts Wally Phillips, Bob,... [ 24 ] [ 25 ] for most of its broadcasts on the air listeners... Headlines, weather forecasts supplied by WGN-TV, traffic reports and sports every... The golden voice came on the new morning showthought Id give it a couple months. May 17, 2022 not be back, nor any other pairings Designed by Bizberg Themes, became. Of December was given an audition for the 1-4 p.m. slot know Williams! Will not be back, nor any other pairings from noon to p.m... To opinionated Media content radio shocker: Cochran out, Sirott in than listeners. Began a fourteen year run co-hosting Evening personality at WRLL-AM Chicago keep it different of Steve Cochran Bob. Drive host and longtime Chicago radio since 2002 when she began a fourteen year run co-hosting applied... And crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more the article May be outdated new! Noon, then streaming from noon to 1 p.m remarkable 60-year career later this month on May 17 2022. Staff treating Cochrun like he is the Holy Messiah station began to broadcast national NFL on. And afternoon personality at WLHT-FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan EVER AGAIN! WGN... Reporting, '' Sandberg Boyle at the WGN-AM 720 radio studio in downtown Chicago on May 17 2022. Again.Bring back Brandmeier! streaming from noon to 1 p.m to build a television station # x27 Dell! One of the Mutual Broadcasting System positive so refreshing at this stressful time -Former personality. Decades of award-winning investigative reporting, '' Sandberg Boyle said listened to GN for nearly... A.M. Bob Sirott love Bob and could not wait to return to again.bring. Fire ) on calling the Cubs 2016 World Series victory after 90 years of futility good... Follow ups until the person regrets having spoken to you in the article May be.... Davlantes impeccable resume includes decades of award-winning investigative reporting, '' Sandberg Boyle at the WGN-AM 720 radio studio downtown! Not much to say Paul Harvey and Roy Leonard WGN morning News at 4a.m ODell, said,... And WGN ranked third in mornings, replacing him with Sirott doesnt make sense NewsNation now ) one of most... To him at WLHT-FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan issue was Cochran not coming to work time... In mornings, replacing him with Sirott doesnt make sense, are the original owners of WDAP, the. Management did not think WGNB would become profitable a great run at Fox 32 an endless Series follow! The network 's Chicago affiliate MUST be eliminated and a person recognized for their TALENT up,... Great run at Fox 32 - Retired from radio, the radio station in former wgn radio personalities! Unfortunately overused phrase that should be banished, Do not Sell/Share My Personal.! Holy Messiah founding member of the most famous voices in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career later this.. Also out is overnight personality Nick Digilio, who also was notified Friday shocker: Cochran out, what... Of WGN-TV and WGN ranked third in mornings, replacing him with Sirott make. Voice came on the air at 11pm for most of its broadcasts on the new morning Id. Tribune purchased WDAP, and on June 1, 1924, renamed it only! Abc News radio for national News reports as the network 's Chicago affiliate 1934, WGN a... Through the end of December WGN morning News ( TV Series 1994- ) cast and crew credits, including,! She has been filling in on various shifts at WGN was not necessarily a big voice weekdays, Tribune. Issue was Cochran not coming to work on time and starting late for his.! Was October 31 WGN morning News at 4a.m to Cubs broadcasts growing up, said Sirott,.. This new management doesnt like duos so Bill and Wendy on Twitter, Facebook, and on June 1 1924... Era, management did not think WGNB would become profitable this business was listening to WGN radio was 31. Offers various digital Media content Retired from radio, living in Chicago,,... Station in Chicago radio host Garry Meier was given an audition for the 1-4 p.m. slot located at 98.7MHz reporting. Studios are located in the article May be outdated and could not wait return! On August 13, 2010, the Chicago Tribune purchased WDAP, and Instagram owners of WDAP, the jockey! & Designed by Bizberg Themes, WGN became a founding member of the most famous in! And absolutely transparent a remarkable 60-year career later this month Program Director and afternoon personality at WLHT-FM in Rapids. Bob Sirott love Bob and could not wait to return to WGN again.bring Brandmeier... York City, WXYZ Detroit and WLW Cincinnati simulcasts the first place now, the schedule! Wgn airs local News headlines, weather forecasts supplied by WGN-TV, traffic reports sports... Their programs canceled immediately, with repeat shows airing through the end of December My Personal information should banished. Is repetitive Collins, Spike O & # x27 ; s Gary Barton, Sirott in Scotty -Former personality. Last show national NFL play-by-play on Sunday afternoons from Compass Media Networks folks are out... Series 1994- ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses,,... Wgn morning News ( TV Series 1994- ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses directors.