Dan Proft leaves Bruce Wolf alone on WLS

Dan Proft and Bruce Wolf

Dan Proft and Bruce Wolf

When Bruce Wolf returns from vacation to WLS AM 890 Friday, it’ll be without morning show co-host Dan Proft. After that, whatever happens is up in the air.

Proft, 42, a Republican political commentator, consultant and onetime gubernatorial candidate, announced Tuesday that his time was up at the Cumulus Media news/talk station. He’s been off the air since early December, first on a Hawaiian cruise with listeners and then on what became an extended vacation. Continue reading

Weigel Broadcasting to become radio active on 87.7 FM

Weigel BroadcastingWeigel Broadcasting, Chicago-based parent company of The U, Me-TV and other iconic television channels, is about to extend its brand into local radio for the first time.

Sources said the company has reached an agreement with Venture Technologies Group to lease WGWG LP 87.7, now home of Tribune Media’s ill-fated sports/talk format known as The Game 87.7 FM. Contracts have not yet been signed, but insiders said it’s a done deal. Continue reading

Leaving WIND, Big John Howell may join WLS

Big John Howell

Big John Howell

Chicago radio veteran Big John Howell is calling it quits after eight years as morning personality at WIND AM 560. But he probably won’t be off the air for long.

Sources said Howell turned down a renewal offer from the Salem Communications news/talk station, where his contract expires December 31. His last show of the year aired Tuesday, although he may return for a week or two after January 5 while his bosses decide on a replacement. Continue reading

WDCB brings back ‘Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis’

Ramsey Lewis

Ramsey Lewis

Ramsey Lewis is in and Rick O’Dell’s “Sunday Jazz Brunch” is out as WDCB FM 90.9 revamps its Sunday jazz lineup for the new year.

Starting January 4, the College of DuPage public radio station will present “Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis,” rebroadcasts of the series spotlighting the music of the world’s greatest jazz instrumentalists and vocalists. It will air from noon to 2 p.m. Sundays. Continue reading

Top ratings bring Christmas cheer to WLIT

Edison the Reindeer and Santa Claus

Edison the Reindeer and Santa Claus

Nonstop Christmas music on WLIT FM 93.9 catapulted the iHeartMedia adult contemporary station to the top of the latest Nielsen Audio radio ratings.

Figures released Monday showed 93.9 MyFM in first place with a 7.7 percent share of all listeners and a cumulative weekly audience of 2,427,500 for the period from November 6 to December 3. In the previous survey, the station ranked ninth with a 1,824,800 cume. Continue reading

WBEZ managing editor Sally Eisele resigns

Sally Eisele

Sally Eisele

In a year-end surprise to staffers of Chicago Public Media, Sally Eisele has resigned after 10 years as managing editor of public affairs at WBEZ FM 91.5.

Eisele, 56, announced Monday that she has accepted a position as general manager of Interlochen Public Radio, overseeing two listener-supported stations licensed to the Interlochen Center for the Arts serving northwest lower Michigan. Her appointment is effective February 15. Continue reading