Todd Cavanah to head programming for CBS Radio Chicago

Todd Cavanah

Todd Cavanah

Todd Cavanah, a nationally respected programmer and 27-year veteran of Chicago radio, has been promoted to vice president of programming for CBS Radio Chicago.

In his new role, Cavanah will oversee programming for the group’s six formats — Top 40 WBBM FM 96.3; classic hits WJMK FM 104.3, country WUSN FM 99.5; adult album alternative WXRT FM 93.1; all-news WBBM AM 780/WCFS FM 105.9; and sports/talk WSCR AM 670.

Cavanah, 53, who began as a part-time weekend host on B96 in 1989, has been program director of B96 since 1993 and has doubled as program director of K-Hits since 2011.

“With nearly 30 years of programming experience, Todd will be a strong and capable leader in this newly created position for CBS Radio Chicago,” Tim Pohlman, senior vice president and market manager, said in announcing the promotion Tuesday.  “I am excited to see him lend his programming expertise and knowledge across all of our iconic brands.”

No changes are expected among program directors of the individual stations, including Mitch Rosen at The Score, Ron Gleason at WBBM Newsradio, and Jeff Kapugi at US 99.5. No replacement has been named for Norm Winer, former program director at WXRT. His former duties were divided between Rosen and music director Kelly Ransford.

The move comes as CBS Radio is preparing for possible sale or spinoff, according to CBS Chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves, who announced last month that CBS would “explore strategic options for radio as a whole.”

In an interview Tuesday, Cavanah said he was looking forward to working with all of the Chicago group’s stations to increase ratings and drive revenue. “I’m very excited to be working alongside Tim Pohlman,” he said. “The culture is changing in the building, and I’m really excited to be part of that.”

Winner of multiple awards for program director of the year from Billboard magazine and Radio & Records, Cavanah previously was a promotion executive for Elektra Records.