All bets are off after belt-tightening at WGN Radio
If the idea of Jonathon Brandmeier joining news/talk WGN-AM (720) seemed too good to be true, that’s just what it’s turning out to be. A double-digit decline in advertising revenue along with substantially higher rights fees for Cubs baseball broadcasts have blown a massive hole in the Tribune Co.-owned station’s budget, effectively scuttling talk of any big-ticket deals for the foreseeable future.
Photo by Aaron Altounian
Speculation about Brandmeier was fueled after he was spotted touring the premises Jan. 16 with WGN program director Kevin “Pig Virus” Metheny. Last Friday’s budget cuts, including the elimination of six full-time positions, were seen by some as a prelude to a contract for Johnny B., who’s been a free agent since Emmis Communications chose not to renew his million-dollar deal at classic rock WLUP-FM (97.9). Despite Metheny’s overture, an offer for Brandmeier seems unlikely now, according to informed insiders.
Efforts by Tribune Co. to emerge from bankruptcy in the coming months and revenue declines of more than 15 percent for Chicago radio overall have been common knowledge. But what wasn’t previously known is that the shift in ownership of the Cubs from Tribune Co. to the Ricketts family resulted in a huge boost in broadcast rights fees. By one estimate, it will cost WGN 40 percent more than last season to continue carrying the games.
Friday’s cuts combined with the savings realized by the departures of generously compensated morning host Spike O’Dell and midday hosts Kathy O’Malley and Judy Markey could restore an estimated $3 million to WGN’s bottom line. To make those cuts stick, the station’s lineup is expected to remain stable for now. The biggest uncertainty at the moment is whether afternoon host Steve Cochran will stay or go when his contract expires in March.
In a memo to staffers Friday (published on the blog of Tribune media columnist Phil Rosenthal), Tom Langmeyer, vice president and general manager of WGN, wrote:
“As we are all too well aware, we have been living through a fundamental shift in the entire economy. This seismic event extends well beyond WGN Radio, Tribune and all other media companies. It has happened and it continues to challenge nearly every industry. In the past year, the media has experienced double-digit declines in revenue as part of a trend of decline that goes back several years. That does not make it any easier to say goodbye to people we appreciate and respect, but it is the truth. In these challenging times, we are responsible for sustaining and reinventing Tribune and WGN Radio, while doing everything in our power to do so with as much thought and respect possible. The changes we are making are necessary, difficult, and painful. No sugarcoating or rhetoric could ever hide that truth.”
Even if Brandmeier won’t be joining WGN soon, the station’s latest realignment did bring good news to his longtime former producer at the Loop, Jimmy “Bud” Wiser. On Monday, Wiser was promoted to the new position of executive producer of WGN Radio. He’ll also continue as producer of Greg Jarrett’s morning show.
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01 2010
blogs.vocalo.org
Johnny B.: Still just an everyday unemployed normal m…
Maybe monster.com can help him…..bummer.
I’ll work cheap to start.Whoever hired the morning talent should be out of a job.I listened to him last week and the forced “comedy” was awkward and sad.How much are Steve and Johnny getting to deliver their mundane drivel? For some unknown reason the people that do the hiring in radio have no talent, to judge talent. Look at WLS,coasttocoast with George Noorey was consistently #1 in the ratings and what did they do.They replaced half the show with a truckdriving,conservative,gabfest. I’m so glad I found you again Mr. Feder. I love radio. I watched Allison Payne yesterday,her eyelids were awfully slooooowwww.
Congratulations to Jim “Bud” Wiser. This is someone who knows television and
radio thoroughly and has worked with every ego-driven personality and knows
how to keep them looking smart and clever without stepping on their creativity.
He has seen it all – the bad, the ugly – and the genius !
Give him major respect.
No Loss…WGN is NOT a good fit for Johnny B or WGN.
Is it true that the person in the mail room fired at WGN radio was much like Benny Stulwicz (Larry Drake) from L.A.Law?
And..it is criminal what the broadcast rights charged by the Cubs are to WGN.. This is more than out of control.
Agreed – congrats to Wiser. Now how about “Pig Virus” wises up and gets rid of Jarret. The man is an abominable failure in his attempt to fit in as a Chicagoan. His interview style is choppy, his transitions are often far fetched and awkward, and his lack of local knowledge is a major crippling factor in his connecting with the Chicago market. I gave him a chance, but can no longer listen. If they are not going to hire Brandmeier, then give Bob and Marianne the morning slot.
Unfortunately, they dumped the wrong people at WGN. Get rid of the self rightoeous, guitar-toting, Christmas tree-obsessed duo overnight in Steve and Johnny. They are horrible, they make the station hard to wake up to in the early am. But maybe WGN managemet is wiser than we we think, becuae they may be rightfully not paying them much at all since their show is absolutely the worst on all of Chicago radio. Please, do broadcasting a favor and fire them now, Mr. Pig Virus, , vomit, or whatever you are called these days. Listen sometime overnight, and you, too, will discover the torture lsiteners are put through. I have resorted to tuning in George Noory or WBBM during my sleepless overnight hours to avoid these clowns. Send them on a permanent vacation to Panama City, please! Dave Stewart will be missed. A solid reporter and newsman with a dry wit.
I have it on good authority that the semi-lovely Melissa Forman might be persuaded to work at WGN in exchange for a generous supply of Merle Norman or Cover Girl (which she should be) makeup. That is a deal that few would make, but Chicagoland deserves to be exposed to the wit and charm of Ms. Forman and the cosmetics makers deserve the opportunity to see what magic they can make in even the most challenging situations. Perhaps the crack sales staff at the slightly softer Voice Of Chicago could sell something like “Extreme Melissa Makeover”.
And another thing, I got here before Bruce Wolf, who might need some nice age defying lotion himself, today.
” A double-digit decline in advertising revenue ”
I know that many others and myself are enjoying watching radio drown while munching popcorn on the beach. Bye bye douchebags!!! LMAO
Bruce should be a test pilot for Cover Girl. It looks like someone puts his TV makeup on with a trowel. WGN is just doing what needs to be done right now. The decades of low cost sports programming are over for them and the playing field (pardon the pun) for all game carrying stations is leveling out. As more sporting events move to pay to view networks, radio play by play should be sustainable and become/remain financially profitable.
This morning may have been last straw for me re: Greg J. Mispronounced Suppelsa and stumbled over Duarte in promo for Channel 9 news. Anyone can get tongue tied, but “Su-pless-ah?” Can you pronounce “clueless”?
HAAAA HAAAA!!! I love that the Cubs are charging WGN broadcast rights that are probably just in line with the rest of the league. The Cubs have them by the short and curlies on this as WGN would never want them to find their way to someone else. Perfect.
Brandmeier needs to be back on the air soon. As someone that’s worked closely with several morning personalities in the market, and also worked it myself in other markets, no one is more talented that Johnny.
what about me?
i did a story yesterday for channel 5 about special needs kids who pack dog food and then pass it out to customers at a pet store. it was very touching. i didn’t even need to smirk, so my face relaxed and my trowel-applied hd makeup didn’t reveal the usual huge crevasses.
as for this post, i knew jim wiser before he was “bud.” i am happy for jim wiser.
correction:
crevices.
spelling counts. especially in radio.
Does Bruce regret the error? I gots to know!
There will be a crevice in my soul until I hear Johnny B’s voice again on the radio, even if it’s on ham radio or citizen’s band radio. Breaker 19, Breaker 19 Hyper Rooster come back. :(
Let me get this straight the Cubs, who gave WGN their radio rights for next to nothing for years, are to blame for WGN’s budget woes? Are you kidding me??? The Cubs could get much higher rights fees from other station, but are still committed to the Tribune via the deal the Ricketts were forced into due the Tribune bankruptcy.
WGN radio is being badly mismanaged and has turned loyal listeners away in droves. Their morning show has no flow with all the garbage they have crammed into it. Garry Meier? What a joke!! WGN’s management ’s arrogant attitude comes through now in it’s programming. Their audience doesn’t get a welcoming feeling anymore. And now they might lose John Williams back to Minneapolis and let Cochrane leave. Sam & Pig Virus are killing a once great station. Very sad!!
Welcome back Bruce !
We missed you when you did your preparation for your in-depth, 3 hour report
on Tiger Woods’ paramours and lack of sympathy for the absent Elin.
Kudos again to Jim “Bud” Wiser. The power behind the curtain never gets credit.
Congratulations to Jimmy Wiser who like Rob Feder is so talented..consistant
funny and calm..while working with so many huge egos.
Really congratulations to WGN for Jimmy wanting to continue to bring his
smarts to you.
Congrats to Jimmy “Bud” Wiser. Sometimes good things do happen to good people. Even in radio.
Wasn’t it Brandmeier who added the “Bud” to Jim Wiser’s name?
Here’s what I would do:
Morning drive–Johnny B.
9-1PM–Dean Richards
1-4–John Williams
Afternoon drive–Garry Meier
7-9–Dave Kaplan
9-11–Milt Rosenberg
11-5AM–Brian Noonan
Weekends–reruns and hire college kids (no one is listening, anyway).
Johnny B. followed by Kevin Matthews. Who cares after that. Send the geriatric core to some standard station and actually entertain 40 and 50 somethings.
I would love Nick D to get a Monday to Friday slot.They need to can the traffic on the 7s.It overkill .
Sports radio is looking better and better every day. I love sports radio, but I was hoping it wouldn’t have to be the only thing I listen to on the AM dial…
Absolutely Nick needs a Monday to Friday slot…….. at Water Tower Theaters shoveling popcorn into bags. The only reviews he should ever be giving at Cinema complexes is how stale the Ju Ju Bees are!
Christine would you marry me? We could start our relationship on the stomach shriveling feelings we share every time we hear Nick Digilio’s name mentioned. He is an arrogant, no-talent hack. To have kept his job as long as he has, he must have pictures of Tribune management giggling, swiveling in their chairs and consorting with farm animals. Not that I, personally, have any information about said photos or type of consortion depicted therein.
By the way, RFeder, is it true that the present News Director of the radio station being discussed recently told a traffic reporter that she was pronouncing her own name wrong? Just wondering.
hhhhmmm, Jim Wiser gets a vote of confidence. Sorry “Bud” we all know what that means!!!
I accept James. We’ll have a Chicago Horse Drawn Carriage whisk us down to the Michigan Avenue WGN Showcase Studio at midnight on Sunday Evening / Monday Morning and a Justice of the Peace will witness our exchanging of the sacred vows.
Any other WGN broadcast host behind the Showcase glass would turn on the overhead outside mic to ask us what we were doing, but Nick Digilio will be so busy telling his audience about the same sorry upcoming bits he has planned for them that he won’t even notice us, but we’ll be happy and I’ll text you on the 10’s just like Heather! If the marriage doesn’t work out, Bruce Wolf will be my attorney for the divorce proceedings! By the way, do you live in your mother’s basement?
Absolutely, get rid of S&J overnights, or at least cut their hours. I was a fan of theirs until a few years ago, when it became clear that they were running out of interesting “new” material and decided instead to “coast” on their Aging-Baby-Boomer schtick, touting “new” records by obscure 1960s Chicago bands attempting a “comeback” and declaring their ever-loving devotion to Les Paul. (If you really loved the guy would you PLEASE let that fine man rest in peace already!)
I think Nick and Brian should split weekday overnights, plus their usual weekend slots. And the less we hear from Jerry Agar, the better.
Congrats to the hard working Mr. Wiser on his promotion. Let’s hope his paycheck reflects the same.
Who cares about radio? It’s 90% commercials, 3% News and 7% actual radio program. Double digit decline in revenue yeah right Pig Virus pig vomit indeed
BTW shouldn’t WGN be reaping in big=time money from the Blackhawk games?
It is known that Kevin Metheny does not like Steve Cochran’s show, so what will become of the 4-7 slot if Steve is not reupped? He could continue working without a contract, but with his producer gone would he want to do that? The Cubs are getting about 12 million per year under the new deal with WGN-AM, but the good news for WGN is that the contract is till 2020 or 2022 or something like that. ‘GN will probably be raising the ad rates for ChiCubs games, and expect more reads and stuff during the game.
Also, let us presume that Steve Cochran exits the 4-7 slot. If Johnny B is out the question, who comes in? Or, do we have months and months of rotating hosts?
Excellent work by Chicago stations in raising nearly 3 million for Haiti relief. Something to be proud of.
One has to wonder if the fundraising effort was “edgy” enough for Pig Vomit…
Bob Cl might very well be right. . . As deserving as Jim Wiser is of the recognition, and he is, what’s the real purpose in announcing this title change at this time? He’s been known as the ‘executive producer’ around the station for the last year…
He is certainly entitled to the elevation. He’s technically the best producer at the station AND a very NICE person.
But does he really need to have this disingenuous bone thrown his way?
Vomit…it’s “Pig Vomit”….not Virus…unless somehow “Private Parts” has been remade on the internet and I missed it…
Johnny, Johnny, I’m not dicking around Johnny, let me out of the barrel. Johnny, Johnny,.
That is my recollection of the funniest moment in the history of chicago radio. Courtesy of Jimmy Bud Wiser. Thanks Jimmy Bud.
Wgn hire Johnny , Pretty Please with sugar on top
It is Pig Virus, Pig Vomit was the name used in Stern’s Private Parts movie but he called Kevin Metheny “Pig Virus” when it was truely going on.
@Craig. No, it was changed for some reason in the movie. It’s “Pig Virus”! Check out the book.
WGN is determined to lose those fans who have been their base. I am still mourning Kathy & Judy’s departure, but love Dean Richards, John Williams, Simon “Rendevous” (refreshing) and Steve and Johnny. All of these are entertaining and mostly even handed in their views…the rest are just short of being tea party wackos…I regularly turn them off and go to NPR or FM stations. I will not cry to see Steve Cochran leave…a man entirely too full of himself without justification
Hey, maybe Jimmy will push for JB to get hired because of their former connections. You never know. Gotta keep my hopes up. I miss Johnny!!!
So GN is going to save money by not bringing local talent like Johnny B? They obviously don’t plan on higher ratings anytime soon, do they? I still can’t wait to hear how low the LOOP has sunk without JB in the morning? Johnny we love you and want you back soon!
Larz over at CRM says the deal with Johnny is not dead yet so everybody just relax! : )
@DSquared: “Let me get this straight the Cubs, who gave WGN their radio rights for next to nothing for years, are to blame for WGN’s budget woes?”
The Cubs weren’t undercharging WGN for nothing–it allowed Tribune to shift revenue away from the franchise and hence from MLB revenue sharing. If they’re now paying anything close to a fair-market price, of course it’s going to affect the bottom line.
CHICAGO NOW has some of it’s people on w/ B Leff on Sat. morning. Look at the program schedule. Last two weeks it was pretty good radio,with new young stars of the future. Check out this block and tell me what you think. great blog RFeder,best in the city. We hear you loud and clear on 860am wcpt w/ Awake with Jaja;}
Also would like to vote a support for Mr. Jerry AGAR. Any other listeners support Agar for any slots vacated in near future?He’s willing to go were alot of others won’t, and he answers his e-mails religiously.Do you know any others that do??
@trucker tom: “Any other listeners support Agar for any slots vacated in near future?He’s willing to go were alot of others won’t, and he answers his e-mails religiously.Do you know any others that do??”
Emphasis on the “religiously.” Since when is on-demand QSL a metric of anything in particular?
I listen to WGN on a regular basis from noonish to late late night. Only problems I have with the station are late late night. Less Steve and Johnnie, More Nick Digilio, and please… No Brian Noonan.
Again, I suggest that an immediate fix for the late late night weekends be reruns of the new and much improved Garry Meier Show on WGN weekday afternoons.
To the person who wrote “nobody listens to radio on the weekends anyway…” – I’m somebody, and I listen. I believe many would listen if the entertainment and information were there 24/7. Not one shift of one day should go unscrutinized and improved. There are always potention listeners in radio if the entertainment and information is delivered professionally and well. To start, WGN should expand on the talent they’ve got and get rid of their non-talent. They possess both.
yes sad
larry drake was fired as was Dean……….
langmeyer
If they cut Steve and Johnnie I will be gone. They are the only ones left on WGN that make it worth listening to. ALOT of us like hearing what they have to say. It is fun, light and it’s a variety of topics. Wake up WGN.
By the way, isn’t this the second time that Dave Stewart has left the station?
gayle! Are you serious? Steve and Johnnie’s lame, time wasting, gab fest is the WORST of ‘GN’s old style programming. Remember Johnnie’s once weekly nite of Beanie Baby collecting talk? The endless and embarassing Les Paul worship (I still believe there was a hidden agenda- Steve, did Les leave you any of his guitars?), the shows devoted to comic book talk, the shows devoted to unlistenable, mind numbing computer tech talk, the complete shows spent letting that clueless old woman in Alaska prattle on and on and on! Enough of that Pollyanna and her ancient, afraid to offend anyone about anything husband- that station is long overdue for an overnite programming change!
truthscreamer! (isn’t that a rude way to start a message? How do YOU like it? Anyway, I AM serious and, last I checked, am entitled to my opinion without you basically calling me an idiot for liking them. I admit I wasn’t listening to them when the beanie baby thing was happening. As I have been told when I voice my huge dislike for Nick D who I think is an overbearing, nasty individual (I don’t CARE if he thinks he is being funny)…..when someone is on that I don’t like CHANGE the channel. Also, I like the computer talk and have learned alot, again if YOU don’t care about it change the channel. So what if they liked Les Paul – apparently ALOT of people did! Hidden agenda?!?! What’s it to you if he got a guitar from him? If you don’t want to hear it, change the channel.
OK gayle! Dear, dear, sweet, and innocent gayle! The Steve and Johnnie cheerleader!So young, so unworldy, so unwise and naive! That old cliche and limp comeback that “if you don’t like it, change the channel” entirely misses the point and is a weak diversionary tactic. Proof: for argument’s sake, what if it was offensive-to-you material being broadcast overnite? “You can just change the channel”- right? Wrong. The discussion is regarding changes needed or planned at WGN, and the stale programming and hosts leftover from 20 years ago (your beloved Steve and Johnnie) is the relevant topic. I didn’t say you were an idiot for avidly listening to their drivel- you volunteered that label yourself, sweety.
Wow. DO NOT CALL ME SWEETY you pompous jerk.
gayle, gayle, gayle, sweety!. I try to be nice, and you resort to calling me names. Tsk, tsk- Steve and Johnnie would never do that. Oh, and by the way, don’t forget to tune in to Steve and Johnnie tonight. Johnnie’s going to spend an hour or two giving out her recipe for brownies and taking calls.
Oh, wait, she already DID devote two hours to that once! You see, that’s a perfect example for you, gayle. Look- this is major market radio. A 50,000 watt radio station with decades of radio history, that is basically a clearing house for commercial billing. Admired in the industry for their top billing revenue. They’re currently trying to deal with some awful “talent” and programming issues. And yet WGN persists with such incredibly lame, outdated time filler that you’re attempting to defend. It’s long overdue to shed the remants of their “folksy” Uncle Bobby/Spike/Steve and Johnnie/Wally era crap. It’s 2010- time to bring changes with new talent, or risk continued declining revenues. And I don’t think Brian Noonan is the answer, either!
nice photo! thanks!
Aaron Altounian
aaronaltounian@yahoo.com
WGN needs to review its talent–not an easy job to satisfy young and old. Just tossing in my opinion. Under no circumstances expand Nick’s programming. He seems to thinks he’s on the air to amuse Nick and to hell with everyone else. I am tired of him deifying drunks–famous and not. Drunks are not pretty nor funny no matter who they are. Steve and Johnnie ramble on for too long about not-so-interesting subjects. Let’s move on from Les Ford–we appreciated him but do not not need constant reminders. A radio photography segment is not interesting being a visual art. I enjoy their computer show as they have three really intelligent experts aboard–when they can get a word in over Steve. I enjoy Gary Meier–we need some laughs during the day. Thank goodness I never have to listen to Steve Cochrane–he sounds so old, while in actuality, he’s younger than me!! More Dean Richards please. Agar should be removed–his opinion is the only one that counts–or so he thinks. John Williams is okay but nice guys finish last!
It’s actually Les Paul. Funny you mention him. The grammys just did a segment on him with Jeff Beck playing one of Les Paul’s songs. He has quite a following. Not just Steve King. Alot of folks like the camera segment which is only on once a month or two. If one is into photography it’s good. I don’t listen to WGN around the clock so I am not familiar with Agar and don’t listen to Cochrane (is he the one who thinks he is a comedian?) I am with you on the Nick D topic. Oh well, I guess it would be a boring world if everyone liked all the same people.
I can’t imagine people not liking the Nick D show unless you are totally not into music, movies, tv, sports, Chicago-related news, and a variety of miscellaneous topics that he touches on from show-to-show.
His hour on the Grammy’s tonight, as a matter of fact, was totally informative and entertaining with lots of call-ins and laughs. Can’t imagine…
WNNNNNNNNNNNNNBC WNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNBC LMFAO!!! PIG VIRUS, CAN’T BELIEVE PEOPLE KEEP HIRING THIS TOOL
Cheese# – Whatever you’re drinking, popping, or smoking, they ought to make it as illegal as hell, girl.
@Scott: “I can’t imagine people not liking the Nick D show unless you are totally not into music, movies, tv, sports, Chicago-related news, and a variety of miscellaneous topics that he touches on from show-to-show.”
Well, that settles it. If you can’t imagine such a phenomenon, its manifestation must be due to… SORCERY!
Boris # – Have you nothing better to do with your time?
I’m out…
@Scott: “Boris # — Have you nothing better to do with your time?”
Other than poking your weird megalomania with a stick to see what it will do next? Sure, but the dishes have to dry sometime.
Boris # – So clever. You’re like a walking dictionary (if you drop the ‘tionary’…)
Pls– check out CHICAGO NOW this SAT morning,B Leff goes on with various local writers from CHICAGO NOW! now what do you think about them apples.? Will you check them out and let us know how it “feels” to all you media ‘types’,who’s wishful thoughts SHOULD rule WGN? just as a point of view to da boss upstairs. thanks
WGN has to start making some serious changes in all parts of their programming, starting with the overnights…Steve and Johnnie are has-beens and it’s just getting creepy with Steve King’s obsession with Les Paul and Johnnie’s constant complaints of her not being able to taste and smell and that phony laugh of hers can drive anyone nuts.
Folks, their show topics have become redundant and it’s just time to put Nick D. on from 11 PM -5 AM Monday-Friday and allow S&J to retire at their vacation home they keep bragging about in Panama City or wherever they have that home. Greg Jarrett needs to be replaced in the mornings with a Chicago voice and Gary Meier should just be grateful he has a gig once again. I agree the Frenchman, Agar, Laski, and those buffoons at SportsCentral weekend need to go as well. Just wished Grobstein’s show on the Score was from Midnight to 5 AM and they get rid of Dan Patrick’s show.