New WGN Radio hosts Carol Roth and Turi Ryder
CHICAGO (December 17, 2012) – WGN Radio today announced changes to its weekday lineup effective January 2013.
Beginning Wednesday, January 2, 2013, Jonathon Brandmeier’s morning show will be extended one half hour, shifting to a 6 a.m. start time and airing until 10 a.m. Mike McConnell will air from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by the return of The Noon Show with host Carol Roth from 12-1 p.m. Mike McConnell will return to the airwaves from 1-3 p.m. and Garry Meier and WGN Sports Night will continue to air during their respective 3-7 p.m and 7-10 p.m. time slots. On Monday, January 7, Turi Ryder takes over the 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. time slot.
The Noon Show host Carol Roth is a bestselling author and national media personality who can be seen weekly on a variety of television outlets, including Fox Business, CNBC, Fox News, CNN and MSNBC. Her show will provide news and information, lifestyle segments, and will include business and agricultural reports from legendary WGN Radio broadcaster, Orion Samuelson.
Host Turi Ryder returns to the Chicago airwaves after previous stints at WLS AM, KFI Los Angeles, KIRO Seattle, and KSTP Minneapolis. Most recently she presented the nationally syndicated editorial humor feature, “Turi Ryder’s Exception to the Rule” for CBS Radio.
Extension 720 with Milt Rosenberg ends its 39-year run on December 20 with a final retrospective show featuring notable moments, guests and previous discussions that have aired on this illustrious program.
“Milt has added another rich chapter to WGN Radio’s history and we thank him for his service,” said Jeff Hill, GSM/Interim General Manager of WGN Radio. “Though Milt will not be a full-time program host, he will continue to be a show contributor and have a presence at the station. We’re also very excited to add two female voices to our lineup and to Chicago radio in Carol Roth and Turi Ryder.”
Rosenberg added, “I’m thankful to my listeners and I’m proud to have shared almost 40 years with them. We attempted to provide intelligent radio featuring the movers and observers of history being made as well as programs on established history, the popular and ‘high’ arts, and the sciences from cosmology to sociology – all mixed with frequent forays into more light-hearted fare.”
New schedule effective January 2013:
6-10a.m.: Jonathon Brandmeier
10a.m.-12p.m.: Mike McConnell
12-1p.m.: The Noon Show – Carol Roth
1-3p.m.: Mike McConnell
3-7p.m.: Garry Meier
7-10p.m.: WGN Sports Night
10p.m.-1a.m.: Turi Ryder
1-6a.m.: Bill Leff
Send your comments to comments@wgnradio.com or call 312-222-3879. Due to the volume of calls and e-mails, we may not be able to personally reply to all messages.
249 Comments to “WGN Radio announces new weekday lineup”
December 21, 2012 at 10:35 PM
There is no one like Milt Rosenberg. I hated it when his show moved to 10pm. I now have one more reason not to listen to WGN
December 21, 2012 at 11:30 PM
I can't believe that Milt will no longer be on the air. I have listened to him his entire time on WGN. What could have been better – Wally Phillips in the morning, Mit at night. No more reason to have 720 on my car radio – 670 takes its spot.
December 22, 2012 at 12:07 AM
I hope people at WGN in management start to realize that this radio experiment isn't working!!! Starting with early morning stupid radio stunts of Johnny B and then continuing the fiasco with yelling and insulting Mike McConnell's show. Why would anyone listen to WGN? John Williams and Milt Rosenberg were apparently to smart for management to understand the true ART of conversation and intelligent debate. SHAME, SHAME on WGN and its management team. Chicago deserves better then what you are providing.
December 22, 2012 at 4:24 AM
thanks too king john and milt plese don not lose garry and his sidekick bobabillal
December 22, 2012 at 6:38 AM
John W, Garry M, Milt R, Rick K, Dean R, Andrea, Elton, Tom S, Nick D-the heart and soul of WGN. How could anyone that is an avid and loyal WGN listener continue to tune in to this station? I will give the ladies a chance and hold on dearly to Garry M, but can't bare to listen in the am-JB and MM don't fit or entertain the Chicago WGN listener. SOMEONE AT WGN, PLEASE HEAR PLEA! How can you be so out of touch with your audience and Chicago?
December 22, 2012 at 10:30 AM
If Garry could be on all day, that would be awesome…9 to 5!! Please get rid of Mike McConnell and I am sorry but Brandmeier is done too. I cannot imagine there are too many listeners to lose … what a shame.
December 22, 2012 at 11:01 AM
What a shame such a GREAT radio station going down in flames. WGN radio used to be an icon, now it's just a sheep….like all the rest. Too bad ratings trump quality!
December 25, 2012 at 10:45 PM
YES, podcasts should be still available SOMEWHERE I
December 22, 2012 at 11:41 AM
We know no one can replace Milt Rosenberg, but couldn't WGN have at least tried to replace his show with something similar? I learned so much over the years listening to the authors who visited Extension 720. And the thoughtful, lenghty discussions with informed panels. Taking down the podcasts is very sad. Please make them available again.
January 2, 2013 at 7:01 AM
I enjoy the banter of many of the newer hosts of WGN, being a new listener of the station. However, I will miss Mister Rosenberg, who had many interesting and educational interviews with interesting and educated guests. I hope Mr. Rosenberg's podcasts will be published online soon, as I would like to hear his past shows. As to the other changes to WGN's schedule, the people of Minneapolis can now enjoy a John Williams who is fixed mentally with their metropolis, instead of being a stepchild of Chicago Williams. Mike McDonnel's show does not interest me. The new host of Milt's time slot is an unknown to me. I hope her show will entertain me. Good luck, WGN programmers, your changes in the last year or so have been mostly quite refreshing to me.
December 22, 2012 at 12:28 PM
WGN – gone from class to crass
December 22, 2012 at 2:22 PM
Now that John Williams is gone there is really no one on WGN worth listening to anymore. Good bye after 30+ years. Already got John's new station set to broadcast with 1 click of the mouse.
January 6, 2013 at 11:02 PM
Are you serious? Thank God he is gone…..I especially loved his fake laugh and annoying opinions on any and all topics. I don't have to change the station to anything other than WGN during his time slot as before. He can now torture Mn. or wherever he went to…. This is truly a miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 18, 2013 at 10:34 PM
Right on Barry! I feel the same way. He was more than annoying. He couldn't have left soon enough for me. He seemed to think his opinion was right and if you didn't agree with him you were an idiot. Hope he stays in MN with his little wiener dog.
December 22, 2012 at 3:48 PM
wgn is no longer MY radio station. and I do have my radio on from 9am to the following morning, of 5am.
will have to find some other station for easy and interesting listening. 680 has some personalities I
can handle. wgn screwed up back when they let Steve and Johnnie go. now Joln Williams.
December 22, 2012 at 7:22 PM
I've understood most of the latest changes and was waiting for Milt to leave. He just didn't have what radio has become. Adding minutes to Mike McDonnell's show doesn't make sense to me at all! Sorry to see John Williams leave. His podcast was the one I listened to regularly.
December 22, 2012 at 10:18 PM
WGN,,,you are a huge disappointment. Been a listener for many, many years and with the tackless people you have brought on board you are no longer THE NUMBER 1 station. Will no longer listen to WGN. Will find John on the internet. Very very poor management!
December 22, 2012 at 10:27 PM
It is a shame after 38 years on the air WGN could not let Milt retire his way. Two week notice. Disgusting treating someone who is 87 years old and going strong. What goes around comes around!!!
January 2, 2013 at 7:18 AM
Milt is 87 years old? I like absurd radio hosts like Steve Dahl, Johnnie B, Garry M., and Kevin Matthews. I wish that all of them, Milt, Steve, Johnnie and could all exist together on 720 AM.
January 2, 2013 at 7:20 AM
Garry M. too. And Tom Skilling.
December 23, 2012 at 1:13 AM
We will miss John Williams and Milt Rosenberg. What is happening to WGN radio ? Who ever is making all these changes must not even listen to the radio. Can't keep up with all these changes makes the station seem very unstable.
December 23, 2012 at 6:33 AM
I knew the day would come when Uncle Miltie would no longer be around but I expected it would be attributable to his health. He is the most intelligent, well informed, rationale television or radio personality I have ever heard. I listened to him whenever I could; such a soothing beautiful voice before sleep. Can't you please return his audio archives at least? I will miss him so much. I hope he knows how much so many of us will truly miss him. This is sad.
Also sad was the loss of Steve & Johnnie. They had so much to offer. They too were the very best any station could possibly get for that time slot. They are also truly missed by so many of us true blue WGN listeners.
Kathy & Judy, I am happy for their retirement but also miss them dearly. Treasures. You have totally ruined WGN. I had 720 on every day for 40+yrs, since I was a babysitter. The WGN family has been destroyed. I am glad for the memories but no longer listen to WGN.
December 23, 2012 at 7:53 AM
I was a long time listener to WGN starting with Uncle Bobby. Then you put JB on in the mornings. I listened for over a month but it never got better, so I switched to NPR. When I heard programming changes were made I was excited – thinking I could finally go back to WGN. Instead, you extended JB's show a half house. Oh well. I guess I'll stick to NPR.
December 23, 2012 at 10:15 AM
This new lineup is not the good old WGN I have known for years! Milt's show was a lone intelligent show on all of radio. His demise is in line with the dumbing of America. So is it with Brandmier – such drivel! Why he was brought aboard I cannot fathom. The whole station will be gone when the Cubs find another home! Such a shame that a once-dominant station is crumbling under very questionable management!
December 23, 2012 at 11:14 AM
REALLY????? What are you thinking??? or not. First of all, how could you let John Williams go? He is the best in radio next to Orion. It's one thing when Uncle Bobbie dies in a plane crash, not your fault, but then you let Spike get away. Then Steve and Johnnie, John Williams and Milt. When Orion leaves I'm gone too. Been listening to GN since Walley and Roy as a kid. I've always loved my WGN and been proud of it. I feel like I've lost my friends. Johnny B. is an insult to WGN and Chicago. I can't listen to him and now you put him on 6-10! Now I can't have the radio on at work till 10! I'm so mad! McConnell is just ok, John should have had those times. How could you? Please bring on board a Chicagoan like John St. Augustine.
December 23, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Wow we are down to Garry Meier and Lou from a station we could turn on first thing in the morning, while driving to work and getting ready for bedt there was always something to listen to. I can see why John choose to get out.
Oh and the website is just awful. Gaudy, cheap and useless!
December 23, 2012 at 5:05 PM
What 's next? I have been an avid listener for 40 years and am nothing but frustrated with recent decisions at your station. I will look elsewhere on the radio dial for my entertainment. We have seen the once great radio station reduced to nothing more than garbage !
December 23, 2012 at 6:23 PM
Good-bye, Milt. Hence, good-bye WGN. Could not the children who are now running that station have at least seen fit to keep the extension 720 archives available?
January 2, 2013 at 7:28 AM
I know, how effing rude of the new website to poop on Extension 720! Douches.
December 23, 2012 at 6:46 PM
I've never seen so many negative WGN comments (all of them deserved). I guess we'll never know the politics behind the dismantling of an informative, adult talk radio station, but we have witnessed it over the past 2-4 years. John Williams, Steve Cochran, Spike O'Dell, Kathy and Judy, Steve and Johnny, Milt Rosenberg. And now I get shouting and immaturity in the morning drive, and negativity and sarcasm in the afternoon time, with little else to look froward to. WGN demographics? Well it's not professionals in their 50s like my wife and myself, and it's not professionals in their 20s like our children (I've asked and neither ever listen to WGN, although they would occasionally listen to Williams when he was in the AM or PM drive, and at times Nick D, as well as Extension 720).
January 2, 2013 at 7:45 AM
I am a fairly new listener to WGN. I would find myself listening to Milt in the evening and then changing the station when the insipid Steve and Johnny came on the air. Lo and behold, Garry M. was on during drive time with Tom Skilling at times. I began tuning in daily in the afternoons. WGN brought in Johnnie B and I found that good. Now John Williams is on his way to Minnesota and I find that good. Nick Digilio and Bill Leff are entertaining, and I can only hope Milt's replacement can entertain me. It won't be highbrow and educational and informative and enjoyable like Milt, but what on Earth could?
December 23, 2012 at 10:48 PM
Farewell Joe-willie and God speed!
December 23, 2012 at 11:06 PM
USed to listen to WGN back in the day with my dad bc it is what he listened to. As an adult, I started listening to WGN right after Sept 11 attacks and got hooked on the shows with Spike, John, Kap and Waddle, etc. I have enjoyed listening to Milt on my way home at night as well. Now, there is nothing left of interest to me, so it is back to music stations of pre sept. 11. Nice knowing ya. The new website format sucks too. I used to look at it for news updates, and for gas prices, but now I will go to WBBM-AM for that i guess.
December 23, 2012 at 11:25 PM
No more Milt? No more WGN.
December 24, 2012 at 12:55 AM
Wow! I am really bummed to hear that WGN canned Milt Rosenberg. His radio program was erudite, educational, and high quality– quite rare on AM radio anywhere in the country. And I am disappointed to see that WGN quickly pulled down his podcasts. So petty and short sighted. I would have liked to listen to his final show as well as some other recent and archive shows. I like Nick Digilio and Bill Leff is growing on me, but I may completely turn off WGN and turn my attention to other venues (e.g., movies, Comcast DVR).
December 24, 2012 at 7:30 AM
The thought of Jonathan B on for 4 hours is awful! I can't stand to listen to his noise and inane nonsense. He is the worst ever in that time slot. WGN is obviously catering to the non-thinking audience. I agree with all the comments that WGN is going down hill fast. At least Mike McConnell and Gary Meier are ok. Change the 6-10 am host and maybe I will turn on WGN again in the morning.
December 24, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Nice going 'GN! Who are these ridiculously inept people running making these decisions? Whoever was responsible for taking Milt off the air will have that stapled onto his resume forever. And good luck getting another job when you are fired, which you will be, as this once great station further fades into obscurity. As everyone else in this post said, see you later, I'm gone.
December 24, 2012 at 12:15 PM
I used to be a faithful listener in the mornings. I stopped when you put Jonathan B. on the morning slot. He is too loud and obnoxious to hear first thing in the morning. Therefore, I now listen to another station. I then listened in the afternoon to John Williams, sorry to see him go, but his heart is up North, so I wish him well. I do listen to Garry Meier and I enjoy his program. I also listened to Milt Rosenberg. It was refreshing to have something on that challanged the brain. He will be missed. Of course love Nick D., agree he should be on more, not just as a fill in. Bill is great too. Enjoy listening to him. I don't know what direction WGN is taking, but it is not all good and something tells me they are batting at windmills trying to save their ratings, and in the process you are losing countless long term listeners.
December 24, 2012 at 1:05 PM
Love the new morning drive traffic girl – just sayin
December 24, 2012 at 6:42 PM
WGN – NO LONGER World's Greatest Network – Now We're Going Nuts – What kind of person can stand the morning and daytime guys – give us someone that we can listen to and enjoy
January 2, 2013 at 8:02 AM
WGN = World's Greatest Newspaper. I will miss Milt, but let's see what WGN has for us as replacements for Milt and John.
December 25, 2012 at 12:07 AM
I think what WGN radio needs is new management instead of getting rid of the incredible Milt Rosenberg. I loved his radio program at night, much more intelligent than the management at WGN radio. You are pathetic. Milt is the best thing happening on the radio. YOU HAVE LOST ME!!!. I am completely & thoroughly disgusted. I am hoping that Milt will wind up on another talk radio station which I will then change to. YOU DISGUST ME, WGN RADIO!
December 25, 2012 at 5:44 PM
Wow. New website is bad. New line up is bad.
December 25, 2012 at 9:57 PM
Really? No more Milt? ugh… I guess there is no more room on this station for intellectual radio broadcasts. Sad day. Wonder what's on the FM dial….
December 25, 2012 at 9:57 PM
I am so sad about what has happened to WGN Radio. Once a paragon of quality and taste,
WGN has been dumbed down to such an extent as to be unrecognizable.
The morning show is a shame . To give more air time to Mr. Brandmeire shows that management
is clueless.
December 25, 2012 at 10:23 PM
Change is not a bad thing. Over time we will get used to the new hosts. Please, please, get rid of Brandmeire. That is one change I would welcome. WGN is not a loud, obnoxious, hard to understand type of station the way Brandmeire represents it.
December 25, 2012 at 11:09 PM
Johnny B and Garry Meier – boring, inane, crude / rude, painful to listen to. No one can beat an already uninteresting topic to death like they can. The old UN- boys – UN entertaining, UN funny, UN imaginative. Appeal to anyone over 8 years old?
The world is a lesser place with the banishment of Milt Rosenberg. Whaddaya got against originality, informative, engaging, delightful?
They PAY you bosses at GN for decisions like this? GEEZ !
January 2, 2013 at 8:07 AM
Steve and Johnny were pleasing to brain-dead listeners." Men are like penis, women are like Mars"? Wha?
December 26, 2012 at 9:19 AM
WGN started to go downhill shortly after Spike O'Dell left. He was a wise man to exit when he did. This Brandmeier guy thinks his audience is drunk college aged kids returning home from the bars at 3 AM on a Sunday. What a clown!! I turn him off and tune in WBBM during his time slot. WBBM will be my primary station from now on. These changes at GN are sickening! I will miss listening to guys like Kap and Noonan, but I can't stand this station any longer.
December 26, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Mike McConnell is the best host on this station. The only reason I started listening to WGN is because he moved from WLW. Since then I have started listening to other shows. Garry Meier is fantastic. Keep up the good work. The changes to the web site are AWFUL. We all want complete show podcasts.
December 26, 2012 at 2:21 PM
I cannot believe how a bunch of idiots have screwed up what once once the greatest radio station in history. I started listening back in the 50's when my parents listened to WGN all the time. I remember Wally Phillips, Roy Leonard, Bob Collins, and on and on. They weren't radio announcers, they were your friends. Can Garry Meirer keep this ship from sinking? Nothiing is as constant as change. But when are we going to have some change for the better? This radio station is run by Obama's administration. They don't have a clue either.
December 26, 2012 at 6:33 PM
The old website was fine, so what genius changed it to the new, godawful layout?
December 27, 2012 at 6:34 AM
Oh boy! More Brandmeier and McConnell! Even more time that my radio will be on BBM. The once great WGN was bad enough when they hired these two shleps, now with the removal of Milt we have a 3rd rate waste of airspace.
December 27, 2012 at 9:05 AM
Milt Rosenberg's departure is also my departure from radio 720. I hope I can find him on another station in the future.
December 27, 2012 at 12:11 PM
I like Johnny B in the AM drive slot as I need lively radio in the morning. Mike McConnel is fine. I will miss John Williams but we must give the new programing a chance.
December 27, 2012 at 12:49 PM
"“Though Milt will not be a full-time program host, he will continue to be a show contributor and have a presence at the station. "
Well, that silly lie was exposed very quickly.
December 27, 2012 at 12:51 PM
I listen to WGN streams and in my car. I really hate to see JW go. Looked forward to his show daily. Will now be listening to him on WCCO.
Very disappointed that Mike M. is getting more air time. I just can't listen when he's on. Have tried many times in the past but can't take him.
Not fond of GM either. Best part of his show is when Tom Skilling is on. I'll continue to listen just on a more limited basis now.
JB better than I had anticipated and adding Buzz helped.
What's Steve Dahl's status???
December 27, 2012 at 1:06 PM
From what I've heard, the management is very temporary and doesn't really care given that the station is up for sale after the Ist of the year.
December 27, 2012 at 4:11 PM
WGN's management ? who cares anymore ? there isn't' anymore damage they can do, it's just a mater of time before WGN is just another of the hundreds of Chicago area stations that only there families listen to. Since we lost Uncle Bobby all the names have been fired or left for other stations. THANKS WGN FOR NOTHING
December 27, 2012 at 6:58 PM
spike-gone steve&johnnie-gone-johnwilliams-gonemilt-gone-carol-gone-unfortunately-brandmeier still here. oh, I forgot kathy&judy-gone. so sorry for all of the faithful wgn listeners
January 29, 2013 at 2:15 PM
because of the new lineup we are-gone as are many others