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 27, 2012 at 11:59 PM
Milt had one of the best shows on radio. Very sorry to see him go!
December 28, 2012 at 10:24 AM
more Nick D!!!
December 28, 2012 at 10:59 AM
What is the reason for dropping Milt. Anyone know? Is it something he said? His politics? What???
December 28, 2012 at 2:13 PM
At least keep his excellent podcasts. Sorry but Turdi is not worthy of Dr. Milt's 2 hours…neither is this once great station.
December 28, 2012 at 1:06 PM
Just saw the new schedule for WGN and want to say good bye. I can't think of one reason to listen anymore. Let me know if you ever come to your senses.
December 28, 2012 at 1:57 PM
Sad, so very sad…. and maddening, the direction WGN has chosen. How can it be explained with any sense of reason?
December 28, 2012 at 2:28 PM
I was a long time fan of Milt – except I could not handle his right wing political views which only seemed to get more radical. Other than that he was a bright intelligent light in radio and will be missed. With John Williams gone the only reason to listen to WGN is Garry. McConnel is just another right wing boob – never understood why WGN seems to want to move to the right. Never heard of either of the ladies but will check them out.
January 2, 2013 at 8:13 AM
I hate to be so direct, but Milt wasn't radical, he was reactionary in his politics.
December 28, 2012 at 3:05 PM
Recording of Milt's last Ext. 720 interview: http://www.dennisinhumanities.com/radio-interview…
December 28, 2012 at 4:13 PM
Thanks for the link, fnn. I've added the download to my "Extension 720" collection.
December 28, 2012 at 3:49 PM
Can't stand J. Brandmeier, who needs all that screaming and yelling. He never lets his "guests"speak. He's just obnoxious
We could also do well without Mike McConnell, caustic and opinionated.
I like Paul McM. and Bill L.
Have been a loyal listener sine 1958, but I think I had enough of these badly made decisions. Especially your morning line-up.
December 28, 2012 at 8:51 PM
I have just read all the comments before me, and I agree with all of them. Johathon Brandmeier is the worst person I have had the displeasure of listening to!!!! Most of the time I turn him off. Mike McConnell is the second worst. I have not heard the two new ladies so have to reserve judgement. Bill Leff should be doing the morning drive and Brandmeier just be banished period. John and Milt will be missed and unless management does something to improve the station WGN will no longer be!!! Unitl you get someone in worth listening to, after 65 years you have lost another listener.
December 28, 2012 at 9:07 PM
As John and Milt leave, so does the last of entertaining pioneers that made WGN a top station, once enjoyed by generation after generation. Now, you have turn a golden station to a bucket of tin. I can't believe avertisers would invest into a station with such inept talent that begins at six in the morning and never ends. Listening to those airheads makes me come to the conclusion that WGN would get more listeners if they brought back music instead of the boring conversations of a Brandmeier, Gary, and of course, Mike, who is about exciting as turning a doorknob. Good Luck WGN(you need it.) Hello WLS, or anything else,
December 28, 2012 at 9:10 PM
You have lost two more listeners and two more wonderful hosts. We'll see what the ratings show. After all, it's about money, isn't it? .I'm sorry to see this happen. It's been a long run as a listener, but it's over. It's interesting to see that there has been no discussion in the papers or on the radio about the changes. Why not? Typical of WGN these days.
December 28, 2012 at 9:29 PM
I guess I am in the minority here….I love Milt and enjoy McConnell as well.
Where can we find Milt's last show in podcast?? It seems to be missing from the new site…..
December 29, 2012 at 8:20 AM
The once mighty WGN is a mere shadow of itself. To hear a "professional" broadcaster sign on to his morning show with "Testing, Testing, One, Two, Test" is a joke! I have been a listener of WGN since 1970,but the only show left that I care about is Lou Manfredini. You have gotten rid of or forced out every great talent that every graced the air waves from 720. I used to have every radio in my house and cars tuned to 720, but not any longer. If you force Lou out, I will never listen to WGN again! Poor Orion..what is he really thinking?
December 29, 2012 at 3:28 PM
I miss Spike, Kathy and Judy, John, and Steve Cochran. Bill Leff should do mornings; Johnny B and his childish "news stories/interviews" and screaming is an awful way to start your morning and should go back to FM where the 16 year old morons can laugh at his crank calls in between Beiber songs; Mike in fact is a know it all, however they could do worse I guess; I've grown to enjoy Gary so he's fine; Milt leaving is a tragedy in the first degree, and the fact that they've taken down all of his podcasts is a crime to our minds.
For shame WGN.
December 29, 2012 at 9:20 PM
I love listening to Brandmeier in the morning. One of the best moves ever for WGN. I will not miss liberal John Williams and I am looking forward to hearing these two new women. I wish Bill Moller wasn't on so much on the weekends but hopefully over time listeners will get tired of hearing his crazy views.
January 18, 2013 at 10:48 PM
You like Brandmeier and you think Bill Moller has crazy views? I agree with you about John Williams.
December 29, 2012 at 9:24 PM
Dan Ronan knows: http://timeoutchicago.com/arts-culture/chicago-me…
"The suits are obviously getting most of the Tribune broadcast properties expenses down as they prepare for a sale, probably to Hubbard, which can only improve the product. For now if they wanted to cut costs further, they should turn the transmitter off on 720AM. Sports are about the only thing worth listening to, but the Hawks won't play until October because of the lockout and the Cubs don't begin until April, so for 4 months the Tribune bean counters can save a lot of money, by just turning the power off. 720 was one of America's greatest stations and sadly between the jerks who ran it into the ground the last five years and the lack of money now, it's on life support. Hubbard if they purchase it will stabilize the station and turn it around, but please never let Clear Channel get near it."
December 29, 2012 at 9:28 PM
Whoever takes over WGN in the near future should resurrect the lost podcasts: http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/2961-news-a-…
(…)
" Not only is WGN-AM's Milt Rosenberg a top-rated host on the radio each weeknight, but he also rules the Internet. WGN's statistics for their October podcasts shows that out of the top 30 podcasts, 26 belonged to Milt Rosenberg. (#18, #24, #25, and #30 belonged to Nick Digilio.) In the past, Milt Rosenberg's podcasts, which have always been popular, rarely achieved even 50,000 downloads in a month. This October, 21 podcasts were downloaded over 100,000 times, including one that eclipsed 510,000 downloads. (This was the show which followed the first Presidential debate in early October.) Of the 9,543,492 downloads WGN Radio's website had in October, the majority of downloads belonged to Milt Rosenberg shows. Rosenberg, a 39 year veteran of terrestrial radio is far outpacing the younger hosts in the younger digital world."
(…)
December 29, 2012 at 9:38 PM
I have to join the legion of longtime listeners of WGN and sign off from it for good. The days of Spike,Kathy and Judy, John W, Steve and Johnnie, Milt R were days of humor, intelligent conversation and themes that everyday common people could relate to. Lou M keeps saying stick with it a little longer, but when you bring on the juvenile antics of Jonathon B, about 15 minutes is about all that I can deal with. Mike O'C is intelligent and has some good points but always has to be right. He can't seem to admit that callers can be right too. Gary is the only new addition that deserves some attention.
I'm now searching for a new station and hope I can find one that is half as good as WGN was a few years back.
Diane
December 30, 2012 at 9:09 AM
GET RID OF BRANDMEIRE!!!!!
December 30, 2012 at 9:20 AM
Goodby WGN. Milt was the final blow.
December 30, 2012 at 6:52 PM
I thought something was wrong with my Zune because it wouldn't sync Extension 720. I live in Wyoming and would download the podcasts once a month. I went to your website and found out that Milt and his podcasts were gone. What a shock. Wish I could have at least gotten all the podcasts; why did they have to be taken down so quickly? What a shabby way to treat your long-time host and his listeners.
December 30, 2012 at 8:58 PM
Johhn B is really bad. He has a real problem not knowing when to end a "bit" and beats it to death by going on and on. By the way is the guy always on vacation. He really scammed the station manager by being off all the time.
December 31, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Who on earth wants to listen longer each day to the screaming insanity of Johnny b in the morning. I for one have gone to WGN TV A.M. nesw rather than listen to that. Also turn the radio off at 3:00 P.M as that lame duo that comes on then is totally unlistenable. It's unfortunate that the station can no longer find quality personalities to keep the station at the top.
December 31, 2012 at 3:25 PM
I mentioned this in my earlier post, but has anyone noticed that Orion does not interact with this Brandmeier guy at all? I think this is a very telling statement being said without words. This Brandmeier guy has gotta go at any cost. Put him in a college town on FM where his teenaged pranks will be thought of as funny.
December 31, 2012 at 5:56 PM
WGN – please make Milt's podcasts available again! I would gladly pay to have access to them.
January 1, 2013 at 10:02 PM
I used to listen to WGN 24/7. My radio was never on a different station. Now there is no one left to listen too. How sad. I feel like I have lost good friends. I'll miss the news and weather people
and Orien, but I can't listen to the station any more. Good bye WGN – my very good friend for 40 years.
January 2, 2013 at 9:34 AM
I am/was a loyal WGN listener. Not so much now. Refuse to listen to Brandmeier and his stupid antics. Do not turn on the station until after Brandmeier. There is nothing substantial in this program. Listen to Mike M. Will give the noon program a chance.
January 2, 2013 at 2:48 PM
John Williams gone? Big mistake. Mike McConnell – so-so.. . he's not for me & I turn it off
Enjoy NICK D. – Was hoping when Milt left we'd hear more of Nick D. – why not? He always keeps me smiling….He has such a great laugh! He's full of good info. and guests. Please reconsider him for more air-time! Thanks.
January 2, 2013 at 3:50 PM
John Williams became a pain in the neck to listen to … He would, or could, not hide his political sniping. Just bad facts with just bad opinions. Bye Bye …
January 2, 2013 at 4:02 PM
When you replace Johnny B. with someone who has some intellegence I will turn off the TV and return to the radio. Seems like all the really good ones are leaving. I can deal with Mike McConnell as he has some intellegence . Will miss Milt Rosenberg and will replace him with late night TV
January 2, 2013 at 7:35 PM
I changed the settings on my home and car radio and deleted WGN from my computer. The voice of Chicago has been taken over by the frat boys and girls from Animal House. At best it is banal prattle; at worst it is disgusting filth. Perhaps when the Cubs are playing I might listen.
Is the same stooge in charge of making these decisions also the one who allows the disclaimers on some of the advertisements to be so fast and digitally compressed with music over it that their advertisers must be hiding something?
Shame, shame, shame
January 2, 2013 at 10:44 PM
milt can join marshall fields and kogan and williams as victims as surely as if they lived in aurora colorado, nice job, ax wielder, i;ve been a loyal wgn listener since the johnson family and pierre andre and wally and bob, goodby, wgn, we hardly know ye. at least have the integrity to list the name of the person with the chopping block.
January 2, 2013 at 11:03 PM
What a shame to take Milt off the air. Why? WGN's management is making some really bad decisions.
I just read all the negative comments about Brandmeire. It shows there are many people who feel the same way I do. I only listened a couple of times and then it was to WLS or WILL during that time slot. After Big O gives the weather and the business report, I was gone from WGN until Dr. Milt came on at 10:00 AM. I was always upset if the CUBS were playing on the west coast and he was not on. I can stand Bill Leff, but I wouldn't listen except he is there when Orean Samulson comes on.
Good Bye WGN!
January 3, 2013 at 8:27 AM
I must agree with most of the comments here. I don't like the new website at all and the new line up is horrible. Johnny B screaming in the morning in the Zoo format is outdated and old. Mike Mc. Is not entertaining and a bore to listen to. Why would you give him an extra time slot from 1 to 3? Stupid ideas – both of them. Are the people making these decisions experienced and even in tune with the listeners? WGN Radio looks like its run by a bunch of amateurs lately. What are you thinking? Bring back Steve and Johnny, give us more Nick D and bring back the old website for starters.
January 3, 2013 at 8:45 AM
Oh! Brilliant! You keep that over-rated, "OLD" Brandmeier, who only knows to yell and holler and IS STUCK IN THE SAME FORMAT HE WAS THIRTY YEARS AGO, but you drop Milt. Doesn't appeal to the mindless that Brandmeier does or did it have more to do with the fact that Milt expressed discontent with Obama. Obviously, he was not kissing up to management and he spoke his mind. Whoever is at the helm of WGN needs to get real. Right the bottom-line is important but you fools have no idea what this station has been to the natives. Look out management, there are more and more of us turning you off! Your lack of loyalty to the listeners is a two-way street. Bye!
January 3, 2013 at 10:02 AM
I have one word to say about Carol Roth: bullsh*t.
http://timeoutchicago.com/arts-culture/chicago-me…
January 3, 2013 at 10:21 AM
I think that Johnathon B.is not good at all,just to loud and obnoxious.Sorry to see John W. and Dr.Milt leave. Was this Milts idea.Garry Meier is great.Mike McConnell ok. I hope that Nick D. gets more airtime.he is one of the best,never miss his show.Let's give the new girls a chance.I'm sticking to WGN Radio and see how thinngs play out.
January 3, 2013 at 12:20 PM
after 50 years as a listener, I am thru with WGN, leaving Steve and Johnnie go was bad enough but
then to leave an icon like Dr Rosenberg go well your not going to be #1 in the market place anymore
who the heck is running the ONCE great WGN?
January 3, 2013 at 6:52 PM
I hope Milt sues WGN for ALL they are worth ! Cause of action ? Age discrimination.
January 3, 2013 at 12:20 PM
Please hold on to Garry Meier and Brian Noonan. They are the only reason I still listen to WGN.
January 3, 2013 at 1:29 PM
sylvia
91.5FM must be having a ball anticipating the many new listeners following your discards to NPR.
I found a site that I will be able to capture a John Williams stream. He was the best for his time slot or any other change that your people could dream up. You have treated your people like disposable diapers. Milt was a class act as was John and I do believe there are thousands of your former faithful twisting the dial to NPR. by the way Johnny B.s a joke.
PS I do like Leff but you should be grooming him for the early AM slot.
Just my opinions listed here and I do not kid myself it matters a fig to you. NPR here I come
January 3, 2013 at 2:08 PM
Cannot stand McConnell and think Johnny B is an overgrown Frat Boy with no shred if intelligence.
January 3, 2013 at 5:53 PM
Listner from Wauwatosa, Wi……I was turned on to WGN by my Mom,have it enjoyed it for twenty years. I know more about Chicago than my own city. As of the first week of the new year I will be turning on WGN only for Garys show Iam going to miss the quality we all knew at one time. What were you thinking……Bill
January 3, 2013 at 6:59 PM
If you long for some really good radio in the morning, try Charlie Sykes at
WTMJ 630 am. From 8:30 to noon. You won't be disappointed.
January 3, 2013 at 8:29 PM
Time for new management at wgn. Aside from Gary, Nick, Bill, and the sports night gang, the rest of the lineup is horrendous. Whoever hired these guys should be canned and whoever hired the guy who hired these guys should be canned.
January 4, 2013 at 7:12 PM
I agree with most of the comments above. You let John Williams and Milt Rosenberg go after a long list of talent that has "departed." This is not the WGN I loved five, ten, and more years ago. I used to listen during my vacations from morning until night. I'm in my 40s, and I grew up on this station. It was the first present on the dial. Not anymore…
January 4, 2013 at 7:25 PM
Where are Milt's podcasts?
January 4, 2013 at 11:07 PM
Too much Mike McConnel. Will NOT be tuning into 720 anymore.
January 5, 2013 at 2:38 PM
I really enjoyed listening to Kathy and Judy and was very sad when they were taken off the air. I also enjoyed the humor and wit of Steve Cochron and was upset when he left. But now that John Williams who is funny, intelligent, entertaining , informative, with the best delivery style, and a gentleman is gone I had to take my radial dial off 720 WGN. I miss hearing John on my car radio but at least I can catch him online at WCCO. Those lucky listeners in Minneapolis.
January 6, 2013 at 1:01 PM
After reading the above comments I feel that I should explane why people like me listen to Jonny B. I have been listening to Jonny before I was born ( I found many podcasts of his show from the 1980′s) and I can tell you that he doesn’t care what any you say about him. Jonny is enjoyable to listen to because he is just having fun and that is why his show hasn’t changed in 30 years. There are plenty of people in Chicago that love his show so you all can keep complaining and he will keep doing what he’s doing.
Btw his show is too loud? I’m pretty sure that most radios have volume controls. Try to lighten up and not take radio so seriously.
January 7, 2013 at 7:08 AM
Thanks Dr. Rosenberg for a wonderful intellectual oasis in the midst of the crassness of the internet. Only you and "In Our Time" on the BBC offered some hope for civility in a wide ranging discussion. Thanks for a wonderful run.
A very long time (podcast) listener in Bangkok.