July 16, 2010
WGN: An Inside Perspective
A lot has been written in recent weeks about
the significant changes that have taken place
at WGN/Chicago under Tribune’s new
management team. Each announced move at the
station has generally been greeted with howls of
protest in the local press and social media sites.
But in the many years I’ve covered the Talk
radio business, I’ve learned that there is always
two sides to any story. So this week we go to
TOM LANGMYER
straight to the source to get some straight talk
from VP/GM Tom Langmyer -- the man who
occupies the office at WGN where the proverbial buck stops.
What have you observed since your arrival as GM a few years
ago that made you believe it was time for a “new chapter” in the
iconic brand that is WGN Radio?
Issue 153
many years to come. It’s a tremendous responsibility for all of us and
the recognition of the need for change -- and then to actually make
the changes -- is difficult and sometimes painful, but very necessary.
Comment on the challenge of operating a heritage radio station
in today’s media business.
WGN is live and local, 24/7. It’s a business, but we don’t make
‘widgets.’ WGN is not shaken out of a syndication box, so there’s much
more of an emotional effect when things do change. Additionally, it’s
an expensive station to run. The very few remaining stations like
WGN have a history that’s more akin to that of big department stores,
vs. specialty shops or boutiques. You have to work hard constantly
to keep these stations relevant, strong and viable, while being as
efficient as possible.
Have you been surprised at the level of criticism, most of it
directed at you, PD Kevin Metheny, and Tribune CEO Randy
Michaels?
When I arrived here as GM, the need for a new chapter was apparent.
Part of what needed to be addressed was the evolution of the product,
I’m not surprised because people have an emotional investment in
which, based on the ratings, clearly needed to happen. Innovation and
WGN -- they feel a strong bond to the station and those who are on it.
change have always been part of what has made WGN iconic, and
But, you have to be willing to confront your issues if you are going
a ratings leader. But change is hard. It was hard when Bob Collins
to succeed. In doing that, you have to be willing to make changes.
replaced Wally Phillips, and when Spike O’Dell took over from Bob.
You need to be courageous in undertaking the challenges. Kevin has
People care deeply for the station -- it plays a huge role in Chicago and
helped lead these changes and Randy’s been a great support to us as
beyond. It’s important to respect and embrace our heritage, but at the
well. The proof is in the ratings, which are up.
same time, we must continually push the station to a place of relevance
for today’s listener. That’s what we’re doing now. Competition for
Former personalities Steve Cochran, “Kathy and Judy,” and
listener attention is more intense than ever, so we have to be willing and
even Spike O’Dell, have all taken some very public shots at the
courageous in changing as the market demands in order to keep WGN
station. Your reaction?
on top. It’s important to keep the radio station viable and successful for
(continued on page 3)
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July 16, 2010
NTS MediaOnline Weekly
PERSON-T0-PERSON
WXKX (Rush Radio 1200)/Boston morning host Jeff Katz debuts
the new Katz Commentary, a feature that will air daily at 12:30pm
during the Rush Limbaugh Show, as well as online at the station’s
website www.rushradio1200.com … Paul Ihander is upped to Director/
AM Programming for Clear Channel/Southern Colorado, where he
adds programming oversight of Sports KDZA/Pueblo to his current PD
duties at News/Talk clustermate KCSJ.
NETWORK /SYNDICATION NOTES
Journal Broadcast Group News/Talker KFAQ/Tulsa adds the Wall
Street Journal Radio Network’s The Wall Street Journal This
Morning with Gordon Deal and The Wall Street Journal Report
… In a deal first announced last March, Westwood One and Harpo
Radio have debuted The Gayle King Show, a new two-hour daily Talk
radio show hosted by veteran newscaster and TV personality Gayle
King. Charter affiliates include KTLK-AM/Los Angeles, WAOK/
Atlanta and WURD/Philadelphia … Concurrently, the network has
also launched its previously announced Daily Dose With Dr. Oz, an
original daily feature hosted by television talker Dr. Mehmet Oz that’s
already clearing in a reported 35 markets … KIKK/Houston adds the
syndicated Motley Fool Money show to the station’s Sunday lineup …
Big Sky Radio/Montana stations KBSR/Laurel, KHDN/Hardin and
KYLW/Billings add the weekend edition of Free Talk Live, pushing
the Ian Freeman-hosted talk show past the 80 affiliates milestone …
Congrats to Salem Radio Network host Hugh Hewitt and crew as his
daily radio show marks it’s 10th anniversary in national syndication. In
other news from SRN, American Forces Radio Network (AFRN) has
secured the rights to broadcast SRN’s Michael Medved Show and Mike
Gallagher Show on AFRN’s new Power Talk, an encrypted satellite
transmission available to U.S. military listeners who are serving overseas.
Medved will air Saturdays from 9pm-midnight (ET), while Gallagher
will air in the same timeslot on Sundays.
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GIG ALERTS
The Wall Street Journal Radio Network is on the hunt for a New
Media Manager. The right candidate will have good digital skills and
be the type who aspires to leave his or her mark on projects, from
strategizing to moving projects to execution. WSJRN Executive
Director Nancy Abramson calls the NYC-based position “perfect
for a person who likes to be involved in everything. As a small team
we get things done -- not a lot of bureaucracy.” Email your best pitch
and resume to [email protected] … Got a gig open?
Looking for a new challenge? Just email the details and contact
info to [email protected] and we’ll post it here, free of charge,
as a service to industry professionals.
EMERGING TALK MEDIA
The NHL Pittsburgh Penguins have signed a multi-year deal with
Arbitron to receive customized PPM radio ratings for individual
game and season audience estimates, along with pre and postgame listening estimates. The Penguins are the first NHL team to
sign for Custom PPM Ratings … The independently syndicated
Leslie Marshall Show launches a new revamped website at
www.lesliemarshallshow.com … GET BREAKING NEWS alerts by
following us on TWITTER, or “friend” us on FACEBOOK. Find
one-click links to both at www.NTSMediaOnline.com.
AWARD WINNING SMILES
YOUR PHOTO HERE!
Yep, your station’s or company’s photos could be right here in
NTS MediaOnline Weekly -- but only if you send ‘em to us. So,
go ahead and take your best shot -- then email your photos to
[email protected].
WGAC/Macon PD Harley Drew and ND Mary Liz Nolan are
all smiles after the Beasley Broadcasting News/Talker was chosen
mid-size market “Station of the Year “by the Georgia Association of
Broadcasters. It’s the 9th year-in-a-row that WGAC has received the
honor, and Drew and Nolan have been with the station for all nine wins!
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July 16, 2010
NTS MediaOnline Weekly
(continued from page 1)
Spike, Kathy and Judy, and Steve will always be part of WGN’s rich
history. We’re grateful for their contributions to the station and their
connection with the audience. But, again, we have to keep evolving
WGN and listeners are responding favorably to what we’re doing.
We’re seeing that in the ratings.
In particular, O’Dell posted on Facebook that the station should
change call letters, saying it is “no longer the station that midAmerica knows and trusts.” Any response?
Our growing ratings seem to indicate otherwise. While Spike personally
apologized for putting that comment on Facebook, he expressed his
concern about WGN. Spike had a great 20-year run at WGN before
retiring in 2008 and moving to Tennessee. He’s a stand-up guy and I
will always respect him and appreciate his love of WGN.
What do you say to charges that management has written off
the station’s 86-year relationship with Chicagoans and is
disrespecting WGN’s history?
We have a tremendous respect for the station’s history but we have to
continue evolving the station and keeping it relevant and strong -- just
as others before us have done. There are a lot of great things going on at
WGN, things that have been very positively received by our listeners,
such as; bringing the Chicago Blackhawks to the station, extending
our great partnership with the Chicago Cubs -- who will be on WGN
Radio for years to come -- bringing Greg Jarrett and Garry Meier
to the station, bringing the WGN and Chicago Tribune newsrooms
together to elevate our coverage and magnify the power of our shared
resources, and focusing on the digital side of our brand -- and being
very successful in doing so.
Is the current lineup -- with the addition of Mike McConnell
next month -- the team that can move WGN into its next decade
of history?
We’re very happy and excited to have the team in place to keep moving
WGN forward. We have a terrific line-up of hosts, with proven and
continually improving track records in key demos, that understand our
mission of being Chicago’s premiere live and local source for news and
information, and engaging and entertaining Talk.
So, you’re confident that WGN’s Windy City history will
continue to unfold, despite all the current controversy?
The history of WGN and its relationship with Chicago is amazing. We
have seen history repeat itself a number of times. In the late 1950s,
Wally Phillips arrived in Chicago from Cincinnati and some people
were upset. In the 1970s, when Bob Collins -- a disc jockey -- arrived
from Milwaukee, some people didn’t like it. When Spike O’Dell,
another disc jockey, arrived from the Quad Cities during the 1980s,
some people were upset with the change. Yet each of these people,
and others, proved to more successful than anyone could have ever
imagined. The same thing is happening now. There is change -- and
listeners are responding.
CONTACT NTS MEDIAONLINE
Al Peterson
858-486-7559
[email protected]
Brooke Trissel
512-218-8228
[email protected]
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