Clare Lane leaving WBBM-AM, Top-Biller WBBM-AM, ABC7 closes State St., Celeste LeCompte joins WBEZ,
Posted by Media Reader on December 22, 2021, 9:11 am
Robservations: ABC 7 shuts down State Street; Clare Lane leaving WBBM Newsradio; Celeste LeCompte joins WBEZ as chief audience officer (and more)
[WBBM #1]
Another familiar voice is leaving WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM. Clare Lane will sign off Tuesday after three years as afternoon traffic anchor at the Audacy all-news station. “We very much appreciate her contributions and will miss her cheery voice,” Ron Gleason, brand manager and news director of WBBM Newsradio, told staffers in an email. “Please join me in wishing Clare nothing but the best as she advances in her career.” A graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School and the University of Colorado at Boulder, Lane previously worked as a production assistant and “Weekend Edition” host at Chicago Public Media WBEZ 91.5-FM and traffic reporter for multiple CBS Radio stations. She also was a community newspaper reporter, photographer and columnist. No word yet on Lane’s new job, but stay tuned.
[WBBM #2]
Despite a 20 percent decline in revenue attributed to the pandemic-related advertising recession last year, WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM again was the top-billing radio station in the market with revenue of $29.7 million, according to 2020 figures just released by BIA Advisory Services. The Audacy all-news station and home of Chicago Bears broadcasts ranked fifth nationally (and again was the only Chicago station to make the top 10). In 2019 WBBM Newsradio ranked ninth nationally with revenue of $36.95 million. Hubbard Radio’s WTOP in Washington, D.C., retained the top spot last year with $62 million.
Might be #5 nationally, doesn't mean it is quality when your competition is falling as you are.
No ax to grind, it is the truth. It is a race to the bottom. Cut, Cut, Cut. Will all you naysayers be OK with this when AI replaces all humans and is your "NewsRadio"?