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"The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by ABRockNJock on June 7, 2024, 1:11 pm

Listeners to WLS-AM 890 are in for "BIG" changes, especially with the Presidential Election just a few months away.

According to Axios' Justin Kaufmann, the Cumulus Media-owned talk station has abruptly dropped morning host Steve Cochran, as well as "The Closing Bell" & "PM Chicago" effective today.

The decisions will cut local programming on WLS-AM by more than half and will be replaced by more syndicated talk shows as the election draws closer.

Chicago radio veteran "Ramblin'" Ray Stevens will reportedly replace Cochran, according to Axios, but the show will be 2 hours shorter. WLS-AM will also replace "The Closing Bell" & "PM Chicago" with syndicated Conservative talk show hosts Matt Walsh & Michael Knowles.

"The BIG 89" already airs syndicated Conservative-driven talk shows hosted by Ben Shapiro & Mark Levin.

I'm just the messenger.

ADMIN EDIT: Added link back to source. No link back is violation of "fair use" and leads to deleting of post. We appreciated this major headline, please, just link back next time.

Link: WLS fires Cochran, cuts more local programming

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 7, 2024, 1:27 pm, in reply to ""The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

Here's the link to the story I should've referenced. My bad!
https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/06/07/wls-cuts-cochran-local-programming

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 7, 2024, 2:18 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

Make this the most Conservative station anywhere, in Market #3 when there already is another (barely local) outlet on 560 AM. Anyone at Cume-Less calculate the total amount of possible listeners in the market?

Sadly, something I predicted a month or 2 back on here. They are giving up and taking the cheap cheap cheap road. Remove as much local talent as possible. Clear a ton of screamers over the "bird" or any high speed internet line, these days.

WLS-AM just celebrated 100 years. This is the celebration of its last stages of life, toward death. WLS-AM is on the way to follow KABC and a ton of other Cume-Less AM stations castrating them to nothing.

Z

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by GregKurtz <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=GregKurtz' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 7, 2024, 4:00 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

Would like to hear Ben Shapiro from 2-5pm and Chris Plante from 8-11am and Cochran go to 820 WCPT.

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by JJSPC1372 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=JJSPC1372' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 7, 2024, 8:15 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

Cochran never fit in well anyway and as was said above it's about financials. You are going to be hard pressed to turn around a failing AM station in this day and age no matter what format is on it.

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 7, 2024, 8:29 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

Not directly related to this, but I saw something...
"The last people to care about radio is the Boomers, and Gen X. Younger than that, they don't know of radio."

So.... radio had AM drop, all music went to FM, and AM held on with talk, sports, then FM, once king, now is being squeezed by streaming. There's a LOT of choices out there!

Is it who is the best fit or who works the cheapest?

Too. Was the decision made in Chicago or corporate?

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 7, 2024, 10:46 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

"The last people to care about radio is the Boomers, and Gen X. Younger than that, they don't know of radio."

The younger do know FM radio. Overall they have 0 clue about AM. They are not p1 listeners. They are more passive exposed listeners. (Why sit through a ridiculous stop set when it is a few commercials or none on another medium?)

then FM, once king, now is being squeezed by streaming.

Didn't have to be that way. They ignored music downloads (head in the sand) and streaming. Why would any one sit through a 12 minute stop set when the one thing they can own the listeners with "the Jock, DJ, on air personality" is gone?

Was the decision made in Chicago or corporate?

Corporate. All the major groups are having decisions made out of their corporate offices.

Z

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 8, 2024, 7:23 am, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

So the question is do these people admit they made a mistake? A host was a good hire. Now, not so much.

Like you, Z, I've heard 3 Mt. Dew ads in an 8 minute stop-set years ago. LID, and some song a didn't know at the Top of the Hour.
Always thought you played a POWER or an "A" song. Guess I'm wrong. LOL

Too, as you say, a Ford ad, followed by a Chevy ad....cancelling each other out. The answer: "run more ads."

As a radio geek, I'll look at consultant's stuff.
"We still need a weather jingle."
"Why?"
"I know the jingle guy." and was absolutely serious! (People can look at their phones, or so I've heard, for the weather.)

On TV, the Meteorologist exclaimed "you need us... the apps on the phone are nice but you need us." Back to the news, and "yes, that's right. You need us!" Who are these people kidding? (OK, I'll wait for the 90% wrong weather tonight...)

Noticed MANY psa's and promos where ads used to be. An acquaintance of mine said "you know why they do that? They can't sell advertising!" He could care less about radio and he knows!!!

You do what you think works and yet there are other ways. Newer ways. Different approaches. Even at my advanced age, still learning. And, I've been wrong many times.

I'm sure there are things that they look at or read, that I'd never understand and yet an old boss of mine told me, "it all is politics." To say, we read the tea leaves, but Corporate wants this, and on and on.

Always interesting.....

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 8, 2024, 12:33 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

John, the PSA's are also used as filler when something is being broadcasted on more than once medium or signal. Allows the others besides the main to run a song, more ads, legal ID, local ad etc....

Z

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 7, 2024, 10:42 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

You are going to be hard pressed to turn around a failing AM station in this day and age no matter what format is on it.

If it was paired up to an FM.....
If they actually picked 1 AM Stereo standard......
If they actually used DAB in North America........
If they used DRM on AM in North America........
If corporations actually give 2 rats ass.................

Z

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by Jeremy Andrews <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Jeremy+Andrews' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 8, 2024, 8:20 am, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

Last time I listened to WLS was to catch a TOH ID. The yelling talk programming was bad enough but the commercials on there were miserable. Lot of 1-800 to order a supplement. Weekends are full of this kind of programming. Obviously doesn't bill that great.

Clearing network programming for Westwood One is probably it's best use right now.

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 8, 2024, 12:35 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

Clearing network programming for Westwood One is probably it's best use right now.

Until they decide to sell it for pennies or turn the signal off and hand in the permit to the FCC.

Z

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by PhilJSmith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=PhilJSmith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 8, 2024, 11:20 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

I’ve noticed that most of ads are identical to what the few remaining shortwave broadcasters run, like WRMI Okeechobee, FL. Supplements, SHTF products (long-expiration ration packs, filters to make non-potable water drinkable, etc.). Draw your own conclusion on where WLS (AM) is headed from that.

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 9, 2024, 10:46 am, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

What is sad, pathetic is IF WLS-AM had good numbers, someone else might, with a better (AM) signal, or FM would do the same thing, only with a better signal. TOO, with the Chicago area expanding land mass, can the FMs cover the entire metro area? IE: AMs have signal problems at night. I don't know if there are FM signal problems, etc. at this point. (This is where streams are promoted, I guess.)

Per turning in the license, I want to say, "say it ain't so," and yet Bell/Canada pulled 1290 CJBK ON London, 1260 CFRN AB Edmonton, 1290 CFRW MB Winnipeg, 1410 CFTE BC Vancouver & 1040 CKST BC Vancouver. Most of these were all #1 stations in the 1970's, but it isn't 1970 anymore, and this I realize.

In the USA, certainly 720 KDWN NV Las Vegas, to me, stands out. Their programming went from 25000 watts to 250watt 101.5 K268CS. AND, there's a live PM talk show: Steve Sanchez. Still called K-Dawn https://www.audacy.com/stations/kdawn

At what time will the station's tower-land be in play, too.

Weekend programming is crap everywhere. Guess it pays the bills. "Our weekend programming sucks." noted once on Milwaukee radio.

It used to be sales vs. programming.
Now it's radio vs. the bean counter.... and maybe it's always been that way, for all I know.

Talk to the normal person, you can't even find a radio anymore! Sorry to beat a dead horse...

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by Hunter <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Hunter' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 9, 2024, 3:33 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

John: This crude map is courtesy of Radio-Locator.

I have always believed AM stations have problems penetrating buildings while FM stations can easily do so.

For those working in office buildings back in the day, how did they listen to music stations on AM? The radios were cheaper back then. I've heard GE, yes, the maker of light bulbs to jet engines, made a super-radio which could receive nearly anything.

Speaking of Chicago radio reception; is a tall antenna height for an FM station superior to a shorter antenna with more watts pumping through the transmitter?

Look at Los Angeles. Many of those stations are grandfathered in. When I was in Los Angeles the last time, I could hear KLOS-FM 95.5 nearly one hundred miles from their transmitter atop Mount Wilson in L.A. Their ERP is 61,000 watts with 3,130 feet above average terrain. Height above sea level is 6,073 feet. I'm surprised those who live close by don't hear KLOS-FM in their teeth fillings.

Link: WLS-AM 890

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 9, 2024, 4:01 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

Hi Hunter,

You are correct, AM stations downtown had a hard time penetrating brick and steel building even if AM radios were much better in the past than now, for receive and for audio quality. The reception issue is moot today if people are not blocked on their networks to be able to stream.

In Ham radio the phrase is "Height is Might". I would rather do 1 watt at 10k feet than 10k watts at 1 foot. The latter is wasted energy trying to penetrate line of sight items around it, where higher elevations are clear path (at least in the plains). Always gives you a wider footprint. I believe higher antenna level helps (not stops) avoid DX tropo effect in the summer where distant signals roll in.

KLOS has a monster signal. KISS in Milwaukee is also grandfathered in. But, in CA due to all the mountains, lot of stations not grandfathered in, utilize same frequency boosters to further their signal. EMF does it here on 94.3, there used to be dead spots that are not full signal and you would have no idea you are in an area with a booster. (see link below) - The one booster in Elmwood Park has a CP on file. That no longer looks like a Booster, that looks like they are trying to move in the stick from Glendale Hts or wherever in DuPage they have the stick these days!

Z

Link: https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=WAwE&nav=home

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by Jeremy Andrews <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Jeremy+Andrews' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 9, 2024, 4:14 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

94.3 is Oak Brook Terrace. Same site as 93.5

Used to be in Elgin. I remember they would always turn the stereo pilot off in the brokered days so it would have a better signal in some areas. Some shows and the AC music would run in Stereo.

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 9, 2024, 5:01 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

Decades ago, a Chicago radio geek told me how in downtown Chicago, the steel - cement sucked up/sucked in the AM signal. He said it was horrid.

Too, I've read on KNX vs KNX-FM. The mountains come into play out there (Los Angeles) and there are those who say the AM is better.

There's talk of that here, though I cannot find the exact thread, if it was even at this site:
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/threads/knx-los-angeles-website-shows-97-1-and-not-1070.743837/

"The AM already suffers from existing electric sources interfering with the signal as a result of increased urbanization. Plus, electric cars have ditched AM due to the presence of static from components."

https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KNX&service=AM

https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KNX&service=FM

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 9, 2024, 5:43 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

John, I have a PHEV (hybrid electric w/gas motor). I get 0 interference running on pure electric motors. I get MASSIVE interference running via the gas motor on the AM and especially FM band. Don't believe the nonsense that all electric cars produce hash. When I reported it to Jeep corporate they played dumb. Me thinks, they are not shielding the wires to save money and the "antenna" is now integrated inside the windshield.

AM mode radio is being inundated by cheap Chinese crap being imported in. Wall Warts are a top contender. LED lights. HD TV transmitters. Cable delivery networks. Plasma TVs. Cheap florescent lights. Tanning beds. WiFi routers. Certain computers. I saw research a friend conducted when they turned on HDTV in Chicago. The noise floor exploded. I can tell you, since 1995 the noise floor has increased every year, I can barely do DX on 160 meters anywhere close in the city, AM broadcast receive..... most HF bands using AM mode are just friggin noisy beyond use.

Z

Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 9, 2024, 6:42 pm, in reply to "Re: "The BIG 89" Drops Steve Cochran"

Hunter, Z ---I believe you both and enjoy the conversation. Jeremy: you are wise beyond your years! Thanks to President Pedro for this forum!

When I drive past a semi, they have electronic logging and I will hear a BUZZ.

This is all Corporate BS....a lot of it.

Back to Mr. Cochran. He used to be at KDWB as a Top40 jock. Maybe he "aged out" of Top40, but what of HotAC or an AC format. There has to be something.

John Howell was good with Country and talk. Ray Stevens with Country and talk.

Too, rather than Cochran, might the "WLS" brand be
in the tank? Can WLS resurrect itself? Go from worse to ... well, not first, but....

You have to put something into it to get something out of it, and life ain't easy, but you wonder if there isn't someone out there who can turn this around.

Think of brands that are gone: Ipana toothpaste, Beech-Nut Fruit Stripe gum, Heinz "57" as they once made soups! Canfields had 50/50, bought from Graf's-Milwaukee. These were all once iconic names!

Too, after Covid, and folks working from home, AM drive isn't what it once was! It's mid days!

https://www.insideradio.com/free/think-most-am-fm-listening-happens-in-drive-time-think-again/article_9f101c76-dac0-11ee-9200-13fb7438e110.html

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