Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Time is running out for 'Real Oldies' format (VERY BAD LISTENING NEWS)
Chicago Sun-Times ^ | June 21, 2006 | ROBERT FEDER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

Posted on 06/21/2006 4:31:47 AM PDT by Chi-townChief

Of all the stations on Chicago radio's "watch list" (if there were such a list, that is), the one in most critical condition has to be Clear Channel Radio's "Real Oldies" WRLL-AM (1690).

Nothing is official, but insiders say it could be only a matter of weeks before Clear Channel bosses pull the plug on the format and a talent lineup that includes such personalities as Larry Lujack, Tommy Edwards, Scotty Brink, Tom Murphy and Ron Smith.

Plagued from its inception in 2003 with a substandard signal that barely covers the metropolitan area, "Real Oldies" has languished at the bottom of the ratings all along. Arbitrends released Tuesday show the station tied for 36th place with a 0.5 percent share and with a cumulative weekly audience of 116,200.

Any hopes of growth were dashed when ABC turned its WZZN-FM (94.7) from active rock to "True Oldies" last fall. Despite its lackluster lineup and promotion, WZZN wins by default with its superior signal.

John Gehron, who put "Real Oldies" on the air, nurtured and protected the format as Clear Channel's regional boss here. Once he left the company (only to resurface as head of Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Radio), the station's days were numbered.

No decision has been made on a new format, but the most likely scenario would turn WRLL into a time-brokered outlet that would lease all of its air time to an outside company.

Most common time-brokered formats include religious, ethnic and foreign language programs.

If Clear Channel does pull the plug on oldies, at least one of the station's stars shouldn't be idle for long.

Edwards, the Chicago radio legend who serves as morning personality, program director and operations manager of "Real Oldies," already has been approached about a drive-time on-air job at a bigger and better local station, sources said.

Too bad he won't be able to bring Ol' Uncle Lar along with him this time.

Dialing: Changing channels

*As if it weren't already hard enough to find Dick Biondi and the other great jocks who've been relegated to the Internet and HD Radio, now CBS Radio is switching their Web address.

Starting next week, Biondi, Greg Brown, Fred Winston and Connie Szerszen will be moved to a new site at www.OldiesChicago.com. They had been streaming oldies at www.wjmk.com since their old station, WJMK-FM (104.3), morphed into adult hits "Jack FM" last year.

"Since WJMK is 'Jack's' call letters, we want to distinguish the two entities more for clarification in the ratings process," said John Sebastian, program director of "Jack FM."

*Look for WGN-Channel 9 morning weatherman Paul Konrad and entertainment reporter Dean Richards to make special guest appearances on Steve Cochran's "Clean Comedy All Stars" show this weekend.

Cochran, a seasoned standup comic and midday personality at Tribune Co.-owned news/talk WGN-AM (720), will be the headliner at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Genesee Theatre in north suburban Waukegan.

*Radio One Communications, which owns and operates four stations in northwest Indiana -- WXRD-FM (103.9), WLJE-FM (105.5), WZVN-FM (107.1) and WAKE-AM (1500) -- has begun construction on expanded studios and offices in Valparaiso.

Tracking: 'Hippo' gets bigger

*"Nude Hippo: Your Chicago Show," an offbeat local treat on cable since 1997, is gaining a new outlet on WMAQ-Channel 5's Web site. Starting Thursday, segments from the weekly half-hour comedy/talk show will be streamed at www.nbc5.com.

Hosted by Tony Lossano and Amy Zanglin, "Nude Hippo" still airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on Chicago Cable Channel 25.

*Janet Davies, entertainment reporter and host of "190 North," will be joined by Terri Hemmert, midday personality at adult rock WXRT-FM (93.1), in co-hosting WLS-Channel 7's coverage of this weekend's 37th annual Gay Pride Parade. The one-hour special will air at 11:35 p.m. Sunday on the ABC-owned station.

Grand marshal of the parade will be George Takei of "Star Trek" fame.

*The Museum of Broadcast Communications has received a $40,000 grant from the Chicago Community Trust to help create an exhibit on Chicago's radio and television history.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: animalstories; chicago; clearchannel; littletommy; music; oldies; radio; realoldies; unclelar
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-83 next last
To: Chi-townChief

Gee does that mean I won't be able to hear "Ain't too proud to beg" or the rest of the Mo-Town catalog for the 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000s time?

Sseriously boomers, the 60's are over ok? Can you please take your boot off the neck of the culture?


21 posted on 06/21/2006 5:04:57 AM PDT by ElTianti
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ElTianti
Gee does that mean I won't be able to hear "Ain't too proud to beg" or the rest of the Mo-Town catalog for the 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000s time?

Haven't I told you a million times not to exaggerate?

22 posted on 06/21/2006 5:09:03 AM PDT by InvisibleChurch (No.... wire .... hangers!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: ElTianti

That's why this is such bad news - this station concentrates more on the 1950-1963 time period although late 60s stuff is thrown in. The British Invasion and Motown stuff, you can still hear anywhere.


23 posted on 06/21/2006 5:14:36 AM PDT by Chi-townChief
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: don-o
Do you have a home kit so that you can use your XM in the house as well?

I love being able to have the same show on any radio in the house.

Last week, along with our daughter and her family went to Okla. they have Sirrus and could not get the race, so we traveled along side and they could get the race off of our radio. Pretty neat!!
24 posted on 06/21/2006 5:18:23 AM PDT by Coldwater Creek ("Over there, over there, We won't be back 'til it's over Over there.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Chi-townChief
"this station concentrates more on the 1950-1963 time period"

Doo-Wop ... I like

25 posted on 06/21/2006 5:19:12 AM PDT by moonman (`)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: PBRSTREETGANG
"Bloody right about that yank!"

I see your "Keith Richards looking bad" photo and raise you a "Keith Richards looking like warmed over death" photo:

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

26 posted on 06/21/2006 5:19:14 AM PDT by tx_eggman (Islamofascism ... bringing you the best of the 7th century for the past 1300 years.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: GodBlessRonaldReagan
We have a 1923 Victor victrola in pristine condition. It is wonderful, and I do not like music.
27 posted on 06/21/2006 5:22:05 AM PDT by Coldwater Creek ("Over there, over there, We won't be back 'til it's over Over there.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: mariabush

What do you mean when you say that you "do not like music"?


28 posted on 06/21/2006 5:25:42 AM PDT by Fairview
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Chi-townChief
Yeah, WLS had the National Barn Dance or some such thing up until '60 when they converted to rock; first song played - "Alley Oop" by the Hollywood Argyles. Both Dick Biondi and Clark Weber are still around.

You must be an ol fart like me. LOL

In reminiscing, musn't forget the "Wolfman."

Still one of my all-time favorite tunes: "Clap for the Wolfman."

29 posted on 06/21/2006 5:26:25 AM PDT by seasoned traditionalist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Fairview
I just don't. Music gets on my nerves. Who knows why?

I know it is weird.
30 posted on 06/21/2006 5:29:07 AM PDT by Coldwater Creek ("Over there, over there, We won't be back 'til it's over Over there.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: mariabush
Actually, I do not have a setup for my car (do not drive that much). Will get that done later. I got the Roady and the "boom box" speaker set. So I carry it to work and back home.
31 posted on 06/21/2006 5:29:08 AM PDT by don-o
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: don-o
Unfortunately Nextel is going to Sirrus next season.

If you have a Roady you have the car setup.
32 posted on 06/21/2006 5:31:37 AM PDT by Coldwater Creek ("Over there, over there, We won't be back 'til it's over Over there.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: mariabush; Pete-R-Bilt; tubebender

Someone (Pete? tork?) on the NASCAR thread told me that they would be on both services.


33 posted on 06/21/2006 5:33:45 AM PDT by don-o
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Chi-townChief
All I can say is that this sucks, big time - in Chicago, we don't have too many alternatives.

Most stations in Houston are hispanic or hip hop......

There seems to be a future for XM and Sirius Radio............

34 posted on 06/21/2006 5:36:32 AM PDT by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: don-o
Oh I hope so.

Kids went together and got Dad an early Father's Day present along with 6 months subscription. He is blind and can work his Roady just like a sited person.
35 posted on 06/21/2006 5:40:23 AM PDT by Coldwater Creek ("Over there, over there, We won't be back 'til it's over Over there.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Chi-townChief
Uncle Larry is still around? Jeez, I was listening to him 40 years ago. How about Dick Biondi? He as infesting some FM oldies station last I heard.

And what ever happened to Murphy in the Morning anyway?

36 posted on 06/21/2006 5:43:40 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chi-townChief
WLS had the National Barn Dance or some such thing up until '60

"Oh, it's Saturday Night at the old barn dance and we're havin' a wonderful tiiiime."

At least I have a couple of oldies options on the audio channels of my digital cable service.

37 posted on 06/21/2006 5:44:46 AM PDT by TheRightGuy (ERROR CODE 018974523: Random Tagline Compiler Failure)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: mariabush
X-M radio is wonderful. I know that it is not free, but we pay for everything else today.

Clear Channel is one of the major stockholders in X-M. Could be that they want listeners to migrate & pay for the format.

38 posted on 06/21/2006 5:47:25 AM PDT by Alex Murphy (Colossians 4:6)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: moonman

It amazes me that some people like ElTianti, if his post above is any indication, think that rock music didn't begin until 1965.


39 posted on 06/21/2006 5:54:04 AM PDT by Chi-townChief
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Chi-townChief
***All I can say is that this sucks, big time..***

No kidding. My wife will go ballistic. 1690 is her #1 car radio button. I better not tell her until she has her coffee.

(or maybe I'll wait 'til Oprah is over?!?)

40 posted on 06/21/2006 5:57:39 AM PDT by Condor51 (Better to fight for something than live for nothing - Gen. George S. Patton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-83 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson