When Rush's contract with WLS expires and WLS decides to put Huckabee on instead, where will Rush go? Since Clear Channel does not own a talk station in Chicago, will Rush go over to 560? Or will Clear Channel buy WGN, like they bought WOR in New York. But if Tribune doesn't sell WGN, is WIND the only place he could go?
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If WLS drops Rush, where does he go?
- Thread starter jrls4444
- Start date
I would guess WIND unless Clear Channel has a talk station in Chicago. When does the contract expire?
...Chump Channel does have a talk station in Chicago, but Uncle Flush ain't going anywhere near it. That station is WVON/1690...
K
KFGG929
Guest
Likely WIND, as they have The Answer ;D
When does the deal with WVON expire? Are they paying a lot for the LMA? Cheap Chan. could easily use that for Rush, the signal during the day is decent. You can also get Rush in Cedar Rapids, Milwaukee, South Bend, Bloomington, Decatur and Springfield. They also can cover the whole southern area of Illinois on KMOX.
Simply put, Rush doesn't need the huge WLS signal to get him out. WISN and WHO are clear enough for me in Chicago to listen during the day. If he said something cooky or funny I wanted to hear, he was tape delay for on hour on WHO and WISN. If that is still the case they could possibly run him live.
Think about it Chicago, Milwaukee and Cedar Rapids with Rush on a company station. WLS will not pay to keep him when the contract runs out. Would any other station pay for him in Chicago right now. I could see Cheap Channel bumping WVON if Rush makes them money and don't forget he needs Chicago to sell national at a higher rate which is the most important.
Isn't WVON supposed to buy the station outright? If they do Cheap Channel could then by WGN.
Simply put, Rush doesn't need the huge WLS signal to get him out. WISN and WHO are clear enough for me in Chicago to listen during the day. If he said something cooky or funny I wanted to hear, he was tape delay for on hour on WHO and WISN. If that is still the case they could possibly run him live.
Think about it Chicago, Milwaukee and Cedar Rapids with Rush on a company station. WLS will not pay to keep him when the contract runs out. Would any other station pay for him in Chicago right now. I could see Cheap Channel bumping WVON if Rush makes them money and don't forget he needs Chicago to sell national at a higher rate which is the most important.
Isn't WVON supposed to buy the station outright? If they do Cheap Channel could then by WGN.
Going back to Nashville said:
WGN AM might not be sold. Even if CC gets 720, would anyone in the right mind monkey too much it. If CC gets and 720 and turns it into an outlet for their syndicated talkers, WBBM would most likely would be number 1 (6+). I know 6+ does not mean that much, but, IMHO over a third of WGN's billing would most likely end up at WBBM and money is the name of the game.
secondchoice said:
From what I've heard, Tribune is only selling the newspapers. They don't have to sell their TV stations or WGN radio (IIRC, they've already received a waiver from the FCC so they can keep AM720). Of course, if the price is right, anything is for sale.
I would think WGN's billing would drop only if they lost the Cubs (a possibility after 2014) and/or Black Hawks. Aren't they driving the revenue nowadays?
Going back to Nashville said:
WHO is effectively inaudible in the Chicago area daytime. You may be thinking of WMT (Cedar Rapids) which is audible area wide....but only barely...and that's if you're in a car or have a really, really good radio. You also need to be in a noise-free area. And WVON's day signal is rather pathetic north and northwest of the city. My guess is that an FM could flip to "hot talk" (or some other euphemism) and bring Rush along as the centerpiece. As for WIND or WGN.... Nothing's impossible, but I think a lot of dominoes would have to fall "just right" for Rush to come on board with either.
A few years later, I guess the Answer would really be the only station for his show, WCPT is a progressive talk radio station, and they carry more syndicated progressive talk shows that includes Bill Press and Stephanie Miller. WLS Am not seen a few years ago now has Jonathon Brandmeier that is doing a syndicated radio show, that they are the flagship station for his show. So I don't see how they would have room with Huckabee. And I don't see how Clear Channel would have use for WGN Radio, since i would imagine that they would want to stay where they have always been more local talk and very few syndicated shows.
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