See, hear: Cochran’s morning show adds video streaming

Steve Cochran

Steve Cochran

After seven months as morning personality on WGN AM 720, Steve Cochran is ready for his close-up.

Starting Tuesday, the Tribune Broadcasting news/talk station will add a live video stream of Cochran’s show to its website at wgnradio.com. From 5 to 9 a.m. weekdays, multiple cameras in WGN’s showcase studio will allow listeners to see what they’re hearing in real time.

“We think it’s a great way to get to know all the players,” said Todd Manley, vice president of creative content at WGN. “It becomes a 360 experience now.”

In addition to showing Cochran behind the microphone, other cameras will pick up his in-studio guests and supporting cast, including news anchor Andrea Darlas, sports anchor Dave Eanet, business reporter Orion Samuelson and producers Anne Johnsos and Kevin Powell.

“It’s not a television show; its a peek behind the curtain — a way to see how everybody collaborates,” Manley said of the addition. “There are so many visual cues and things like that. It just makes it a different way to experience Cochran.”

In the latest Nielsen Audio survey, WGN ranks third in mornings with a 5.1 percent share and cumulative weekly audience of 317,900.

Later in April, Tribune Broadcasting plans to video stream WGWG LP 87.7,  the new sports/talk station known as The Game 87.7 FM. It will start with the midday show hosted by David Kaplan and David Haugh, which airs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays.