Cubs Radio

Robservations on the media beat:

Mitch Rosen

The Chicago Cubs World Series run propelled WSCR AM 670 to an all-time ratings high, according to Nielsen Audio figures released Monday. The CBS Radio sports/talk station, in its first season as radio flagship of the Cubs, jumped to No. 2 in the market with a 6.1 percent audience share. (Only CBS Radio all-news combo WBBM AM 780/WCFS FM 105.9 had a higher share with a 6.5.) On November 2 — the day of Game 7 and the last day of the ratings survey — more than 1 million people listened to The Score, according to program director Mitch Rosen. “There were times in Game 7 that half of all Chicago radio listeners were tuned into The Score to hear the hometown call of Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer,” Rosen said. “What an amazing first year it’s been for WSCR as the radio home of [the] Cubs. . . . To experience the World Series on this station as we approach our 25th anniversary makes this even more momentous. When The Score first launched, the station was a daytime-only frequency; now the same brand is the home of the World Champion Cubs.”

Leila Rahimi and Luke Stuckmeyer

Confirming a report here November 10, Comcast SportsNet Chicago is revamping its sports news format and dropping its signature “SportsNet Central.” Starting December 5, “In the Loop” with Luke Stuckmeyer and Leila Rahimi will air at 6:30 and 10 p.m. It’s described as “a fast-paced, fresh take on the day’s local and national sports scene seen through the eyes of the ever-growing social media universe from both a player and fan perspective.” Also debuting is “CSN Fast Break,” airing at midnight and during early mornings, recapping the day’s top local sports news in a 15-minute rotating format. Said Kevin Cross, senior director of news and original content: “The movement away from the traditional sports news format and the introduction of our new shows on CSN Chicago will engage and involve our viewers like never before.”

Eddie Volkman

Chicago radio legend Eddie Volkman has been hired to host mornings on WFXF FM 103.9, Matrix Broadcasting’s northwest suburban classic rock station known as The Fox, starting Monday. He succeeds Brian Sherman, who left The Fox to rejoin former partner Steve Tingle as the new morning duo at Hubbard Radio classic rock WDRV FM 97.1. Volkman, who most recently hosted afternoons on west suburban WCKG AM 1530, is best known as one-half of the iconic duo of Eddie & Jobo with former partner Joe Colborn. “I’m excited to have my own show on an established station with a loyal audience,” Volkman said.

Steve Cochran

Monday also marks the start of Tribune Broadcasting news/talk WGN AM 720 simulcasting its morning and afternoon drive-time shows on CLTV, the company’s cable news outlet. With cameras in WGN’s Tribune Tower studios, the 9 a.m. hour of Steve Cochran’s morning show and the 3 p.m. hour of Roe Conn’s afternoon show will air live on CLTV. If all goes as planned, the arrangement soon may be expanded beyond the two hours each weekday.

Linda Yu

Look for a few well-planned surprises when “Windy City Live” pays tribute to retiring news anchor Linda Yu on her last day at WLS-Channel 7. Airing at 1 p.m. Wednesday, the special edition of the ABC-owned station’s weekday talk show will feature visits from colleagues, friends and family, including her daughter Francesca and son Bryan. At 4 p.m. Wednesday, Yu will anchor her final newscast after 37 years in Chicago television news.

Paul Nyquist

There’s a new home under construction for Moody Radio, parent company of Moody Bible Institute’s Christian radio WMBI FM 90.1. When it opens in the spring of 2018, the four-story, 50,000-square foot Chapman Center at 800 North Wells Street will house Moody Radio, Moody Publishers and other facilities. Dr. Paul Nyquist, president of Moody Global Ministries, said: “With our radio and publishing ministries having a single, state-of-the-art space in which to collaborate and create, and to mentor the next generation of Christian leaders in media, Moody’s mission to equip people with the truth of God’s Word is entering an exciting and historic season of growth.”