‘Those Were the Days’ celebrates 45 years

Chuck Schaden

Chuck Schaden

I’m sure I couldn’t be the only fan who still remembers when Chuck Schaden first started sharing his amazing collection of vintage radio programs every Saturday afternoon back in the spring of 1970.

Listening to the future Radio Hall of Famer bring “The Shadow,” “Inner Sanctum,” “The Lone Ranger” and “The Jack Benny Program” back to life was pure magic, and Schaden’s “Those Were the Days” became a weekly radio appointment I’ve been keeping ever since. Continue reading

Carl Amari to host ‘WGN Radio Theatre’

Carl Amari

Carl Amari

A new weekly showcase for classic programs from radio’s golden age, hosted by veteran Chicago broadcaster Carl Amari, is coming to Tribune Media news/talk WGN AM 720.

Starting April 12, “The WGN Radio Theatre with Carl Amari” will follow “After Hours with Rick Kogan” and air from 11 p.m. Sundays to 2 a.m. Mondays. The new addition replaces the weekend show hosted by Patti Vasquez, who moves up to full-time on weekdays. Continue reading

WBBM Newsradio still among top 10 moneymakers nationwide

WBBM Newsradio

WBBM Newsradio

The CBS Radio all-news combo of WBBM AM 780 and WCFS FM 105.9 not only was Chicago’s top-billing station last year but again was the only local outlet among radio’s 10 biggest moneymakers nationwide.

With revenue of $39.2 million in 2014, WBBM Newsradio was down 6.5 percent from its 2013 revenue of $41.9 million. But it still ranked 10th in the nation, according to figures released by BIA/Kelsey, a Virginia-based media research firm. Continue reading