Beyond a number of high-profile lineup changes at WGN 720 AM, another subtle but significant programming shift is coming next week –- a
new traffic reporting service.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the station is switching to Utah-based Radiate Media in a
multi-year agreement, ending its affiliation with Clear Channel Media’s Total
Traffic Network. Terms were not
disclosed, but Radiate provides both on-air reporters and traffic information
in return for commercial inventory on its client stations.
"It’s a really good economic deal for us, but most
importantly, it’s a better product," said Jimmy de Castro, president and
general manager of WGN Radio.
Listeners may not notice much of a difference, with embedded
WGN traffic reporters Mary Van De Velde, Leslie Keiling and Ted Novak making the move over to the new
company. But it represents a big win for
two-year-old Radiate.
"WGN is among the leaders in the country in terms of
traffic," said Gary Lee, Chicago-based vice president and general manager
of Radiate Media. “We’re thrilled to establish this association.”
Radiate is challenging Clear Channel’s Total Traffic
Network, the largest broadcast traffic provider in the U.S. with over
3,000 radio and 200 television affiliates, including CBS-owned news station
WBBM-AM 780, among other local stations.
Founded in 2011, Radiate has a network of some 2,400 radio
and TV stations.
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