Chicago Radio: WLS-AM, Dan Proft Part Company

Dan Proft

• No word on status of co-host Bruce Wolf

• Is Big John Howell waiting in the wings?

Talk Radio WLS 890 AM continues to make changes to its lineup. The latest change is the exit of morning show co-host Dan Proft, whose contract expires this week and is not being renewed, according to Chicagoland Radio&Media.

The 42-year-old Proft's connection to WLS-AM began in 2009, as Proft was used as a political commentator on WLS-AM's morning show with Don Wade & Roma. Starting in May 2010, he was teamed with Chicago radio veteran Bruce Wolf for a weekend show on WLS-AM. In July 2011, the duo were promoted up to the weekday late morning shift of 9:00am-11:00am.

In September 2012, morning show host Don Wade took ill, so Wolf and Proft moved to the early morning shift on an interim basis. By December of that year, when it became clear that Wade was too sick to return, Wolf and Proft were named as the new morning show hosts going forward.

However, ratings for Wolf and Proft's show were a fraction of what Don Wade & Roma were able to bring in. That combined with a national trend away from divisive conservative talk radio drove down the ratings for the morning show, as well as for the entire station.

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Meanwhile, Proft's co-host Bruce Wolf is due to return to the air Friday.  However, there's been no official word on his status at WLS-AM. Lisa Dollinger, corporate spokeswoman for Cumulus Media, has not responded for comment.

Last Week, Cumulus Media was reportedly close to hiring Big John Howell, morning personality at Salem Communications news/talk station WIND 560 AM.  Howell chose not to renew his contract after eight years at WIND.