News Wars Expected Soon In Chicago

The Last Weekend

Chicago radio market watchers are anticipating CBS Radio to start an FM simulcast of its top-rated News 780 AM WBBM anyday now, perhaps as soon as Tuesday 7/5.  

The FM side of the simulcast would be the company's underperforming AC 105.9 FM WCFS, branded as Fresh 105.9.

CBS Radio is expected to start the simulcast in advance of Merlin Media's expected flip of 101.1 FM WKQX.  Randy 'The Merlin" Michael's is expected to flip the Rock Alternative outlet to a talk or a N/T format no later than mid-August. Merlin will be the majority owner of WKQX and 97.9 FM WLUP after its purhcase from Emmis is okayed by the FCC. Emmis retain a minority interest.

Robert Feder at timeoutchicago.com reports incoming Q101 news chief Andy Friedman is busy assembling a staff of known Chicago radio news voices, including Charlie Meyerson, Rob Hart and Lise Dominique.

TomZTake: It will be an interesting battle to observe. It will also be interesting to see how CBS Radio brands the new simulcast, since they already have a WBBM-FM in the market.  The CHR is branded as B96.9 FM.  Would CBS get new calls for B and move the WBBM-FM calls to 105.9FM?  Stay tuned.