Three months ago, a WSCR-AM 670 official crowed that his station had "dominated" WMVP-AM 1000 in the hyper-competitive world of Chicago sports radio.

Now it's a dead heat.

The winter ratings book, released Monday, revealed that both stations earned a 1.5 share (percentage of radios tuned into a station) among listeners 12 and older. That ends a three-book winning streak for WSCR, which fell from a 2.0 in the fall.

WMVP held steady at 1.5 despite the post-Super Bowl falloff.

"Obviously, I'm thrilled," WMVP program director (El) Justin Craig said. "But it's just the beginning. We're building a strong lineup."

Tom Waddle and Marc Silverman debuted Monday in their new 9 a.m.-noon slot. They made no reference to the departed Steve Rosenbloom and Sean Salisbury, in part because Salisbury will continue as the station's NFL analyst. Rosenbloom, meanwhile, has declined an offer to work weeknights. He was last seen boarding his plane.

The heart of the order at WMVP, though, remains the ratings beast that is "Mac, Jurko & Harry." The crew had its best book in nearly a year, re-emerging as No. 1 among men 25-54 in the afternoon by beating the likes of WCKG's Steve Dahl.

"It's great to have the heavyweight championship belt back around our sizable waists," Dan McNeil said (even though he hates boxing).

The station is considering moving "Mac, Jurko & Harry" up an hour so it can go head-to-head with WSCR's "Boers and Bernstein" from 2-6. That would trim an hour from Dan Patrick.

McNeil said his threesome is also "open-minded" about expanding from 2-7, but the station would have to pony up.

"We're not going to do it for jelly beans," he said. Harry Teinowitz is a big fan of the jelly bean though.

Mike North's contract at WSCR goes through July 2008, and his latest book does not exactly spell diamonds and minks.

The good news for North is that his 3.4 rating among men 25-54 beat last year's winter mark of 2.8. The bad news: WMVP's "Mike and Mike" team of Greenberg and Golic posted a 4.6.

"I'm not a happy man today," North said. "But even if I was in first place, my ratings would never be good enough."

Though "Mike and Mike" is a nationally syndicated show, the pair has local appeal. Greenberg is a Northwestern and WSCR alum who lit up CLTV in 1995-96. Golic loves Notre Dame like Al Gore loves trees. They did Monday's show from the ESPN Zone on Ohio Street.

"'Mike and Mike' are on TV," North said. "They're a brand name, and they're tough to beat."

But North won't let them beat him down. He's in his 15th year at the Score, and promises he'll be back for many more.

"I'm going to be at the Score 25-30 years," he said. "You can bank on that." ...that's new you can use fellas.

When will negotiations begin on a new deal?

"As soon as we beat Greenie," he joked.

God I hope Mike North is not on for 25 or 30 years. Whatever happened to that buyout that x score guy said was supposed to be happening and that we could bank on it? I don't even understand how North got as high of a rating as he did.

"Rosenbloom, meanwhile, has declined an offer to work weeknights. He was last seen boarding his plane. "


Great line Teddy. Sounds like he thinks Rosie is as useless as most everyone else does. Now if the Trib would just dump Rosie's sorry ass excuse for a column.

I may have added a few snide comments into the story....

The King of the Cheap Shots would appreciate a cheap shot himself. C'mon... I'm not in the feel good business.

Apparently when it push came to shove with Salisbury & Rosenbloom, the fired spitballs ultimately sunk the battleship.

Joel Hollander, who was axed by CBS Radio a few weeks ago, was the guy that most likely was pushing for North to leave. With him gone, CBS Radio has brought back Dan Mason. Mason should make a better head guy, however, he does like North. For now, I'm sure the buyout talk has been put on hold, if not eliminated altogether.

The only way North should be given any opportuntity to resign is if he loses all control of the show, meaning specifcally he doesn't pick his cohosts.

Not only has B%B ratings fell but the 'General Discussion' thread has over taken them in posts by over a 1000 ..And the "Douchebag of the week" Thread is gaining speed as well.. It s not looking good Burns and Borestein .

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Do you think Mason is dumb enough to give North another $1.7 mil per year? He got bounced after the last contract. I don't think he will make the same mistake twice.

No, but I think North will still come back, but with a new show.

You put North and Jiggs back on from 10 to 2PM, they could do well.

..and put Murph/Huebs on from 6-8, and Mully/Hanley on from 8-10.

Fine but if I EVER have to hear Scores on the 4's again, somebody is going to get hurt. Worst idea ever. Those guys were always either coming from or going out to some sort of break. Never had a chance to get anything going.

Score is Doomed... I do think it is out of the question that Mason will negotiate something with Mike, keeping him at the station in a minor role. I'm thinking a midday show of some sorts, two or three hours. Of course, the salary would not be near where it is now. Not only is it not out of the question, I would say it is very well possible.

That's the problem I have with the John Williams show.

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