Johnny B. lifts Loop; 'Rover' tanks at WCKG
February 28, 2006
BY ROBERT FEDER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST
Two of the newest additions to Chicago's morning radio scene had a day Monday they'll likely never forget -- but for totally opposite reasons.
Ratings for the month of January extrapolated from the latest Arbitrends audience survey showed Jonathon Brandmeier's new morning show on WLUP-FM (97.9) in first place among listeners between the ages of 25 and 54 -- with a 6.1 percent share of the group most coveted by advertisers.
It was a remarkable welcome back for Brandmeier, who signed on at the Emmis Communications' classic rocker in November.
"The investment we made in Johnny B. certainly seems to be paying off even sooner than we had hoped," said Marv Nyren, vice president and general manager of the Loop. "Both men and women seem to be appreciating what he's doing because there's nothing else like it in Chicago."
But for Shane "Rover" French, the Cleveland import who replaced Howard Stern on CBS Radio's "Free FM" WCKG-FM (105.9) on Jan. 3, Monday's Arbitrends brought the worst news imaginable, prompting one competitor to rename the station "Free Fall FM."
No one is listening: From Stern's 4.6 percent share of 25- to 54-year-olds in December, French plunged to a 0.2 share. Among 18- to 34-year-olds, he fell from a 2.5 to a 0.3. Overall, he dropped from a 2.7 to a 0.4.
Repeat: No one is listening.

Dialing: 'Heavy Hundred' hosts
*Five Chicago radio personalities or teams made this year's "Heavy Hundred," the annual roundup of the country's "most important" radio talk show hosts. It's compiled by the editors of Talkers magazine, the monthly trade publication of the talk radio business.
Mancow Muller was the highest ranked Chicagoan on the list (at No. 12), followed by Spike O'Dell (No. 32), Don Wade and Roma (No. 55), Steve Dahl (No. 58), and Kathy O'Malley and Judy Markey (No. 67).
Topping the "Heavy Hundred" for 2006 was Sirius Satellite Radio's Howard Stern, cited as "the most innovative and high-profile talk host in the business." It was the first time a satellite host cracked the list.

The Estrogen Twins and Don and Roma made the list. I would not lose any sleep over not being associated with that group.

I thought Rock said it takes a year and a half for a show to make it's way. Johny B tripled Pappy's ratings in about 4 months.

Looks like Johny got all of Stern's listeners.

No Roe Conn on that list?

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"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." ~ H.L. Mencken

He's still recovering from the Cindy punch.

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

What's the Cindy Punch ?

Oh man don't ever invoke that Caller Bobs name. She destroyed my two favorite radio shows of all time. How's that decision workin' out for ya Gar'?

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"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." ~ H.L. Mencken

You are such a classy guy.

A7X wrote:
Oh man don't ever invoke that Caller Bobs name. She destroyed my two favorite radio shows of all time. How's that decision workin' out for ya Gar'?

Dude......that's an ugly word.....for such a beautiful thing

I stand by my statement. On two different occasions she overestimated her husband's (or should I say lap dog's?) importance, and broke up two great shows. Blow me twat rag! You're the Yoko Ono of Chicago radio.

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"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." ~ H.L. Mencken

DREW HAYS FAILS AGAIN!! He was too dumb & too cheap to sign JOHNNY B so he hired ROVER instead - nice move HAYS! But his imprint is still on the score; Thanks Mitch!

MY NAME IS DREW HAYS. I WIL GET EVEN WITH ALL OF YOU VIA SPAM.