While Merlin Media’s LMA of Emmis’ Q101 in Chicago is still playing Alternative tunes with no imaging, the station is continuing online (like WRXP in NYC) and on Emmis’ WLUP-FM 97.9 HD2. Meanwhile, former WBBM-TV meteorologist and tech reporter Ed Curran has joined the new incarnation of WKQX (which we think will be Hot Talk and some News), along with former WGN News Director Charlie Meyerson and reporter Rob Hart.
Also in the mix, reports Time Out Chicago’s Robert Feder, are at least two staffers from Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Radio: Scott Miller, who most recently was producer of The Gayle King Show, once worked as producer and sidekick to midday host Pete McMurray on former CBS Radio FM talker WCKG. Also, Katherine Kelly, who was Harpo Radio’s Ops Manager, was also previously a morning producer and news anchor at CBS Radio Country WUSN-FM. John Gehron, who launched Harpo Radio as its first GM in 2006, now serves as chairman of the advisory board for Merlin Media.
Also at Merlin: Mary Ellen Geist, former anchor at WCBS-AM in New York, who also worked stations in LA and San Francisco, and Hilarie Barsky, former host of Good Morning American Radio on Sirius XM.
Among CBS Radio’s WBBM staffers believed to be headed for the new 101.1 FM are Debra Dale and Jennifer O’Neill, says Feder.
RBR-TVBR observation: With this stable of talent, certainly the station will have a local news element. But we also think they could be part of new talk shows at the station. You also have to wonder about Chicago talents Steve Dahl (paid podcaster or not) and Mancow—could they be part of the mix?
