WLS-AM 890 Program Director Stephanie Tichenor has exited her role at the Cumulus Chicago news/talk station. Sources at Cumulus Media confirmed the news to Barrett Media.
What We Know: Tichenor departed the station after spending the past seven years working as Program Director. She originally joined the station in 2019 after previously working as Director of News and Operations at WGN Radio.
What’s At Stake: Chicago is the third-largest radio market in the country. It’s obviously an important market to Cumulus. WLS-AM 890 is also a heritage brand in the Windy City.
What Remains Unclear: Who, if anyone, will step into the role following Stephanie Tichenor’s absence. A timetable for that replacement is also unknown.
What It Means: Tichenor oversaw WLS through a series of transitions, especially in morning drive. She helped bring Ray Stevens back to the Windy City as morning drive host. That show has since established itself as a competitor in the morning ratings. It also serves as the only local programming in the daily lineup.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
it wasn’t her fault but a once legendary station from the Barn Dance to Top Forty Beatles and Motown that gives us nearly nothing of significance. And the industry is burying AM and that dial is determined to go silent as modern owners bring the same lack of innovation to FM. Radio was the great American voice of America stilled by Trump and his Maga legion. it’s really sad.