WBAL NewsRadio is making significant lineup changes as the Baltimore station reshapes its weekday programming. Several local hosts are leaving as nationally syndicated shows expand their presence.
What We Know: Local midday host T.J. Smith has exited the lineup after hosting from 10 AM to 2 PM. In his place, WBAL will air The Glenn Beck Program from 10 AM to Noon. The station will then add The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show from Noon to 3 PM ET. Both programs are nationally syndicated by Premiere Networks. Additionally, former afternoon host Angelette Aviles has departed after spending just over one year in the timeslot. WBAL will now air The Sports Lounge from 3-5 PM, followed by WBAL News Now from 5-7 PM. Longtime anchor Robert Lang will host the evening news program.
What’s at Stake: The changes represent a significant shift in WBAL’s weekday strategy. Rather than maintaining a larger local midday and afternoon lineup, the station will lean more heavily on nationally syndicated programming. Meanwhile, the addition of The Sports Lounge gives WBAL another opportunity to connect with Baltimore’s strong sports audience during afternoon drive.
What Remains Unclear: WBAL hasn’t announced who will host The Sports Lounge. The station also hasn’t provided additional details about the circumstances surrounding Smith’s departure or Aviles’ exit. However, the new lineup establishes a clear programming structure for the station’s weekday schedule. Reports out of Baltimore have claimed that the newsroom at WBAL NewsRadio has been “gutted”, but Barrett Mediah as been unable to confirm more details.
What It Means: WBAL is putting nationally recognized talk personalities alongside local news and sports programming. With Beck, Travis and Sexton filling five hours across the midday and afternoon, the station will significantly expand Premiere Networks’ role in its schedule. At the same time, Lang’s return to a prominent evening slot preserves a familiar local voice.
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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.