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Published on Thursday, 27 September 2012 20:33
This morning's abrupt
dismissal of Dave Fogel from the WLS-FM morning show came as a shock to co-workers and fans alike. Fogel did all management asked of him, ratings were on a steady rise, and he was loved by the people he worked with. Regardless, station management felt the need to release him to make room for some rumored returning personalities.
A veteran of over two dozen years in the radio business, Fogel is no stranger to seeing and experiencing radio personality releases. For the most part, it comes with the business. He took today's bad news in stride. When reached for a comment by CRM this morning, Fogel was not drowning his sorrows in a bar -- he was out enjoying a nice day on the golf course.
When asked what he think led to today's move, Dave Fogel said half-jokingly to CRM today:
"I'm too YOUNG to work at WLS!"
He added:
"I'm very proud of the almost 3 years there. We were a top 5 rated show 12+. I'll miss my coworkers... that's the hardest part of leaving. I plan talk to my listeners in Chicago again very soon!"
In the most recent Arbitron radio ratings (August period), Fogel's WLS-FM morning show was tied at #13 with a 2.7 share in the Persons 25-54 demographic -- a full 1.0 share increase in just two months time. In the Persons 12+ and Persons 35-64 demographic, the morning show fared even better.
According to insiders, WLS-FM is looking at making some changes with the station's line-up next month. That could mean the return to full-time work at the station for Fred Winston, who has been doing fill-in work on WLS-FM for the last few weekends. Also rumored to be considered is WMAQ-TV Chief Meteorologist, former WLS-FM morning show host, and veteran of the WLS-AM Musicradio days, Brant Miller.
October could also see a slight rearranging of the current time shifts at the station. Many fans of 94.7 WLS-FM are hoping the rumored realignment will mean an earlier time slot for living legend Dick Biondi, who has been pushed back to an overnight shift since the start of this year.
In the meantime, Dave Fogel wishes the station and his former co-workers well. He is hoping to back on the Chicago airwaves at another station in the not-too-distant future. Today isn't a good-bye -- it's just a so long for now.
