All-holiday-music switch starts at WLIT-FM

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: All-holiday-music switch starts today at WLIT-FM : CLEAR CHANNEL | 'Biggest fan' winner to assist in format change : November 12, 2010 : LEWIS LAZARE | Chicago Sun-Times : : For the 10th year running, Clear Channel Radio Chicago's adult contemporary WLIT-FM (93.9) will flip the switch at 8 this morning on its hugely popular all-holiday-music format. As has been the case in recent years, the switch to all holiday music is almost certain to immediately catapult the station to the top of the Arbitron radio ratings chart. The station was tied for 11th place in the most recent Arbitron ratings for October among adults 25 to 54. : WLIT's morning drive host Sean Valentine will introduce the holiday music changeover. The winner of WLIT's "Chicago's Biggest Christmas Music Fan" promotion is expected to be announced and participate in the format switch. WLIT also plans to continue its granting of Christmas wishes to the needy, as it has done for several years. : WFLD still in transition : By all accounts, the prolonged revamp of WFLD-Channel 32's flagship 9 p.m. newscast isn't over, even as the station struggles to improve its last-place standing in the Nielsen late news ratings. Now sources report WFLD general manager Michael Renda may be about to take a much more hands-on role in the process by occupying a desk in the newsroom starting as early as next week. : It's not unusual for general managers to have a hand in shaping newscasts, but they don't typically make the newsroom a base of operations. A WFLD spokeswoman insisted there was no plan for Renda to actually sit in the newsroom. "But as you know, Mike is a very hands-on kind of person who likes to be in the newsroom a lot," added the spokeswoman. : Since his arrival from the Fox-owned TV outlet in Philadelphia nearly 15 months ago, Renda has called most of the shots in the massive overhaul of WFLD's news operation. A large number of on-air talent and behind-the-scenes staff have exited the station as Renda and his news director, Carol Fowler, have rethought the look and content of the hourlong late newscast. There are more long segments and interviews, some on topics like architecture that were not previously addressed on WFLD newscasts. : Two of Renda's most high-profile hires to date are veteran local broadcaster Bob Sirott, who co-anchors the 9 p.m. news with Robin Robinson, and Anna Davlantes, who as of last August began co-hosting the final three hours of WFLD's morning show, "Good Day, Chicago," along with WFLD veteran sports anchor Corey McPherrin. : Initially, Renda had signaled Davlantes, who jumped to WFLD from WMAQ-Channel 5, would be a major part of the station's late newscast talent lineup. And she was for her first eight months at the station. But the sudden decision to put her on the morning show surprised and baffled WFLD insiders and outside observers as well -- many of whom say Davlantes is badly miscast in her morning role. Since his debut in July, Sirott has not produced much sustained change for the better in the station's ratings. : A desk for Renda in the newsroom appears tied to a growing concern within WFLD that much more needs to be done before Renda and Fowler can claim success at turning around the station's news operation. : Actor to help hosts : Jon Michael Hill, a star of ABC's "Detroit 1-8-7" series and an Illinois native, will join Janet Davies, Alan Krashesky and Hosea Sanders in hosting WLS-Channel 7's hourlong live broadcast of the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Nov. 20, starting at 6 p.m. The festival parade and illumination of the holiday lights display marks the annual kickoff to the holiday shopping season in Chicago.

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