Posted by chicagomedia.org on July 31, 2008 at 07:35:56:
In Reply to: Pat Cassidy out at WBBM-AM 780 posted by chicagomedia.org on July 30, 2008 at 12:25:46:
Pat answers
Why Cassidy left Newsradio to become talk host at WLS
After more than three decades as one of Chicago radio's most respected and popular news anchors, it's a whole new day for Pat Cassidy.
The broadcast veteran signed off Wednesday from CBS Radio all-news WBBM-AM (780), where he's hosted mornings with Felicia Middlebrooks since 2000. He'd spent 25 years before that at the former WMAQ.
Opening a new chapter in his career, Cassidy, 57, next month will join the lineup of talk show hosts at Citadel Broadcasting news/talk WLS-AM (890). It's not yet known what hours he'll be on or with whom he'll work.
"This is the hardest decision I've ever had in my professional life," Cassidy said. "WBBM is the top of the food chain as far as broadcast news in the Midwest -- if not the whole country."
So what made him jump?
"Opportunity presents itself every once in a while in life, and this is an opportunity I really am intrigued by. I still have the vigor, the energy and the enthusiasm to make a change, to give it my all and have some fun with it."
Behind the scenes, the key to the move was agent Lisa Miller, who negotiated Cassidy's five-year deal with Mike Fowler, WLS president and general manager. She also represents her husband, Brant Miller, who was hired last April by Fowler as morning host at oldies WLS-FM (94.7).
Until a replacement is hired at Newsradio 780, John Hultman will come out of retirement to fill in alongside Middlebrooks.
It's fair to ask why CBS Radio failed to re-sign one of its valued stars long before his deal was up. Rod Zimmerman, senior vice president and market manager (and general manager of Newsradio 780), had been in talks on a renewal for four months.
In the latest Arbitron survey, Cassidy and Middlebrooks were second in mornings overall with a 6.3 percent audience share.
But it's also true that no one could have foreseen WLS coming out of the blue with its offer. It was a truly bold coup by Fowler.
Wednesday's shakeup was the fourth time in recent weeks that a 50,000-watt AM powerhouse has had its mornings upended.
It followed the decision by Spike O'Dell to step down at the end of the year from Tribune Co.-owned news/talk WGN-AM (720), the departure of Mike North from CBS Radio sports/ talk WSCR-AM (670), and the uncertainty about the future of Don and Roma Wade, whose WLS contract is up in November.
(Feder)