Posted by chicagomedia.org on August 15, 2007 at 20:46:18:
[From R. Feder]
After a year of growing pains, urban news/talk WVON-AM (1690) is ready to step up to the big time.
With new program director Coz Carson calling the shots, the Midway Broadcasting station has refined its on-air sound, reduced commercial interruptions and unveiled new imaging including "historically significant" audio clips and music vignettes.
"We'll incorporate any tool we can to capitalize on the Chicago market," said Carson, who signed on last month after a 30-year run as a major market programming executive, news anchor, host and commentator. "We intend to be fully competitive with WLS, WGN and WBBM."
While WVON continues to be anchored by Roland Martin in mornings, the Rev. Al Sharpton in middays and Clifford Kelley in afternoons, Carson said he's still evaluating the talent lineup.
A key to any future success is to keep on top of the news. "I'm a front-page guy," he said.
It was just one year ago this week that Midway President Melody Spann Cooper finalized an agreement to move WVON's call letters and format from its part-time outlet at 1450 AM to Clear Channel Radio's 24-hour signal at 1690 AM.
It has languished in Arbitron since then, most recently falling to 34th place with a 0.5 share.