Cumulus Media Conservative Talk 890 WLS Chicago is making a morning show change as Steve Cochran exited following today’s show following the expiration of his contract.
Cochran was announced as morning host at WLS exactly two years ago today after previously hosting mornings at Nexstar Talk 720 WGN from August 2013 until the end of 2019. He had another stint at WGN from 2000 to 2010 in multiple dayparts including afternoons, mornings, and fill-ins. He has also spent time at numerous other stations in Chicago including hosting mornings on AC 100.3 WPNT from 1994-96, multiple dayparts on 1000 WLUP and 97.9 WLUP-FM from 96-99, and afternoons at 560 WIND from 2011 to 2013. Cochran also hosted late mornings at KTRS St. Louis from 2010 to 2013 and hosted mornings at KDWB Minneapolis from 1988-93 and had a very brief run at “Z100” WHTZ New York in early 1996.
Replacing Cochran starting on Monday, June 10 from 5-9am will be Ray Stevens.
Stevens previously co-hosted mornings at WLS with ‘Big John’ Howell from August 2016 until the end of 2018 and has been serving in a fill-in role at the station along with remotely hosting 10am-12pm for Cumulus’ 710 KCMO/95.7 KCHZ Kansas City. Prior to joining WLS, Stevens spent 26 years (22 in mornings) at Country “US 99” WUSN.
Update 6:20pm: WLS made additional cuts eliminating its afternoon shows “The Closing Bell” and “PM Chicago” that filled the 3 and 4pm hours anchored by Bret Gogoel. The 3pm hour was business focused, with the 4pm hour focusing on local issues. Axios reports that syndicated Conservative Talkers Matt Walsh and Michael Knowles will fill the spots with multiple exits at the station including morning co-host Jane Clauss.
The changes will leave WLS airing Westwood One programs in all dayparts outside of mornings as Chris Plante remains from 9-11am, Dan Bongino from 11am-2pm, Ben Shapiro from 2-3pm, Mark Levin from 5-8pm, and Red Eye Radio overnights along with reruns of Bongino and Knowles in evenings.
