Chicago Radio: Fred Winston OUT At WLS-FM ~ CookingFood.Org

Fred Winston

Fred Winston, who’s been hosting afternoons on Cumulus Media classic hits WLS-FM 94.7-FM since October, was cut Wednesday from the station’s lineup. According to Robert Feder at Time Out Chicago, he learned it was his last show at the end of his shift.

As of Thursday, weekend personality Danny Lakewill be filling in from 2:30 to 6pm Monday through Friday.

“We’re going in a different direction,” said Donna Baker, Cumulus Media Chicago market manager, who confirmed the change in afternoons.

“There are some really good things going on with WLS and we’re very excited about them.”

Baker declined to comment further, but it’s clear the move was in response to ratings, which have plummeted at WLS-FM since the station switched from oldies to classic hits and revamped its talent lineup last fall.

Winston was one of a cadre of legendary Chicago radio personalities assembled by Jan Jeffries, senior vice president of programming for Cumulus Media and program director of WLS-FM.