NEW WMAQ LOCAL SHOW TO BE SIMULCAST

On Jan. 15, 2007, NBC O&O WMAQ Chicago will launch a 4:30 a.m. half-hour local show, Barely Today, that will be hosted by Bruce Wolf and will simulcast on WLUP-FM.

The station says the show will be “mostly unscripted, topical discussion of the morning’s top news headlines and water cooler stories.” It will be informal and will welcome callers to participate in the discussion. It will feature an “L” bar that will graphically provide news headlines and weather information throughout the show. Wolf will initially be joined by a series of guest “sidekicks.” He will also be joined by Ellee Pai Hong and Andy Avalos for news and weather updates.  

“These days it is more important than ever to create new content and customer experiences. The incomparable Bruce will lead observations and conversation around Chicago’s water cooler chat for the day,” said Larry Wert, the station’s president and general manager. “The radio simulcast with WLUP is unprecedented in the market. It will add another dimension to the audience involvement and we will have a unique programming event to start the day.”

Wolf will continue to report traffic and sports on the 5-7 a.m. newscasts. He will also continue to deliver sports reports on Jonathan Brandmeier’s morning show on WLUP. NBC’s Early Today will move to 4 a.m., also effective Jan. 15.