Contact Person: Harvey Wells
Company Name: Newsweb Radio Group
Telephone Number: (773) 975-5726
Email Address: hwells (at) newswebcorporation.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (May 2, 2005)

Progressive Talk Radio Returns to Chicago

CHICAGO IL - On Thursday, May 5 at 8:00 AM, WCPT, Chicago's Progressive Talk, will debut at 850 on the AM band.

Billing itself as, "Our Kind of Talk for Our Kind of Town", WCPT will offer a fresh voice for Chicagoans, searching for an alternative to the conservative talk stations in town. Chicago has been without a Progressive Talk station for over a year. During that time, the Progressive Talk format has grown dramatically and has become available in most of the top markets in the country. In addition, the format has nurtured several well-known performers whom WCPT has chosen to perform! on the station.

WCPT debuts at 8:00 AM with Springer on the Radio, hosted by former Cincinnati Mayor Jerry Springer via Air America Radio. Then, beginning Friday May 6, WCPT begins its broadcast day at 5:30 AM with Morning Sedition, hosted by Marc Maron and Mark Riley via Air America Radio, with Springer on the Radio to follow at 8:00 AM.

Following Jerry Springer at 11:00 AM is The Al Franken Show from Air America Radio. Saturday Night Live creator and author Al Franken and veteran journalist Katherine Lanpher deliver three hours a day of fearlessly irreverent commentary, comedy, and interviews.

Next at 2:00 PM is the Ed Schultz Show. Ed's pull-no-punches, progressive and informed personality has elevated him to one of the nation's most well-known personalities. Playing at Moorhead State in Moorhead, Minnesota, Ed became a high-profile athlete and an All-American quarterback. After trying his hand in the pros Ed put his talents to work as a sportscaster. Ed's views on life and politics shifted left of center upon meeting his wife, Wendy, who also produces his show. The Ed Schultz Show comes to WCPT via Jones Radio Networks Incorporated.

Rounding out the broadcast day at 5:00 PM is The Randi Rhoades Show from Air America Radio. Randi's sharp wit along with her ability to address topical political issues has made her one of the country's premiere talk radio hosts. In addition, Randi was voted Most Outstanding Woman in the Air Force in 1979 and has won the American Women in Radio and Television award for Best Entertainment Programming.

In addition to the previously mentioned programs, WCPT will air several other programs on the weekend such as shows hosted by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mike Papantonio, former WLS Radio host, Mike Malloy, political activist David Bender, singer-songwriter, and Grammy Award-winner, Steve Earle and The Lionel Show. WCPT will also have a commitment to news, airing top-of-the-hour newscasts as well as local traffic and weather reports during the morning and afternoon drive times.

"We are thrilled to welcome 850 AM, WCPT, as our Air America Affiliate in Chicago," said Air America Radio President Gary Krantz. "As Air America continues to grow in coverage across the country, we look forward to a great partnership with Chicago's Progressive Talk."

WCPT is part of the Newsweb Radio Group, a local Chicago company which owns five AM and Four FM stations in the Chicagoland area. This includes the trimulcast of "Nine FM" on 92.5 FM, 92.7 FM and 99.9 FM, the recent winner of Billboard Magazine's, Airplay Monitor, Station of the Year for 2005.

Air America Radio is a national progressive entertainment talk radio network. Since its launch in March of 2004, Air America Radio has been broadcasting in several of the top U.S. markets.

Jones Radio Networks is America's leading independent radio programming company, serving over 5,000 radio stations.

For further information please contact Harvey Wells at Newsweb Radio Group at (773) 975-5726, Jaime Horn at Air America Radio at (212) 871-8134 or Sara Beatty at Jones Radio Corporation at (303) 784-8130.

Jaime Horn
Air America Radio
641 6th Ave., 4th floor
NY, NY 10011
Ph: 212-871-8134
Fax: 212-871-8133

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