News Talk 560 AM WIND Launches Big John & Cisco in the Morning

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--David Santrella, vice president and general manager of Salem Radio Chicago, today announced that on Thursday, October 5, News Talk 560 AM WIND will launch a new live and local morning show, Big John & Cisco in the Morning, featuring veteran Chicago broadcasters John Howell and Cisco Cotto. The show will air weekdays, 5:00 – 9:00 a.m.

“For the first time since the station re-launched as News Talk 560 WIND, our listeners will not only receive a national take on the issues, but will have the opportunity to understand how those national issues affect them right here in Chicago,” Santrella stated. “John and Cisco have spent nearly their entire radio careers covering, talking about, and living in Chicago. They know the issues that are important and how to talk about those issues from a conservative point of view.”

John Howell began his radio career in 1984 on WZND-FM in Zeeland, Michigan, moving to WLAV, WJFM, and WGRD in Grand Rapids. In 1988, he relocated to Chicago, joining classic rock station WCKG-FM. Howell moved to country station WUSN-FM in 1989 where he spent the last 17 years, first hosting afternoons then moving to mornings.

Cisco Cotto, a graduate of Western Illinois University, worked at WIUM-FM and WBYS-AM/FM during his college years. In 1998, Cotto joined Chicago’s legendary news station, WMAQ-AM, as a reporter. He then moved to WLS-AM in Chicago as a reporter and anchor. For the past few years, Cisco has anchored midday news on WLS, becoming a major contributor to the show. He currently is working on a Master of Divinity degree at the Moody Bible Institute.

Beginning October 5, the new 560 WIND-AM line-up features:

• Big John & Cisco in the Morning, 5:00-9:00 a.m.;
• The Laura Ingraham Show, 9:00 a.m.-12 Noon;
• The Dennis Prager Show, 12 Noon–2:00 p.m.;
• The Michael Medved Show, 2:00-5:00 p.m.;
• The Savage Nation, 5:00-8:00 p.m.;
• The Hugh Hewitt Show, 8:00–11:00 p.m. and
• The Mike Gallagher Show, 11:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.

News Talk 560 WIND-AM is owned and operated by Salem Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:SALM), a leading U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider and magazine publisher targeting audiences interested in Christian and family-themed content and conservative values. In addition to its radio properties, Salem Communications owns Salem Radio Representatives™, a national radio advertising sales force; Salem Web Network™, an Internet provider of Christian content and online streaming; and Salem Publishing™, a publisher of Christian-themed magazines. Upon the close of all announced transactions, the company will own 99 radio stations, including 65 stations in 23 of the top 25 markets. Additional information about Salem may be accessed at the company’s website, www.salem.cc.

Released October 4, 2006