Chicago's WGN Radio adds Ted Cruz to lineup

Driving the news: The "Verdict with Ted Cruz" will begin airing Sunday on WGN. The one-hour program will be from 8-9pm.

Between the lines: WGN was bought by Texas-based Nexstar in 2019 and has drastically changed its lineup since then.

• The famously "live and local" AM station once produced local content only, but has since started syndicating programs at night and during weekends.
• Although WGN programming skewed to the right politically, it once prided itself on being politically centered.
• Since Nexstar took over, the station has brought in more syndicated conservative programming.

State of play: WGN-AM has had a strong start to 2025, shooting back up into the top five in the ratings.

Yes, but: The addition of Cruz to the lineup is the first time they've broadcast programming hosted by a deeply polarizing politician.

Reality check: WGN does not just serve Chicago. Its 50,000-watt signal reaches several states and even Canada.

The intrigue: Nexstar Media Group has contributed to Cruz's Senate campaigns over the years. The company has contributed to several federal campaigns on both sides of the aisle.

Zoom out: WGN-AM isn't the only one shifting to the right. Its competitor, WLS-AM, eliminated local talk shows in favor of syndicated programming to solidify itself as the conservative talk station in the market.

The bottom line: The Chicago station is taking a risk by associating itself with an out-of-town politician who is a lightning rod for controversy.

Editor's note: Justin Kaufmann worked for WGN Radio from 2015-2020.