Mary Dixon to co-host new talk show as WBEZ Chicago revamps lineup
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WBEZ studios. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
RWBEZ is overhauling its broadcast lineup by introducing two new talk shows, cutting its flagship program and moving beloved host Mary Dixon from "Morning Edition."
Why it matters: WBEZ is Chicago's public radio station, which just lost millions of dollars in federal funding.
Driving the news: The new lineup will feature local weekday programming at 9am again, replacing the "BBC Newshour" with a new show called "In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons," followed at 10am by "Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith."
- "Reset," the station's flagship midday talk show, will end and be replaced by "1A" with host Jenn White, which has been airing at 10am.
- Reporter Clare Lane will replace Dixon as the local anchor on "Morning Edition."
Zoom in: Dixon, who came over from WXRT in 2020, has been a Chicago morning radio staple for over 30 years. She broadcast her final "Morning Edition" shift on Tuesday.
- Dixon will join award-winning investigative reporter and editor Patrick Smith as the co-host of the daily call-in show, which will feature topics like "city politics to pop culture to neighborhood stories and more."
- Simons' new show promises to "dig into the stories shaping Chicago, bringing in local voices, experts and community perspectives."
What they're saying: "WBEZ has always been the place Chicago turns for trusted news and great conversation," WBEZ executive producer Dan Tucker said in a press release. "With this new morning lineup, we're making mornings more dynamic and more locally connected."
- "I'm a big believer in WBEZ and the power of great radio," "Say More" co-host Smith tells Axios. "I'm also a huge fan of Mary, so it was a no-brainer to help create this new show."
Between the lines: The station's move towards local programming comes after the Corporation for Public Broadcasting folded due to massive budget cuts by the Trump administration.
- It also comes after recent years of layoffs, buyouts and staff realignments at Chicago Public Media, WBEZ's parent company.
- Radio ratings for July have the public media giant in 13th place.
Flashback: When WBEZ debuted "Reset" in 2019, the station cut the other local talk shows like "Morning Shift" and "Worldview" to marshal resources for the two-hour public affairs program.
- It marked the first time in at least 30 years that the station didn't feature a locally produced talk show in the morning.
What's next: The new lineup debuts Sept. 15.
Editor's note: Justin Kaufmann worked at WBEZ for several years and hosted "Reset" in 2020.
This story has been updated to include a comment from WBEZ's Patrick Smith.