760 WJR: The Next Generation

• There’s been a seismic shift in morning drive at Cumulus News-Talk 760 WJR/Detroit, as it was announced that, after 27 years in the wake-up spot, the legendary Paul W. Smith will move to the newly created noon-2pm timeslot as host of Focus, replacing the syndicated Dan Bongino Show, effective Tuesday, June 20 — part of major changes coming to the station’s revised, all local primetime schedule.

Succeeding Smith in mornings is Guy Gordon, who will move up from his early afternoon slot to anchor JR Morning from 6-9am. After that, from 9am-noon is All Talk with Tom Jordan & Kevin Dietz, followed by the aforementioned Focus with Paul W. Smith. Next up: the newly created JR Afternoon show with host Chris Renwick from 2-4pm, followed by Mitch Albom from 4-6pm. To cap the day’s all-local primetime lineup, 760 WJR is bringing back SportsWrap with host Sean Baligian from 6-7pm.

Smith joined 760 WJR in the early ’80s, working weekends and fill-in for his predecessor, JP McCarthy, eventually taking over the noon hour Focus show. Shortly after McCarthy’s death in 1996, Paul W. was selected as the permanent host of the WJR morning show

Steve Finateri, VP/Market Manager, Cumulus Detroit, said, “Launching the Focus show will give Paul W. Smith the opportunity to expand, on and off the air, his unmatched relationships with Michigan’s most influential newsmakers, for the benefit of our audience and our advertising partners. WJR is ‘The Great Voice of the Great Lakes,’ and going 100% local is a big win for all Michiganders who count on WJR to inform and educate us about everything happening here in our state!”

WJR PD Mike Wheeler said, “What a lineup! Each of our talent is a brand unto themselves and have a unique vision and take on the events that shape the news. We are absolutely living up to our claim that WJR is where Michigan comes to talk.”

Pictured, (l-r): Kevin Dietz, Tom Jordan, Paul W. Smith, Guy Gordon, Mitch Albom and Chris Renwick.