Chicago Auto Show

Ending a 16-year run on NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5, official broadcast rights to the 2015 Chicago Auto Show have been picked up by ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7.

The agreement with the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, sponsor of the nine-day extravaganza at McCormick Place, marks a return to ABC 7, which had been “official station” of the nation’s largest auto show until 1999. The opening event is the First Look for Charity preview February 13. Continue reading →

I have some important news to share with you about my blog. But as long as I have your attention, let me first thank you for your loyalty and support. One year ago, I launched RobertFeder.com under a unique licensing agreement with Chicago Tribune Media Group. I am solely and independently responsible for all editorial content posted here, while Tribune controls the marketing, advertising and technical elements. Thanks to a steadily growing daily readership, the arrangement has exceeded everyone's expectations.

Now it's time for the next step in the evolution of our venture. Continue reading →

Here are my picks for the 10 most notable Chicago media stories of the month.

Click on the arrows to advance the photos. To read the original posts, click on the headlines under each photo: Continue reading →

James VanOsdol

Robservations on the media beat:

Veteran Chicago broadcaster James VanOsdol has been named to the new position of newsroom program manager at Rivet News Radio, the personalizable Internet radio news app. He most recently has been reporting and producing stories for Rivet while doubling as a weekend and fill-in host at Tribune Media news/talk WGN AM 720. VanOsdol will be responsible for “helping Rivet sound even better and further growing our audience,” news strategy boss Charlie Meyerson told staffers in a memo. “His background as a broadcaster (WGN, WKQX, WZZN, WXRT) and media trainer (Emmis Interactive) and his digital presence (as a podcaster, writer and social media icon) give him a tremendous set of skills on which to draw as he assumes the additional roles of coach and programming maestro.” Continue reading →

There’s a new afternoon scorecard in Chicago, according to radio ratings released Monday for the period from August 14 to September 10.

Here’s a look at Chicago’s top 10 afternoon shows as measured by Nielsen Audio among all listeners age 6 and older from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, followed by average share of audience (with previous month’s share in parentheses). Continue reading →

Earl Jones

There’s a new top man at iHeartMedia’s seven radio stations in Chicago.

Earl Jones, who’s been market president for the iHeartMedia Chicago cluster since 2005, was shifted Monday to senior vice president of urban operations for the company. He’ll continue to be based in Chicago. Continue reading →

There’s a new midday pecking order in Chicago, according to radio ratings released Monday for the period from August 14 to September 10.

Here’s a look at Chicago’s top 10 midday shows as measured by Nielsen Audio among all listeners age 6 and older from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, followed by average share of audience (with previous month’s share in parentheses). Continue reading →

There’s a new morning line in Chicago, according to radio ratings released Monday for the period from August 14 to September 10.

Here’s a look at Chicago’s top 10 morning shows as measured by Nielsen Audio among all listeners age 6 and older from 6 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday, followed by average share of audience (with previous month’s share in parentheses). Continue reading →

Steve Cochran

After posting Steve Dahl’s rant about WGN AM 720 Sunday, I received the following response from Steve Cochran, morning personality on the Tribune Media news/talk station:

Dear Steve, Continue reading →

Steve Dahl

If Steve Dahl ever considers making a comeback on terrestrial radio, you can be sure it won’t be on WGN AM 720.

In a 10-minute rant on his daily podcast Friday, the Chicago radio legend excoriated the Tribune Media news/talk station and directed particular vitriol at his former boss, Jimmy deCastro, now president and general manager of WGN. Continue reading →