Leah Ashley, Joe Zee, Tyra Banks, Chrissy Teigen and Lauren Makk

Just when WLS-Channel 7 finally has its morning and afternoon schedule straightened out, the top-rated ABC-owned station is bracing for more changes to its daytime lineup.

Next up is “The Fab” (an acronym for “Fun and Beautiful”), a Los Angeles-based syndicated lifestyle talk show. Host Tyra Banks, who’ll double as executive producer, will moderate a panel featuring YouTube star Leah Ashley, Yahoo! Fashion and Entertainment editor-in-chief Joe Zee, model Chrissy Teigen and interior designer Lauren Makk. Continue reading →

(Photo: Matt Stratton on Flickr.com)

Tribune Publishing Co. paid $23.5 million to buy 38 suburban newspapers last week from the parent company of the Sun-Times. The previously undisclosed price tag was reported Wednesday in a company filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on third quarter results.

In the deal announced last Friday, Tribune Publishing acquired the Aurora Beacon-News, Elgin Courier-News, Lake County News-Sun, Naperville Sun, Post-Tribune in Northwest Indiana, SouthtownStar and the 32 Pioneer Press weekly newspapers from Wrapports LLC, parent of Sun-Times Media. Continue reading →

Bruce Rauner

Although not quite by the landslide margin of previous election nights, WLS-Channel 7 again was the people’s choice for its assured and proficient coverage of Tuesday’s election.

Nielsen overnight ratings showed the ABC-owned station leading the market from 10 to 11:30 p.m. when Chicago’s five major players were competing with live local reportage. Continue reading →

Roe Conn

On Steve Dahl’s first day back as afternoon personality at WLS AM 890 Monday, his predecessor assured the world that he’s alive and well — and will be heard from again.

“Like all transitions, this one has its challenges,” Roe Conn told his fans on Facebook, adding: “I plan on being back in your ears soon.” Continue reading →

Fahey Flynn

Fahey Flynn, a legendary local anchorman and announcer for more than 40 years, leads an illustrious list of 2015 inductees in the Silver Circle of the Chicago Television Academy.

Flynn is one of 10 broadcasting veterans who’ll be honored this spring by the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The latest class of inductees was announced Saturday at the 56th annual regional Emmy Awards. Continue reading →

Dave McKinney

From the blockbuster sale of 38 suburban newspapers to the return of Chicago’s most famous radio renegade, October brought one surprise after another on the media beat.

Not to mention the resignations — for very different reasons — of a top political reporter from the Sun-Times and a Hall of Fame columnist from the Tribune. Continue reading →

Phil Ponce

Veteran Chicago public television newsman Phil Ponce is expected back on the air Monday after several days in the hospital for treatment of chest pain and a cyst in his liver.

“Phil is grateful for everyone’s good wishes and asks that the public not send cards or letters,” according to a statement from WTTW-Channel 11, where Ponce hosts the flagship nightly news program “Chicago Tonight.” “He emphasizes that he is perfectly fine and is looking forward to getting back to work.” Continue reading →

Marcus Riley

On the eve of the Chicago Emmy Awards, the president of the local television academy chapter suddenly lost his day job as a producer for NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5.

Marcus Riley was forced out this week as a content producer at NBC 5, according to insiders, for making errors in news stories that were posted on the station’s website. Continue reading →

Chicago Tribune

It’s official: Tribune Publishing Co. announced Friday it has acquired all 38 suburban publications owned by the Sun-Times parent company and will continue printing and distributing the Sun-Times daily newspaper under a new long-term agreement with Wrapports LLC.

Terms of the agreement, first reported here October 21, were not disclosed. Sources said negotiations to finalize the deal ran late into the night Thursday in order to meet the goal of a November 1 deadline. Continue reading →

Steve Dahl

Monday marks Steve Dahl’s return as afternoon personality on WLS AM 890 — and a comeback to terrestrial radio that many of his fans probably thought would never happen.

“I’m excited for it,” Dahl said Thursday. “It’s been six years since I last had my own radio show. I’m pretty sure it’s like riding a bicycle, but I’m going to wear a helmet just in case.” Continue reading →