Roe Conn and Steve Cochran

Robservations on the media beat:

It’s a deal we’ve been waiting for all year: Look for Tribune Broadcasting finally to begin video simulcasting the drive-time shows of news/talk WGN AM 720 on the company’s cable news channel CLTV. Starting November 28, the 9 a.m. hour of Steve Cochran’s morning show and the 3 p.m. hour of Roe Conn’s afternoon show will air live on CLTV. If all goes as planned, according to insiders, the arrangement could be expanded beyond the two hours each weekday. Cameras in WGN’s Tribune Tower studios already have been used to simulcast four Sunday afternoon Chicago Bears post-game shows on CLTV this season. Continue reading →

Debra Juarez

Debra Juarez, who guided the expansion and resurgence of WMAQ-Channel 5 during five years as news director, is leaving the NBC-owned station here to head digital operations for two of the parent company’s stations in Miami.

Frank Whittaker, station manager and vice president of news at NBC 5, told staffers Wednesday that Juarez has been promoted to vice president, digital for NBC/Universal’s South Florida duopoly stations, WTVJ and Telemundo WSCV. Continue reading →

Roger Ebert and Donald Trump in 2004 (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty)

If there’s one voice in the media I’ve been missing more than any other during this upside down political year, it’s Roger Ebert.

As much as others have tried to explain The Rise of Donald Trump and the threat he poses to our system of government, freedom of the press and our pluralistic society, few have done it with the clarity, courage and humanity that were the hallmarks of the late, great Chicago journalism icon and film critic. Continue reading →

Kate Grossman

Robservations on the media beat:

Veteran Chicago journalist Kate Grossman, former deputy editorial page editor of the Sun-Times, has been hired as senior editor for enterprise at Chicago Public Media WBEZ FM 91.5, starting December 5. For the past year Grossman has directed the fellowship program at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics under founder David Axelrod and executive director Steve Edwards. Ben Calhoun, vice president of content and programming at Chicago Public Media, said of Grossman: “Her reputation precedes her. It is strong, and vibrant, and forceful. And it aligns resoundingly with who we are, our identity as an organization, and our aspirations for the future.” Continue reading →

Erik Zachary

More people are listening to WKSC FM 103.5 at night than any other radio station in Chicago, according to the ratings. Now the iHeartMedia Top 40 station has a new voice at the mic when the sun goes down.

Erik Zachary has been named host from 6 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday on 103.5 Kiss FM, starting Monday. He most recently hosted nights on WEBG FM 95.5, iHeartMedia's country station, and weekends on Kiss FM. Continue reading →

Anthony Ponce

Robservations on the media beat:

Wednesday marked the debut of “Backseat Rider,” the weekly podcast series hosted and produced by former Chicago newsman Anthony Ponce. Last July Ponce quit his job as weekend news anchor at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 to become a full-time driver for Lyft and record his conversations with passengers. The result is the new series for PodcastOne, the nation’s leading advertiser-supported podcast network. “I created ‘Backseat Rider’ to capture the human experience through the lens of unfiltered, everyday people,” Ponce said in a statement. “I’m thrilled that PodcastOne shares this vision, and could not be happier to be joining its amazing lineup.” Continue reading →

Larry Wert

Larry Wert, one of Chicago’s most prominent media executives for nearly three decades, has been elected interim chairman of the Museum of Broadcast Communications.

As head of the seven-member executive committee, Wert is expected to help secure new funding and oversee a reorganization of the museum’s leadership. Bruce DuMont, who founded the museum, earlier this year announced plans to retire as president and CEO on or before his current term expires in December 2017, depending on when a successor is named. Continue reading →

Kalee Dionne

A sixth meteorologist just joined the “Storm Team” of WMAQ-Channel 5, signaling what bosses of the NBC-owned station call a “bigger commitment to weather.”

Sunday marked the on-air debut of Kalee Dionne, formerly of NBC affiliate KSHB in Kansas City, as weekend morning meteorologist. Her hiring at NBC 5 was announced last June. Continue reading →

Brian Sherman and Steve Tingle

Robservations on the media beat:

One of the meanest, funniest bits Brian Sherman and Steve Tingle ever did was a lacerating parody of Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart. At the time (circa 2011) Sherman & Tingle were the highly underrated morning duo at WKQX FM 101.1, the alternative rock station then owned by Emmis Communications. Then as now, Eric & Kathy were kingpins of Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary WTMX FM 101.9. As luck would have it, after five years apart, Sherman & Tingle are about to be reunited by — you guessed it — Hubbard Radio. On Halloween they’ll debut as morning hosts at classic rock WDRV FM 97.1. Can’t wait to hear what happens when they run into Eric & Kathy in the hallway.

Pete McMurray

Tuesday marked Pete McMurray’s last day as morning host on The Drive. With the hiring of Sherman & Tingle (see above), McMurray chose to step down immediately. Hubbard Radio will continue to pay him through the expiration of his contract in March, sources said, although he’s free to pursue employment elsewhere. His best bet would be a return to Tribune Media news/talk WGN AM 720. McMurray's departure marks the last chapter in his ill-fated pairing with Dan McNeil in February 2015. McNeil exited The Drive last June. Also out is producer Scott Miller. Kathy Voltmer, morning news anchor since 2001, will shift to a public service role, according to program director Rob Cressman. In the latest Nielsen Audio survey, The Drive ranks fifth in mornings with a 3.9 percent share and cumulative weekly audience of 402,200. Continue reading →

Jimmy deCastro (Photo: Glenn Kaupert)

Jimmy deCastro, the charismatic radio showman who brought familiar voices and profitability back to WGN AM 720, is stepping down after three and a half years as president and general manager of the Tribune Broadcasting news/talk station.

The veteran media executive said he plans to leave WGN at the end of the month to focus on The Content Factory, his Evanston-based national syndication and new media company, and to expand into the area of sports representation.

“I’ve done everything I can to respect and build on the legacy of this amazing place, and I believe I accomplished everything I set out to do,” deCastro told me. “It’s been great fun to work with the incredibly talented people here. Now the time is right for me to go back and build something new.” Continue reading →