Weigel Broadcasting
Robservations on the media beat:
Weigel Broadcasting is about to get bigger. The privately owned Chicago-based parent company of WCIU-Channel 26, Me-TV and a host of other Midwest stations and national digital networks, just picked up its first television stations in the West. The $1.1 million deal with West American Finance Corp. includes KCSG in Cedar City, Utah, along with two low-power stations in St. George, Utah. “Weigel was presented with an opportunity to acquire KCSG, an affiliate of our Heroes and Icons Network,” Neal Sabin, vice chairman of Weigel Broadcasting, said in a statement Wednesday. “Pending FCC approval, we look forward to a continued presence in the market.”
Corey McPherrin
Great to see Corey McPherrin looking healthy and fit back on the air Wednesday as host of “Good Day Chicago.” The veteran news anchor at Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32 had been out since late June when he underwent aortic valve surgery to correct a lifelong heart ailment. “Can't tell you how grateful I am to be back and how much I appreciated the thoughts, prayers and good vibes so many of you sent my way,” McPherrin wrote on Facebook. “I can't even describe how much it meant.” McPherrin, 62, a Markham native, has been in Chicago broadcasting since 1991.
Matt Dietrich
Matt Dietrich, longtime Springfield journalist and former editor of Reboot Illinois, has joined the Better Government Association as a reporter. His work for the Chicago-based government watchdog group reunites him with Madeleine Doubek, former publisher of Reboot Illinois who now serves as director of policy and civic engagement for the BGA. Dietrich, who signed on last month, continues to work from Springfield, where he previously was editorial page editor of the State Journal Register.
George Bannos
Funeral services will be Friday in Glenview for famed Chicago restaurateur George Bannos, who died of a heart attack Tuesday at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. He was 65. Along with his brother (and Heaven on Seven partner) Jimmy Bannos, he was a familiar figure in Chicago media for years. “Chewing the Fat with The Bannos Brothers” was a regular feature on Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano’s shows on Fox 32, Tribune Media news/talk WGN AM 720, and most recently Cumulus Media news/talk WLS AM 890. “We were like family with those guys,” Sirott said.
