ABC 7 Chicago

While overall viewership of Chicago’s 10 p.m. newscasts continued to decline, ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 emerged the winner of the just-ended November sweep.

Preliminary results of the monthlong Nielsen ratings survey showed ABC 7 in first place among total households and among viewers between 25 and 54. Final figures will be released Monday. Continue reading →

Walter Cronkite, CBS News headquarters in New York, November 22, 1963

12:40 p.m. "Here is a bulletin from CBS News. In Dallas, Texas, three shots were fired at President Kennedy's motorcade in downtown Dallas. The first reports say that President Kennedy has been seriously wounded by this shooting. Continue reading →

CBS 2 Chicago

Robservations on the media beat:

David Parrish

When you’re last in the ratings and still declining, someone has to take the fall for it. That looks like the case at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2, where David Parrish is out as executive producer of the 10 p.m. newscast. The move signals more changes under Jeff Harris, who’s been vice president and news director of CBS 2 since July. “It was an honor to serve as a manager at CBS 2,” Parrish told me. “This is the greatest TV news market in the country. I look forward to many more exciting years in the Chicago broadcast community.” Parrish’s 15-year run at CBS 2 was preceded by seven years as 9 p.m. newscast producer at Tribune Broadcasting WGN-Channel 9. CBS 2 has posted a job opening for a new executive producer. Continue reading →

Tribune Tower

With a deep bow to the late, great Roy Leonard, whose Turkey of the Year Awards were a Thanksgiving Day tradition on WGN 720-AM for decades, here’s a hearty flip of the bird to this year’s Chicago media recipients: Continue reading →

Jonathon Brandmeier (Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images)

Robservations on the media beat:

An afternoon snowstorm in New York Thursday delayed the start of the 30th annual National Radio Hall of Fame ceremonies — including the induction of Chicago legend Jonathon Brandmeier and 10 others. Jimmy deCastro, senior vice president and market manager of Entercom Chicago (and the man who brought Brandmeier to The Loop in 1983), said in his introduction: "If this was Chicago, the snow would've been plowed, we'd all be in the bar and this would've been over two hours ago!" Said Johnny B.: "Our hotel is six blocks from here, we're in the car for two hours and my wife of 37 years says, 'Let's make a run for it' — and we did! That's a queen!" Among other Chicagoans on hand was Museum of Broadcast Communications founder Bruce DuMont, who reported that Brandmeier "brought the highest energy level to his acceptance speech [and] referenced advice given to him early in his career by his mother: 'Be funny, Johnny.'" Also inducted were syndicated hosts Nanci “The Fabulous Sports Babe” Donnellan (in absentia), the duo of Mike Golic & Mike Greenberg, Kid Kelly, Mark Levin and Dr. Laura Schlesinger; local hosts Mike Francesa, Joan Hamburg and Jim Kerr; and consultant Fred Jacobs. Continue reading →

Michael Arndt

Michael Arndt resigned Thursday as editor of Crain’s Chicago Business following a change in leadership at the weekly publication and website.

In an email to staff, Arndt announced his departure, effective November 30. "Actually, I do have a real job plan, but I can't share it with you just yet," he wrote. He joined Crain’s in 2010 as managing editor and was promoted to editor in 2012.  Continue reading →

Rahm Emanuel on “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” (Photo: ABC News)

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s appearance on “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” Sunday stirred up speculation that he’s shopping around for a new job in television news when he leaves City Hall in May.

The Daily Beast reported this week that Emanuel has met with top executives at MSNBC and CNN to discuss “a potential future as a cable news pundit.” He’s being represented by William Morris Endeavor, the talent agency where his brother Ari Emanuel is co-CEO. Continue reading →

Alexis McAdams

Robservations on the media beat:

Alexis McAdams, a reporter at WXIN/WTTV, the Fox/CBS duopoly in Indianapolis, has joined ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 as a per diem reporter. It's a homecoming for McAdams, who grew up in northwest suburban Palatine and graduated from William Fremd High School and Illinois State University. She began as a reporter and weekend news anchor at WTVO, the ABC affiliate in Rockford. "I'm so excited to join the No. 1 station in the city and can’t wait to tell stories in my hometown," she told Facebook friends. McAdams is the niece of Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. She starts this week at ABC 7. Continue reading →

Ben Shapiro

It’s official: Commentator and podcaster Ben Shapiro will succeed Chicago radio legend Steve Dahl as afternoon host on WLS 890-AM, the Cumulus Media news/talk station announced Monday.

Confirming a report here Friday, “The Ben Shapiro Show” will air from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, starting January 7. The first hour will consist of Shapiro’s daily podcast (which now airs at 9 p.m. on WLS), followed by his new two-hour, live syndicated show, which will originate from Los Angeles. Continue reading →

Mary Ellen Kachinske

Mary Ellen Kachinske, one of Chicago radio’s longest-tenured and most successful program directors, is out after more than 18 years at WTMX 101.9-FM, the Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary station.

Jeff England, vice president and market manager of Hubbard Radio Chicago, told staffers Monday that Kachinske has left the company effective immediately. Continue reading →