Date Archives → January 2020

As new WGN Radio morning host, Bob Sirott has friendliness in mind

Bob Sirott

Bright and early Monday morning Bob Sirott will step into the studio of WGN 720-AM and instantly become the biggest star on the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station.

As Steve Cochran's successor from 5 to 9 a.m. weekdays, Sirott will take on one of the greatest jobs in radio — inheriting a legacy and a microphone once commanded by Wally Phillips, Bob Collins and Spike O'Dell. Now it will be Sirott's turn to wake up Chicago and get the day started for hundreds of thousands in the city and suburbs. Continue reading →

Robservations: ABC 7 wins New Year's Eve ratings in a blowout

Mark Giangreco and Janet Davies

Robservations on the media beat:

Mark Giangreco

Maybe it was that spectacular opening number — another show-stopping dance routine by Cheryl Scott and Terrell Brown. (Here is the link.) Or maybe it was the appearance of Mark Giangreco in drag. Whatever the reason, Chicago viewers overwhelmingly chose WLS-Channel 7 to ring in the new year Tuesday night. The ABC-owned station drew 354,947 households — more than both of its main competitors combined — straight up at midnight, according to Nielsen figures. It marked the 19th New Year's Eve together for Giangreco and Janet Davies. NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5, hosted by Matthew Rodrigues and Cortney Hall, drew 185,614 households, and Nexstar Media WGN-Channel 9, hosted by Ana Belaval and Dean Richards, drew 153,050 households. Ratings were not available Wednesday for Telemundo Chicago WSNS-Channel 44, which presented a Spanish-language countdown show hosted by Rodrigo Arana and Maria Elena Ponticiello. Continue reading →

Chicago media preview 2020: Tribulations galore

Chicago Tribune

A few things to look for on the Chicago media beat in the coming year:

Alden Global Capital, the New York-based hedge fund that acquired a 32 percent stake in Tribune Publishing, will be free to increase its ownership interest in the Chicago Tribune parent company on June 30. If history is a guide, look for draconian cuts to the Tribune and its affiliated newspapers after that. Continue reading →