Bob Petty

Robservations on the media beat:

Colleagues are remembering Bob Petty as a pioneering African-American news anchor, reporter and public-affairs host at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 for more than three decades. Petty died of lung cancer Tuesday at his home in Hyde Park. He was 79. “Bob Petty was an outstanding journalist, giving voice to thousands of important Chicago stories during his 31-year career at ABC 7,” said Jennifer Graves, vice president of news at ABC 7. “He handled both anchor and reporting duties with poise, professionalism and grace and paved the way as one of the first, full-time African-American anchormen in Chicago.” Petty, who retired in 2002, was inducted in the Silver Circle of the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and in the Cronkite Alumni Hall of Fame at Arizona State University, his alma mater. The Memphis native also served a William Benton Fellowship at the University of Chicago. Continue reading →

Mick Lee

WLIT 93.9-FM remained the most popular radio station in the Chicago area during January, according to Nielsen Audio figures released Tuesday.

It not only marked the third consecutive monthly win for the iHeartMedia adult contemporary station, but the first time 93.9 Lite FM has captured the top spot outside of its Christmas music format, which runs during November and December. Continue reading →

Lance Houston

All this week on WEBG 95.5-FM they’re counting down the "Top 1,000 Country Songs of All Time.”

From 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, the iHeartMedia country music station is playing the greatest hits of the genre from the 1950s to the present, culminating in No. 1 — whatever that may be — sometime on Saturday afternoon. (Here is the list in alphabetical order.) Continue reading →

Larry Lujack and Dick Biondi (1983 photo)

Robservations on the media beat:

Illinois Museum of Rock & Roll

Chicago radio legends Larry Lujack and Dick Biondi have been named charter inductees in the Hall of Fame of the new Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 under construction in Joliet. Lujack, who died in 2013, was elected by museum members in the DJ category. Biondi was named recipient of the Founder's Lifetime Achievement Award and also will be inducted in the Hall of Fame. Ceremonies will be March 29 at the Renaissance Center in Joliet. (Here is the link.) Other inaugural inductees include Chicago, Cheap Trick, Ides of March, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Buckinghams and REO Speedwagon as performers; and WLS Radio, Chess Records and Thirsty Whale in non-performer categories. Continue reading →

WBEZ

It didn't take long for Crain's Chicago Business to land a new radio partner after getting the heave-ho from news/talk WGN 720-AM.

Starting this Monday, reporters from the weekly business publication and digital news operation will appear on Chicago Public Media WBEZ 91.5-FM. Continue reading →

Mike Adamle

Robservations on the media beat:

Kim Adamle does most of the talking in the first half of a new documentary about her husband's struggles with the symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. But it's the sad and haunting look on the face of Mike Adamle that viewers will remember. NBC Sports Chicago spent a year chronicling their lives together in "The Adamles: Mind Over Matter," a half-hour documentary premiering at 7 p.m. Monday. There's some encouraging news for the former Chicago TV sports anchor and NFL star as Mike Adamle is shown responding favorably to treatments ranging from Ketamine infusions to dancing lessons. Produced, written and edited by NBC Sports Chicago’s Sarah Lauch, Ryan McGuffey and Matt Buckman, it's hosted by David Kaplan. “Mike and Kim’s story is one that we felt needed more than just one interview . . . we needed to experience their challenges with them over the course of a year to better enable us and our viewers to fully understand what they are going through on a daily basis,” said Kevin Cross, senior vice president/general manager of NBC Sports Chicago. “We couldn’t be more thankful to Mike and Kim for opening their doors and hearts to us and we are honored to tell this amazing story about their unwavering determination and love.” Continue reading →

Mark Grace

Robservations on the media beat:

Elise Menaker

With 10 days to go before its launch as TV home of Chicago Cubs broadcasts, Marquee Sports Network has added former Cubs first baseman Mark Grace to its roster of part-time on-air personalities. He'll provide pregame, in-game and postgame analysis for the network while continuing as an analyst for Arizona Diamondbacks games on Fox Sports Arizona. Also joining Marquee Sports Network is Big Ten Network reporter and host Elise Menaker, who'll produce feature stories and other content for Marquee and contribute as a field reporter and host. Menaker, who'll continue to work for BTN, is a former sports anchor and reporter at NBC affiliate WTMJ in Milwaukee and the younger sister of Chicago radio personality Michelle “Showbiz Shelly” Menaker. “We are excited to bring Mark back home to Wrigley Field to share his knowledge and passion for baseball and the Cubs, and in Elise, we have someone who will instantly bring a fresh and unique sports perspective to the broadcasts,” said Mike Santini, Marquee's senior vice president of programming and production. Continue reading →

John Records Landecker (Photo: Silvia Saether)

John Records Landecker, the Chicago radio icon who inspired a generation of rock 'n' roll disc jockeys across the country, has been selected for induction into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame of the National Association of Broadcasters.

"All I can say is thank you," Landecker told me Monday. "I am totally humbled by this incredible, unexpected honor.” Continue reading →

Marquee Sports Network

Robservations on the media beat:

Marquee Sports Network, set to debut February 22 as TV home of Chicago Cubs broadcasts, will air a weekday morning sports betting show — "Follow The Money" with Mitch Moss and Pauly Howard — produced by Vegas Stats & Information Network. “That’s our toe in the water in the gaming space, but I would expect more to come from us,” Mike McCarthy, general manager of the regional sports network, told Cablefax.com. The joint venture between the Cubs and Sinclair Broadcast Group kicks off a major promotional campaign today in hopes of building awareness — with or without Comcast Xfinity onboard. “We’re going to tap into and drive home awareness of all the brand benefits using imagery and emotion and what fans go through when they’re watching nine innings of Cubs baseball,” marketing vice president Amy McDevitt told Broadcasting & Cable. Continue reading →

Bill Geist

Robservations on the media beat:

Bill Geist, who retired in 2018 after 31 years as a correspondent for "CBS Sunday Morning," will be inducted this spring in the Illinois Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. Born and raised in Champaign, Illinois, Geist graduated from the University of Illinois and was awarded a Bronze Star for his service as a combat photographer in Vietnam. He began his career as a reporter and columnist for the Suburban Trib and later became a New York Times columnist and bestselling author. “Bill Geist’s career is a blueprint for every aspiring journalist,” said John Idler, president and general manager of ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 and board chairman of the IBA. "As a renowned broadcast and print journalist and award-winning war photographer, Bill’s legacy is one of excellence." Geist will be inducted June 11 at the IBA's annual conference in Bloomington-Normal. Continue reading →