WGN Radio

Robservations on the media beat:

Rich "Svengoolie" Koz

With Nexstar Media Group's "News Nation" primetime newscast set to debut September 1 on WGN America, anchors and correspondents from competing networks may no longer be welcome as guests on WGN 720-AM, the company's news/talk station. Sean Compton, the Nexstar executive vice president who oversees WGN, told staffers in a memo Monday: "Now, with News Nation launching, that will be our go-to for national news talent needs. No more CNN or Fox News personalities — let’s promote and encourage our own product." Also declared persona non grata on WGN Radio: Svengoolie, the iconic horror-movie host played for more than 40 years by Rich Koz. "As part of Nexstar Media, it’s frustrating to see our own talent promoting and encouraging competitive podcasts and media," Compton wrote. "This past weekend we had a talent promoting Svengoolie who works at Me-TV. Remember that we own Antenna TV, and Me-TV is a primary competitor." Continue reading →

Pat Cassidy

Pat Cassidy, who's been a warm and welcome fixture of morning drive radio in Chicago for more than 45 years, is now No. 1 all by himself.

In the first full ratings period since Felicia Middlebrooks retired as his co-anchor, Cassidy retained the top spot (and the same audience share as last month) as solo morning anchor at Entercom all-news WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM. Continue reading →

Brandis Friedman

One of the few bright spots in an otherwise bleak year for Chicago media has been watching Brandis Friedman's star continue to rise on "Chicago Tonight," the flagship news program of WTTW-Channel 11.

Friedman, who's been a correspondent for the Window to the World Communications station since 2013, has emerged in recent months as the face of public television in Chicago.

While continuing as co-anchor (with Paris Schutz) of "Chicago Tonight" at 7 p.m. weeknights, Friedman is about to expand her role as the station launches two new weekend editions of the show. Continue reading →

John Kass

The demotion of John Kass as "lead columnist" at the Chicago Tribune amid protests over his commentary about billionaire George Soros led the top 10 most-read stories here in July.

To read the full posts, click on the headlines: Continue reading →