Mark Giangreco and Janet Davies
Mark Giangreco and Janet Davies regained their throne as Chicago’s king and queen of New Year’s Eve on Saturday — with perhaps an assist from Cheryl Scott in a sensational red dress.
Straight up at midnight, “Countdown Chicago 2017” on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 had a 12.3 rating and 31 share, while “Chi-Town Rising” on NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 had a 9.7 rating and 25 share, according to Nielsen overnight ratings. Continue reading
The Hindenburg (1937)
Eight things to look for on the Chicago media beat in the coming year:
Kathy Voltmer
After more than 15 years as morning news anchor at WDRV FM 97.1, Chicago radio veteran Kathy Voltmer has signed off from the Hubbard Radio classic rock station.
Friday marked Voltmer’s last day as news and public affairs manager at The Drive. Her departure coincided with a change in morning hosts at the station. Continue reading
Doug Banks
Gone but not forgotten: A look back at Chicago media luminaries who left us in 2016. Continue reading
Michael Ferro (Photo: Christopher Michel)
For four years as owner of the Sun-Times, Michael Ferro failed to deliver on his promises of growth and innovation. While meddling in editorial affairs, selling off the company’s suburban assets and cutting jobs (including the entire photo staff), he wasted millions on ill-conceived digital ventures and other products that tanked. No wonder he had his name removed from the paper’s masthead.
So what did he do for an encore? In 2016 the ambitious tech entrepreneur bought a piece of Tribune Publishing and maneuvered his way in as chairman. The man who had done nothing to improve the city’s No. 2 newspaper was now calling the shots at the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times, among other dailies. Continue reading
Bruce Dold and Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Using previously undisclosed personal email accounts, Mayor Rahm Emanuel communicated with dozens of heavyweights in the media — from network news anchors and national political columnists to newspaper editors and publishers.
Among the nearly 2,700 pages of emails released Wednesday in response to a Better Government Association lawsuit were many that showed how the mayor works the media and how some media power brokers try to work the mayor. Continue reading
Robert Murphy
Robert Murphy, a prominent Chicago radio personality for more than 30 years, is signing off as afternoon host at Cumulus Media classic hits WLS FM 94.7.
December 30 will be Murphy’s last day on the show, which airs from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays. His replacement has not been announced. Continue reading
Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano
WLS AM 890 has hired the husband-and-wife team of Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano to replace Jonathon Brandmeier as midday hosts on the Cumulus Media news/talk station.
Starting January 2, Sirott and Murciano will be heard from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday as part of a revamped lineup that includes revised time slots for Big John Howell and Ray Stevens in mornings, Rush Limbaugh in middays, Steve Dahl in afternoons, and Mark Levin at night. Continue reading
Jeff McGrath
Jeff McGrath, an influential Chicago television executive for more than 30 years and a mentor to generations of producers and programmers working around the country, died Sunday at Highland Park Hospital after a long illness. He was 73.
His distinguished career in television management included a long run as program director at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7, where he first brought Oprah Winfrey to the attention of then-general manager Dennis Swanson. Continue reading
Tahman Bradley and Jackie Bange
Tahman Bradley, who joined WGN-Channel 9 as a general assignment reporter last year, was promoted Friday to weekend news anchor and political reporter at the Tribune Broadcasting station.
As anchor at 5 and 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday alongside Jackie Bange, he succeeds Robert Jordan, who retired in September after 43 years at the station. The role of political reporter is new. The appointment is effective immediately. Continue reading