Tom Corfman

Robservations on the media beat:

Craig Newman

Business must be bad even for Crain’s Chicago Business: Three newsroom positions were eliminated Monday at the privately-owned weekly business publication and website. Forced out in the cost-cutting move were two assistant managing editors — Tom Corfman, who led coverage of government and politics, and Craig Newman, who headed daily news and digital operations. Corfman first joined Crain’s in 1997 and returned in 2006 after six years at the Chicago Tribune. Newman was managing editor of the Sun-Times before joining Crain’s last March. Also laid off was copy editor Richard Skews, who signed on last February after 35 years at Advertising Age. Continue reading →

David Doebler

NBCUniversal has combined management of its two television stations in Chicago, with one boss now overseeing both NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 and its Spanish-language sister station, Telemundo Chicago WSNS-Channel 44.

David Doebler, president and general manager of NBC 5 since 2013, was named to the additional position of president and general manager of Telemundo Chicago. Continue reading →

Steve Harvey

In a blow to Chicago’s television production community, Steve Harvey is moving his nationally syndicated daytime talk show to Los Angeles at the end of the current season, sources said Friday.

More than 100 jobs are expected to be lost when the show ceases production in May at NBC Tower, where it has been based since 2012. Official announcement of the move is expected soon. Continue reading →

Comcast SportsNet

About a dozen jobs were eliminated at Comcast SportsNet Chicago this week as the regional sports network prepares for a major overhaul to its programming lineup, sources said Thursday.

The layoffs are believed to be the first in the 12-year history of Comcast SportsNet here. At least 11 positions were in the area of studio crews and production personnel, according to insiders. No on-air employees were affected. Continue reading →

Edison the Reindeer

Ready or not, Chicago, it’s time for Christmas on the radio again.

At 4:05 p.m. Thursday, WLIT FM 93.9, the iHeartMedia adult contemporary station, will switch to holiday music around the clock for the 16th consecutive year. Edison the Reindeer returns as mascot of “Chicago’s Christmas Station.” Continue reading →

Mark Suppelsa and Micah Materre (WGN, November 4, 2016)

Robservations on the media beat:

Forget that nonsense about “five million people” attending Friday’s parade and rally to celebrate the Chicago Cubs victory in the World Series. Though many in the media were quick to report the city’s estimate as fact, others pointed out how grossly inflated it was, defying both the laws of physics and common sense. (“There's civic boosterism — and then there's rank stupidity,” sniffed Poynter’s Jim Warren.) The real number of note Friday was the 5.4 Nielsen rating garnered by Tribune Broadcasting flagship WGN-Channel 9 for its live coverage of the five-hour event. Anchored by Mark Suppelsa and Micah Materre, the hometown independent dominated six other outlets in households and adult demographics. “After decades together, it’s wonderful to see the fan base tune in to follow ‘Chicago’s Very Own’ World Championship Cubs coverage on WGN 9,” said Larry Wert, president of broadcast media for Tribune Broadcasting. (It also may have marked a turning point for ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 after decades as the ratings leader for live events and breaking news.) WGN’s entire broadcast is still available on demand at wgntv.com. Continue reading →

Mayor Rahm Emanuel (Photo: Brooke Collins)

For 30 minutes next Monday night, Rahm Emanuel will command Chicago’s AM and FM airwaves as no mayor ever has before.

Starting at 6 p.m., more than 40 radio stations, encompassing practically every format and audience makeup, simultaneously will air “Chicago Radio Town Hall Meeting,” a conversation with Emanuel about “pressing issues facing the city.” Continue reading →

Walter Cronkite

Walter Cronkite, longtime anchorman of CBS News and the revered broadcast journalist who came to be known as “The Most Trusted Man in America,” was born 100 years ago today — November 4, 1916 — in St. Joseph, Missouri.

As I wrote when he died in 2009, no anchorman before or since has come close to his reputation for integrity and credibility. For generations of Americans, watching him deliver “The CBS Evening News” was a nightly ritual. His trademark signoff, “And that’s the way it is,” became a cultural touchstone and a benediction. Continue reading →

Troi Tyler, Herb Kent and Ramonski Luv

Two longtime colleagues of the late, great Herb Kent are stepping in to take over the popular weekend programs formerly hosted by “The Cool Gent” at iHeartMedia Radio urban adult-contemporary WVAZ FM 102.7.

Starting this weekend, Troi Tyler, who had been Kent’s primary fill-in, will host “The Saturday Morning Wake-Up Club” from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Ramonski Luv will host “Herb’s Place” from noon to 7 p.m. Sundays. Continue reading →

Jeff England

Robservations on the media beat:

Hubbard Radio has tapped its sales director in Phoenix to head the company’s station group in Chicago. Jeff England was named Monday to succeed John Gallagher, who was forced out in September as vice president and market manager of Hubbard Radio Chicago. England will oversee hot adult-contemporary WTMX FM 101.9, classic rock WDRV FM 97.1 and adult contemporary WSHE FM 100.3. Before joining Hubbard as vice president/director of sales in Phoenix, he served as market manager for the Clear Channel cluster there. “We have legacy brands and great people at Hubbard Chicago,” England said in a statement. “I look forward to working with our team to grow our audiences, our clients’ businesses, and serve our community.” Continue reading →