Robservations: WLS switches Savage, Levin on nighttime lineup

Michael Savage

Michael Savage

Robservations on the media beat:

Mark Levin

Mark Levin

The start of White Sox baseball on WLS AM 890 Monday also will bring a new weeknight lineup to the Cumulus Media news/talk station. Michael Savage, whose syndicated talk show previously aired from 6 to 9 p.m., is trading places with syndicated talker Mark Levin, who’s been on from 9 p.m. to midnight. On nights when the shows are preempted by White Sox broadcasts, they’re expected to stream online in their entirety. Peter Bowen, vice president and Chicago market manager of Cumulus Media, called the timeslot swap “an internal programming decision,” but declined further comment. In the latest Nielsen Audio survey, WLS ranked 17th in evenings with a 2.5 percent share and cumulative weekly audience of 122,900. Continue reading

Museum to host reunion of ABC 7 pioneers and personalities

“An Afternoon with Janet Davies and ABC 7 Reunion"

“An Afternoon with Janet Davies and ABC 7 Reunion"

More than 60 current and former employees of WLS-Channel 7 will assemble at the Museum of Broadcast Communications April 23 to reminisce about their experiences and record an oral history of the ABC-owned station.

“An Afternoon with Janet Davies and ABC 7 Reunion” from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the museum, 360 North State Street, will be open to the public. Tickets are on sale for $15 at museum.tv. Continue reading

Robservations: WGN Radio signs Wood, Dempster as baseball analysts

WGN Radio

WGN Radio

Robservations on the media beat:

Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood

Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood

Just in time for Opening Day next week, former Chicago Cubs pitchers Kerry Wood and Ryan Dempster have been hired as baseball analysts at Tribune Media news/talk WGN AM 720. Throughout the season Dempster will appear Thursday mornings on Steve Cochran’s show, and Wood will appear Thursday afternoons on Roe Conn’s show. “Woody and Dempster are the perfect pair to drive the conversation during a year loaded with great story lines,” said Todd Manley, vice president of programming and content at WGN. “Baseball’s in our DNA, and we can’t wait to get this season rolling.” Also at WGN, morning producer Kevin Powell has shifted to afternoon sports anchor, succeeding Connor McKnight, who jumped to Cumulus Media news/talk WLS AM 890. Continue reading

ABC 7’s Linda Yu reducing anchor role

Linda Yu

Linda Yu

Linda Yu, who’s been a mainstay of Chicago television news for more than 36 years, is stepping down from the 7 p.m. Monday-through-Friday newscast produced by ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 and airing on Weigel Broadcasting WCIU-Channel 26.

Yu, 69, will continue to co-anchor ABC 7’s 4 p.m. weekday newscast with Alan Krashesky for the time being, but the move marks the first step toward her eventual retirement from the station, according to insiders. Continue reading

International Television Awards to salute Janet Davies, Bill Zwecker

Bill Zwecker

Bill Zwecker

Janet Davies and Bill Zwecker, two of Chicago’s best known entertainment reporters, will be honored for their work by Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival.

The two will be saluted April 20 at the 52nd Chicago International Television Awards, culminating a three-day event of special screenings and panel discussions celebrating excellence in television. Continue reading

Robservations: Chicago pubcasters launch news partnership

WTTW studio

WTTW studio

Robservations on the media beat:

Chicago’s two leading public broadcasters announced a news partnership Monday that could lead to joint reporting of stories and online collaborations. Via a newly installed robotic camera, reporters from Chicago Public Media WBEZ FM 91.5 will appear on “Chicago Tonight,” the nightly news program on Window to the World Communications WTTW-Channel 11. In turn, a new high speed fiber line will allow WTTW hosts and correspondents to appear live on WBEZ news and talk shows. Continue reading