NBC Chicago News
From the NBC Tower studios of WMAQ-Channel 5 a 24/7 local news streaming channel branded as NBC Chicago News premieres today on Peacock.
Available free to users of the streaming service, the new channel will provide Chicago news, weather, sports, investigative reporting, lifestyle content and storytelling, according to the company. It will feature simulcast and encore news programming, along with breaking news and original content produced by NBC 5. Continue reading
Sabrina Franza
Robservations on the media beat:
Just in from New York, Sabrina Franza has joined CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 as its newest general assignment reporter. “I can’t wait for this next chapter, adventure, challenge," she wrote on Instagram. “Change is hard but change is good! God is good! Hyped to make a home and to tell stories in this amazing city.” A native of Oceanside, New York, and graduate of New York University, Franza most recently was a reporter for News 12 The Bronx, a cable news service owned by Altice USA. Earlier she worked as an intern for CBS News and a college associate for Fox News. “We’re excited to have an accomplished multi-skilled journalist join the team,” said Jennifer Lyons, president and general manager of CBS 2. Continue reading
Bill "BJ" Jackson
As the creative genius behind such beloved children’s shows as "Cartoon Town" (aka “The BJ and Dirty Dragon Show”) and “Gigglesnort Hotel,” Bill "BJ" Jackson will always hold a warm spot in the hearts of countless fans who grew up in Chicago in the ’60s and ’70s.
Jackson died Monday at his home in Paso Robles, California, after a recent illness. He was 86.
"He was the most creative and versatile person ever in Chicago kids' TV and certainly one of the most creative people I have ever known myself," said Jim Engel, children's television curator at Chicago's Museum of Broadcast Communications. Continue reading
Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ Chicago
The parent company of public radio station WBEZ 91.5-FM is moving forward on plans to acquire the Chicago Sun-Times — a merger designed to assure survival of the money-losing newspaper while creating one of the nation’s largest nonprofit local news organizations.
The board of Chicago Public Media voted Tuesday to approve the deal, which was first disclosed here in September. The merger is expected to be finalized by January 31. Continue reading
Chris Petlak
Chris Petlak, a northwest suburban native who's been co-hosting afternoons at WTMX 101.9-FM since 2020, is moving to mornings, the Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary station announced today.
Starting Monday, he'll join regular contributors Nikki Chuminatto, Brian Paruch and Violeta Podrumedic and executive producer John Swanson on the show, which airs from 6 to 10 a.m. weekdays. Continue reading
Les Grobstein
The death of veteran Chicago radio sportscaster Les Grobstein elicited an outpouring of tributes and recollections from media colleagues Monday.
Grobstein, 69, who died Sunday at his home in Elk Grove Village, was remembered for his five-decade career on the air here, including the last 12 years as overnight host on Audacy sports/talk WSCR 670-AM. He also was remembered for a lot more.
Among hundreds of comments on this blog and various social media platforms, here's a sampling of reactions from Grobstein's colleagues: Continue reading
Les Grobstein (Photo: 670 The Score)
Les Grobstein, a hometown original whose career as a Chicago radio sportscaster spanned more than 50 years, was known as a hard-working reporter with a phenomenal memory and a loyal following among night owls.
He was found dead Sunday afternoon at his home in Elk Grove Village, according to Mitch Rosen, operations director of WSCR 670-AM, the Audacy sports/talk station where Grobstein hosted overnights. He was 69. Continue reading
Lakeshore Public Radio
Robservations on the media beat:
Lakeshore Public Radio WLPR 89.1-FM, the nonprofit NPR affiliate serving Northwest Indiana, is about to expand its population coverage by 75 percent with the boost of its broadcast signal from 1,100 watts to 4,900 watts. The increase was approved by the FCC in November. “The upgrades will not only extend the range of our signal, but also allow us to broadcast with far fewer shadows and dead spots,” James A. Muhammad, president and CEO of Lakeshore Public Media, said in a statement. “This means more residents will have access to reliable news and information, which further serves our mission to enhance our community by creating a more informed and engaged citizenry.” The station also is accessible at LakeshorePublicRadio.org and on such streaming apps as Spotify, TuneIn Radio and iTunes. Continue reading
Ed Volkman (Photo: Star 96.7)
Generations of fans grew up listening to Ed Volkman and Joe Colborn, the endearing Chicago radio duo known as Eddie & Jobo.
Thanks to their 20-year run as the highly rated morning team on contemporary hit WBBM 96.3-FM and other stops along the way (as well as their ubiquitous TV ads hawking United Auto Insurance), they became rich, famous and seemingly inseparable.
All that ended in 2014 when Colborn turned down a lucrative offer to co-host mornings on classic hits WLS 94.7-FM, suddenly leaving Volkman without a partner and without a job. “Well, that’s all, folks,” Volkman declared. “There will be no Eddie & Jobo anymore." Continue reading
Patrick Elwood and Dina Bair
Robservations on the media beat:
Patrick Elwood, a genial general-assignment reporter at Nexstar Media WGN-Channel 9, has been named midday news co-anchor with Dina Bair, starting Monday. He succeeds Julie Unruh, who resigned in November after 20 years at WGN. A Chicago native and fourth-generation South Sider, Elwood joined WGN in 2013 after 15 years as a reporter and news anchor at Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32. “Between my dedicated colleagues and the work environment fostered by my bosses, every day offers a challenge to create journalism that makes a difference in all of our lives," he said in a statement. "I am looking forward to making an impact in joining the team.” WGN Midday News airs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. Continue reading