Los Angeles Times
Former Chicago Sun-Times editor Jim Kirk has been named interim executive editor of the Los Angeles Times following a top-level shakeup at the newspaper by Chicago-based parent company tronc.
The surprise move comes just 10 days after Kirk resigned as publisher and editor-in-chief of the Sun-Times to become senior vice president of strategic initiatives for troncX, the digital content and commerce division of tronc. Continue reading
Mark Suppelsa
Mark Suppelsa, widely regarded as one of Chicago television’s best news anchors for nearly 25 years, is calling it quits at the top of his game.
Suppelsa, 55, announced Thursday that he plans to retire at the end of the year from WGN-Channel 9, where he anchors the Tribune Broadcasting station’s 5, 9 and 10 p.m. weekday newscasts alongside Micah Materre. Continue reading
Kathy Hart
Kathy Hart broke her self-imposed silence after nearly four months Thursday to thank those who have supported her during her absence from Chicago radio’s top-rated morning show and to tell them: “Please stay tuned as I fully intend to be back on the air!”
Whether that means she will return to “The Eric & Kathy Show” on Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary WTMX FM 101.9 remains an open question. Hart’s contract is up in December, and Hubbard lawyers are in talks with Hart’s agent, Steve Mandell, on resolving the matter. Continue reading
Rob Stafford and Allison Rosati
Robservations on the media beat:
After six months away battling a rare blood disease, veteran Chicago news anchor Rob Stafford is ready to return to WMAQ-Channel 5. He’ll be back on the 10 p.m. newscast August 28, according to the NBC-owned station, and will resume anchoring at 5 and 6 p.m. “after a couple of weeks.” Stafford, 58, underwent a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy for amyloidosis, a blood disorder that affected his kidneys. On Wednesday, Stafford posted a photo on Facebook reunited with anchor partner Allison Rosati. “We can’t wait to get Rob back,” said Frank Whittaker, station manager and vice president of news at NBC 5. “We’ve missed him, and our viewers have missed him. We’re so happy he’s doing better, and are looking forward to his return.” Continue reading
Eric & Kathy's Kids
Robservations on the media beat:
Kathy Hart
“Eric & Kathy’s Kids,” the 18th annual radiothon to benefit Lurie Children’s Hospital, is under way all this week — with one thing missing: Kathy Hart. It’s the latest weirdness associated with Hart’s ongoing absence from the top-rated morning show she co-hosts with Eric Ferguson on Hubbard Media hot adult-contemporary WTMX FM 101.9. (Don’t even ask about the “Eric & Kathy Charity Golf Outing” or the “Eric & Kathy Food Truck Festival.”) Talks between Hubbard and Hart to resolve the situation once and for all apparently were reset by another change of agents. Attorney Steve Mandell confirmed that he now represents Hart, who earlier severed ties with Todd Musburger (who was her agent for many years) and later with Lisa Miller. Mandell declined further comment. Hart has been out of The Mix since late April. Continue reading
Jim Kirk
Jim Kirk, the veteran journalist and media executive who led the Chicago Sun-Times through five of its most tumultuous and challenging years, resigned Friday as publisher and editor-in-chief to join Chicago Tribune parent company tronc.
Kirk, 52, was named senior vice president of strategic initiatives for troncX, the digital content and commerce division of tronc. He will report to Tim Knight, president of troncX and former CEO of Wrapports LLC, previous owner of the Sun-Times. Continue reading
Jeff Herndon
Citing family reasons, Jeff Herndon is stepping down at the end of the month as 5 and 9 p.m. weekday news anchor at Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32.
“We wanted Jeff to remain part of our team, but right now family is Jeff’s top priority,” Matt Piacente, news director of Fox 32, told staffers in an email Thursday. “So Jeff is going back home to Kansas. I personally wish Jeff all the best as a colleague, and as a friend.” Continue reading
Edwin Eisendrath
To hear Edwin Eisendrath tell it, he’s probably spent more time in the Sun-Times newsroom than all of the newspaper’s previous owners combined.
In the four weeks since the group he headed took over the paper, the former Chicago alderman has been getting a crash course on the challenges of the media business — with particular interest in the editorial side of the equation. Continue reading
Weigel Broadcasting
Robservations on the media beat:
Weigel Broadcasting is about to get bigger. The privately owned Chicago-based parent company of WCIU-Channel 26, Me-TV and a host of other Midwest stations and national digital networks, just picked up its first television stations in the West. The $1.1 million deal with West American Finance Corp. includes KCSG in Cedar City, Utah, along with two low-power stations in St. George, Utah. “Weigel was presented with an opportunity to acquire KCSG, an affiliate of our Heroes and Icons Network,” Neal Sabin, vice chairman of Weigel Broadcasting, said in a statement Wednesday. “Pending FCC approval, we look forward to a continued presence in the market.” Continue reading
Chris Boden (Photo: WTTW/Chicago Tonight)
Robservations on the media beat:
In a surprising cutback, veteran Chicago sportscaster Chris Boden is out after 10 years at Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Boden hosted numerous pre/postgame shows, including ones for the Bears and Blackhawks, and served as an anchor/reporter for “SportsNite” and “SportsNet Central.” “We appreciate everything Chris has provided our network over the years and we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors,” CSN Chicago said in a statement Tuesday. Boden, who grew up in south suburban Burbank and graduated from Luther South High School and Columbia College, is an award-winning pro whose career has spanned the NFL Network and multiple Chicago television and radio stations.
Wednesday morning update: Here's a statement from Boden: “I’ve truly enjoyed and appreciated my ten years at CSN. It’s been my privilege to continue working at a job that’s never seemed like work, communicating with and presenting reports and stories to my hometown’s passionate sports fans. As I look forward to whatever the next opportunity may be, I’ll cherish the friendships created with the great group of professionals who made my job easier, whom I’ve proudly called my teammates.” Continue reading