Chicago Journalism Town Hall 2009 (Photo: Jason Reblando)
On a wintry Sunday afternoon in 2009, Ken Davis and Linda Paul assembled a roomful of media elders and innovators to share their thoughts about the uncertain future of journalism in Chicago.
The first Chicago Journalism Town Hall, as it was called, proved to be a lively exchange of ideas and a unique opportunity to vent some of the hopes and fears of a business facing historic challenges. Continue reading
David Haugh (Photo: Brooke Collins)
David Haugh may be riding high in the ratings as morning co-host on Entercom sports/talk WSCR 670-AM, but his days as a Chicago Tribune sports columnist are over.
Haugh, 51, disclosed on social media Tuesday that it was his final day after 17 years with the Tribune — including the last 10 years in what he called his “dream job” as a star sports columnist. Continue reading
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Robservations on the media beat:
Sinclair Broadcast Group has finally closed the book on its bungled attempt to take over Tribune Media. In 2017 Sinclair sought to buy Tribune Media’s 42 television stations and other properties for $3.9 billion before the deal ran afoul of the FCC for what was called “misrepresentation and/or lack of candor.” The Chicago-based parent company of WGN-Channel 9 and WGN 720-AM eventually was acquired by Nexstar Media Group, but a breach of contract lawsuit Tribune Media filed against Sinclair remained in effect. In a settlement announced Monday, Sinclair will pay Nexstar $60 million and transfer control of WDKY, a TV station in Lexington, Kentucky. “Neither party has admitted any liability or wrongdoing in connection with the terminated merger; both parties have settled the lawsuit to avoid the costs, distraction, and uncertainties of continued litigation,” the companies said in a regulatory filing. Continue reading
Rafer Weigel
Rafer Weigel, the Chicago television news anchor who got caught up in a tawdry scandal involving texts of nude photos and allegations of revenge porn, said he was fired Monday from Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32.
Weigel, 50, had been on unpaid suspension as anchor of “Good Day Chicago” since October when three-way allegations of harassment and revenge porn surfaced involving a woman from Valparaiso, Indiana, with whom he was having an affair, and a former fiancee. Continue reading
Hugo Balta
Hugo Balta, former senior producer at MSNBC, has been tapped to lead the news operation of WTTW-Channel 11, Chicago’s premier public television station.
Balta, 49, has been named news director for WTTW News and executive producer of “Chicago Tonight,” the station’s flagship nightly news program, parent company Window to the World Communications announced Monday. His appointment is effective February 3. Continue reading
Keith Sweat
Keith Sweat, the famed R&B recording artist and radio personality, is moving to the evening shift on iHeartMedia urban adult-contemporary WVAZ 102.7-FM.
Starting tonight, his Atlanta-based show will air from 7 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday on V103. Since 2014 “The Sweat Hotel” has been airing from midnight to 5 a.m. It's syndicated by iHeartMedia subsidiary Premiere Networks.
"The First Rainbow Coalition"
Robservations on the media beat:
In 1969 the Chicago Black Panther Party formed an unlikely alliance with the Latino Young Lords Organization and the southern white Young Patriots group to combat segregation, police brutality and substandard housing in Chicago. Although the "Rainbow Coalition," as it was called, lasted only until 1973, it served as an organizing model for future activists and politicians across the nation. Now it's the subject of a one-hour documentary by filmmaker Ray Santisteban. Featuring rare archival footage and interviews with former coalition members, "The First Rainbow Coalition" premieres tonight on the PBS series "Independent Lens." It airs here at 10 p.m. on Window to the World Communications WTTW-Channel 11. Continue reading
Paul Meincke
Paul Meincke, the legendary former Chicago television newsman, is on the mend in Los Angeles after undergoing emergency surgery for a torn aorta.
"This was most certainly one of those unexpected bumps in the road," he told me Thursday. "And I’ve learned again that life is precious. Every day is a treat." Continue reading
Justin Breen
Robservations on the media beat:
Epic Business
North Shore native Justin Breen, the former DNAinfo Chicago senior editor who launched his own public relations and communications business in 2017, just turned author. His first book — Epic Business: 30 Secrets to Build Your Business Exponentially and Give You the Freedom to Live the Life You Want! — will be published in May. This week he unveiled a companion website for prepublication orders at brepicbusiness.com. “I am so thankful every day for BrEpic’s success, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned from some of the world’s best and brightest entrepreneurs," Breen said. "Creating a business from ground zero is a tremendous roller coaster of emotions, and I hope this book helps people navigate their own journeys.” Continue reading
93.9 Lite FM
While iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLIT 93.9-FM dominated the ratings in December with nonstop Christmas music, Steve Cochran's swan song as morning star on news/talk WGN 720-AM marked the Nexstar Media Group station's only strong showing for the month.
Nielsen Audio figures released Wednesday gave 93.9 Lite FM its highest audience share in three years, thanks to its 19th consecutive run as “Chicago’s Christmas Station.” It also swept all four dayparts, with first-place finishes for Melissa Forman in mornings, Robin Rock in middays, Mick Lee in afternoons and the syndicated Delilah Rene in evenings. Continue reading