WGN Radio

WGN 720-AM abruptly severed its longstanding partnership with Crain’s Chicago Business Monday over a story that speculated on a possible sale of the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station.

As a result of the move, Crain’s editors, reporters and other contributors no longer will appear on any WGN Radio programs, and the station no longer will host the Monday-through-Thursday business news podcast “Crain’s Daily Gist” on its website. A WGN microphone was removed from Crain’s newsroom Monday, sources said. Continue reading →

Chicago Tribune

Fears that 2020 will be a really bad year for the Chicago Tribune may be turning into a reality already.

On Monday owner Tribune Publishing announced a buyout offer to employees with eight or more years of service — a likely precursor to layoffs throughout the company. It would mark the second round of buyouts and layoffs in two years. Continue reading →

Brian O'Keefe

Robservations on the media beat:

After three decades with College of DuPage's public radio WDCB 90.9-FM, Brian O'Keefe is stepping down as news director at the west suburban Glen Ellyn-based jazz station. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, O'Keefe joined WDCB in 1991 as assistant news coordinator before moving up to coordinator of news and public affairs in 1995. "I am proud to have been part of WDCB and to have served the station’s audience for so many years," O'Keefe said in a statement. "There are great stories in every community and it has been my pleasure to tell some of those stories.” He'll continue hosting and producing the public-affairs show “First Light,” airing at 7 a.m. Sundays, through April. “Brian’s professionalism has been an important part of WDCB’s growth from small suburban station to respected player in the Chicago public radio landscape,” said station manager Dan Bindert. O’Keefe also served two terms as president of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association. Continue reading →

Dan Roan

Dan Roan, longtime sports anchor at Nexstar Media WGN-Channel 9, has been named broadcast recipient of the 2020 Ring Lardner Award for Excellence in Sports Journalism.

Honored with a Ring Lardner Award in the print category will be Toni Ginnetti, retired sportswriter for the Sun-Times, and honored in the posthumous category will be Cooper Rollow, the late sports editor and sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune. Continue reading →

WGN

Robservations on the media beat:

With the expansion of news on Saturdays and Sundays, WGN-Channel 9 will increase its output to a record 72½ hours of news each week, the Nexstar Media Group station announced Wednesday. Starting this weekend, the Saturday edition of “WGN Weekend Morning News,” co-anchored by Sean Lewis and Tonya Francisco, will grow to three hours, airing from 7 to 10 a.m. New to the lineup from 10 to 10:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays will be “WGN Weekend News at Ten,” co-anchored by Jackie Bange and Tahman Bradley. Also new will be “WGN-TV Political Report,” a weekly roundup co-hosted by political analyst Paul Lisnek and Tahman Bradley from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Sundays. “Chicago’s Best,” the weekly food magazine show with Elliott Bambrough and Marley Kayden, will move to 10:30 p.m. Sundays. Continue reading →

Ron Magers

Ron Magers, who retired in 2016 after a distinguished career as one of Chicago’s all-time greatest news anchors, will be back in the spotlight to take a bow this spring.

Magers has been named recipient of the 2020 Distinguished Journalist Award from DePaul University’s Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence. He will be honored at a luncheon April 30 along with Chicago Tribune police reporter Jeremy Gorner, who will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Continue reading →

WBBM Newsradio

Robservations on the media beat:

Jennifer Keiper

We'll soon be hearing more of Jennifer Keiper and Andy Dahn on WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM, the Entercom all-news combo. Keiper, who began her latest stint there last year, moves up to full-time reporter and news anchor Monday through Thursday, co-anchoring from noon to 3 p.m. (including the "Noon Business Hour" with Cisco Cotto), then reporting until early evening. She’ll also anchor on Sundays. Dahn, who's been a part-time reporter/anchor since 2016, will anchor Sunday through Thursday evenings, and boost the station's social media presence in late nights and overnight. "Jennifer and Andy have shown tremendous reporting ability both in the field and in the anchor chair," said Ron Gleason, director of news and programming at WBBM Newsradio. "Their flexibility and talents will enhance our news coverage, helping make WBBM even stronger as election season approaches." Said Keiper: "WBBM is where it all started for me. I have learned a lot and have had tremendous adventures during this journey, and I owe a huge thank you to those who have helped me along the way and those who have welcomed me back to WBBM.” Continue reading →

Steve Cortes

Robservations on the media beat:

Steve Cortes, who’s been an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump as a CNN political commentator and a member of Trump’s Hispanic Advisory Council, is signing on today as afternoon host at WIND 560-AM, the Salem Media news/talk station. From 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, he’ll be on in place of Joe Walsh, the former suburban congressman who stepped down in August to challenge Trump for the Republican presidential nomination. “The insight and political acumen that Steve will bring to our audience each day will be second to none,” Jeff Reisman, regional vice president and general manager of Salem Radio Group, said in a statement. “As we enter this election year, Steve will provide an inside perspective on what’s happening on the campaign trail.” Said Cortes: “I’m looking forward to being on the air in my hometown of Chicago. I hope that I can be a spokesperson for the ‘deplorables’ and a champion of American nationalism.”

Continue reading →

Bob Sirott

Bright and early Monday morning Bob Sirott will step into the studio of WGN 720-AM and instantly become the biggest star on the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station.

As Steve Cochran's successor from 5 to 9 a.m. weekdays, Sirott will take on one of the greatest jobs in radio — inheriting a legacy and a microphone once commanded by Wally Phillips, Bob Collins and Spike O'Dell. Now it will be Sirott's turn to wake up Chicago and get the day started for hundreds of thousands in the city and suburbs. Continue reading →

Mark Giangreco and Janet Davies

Robservations on the media beat:

Mark Giangreco

Maybe it was that spectacular opening number — another show-stopping dance routine by Cheryl Scott and Terrell Brown. (Here is the link.) Or maybe it was the appearance of Mark Giangreco in drag. Whatever the reason, Chicago viewers overwhelmingly chose WLS-Channel 7 to ring in the new year Tuesday night. The ABC-owned station drew 354,947 households — more than both of its main competitors combined — straight up at midnight, according to Nielsen figures. It marked the 19th New Year's Eve together for Giangreco and Janet Davies. NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5, hosted by Matthew Rodrigues and Cortney Hall, drew 185,614 households, and Nexstar Media WGN-Channel 9, hosted by Ana Belaval and Dean Richards, drew 153,050 households. Ratings were not available Wednesday for Telemundo Chicago WSNS-Channel 44, which presented a Spanish-language countdown show hosted by Rodrigo Arana and Maria Elena Ponticiello. Continue reading →