‘Happy ending’ to stellar career as Steve Dahl leaves WLS today

Brendan Greeley, Steve Dahl and Dag Juhlin

Forty years after Steve Dahl burst onto Chicago radio as a 23-year-old cocksure kid hosting a morning show called “Steve Dahl’s Rude Awakening,” he’s bowing out as an elder statesman with humility and gratitude.

Friday marks the final day on the air for the broadcast icon and Radio Hall of Famer as afternoon personality on WLS 890-AM. The Cumulus Media news/talk station is replacing him with Ben Shapiro, a Los Angeles-based conservative commentator deemed more compatible with Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin and the other syndicated hosts onboard. Continue reading →

Robservations: After Christmas, Lite FM turns to ‘Relaxing Favorites’

Lite FM

Robservations on the media beat:

When WLIT 93.9-FM wraps up its annual run as Chicago’s Christmas Lite next week, look for the iHeartMedia adult contemporary station to begin marketing its sound as “Relaxing Favorites.” The move away from “The Best Variety From the 80’s, 90’s and Now for Chicago!” appears to signal a shift to a soft adult-contemporary format — perhaps to compete more effectively against Weigel Broadcasting’s Me-TV FM (the soft-rock oldies and classic hits station at WRME 87.7-FM). In the latest Nielsen Audio survey — before the start of Christmas music — Lite FM tied for 11th place with a 3.2 share. Me-TV FM tied for ninth with a 3.3 share. A spokesman for iHeartMedia Chicago declined to comment on any changes. Continue reading →

Robservations: Countdown shows to battle for New Year’s Eve viewers

Mark Giangreco and Janet Davies

Robservations on the media beat:

New Year’s Eve Live in Chicago

It’s not too early to start making your TV viewing plans for New Year’s Eve. Mark Giangreco and Janet Davies will mark their 18th year of ringing in the New Year together when they host “Countdown Chicago 2019” on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7. Joining them from venues around the city and suburbs will be ABC 7’s Terrell Brown, Cheryl Scott, Liz Nagy, Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini. Highlights will include the third annual Giant Pierogi Drop presented by the Knights of Columbus in Whiting, Indiana. Over on NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5, Marion Brooks, Siafa Lewis and Chris Hush will host "New Year’s Eve Live in Chicago!" Joining them will be Christopher “Fred” Frederick of Kiss FM, Ally Sturm of Big 10 Network and Ji Suk Yi from "The Grid" at the Sun-Times. Also featured will be musical performances by Nick Gehlfuss of "Chicago Med" and Joe Minoso of "Chicago Fire." Both specials will start shortly after 11 p.m. and culminate with midnight fireworks from Navy Pier. Continue reading →

Robservations: Remembering radio's 'great talent' Larry Lujack

Larry Lujack

Robservations on the media beat:

On the fifth anniversary of his passing, Larry Lujack continues to be revered as one of America’s greatest radio personalities and Chicago’s preeminent disc jockey for the ages. The Radio Hall of Famer and self-proclaimed "Superjock" died at 73 of esophageal cancer in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on December 18, 2013. From the time he landed in Chicago as late-night personality at WCFL in 1967 through the two decades he dominated Top 40 powerhouse WLS 890-AM, he was without peer. More on Lujack's extraordinary life and career will be revealed in the soon-to-be-published autobiography of Tommy Edwards, the radio legend long known as Lujack's "Animal Stories" sidekick Lil’ Tommy. "Remembering Uncle Lar’. What a great talent!" Edwards wrote on Facebook Monday. "There was another side of Larry Lujack you may not know. You will soon. Stay tuned." Continue reading →

Robservations: Jennifer White to host 'Morning Shift' on WBEZ

Jennifer White

Robservations on the media beat:

Tony Sarabia

Jennifer White has been named host of "The Morning Shift," the locally produced news and talk show airing at 9 a.m. weekdays on WBEZ 91.5-FM. Starting January 7, she will succeed Tony Sarabia, who is signing off December 21 after 28 years at the Chicago Public Media news/talk station. In addition to hosting the station's critically acclaimed podcasts "Making Oprah" and "Making Obama," among others, White has been serving as Friday host of "The Morning Shift." A Detroit native and University of Michigan graduate, White joined WBEZ in 2016 from Michigan Public Media, where she'd worked since 1999. "I have learned a lot from Tony and my other newsroom colleagues over the past three years," White said. "I look forward to taking 'The Morning Shift' into its next iteration by building on the strong foundation Tony is leaving for us.” Continue reading →

Robservations: NPR reports Tribune payment over Ferro’s slur

Michael Ferro (Photo: Christopher Michel)

Robservations on the media beat:

As if it were possible to think any less of Michael Ferro, a bombshell report Wednesday claimed the former chairman of Tribune Publishing was heard making an anti-Semitic slur to a gathering of company executives. NPR reported that Ferro was caught on tape referring to California billionaire Eli Broad as part of a “Jewish cabal” that ran Los Angeles. NPR’s David Folkenflik reported that Tribune Publishing made secret payments of more than $2.5 million to keep a former publisher and editor of the Los Angeles Times from disclosing Ferro’s comments. Recent financial reports show Ferro's infamous $15 million “consulting fee” on his way out was reduced by $2.5 million to $12.5 million in the second quarter this year, according to NPR. Ferro resigned as chairman in March, hours before sexual harassment accusations against him were published. But he remains the largest shareholder of the Chicago Tribune’s parent company (which he’d earlier stuck with the hideous name tronc). A spokesman for Ferro denied he made the slur. Tribune Publishing declined to comment. Continue reading →