Robservations: Time Out Chicago cuts theater critic Kris Vire

Kris Vire

Robservations on the media beat:

Time Out Chicago

Kris Vire, a highly respected voice on the Chicago theater scene for more than a decade, has been cut by Time Out Chicago. His position as senior editor was eliminated Tuesday in what PerformInk Chicago reported as “a string of editorial layoffs at multiple Time Out outlets.” A graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Vire began as a contributor to Time Out and was named theater writer in 2007. He later was promoted to theater editor and senior editor. In addition to theater and dance, he also covered comedy and LGBT events. “After nearly 11 years, today turned out to be my last day at Time Out Chicago,” Vire told Facebook friends. “Looking forward to seeing what’s next.” His layoff follows the departure of another longtime Chicago theater critic, Hedy Weiss, whose position at the Sun-Times was eliminated in February. Continue reading →

Robservations: Chicago Tribune goes missing in Europe

Tribune Tower

Robservations on the media beat:

Websites of the Chicago Tribune and other tronc newspapers were blocked to readers in Europe last week while the Chicago-based company decides whether to comply with the European Union’s strict new data privacy law. Tronc had two years to prepare for the new regulations, which limit businesses collecting information about users online. “Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in most European countries,” read an error message on the Tribune’s home page. “We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to the EU market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.” Continue reading →

Robservations: Fox 32 ties WGN in late-news ratings

Fox 32 Chicago

Robservations on the media beat:

Propelled by a 50 percent increase in its primetime lead-in ratings, Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32 tied with Tribune Broadcasting WGN-Channel 9 among viewers between 25 and 54 for their 9 p.m. Monday-through-Friday newscasts, according to figures released Thursday for the May sweep. Fox 32 was the only station in Chicago to increase its late-news viewership in the key adult demographic. “Our news shows are the most engaging, watchable and best produced product in the market,” Dennis Welsh, vice president and general manager of Fox 32, told staffers in an email. “Obviously, viewers are really starting to notice our great news product with tremendous growth opportunities ahead of us.” It marked the first May tie or win for Fox 32 at 9 p.m. since 2010. Continue reading →

Robservations: WXRT promotes Richard Milne to afternoon drive

Richard Milne

Robservations on the media beat:

Jason Thomas

After more than three decades as a weekend and fill-in air personality at WXRT 93.1-FM, Richard Milne has moved up to afternoon drive — from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday — on the Entercom adult album alternative station. Jason Thomas, who’d hosted afternoons since 2006, will shift to weekend and fill-in duty, and continue to host “The Big Beat” from 10 p.m. to midnight Mondays. “Needless to say, I’m thrilled at the prospect of day-to-day communication with WXRT listeners and working full-time alongside an air staff that I've long considered the best in radio,” Milne said. “Many great years are ahead for WXRT and I’m proud to have been asked to play a part.” The Addison Trail High School alum, who started in college radio at Southern Illinois University and worked at the former WDEK in DeKalb, joined WXRT in 1986. For 26 years, Milne hosted and produced “Local Anesthetic,” the station's weekly new music showcase. Continue reading →

Robservations: Lite FM turns off Kristina Kage

Kristina Kage

Robservations on the media beat:

It’s over and out for Kristina Kage as morning personality at WLIT 93.9-FM. Friday was her last day on the air at the iHeartMedia adult contemporary station. No comment from station bosses, but insiders said her replacement will be named today. Kage, whose full name is Kristina Zsenyuk, arrived in 2015 from Portland, Oregon, where she previously had worked with Mick Lee, program director and afternoon personality at Lite FM. In the latest Nielsen Audio survey, Kage’s morning show ranked 12th overall with a 2.9 percent share and cumulative weekly audience of 468,000. Continue reading →

Robservations: Double duty for new Star 96.7 morning host

Lisa Jordan and Kevin Kollins

Robservations on the media beat:

Star 96.7

Kevin Kollins soon will be working two drive-time air shifts for Alpha Media suburban stations. While continuing to host afternoons at news/talk WJOL 1340-AM, Kollins has been named morning personality at hot adult-contemporary WSSR 96.7-FM. Starting Monday, he’ll join Lisa Jordan from 5 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. Kollins, who’s been hosting weekends on Star 96.7 for nearly 10 years, succeeds Josh Cooper, who left in April. “I'm extremely grateful that Alpha Media brought some really innovative minds together to allow me to continue my afternoon talk show at WJOL and to add mornings on Star 96.7,” said Kollins, who previously was senior vice president of promotion for Jeff McClusky and Associates. Continue reading →

Robservations: WGN Radio Walk of Fame bows out at Tribune Tower

WGN Radio Walk of Fame

Robservations on the media beat:

For the last time at Tribune Tower, WGN 720-AM will add a new class of Chicago radio veterans to the WGN Radio Walk of Fame. In a live broadcast starting at 10 a.m. Friday, the Tribune Broadcasting news/talk station will induct sportscasters David Kaplan and Chuck Swirsky, meteorologist Roger Triemstra, traffic reporter Mary VanDeVelde and the late announcer Pierre Andre. With WGN about to move to new studios at 303 East Wacker Drive, plaques for this year's honorees will not be embedded in the pavement outside 435 North Michigan Avenue. They’ll be held for installation with the four earlier classes when WGN selects a new site for the Walk of Fame. Continue reading →