Noticias Univision Chicago

Robservations on the media beat:

Doug Levy

It’s fiesta time at Univision Chicago where WGBO-Channel 66 scored an historic ratings victory in June. For the first time the Spanish-language station’s 10 p.m. newscast was No. 1 among all viewers between 18 and 49. Simulcast with UniMás sister station WFXT-Channel 60, Noticias Univision Chicago tied ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 with a 1.4 rating in the young adult demo, but narrowly edged out ABC 7 in the late-news audience stats, according to Nielsen. Calling it “incredibly gratifying to reach this milestone,” Doug Levy, senior vice president and general manager of Univision Chicago, said the achievement was “a testament not only to the vibrancy and relevancy of local Spanish-language media, but to the unparalleled relationship we have with our audience and our mission to continue to serve Hispanic America.” Added Teri Arvesu, vice president of content for Univision Chicago: “I see this as not only a win for Univision Chicago, but more importantly, for the community we serve.” The coup for Hispanic media came days after Chicago Tribune Media Group cut back on publication of its Spanish newspaper Hoy. Continue reading →

Corey McPherrin

Corey McPherrin, host of WFLD-Channel 32’s “Good Day Chicago,” is expected to be off the Fox-owned station’s morning show for at least six weeks while recovering from open heart surgery to correct a lifelong ailment.

“I'm feeling better than I expected,” the longtime Chicago news and sports anchor tweeted Friday. “The Good Lord delivers again!!” Continue reading →

Kathy Hart

Here’s a look back at the top 10 most-read stories in June.

To read the full posts, click on the headlines: Continue reading →

Rob Stafford

Veteran Chicago news anchor Rob Stafford, who’s been on leave from WMAQ-Channel 5 since March while battling a rare blood disease, said he hopes to return to the NBC-owned station at the end of August.

In a message posted on his Facebook page Thursday, Stafford thanked well-wishers for their “support and prayers” during his ordeal. “My friends at NBC have had my back every step of the way,” he wrote. Continue reading →

Frank Whittaker

Frank Whittaker, longtime news boss of Chicago’s NBC-owned station, has been chosen to lead the state’s alliance of television and radio broadcasters.

Whittaker was elected board chairman of the Illinois Broadcasters Association at the group’s annual conference this week in Bloomington-Normal. He continues as station manager and vice president of news at WMAQ-Channel 5, where he has headed news operations since 1998. Continue reading →

Hoy

Another tronc newspaper in Chicago is reducing its frequency in print.

This time it’s Hoy, the Spanish-language paper that began as a daily and later shrank to three days a week. As of this week, it will appear in print only once a week — on Fridays. The companion publication Fin de Semana, which covers entertainment, shopping and fashion, will continue on weekends. Continue reading →

John Records Landecker

Robservations on the media beat:

The acclaimed autobiography of radio legend John Records Landecker is being reissued to coincide with his induction in the National Radio Hall of Fame. Records Truly Is My Middle Name, first published in 2013, is tentatively set for re-release October 23. As announced this week, Landecker will enter the Chicago-based shrine honoring radio’s greatest stars on November 2. Branded as a limited “Radio Hall of Fame edition,” it will include new photos and Landecker’s reflections since he quit WLS FM 94.7 in 2015, according to David Stern, co-founder and publisher of Eckhartz Press. “This is a perfect opportunity for us to publish all the stories John forgot to include in the first one,” he said. Stern’s partner in Eckhartz Press is Rick Kaempfer, who served as producer of Landecker’s morning show on WJMK FM 104.3 and co-wrote the book. Continue reading →

John Records Landecker (Photo: WTTW/Chicago Tonight)

John Records Landecker, a giant of Chicago radio and one of the most celebrated disc jockeys in rock and roll history, has been voted into the National Radio Hall of Fame after his first appearance on the ballot.

Landecker was announced Sunday as one of eight who’ll be inducted this fall in the Chicago-based shrine honoring radio’s all-time greatest performers and programs. Continue reading →

Dan Schmidt

Dan Schmidt, the controversial president and CEO of the parent company of public television WTTW-Channel 11 and classical radio WFMT FM 98.7, will retire at the end of the year, Window to the World Communications Inc. (WWCI) announced Thursday.

Schmidt, 62, joined the company as senior vice president of WFMT and its radio network in 1991 and was promoted to president and CEO in 1998, succeeding the late William J. McCarter, the visionary architect of public broadcasting in Chicago. Continue reading →

Steve Edwards

Steve Edwards, one of the brightest stars to have guided WBEZ FM 91.5 in a generation, is returning to the public radio station as vice president and chief content officer, parent company Chicago Public Media announced Thursday.

Edwards is stepping down as executive director of the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics, where he has worked since leaving WBEZ in 2012. At the time, he was anchor of “The Afternoon Shift,” a live, two-hour weekday call-in program that showcased his enormous talents as an inquisitive journalist, brilliant interviewer and affable host. Continue reading →