Chicago Reader
A Chicago Reader story that harshly criticized the proposed sale of the alternative weekly to Chicago Tribune parent company tronc suddenly disappeared Thursday after one day on the Reader’s website.
Under the headline “Can the Reader survive a second helping of Michael Ferro?” the story by social media editor Ryan Smith took personal aim at tronc chairman Ferro, who previously owned Wrapports, parent company of the Reader and the Chicago Sun-Times. Continue reading
Chicago Tribune
“Keep in mind our competition is ESPN and DNAinfo and Facebook and Google and lots of other places than just the Sun-Times.” — Bruce Dold, publisher and editor of the Chicago Tribune, on “Chicago Tonight” May 16.
With the proposed sale of Wrapports Holdings LLC to the parent company of the Chicago Tribune, these area publications would be owned and operated by tronc: Continue reading
WGN News set
Robservations on the media beat:
WGN logo
Now it’s WGN-Channel 9’s turn to show off fancy new digs. On its 4 p.m. newscast Wednesday the Tribune Media station will debut a new news set, featuring “the latest in studio technology, including two video walls, video panels, and LED lighting,” according to officials. “We are excited to have a set that fully supports all of our news programs and are thrilled with the ‘state-of-the-art’ result,” Paul Rennie, president and general manager of WGN, said in a statement. Also look for “Chicago’s Very Own” to unveil a new logo. Let’s just hope the new overlords from Sinclair Broadcast Group approve. Continue reading
Tom Joyner
After more than four decades as a fixture on Chicago’s airwaves, the superstar who dubbed himself “The Hardest Working Man in Radio” won’t be working on the air here anymore.
Tom Joyner, who catapulted to fame and fortune as the legendary “Fly Jock” in the 1980s, is being dropped by Crawford Broadcasting urban adult-contemporary WSRB FM 106.3, which has aired his syndicated morning show for eight years. Continue reading
Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart
The most popular morning radio show in Chicago is in its third week without co-host Kathy Hart — and without explanation to co-workers or fans for her extended absence.
After 20 years alongside Eric Ferguson on Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary WTMX FM 101.9, Hart has insiders guessing if or when she’ll return to “The Eric and Kathy Show.” Even her bosses aren’t sure what’s up. Continue reading
Chicago Sun-Times
The final chapter in the history of robust competition among Chicago’s daily newspapers may have been written Monday with news that the Chicago Sun-Times is headed for a sale to the parent company of the rival Chicago Tribune.
Wrapports Holdings LLC, owner of the Sun-Times and the Chicago Reader, announced that it was negotiating to be acquired by Tribune owner tronc in a deal that could be finalized by June 1.
Unless another bidder comes forward — an unlikely scenario considering the financial distress of the Sun-Times and the onerous printing and distribution agreements it has with tronc — the deal appears headed for approval by government regulators. Terms have not been finalized, according to tronc. Continue reading
Chicago Sun-Times
Unless another buyer comes forward, the Chicago Sun-Times could be acquired by the parent company of the Chicago Tribune by the end of the month, according to a statement from Jim Kirk, editor and publisher of the Sun-Times.
In an email to employees Monday, Kirk said the non-binding letter of intent by Tribune owner tronc to buy the Sun-Times, the Reader “and other assets” from owner Wrapports requires government antitrust approval. Continue reading
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is in negotiations to be acquired by the parent company of the Chicago Tribune, according to an announcement Monday by Sun-Times owner Wrapports.
Tronc, the former Tribune Publishing Co. headed by tech entrepreneur Michael Ferro, could operate the Sun-Times separately “keeping in place the independent newsroom” under the proposal. Ferro previously headed Wrapports.
Terms of the offer were not disclosed. Continue reading
Morgan Kolkmeyer
Morgan Kolkmeyer, who’s been forecasting weather in her hometown of Rockford since 2014, is moving up to Chicago’s top-rated morning show.
Tribune Broadcasting WGN-Channel 9 announced Monday that Kolkmeyer will join “WGN Morning News” as 4 to 6 a.m. weekday meteorologist. Starting later this month, she succeeds Demetrius Ivory, who now reports weather for “WGN Midday News” and the station's 4 p.m. newscast. Continue reading
John Records Landecker (Photo: Rick Kaempfer)
Robservations on the media beat:
John Records Landecker, an iconic Chicago radio personality since the 1970s, has been nominated for induction in the National Radio Hall of Fame. It’s his first time on the ballot for induction in the Chicago-based shrine to radio’s greatest performers and programs. Landecker, 70, is one of four nominees (and the only Chicagoan) in the Longstanding Local/Regional category. A total of 24 nominees in six categories were announced Monday. (A complete list is at radiohof.org.) Online public voting in two categories — Music Format On-Air Personality and Spoken Word On-Air Personality — will begin June 5. The rest will be chosen by a panel of industry professionals. Winners will be announced June 26. Induction ceremony will be November 2 at the Museum of Broadcast Communications. Continue reading