Jay Levine
Jay Levine, a hard-charging dynamo of Chicago television news for 42 years, announced Wednesday he’s stepping down as chief correspondent of CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2.
Levine, 68, will continue to appear occasionally as a “special contributor” to the station, but details of his new role are still being discussed, according to a CBS 2 spokeswoman. Continue reading
Natalie Bomke (November 20, 2015)
It’s only the first week in January, but I’m pretty sure we can already declare the dumbest TV executive of the year.
Dan Salamone, an executive producer at Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32, this week told the women who report on “Good Day Chicago” not to wear hats during their outdoor live shots this winter, sources said Tuesday. Continue reading
Curtiss Johnson
The program director of The Drive is heading for the off-ramp.
Curtiss Johnson announced Tuesday he’s leaving classic hits WDRV FM 97.1, where he has headed programming since June 2014. He’s the seventh program director cut from Hubbard Radio in recent months as the company moves to revitalize its stations across the country. Continue reading
Lisa Dent
The new year is starting off on a high note for Lisa Dent, veteran morning personality at CBS Radio country WUSN FM 99.5.
On Tuesday, Dent was named to the Country Radio Hall of Fame. She’s one of eight 2016 honorees who’ll be recognized during opening ceremonies of the Country Radio Seminar February 8 in Nashville, Tennessee. Formal induction will follow later this year. Continue reading
Barry Keefe
Longtime Chicago radio newsman Barry Keefe is being remembered as a consummate broadcaster whose booming voice conveyed warmth and authority to morning-drive listeners for decades.
Keefe, who stepped down in 2008 after 30 years as director of news and public affairs at WTMX FM 101.9, died Sunday at his home in west suburban Wheaton. He was 62. Continue reading
Chicago Tribune, January 4, 1966
Fifty years ago today — on January 4, 1966 — Chicagoans got their first look at WFLD-Channel 32, a brand-new television station that promised to do things differently.
The call letters stood for Field Enterprises, publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Daily News, and the original owner of the channel. Early news programs originated from the city rooms of the two newspapers. Continue reading
"Chi-Town Rising" (Photo: Bob Malkovich)
Mark Giangreco and Janet Davies were dethroned as the king and queen of New Year’s Eve Thursday, as many more local TV viewers tuned in to see the inaugural broadcast of “Chi-Town Rising,” featuring a giant star ascending over the Chicago River.
Straight up at midnight, “Chi-Town Rising” on NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 had a 17.1 rating and 36 share, while “Countdown Chicago 2016” on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 had a 14.2 rating and 30 share, according to Nielsen figures released Friday. Continue reading
Cheryl Scott and Jerry Taft
Ten things to look for on the Chicago media beat in the coming year:
Mary Ellen Podmolik
Veteran Chicago business journalist Mary Ellen Podmolik has been promoted to associate managing editor/business at the Chicago Tribune, effective immediately.
Podmolik, who held the No. 2 job in the department, succeeds Mike Kellams, who surprised his staff by announcing he had accepted a voluntary buyout after 17 years at the Tribune, and that Thursday was his last day. Continue reading
Chicago news boxes
Robservations on the media beat:
In case you haven’t noticed, it’s costing more to buy the Chicago Tribune on newsstands. Over the Christmas weekend, the Tribune announced a 33 percent increase in its single-copy price throughout the Chicago area. Monday-through-Saturday increased from $1.50 to $1.99, while Sunday rose from $2.99 to $3.99. (The last price hike was in April 2014.) “The Chicago Tribune is committed to producing the exclusive investigative reporting, suburban news coverage, and thought-leading editorials that our audience expects of us,” said a note to readers. “Our pricing reflects the value associated with these product benefits.” Sun-Times sources say they’re holding steady at $1 on weekdays and $1.75 on Sundays. Continue reading