ABC 7 to produce 7 p.m. newscast for The U

Linda Yu and Hosea Sanders

Linda Yu and Hosea Sanders

In a groundbreaking partnership between two Chicago television powerhouses, Weigel Broadcasting’s WCIU-Channel 26 will air a one-hour Monday-through-Friday newscast in prime time, to be produced by ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7.

Starting January 12, “ABC 7 Eyewitness News on WCIU, The U,” will air from 7 to 8 p.m. weeknights, with veteran news anchors Linda Yu and Hosea Sanders, sports anchor Jim Rose and ABC 7’s newest hire, meteorologist Cheryl Scott. The newscast will originate from ABC 7 studios at 190 North State Street. Continue reading →

Cheryl Scott ‘truly thankful’ for ABC 7 weather role

Cheryl Scott

Cheryl Scott

As expected, meteorologist Cheryl Scott has officially joined the weather team at WLS-Channel 7, where she’ll initially be filling in during various newscasts.

Her hiring, effective immediately, was announced Monday by Jennifer Graves, vice president and news director of the ABC-owned station. Terms of her three-year deal were not disclosed.

Scott steps in as ABC 7’s fifth full-time weather personality along with chief meteorologist Jerry Taft and Tracy Butler, Mike Caplan and Phil Schwarz.

“I’m excited to join ABC 7 Eyewitness News and their respected and dedicated weather team,” Scott said in a statement. “I am truly thankful for the opportunity to continue my career in Chicago, a city I have come to know and love, and now call home!” Continue reading →

WGN America comes home to Chicago

"Salem"

"Salem"

For the first time ever, Chicago area cable viewers will be able to watch the national cable channel WGN America in addition to local Tribune Media flagship station WGN-Channel 9.

Starting Tuesday, Comcast Cable systems here will begin carrying WGN America as part of their basic cable tier, including such first-run original programming as “Salem” and "Manhattan” and upcoming reality series “Wrestling with Death” and “Outlaw Country.” Continue reading →

CBS 2 anchor Kate Sullivan ‘happy and grateful’ for delivery

Kate Sullivan and newborn Jack

Kate Sullivan and newborn Jack

Weekend news anchors Mai Martinez and Marissa Bailey are expected to alternate filling in alongside Rob Johnson on WBBM-Channel 2 newscasts for the next three months while Kate Sullivan is on maternity leave.

Sullivan, who co-anchors at 5, 6 and 10 p.m. weekdays on the CBS-owned station, last Thursday delivered a boy, John Michael Tillman. It’s a first child for Sullivan and Michael Tillman, who were married in December 2013. Continue reading →

Steve Dahl to write final chapter on Disco Demolition

Comiskey Park July 12, 1979

Comiskey Park July 12, 1979

Thirty-five years after he rocked Chicago and blew up the music world in what became the most infamous radio promotion of all time, Steve Dahl hopes to clear the air about Disco Demolition with a definitive book on the event.

The Chicago radio legend is teaming with author Dave Hoekstra and photographer Paul Natkin to write Disco Demolition: the Death of Disco. It’s set for release in April 2016 by Curbside Splendor, an independent publisher based in Humboldt Park. Continue reading →