Rick O'Dell

Chicago’s premier smooth jazz programmer is teaming up with Chicago’s premier radio station group to bring the mellow music format to HD Radio.

Rick O’Dell’s SmoothJazzChicago.net will be simulcast on Hubbard Radio’s WTMX 101.9 HD2, the secondary digital audio channel linked with the modern adult contemporary station, starting at noon Tuesday.

O’Dell, who pioneered smooth jazz in Chicago and was its signature voice for more than 25 years at WNUA FM 95.5 and WLFM LP 87.7, launched the site as a free 24/7 streaming digital station in November 2012. In addition to O’Dell, SmoothJazzChicago.net features Bill Cochran, Scott Adams and Patti Genko. Continue reading →

Ed Swiderski and Natalie Bomke

Here is a letter I received Friday from Edward R. Swiderski III, a Chicago marketing technology executive and former contestant on ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” on behalf of his girlfriend, Natalie Bomke, co-anchor of “Good Day Chicago” on Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32.

I’m posting it in its entirety without comment: Continue reading →

Daniel Schmidt

Once again a costly and time-consuming “nationwide search” by Chicago’s public broadcasting bureaucrats has ended up right back where it began.

On Monday, Daniel Schmidt, president and CEO of WTTW-Channel 11 and classical WFMT FM 98.7, promoted Jill Britton to senior vice president and chief development officer of parent company Window to the World Communications Inc. Britton has held various fundraising jobs with the company since 2006, rising from director of development for individual giving to senior vice president. Continue reading →

Scott Miller (left) and Pete McMurray

You gotta love Pete McMurray. And starting Monday, there’ll be an hour more to love him each night on WGN AM 720.

The veteran Chicago radio personality, who’s been hosting from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. weeknights since September, will now hit the air at 10 p.m. — trimming one hour from David Kaplan’s sports show on the Tribune Broadcasting news/talk station. Continue reading →

Dave Savini

CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 was keeping mum Saturday on the arrest of veteran investigative reporter Dave Savini, who faces charges of hit-and-run, driving under the influence, battery and endangering the life of a child.

The Daily Herald reported that police in west suburban Naperville arrested Savini shortly after midnight Saturday after he was reported to have been involved in a traffic accident in the parking lot of a Taco Bell. The driver of the other vehicle said Savini pushed him when he took a photograph of Savini’s license plate, according to police. Continue reading →

Randy Michaels (standing, right)

“The end may be nearer than you think for Merlin Media. GTCR, the private equity firm that partnered with CEO Randy Michaels to form the company in July 2011, is actively seeking buyers for all of Merlin Media’s properties, including adult hits WIQI FM 101.1 and classic rock WLUP FM 97.9 here.” — Robert Feder, Time Out Chicago, Sept. 25, 2012

“Merlin is not for sale.” — Randy Michaels, Radio Business Report, Sept. 26, 2012  Continue reading →

Cumulus Media, owner of news/talk WLS AM 890 and classic hits WLS FM 94.7, is about to double its presence in Chicago with the addition of classic rock WLUP FM 97.9 and WIQI FM 101.1 (which will revert to modern rock WKQX).

“The addition of WKQX and WLUP will add two legendary radio brands to the two legendary radio brands Cumulus already owns in Chicago,” John Dickey, executive vice president and co-chief operating officer of Cumulus, told Inside Radio. “We are excited to be growing our presence in one of the best media markets in the world.”

Terms of the agreement with Merlin Media announced Friday were not yet known. Continue reading →

Big John Howell

WIND AM 560, the Salem Communications news/talk station, kicked off the New Year by unveiling a new lineup that adds two syndicated talkers (Sean Hannity and Bill Bennett) and drops two others (Glenn Beck and Mike Gallagher).

But the big surprise is the expansion of the station’s local morning show to five hours, with Big John Howell and Amy Jacobson starting one hour later and holding forth from 6 to 11 a.m. five days a week. The new schedule begins Monday. Continue reading →

Ten things to look for on the media beat in the coming year:

• Fortified by an expanded broadcast portfolio, Tribune Co. will shed its publishing unit, placing the Chicago Tribune and other daily newspapers under a new debt-laden corporate entity. Continue reading →

Tom Marker (Photo: Kurt Swanson)

CBS Radio is closing out the year by parting company with two veteran Chicago radio personalities — Tom Marker of WXRT FM 93.1 and Trish Biondo of WUSN FM 99.5.

Marker’s position as WXRT’s evening personality and “Blues Breakers” host is being eliminated after 33 years at the adult album alternative station, according to insiders. Details of his separation agreement are being negotiated. Continue reading →