Robservations: Melissa McGurren 'really sorry' to be missing from The Mix

Melissa McGurren (Facebook video)

Robservations on the media beat:

As her disappearance from the popular WTMX 101.9-FM morning show she co-hosts with Eric Ferguson continues without explanation, Melissa McGurren released a Facebook video expressing sorrow for her monthslong absence. “I just wanted to say I appreciate all the messages and notes on Facebook and Instagram, and I just don’t want anybody to worry that anybody’s sick or has COVID or anything like that,” McGurren said. (Here is the link.) “We’re, thank goodness, all healthy in our family and I hope that you’re all healthy in your family. I pray for that every single night. But I just didn’t want anybody to worry. And I’m really sorry that I haven’t been there. I really truly am. I want to just make sure that I wished everybody a happy belated Thanksgiving and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and miss you all. Thanks, you guys. OK, love you all. Thank you for all those great messages. Thank you so much. Bye bye.” Asked to comment on McGurren’s status with the Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary station, vice president of brand and content Jimmy Steal said: “Melissa is taking some additional time off around the holidays.” Continue reading →

Robservations: Dish Network blackout of Nexstar stations exploits viewers

Dish Network

Robservations on the media beat:

While Dish Network and Nexstar Media Group continue to play hardball on a retransmission agreement, viewers of "Chicago's Very Own" WGN-Channel 9 and WGN America cable network were plunged into darkness Wednesday night by the satellite TV provider. WGN and 163 other Nexstar stations in 115 markets nationwide were affected by the dispute over carriage fees. “This record-breaking blackout is not only exploitative, but also an endangerment to the health and safety of countless Americans who rely on their local news for up-to-date coronavirus information,” said a spokesperson for American Television Alliance, a coalition of interested groups. Noting a similar move Tuesday involving AT&T and Tegna stations outside of Chicago, the ATVA added: “We thought the ongoing global pandemic may have curbed big broadcast from leveraging consumer access during retrans negotiations. Unfortunately, two separate major blackouts this week alone have proven us wrong.” Continue reading →

Robservations: WBBM Newsradio hosts 25th annual ‘Good Neighbor Radiothon’

Eddie "Chicago Ed" Schwartz

Robservations on the media beat:

Pat Cassidy

It's been nearly four decades since the late, great Eddie "Chicago Ed" Schwartz, king of late-night radio in Chicago, launched his annual Good Neighbor Food Drive on WGN 720-AM. Twenty-five years ago it morphed into the "Good Neighbor Radiothon" on Entercom all-news WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM to raise money for The Salvation Army. Starting at 7 a.m. Friday, WBBM Newsradio anchor Pat Cassidy will host the 11-hour fundraiser, seeking donations via phone or online. (Here is the link.) “Over the years, WBBM’s ‘Good Neighbor Radiothon’ has helped feed, clothe and house thousands of Chicagoans in need,” said Rachel Williamson, regional president and market manager of Entercom Chicago. “This year especially, many of our neighbors are facing new challenges they’ve never before experienced. . . . We’re looking forward to supporting The Salvation Army’s efforts to keep our friends healthy during the holidays and beyond.” Continue reading →

Robservations: Newsman John Dempsey announces retirement from WLS Radio

John Dempsey

Robservations on the media beat:

You won’t find a more solid and reliable newsman in all of Chicago radio than John Dempsey. Now he’s voluntarily stepping down as news director and afternoon news anchor at WLS 890-AM. Dempsey, 60, announced Monday he’s retiring after 38 years in broadcast journalism, including the last 13 at the Cumulus Media news/talk station. His final day on the air with afternoon host Big John Howell will be December 23. “My career in news has been one of the highlights of my life, one that has allowed me to cover thousands of stories and meet people from every walk of life,” Dempsey wrote in an email to colleagues. “The entire experience has made me a better person and enriched my life beyond anything I could have imagined, but now I want to step aside to give myself more time to think about my next chapter.” A Chicago native and Southern Illinois University graduate, Dempsey joined WLS in 2007 after stints at WBEZ 91.5-FM, WBBM 780-AM and the former WMAQ as well as WFLD-Channel 32. “John brought his love for journalism to work every day and we are all more informed because of it,” said Stephanie Tichenor, program director of WLS. “We will miss his news judgment, knowledge and most importantly, we will miss him.” Continue reading →

WTTW pats itself on the back with ‘Making Sense of 2020’

Brandis Friedman and Paris Schutz

There’s still a full month to go before 2020 is over, but that’s not stopping WTTW-Channel 11 from wrapping it up already. Like everyone else, it seems Chicago's public television station can’t wait for the year to end either.

The result is “Making Sense of 2020,” a retrospective on what veteran news anchor Phil Ponce called “a hellacious year — one jaw-dropping moment after another,” premiering at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Continue reading →

Robservations: Dish Network turns up heat on Nexstar renewal

WGN

Robservations on the media beat:

Dish Network

"Nexstar Media Group threatens largest local station blackout in TV history, according to Dish," blared the headline on Dish Network's press release Thursday. It accused the parent company of WGN-Channel 9 and the WGN America cable network of demanding "unreasonable rate increases" and threatening "to blackout its stations from Dish customers to gain negotiation leverage." (Here is the link.) Given Dish’s long history of service interruptions with station groups and networks, it seemed reasonable that Nexstar stations began warning viewers that Dish subscribers might face a service interruption starting Wednesday when Nexstar’s contract with Dish expires. "Despite our tireless efforts, Dish has refused our fair offer and is making negotiations very difficult," Nexstar posted on station websites. "You might have seen them do this before. They will tell you it’s for your benefit, but don’t believe it." (Here is the link.) For what it's worth, the deal Nexstar is seeking is similar to those reached with hundreds of other cable, satellite, and teleco operators without interruptions. Beyond that, it's little more than posturing we've seen so many times before. Continue reading →

Robservations: Ryan Chiaverini to fill in on WLS Radio morning show

Ryan Chiaverini

Robservations on the media beat:

Ryan Chiaverini, the amiable co-host of “Windy City Live,” will give talk radio a whirl all next week on WLS 890-AM. Starting Monday, he’ll be the first weeklong fill-in morning host on the Cumulus Media news/talk station until Bruce St. James — replacement for the outgoing Erich Mancow Muller — starts December 14. "I’ve done a lot of radio as a guest on shows over the years — including Mancow many times — but this will be the first time hosting for an entire week," Chiaverini told me. "I have developed a lot of celebrity friendships through 'Windy City Live' so I definitely will have some celebrity guests. I’m also creating some fun radio bits and segments. I’ve always really enjoyed radio and the creative aspect to produce some comedic bits and have the extra time for interviews that you just can’t get on television. I’m not looking forward to waking up at 3:30 a.m., but it’s a great opportunity." Now in his 10th season with co-host Val Warner, Chiaverini continues on “Windy City Live” at 1 p.m. weekdays on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7. Continue reading →