Carol Marin

Carol Marin, one of Chicago's most honored and respected journalists of all time, is bringing down the curtain on her legendary TV news career after 48 years.

Marin, 71, surprised colleagues today by announcing that she will step down as political editor at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 and correspondent for “Chicago Tonight” at Window to the World Communications WTTW-Channel 11 after she covers the presidential election November 3. Continue reading →

WBEZ

In an embarrassing setback for the nonprofit parent company of news/talk WBEZ 91.5-FM, it’s back to square one in the search for a new president and chief executive officer of Chicago Public Media.

Andi McDaniel, who accepted the job in May and was expected to start at the end of September, withdrew her acceptance Friday in the wake of a scandal that occurred on her watch at her previous employer. Continue reading →

Bill Kurtis

Robservations on the media beat:

When Bill Kurtis talks, people listen. Now the legendary Chicago anchorman wants to have a word with you about wearing a mask. Strictly on a lark, Kurtis has recorded a marvelous series of over-the-top public service announcements from his north suburban Mettawa home to promote wearing masks during the pandemic. Each of the seven spots features Kurtis narrating a mock-dramatic vignette (mostly in film noir style), backed by music from David Huizenga, former composer for Kurtis Productions. "When you’re in shelter for six months, one’s creativity goes wild," said Kurtis, who turns 80 later this month. "I think I was channeling Ken Nordine, Chicago radio of the 1930s, 'The Lone Ranger,' etc. . . . Call them mini-radio shows or whatever. It’s certainly fun doing the voices and writing." So far they've aired only on Bob Sirott's morning show on Nexstar Media Group news/talk WGN 720-AM. (Here is the link.) Kurtis also just began posting them on his Twitter and Facebook accounts. "It’s my first experience with social media and it’s amazing," he told me. "Lightning fast reaction." Continue reading →

"News Nation"

Robservations on the media beat:

CNN

Every startup has growing pains, but “News Nation” may be having more than its share. Just 10 days after the launch of the Chicago-based three-hour primetime national newscast on WGN America, Nexstar Media Group is facing trouble on two fronts. Starting with less than stellar ratings for its opening night, the Nielsen numbers have been falling off in the second and third hours of the newscast. (Most nights are averaging less than 100,000 viewers nationwide.) In addition, staffers at Nexstar stations — including WGN-Channel 9 here — are said to be apoplectic over the decision by CNN to terminate its video sharing agreement with the company's 197 affiliates. As first reported by FTVLive.com, the move came in retaliation for a Nexstar corporate edict that its local stations withhold breaking news video from competing networks so "News Nation" can have it first. “This was screwed up from the beginning and now we’re paying for it,” one Nexstar station news director told the industry website. A company spokesman declined to comment. Continue reading →

David Kaplan

On the eve of the Chicago Bears season opener this weekend against the Detroit Lions, NBC Sports Chicago has tapped David Kaplan to host its “Football Aftershow” wrap-up program.

Kaplan is expected to debut Sunday as host of the 90-minute show, which features a panel of NFL experts, including former Bears Lance Briggs, Alex Brown and Olin Kreutz. Continue reading →

Windy City Times

The newspaper billed as “the voice of Chicago’s gay, lesbian, bi, trans and queer community since 1985” is ceasing print publication after 35 years.

Windy City Times will move to a digital-only format in October, according to an announcement today by majority owner Tracy Baim. The website at windycitytimes.com also will preserve its archive of stories and photos. Continue reading →

Steve Bertrand

Robservations on the media beat:

John Records Landecker

Overshadowed by the firing late Friday of afternoon host Roe Conn and overnight host Nick Digilio was news of two new shows coming to Nexstar Media Group news/talk WGN 720-AM. Starting September 28, “Chicago’s Afternoon News,” hosted by longtime news anchor Steve Bertrand, will air from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. “I am thrilled to get a chance to help create a show that will be equal parts informative and entertaining," said Bertrand, who's been with WGN since 1985. "With any luck, we’ll end the day a little smarter and have a good time getting there.” Also September 28, Radio Hall of Famer John Records Landecker signs on as host from 7 to 10 p.m. weeknights. It's a return to the nighttime airwaves Landecker dominated when he first joined Top 40 powerhouse WLS 890-AM in 1972. "Boogie Check," anyone? Continue reading →

WGN Radio

WGN 720-AM, the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station, chose the Friday night of a three-day holiday weekend to drop the bombshell that it's overhauling its weekday afternoon and evening lineup.

Out — effective immediately — is afternoon personality Roe Conn, whose contract runs through the end of the year. He was notified after he got off the air Friday that it was his last show.

Also out is overnight personality Nick Digilio, who also was notified Friday. Continue reading →

Lisa Dent

Lisa Dent, who's been synonymous with country music radio in Chicago for nearly two decades, never got to say goodbye to her fans.

As midday personality at WEBG 95.5-FM, Dent was among the casualties when iHeartMedia pulled the plug on the station's country format Thursday and switched to rock. It's now branded as "Rock 95 Five." Continue reading →

Loyola University (Photo: Zack Miller/The Phoenix)

Robservations on the media beat:

Mary Chappell

The world needs more journalists like Mary Chappell. The Loyola University senior and editor-in-chief of the Loyola Phoenix student newspaper wrote a column this week that made many in the business want to stand up and cheer. (Here is the link.) In the piece headlined "As Reporters, It’s Our Duty to Document the Good, the Bad and the Ugly," Chappell explained why her paper needs to cover campus protests without fear or favor. "Our sole job is to side with complete and full accuracy," she wrote. "Our job isn’t to be a promoter, it’s to cover things as they are." Her full-throated defense stood in contrast to an ill-conceived editorial last fall in Northwestern University's Daily Northwestern, which capitulated to the mob. Chappell, who grew up in Denver, has worked for the Daily Herald, Sun-Times and CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2. Continue reading →