Chicago radio ratings: WBBM Newsradio, 94.7 WLS and V103 tie for first place

Greg Brown

For the first time ever there's a three-way tie for Chicago's most popular radio station, according to the latest Nielsen Audio survey.

Ratings released Monday showed WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM, the Entercom all-news combo; WLS 94.7-FM, the Cumulus Media classic hits station; and WVAZ 102.7-FM, the iHeartMedia urban adult-contemporary station, sharing the top spot with identical 5.1 percent audience shares among all listeners. Continue reading →

‘Horrible mistake’ prompts John Tesh to return Radio Hall of Fame award

Radio Hall of Fame

Earlier this month syndicated radio host John Tesh was among nine broadcasters inducted in the 2019 class of the Radio Hall of Fame. A few days later he packed up his award and mailed it back.

What ticked off Tesh?

Sources at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, which administers the Radio Hall of Fame, said Tesh objected to the way his wife and business partner, actress Connie Sellecca, was treated as a presenter at the induction ceremonies. Continue reading →

Robservations: Reporter Jesse Kirsch moving up fast at ABC 7

Jesse Kirsch

Robservations on the media beat:

Jesse Kirsch, who was hired straight out of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism as WLS-Channel 7's first digital reporter in 2017, has been promoted to general assignment reporter at the ABC-owned station. A native of Livingston, New Jersey, Kirsch graduated summa cum laude from Medill, where he was news director and anchor for Northwestern News Network. Several of his stories have been picked up by ABC News. “Jesse has done a terrific job for us and has made impressive contributions on all of [our] platforms,” said Jennifer Graves, vice president of news at ABC 7. Continue reading →

Robservations: Chicago Reader to go nonprofit route

Chicago Reader (November 14, 2019)

Robservations on the media beat:

Tracy Baim

After nearly 50 years as the city's premier alternative weekly, the Chicago Reader is about to move to a nonprofit business model. Owners Elzie Higginbottom and Leonard Goodman, who rescued the Reader from Sun-Times mismanagement in 2018, have made a deal to sell the newspaper to a newly created nonprofit, the Reader Institute for Community Journalism, in early January. The Reader hasn't turned a profit in ages, although revenue is said to be up almost 50 percent this year. As an official nonprofit, the door will be open to additional revenue sources, including foundation grants and other donations. “I am so excited about the opportunities this new move will have for the Reader,” said Tracy Baim, who's staying on as publisher along with most of the current staff. “More media companies are turning nonprofit to expand their support networks. The Reader has a very loyal readership. We believe community-supported journalism is an important part of the future for most independent media, and certainly for the Reader.” Continue reading →

Robservations: Entercom sets sights on new Chicago boss

WBBM Newsradio

Robservations on the media beat:

Rachel Williamson

Nothing is official yet, but look for Rachel Williamson, a New York-based media and marketing executive, to succeed Jimmy de Castro as senior vice president and market manager of Entercom Chicago. De Castro announced Friday he’s stepping down next month after two years overseeing the seven-station group. Since 2016 Williamson has been president of Gamut, the advertising, marketing and promotion services arm of Cox Media Group (which is about to be acquired by Apollo Global Management private equity funds). She previously worked as director of digital revenue development for Cox Media Group and director of national sales for Cumulus Media. She also held sales positions with Nielsen Audio and Hubbard Radio Chicago. Entercom Chicago includes all-news WBBM 780-AM and WCFS 105.9-FM; sports/talk WSCR 670-AM; Top 40 WBBM 96.3-FM; adult album alternative WXRT 93.1-FM; country WUSN 99.5-FM, and classic hip hop WBMX 104.3-FM. Continue reading →

Banner year ahead with Dahl brothers teaming up

Patrick Dahl

They’re not exactly following in their famous father’s footsteps, but two of radio legend Steve Dahl’s sons are now working together in the content creation business.

Coinciding with the relaunch this week of Chicago-based video production company Banner, Patrick Dahl, 38, has been promoted to president, and brother Michael Dahl, 36, has signed on as executive producer. Continue reading →

Class of 2020: Silver Circle to add 10 TV legends

Marlin Perkins

Marlin Perkins, the former Lincoln Park Zoo director who brought the animal world home to millions of viewers through “Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom,” will be honored posthumously with the Chicago TV industry’s highest honor.

Perkins is one of 10 notable broadcasters chosen for induction this spring in the Silver Circle of the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

He and the other 2020 honorees were announced Saturday at the 61st annual regional Emmy Awards. Continue reading →

'Game changer' Jimmy de Castro retiring as Entercom Chicago boss

Jimmy de Castro

Legendary media entrepreneur Jimmy de Castro, who downsized and revitalized the seven Chicago radio stations owned by Entercom Communications, is ready to take a gamble on his next adventure.

"I’m officially retiring after my contract is up — but I’ve flunked retirement three times," de Castro, 66, told me. "I definitely have plans on doing something else in the gaming business, and I’m excited about that opportunity." Continue reading →