Roger Stone

Robservations on the media beat:

Mancow Muller

Roger Stone, the Republican operative and former adviser to President Donald Trump, is getting a big boost from Mancow Muller, morning host on Cumulus Media news/talk WLS 890-AM. Stone was indicted in January by Special Counsel Robert Mueller on five counts of lying to Congress, as well as witness tampering and obstruction of justice. To raise funds for Stone's defense, WLS will host “Stone Free: Mancow & Roger Stone Uncensored,” a dinner July 21 at Maggiano's in Schaumburg. Tickets range from $100 to $500. Separately, Muller is hosting a sold-out private dinner for Stone at Marchesa Chicago. At $1,000-a-plate, all proceeds are going to Stone. Although Stone has been a guest on his show, Muller said they're not friends. "I always stand with those that stand against big government," Muller told me. "Politics have nothing to do with this. Free speech — my life’s work — does. Roger Stone is being crushed by an out-of-control weaponized judiciary and we are showing mercy to the oppressed." Continue reading →

WTTW WFMT

Robservations on the media beat:

Lisa Flynn

Without fanfare, WFMT 98.7-FM canceled its long-running noon newscast earlier this month, replacing it with “Music in Chicago” on the Window to the World Communications classical music station. At noon each weekday, midday host Lisa Flynn presents a selection that celebrates the music community in Chicago. “It could be a recording of a recently-performed concert in Chicago, a historical recording from Chicago, previewing an upcoming Chicago concert, or featuring a Chicago artist,” according to the station. Back on WFMT’s schedule is “Live from Carnegie Hall” at 10 p.m. Thursdays. Syndicated by the WFMT Radio Network, the series features performers and ensembles in a range of styles, from early music to solo recitals to orchestral performances. Continue reading →

Hubbard Radio Chicago

Hubbard Radio Chicago delivered a one-two punch in the Nielsen Audio survey, with two of its powerhouse stations leading the market in ratings released Wednesday.

WTMX 101.9-FM, the hot-adult contemporary station known as The Mix, finished first for the third consecutive month, followed this time by WDRV 97.1-FM, the classic rock station known as The Drive. Continue reading →

Jose Abreu (Photo: NBC Sport Chicago)

Robservations on the media beat:

June ratings for Chicago White Sox broadcasts on NBC Sports Chicago hit their highest level in seven years. Compared to this time last season they're up a whopping 36 percent. What's behind the resurgence? "It really boils down to the young core of this team, who have been developing in the minors over the past few years and are finally making their way to the big league club," said one network insider. "It’s a solid group of players who we have been educating the viewers about for a long time now. Hopefully, this is the start of something good." Just before Tuesday's All-Star Game, White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, who's in the final year of his contract, told NBC Sports Chicago: "We’re going to be very, very good. That’s why I’m telling you guys that if the White Sox don’t sign me, I’m going to sign here anyway. I’m going to sign myself here. I’m going to be here, believe me. I’m going to be here. I don’t want to miss this, I don’t want to miss what is coming, and I’m going to be here." Continue reading →

Eastland Disaster 1915 (Photo: Eastland Disaster Historical Society)

One of the worst days in Chicago history is the subject of a great new documentary.

"Eastland: Chicago's Deadliest Day," produced and written by Harvey Moshman and Chuck Coppola, tells the tragic but little-known story of the steamship that capsized while docked at the Chicago River on July 24, 1915, killing 844 people onboard. Continue reading →

Jim O'Shea (Photo: WTTW/Chicago Tonight)

Jim O'Shea's latest effort to breathe new life into public-service journalism combines a forward-looking news media technology start-up with a 137-year-old weekly newspaper in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

For years the former managing editor of the Chicago Tribune has been in the forefront of finding ways to fix what he calls the "broken business model" of a news industry corroded by bean counters. His 2011 book, The Deal from Hell: How Moguls and Wall Street Plundered Great American Newspapers, was a vivid indictment of the greed and arrogance of predatory owners. Continue reading →

Chicago Defender

Robservations on the media beat:

Chicago Defender

Wednesday will mark the final print edition of the Chicago Defender as the historic African American newspaper shifts entirely to digital publication. Founded by Robert S. Abbott in 1905, the Defender played a crucial role in promoting the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North in the first half of the 20th century. In 1929 the paper created The Bud Billiken Day Parade, a legacy that endures to this day. Now owned by Detroit-based Real Times Media, the Defender switched from daily to weekly publication in 2008. "It is simply time for the publication to break away from the printed page and put more focus on bringing our readers daily content from the African American perspective and increasing the impact of our community voice," said Hiram E. Jackson, CEO of Real Times Media. "We understand that to some of our loyal readers, this rite of passage is a painful one. However, we are committed to preserving the legacy of the Chicago Defender and are excited to be making this bold step to ensure its vitality for the next 100 years." Continue reading →

Scott Stantis

After 10 years as full-time editorial cartoonist for the Chicago Tribune, Scott Stantis is taking a step back from the drawing board by shifting to freelance status.

Under the new arrangement, his work will continue to appear in the Tribune but less frequently than it does now. Continue reading →

Stephanie Trussell

Robservations on the media beat:

After seven years on Cumulus Media news/talk WLS 890-AM, Stephanie Trussell's weekly talk show has been dropped to accommodate University of Illinois football and basketball broadcasts, effective August 30. Airing from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturdays, Trussell's was among the few live, local shows on the weekend lineup. She landed the gig by winning the station's first "Next Talk Star Contest" in 2012. "Thank you to all who have supported me," Trussell wrote on Facebook. "I owe everything to God, all of the listeners and the team at WLS, who took a risk by allowing a suburban housewife/mom behind their 50,000 watt microphone." Trussell has agreed to host a weekly podcast for the station. Said WLS program director Stephanie Tichenor: "We are delighted to continue to offer Stephanie's unique content on our website." Continue reading →

Pat Tomasulo

Robservations on the media beat:

Pat Tomasulo has lost his weekly late-night comedy show on WGN-Channel 9. The Tribune Broadcasting station confirmed that it’s pulled the plug on “Man of the People,” the locally produced showcase for the smart-aleck sports anchor on “WGN Morning News.” The last episode will air July 20. Launched in January 2018 with hopes of distribution nationally, the program proved too ambitious and too expensive. But elements of the Saturday night show could be revived on the station’s website. "Pat has built an impressive brand with ‘Man of the People’ on multiple platforms,” said a WGN spokesperson. “We appreciate the creativity, passion and success that Pat and his team have created with the show. We look forward to continued success of ‘Man of the People’ in various formats as we move forward." Tweeted Tomasulo: “Thanks to all who’ve watched and supported." Continue reading →