WGCI program director Johnny D. exits

Also: The Breakfast Club adds BET, VH1 to station lineup In the last few weeks, we’re seeing more and more layoffs in media as companies such as Roku and Disney are cutting employees as the economy – three years into the Covid era – continues to slow down. And radio, of course isn’t immune. The latest local name to be […]

Sports business survey: Chicago ranks 9th

While still in the top ten, a low finish should have local leaders rethinking their approach as crime scares away businesses and tourists  While it is being painted as a positive, a survey from industry trade Sports Business Journal ranked Chicago ninth among 50 other cities when it comes to “Best Sports Business Cities”. While still in the top ten, […]

Chicago mayoral forums – your viewer and streaming guide

Vallas, Johnson head into home stretch There are two weeks to go in one of the most raucous and close Chicago mayoral races in recent memory by far. The race to replace Lori Lightfoot in City Hall featuring challengers Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson advanced last month to the mayoral runoff taking place April 4, as Lightfoot failed to even […]

Swinging on a star: Alpha Media consolidates suburban stations, rebrands

Takes on 101.9 Mix in the suburbs In order to effectively take on Hubbard Hot Adult Contemporary powerhouse 101.9 The Mix (WTMX), Alpha Media is consolidating their competing similarly-formatted radio stations in three suburbs, including the same morning and afternoon shows under the moniker “Star Suburban Superstation”.  As first reported by Radio Insight, Waukegan’s WXLC (102.3 FM) is rebranding as […]

Bally Sports files for Chapter 11

Impact might not be felt immediately  The nation’s biggest regional sports network chain just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but of all the talk and bluster about its implosion, they actually might come out fine. Well, maybe. Bally Sports parent Diamond Sports Group entered those waters last Tuesday with the Southern District of Texas bankruptcy court as the company – […]

Fox Nation to investigate Jussie Smollett

New five-part series examines case that riveted nation The biggest scandal in Chicago on a national scale since Leopold and Loeb is getting the Fox Nation treatment. Fox Nation released on Monday a new five-part docuseries centered on the Jussie Smollett saga that griped the city throughout 2019. Titled Jussie Smollett: Anatomy Of A Hoax, the docuseries takes a look […]

WGN-TV to join YouTube TV lineup

Nexstar strikes deal to bring local channels to vMVPD In a move that fills a gap, Nexstar struck a deal with the Google-owned YouTube TV, bringing powerhouse independent WGN-TV to Chicago subscribers. It’s part of a larger deal made by the Texas-based broadcaster, the biggest in the nation. The agreement either brings or expands existing station contracts with 59 outlets […]

End of the line for Mayor Lightfoot

Incumbent ousted as she finished third in non-partisan race; had tension-filled relationship with media  Back in 2019, Lori Lightfoot stunned everyone by sweeping all fifty wards to become Chicago’s next mayor and the first Black woman and LGBTQ person to do so. But in the end, she was ineffective as a leader in City Hall and she was blown out […]

“Rachael Ray” to end after 17 seasons

Ray shifts focus to new venture Updated May 23, 2023.  On September 18, 2006, The T Dog Media Blog was launched – coincidentally on the same day The Rachael Ray Show did. Now after seventeen seasons, it’s Rachael who’s calling it a career – at least in daytime television.  “In my more than 20 plus years in television I have had […]

ABC 7 promotes Elgas, Baichwal to prime news slots

Market leader fills spots vacated by retiring Alan Krashesky Posted at 12:41 a.m. Top-rated ABC 7 (WLS-TV) announced Thursday the promotion of veteran anchors Rob Elgas and Ravi Baichwal to prime weekday slots, filling the void left by the retirement of Alan Krashesky last November.  Rob Elgas will begin anchoring the 10 p.m. newscast and the 7 p.m. livestream with […]

Kenzie K exits B96; Kyle Santillian joins syndicated “Morning Hustle”

Radio news you can use   Kenzie Kramer, who goes by the on-air name of Kenzie K, has departed Audacy’s B96, or WBBM-FM after four years as midday personality. In addition, she is no longer providing voice services for Audacy’s other Top 40 stations.  “Kenzie K is no longer with Audacy,” said Audacy regional president Rachael Williamson in an internal memo. […]