NBC Universal spinning off cable networks into new company

Cable networks such as USA Network and E! under new ownership by 2026  With the business in freefall, Comcast Corp. has decided to part ways with its cable networks.  As hinted a few weeks ago, Comcast announced Wednesday it is spinning off its cable networks from its NBCUniversal into a new company. Tentatively titled SpinCo (we hope it’s a temporary […]

Chicago Tribune Union shares AI concerns

Adds to guild’s frustration with Alden Global Capital You can add artificial intelligence, or AI, to the list of grievances Chicago Tribune employees have against their employer.  In current contract negotiations with The Chicago Tribune Guild, Tribune Publishing parent Alden Global Capital is looking to reserve the right to use AI in its news stories for all of the papers […]

Tribune staffers call for 24-hour strike Thursday

Call for fair wages, equal pay ignored by hedge fund The Chicago Tribune Guild, the union who oversees the journalists working at the Alden-owned newspaper, is going on a 24-hour strike beginning Thursday at 5 a.m. This is our open letter to Alden Global Capital explaining why we are going on strike tomorrow @chicagotribune pic.twitter.com/HDkutMeWlc — Gregory Royal Pratt (@royalpratt) […]

Nexstar’s purchase of The CW fueled by….a Chicago casino? (updated)

Nexstar financial chief says money from sale of printing press property helped purchase The CW [Editor’s Note: This story was updated November 19.] It turns out there is a Chicago connection to the recent purchase of The CW network by Irving, Tex.-based Nexstar Media Group – and it involves a future casino in our town. As reported by Hollywood trade […]

It’s official: Alden takes over the Chicago Tribune

Alden takes control, ending local ownership after more than 150 years  In a move everyone saw coming, New York City-based hedge fund Alden Global Capital last Friday got the green light to take full ownership of Tribune Publishing.  The Chicago Tribune – one of the papers involving in the Alden transaction, reported the deal officially closed late Monday night. This […]

Alden Global Capital to acquire the rest of Tribune Publishing

It’s [another] end of an era in Chicago media. But this one particularly stings In a deal anticipated for months, New York City-based hedge fund Alden Global Capital announced Tuesday it has decided to acquire the 68 percent of Tribune Publishing they already didn’t own in a $630 million deal, giving them full control of the Chicago-based media company. In […]

Gray buys Quincy Media’s TV outlets

Another television group exits Illinois  Atlanta-based Gray Television announced Monday the acquisition of Quincy Media’s television and radio properties for $925 million, a move expected as the Quincy, Ill.-based company announced late last year it was putting their media properties up for sale.  Once the deal is completed, Gray would own stations in 102 markets, mostly mid-sized and small metros. […]

What to look for in 2020

What’s on the media agenda in the first year of the new decade The new decade brings us things to look forward to in the world of media. So here’s are the ten things to keep your eye on in Chicago and in general for 2020. We’ll check back in at the end of the year to see how we […]

The Media Notepad: Univision Chicago, Chicago Reporter team to cover Latino community

Also: WLS-FM achieves historic feat; Nick Cannon to get new daytime show; MST3K canceled again Univision (branded locally as Univision Chicago) and the non-profit Chicago Reporter are teaming up to cover more of the area’s Hispanic community. As first reported by Broadcasting and Cable, the duo is forming a multi-platform news service named Latintext, and plans to cover important issues […]

FCC approves Tribune, Nexstar deal

Move ends 95 years of local control  I guess this is another way for the Trump administration and Republicans to stick it to Chicago. In another… all together now – partisan divided vote, the FCC approved the transaction of Nexstar Broadcasting, swallowing up Chicago-based Tribune Media for $6.4 billion. This gives Nexstar over 100 stations in 114 markets with a […]

Rewinding 2018 in media

Year marked by scandals, futility, and other things 2018 wasn’t exactly a repeat of the last two horrendous years in the media world, but scandals and deceit still ruled the roost. Though not topping 2017’s Disney-Fox deal, 2018 had some mega transactions – though the second-biggest merger of 2017 went bust as Sinclair Broadcasting’s $4 billion deal to buy Tribune […]

Goodbye (and good riddance) tronc

Company reverts back to Tribune Publishing One of the most stupidest names ever to grace a media company is finally gone. As speculated back in June, “tronc” is reverting back to the Tribune Publishing name after two years of criticism and ridicule. The change officially takes place October 9 at 3:15 p.m. local time in a decision announced Thursday. We […]

So long and no thanks for the tronc

Named expected to change back to Tribune Publishing after sale of LA Times, Ferro departure One of the most ridiculous names in media history is heading into the history books after two years. In a move approved last month, the parent company of the Chicago Tribune is reverting back to Tribune Publishing, after a disastrous  stint under the name “tronc”. […]