Chicago Public Media CEO Matt Moog to step down

Successor is yet to be named

As first reported by Radio Insight, Chicago Public Media CEO Matt Moog is planning to step down from his position as soon as his successor is found. 

“I plan to return to my roots as a technology entrepreneur“, said Moog in a statement. “I feel a great sense of gratitude for the Board, staff, and supporters who embraced the opportunity to combine two great news organizations in a bold effort to serve the greater Chicago community with independent local journalism.”

Moog was named CEO of the entity in 2020 after ten years as a board member. During his tenure, CPM’s WBEZ combined with the Chicago Sun-Times in a first-of-its-kind merger between non-profit media companies, making it the largest non-profit newsroom in the country. WBEZ had a major ratings boost during Covid (finishing as high as fourth overall in the Nielsen PPMs) while the Sun-Times saw its digital audience increase by 70 percent as it became the first major publication to dismantle its paywall. Today, the Sun-Times boasts 20,000 members and has 4.5 million weekly listeners and readers throughout their various platforms.

Adrienne King, chair of the Chicago Sun-Times Media Board of Director, said, “We are grateful for Matt’s vision and leadership as we combined these two great news organizations”, said Adrienne King, who is chair of the Chicago Sun-Times Media Board of Directors. “Thanks to the hard work of Matt and his team, we believe that Chicago Public Media, inclusive of the Sun-Times and WBEZ, is well-positioned to help Chicago realize its full potential as a city that is vibrant, inclusive, and equitable. We are excited about our collective future and wish Matt well in his future endeavors.”

The marriage between a radio station and a newspaper was also notable given it was the first of its kind – profit or non-profit – in decades as the FCC’s cross-ownership rules barred any kind of merger between for-profit radio, newspapers, and TV stations. The U.S. Supreme Court tossed the rules in 2021. 

Chicago Public Media officials said they would begin a search for a new CEO early in 2024, whereas Moog would officially leave his position.