103.5 Kiss FM’s “The Fred Show” scores multi-year renewal

Includes four other radio stations As first reported by Radio Insight on Thursday, iHeartMedia has signed a mega-renewal deal with Christopher “Fred” Frederick to continue his morning show at CHR/Top 40 103.5 Kiss FM for the next five years, with a new contract that runs through 2030.  “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue growing ‘The Fred Show’ in […]

Indianapolis’ WRTV sold to Circle City Broadcasting; creates triopoly

Another case of broadcasters challenging FCC regulations In yet another instance where broadcasters are challenging the FCC’s media ownership rules, Scripps’ WRTV in Indianapolis is being sold to Circle City Broadcasting, which already owns CW affiliate WISH-TV and independent WNDY-TV, creating a triopoly in the nation’s 26th-largest market for $83 million.  “As a native of Indianapolis and a career small […]

Disney the latest to come into YouTubeTV’s crosshairs

Threatens to pull ABC and ESPN channels a week from now As hinted at for the last few weeks, Google’s YouTubeTV and The Walt Disney Company are involved in a standoff over a new deal, with Disney warning customers they may lose their channels on October 30 at 11 p.m. CT if an agreement isn’t reached. Disney owns ESPN, Disney […]

Paramount, others seek to buy Warner Bros. Discovery

Friendly regulatory climate, urge to compete with streamers fuels merger talk The future of Warner Bros. Discovery appears to be headed in two directions: a split or an outright takeover by another media company. It’s clear that Paramount head David Ellison, whose Skydance bought the company last year, is looking for more. That’s what media observers are looking at, as […]

Medill local news survey: Viewers still trust local news, but consumes it differently

Respondents have varying opinions on AI as younger people leave legacy media behind Last month, the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University released its second annual study on how viewers in the Chicago area consume and receive local news. The study provided valuable insights into trust, how viewers consume local news, and a significant issue: artificial intelligence (AI). Surveyed across […]

NBCUniversal Local Chicago renews Chicago Marathon media rights

Extends linear, digital rights through 2028 NBCUniversal Local Chicago, which consists of WMAQ-TV, Telemundo affiliate WSNS-TV,  NBCChicago.com, and its digital platforms, announced on Wednesday an extension of their current media rights for the Bank Of America Chicago Marathon through the 2028 race. “We’re thrilled to announce our continued partnership with NBC 5 Chicago and Telemundo Chicago as the official English […]

So long, PTC: Conservative TV watchdog group files for bankruptcy

Rose to fame due to Nippelgate After a three-decade run, the infamous Parents Television Council is no more. Known more recently as The Parents Television and Media Council, the watchdog group that terrorized free speech advocates, television executives, and Hollywood filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last week, revealing $92,000 in assets and $285,000 in liabilities. The organization’s membership has dwindled […]

WGN-TV news producer detained by ICE agents

Comes as immigration blitz continues through Chicago area The Chicago Tribune is reporting that a videographer and producer from Nexstar-owned WGN-TV was violently detained by ICE agents during a raid on the North Side Friday morning.  Debbie Brockman, who has been working for the station’s creative department since 2011, was detained by agents for “obstruction” after they arrested a person […]

Chicago PPM Report: Immigration blitzes and ICE protests sends listeners to news and talk stations

The Drive tops overall ratings while Kiss 103.5 FM is first in 25-54s With the continuing ICE enforcement and National Guard drama in Chicago, listeners tuned in to the city’s news, talk, and information stations in increasing numbers during the month of September in PPMs released earlier this week.  Operation Midway Blitz was fanned across the nation’s third-largest radio and […]

“Everybody Loves Raymond” heads to MeTV

Rare pickup of 1990s/2000s sitcom for classic TV channel In a surprising move, Weigel Broadcasting’s classic TV has acquired off-network rerun rights to former CBS hit Everybody Loves Raymond from CBS Media Ventures with airings scheduled for weeknights at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. CT and Sundays at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., starting October 13.  Outside of Saved By […]

NBCUniversal, YouTubeTV reach long-term agreement

Covers cable channels being spun off to Versant, is relaunching NBCSN  A day after reaching a short-term extension to stay on Google’s YouTubeTV, NBCUniversal announced a new long-term deal, which includes NBC, its owned stations, Bravo, Telemundo, and the soon-to-be spun-off cable channels to Versant: CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, SyFy, and others. Also included are NBC’s four regional sports network channels […]

Michelle Rutkowski named Brand Manager at 93XRT

She comes to the Audacy station from now-defunct Milwaukee cluster Audacy’s Triple A 93XRT (WXRT-FM) has named Michelle Rutkowski as their new Brand Manger, effective October 13. The Chicago native succeeds Laura Duncan in the role, who exits November 3. Duncan announced in August she would be stepping down from the position after four years.  “We are excited to welcome […]