The “6-7” arrives in the ‘burbs (with a 9 in the back)

The Star falls as the Hot AC format is replaced with Classic Hits After 22 years, Joilet’s Star 96.7 fell on Friday morning, went “on hold,” and was replaced with the new phrase the kids are using these days and posting on social media: “6-7”.  However, there is a key difference: there is a “9” in front of the “6-7”. […]

CBS News Radio to shutter after nearly 100 years

Launched in 1927, the long-running news service is a victim of budget cuts by the Paramount-owned network In a stunning decision, Paramount’s CBS News announced Friday that it was closing its radio division after 99 years, leaving nearly 700 radio stations affiliated with the network scrambling for replacements. The news impacts Audacy-owned WBBM-AM here in Chicago; the station has been […]

Cubs, White Sox announce media deals

Marquee lands on Prime Video and Hulu + Live TV; the White Sox to air ten games in The U this season With the baseball season officially starting in a week, Chicago’s baseball teams have announced additional ways fans can tune in.  The Cubs’ Marquee Sports announced Wednesday it has struck a deal with Disney’s Hulu + Live TV virtual […]

Nexstar-Tegna merger approved by DOJ and FCC

Approved despite lawsuits by states, DirecTV In a historic move, the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice approved the $6.2 billion merger between Irving, Tex.-based Nexstar and McLean, Va.-based Tegna, despite a lawsuit filed by eight state attorneys general and DirecTV. The deal officially closed Thursday night.  The FCC granted waivers to Nexstar despite the national ownership cap […]

iHeart launches “TikTok Radio”

New channel to air over WGCI HD-2 ; TikTok’s new life began March 13 TikTok Radio made its official move to the iHeartRadio platform on March 13, and it seems the company – which was once known as Clear Channel and earned the moniker “Cheap Channel” for its known cost-cutting and voice tracking, seems to be pouring more effort and […]

Remembering Orion Samuelson, John Hultman

Both were journalistic legends in Chicago radio Also: Jorie Lueloff, the first female TV newscaster in Chicago, dies at 85 Chicago radio observers are mourning the loss of two huge giants who were at the top of their game from the 1960s through the 1980s.  WGN Radio announced the passing of radio legend Orion Samuelson on Monday. Originally a dairy […]

More Drew for you: Daytime talker picked up for two more years

Comes after the fates of three other syndicated talk shows were decided After the cancellation of Sherri and with Kelly Clarkson retiring from the daytime grind, CBS Media Ventures renewed The Drew Barrymore Show for two more seasons, taking the show through 2028. The talk show began in September 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic.  The renewal includes […]

More layoffs in local news: Fox 32 part ways with anchor, producer

Comes after WGN layoffs [Editor’s Note: This post was updated on March 7 at 10:30 a.m.] As reported by the Sun-Times Thursday night, Fox-owned WFLD-TV/Fox 32 parted ways with anchor Scott Schneider after a decade, and executive news producer Marissa Rubino. Schneider has co-anchored the 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. newscasts with Dawn Hasbrouck since late 2023, succeeding the now-retired […]

Cumulus files for Chapter 11…again

This time, the filing is different Atlanta-based Cumulus Radio announced it’s filing for bankruptcy again – but this time, with a different twist. The owner of WLS-AM/FM and Q101 in Chicago has reached a restructuring agreement with a group of lenders that will eliminate the remaining $600 million in debt and balance its books. To do so, the company plans […]