The latest

WGN-TV to host town hall with Mayor Brandon Johnson

Announced after Nexstar ordered the station to run segments supporting media deregulation  For the first time since he was elected mayor in 2023, Brandon Johnson is sitting down with a local television station to discuss issues facing the city.  Titled A Town Hall Meeting With Mayor Brandon Johnson, the one-hour news special airs this Wednesday at 6 p.m. over Nexstar’s […]

Trump administration ends funding for NPR, PBS in executive order

Chicago area’s public broadcasters to be affected American public networks PBS and NPR are exploring legal options after President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday night, eliminating federal funding for both. The moves are certain to impact Chicago’s WTTW and WBEZ, and Merrillville’s Lakeshore Public Media, which consists of WYIN and WLPR-FM (89.1 FM). The order comes as no […]

Trump installs tariffs on movies: “The movie industry is dying”

  Could TV shows be next? Those dreaded tariffs have now been extended to the entertainment industry. President Trump announced Sunday he is imposing a 100 percent tariff on movies made outside of the United States, saying foreign movies are a “national security threat.” Trump claims movies shot overseas not only draw filmmakers away from the U.S., but also bring […]

CBS dumps “Equalizer” after five seasons

Queen Latifah’s reboot of the 1980s series ends after time period shift  The curtain has closed on Queen Latifah’s reboot of the 1980s crime drama as CBS canceled the series after five seasons. According to the logline, Latifah played Robyn McCall,“an enigmatic woman with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills as a former CIA operative to help those […]

Grand opening, Grand closing: Streetz 95.1 shutters

Wraps up a four-year run  As first reported by Radio Insight, Core Radio Group is pulling the plug on the Streetz Hip-Hop format on 95.1 FM at the end of the day on Wednesday (April 30.) “There were a number of factors in the decision to discontinue in Chicago”, said Core Radio Group CEO Steve Hegewood. “However, I am very […]

670 The Score names Leila Rahimi permanent co-host with Marshall Harris

Executive producer Shane Riodrian exits As first reported by The Chicago Sun-Times on Monday, 670 The Score’s Leila Rahimi has been promoted to full-time co-host alongside Marshall Harris, with the midday show now known as Rahimi and Harris. She succeeds Dan Bernstein in the role, who was fired from the Audacy-owned station last month after he tried to dox a […]

March PPMs: Q101 maintains hot streak

Best ranking since the return to 101.1 frequency The March PPMs were released on Tuesday and showed an interesting trend: the resurgence of Q101.  The Cumulus-owned Alternative station is on a hot streak. WKQX scored an overall ratings increase for the fourth consecutive month and finished in a tie for eleventh place with WBEZ – the highest overall ranking since […]

Report: CHSN and WGN-TV could link up to carry games

Comes as RSN is still shut out of Comcast’s systems [Editor’s Note: This post was updated on April 20, as the CHSN app is now available on Samsung TVs.] The Chicago Sun-Times reported on Friday that a deal could be in the works for Nexstar’s WGN-TV to simulcast a limited number of White Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks games.  Nothing has […]

The Media Notepad: Lisa Allen out at 101.9 The Mix

Also: CBS wins another stay in Wheel/Jeopardy battle It’s quiet this Easter week, and not much is going on, so here are two notable items making news this week (this has to be the shortest Media Notepad ever:) – After thirteen years at Hubbard Chicago, 101.9 The Mix/WTMX midday host Lisa Allen has exited the station, per Radio Insight. Allen […]

Bulls, White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf meets with FCC Chairman Carr

When idiots collide: White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Subjects weren’t disclosed, but speculation centers on CHSN’s battle with Comcast for carriage The worst owner in sports meets the worst FCC Chairman in history.  In the ultimate meetup from hell, Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf met with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Thursday, […]

Judge rules Sony can take “Wheel”, “Jeopardy!” rights from CBS

Paramount Global to appeal ruling in last-minute bid In a surprise ruling Thursday, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge sided with Sony in their battle with CBS Media Ventures over syndication rights of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!. Barring any appeals (which will likely happen), Sony will take over distribution to 200+ stations in the United States starting Monday, including […]

Nexstar to advocate for media deregulation – on its stations

Must-run segments parrot Sinclair’s Nexstar Media Group is taking its crusade for deregulation to the streets – and the home viewer. According to a report by The Desk, the broadcaster has instructed its 160-plus local stations to air a brief segment encouraging viewers to contact the FCC regarding potential changes to broadcast regulations that Chairman Brendan Carr is considering. Broadcasters […]

Bulls President slams Comcast for non-carriage of CHSN

Comes after YES strikes a deal with the nation’s largest cable provider – thanks to the White House A new salvo was launched today in the Comcast-CHSN war over carriage.  Bulls president Michael Reinsdorf (who is the son of owner Jerry Reinsdorf) blasted Comcast Corp. Thursday at a Crain’s real estate forum for failing to reach a deal with the […]

Four for four: Fox’s Animation Domination inks historic renewal pact

Quartet renewed through 2029, but there’s a catch Fox’s Sunday night Animation Domination block will be dominating for some time to come In an unprecedented deal with Disney, Fox has renewed veteran animated shows The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy, and American Dad for four more years, through the 2028-29 season. It is the largest and longest renewal agreement for any […]