The Media Notepad: “The Food Guy” exits NBC 5

Steve Dolinsky takes job at Levy Restaurants; Chicago Sky expands distribution; 93.9 The Lite returns to the top of the PPMs [Editor’s Note: The first item of this piece was updated on May 22 to add Facebook post.] “The Food Guy” has reviewed his final plate on Chicago television. Steve Dolinsky announced this week he was departing NBC 5 (NBC-owned […]

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 […]

Dan Bernstein is out at 670 The Score

Social media claims yet another victim WSCR-AM 670 The Score personality Dan Bernstein was fired Friday after approximately three decades at The Score after a social media incident where he openly sparred with a poster over a fish he caught and threatened to dox him. According to the Sun-Times, 670 The Score Vice President and Brand Manager Mitch Rosen went […]

Dan Bernstein off 670 The Score after social media incident

He’s off for a week after a confrontation with a user over a fishing incident; this comes as Audacy announces a new CEO and management team  Don’t think Babe Winkleman ever had to put up with social media trolls.  But Audacy’s 670 The Score (WSCR) host Dan Bernstein did after he posted on Friday a picture of a fish he […]

Chicago radio ratings: News outlets surge

  WBBM-AM, WBEZ are up from Holiday survey; increasing number of streams showing up in ratings With the Christmas music season over and audience patterns returning to normal, two trends have emerged in Nielsen’s January PPM numbers. The change in Presidential administrations and the Los Angeles wildfires has sent ratings for all-news and news/talk stations upward, with WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM (Newsradio 105.9) […]

Leila Rahimi out at NBC 5

No replacement has been named as of yet If you’re wondering where Leila Rahimi’s been regarding her nightly sports anchor position, well, wonder no more. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Rahimi left NBC 5 (WMAQ-TV) a few weeks ago, leaving Mike Berman as the only sports person on staff at the NBC-owned station. Rahimi’s exit follows Ruthie Polinsky’s last month […]

FCC approves controversial Audacy bankruptcy deal

Audacy to go private  The FCC approved a controversial Audacy bankruptcy plan in a politically divided three-to-two vote in which Soros Fund Management becomes the biggest shareholder in the company with a 57 percent stake through the Laurel Tree Opportunities Corporation.  As a result, Audacy – who filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year, will go private and David Field […]

670 The Score makes adjustments, adds Marshall Harris middays

Laurence Holmes now paired with Matt Speigel in afternoons Audacy’s 670 The Score (WSCR-AM) announced Monday morning changes in midday and afternoon shows. Starting today, Laurence Holmes is moving from middays to afternoons from 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays, joining Matt Speigel. Holmes is replacing the since-departed Danny Parkins, who left the station last month for FS1’s new weekday morning […]

The Media Notepad: ABC, The CW announce 2024-25 lineups

Also: The Drive reclaims the top spot in Chicago radio ratings; Young Sheldon redeems himself   [Editor’s Note: The second item of this piece was updated on May 21.] Wrapping up the upfronts: ABC released its fall schedule last week as part of a Disney upfront presentation that hardly mentioned the network. And little wonder – there isn’t much to talk […]

The Media Notepad: Audacy, Cumulus merger afoot?

Also: The Talk to end after 15 years; NCAA Women’s Championship draws record high; NHL team headed to Utah With the future of Paramount Global all the chatter, there could be some radio merger and acquisition action, too. A report in Radio Insight suggests Audacy – soon to be controlled by Soros Fund Management after coming out of bankruptcy – […]

Audacy files for Chapter 11

Move was expected; no immediate effects  With all the headlines focused lately on linear TV’s decline, there is another traditional communications medium who is also struggling, though it doesn’t generate the exact number of headlines.  Audacy – who owns and operates more than 200 radio stations in the U.S., including several in the Chicago area, officially filed for Chapter 11 […]

Audacy Chicago makes executive moves

Rachel Williamson promoted to President Of Local Sales Strategy and Innovation; Kevin Cassidy to succeed her as Chicago market president Audacy Chicago announced Tuesday the promotion of Rachel Williamson to a newly created role as President Of Local Sales Strategy and Innovation from the Chicago Market President. Replacing her is Kevin Cassidy, who comes in from a similar role in […]

The Media Notepad: WLIT takes early Chirstmas ratings lead

WGN-TV hires new traffic reporter; NBC Sports Chicago adding alternative Blackhawks telecasts; New Orleans Pelicans latest Bally team to seek an over-the-air TV deal  The PPM ratings survey for November was released this week and to no one’s surprise, iHeartMedia’s 93.9 The Lite is ahead of the competition. WLIT took first place from Hubbard’s The Drive as the Gold AC […]