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 […]

New York’s WCBS-AM signs off to make room for ESPN Radio

57 years of radio history ends In an unusual move, Audacy is letting ESPN New York owner Good Karma Brands lease the 880 AM signal in New York City in a local marketing agreement (LMA), effective August 26. The frequency is currently occupied by all-news WCBS-AM, but with this move, the station is shuttering after 57 years in operation, leaving […]

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 – […]

Media unloads on Jerry Reinsdorf for White Sox woes, stadium plans

One of those media members takes a hypocritical stand The local media was busy lately bashing Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf – that is when they’re not discussing who Justin Fields is following or not following on social media. Now the national media is joining in on the fun. Sports media website Awful Announcing slammed The Chairman Friday […]

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 […]

The Media Notepad: WLS-AM launches two new afternoon shows

Also: The latest Chicago radio ratings; Arizona Coyotes to move all games to broadcast TV Cumulus Media’s conservative talker WLS-AM recently announced they were adding two new afternoon shows to replace the departed Big John Howell Show. First from 3-4 p.m. weekdays is Closing Bell. Not related to the similarly-titled CNBC business news show airing at the same time, Bell […]

AM Radio in trouble? Car makers looking to boot frequency

AM radio still matters in Chicago as local media rallies around medium  A lot of electronic ink has been written in recent years about the demise of linear TV, but there’s a communications medium in even more dire straits whose fate isn’t being helped by the auto industry.  Numerous carmakers – especially those who produce electric vehicles, are looking to […]