Plus, Chicago radio ratings, Comcast considering the sale or spinoff of cable channels, and the CW returns to a Cleveland station after Nexstar buys it Elon Musk has finally expressed his thoughts on television, and he is not a fan. The South African billionaire who bought Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 blasted the major networks on his platform recently, […]
Also: Shift is underway in Chicago PPM ratings; Pelicans leave Bally Sports Look who’s back in the public eye – it’s none other than former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who was hired by CBS Chicago (WBBM-TV) to provide analysis during the Democratic National Convention here in Chicago later this month in a press release posted on social media Wednesday […]
No word on a replacement Hubbard Radio’s vice president of brand and content Jimmy Steal is exiting the position at the end of the year and is starting a new consulting business for the company, focusing on new talent. Steal was in charge of two of Hubbard’s stations: Hot AC 101.9 The Mix and 90s/2000s Pop Hits Throwback 100.3. Steal […]
Replaces Jeff Enguland, who steps down Minneapolis-based Hubbard Radio announced Friday a management change at the executive suites at its Chicago cluster, with Keith Lawless taking over as Market Manager for Hot AC 101.9 The Mix/WTMX, Classic Rock 97.1 The Drive/WDRV/WWDV, and Classic Hits WSHE-FM. “We are pleased to welcome Keith to Hubbard Radio and look forward to watching him […]
WXRT finishes third overall; WOJO wins key demos iHeartMedia’s 93.9 LiteFM (WLIT) is not only Chicago’s top-rated radio station during the holiday season, but now it’s aiming for dominance year-around. The Gold AC station finished on top of Chicago’s radio ratings for the seventh straight time, finishing up a tenth of a point from last month ahead of The Drive […]
Also: WTMX defamation suit ends; The CW likely to move again in San Diego; Bubble Bustin’ Week is underway as CBS axes two shows; The much ballyhooed and ridiculous attempt to turn a bunch of lottery balls into a TV show paid off for the NHL: Monday’s televised draft lottery aired by ESPN and produced by the NHL Network […]
WOJO takes home crown in demos; sports talkers grow The August PPM ratings for Chicago radio stations were released Tuesday and it showed a tie at the top. Hubbard’s The Drive (WDRV-FM) and iHeartMedia’s 93.9 The Lite (WLIT-FM) each finished in a tie for first place, both ahead of their competitors by nearly one ratings point. However for classic rocker […]
The Drive is tops for the third straight month; WOJO dominates demos Who needs Rudolph anyway? That’s the attitude iHeartMedia’s classic hits heavy-AC outlet WLIT has after scoring its highest non-Christmas ratings in years. According the July Nielsen Audio numbers released Monday, WLIT place second, up 13 percent from June, finishing behind Hubbard’s The Drive (WDRV-FM). Generally, WLIT dominates in […]
Police-reality show and Cops return two years after George Floyd Two years after the death of George Floyd ended the runs of several reality-based police shows, it looks like the genre is making a comeback. Earlier this week, the producers of Live PD announced a deal with Reelz Channel for a new version of the show with the working […]
Also: WBEZ ties for 1st in PPMs; WTMX has a new afternoon show; Black News Channel update It looks like the technician strike at Chicago’s WTTW isn’t going to end anytime soon. IBEW 1220, who represents technicians and electricians at the North Side public television station, went on strike on March 16 demanding better pay, working conditions, and against shifting […]
Decision is a blow for sexual harassment case It looks like it’s back to square one for Melissa McGurren after her $10 million defamation suit against WTMX and parent Hubbard Broadcasting was dismissed by a federal judge. McGurren sued Hubbard after executives slandered her in e-mail messages regarding her harassment claims against now-departed morning host Eric Ferguson. In a ruling handed […]
Replaces the disgraced Eric Ferguson in role Hubbard Broadcasting’s Hot AC station 101.9 The Mix (WTMX-FM) has found a replacement for Eric Ferguson and they didn’t have to look far. Beginning January 24, afternoon co-host Chris Petlak is being promoted to mornings to co-host with Nikki Chuminatto, Violeta Podrumedic, Brian “Whip” Paduch, and John “Swany” Swanson. The program continues in […]
Popularity isn’t exactly overrated as 2021 ends a wild year in media Like mystery of the sphinx or crop circles, you just can’t explain the continued popularity of certain things despite questionable changes. After the firing of Mark Giangreco and seemingly public disdain for one of her former co-anchors, ABC 7 remains on top of local Chicago news ratings, […]
The media mogul takes task with McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski over comments made about parents of Chicago gun violence victims [Editor’s Note: This post was updated at 3:40 p.m.] The controversy over McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski’s comments over how the parents of two Chicago children killed in gun violence failed them crossed over into the media community Friday as a […]
Also: The Lite launches Christmas format today; NBCSN closure date revealed; Biden nominates two to the FCC [Editors Note: The WLIT item was updated November 6.] Approximately four years ago, I wrote a headline here titled “Fueled by Ferguson” as his morning show propelled 101.9 The Mix/WTMX to ratings success throughout the day. But since the allegations of sexual misconduct […]