The Media Notepad: White Sox for sale?

Also: WFMT host files suit after dismissal; Bally rebrands to FanDuel  As the Chicago White Sox are coming off their worst season in history and the new CHSN has distribution woes, now comes this piece of news: 88-year-old owner Jerry Reinsdorf is “open” to selling the team, something fans have long wanted.  But there’s a catch – the party in […]

Chicago’s media gets ready for the DNC

Local stations emphasize streaming coverage Batten down the hatches, Chicago: the Democratic National Convention is coming to town. For four days – August 19 to August 22 to be exact, the nation’s third-largest television and radio market will be the center of the political universe, with the convention taking place at the United Center on the West Side. More than […]

The Media Notepad: Paris Schutz heads to Fox 32 as new political reporter

Also: Alyssa Donovan promoted to full-time to WGN-TV’s Weather Team; WBEZ continues its ratings freefall; Indianapolis station to air Fever games As hinted by Politico’s Shia Kapos last week, it was made official Tuesday: Paris Schutz is headed to Fox-owned WFLD (Fox 32) where he’ll be the chief political reporter and anchor his own half-hour weekly political show, essentially replacing […]

The Media Notepad: Paris Schutz exits WTTW

Also: Chicago Blackhawks add animated alternative broadcast; FCC fine won’t affect WADL sale; Caps/Wizards move to Virginia scuttled In another blow to the long-running Chicago Tonight, anchor and co-host Paris Schutz announced Tuesday he is leaving the WTTW show after a twenty-year run, departing on April 12. Some personal news: Nearly 20 years ago, I walked into WTTW as a […]

Rewinding media in 2023

  A year dominated by labor strife, awful Chicago sports teams, and – oh yeah, Elon  If you watched the WWE, you remember Vince McMahon playing himself as an arrogant CEO and billionaire, ruling over anything and everything – the ultimate heel. It’s a real-life trend we’re seeing as we close 2023. Led by billionaire Elon Musk, CEOs – whether […]

The 2023 T Dog Media Turkey Awards

Your winners/losers in the 18th annual roundup of the worst in everything: Donald Trump. He’s back.  Elon Musk. I’ll tell you what. You can click on this link, which leads to every story this space has featured on the arrogant billionaire, none of it positive.  Jerry Reinsdorf. Speaking of arrogant billionaires, the 87-year-old is currently one of the worst owners […]

“Chicago Tonight” reduced to twice a week

The decline of linear TV claims another victim as WTTW pairs back public affairs show With the news Nexstar is looking to buy ABC and its owned stations – which could eliminate a local newsroom in Chicago in a possible merger of WLS-TV and WGN-TV, comes this bit of unwelcome news: WTTW is reducing the number of episodes of its […]

Former FCC Chairman Newton Minow dies at 97

A distinguished Chicagoan, he helped create public television and was known for famous speech declaring TV a “vast wasteland” One of the most prominent figures in early years of television as a government official has died.  Newton Minow passed away Saturday at the age of 97, surrounded by family at his Chicago home. As many of you know, he’s best […]

PBS follows NPR’s lead and exits Twitter after inaccurate labeling

Elon Musk defends “government-funded” label; Chicago affiliates not affected  The Public Broadcasting Service, or PBS has decided to follow National Public Radio, or NPR off of the Twitter platform after a flap regarding both being labeled as “government-funded media”.  This came as NPR stopped using Twitter last week, saying the labeling was inaccurate, noting only fifteen percent of PBS funding […]

WTTW shifts ‘Chicago Tonight” to 10 p.m.

Public television station goes head-to-head with late local news as it returns to late-night It’s back to the future as Chicago Tonight returns to late-night as the public affairs/news analysis show known for its deep-dive into issues facing the city and suburbs, exits primetime to compete directly with four 10 p.m. local newscasts, beginning January 23.  “There is a need […]

The Media Notepad: Steve and Johnnie return to WGN Radio for Saturday nights

Plus:  MeTV expands Svengoolie; MLS and Apple makes linear broadcasting deals; PBS stations to stream on LocalNow. One of the top-rated overnight voices in Chicago radio is coming back for an encore.  The husband-and-wife team of Steve King and Johnnie Putnam will be returning to WGN Radio on Saturday nights starting January 7, where they’ll have a weekly show airing […]

WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight” gets set makeover

Only third set redesign in 20 years Chicago PBS station WTTW revamped its signature 7 p.m. news show Chicago Tonight on October 3 debuting not only a newly remodeled set, but also new music and graphics.  “We are excited to debut this new and immersive viewing experience, which will enhance our news coverage and advance our mission to provide independent, […]

Apple TV Plus, MLS strike landmark streaming rights deal

Deal is for a decade; RSNs, WGN-TV odd men out  In a landmark rights deal, Major League Soccer announced Tuesday they are shifting all of their rights to Apple TV Plus, reportedly in a ten-year, $2.5 billion pact. This means every single game is going to be streamed and produced by Apple TV Plus –  usurping any existing local or […]

WTTW technician strike ends

Agreement reached Wednesday night after three weeks on the picket line A strike called by IBEW 1220 against Chicago public television station WTTW has come to an end.  As first reported by Robert Feder Wednesday evening, the union came to terms with the PBS station on a new deal lasting until July 2025 containing “fair economic gains”, covering camera operators, […]