Tribune's Phillips looks to the future on TCM

Michael Phillips

Michael Phillips

Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips, who co-hosted the final season of "At the Movies" in syndication, is returning to national television.

Starting Sept. 6, Phillips will host "Friday Night Spotlight: Future Shock," a monthlong series for Turner Classic Movies examining "visions of the future as depicted on film." The 16 films in the series span 75 years — from Fritz Lang's 1927 "Metropolis" to Steven Spielberg's 2002 "Minority Report." Continue reading

Back together: WGN reunites Wendy Snyder and Bill Leff

Wendy Snyder and Bill Leff

Wendy Snyder and Bill Leff

Fifteen years after their Chicago radio partnership abruptly ended, Wendy Snyder and Bill Leff are teaming up again. Snyder has been hired to join Leff as his midday co-host on WGN AM 720, starting next week.

Snyder, a lifelong Chicagoan and 28-year radio veteran, has been morning traffic reporter on WLS AM 890 since 2007. She resigned Thursday.

Snyder and Leff were first paired as evening hosts on WLUP FM 97.9 in 1994. Two years later they moved to mornings on the former WKQX FM 101.1. At Q101, they were just gaining traction in the ratings when they were dumped for Mancow Muller in 1998. Continue reading

Tribune names Amy Guth general manager of RedEye, Metromix

Amy Guth

Amy Guth

Amy Guth, who's been a rising star at Tribune Co. since she began as a digital editor in 2009, has been promoted to general manager of RedEye, the daily tabloid newspaper, and Metromix, the website.

Guth most recently has been social media and SEO manager for Chicago Tribune Media Group. An author, blogger, broadcaster and social media expert, she also is president of the Association for Women Journalists Chicago. In 2011, the Texas native was named to Chicago magazine's list of "The 50 Most Beautiful Chicagoans." Continue reading

Former CLTV anchor Waldroup joins NBC 5

Regina Waldroup

Regina Waldroup

Regina Waldroup, a former news anchor and reporter at CLTV who went on to teach broadcast journalism at two local colleges, is returning to television news as a part-time reporter for NBC 5.

Frank Whittaker, station manager and vice president of news at NBC 5, confirmed her hiring Tuesday in a memo: "Please welcome Regina Waldroup to the newsroom," he told staffers. "Regina is joining us as a per diem reporter and will work part-time to fill out our reporting schedule."

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Chambers bidding goodbye to 'Good Day Chicago'

Kori Chambers

Kori Chambers

Five years after he signed on at Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32, "Good Day Chicago" anchor Kori Chambers is leaving for Tribune Broadcasting's WPIX-TV in his native New York, where he's expected to be named morning news co-anchor.

The move marks the second departure of a Fox 32 news anchor in as many weeks. Bob Sirott announced his exit last week after three years as 9 p.m. news anchor to host a midday talk show with his wife, Marianne Murciano, on WGN AM 720. Succeeding Sirott Oct. 1 will be Jeff Herndon, now at ABC affiliate KAKE-TV in Wichita, Kansas. Continue reading

WGN'S Nick Digilio: 'I couldn't be more thrilled'

Nick Digilio

Nick Digilio

As Steve Cochran said the other day, it only took Nick Digilio 28 years to become an overnight success at WGN AM 720.

In a testament to remarkable perseverance, hard work and talent, the perennial weekend and fill-in host has been promoted to full-time personality at the Tribune Broadcasting news/talk station. Starting Sept. 4, Digilio, 48, will be on from 2 to 5 a.m. weekdays (leading into Cochran's new morning show) and from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturdays. Continue reading

Chicago sportscasters salute CBS 2 cameraman

cbs2_cameraman

An all-star lineup of Chicago sportscasters gathered at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in River North Thursday to toast veteran CBS 2 sports cameraman Chuck Davidson on his 70th birthday. From left: Jeannie Morris, Johnny Morris, Ryan Baker, Rich King, Davidson, Corey McPherrin, Mike Adamle and Jim Rose. (Photo by Lissa Druss Christman)

Johnny B. signs off WGN mornings today

Jonathon Brandmeier

Jonathon Brandmeier

Jonathon Brandmeier signs off Friday after 20 months as morning personality at news/talk WGN AM 720. After a few weeks off, he'll resurface on a new virtual FM station — wgn.fm — which could be a precursor to an FM addition to Tribune Broadcasting.

Hired to boost ratings and attract younger listeners, Brandmeier proved a less than ideal fit for the station. He inherited a daypart that ranked 16th among listeners between the ages of 25 and 54 with a 2.6 percent share. In the latest Arbitron survey, mornings on WGN were tied for 15th in the 25-54 demo with a 2.4 share. Continue reading

TV veteran protests Springer as local Emmy host

Jerry Springer

Jerry Springer

A respected Chicago broadcast veteran resigned from the local television academy Thursday in protest over the selection of Jerry Springer as host of this year's Chicago Emmy Awards.

The Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced Thursday that Springer would emcee the 55th annual awards ceremony Nov. 3 at Alhambra Palace on West Randolph. Continue reading

WGN promotes Dan Ponce to morning news anchor

Dan Ponce

Dan Ponce

Dan Ponce, son of one Chicago news anchor and brother of another, will now have an anchor chair of his own.

After three years as a general assignment reporter at WGN-Channel 9, Ponce has been promoted to Monday-through-Friday morning news anchor at the Tribune Broadcasting station. Starting Sept. 3, he'll anchor "WGN Morning News" alongside Erin McElroy from 4 to 6 a.m. weekdays. The move coincides with the expansion of the broadcast to six hours — airing from 4 to 10 a.m. Continue reading