‘Steve Harvey Show’ to leave Chicago for L.A., sources say

Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey

In a blow to Chicago’s television production community, Steve Harvey is moving his nationally syndicated daytime talk show to Los Angeles at the end of the current season, sources said Friday.

More than 100 jobs are expected to be lost when the show ceases production in May at NBC Tower, where it has been based since 2012. Official announcement of the move is expected soon.

Broadcasting & Cable reported last December that Harvey wanted to relocate to Los Angeles where it was believed the show “could attract more celebrities.” Sources said Harvey’s agent, Ari Emanuel, was instrumental in negotiating the move. Emanuel is the brother of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

“The Steve Harvey Show” is produced by Endemol USA and distributed in national syndication by NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution.

In Chicago it airs at 2 p.m. weekdays on NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5.