Chicago Sun-Times

The Chicago Sun-Times is in negotiations to be acquired by the parent company of the Chicago Tribune, according to an announcement Monday by Sun-Times owner Wrapports.

Tronc, the former Tribune Publishing Co. headed by tech entrepreneur Michael Ferro, could operate the Sun-Times separately “keeping in place the independent newsroom” under the proposal. Ferro previously headed Wrapports.

Terms of the offer were not disclosed. Continue reading →

Morgan Kolkmeyer

Morgan Kolkmeyer, who’s been forecasting weather in her hometown of Rockford since 2014, is moving up to Chicago’s top-rated morning show.

Tribune Broadcasting WGN-Channel 9 announced Monday that Kolkmeyer will join “WGN Morning News” as 4 to 6 a.m. weekday meteorologist. Starting later this month, she succeeds Demetrius Ivory, who now reports weather for “WGN Midday News” and the station's 4 p.m. newscast. Continue reading →

John Records Landecker (Photo: Rick Kaempfer)

Robservations on the media beat:

John Records Landecker, an iconic Chicago radio personality since the 1970s, has been nominated for induction in the National Radio Hall of Fame. It’s his first time on the ballot for induction in the Chicago-based shrine to radio’s greatest performers and programs. Landecker, 70, is one of four nominees (and the only Chicagoan) in the Longstanding Local/Regional category. A total of 24 nominees in six categories were announced Monday. (A complete list is at radiohof.org.) Online public voting in two categories — Music Format On-Air Personality and Spoken Word On-Air Personality — will begin June 5. The rest will be chosen by a panel of industry professionals. Winners will be announced June 26. Induction ceremony will be November 2 at the Museum of Broadcast Communications. Continue reading →

Jamie Kalven

For the second straight year the Chicago Headline Club has honored independent investigative journalist Jamie Kalven for reporting on corruption in the Chicago Police Department.

Kalven was named winner Friday of the Watchdog Award for Excellence in Public Interest Reporting at the 40th annual Peter Lisagor Awards for Exemplary Journalism. He was cited for “Code of Silence,” a 20,000-word, four-part investigation about two Chicago police officers who uncovered a massive criminal enterprise in the department. It was published by The Intercept. Continue reading →

Chicago Reader

As contract negotiations drag on at the Chicago Reader, editorial employees of the alternative weekly newspaper authorized their union Friday to call a strike.

Seventeen writers, editors and designers represented by the Chicago News Guild voted to walk out at any time over management’s failure to offer increases in salary and benefits since talks began 16 months ago. Continue reading →

Troy Hanson

Robservations on the media beat:

Brian Thomas

Troy Hanson, who's been program director of alternative rock WKQX FM 101.1 since 2015, has been promoted to the new post of vice president, operations for Cumulus Media’s four-station group in Chicago. He now oversees news/talk WLS AM 890, classic hits WLS FM 94.7, classic rock WLUP FM 97.9 and 101 WKQX. Hanson continues as vice president, programming for the company’s rock formats and as program director of 101 WKQX. The company also announced a multiyear renewal for Brian Thomas as program director of WLS FM — a job he has held since 2015. "I am thrilled to have Troy and Brian returning to Cumulus Chicago for years to come,” Peter Bowen, vice president and Chicago market manager of Cumulus Media, said in a statement Friday. “They have both proven time and time again to be leaders and winners in our industry." Continue reading →

Steve Harvey

Facing a firestorm of criticism over a harshly-worded memo to his staff that found its way into this column Wednesday, talk show host Steve Harvey insists he has nothing to apologize for, but acknowledged: “I probably should've handled it a little bit differently."

Harvey confirmed the authenticity of the email he sent at the start of the current season ordering employees of “The Steve Harvey Show” not to speak to him in the hallways, in his dressing room or in the makeup chair. "I promise you I will not entertain you in the hallway, and do not attempt to walk with me," he wrote. "If you’re reading this, yes, I mean you."

The text of the letter, first published here, quickly went viral, subjecting Harvey to worldwide ridicule on social media. Continue reading →

Steve Harvey

Thursday marks the final day of production for “The Steve Harvey Show” after five years in Chicago. After that, it’s packing up and moving to Los Angeles, where the syndicated talk show will morph into a new daytime series simply called “Steve.”

"As I embark on this new adventure, I'm excited to explore everything Los Angeles has to offer for this new show," Harvey said in a statement. “‘Steve’ is going to be different than my current daytime show. The new location will allow me to welcome more celebrity guests and more importantly let me do what I enjoy doing best, being funny.” Continue reading →

WCGO Studios (Photo: Google Maps)

Robservations on the media beat:

WCGO

The owner of radio stations in Elgin and Aurora has just made a deal to buy WCGO AM 1590 in Evanston. William Pollack’s Memphis-based Pollack Broadcasting will acquire the news/talk and foreign-language station from Kovas Communications for about $3 million. Pending government approval, the deal is expected to close in late summer. Pollack plans to add local programming to the station’s current format. Chuck Duncan is expected to continue as general manager. Late last year Pollack bought WRMN AM 1410 in Elgin, WBIG AM 1280 in Aurora, and KSHP in Las Vegas from Rick Jakle, longtime station owner and founder of “The Radio Shopping Show.” Continue reading →

Tribune Tower

Ninety-three years of history will come to an end for “Chicago’s Very Own” with the sale of Tribune Media, owner of hometown icons WGN-Channel 9 and WGN AM 720, to the politically connected Sinclair Broadcast Group.

Baltimore-based Sinclair will acquire Tribune Media at $43.50 per share for a total price of $3.9 billion, according to an agreement announced Monday. Pending regulatory approval, the deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2017. Continue reading →