Univision Chicago
Robservations on the media beat:
On second thought, cancel the fiesta: Univision Chicago acknowledged Thursday that WGBO-Channel 66’s Noticias Univision Chicago was not the top-rated 10 p.m. newscast in June, contrary to the station’s declaration of victory reported here Wednesday. The actual winner, according to final Nielsen figures, was ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7. The numbers cited by Univision Chicago changed after Nielsen recalculated the monthlong averages to account for nights when the NBA Finals delayed the start of ABC 7’s news. In the end, ABC 7 was No. 1 by a margin of 0.6 among viewers between 18 and 49. ABC 7 maintained it was No. 1 all along.
Tom Marker
Tom Marker’s “Blues Breakers,” a Monday night fixture on WXRT FM 93.1 for 33 years, is moving to Sundays. Starting this weekend, the hourlong blues showcase will air at 9 p.m. Sundays on the CBS Radio adult album alternative station. Also time-shifting will be Richard Milne’s “Local Anesthetic,” moving from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Sundays. On hiatus at WXRT will be “The Sunday Night Concert.”
Steve Mills
Steve Mills, the esteemed criminal justice reporter for the Chicago Tribune, is the latest to join the staff of ProPublica Illinois, the independent, nonprofit investigative news startup. His hiring as deputy director reunites him with Louise Kiernan, ProPublica Illinois editor-in-chief, along with other former Tribune colleagues. Dubbed a “journalistic warrior of justice” by his peers, Mills received a 2017 Studs Terkel Award from Public Narrative.
Matt Scarano
The CEO of Wintrust Financial Corp. will sing the praises of radio advertising in a one-minute spot to air simultaneously on more than 40 Chicago area radio stations at 4:29 p.m. Monday. Ed Wehmer will be spotlighted in the latest joint effort of Radio Broadcasters of Chicagoland. “Wintrust is a valued partner to our industry and a testament to the results that radio delivers for an advertiser,” said Matt Scarano, chairman of RBC and president of iHeartMedia Chicago. Last November RBC sponsored a 30-minute “Chicago Radio Town Hall Meeting” with Mayor Rahm Emanuel that aired simultaneously on 47 stations.
John Records Landecker
John Records Landecker is making the most of a Hall of Fame year. The legendary Chicago radio personality has put up for auction dozens of treasures from his days at WLS AM 890. Items in the online catalog include Landecker’s “personal record collection,” promotional photos, celebrity autographs and other collectibles. They’re part of a Vintage Music Auction July 15 by Donley Auctions in Union, Illinois. For online bidding and information see DonleyAuctions.com. Landecker will be inducted in the National Radio Hall of Fame on November 2.
Nielsen