Me-TV FM
Robservations on the media beat:
Neal Sabin
Fans are up in arms about the sudden disappearance of Me-TV FM — Weigel Broadcasting’s soft-rock oldies and classic hits WRME 87.7-FM — from Chicago's Comcast/Xfinity Channel 877. But there may be hope: "We're always evaluating the content and channels we offer customers, so [Me-TV FM] may be available in the future," Xfinity posted in a response to complaints Monday. (Here is the link.) Neal Sabin, vice chairman of Weigel Broadcasting, said he was sorry Comcast elected to remove the station in a channel realignment December 1. "We have a very good relationship with Comcast, and while disappointed, we respect their right to carry programming they feel their audience desires," Sabin said. "We have received well over 100 calls and emails about the loss of the TV carriage, which included weather radar and forecasts along with our music and song information. We are thankful for our loyal audience reaching out to us." Stayed tuned.
Ina Pinkney
"Breakfast at Ina's," a documentary about legendary Chicago restaurateur Ina Pinkney, will air for the first time at 8 p.m. Thursday on Window to the World Communications WTTW-Channel 11. Known as the “Breakfast Queen,” Pinkney operated her namesake eatery in the West Loop for more than three decades until it closed in 2013. Pinkney now writes a monthly column for the Chicago Tribune. Directed by Mercedes Kane, the documentary premiered at the 2015 Chicago International Film Festival.
Radio Broadcasters of Chicagoland
In the latest effort by Radio Broadcasters of Chicagoland more than 40 Chicago area radio stations will interrupt their programming at 4:29 p.m. today to simulcast a 60-second promo on the effectiveness of radio advertising. Brent Stern, vice president of Rogers & Hollands Jewelers, will talk about how radio reaches customers. “Chicago is unique in that it has an unbelievable breadth of radio stations," Stern says. "These stations provide the most efficient way to get our message across.”
James “Skinny” Sheahan and Mike “Houli” Houlihan
It’s over and out for “The Skinny & Houli Show,” the weekly talk show hosted by James “Skinny” Sheahan and Mike “Houli” Houlihan. Since 2010 it has been as much a celebration of Chicago’s Irish-American heritage as a roundup of the week’s news, politics, sports and entertainment scene. Along the way, the hosts have showcased a variety of community activists and neighborhood heroes. Airing at 3 p.m. Saturdays on Migala Communications time-brokered WCEV 1450-AM (and uploaded as a podcast at skinnyhouli.com), it’ll end its run at the end of the year. Skinny & Houli will mark the occasion at the Hibernian Hooligan Ball from 3 to 7 p.m. December 16 at the Hilton Chicago, 720 North Michigan Avenue.
Tom Taylor
A deep bow of respect for Tom Taylor, the dean of radio industry reporters and editor of the indispensable daily newsletter Tom Taylor Now. After more than 30 years as the gold standard of the business, Taylor announced he's retiring effective December 21. "In my head, I may still think I’m a kid, but my odometer is about to roll over to a large round number (70)," he wrote in today's edition. "And at this point in my life, my family needs more of me." Mornings just won't be the same for thousands of loyal readers who looked to him for his accurate, dependable and insightful reporting and analysis. "In three decades of covering the business, I’ve tried to be fair, to get the story right, and to be at least a bit entertaining," Taylor added. He never failed to deliver.
Monday's comment of the day: Richard Klicki: As a fellow prostate cancer survivor, it's great to see Hosea Sanders coming back to the life he loves. Keep up the good fight, Hosea!