CBS 2 Chicago
Robservations on the media beat:
Look for CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 to roll out a 24/7 streaming news service this spring. Branded as CBSN Local, it will feature locally anchored programming, live breaking news coverage and archived, on-demand local news content. Already operating at CBS stations in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Philadelphia, it's an outgrowth of CBSN, the streaming video news channel originated by CBS News and CBS Interactive in 2014. Derek Dalton, president and general manager of CBS 2, said he expects to launch CBSN Local here by the end of March. Considering that the station's news operation is already stretched to the limit, I'd love to know how it will allocate resources for the new venture.
Kyle Long
Does former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long have a future in radio? We may find out after this week as Long spends a few days guest co-hosting with midday personality David Kaplan on Good Karma Brands ESPN sports/talk WMVP 1000-AM. "Can’t thank @ESPN1000 enough for this unique opportunity," Long tweeted hopefully. No less an authority than Mark Giangreco, veteran sports anchor at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7, declared Long's first day a success: "Loved you, man," Giangreco tweeted. "You are 'The Wordsmith Warrior.' I expected you to be good, since you were always the go-to soundbite of the locker room . . . but you were GREAT!" “Kap & Company” airs from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays on ESPN 1000.
Jay Shefsky
Jay Shefsky, one of Chicago television's most gifted producers, announced his retirement after 34 years at WTTW-Channel 11. His last day of full-time employment at the Window to the World Communications station will be February 28. He's expected to continue producing stories on a freelance basis. Shefsky joined WTTW as a program development assistant in 1986 and produced some of the station’s finest series and specials, including Emmy Award-winning documentaries on the Our Lady of Angels school fire and the Leopold and Loeb murder trial. His “Jay’s Chicago” series spotlights ordinary people who do extraordinary things. "We are thrilled that Jay will continue telling his stories with us while getting the chance to do more hiking, biking, paddling and whatever other challenge he decides to take on," said supervising producer Jay Smith.
Robert Y. Paddock Jr.
Robert Y. Paddock Jr., vice chairman and executive vice president of Paddock Publications, said this week he's retiring from day-to-day responsibilities at the Daily Herald Media Group. He will continue on the board of directors as vice chairman of the company, which has been employee-owned since 2018. "Being a part of the Paddock family offered the opportunity to work in most areas of the company over the years, getting to know and appreciate staff and customers alike," said Paddock, great-grandson of Hosea C. Paddock, who founded The Daily Herald in 1898. "May we continue, as first generation Hosea said: 'To Fear God, Tell the Truth, and Make Money.'" (Disclosure: This blog operates under an agreement with The Daily Herald.)
The Drive
In conjunction with Hubbard Radio classic rock WDRV 97.1-FM, Friday will be "The Drive Day" at Chicago's Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 North State Street. From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. midday host Bob Stroud and afternoon hosts Steve Seaver and Janda Lane will broadcast their shows from the museum's Paul Harvey Studio. Admission price Friday will be $9.71 — including the opportunity to view the “Stay Tuned: Rock on TV” exhibition. Throughout the weekend the museum will commemorate the anniversary of The Beatles' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" with a series of special programs. (Here is the link.)
Frank Sinatra
Just ahead of the 92nd Academy Awards this Sunday, it will be “Sinatra at the Movies” as host David Plier spotlights songs from the film career of Frank Sinatra. "The Sinatra Hours," Plier's weekly showcase for the music of Ol’ Blue Eyes, airs from 6:30 to 9 a.m. Sundays on Nexstar Media Group news/talk WGN 720-AM. Ben Mankiewicz, host of Turner Classic Movies, will join Plier to talk about Sinatra’s Oscar-winning movie career. Songs will be featured from such Sinatra films as "From Here to Eternity," "The Manchurian Candidate," "Pal Joey" and "Ocean’s 11."
Tuesday's comment of the day: Mark Rosenblum: None of what Limbaugh has done charity-wise will ever excuse his racism, misogyny and his persistence in giving voice to those haters among us who have come out from under the rocks and perpetrated a cancer on our country. Let Rush survive HIS cancer while praying that he never again is able to contaminate our airwaves.