CBS 2 auctions studio treasures
A genuine piece of Chicago broadcast history can be yours for the right price.
Car accident doesn't sideline NBC 5 sportscaster
Robert Feder: Last Sunday turned out to be a Mother's Day Peggy Kusinski will never forget. Just a few weeks away from delivering her third child, the veteran sportscaster at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 was on her way to visit her mother-in-law when the vehicle she and her family were traveling in was stuck broadside by another car.
Robert Feder: Last Sunday turned out to be a Mother's Day Peggy Kusinski will never forget. Just a few weeks away from delivering her third child, the veteran sportscaster at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 was on her way to visit her mother-in-law when the vehicle she and her family were traveling in was stuck broadside by another car.
Donahue returns to WGN
Robert Feder: It'll be old home week for Phil Donahue at Chicago's very own WGN-Channel 9. Donahue, who originated his nationally syndicated talk show from the studios of the Tribune Co.-owned station from 1974 to 1982, will be the guest of honor from 6:45 to 9 a.m. Thursday on Channel 9's morning newscast.
Robert Feder: It'll be old home week for Phil Donahue at Chicago's very own WGN-Channel 9. Donahue, who originated his nationally syndicated talk show from the studios of the Tribune Co.-owned station from 1974 to 1982, will be the guest of honor from 6:45 to 9 a.m. Thursday on Channel 9's morning newscast.
24/7 news
Robert Feder: Could Chicago television support two full-time local news channels? With Tribune Co. already 15 years into its CLTV cable news operation, the prospect of new competition arose this week. NBC announced plans to launch a 24-hour local news product in New York on one of WNBC-TV's digital channels while continuing its regular broadcast news programs.
Robert Feder: Could Chicago television support two full-time local news channels? With Tribune Co. already 15 years into its CLTV cable news operation, the prospect of new competition arose this week. NBC announced plans to launch a 24-hour local news product in New York on one of WNBC-TV's digital channels while continuing its regular broadcast news programs.
Will Tribune loosen up under new COO?
Robert Feder: It took only five months for Randy Michaels to go from complete outsider to chief operating officer of Tribune Co. Calling his longtime pal "one of the most creative human beings I've ever known," Tribune Co. chairman and CEO Sam Zell promoted the lifelong radio guy Wednesday to oversee the whole shebang.
Robert Feder: It took only five months for Randy Michaels to go from complete outsider to chief operating officer of Tribune Co. Calling his longtime pal "one of the most creative human beings I've ever known," Tribune Co. chairman and CEO Sam Zell promoted the lifelong radio guy Wednesday to oversee the whole shebang.
Ex-Fox station manager turns publisher
Robert Feder: After a high-profile career in Chicago television, Stacey Marks Bronner is turning to the print media. The former vice president and general manager of Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32 and WPWR-Channel 50 is the new publisher of Today's Chicago Woman. She also has been named an equity partner in parent company Leigh Communications.
Robert Feder: After a high-profile career in Chicago television, Stacey Marks Bronner is turning to the print media. The former vice president and general manager of Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32 and WPWR-Channel 50 is the new publisher of Today's Chicago Woman. She also has been named an equity partner in parent company Leigh Communications.
Museum's contractor sues for millions in unpaid bills
Robert Feder: More bad news has clouded the future of Chicago's Museum of Broadcast Communications. With construction stalled for two years on the museum's new home at State and Kinzie, the project's general contractor has filed a foreclosure lawsuit over $4.5 million in unpaid bills plus interest and legal costs. Pepper Construction Co. said it was paid only $2.9 million after doing $7.3 million in work when it shut down construction in 2006.
Robert Feder: More bad news has clouded the future of Chicago's Museum of Broadcast Communications. With construction stalled for two years on the museum's new home at State and Kinzie, the project's general contractor has filed a foreclosure lawsuit over $4.5 million in unpaid bills plus interest and legal costs. Pepper Construction Co. said it was paid only $2.9 million after doing $7.3 million in work when it shut down construction in 2006.
CBS Radio's president brings show to Chicago
Robert Feder: Imagine having the resources of a giant radio company at your fingertips to help you create your very own format. With just a few clicks and drags of your mouse, you could custom-design the radio station of your dreams -- and share it online with all of your friends.
Robert Feder: Imagine having the resources of a giant radio company at your fingertips to help you create your very own format. With just a few clicks and drags of your mouse, you could custom-design the radio station of your dreams -- and share it online with all of your friends.
CBS stations join forces
Robert Feder: Chicago's CBS-owned TV and radio stations are teaming up to simulcast a 90-minute town hall meeting about violence in the city. Rob Johnson, news anchor at WBBM-Channel 2, and Felicia Middlebrooks, morning anchor at all-news WBBM-AM (780), will host "Speaking Truth: A Town Hall Meeting on Violence" from 10 to 11:30 p.m. May 10.
Robert Feder: Chicago's CBS-owned TV and radio stations are teaming up to simulcast a 90-minute town hall meeting about violence in the city. Rob Johnson, news anchor at WBBM-Channel 2, and Felicia Middlebrooks, morning anchor at all-news WBBM-AM (780), will host "Speaking Truth: A Town Hall Meeting on Violence" from 10 to 11:30 p.m. May 10.
News squawk
Robert Feder: Still reeling from budget cuts, massive layoffs and disappointing ratings, news/talk WLS-AM (890) lost its top boss Tuesday. In an unexpected move, John Gallagher resigned after more than three years as president and general manager of the Citadel Broadcasting station.
Robert Feder: Still reeling from budget cuts, massive layoffs and disappointing ratings, news/talk WLS-AM (890) lost its top boss Tuesday. In an unexpected move, John Gallagher resigned after more than three years as president and general manager of the Citadel Broadcasting station.
Snow days warm up WGN ratings
Tribune Co. honchos Sam Zell and Randy Michaels might think twice before they tamper with radio flagship WGN.
Readers react to CBS 2 shakeup
Another installment of cards and letters across the television/radio desk: Buddy Schow: I have started watching CBS 2 now that the shakeup has occurred. Anne State is truly a bright ray of light compared to the flat delivery of Diann Burns, who, in my opinion, made their news unwatchable.
Another installment of cards and letters across the television/radio desk: Buddy Schow: I have started watching CBS 2 now that the shakeup has occurred. Anne State is truly a bright ray of light compared to the flat delivery of Diann Burns, who, in my opinion, made their news unwatchable.
Status quo
Robert Feder: Nearly two weeks after WBBM-Channel 2 overhauled the anchor lineups on every one of its newscasts, the jury is still out. Overall ratings for the CBS-owned station's marquee 10 p.m. newscast, where newcomer Anne State replaced 23-year market veteran Diann Burns alongside Rob Johnson, show virtually no change compared with February sweeps averages.
Robert Feder: Nearly two weeks after WBBM-Channel 2 overhauled the anchor lineups on every one of its newscasts, the jury is still out. Overall ratings for the CBS-owned station's marquee 10 p.m. newscast, where newcomer Anne State replaced 23-year market veteran Diann Burns alongside Rob Johnson, show virtually no change compared with February sweeps averages.
Tribune Co. ready to 'relaunch' WGN
Robert Feder: After three decades as one of Tribune Broadcasting's most underutilized assets, Superstation WGN is about to get a makeover. Randy Michaels, Tribune Co. chief executive of interactive and broadcasting, announced in a conference call with bankers last week that the superstation will be "relaunched" next month.
Robert Feder: After three decades as one of Tribune Broadcasting's most underutilized assets, Superstation WGN is about to get a makeover. Randy Michaels, Tribune Co. chief executive of interactive and broadcasting, announced in a conference call with bankers last week that the superstation will be "relaunched" next month.
CLTV, see ya
Robert Feder: Two familiar faces soon will be missing from CLTV's prime-time news lineup. Leaving the Tribune Co.-owned cable news channel will be evening news anchor Amy Rutledge and meteorologist Keenan Smith.
Robert Feder: Two familiar faces soon will be missing from CLTV's prime-time news lineup. Leaving the Tribune Co.-owned cable news channel will be evening news anchor Amy Rutledge and meteorologist Keenan Smith.
Larry Wert's promotion triggers management changes at NBC 5
Robert Feder: Frank Whittaker, veteran news boss at WMAQ-Channel 5, was promoted Thursday to the additional role of station manager. In other moves at the NBC-owned station, vice presidential stripes were given to Toni Falvo, Channel 5's director of research, programming and press, and to Jan Jaros, director of broadcast operations and engineering.
Robert Feder: Frank Whittaker, veteran news boss at WMAQ-Channel 5, was promoted Thursday to the additional role of station manager. In other moves at the NBC-owned station, vice presidential stripes were given to Toni Falvo, Channel 5's director of research, programming and press, and to Jan Jaros, director of broadcast operations and engineering.
Chicago station exec poised for promotion at NBC
Robert Feder: After 10 years as president and general manager of WMAQ-Channel 5, Larry Wert could be moving up the NBC corporate ladder. The longtime Chicago broadcast executive appears to be in line to oversee all of NBC's West Coast station operations, including those in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego.
Robert Feder: After 10 years as president and general manager of WMAQ-Channel 5, Larry Wert could be moving up the NBC corporate ladder. The longtime Chicago broadcast executive appears to be in line to oversee all of NBC's West Coast station operations, including those in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego.
Collins named to Hall of Fame
Robert Feder: Bob Collins, the shrewd "good ol' boy" who was Chicago radio's top-rated morning personality for 14 years, will be inducted posthumously in the Radio Hall of Fame. At the height of his popularity on Tribune Co.-owned news/talk WGN-AM, "Uncle Bobby" (as Collins was known) was killed in 2000 when the small plane he was piloting collided with another plane and crashed.
Robert Feder: Bob Collins, the shrewd "good ol' boy" who was Chicago radio's top-rated morning personality for 14 years, will be inducted posthumously in the Radio Hall of Fame. At the height of his popularity on Tribune Co.-owned news/talk WGN-AM, "Uncle Bobby" (as Collins was known) was killed in 2000 when the small plane he was piloting collided with another plane and crashed.
