Every weekday in 2014, I'll be keeping an eye on what's happening in the media. My focus will be on some of my favorite subjects...the moguls, the pundits, the broadcast news biz, show business, and the publishing business. (Read "$everance" if you want a crystallization of my positions on those subjects.) And, of course, I'll also keep tabs on Chicago's media.
Chicago Media
~Christmas Music Helps 93.9 My FM Again
From Inside Radio:
The 11.6 share that Clear Channel’s rebranded “93.9 My FM” WLIT-FM Chicago posted in 2013 is 1.6 shares better than the 10 share it knocked out in 2012.~WGN Radio's Dave Eanet Wears Leggings
Steve Cochran tweeted the picture this morning. It's at the link above.
~New Afternoon Host At 100.3 FM, Jane Monzures
Where have you heard that name before? From today's RAMP Newsletter:
She most recently worked for crosstown WIQI (i101), she's a former correspondent for the entertainment magazine show, Metro Mix, and is currently the host of Living Healthy Chicago on WGN-TV Sundays at 11:30am.~Steve Downes to host four hour Beatles special
His nationally syndicated "The Classics" show will focus on the 50th anniversary of the Beatles coming to America. It will air in two parts, the first one the weekend of Feb 1-2, the second the weekend of Feb 8-9. The show airs locally here at the Drive (97.1 FM)
The Moguls
~The Hollywood Reporter Reviews Roger Ailes bio
The subhead kind of gives away their thesis: "The Fox News chief remains elusive after this juicy but thin biography."
~Another Media Billionaire
Add Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg to the list of media billionaires. Her stock has been valued in that 10-digit zone. From the article:
The 44-year-old is one of the youngest female billionaires in the world, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.~Dow Jones CEO Resigns
Sounds like he was gently nudged out the door by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Can't wait to hear how much he'll get for just going away. I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I'll join and then leave any business in America for a measly million.
Showbiz
~CBS to Mark 50th Beatles Anniversary With Live Event
From TV Newser:
CBS News correspondent and anchor Anthony Mason will host the first event Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. That’s 50 years to the day of the historic telecast and in the legendary theater where it happened.~Neil Diamond Signs With Capitol Records
This is a huge deal, and the RAMP Newsletter explains why:
This landmark deal unites Diamond's complete Columbia, Uni/MCA and Bang catalogues of recorded music for the first time, encompassing his entire body of work, from his earliest recordings through the present day
