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
~Afternoon Radio Ratings
Robert Feder posted the top ten over the weekend. My personal choice for afternoon drive is on the list. By the way, I like the way Feder is posting these regularly now. His column is still must-reading for Chicago media types (including me).
Broadcast News
~Meet the Press Keeps On Sliding
It's number 3 in the ratings right now after dominating for many years. Articles like this one should be making David Gregory very nervous.
~The Clinton Conspiracy Memo
Remember when Hillary talked about the vast right wing conspiracy (when she was First Lady). Here's the memo that made her think that. And, based on my nearly twenty years of researching this very topic, it's exactly correct. I'm not making a judgement on whether or not the information being transmitted is accurate or not (that is always debatable), but the way it is distributed (as described in this memo) is simply the way it is distributed to broadcast news outlets. It's a fact. (It's also the basis of a good chunk of $everance). The only thing that has changed since this memo came out is that the left wing does it now too. (Using the exact same methodology)
The Moguls
~As the Rupert Turns
Another day, another lawsuit paid off. This time it was Rupert's "Sun on Sunday", and the victim was comedian Russell Brand.
The Radio Biz
~Ryan Seacrest Looking to Expand Role at Clear Channel
That's what the Hollywood Reporter is reporting today. Sounds like he's going to drop some of his TV gigs to focus on more radio (which is where the real money is for him, believe it or not).
~Randi Rhodes Ends Her National Radio Program
The talk show's last day on the air will be May 16. It had been distributed by Premiere.
