Friday, January 27, 2023

Media Notebook--1-27-23















MEDIA NOTEBOOK

A curation of news items about the media from this past week, with a particular emphasis on Chicago…



RADIO/PODCASTS


*Chicago Radio Ratings

=The Holiday season numbers are out, and to the surprise of no-one, WLIT is strongly atop the ratings perch. They pulled in an amazing 14.8 rating (12+), which is their best in eight years. Rounding out the top five are…WDRV and WVAZ (tied for second at 5.0), WBBM-AM (4.8) and WTMX (3.7)

=Other stations that brought in respectable numbers this time around include WBEZ (3.4), WOJO (3.3), WLS-FM (3.2), WXRT (3.1).

=Also in the top 15, US-99 (2.9), WKSC (2.9), WGN (2.8), WBMX (2.8), WLEY (2.6), and WGCI (2.3)

=Obviously this isn’t broken down by daypart or other demos, but the numbers are available for all to see at Radio Online.



*Tributes to Lin Brehmer Pouring In

=Chicagoans were reeling all week after WXRT announced the news that Lin Brehmer had passed away. The Marquees at his favorite old concert venues (like the Vic, the Metro, and more) paid tribute to him. Fellow broadcasters from all across the radio dial chimed in with their words of admiration and comfort, and so did music artists like Steve Earle. And, of course, WXRT produced an incredible tribute to him that aired on Monday.  Here are few other tributes you might have missed…

=His congressman Mike Quigley posted this video of him praising Lin on the floor of the US House of Representatives. It’s from ten years ago, but how many other Chicago broadcasters have a similar video?


=His longtime producer Pete Crozier has been writing touching tributes to Lin all week. I recommend going on his facebook page to read them. Beautifully written. This is also the very last Lin’s Bin,courtesy of Pete. 

=I had no idea that Channel 5’s Alex Maragos grew up across the street from Lin.

=This interview Lin did with RadioGirl (Margaret Larkin) was certainly one of his last long form interviews. Worth a listen.

=My own interview with Lin (from 2018) was reposted by the Illinois Entertainer this week and got tons of retweets.

=I also posted this excerpt from the Eckhartz Press book “Cubsessions” that featured an interview with Lin talking about how much the Cubs World Series win meant to him. 

=And finally, I think this might be the tribute that would have meant most to Lin.


 

*The Loop Files

=I’ve been very gratified at the interest this new feature of mine (posted every Tuesday) has been generating on social media. This week I featured my interview with former Brandmeier show producer/writer Brendan Sullivan. Since I posted it, I was sent the audio of a very funny bit Brendan referenced in the piece. Harry Caray (Jim Volkman) and Jerry Lewis (Jeff Hoover) recreating the Royale with Cheese scene from Pulp Fiction. I posted it at the end of the interview.


 

*Sportscaster of the Year

=Congrats to ESPN Radio’s Jonathan Hood for being named Sportscaster of the Year for his work with the UIC Flames. You’ll probably recognize a few of the other faces in this photo.


 

*Chicago-Area Cluster of Radio Stations Sold

=This news comes from Bob Heymann, who brokered the deal. Shaw Local Radio Co, an Illinois corporation, has purchased WALS-FM, WIVQ-FM, WSTQ-FM, WYYS-FM, WGLC-FM, WBZG-FM, WSPL-AM, W253BX98.5FM from Studstill Media and the Studstill family. The stations are licensed in Ogelsby, Spring Valley, Streator, Mendota, and Peru, Illinois. The price tag was $1.8 million.

 


*Job Opening at Audacy

=Whenever I see an opening like this in Chicago, I’ll try to pass it along. Audacy is looking for a Midwest regional promotions director based in Chicago. You can apply right here. That page also lists the job duties and the qualifications necessary to be considered.


 

*Ex-Chicago Radio Corner

=Todd Fooks, who worked at Q-101 in Chicago for six years, was just named the host of the syndicated show Loudwire Nights. He had been hosting the weekend version of the show. Radio Insight has more information.


 

*Podcast Corner

=The top 20 rated podcasts of 2022 are featured in this piece in Radio Ink. Six of them come from the NPR family including the top podcast of the year, NPR News Now.

=George Ofman interviewed Hockey Hall of Famer Chris Chelios this week on his podcast. Worth a listen for sure.


 

*Mike Fowler

=The former General Manager of Rock 103.5 and WJMK Oldies 104.3 is dealing with a major health crisis. He has been diagnosed with ALS. Mike and his daughter announced it publicly this week via his Facebook page. Best wishes to Mike and his family as they go through this. I know his former colleagues (including me) are rooting for him.


 

RIP Jerry Blavat

=Jerry was unknown in Chicago, but he was huge in Philadelphia. John Records Landecker paid tribute to Jerry in his book “Records Truly Is My Middle Name.” He told an abbreviated version of his Blavat story on his Facebook page this week: I just learned that Jerry Blavat died. Shit. Many associate my career with Chicago. That's true. BUT before Chicago I was In Philadelphia at WIBG. It was my big break. I dropped out of my senior year at Michigan State to go there. Philadelphia was more than radio stations. There were HUGE personalities who transcended any individual radio station. Joe Niagra, Hy Lit and Jerry Blavat. I've always thought that one of the cool things about my career was the list of people I worked with. Hy Lit, Joe Niagra, Jerry Blavat, Joey Reynolds, Larry Lujack, Fred Winston, Tommy Edwards, Bob Sirott, Jonathon Brandmeier, Steve and Garry, Joel Sebastian, and more. Jerry was amazing. I worked until 10pm and he would invite me over to his home for some cocktails at an outdoor bar by the pool. Then we would go to the second story of a garage where he had turntables, microphones, a board and a stack of 45's. He would put on a private show. Playing the hits and doing talkovers. Mind you this was not on the air just in a garage. It was something .....RIP

 

 

MEDIA BIRTHDAYS/MILESTONES

 

*January 22--Charlie Meyerson birthday

=I interviewed the editor-in-chief of Chicago Public Square (and former radio guy at places like WXRT, WNUA, WGN) for Illinois Entertainer shortly after he began his excellent newsletter.


*January 23—Jack Quinlan birthday

=Jack was the radio play-by-play man for the Cubs for several years. His life was tragically cut short in a car accident in 1965. Cub geeks like me still look for audio of his work. Here is something from 1962.


*January 23—Dan Walker birthday

=Danger Dan, as he was known on Murphy in the Morning (Q-101), had a long and distinguished career in Chicago radio. I worked with him at WJMK in the 1990s.

 

*January 24—Jack Brickhouse birthday

=Jack has been gone now for more than 20 years, but the Hall of Famer was the soundtrack to our youth (for the 55+ crowd). Luckily there are still lots of samples of Jack’s work out there for us to enjoy. Here’s one.


*January 24—Greg Solk birthday

=Greg has been a Chicago radio executive since he was a very young man. He was the program director of the Loop for many years and has served in the executive suite for companies like Bonneville, Hubbard, and now Auducy. Since 2021 he has been the VP/Programming for Audacy-Chicago. I interviewed Greg for Chicago Radio Spotlight in 2010.

 

*January 25—Cindy Gatziolis birthday

=The former Promotion Director for the Loop went on to work for the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. Gatziolis sadly passed away in 2014 at the way too young age of 56. I interviewed Cindy for Chicago Radio Spotlight shortly after her beloved White Sox won the World Series. She was responsible for putting that victory parade together. (I also wrote this tribute to her after she passed)


*January 25—Joan Esposito birthday

=The WCPT talk-show host is still probably better known in Chicago for her many years as a reporter/anchor on television. I was lucky enough to interview her for Illinois Entertainer in 2021.

 

* January 25—Suzanne Le Mignot birthday

=Suzanne is the weekend morning news anchor for CBS-2Chicago and works as a reporter during the week.


*January 25—Brian Haddad birthday

=The current morning man at Q-101 will be my next feature in Illinois Entertainer. It comes out late next week.

 

*January 26—Tom Barnas birthday

=The WGN-TV staffer has worked on both the midday news and morning news, and is the host of The Chicago Scene


*January 27—Pat Tomasulo birthday

=Sportscaster and comedian, one of the stars of WGN-TV’s morning news. This photo of Pat in action (interviewing Chuck Swirsky about his book Always a Pleasure) is from just a few months ago.


*January 28—Jack Silver birthday

=Jack was the ringmaster at AM 1000 back in the Johnny/Kevin/Steve & Garry heyday. He went on to become a bigshot for CBS Radio and later Audacy in Los Angeles. I interviewed him in 2009.


*January 29—Oprah Winfrey birthday

=It’s hard to remember that Oprah was a complete unknown when she arrived in Chicago in the mid-80s. They didn’t quite know what to do with her, and even used her on the news with Joel Daly.


 

*January 29—Dane Placko birthday

=The top reporter for WFLD-TV (Channel 32) has been there now for over 30 years. He has a closet full of Emmys, and a profile in Illinois Entertainer written by me. This is a fun interview about his forced month-long vacation in England.


*January 29—Tony Lossano birthday

=The former host of the Nude Hippo show and the podcast Lossano & Friends is also a long-time radio producer (WLIT, WLS) and podcast producer (including my podcasts, Minutia Men & Minutia Men Celebrity Interview).

 

 

TV/STREAMING

 

*Larry Potash Rates Chicago TV Anchors in Order of Handsomeness

=Of course, he added the caveat (not named Ponce). You can watch him do his top ten list here.


 

*Paul Deanno Leaves NBC-5

=It seems like half the staff has left over the past few months. Here’s another one.


 

*Streaming Corner

=The list of top streaming programs from 2022 was released yesterday, and there aren't too many surprises on the list. #1 is Stranger Things. #2 is Ozark. The top 15 list is here.



*GM3 Anchor Soap Opera/Controversy Still Unresolved

=This story broke months ago and it still hasn’t been resolved. GM3 anchors T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach have both left their spouses and are engaged in a love affair. When the network (ABC) found out, they weren’t happy about it and took them off the air. It appears that ABC wants them out for good now, but Holmes and Robach are not leaving quietly because they don’t think they violated any workplace rules. The Daily News has the update, which involves the two sides going to mediation. Sounds a bit messy.


 

TV Show Based on Twitter Handle

=I admit it. I’ve been following Super 70s Sports on Twitter for years, and he really is a great follow. But I never would have thought of making his quips into a television show. Jimmy Kimmel is the executive producer of it.


 

*Chip Caray Joins Cardinals TV Booth

=The former Cubs TV play-by-play man has agreed to sit in the booth of the enemy. Naturally he doesn’t look at it that way because his grandfather also did games for the Cardinals.


 

*Cable News Corner

=Fox News is being sued by former head-booker Laura Luhn. The Hollywood Reporter has the details, and it’s about as lurid as anything you’ll ever read. It involves sexual blackmail, oral sex, S&M, and more. Roger Ailes is the culprit.

=In another Fox News lawsuit, NPR and the New YorkTimes have asked a judge to unseal the files in the Dominion case.

=You ever get the feeling you’ve witnessed the making of a star? I got that vibe when I watched this young TikTok comedian make his cable news debut this week on Ari Melber’s show on MSNBC. Best Trump I’ve ever seen.


 

*Academy Award Nominations Announced

=Just in case you haven’t seen the full list yet, it’s here.


 


SOCIAL MEDIA/PRINT MEDIA/DIGITAL MEDIA

 

*It was a rough week in the media world…

=Spotify laid off 6% of their workforce

=Vox Media made massive layoffs

=The Washington Post fired 20 staffers.

=But at least none of them did it quite as heartlessly as Google allegedly did it in New York. Yowza.


 

*The DOJ Files an Anti-Trust Lawsuit Against Google for their Advertising Monopoly

=It’s the second bite of the apple for the government against Google. Seems like they have a pretty good case.


 

*Facebook Letting Trump Back on their Platform

=The company released the news this week via a Nick Clegg blogpost. They promise new guardrails will be in place, and any repeat insurrection talk will not be tolerated.


 

*Ad Spending on Twitter Drops by 70% in December

=I’m guessing the welcoming back to the platform of actual Nazis (that’s not a slur on my part—they call themselves that) isn’t helping the advertising atmosphere. Details here.



*Margaret Sullivan Back on the Media Beat

=She left the Washington Post last year, and it appeared that was the end of her reporting on the media. Guardian USA stepped in this week and lured her back, on a once-a-week basis. They made the announcement this week.


 

*The Last Days of Hollywood’s Most Reviled Reporter

=Nikke Finke of Deadline.com was feared and hated by those she covered. This piece examines her sad final days.


 

As always, if you have any media story you’d like to share or think that I might be interested in sharing, drop me a line at rick@eckhartzpress.com or amishrick@yahoo.com. If you're in Chicago media and wondering why I didn't mention your birthday, it's probably because I don't know it. Drop me a line and let me know and I'll put you on my calendar.
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