Showing posts with label JJ Jeffrey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JJ Jeffrey. Show all posts

Friday, September 06, 2024

Media Notebook--9-6-24















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 ratings for August are out, and the following are the top ten stations in Chicago for the month (6+, M-Su, 6am-Mid)

WDRV (6.5)

WVAZ (6.1)

WBBM-AM (5.7)

WLIT (5.3)

WXRT (4.8)

WUSN (4.7)

WLS-FM (4.2)

WOJO (4.2)

WRME (3.5)

WBMX (2.6)

WTMX (2.6)

=The biggest jumps this month belong to Spanish language WOJO (+1.2) and WUSN (US-99), which recovered from their bad July numbers (+0.7).  WKQX (Q-101) also had a big month, finishing just outside the top ten with a 2.5 (+0.6), and WBBM-AM returned to their perch near the top of the ratings with a gain of 0.5. This is the highest they’ve ranked in over a year.

=Meanwhile, this is the lowest that WLIT has been for more than a year (although still respectable). They dropped 0.6 this month. Luckily, Christmas music is just around the corner.

=Also, it should be noted that if you add the Score’s over-the-air ratings with their streaming numbers, they would slip into tenth place overall (2.4 + 0.9).

=In the talk radio battle, it’s WGN (2.4), WBEZ (2.3), WLS-AM (1.5)

 


*Joe Brand to the Penguins

=WGN Radio lost their Blackhawks pre- and post-game radio host this week. Great opportunity for Joe Brand…


 

*Chicago Media Departures

=I’ve reported on all of these over the previous six months or so, but Axios’ Justin Kaufmann did a nice job of chronicling all the recent Chicago media departures in one story. You can check that out here.


 

*Craig Schwalb

=Congrats to WBBM Program Director Craig Schwalb for being named as one of the top program directors in the country.


 

*Isaac Hayes vs. Donald Trump

=The song “Hold On I’m Coming” was written by the late Isaac Hayes. His family wants Donald Trump to stop using that song at his rallies. This week the courts sided with the Hayes estate.


 

*J.J. Jeffrey

=Chuck Knapp posted this scoop about former WLS jock J.J. Jeffrey this week…


 

*Rest in Peace

=Steve Zana

Northwest Indiana radio legend. He was 63. I interviewed him in 2008 for Shore Magazine.

=Fatman Scoop

Rapper. Collapsed on stage. He was 53.

=Rich Homie Quan

Rapper. He was 34.

 

 

MEDIA BIRTHDAYS/MILESTONES



*September 2--Bill Cochran birthday

=Cochran isn’t just one of the great voice-over guys in radio (WXRT, WNUA, ME-TV), he has a band that recreates classic albums on stage. I got a chance to talk to him about that back in 2017. 

 

*September 2—Jim DeRogatis birthday

=Jim is the co-host of Sound Opinions with Greg Kot, which is now a podcast, after a long run on WXRT and WBEZ. The show originally got it’s start on Eddie Schwartz’s overnight show on AM 1000 (with Bill Wyman in place of Kot).  

 

*September 2—JoBo Colborn birthday

=Jobo was on B-96 for 26 years. An incredible run.

 

*September 4-- John Howell birthday

=Formerly of WUSN, WJMK, WIND, and WLS. I interviewed John for Chicago Radio Spotlight back in 2007 when he was co-hosting a morning show with Cisco Cotto at WIND.

 

*September 4--Chris Base birthday

=The former WVON talker now hosts an internet show called BaseLine Saturdays.

 

*September 4-- Patrick Kampert birthday

=I like to joke with Patrick that people constantly mistake me for him because of the similarities of our names. He is the far more distinguished of the two of us, a former Chicago Tribune editor and reporter.

 

* September 4, 2014--Roy Leonard death anniversary

=Hard to believe Roy has been gone for ten years. I was lucky enough to have a lengthy chat with Roy back in 2010  and we covered his entire career. After I posted the interview he e-mailed me and said: “Did you actually post every word of our conversation? Nobody wants to hear that much about me.”

 

* September 5-- Johnnie Putman birthday

=The better half of WGN’s long-time overnight team Steve & Johnnie (that’s Steve description) talked to me for Illinois Entertainer back in 2016 

. 
*September 6-- Nick Friedell birthday

=The former ESPN Chicago reporter is a go-to NBA expert.

 

*September 7—Jonathan Hood birthday

=I interviewed the ESPN Radio morning co-host (with David Kaplan) in 2010. 

 

*September 7—Steve Scott birthday

=The former WLS Newsman was a victim of the format change at WCBS in New York. I chatted with him in 2008 shortly after he left us for the big Apple.


 

 

TV/STREAMING

 

* WGN-TV Morning Show anniversary


=On September 6, 1994, the WGN-TV morning show as we know it today debuted (with Robin Baumgarten, Larry Potash, and Paul Konrad). I don’t think they could have possibly foreseen the ratings juggernaut it would become. I’ve written about the show a few times, including for Shore Magazine eleven years ago. Here’s a short excerpt from that article…

            Is there anything they’ve ever refused to do?

            “I won’t dress like a woman,” Potash admits, drawing the line.

            “I won’t dance,” Konrad adds.

            “Um,” Robin says, thinking about it. “Wow, well, let’s see. I’m trying to think if I’ve ever said no to anything before. Maybe that’s part of my problem.”

 

 

*Dave Wannstedt

=NBC 5 Chicago (WMAQ-TV) has announced former Chicago Bears head coach/renowned NFL analyst Dave Wannstedt will be joining the station’s signature sports program, Sports Sunday, as its lead Bears/NFL analyst beginning Sunday, September 8.

 

 

*Nick Olczyk

=Son of the great Eddie Olczyk continues his own NHL broadcasting climb. This year he’s moving from Seattle to Salt Lake City, to be part of the new club in Utah.


 *Cable News Corner

=Brian Stelter has returned to CNN as the editor of Reliable Sources. He is once again the chief media analyst at the cable news outlet, two years after having been fired by the network. 

=The succession battle in the Murdoch family is playing out in secret behind the scenes and the other major news outlets are asking a court to make it public. My money is still on Kendall...er, I mean Lachlan. His brother James endorsed Kamala Harris.


 

*Brian Lamb retires from C-SPAN

=After a mere 47 years on the job. His last day was Friday.


 

*Rest in Peace

=James Darren

Star of Gidget and TJ Hooker. Former teen idol. He was 88.


 

 

STAGE & SCREEN

 

 

*Angelina Jolie’s Comeback

=Her new movie was just released at the Venice Film Festival and she is getting some Oscar buzz.



 

*Making Fun of Nepo-Babies

=Jack Robbins, son of Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, has done a series of videos making fun of Nepo-babies (like himself). The New York Times has the story.


 

 

DIGITAL/PRINT

 


*New York Times Publisher Writes Op-Ed in Washington Post

=A.J. Sulzberger's piece is called "How the Quiet War Against Free Press Could Come to America." You can read it here.



*Mary Mitchell Retires from Sun Times

=After 34 years. Her last column was in Friday’s paper.


 

*What Journalism Isn’t

=Great substack piece by former Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times editor Mark Jacobs. Among his observations (provided in list form)… Journalism isn’t helping unnamed sources take anonymous potshots at their enemies.


 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

 

*Russians Funding Right-Wing Media Operation in America


=It’s a very disturbing story. Russia has successfully infiltrated right wing media.

Among the commentators listed on Tenet Media’s website are right-wing personalities Benny Johnson and Tim Pool. Both have millions of subscribers on YouTube and other social media platforms. Pool interviewed Trump on his podcast in May.

=Tim Pool, by the way, is a Chicagoan. The Sun-Times has the scoop. I'm sure he wasn't suspicious that he was being paid $100,000 per episode. For a YouTube podcast.


 

*Iran Working Against Republicans

=Meanwhile, according to this piece, Iran is doing the opposite. They are spreading misinformation to hurt Donald Trump and the Republicans.




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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Friday, August 02, 2024

Media Notebook--8-2-24















MEDIA NOTEBOOK

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



RADIO/PODCASTS

 

*Brian Sherman

=The latest issue of Illinois Entertainer came out yesterday and features my interview with WDRV (The Drive) morning co-host Brian Sherman. Here’s a small taste of the piece…

They don’t try to sugarcoat their flaws.

“You’re exactly right,” Sherman admits with a laugh. “Having those quirks makes you much more human and relatable to everybody else too. What you hear on the air is the real Sherman and Tingle. Just two guys talking and sharing things from their lives.”


 

*Marconi Finalists

=The NAB announced the finalists for this year's Marconi Awards yesterday, and Chicago is well represented. WLS is a finalist for legendary station of the year. "Behind the Song" by Janda Lane on WDRV is a finalist for Best Radio Podcast of the Year. WTMX was named in the AC Station of the Year category. WGRB is a finalist for Religious Station of the Year, and the Score is a finalist in the Sports Radio Station of the Year category. Congrats to all of them. The full list is here.



*WBBM-AM and WSCR-AM Moving to a New Tower

=Audacy’s two Chicago AM stations are moving to a new tower. It doesn’t sound like this will affect the range or quality of the sound too much (although WBBM will get a stronger daytime signal), but it’s necessary because of the bankruptcy of the broadcasting giant. They had to sell the land where they had their old towers. Inside Radio has more.


 

*Lon Helton to Host 2024 Radio Hall of Fame Banquet

=Helton is himself a Hall of Famer (class of ’22) and worked for a while in Chicago radio (WMAQ). The banquet will be held in Nashville this year.


 

*CBS Radio Executive Editor Sees Her Job as a Calling

=Jennifer Brown got her start as a Steve Dahl intern but has moved up to Executive Editor at CBS. Barrett Media talks to her about her career journey.


 

*J.J. Jeffrey to Leave Radio Ownership

=In the 1970s, J.J. Jeffrey was a big star in Chicago on WLS AM 890. When he left Chicago, he moved into station ownership in his home state of Maine. This week he and his partner announced they were going to be leaving the business. Inside Radio has more on this story.


 

*Most Common Radio Formats in America

=The top four most common radio formats in America are…Country, Religious, News/Talk, and Contemporary Christian. If you’ve taken a road trip this summer, I’m sure that tracks with your experience. The full list is here.


 

*Steve Albini May Get a Street Named After Him

=The late musician/producer had a studio on West Belmont in Chicago, and the city is considering naming a portion of that street after him. Block Club Chicago has more.



*It's Lolla Weekend

=Axios' Justin Kaufman examines the lessons learned by the country's best run music festival.



*Podcast Corner

=Vulture rates the top new podcasts of 2024, so far.

=Kelce Brothers are looking for a $100 million podcast deal.

=Look who has the number 1 podcast this week. It’s the Mooch and Katty Kay. Anthony Scaramucci is quite entertaining. I had him on my podcast this week too.



 

*Rest in Peace

=The Nelons

Plane crash. Gospel Singers Kelly Nelon Clark, 64, husband Jason Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler, 35, were killed along with the latter's husband Nathan Kistler, 34, the Georgia-based band's assistant, Melodi Hodges, plus the pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa Haynie. Tragic.

=Martin Phillips

Co-founder of the band The Chills. He was 61.


 

 

MEDIA BIRTHDAYS/MILESTONES

*July 28--Walter Jacobson birthday

=Legendary Chicago TV newsman. Walter and Bill Kurtis dominated the ratings during their years at Channel 2 (CBS) in Chicago. At one point during his CBS era, Walter won an Emmy for political commentary ten years in a row. He also won a Peabody award. Walter later spent more than a decade at WFLD-TV (Channel 32), and currently still offers political commentary on WGN Radio. He turned 87 last weekend.

 


*July 28—Gehrig Peterson birthday

=Gehrig got his start in Chicago media as the manager for radio legends like Steve Dahl and Kevin Matthews but is best known for his years in concert promotion.

 


*July 28--Rick Kaempfer birthday

=That’s me. 61 this year. I don’t look a day over 60 ½.

 


*July 29, 1981

=750 million people worldwide watched the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. I don’t follow the royal family, but I’m sure that this fairy tale had a wonderful and happy ending.


 


*July 29—Andy Chanley birthday

=He’s the afternoon man and music director at WXRT these days. I recently interviewed him for Illinois Entertainer.


 

*July 29—Bill Souronis birthday

=Total Traffic Network

 

*July 29—Vasili Souronis birthday

=Total Traffic Network

 


*July 29—Rick Morrisey birthday

=Chicago Sun Times sports columnist.

 


*July 29—Geli Corbett birthday

=Long-time producer for Kevin Matthews.

 


*July 1994

=30 years ago the Blaze (103.5FM) became Rock 103.5. They soon debuted their new morning man Mancow Muller.  Before it became The Blaze, the frequency was known as WFYR. 103.5 FM is now known as KISS-FM.

 


*July 30—Tom Petersen birthday

=WGN newscaster for decades, working alongside the likes of Spike O’Dell, Bob Collins, and more.

 


*July 31—Irv Kupcinet birthday

=Probably the most famous newspaper columnist (with apologies to Mike Royko) in Chicago history. His column for the Sun Times began in 1943 and lasted 60 years. Kup hobnobbed with the big Hollywood stars, did color commentary on Bears broadcasts, and hosted his own television show. He now has a statue across the river from the old Sun-Times building. Kupcinet died in 2003.



 

*July 31—Bill Frink birthday

=Part of the legendary Eyewitness News Team in the 1970s. Frink was the sports anchor alongside Fahey Flynn, Joel Daly, and John Coleman.


 

*August 1, 1981

=MTV launches. “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles was the first video. Watch the launch.



*August 2—Kenneth Smith birthday

=Known to Mancow fans as Al Roker Jr.

 


*August 2—Ryan Baker birthday

=For the last five years he’s been hosting the morning show on Channel 2. Now he’s back on the 10:00 News, anchoring the sports desk.

 


*August 3—Scott Placko birthday

=Channel 2 cameraman/photographer Scott is the younger brother of Fox-32 reporter Dane.


 

August 3--Jerry G. Bishop birthday

=The anniversary of Chicago broadcasting icon Jerry G. Bishop’s birth was this week. His protégé (as both Svengoolie and in radio) was Rich Koz. When I interviewed Koz in 2009, he went into a little more detail about what Jerry G. meant to him. Worth a read.

 

 

TV/STREAMING

 


*Former President Trump Appears in Chicago

=He was interviewed Wednesday by a panel of print and television reporters at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention. Among the panelists: Rachel Scott (ABC News), Harris Faulkner (Fox News), and Kadia Goba (Semafor). Needless to say, it was a controversial appearance. Trump really bristled at a question from Scott. And according to this report from WTTW, Trump’s team demanded that it end after 35 minutes even though it was scheduled for an hour.


 

*30 Years of Larry Potash

=Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of Larry Potash on WGN-TV. Since his arrival in 1994 he has arguably become the biggest star on the local television scene.



 

*Jennifer Lyons

=She has been named the new regional GM for CBS Detroit and CBS Chicago.

 

*Chicago TV Reunion

=Look who bumped into each other at a local suburban festival. That’s retired TV photographer/author Chuck Quinzio, Fox 32’s Dane Placko, and retired ABC-7 reporter Paul Meincke.



 

*20 Years of Dave Savini

=The award-winning investigative reporter just celebrated his 20th anniversary at CBS-2 Chicago. This week they brought him in to co-host the morning show with Dana Kozlov. Savini shared some photos on his LinkedIn page.


 

*Is Hard Knocks a Curse?

=Jim O’Donnell examined that possibility in his sports media column in the Daily Herald. Normally I wouldn’t care about Hard Knocks, but the Bears are the subject of this year’s show.

 


*The Bear? Never Heard of It

=Great piece in the Tribune this week. The reporter went to Little Italy to talk to some of the beef shops that inspired The Bear. They don’t watch it. They never heard of it.



*Norah O’Donnell Stepping Down after Election in November

=This was a surprise announcement this week. She was mired in third place as the anchor of CBS Evening News. 


 

*Venu Sports Announces Prices

=The much anticipated sports streaming service (combining Disney/Fox/Warner Brothers sports assets) announced they are starting up in the fall. The cost will be $42.99 a month. Awful Announcing has the details.



*Colin Jost to Host New Pop Culture Jeopardy

=30 years ago I would have killed in this game. Now, not so much. For more info about the show, click here.


 

*Olympic Commentator fired for Sexist Remarks

=He worked for the BBC, and let’s be honest. This is pretty cringe. Ballard said the women swimmers were "finishing up" and "you know what women are like... hanging around, doing their make-up."


 

*Warner Brothers Discovery Sues NBA

=This lawsuit was expected. They are upset about losing the NBA rights to Amazon. ESPN has the details. 

 


*New York’s Hot Weather Chaser

=Not hot weather. Hot weatherman. The internet is abuzz. The New York Times has the story. 



*Rest in Peace

=Jim West

From 1971-1979 Jim was the voice of the Chicago Blackhawks and the Cubs for WGN-TV. He was 95.


 

 

STAGE/SCREEN

 


*Deadpool & Wolverine Sets Box Office Records

=It has already grossed over $500 million dollars globally and it just came out last weekend. Crazy numbers



*Obama the Musical?

=You read that right. Check it out.



 

DIGITAL/PRINT

 


*Biden Secures Release of Gershkovich and others

=Emotional scenes at the airport last night. Jake Sullivan explained the news earlier in the day...



*Photo of Surfer in Mid-Air Goes Viral

=It’s an AP photo. The photographer is Jerome Brouilait. The surfer in the picture is Olympian Gabriel Medina. You can see it here. It really is stunning.


 

*100 Best Books of the 21st Century

=According to the New York Times.


 


SOCIAL MEDIA

 

*Justice Department Warns About TikTok

=According to a report this week, the Justice Department claims that TikTok collected US user views on specific issues like abortion and guns, and that they have communicated directly with the Chinese government.


 

*How do you solve a problem like Elon?

=The New York Times has a piece about Elon’s right-hand-woman Linda Yaccarino, and the challenges she faces because of her boss’s whims.

=Don Lemon is also suing Elon for $35 million because he backed out of their content deal.



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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