Justin Bieber
For one day only, one of Chicago’s leading hit music stations is calling itself "Bieber96.”
Starting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, CBS Radio temporarily rebranded Top 40 WBBM FM 96.3 to coincide with Justin Bieber’s sold-out concert at Allstate Arena and release of a new album. Continue reading
NBC Tower
NBC Tower, home of WMAQ-Channel 5 since 1989, soon will house the consolidated studios and offices of Chicago’s four Cumulus Media radio stations.
The company has leased two floors of the 37-story office building at 455 North Cityfront Plaza Drive, according to Peter Bowen, vice president and Chicago market manager of Cumulus Media. The move is expected to be completed by July 1. Continue reading
iHeart Media Chicago
Another Spanish-language Mexican regional music station is coming to Chicago next year.
iHeartMedia Chicago announced Tuesday it has signed a local marketing agreement with Show Time Media to broadcast the full-time music, entertainment and information format on 97.5 FM, starting February 1. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Continue reading
Chicagoly
To be honest, “Chicagoly” sounds more like a board game than the name of a magazine. But at least there’s no confusing it with any other publication.
Back in August, 22nd Century Media announced plans to launch a magazine called The Chicagoan, billed as offering “insight, color and commentary on news topics and cultural issues important to the residents of America’s greatest city.” Continue reading
Val Warner and Spike Lee
Robservations on the media beat:
Jennifer Hudson and John Cusack aren’t the only Chicagoans you’ll recognize in “Chi-Raq.” Val Warner, co-host of WLS-Channel 7’s “Windy City Live,” has a cameo role in director Spike Lee’s upcoming film spotlighting gang violence in Chicago. In a brief scene, she plays a TV news reporter who interviews Angela Bassett. How were Warner’s acting chops? “She was great,” Lee said in an on-air visit to the ABC 7 talk show last week. “She played herself.” After premiering November 22 at the Chicago Theatre, “Chi-Raq” opens December 4. Continue reading
Chicago Tribune
More than three dozen Chicago Tribune editorial employees were approved for buyouts this week under Tribune Publishing’s voluntary separation program, sources said Friday.
The names of the employees were not released, but the company acknowledged they were part of a 7 percent reduction among an eligible 7,000 employees across its media portfolio. Continue reading
Edison the Reindeer
Merry Christmas, Chicago. It’s that time again.
At 4:35 p.m. Thursday, WLIT FM 93.9 will switch to around-the-clock holiday music programming through December 26 for the 15th consecutive year. Edison the Reindeer returns as the official mascot of “Chicago’s Christmas Station.” Continue reading
Jon Hansen
Jon Hansen, the audio guru of DNAinfo.com Chicago, is leaving to join Weigel Broadcasting as social media coordinator and on-air correspondent for “You & Me,” WCIU-Channel 26’s weekday morning talk show.
Hansen’s appointment to the newly created position, effective December 1, was announced Wednesday by Rob Morhaim, senior executive producer of “You & Me.” Continue reading
Milt Rosenberg
Esteemed radio talk show host Milt Rosenberg will be leaving WCGO AM 1590 at the end of November, officials of the Kovas Communications news/talk station have confirmed.
But the 90-year-old Chicago broadcast legend is expected to continue podcasting while seeking several new radio outlets, according to his producer. Continue reading
Cat Thomas
Cat Thomas, a veteran radio programmer who has overseen station groups in Texas and Florida, has been named program director of WSHE FM 100.3, the Hubbard Radio adult contemporary station.
“Cat has a stellar reputation for leading winning brands, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Chicago’s fastest growing radio station — SHE,” John Gallagher, vice president and market manager of Hubbard Radio Chicago, said in announcing the appointment Wednesday. Continue reading