Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Conaty out at Fox Chicago, and other media news
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Conaty out at Fox Chicago, and other media news

Friday, Dec 11, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Fox Chicago reportedly didn’t renew Jack Conaty’s contract. Conaty has been the lead political reporter at the station forever. I really like the guy, and this is another major blow to quality political journalism

Conaty’s contract was not renewed, a station spokeswoman confirmed. His last Channel 32 appearance is expected to be on this weekend’s “Fox Chicago Sunday,” which was to be taped Friday and air Sunday morning at 8:30.

Of those who launched WFLD’s news operation under Fox in 1987, Conaty was among the last remaining few still at the station along with 9 p.m. anchor Robin Robinson and reporter Anne Kavanagh, whose contract was not renewed in July but has remained a regular contributor.

“We appreciate all of Jack’s hard work and dedication during his time with Fox Chicago,” a station statement said.

* Citadel, which owns WLS Radio, is preparing to file bankruptcy. The deadline for creditors to accept the deal is apparently next Tuesday

Citadel Broadcasting Corp., the nation’s third-biggest radio company and parent of Chicago’s WLS-AM 890 and WLS-FM 94.7, is preparing to file a prearranged bankruptcy before the end of the year, according to the Wall Street Journal and later the New York Times.

Citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, the newspapers said the proposal presented this week to creditors — and reportedly supported by many — would have lenders trade a substantial amount of the $2 billion they’re owed for 99.5 percent equity in the reorganized company, which would have about $760 million in debt. […]

Citadel loaded up on debt to fund its acquisition of Walt Disney Co.’s ABC Radio stations, but not Radio Disney or ESPN Radio, in 2006, not a particularly good time to be in radio acquisition mode, it turned out.

Apparently, the bad karma from giving Rod Blagojevich his own show was just too much for the company. [/snark]

* Roe Conn, however, is sticking around

Reports of Roe Conn’s demise — like that of another Midwestern humorist — have been greatly exaggerated. In fact, the Chicago radio veteran is close to signing a new deal to continue as afternoon personality on Citadel Broadcasting news/talk WLS-AM (890).

Barring a last-minute snafu, sources said, Conn is expected to sign a two-year renewal any day now, superseding his current contract, which expires June 1. In exchange for the additional security, he’s likely to accept a reduction in his previously reported seven-figure salary.

The only obstacle to finalizing the deal could come from Citadel Broadcasting’s top bosses, who were reported to be preoccupied Thursday preparing to file for bankruptcy by the end of the year. Such a move would allow the company to restructure its $2 billion debt.

Word of Conn’s renewal comes despite speculation that his days are numbered at WLS. After the latest Arbitron survey showed him significantly underperforming the rest of the station, the Sun-Times’ Lewis Lazare cited unnamed “observers in the local radio market” who asserted that “the high-priced WLS talent might not be able to hold on at the station much longer.” My friends at the ever-vigilant ChicagolandRadioandMedia.com went even further, declaring it “the end of the line for Roe Conn at WLS,” and identifying three potential replacements for him.

Roe is the coolest, most down-to-earth millionaire I’ve ever met. Glad he’s staying put.

* Todd Stroger blames Sam Zell for his horrifically bad poll numbers

“Why should the voters of Cook County have confidence in a poll conducted by a newspaper whose owner and chairman of the board has made sizable campaign contributions to political opponents of President Stroger? We believe this owner has been the driving force behind the Chicago Tribune’s relentless negative reporting of President Stroger and his administration,” the Stroger campaign statement read.

In the weeks preceding the 2006 Democratic primary, Zell, a real estate magnate with no interest in Tribune at the time, donated $75,000 to Cook County Board Commissioner Forrest Claypool, D-Chicago. Claypool was running against Stroger’s father, John, who was seeking a fourth term as president.

John Stroger was incapacitated by a stroke before the primary, but won, and the Cook County Democratic Party put his son, Todd Stroger, on the general election ballot in his place. Todd Stroger went on to defeat Commissioner Tony Peraica, R-Riverside, to whom Zell donated $30,000.

* One of my favorite journalists, WUIS Statehouse reporter Amanda Vinicky, just got back from Germany

WUIS/Illinois Public Radio statehouse reporter Amanda Vinicky is back in the United States after spending a week in Germany learning about media and culture.

Vinicky was one of 16 young journalists from the U.S. selected by the German-American Fulbright Commission to visit the country. Journalists from radio, television, newspapers and web outlets all took part in the trip.

“The whole thing was absolutely amazing,” said Vinicky.

Video


* Related…

* Columnist Richard Roeper named in foreclosure case

* New Outlet’s Pension Article Misses The Mark

* Nielsen folds Editor & Publisher

       

16 Comments
  1. - Scooby - Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 3:04 pm:

    Conaty’s too good to be out of work for long.


  2. - wordslinger - Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 3:16 pm:

    Lot of haircuts lately in broadcast. Cash is tight, to say the least.


  3. - Responsa - Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 3:31 pm:

    Todd Stroger’s blame game continues. It is not a becoming character trait nor does it change voters’ minds.


  4. - Jim - Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 3:41 pm:

    I think Mike FLannery is the dean of local political broadcasting, but Jack Conaty was a quality broadcaster. I liked Roeper until he started sniping at Ebert stating that he wasn’t allowed to make his true feelings known in his movie reviews.


  5. - Will County Woman - Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 3:47 pm:

    I really liked Jack Conaty, and thought he was underrated. and, I always wondered why he was never on Chicago Tonight. If there is one station in Chicago that could use the talents of Conaty, it’s WGN9. They don’t have anyone covering politics, and the only reason why I watched Fox32 at 9pm was for Conaty on politics and the investigative reporters (e.g. Placko and Yellin).

    I hate the Baseball playoffs and world series because I had to get news from WGN9, and they are so boring.

    P.S. part of the reason why I am not a huge Cheryle Jackson fan is because her Urban League stuff cut into Conaty and Placko’s Sunday morning program.


  6. - dupage dan - Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 3:54 pm:

    I really like the Roe Conn/Ron Magers segments. Glad to see he’ll be sticking around.


  7. - Will County Woman - Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 4:32 pm:

    sorry, but i’m really bummed about jack conaty!


  8. - dupage dan - Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 4:38 pm:

    This sounds like a funeral. It’s not like Mr Conaty has died. Scooby is right - he won’t be out of work long.


  9. - Will County Woman - Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 4:50 pm:

    Yeah, you’re probably right. But channels 2, 5, 7 all have their political people, though I am not sure about the status of their contracts. Charles Thomas is all set for a while he just got the political gig last year. and, my tv doesn’t channel 2 so good.

    I love his hard-hitting no nonsense style. if i’m not mistaken it was conaty who got pat quinn to admit that he had in fact nodded off at the health care debate. and it was funny too because he came out of nowhere with that question. lol!


  10. - Tom B. - Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 4:58 pm:

    Jack Conaty is a real pro and I always had a pleasant time dealing with him over the years. It’s really too bad because, as Rich pointed out, there’s a need for quality political coverage in this town.

    Good luck Jack, I hope to see you around.

    BOWEN


  11. - Some Guy - Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 9:01 pm:

    Roe Conn is the only good thing left on WLS, everything else is hard right wing dreck now. Even their announcer that comes on between shows has gotten all right-wing snarky. Roe at least tries to be moderate and balanced, that’s probably why his ratings were “underperforming”, because he’s not the same as all the other Limbaugh,. Hannity, and Wade etc. stuff they run. The syndicated stuff is for a different audience entirely.


  12. - former clerk staffer - Saturday, Dec 12, 09 @ 7:07 pm:

    oh Stroger blaming Sam Zell for his poor poll results, now that is hilarious.

    Guess it has nothing to do with the fact that he and his father have used the county hospital properties as their personal patronage havens, and those they hired apparently weren’t smart enough to know they were supposed to be billing Medicare and Medicaid? No, of course not - it’s always someone else at fault with the Toddster.

    Not that his opponent Dorothy “call me Madame” Brown is an any better choice. I was hoping that others would pick up on the reporting of her misdeeds that Fox’s Dane Placko did. Sometimes it seems that the longtime TV political commentators in the Chicago area trade access to the pols they cover for coming down hard on them when need be.

    The ethical lapses these two have racked up between them is mindblowing.


  13. - Whatwhat - Sunday, Dec 13, 09 @ 9:56 pm:

    Amanda is a rising star in the press core. Bravo!


  14. - Anon - Monday, Dec 14, 09 @ 6:49 am:

    The only credible political newsreporter with integrity at FOX has been let go? And before an election?? Jack has the respect of many in the city of Chicago, and those in government at all levels, as being fair and balanced. His style was to the point, and with respect for those he was asking the question. No one will be able to fill his shoes. FOX let go of a gem.


  15. - Phineas J. Whoopee - Monday, Dec 14, 09 @ 8:42 am:

    Dump Roe Conn but keep the Blago show. That’s the ticket. I have refused to listen to WLS ever since they hired our former fool. There management must be inept.


  16. - Niles Township - Monday, Dec 14, 09 @ 10:20 am:

    Wow…Conaty is a true class act who delivered his reporting with just the right bit of cynical flavoring. Fox is crazy to drop him.

    Will County Woman: We agree on at least one more thing….”only reason why I watched Fox32 at 9pm was for Conaty on politics and the investigative reporters (e.g. Placko and Yellin).”

    They are the only decent reporters at the station.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Broad Support For Carbon Capture And Storage Across Illinois, “Vital” For The Environment and Downstate Growth
* Afternoon roundup
* Please, move over and slow down
* Showcasing The Retailers Who Make Illinois Work
* It's just a bill
* Protect Illinois Hospitality And Vote NO On House Bill 5345
* Poll: Half of city respondents don't trust the mayor to look out for best interest of CPS students, three-quarters trust teachers, 84 percent say city politicos 'too focused on petty political battles'
* Pritzker won't sign birth equity bill if Senate strips out abortion coverage (Updated x2)
* CTBA recommends increasing state support of evidence-based funding by $200 million per year (Updated)
* This is my surprised face (Updated)
* Get The Facts On The Illinois Prescription Drug Board
* Stop paying people to defend rapists, CPS
* With fed money drying up and talk of state-mandated transit consolidation, some city council members try to oust CTA director
* Open thread
* Support IHA’s Prior Authorization Reforms To End Unnecessary Denials Of Needed Care
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Heads up
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller