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Conaty out at Fox Chicago, and other media news

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* 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

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 2:52 pm

Comments

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

Comment by Scooby Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 3:04 pm
Lot of haircuts lately in broadcast. Cash is tight, to say the least.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 3:16 pm
Todd Stroger’s blame game continues. It is not a becoming character trait nor does it change voters’ minds.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 3:31 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.

Comment by Jim Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 3:41 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.

Comment by Will County Woman Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 3:47 pm
I really like the Roe Conn/Ron Magers segments. Glad to see he’ll be sticking around.

Comment by dupage dan Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 3:54 pm
sorry, but i’m really bummed about jack conaty!

Comment by Will County Woman Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 4:32 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.

Comment by dupage dan Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 4:38 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!

Comment by Will County Woman Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 4:50 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

Comment by Tom B. Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 4:58 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.

Comment by Some Guy Friday, Dec 11, 09 @ 9:01 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.

Comment by former clerk staffer Saturday, Dec 12, 09 @ 7:07 pm
Amanda is a rising star in the press core. Bravo!

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

Comment by Anon Monday, Dec 14, 09 @ 6:49 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.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Monday, Dec 14, 09 @ 8:42 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.

Comment by Niles Township Monday, Dec 14, 09 @ 10:20 am