Mike Leiderman to Oversee WFLD’s Struggling 9 p.m. Newscast

It’s official: Mike Leiderman is joining Chicago’s WFLD as an executive producer. Leiderman, who previously served as the EP of WTTW news magazine show “Chicago Tonight,” will oversee WFLD’s 9 p.m. newscast, anchored by Robin Robinson and Bob Sirott.

In last month’s sweeps period, the newscast was down more than a full rating point from the previous year.

The move was first rumored by Robert Feder of Time Out Chicago, who pointed out that Sirott was the host of “Chicago Tonight” during Leiderman’s tenure.

Assistant news director Geoff Dankert has been overseeing the Fox-affiliate’s nighttime newscast since Tony Statz, the previous EP, left for Miami’s WFOR.

“Mike brings a fresh eye to Fox Chicago at a key time, as we look to distinguish our product in both what we say and how we say it,” Carol Fowler, WFLD’s vice president and news director, said in announcing the hiring to staff.

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