Report: WFLD Close to Signing New Executive Producer to Save 9 p.m. Newscast

Despite its revised format and revamped news team, WFLD‘s 9 p.m. newscast continues to struggle in the Chicago ratings race.

Now the Fox-affiliate is reportedly close to naming a new executive producer to breath life into the newscast, which is anchored by veterans Bob Sirott and Robin Robinson.

Robert Feder of Time Out Chicago writes:

Nothing is official yet, but Mike Leiderman, former executive producer of “Chicago Tonight” at WTTW-Channel 11, is expected to be named executive producer of the flagship Fox newscast at 9pm. If all goes as planned, insiders said, he could start within the next few weeks.

The potential move would reunite Leiderman with Sirott, who was a host of the newsmagazine-style “Chicago Tonight.” Feder speculates that the addition of Leiderman would nudge WFLD’s newscast in the direction of a nightly newsmagazine.

Leiderman is a veteran of Chicago market with a diverse list of credits, including a stint as sports anchor at NBC-affiliate WMAQ.

He’s also a pretty funny guy. Here’s a video of Leiderman telling a joke…

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