In a significant shake-up for Chicago's broadcast media landscape, veteran sports journalist Mike Berman has been abruptly dismissed from NBC Chicago after ten years of service. The 43-year-old anchor was let go on Wednesday as part of a broader restructuring of the station's sports department, a move first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
A Changing Line-Up at the Station
Berman's departure coincides with the arrival of longtime Fox 32 sports anchor Lou Canellis, who is scheduled to begin at NBC Chicago next week. Canellis will assume a role previously held by Leila Rahimi, Berman's former co-star who was laid off in 2024. This transition left Berman as the sole remaining sports personality on staff, casting the future of the station's sports coverage into uncertainty.
Broader Industry Shifts in Chicago Sports Broadcasting
The changes at NBC Chicago occur against a backdrop of major realignment in regional sports broadcasting. NBC Sports Chicago officially ceased operations on September 30th, following the departure of the Chicago White Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks to the newly launched Chicago Sports Network (CHSN). CHSN commenced broadcasting in late 2024 after the teams' contracts with the former network expired.
Meanwhile, NBC 5 is undertaking a substantial overhaul in preparation for a packed sports calendar. The station is launching 'Sunday Night Basketball' imminently and will broadcast the upcoming Winter Olympics. Furthermore, it has recently secured the rights to 'Sunday Night Baseball', which is set to move to NBC this summer.
Uncertainty Surrounding the Dismissal
The precise reasons for Mike Berman's termination remain unclear. The Daily Mail has reached out to Berman for comment on his unexpected exit. His firing appears to be part of NBC's strategy to reshape its local sports presentation with new personalities like Lou Canellis, even as the network experiences an upswing in national sports programming.
A Difficult Climate for Local Television News
Berman's exit highlights the severe challenges facing local-level television news across the United States. Stations nationwide are implementing cost-cutting measures in response to declining traditional advertising revenue and the diminished impact of linear TV. This decline is driven by widespread cord-cutting and the relentless rise of streaming services.
This trend is not isolated to Chicago. ABC-owned stations in the city have also executed layoffs, as has CBS. The past year witnessed major on-air departures including Brad Edwards at CBS 2 and Gaynor Hall at WGN-TV. Other major markets like Houston and Boston have been hit hard by similar workforce reductions in 2024.
An Industry in Contraction
A recent survey conducted by the Radio Television Digital News Association and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University revealed a troubling milestone: full-time local TV news employment declined for the first time in over a decade at the end of last year.
In some cases, the contraction is even more drastic. An NBC affiliate in Toledo, Ohio, decided in 2023 to move away from locally produced news entirely by closing two of its newsrooms. The station now airs NBC programming without any local editorial staff.
Underlying Pressures on the Profession
Several factors are converging to make careers in local broadcast journalism increasingly untenable. Industry analysts point to widespread burnout, a shortage of qualified replacements for departing anchors, and the intense stress and long hours associated with the job. As reported by the Boston Globe in November, cost reductions driven by technological change and shrinking audiences have made these roles less attractive.
The layoffs that have plagued the industry for years are expected to continue testing the resilience of local news outlets. With advertising revenues and viewer ratings on a persistent downward trajectory, the sector faces a precarious future. The departure of a established figure like Mike Berman serves as a stark reminder of these ongoing pressures within American local television.
