Nailed It!

Back in January, FTVLive told you that longtime WLS (Chicago) Reporter Chuck Goudie had quietly left the ABC O&O at the end of 2024.

In our story we wrote:

“…don’t count his exit as a retirement, he claims he is “weighing his next TV gig.”

Looking at the stations in Chicago, I think WGN is out as I don’t think Nexstar will cough up the money. I feel the same way about WBBM, which is owned by CBS. But, it would be a good move for the struggling station, so maybe.

As for FOX O&O WFLD, they are the bottom ranked station and have tried big name hires in the past, without success. It could happen, but I don’t think so.

I’m going with WMAQ, the NBC O&O.

I might be wrong, but if I was placing a bet, that’s the horse I’m betting on.”

Well, too bad we didn’t bet the house, because Goudie is indeed going to WMAQ. He even gave one of the longest quotes I have seen about a move.

"I walk into WMAQ on the shoulders of giants,” said Goudie. “Many of them I have been lucky enough to know, stand beside, work with and learn from. Paul Hogan, Phil Walters, Floyd Kalber, Peter Karl, Renee Ferguson, Rich Samuels, Linda Yu, Rob Elgas, Mike Adamle, Phil Rogers, Dick Johnson, Rob Stafford, Mark Giangreco, Tim Weigel, Art Norman, Lisa Parker, Dick Kay, Ron Magers, Carol Marin, Don Moseley and other friends who are still in the Chicago trenches at NBC 5 that I am excited to join. I'm grateful to become part of an organization with such a powerful pedigree and a legacy of investigative excellence. A place with a motto more relevant today than ever, baked into its call letters: We Must Ask Questions."