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Chicago Public Media

Full company profile

uuid003x8q1

Namestring
Chicago Public Media
Legal namestring
Chicago Public Media
Websiteurl
chicagopublicmedia.org
Company typeenum
Private
Founded yearint
1990
Descriptiontext

Chicago Public Media is a nonprofit media organization headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, that operates as the parent entity for WBEZ (Chicago's NPR affiliate radio station), the Chicago Sun-Times (a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper), and Vocalo (an urban alternative music station). Founded in 1990 as the home of WBEZ, the organization materially expanded in 2022 when it acquired the Chicago Sun-Times, forming what it describes as the largest nonprofit local news organization in the United States. Across broadcast, print, and digital channels, the organization reaches approximately 3.3 million people each week in the Chicago metropolitan area, producing local, national, and international news, investigative reporting, podcasts, and music programming. The organization's product portfolio centers on three core brands: WBEZ, Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo. Distribution spans over-the-air radio, print newspaper, and digital platforms including websites and on-demand podcasts. Revenue is generated through a hybrid model with over 90% from community donations and memberships, supplemented by $13.1 million in advertising revenue in 2024 and a new pilot partnership with the Chicago Reader announced in November 2025 to expand joint advertising and sponsorship sales.

Short descriptiontext

Chicago Public Media is a nonprofit organization operating WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo to deliver independent local journalism, podcasts, and music to 3.3 million weekly Chicago-area readers, listeners, and donors.

Operating statusenum
Operating
Ownership categoryenum
Headcount rangeband
51–100
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersChicago, United States
HQ citystring
Chicago
HQ countrystring
United States
HQ regionstring
North America
Markets served

Serves global market

Offices1 record

Each record includes

City, Country, Type, Description, Source

Keyword5 values
public radio broadcasting, local news reporting, investigative journalism, nonprofit media, digital news platforms
Industry3 codes
1Public/Noncommercial Radio Broadcasting (NPR, Community, Campus)
CodeMPAIAEABPrimaryYes
2Local News & Weather Stations
CodeMPABACAJPrimaryNo
3Public Media Digital Platforms & Streaming (Apps, On-demand, Podcasts)
CodeMPABADAGPrimaryNo
NAICS code3 codes
  • Radio Broadcasting Stations51611
  • Newspaper Publishers513110
  • Radio Broadcasting Stations516110
SIC code2 codes
  • Radio Broadcasting Stations4832
  • Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing2711
Product category
Public Media / Local News
No data
GTM motion1 record

Each record includes

Type, Description, Source

Revenue model3 records
1Advertising and Sponsorships
TypeAdvertising
Description

Chicago Public Media generates revenue through advertising sales across its broadcast, print, and digital platforms. The organization brought in $13.1 million in ads in 2024. A six-month pilot partnership with Chicago Reader expands ad and sponsorship sales capabilities.

mediagazer.com
2Community Donations and Membership
TypeSubscription Recurring
Description

Over 90% of funding comes from the community through donations and membership support. Both WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times offer donation and membership programs on their websites.

chicagopublicmedia.org
3Programming Content
TypeAdvertising
Description

Revenue generated through programming content including local, national, and international news, podcasts, and urban alternative music via Vocalo station.

chicagopublicmedia.org
Marketing channels5 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Stage, Description, Source

Distribution channels4 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Scope, Target buyer, Description, Source

Cost components5 values
Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
GTM typeB2C
B2C
Offering typeDigital Commerce or Conte…
Digital Commerce or Content
Brand1 record
1Vocalo
Description

Urban alternative music station under WBEZ's programming portfolio

chicagopublicmedia.org
Core offering1 text field

Chicago Public Media is a nonprofit media organization that produces and distributes independent local journalism, news, cultural content, and music programming through its WBEZ public radio station (including podcasts and the Vocalo urban alternative music station) and the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper. Content is delivered to Chicago-area residents via broadcast radio, print, and digital platforms, reaching approximately 3.3 million people weekly.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Quantifiable outcome1 of 3 values shown
  • 3.3 million people reached each week
+2 more records
Product overview1 text field

Chicago Public Media is a nonprofit media organization operating as a unified platform with two core news products—WBEZ (Chicago's NPR affiliate featuring radio programming and podcasts) and the Chicago Sun-Times (Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper acquired in 2022). The organization also includes Vocalo, an urban alternative music station under WBEZ. Together, these brands reach more than 3.3 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms.

Product and service3 records
1WBEZ
2Chicago Sun-Times
CategoryPrint and Digital Newspaper
Description

Chicago Sun-Times is a Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago daily newspaper (eight Pulitzer Prizes) acquired by Chicago Public Media in 2022. It provides hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, sports analysis, and entertainment and cultural coverage to Chicago-area readers in print and digital formats.

3Vocalo
CategoryMusic Radio
Description

Vocalo is an urban alternative music radio station operated as part of WBEZ's programming portfolio under Chicago Public Media, serving Chicago-area listeners seeking independent and alternative music.

Scale indicator4 records

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Partnership1 partner
1Chicago Reader
Strategic tierPilotTypeGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnounced on2025-11-14
Description

Chicago Public Media has partnered with the Chicago Reader for a six-month pilot to sell ads and sponsorships. This partnership expands advertising sales capabilities across the Chicago media landscape.

Recent move4 records

Each record includes

Date, Type, Title, Description, Source

Expansion highlight4 records

Each record includes

Type, Description

Market position
Strengths4 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Competitive moat4 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Named customers2 records

Each record includes

Name, Industry, Type, Use case, Source, UUID

Segment2 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Primary, Description, Pain point addressed, Use case, Source

Ideal customer profile3 records

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
No
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
Profiles1 record

Each record includes

Name, Designation, Designation category, Overview, Profile commentary, Source

Subsidiaries3 records

Each record includes

Name, Acquired on, Relationship type, Type, Business focus

No data
Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Chicago Public Media

Public Media / Local Newschicagopublicmedia.org

Chicago Public Media is a nonprofit organization operating WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo to deliver independent local journalism, podcasts, and music to 3.3 million weekly Chicago-area readers, listeners, and donors.

What Chicago Public Media does

Chicago Public Media is a nonprofit media organization headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, that operates as the parent entity for WBEZ (Chicago's NPR affiliate radio station), the Chicago Sun-Times (a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper), and Vocalo (an urban alternative music station). Founded in 1990 as the home of WBEZ, the organization materially expanded in 2022 when it acquired the Chicago Sun-Times, forming what it describes as the largest nonprofit local news organization in the United States. Across broadcast, print, and digital channels, the organization reaches approximately 3.3 million people each week in the Chicago metropolitan area, producing local, national, and international news, investigative reporting, podcasts, and music programming. The organization's product portfolio centers on three core brands: WBEZ, Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo. Distribution spans over-the-air radio, print newspaper, and digital platforms including websites and on-demand podcasts. Revenue is generated through a hybrid model with over 90% from community donations and memberships, supplemented by $13.1 million in advertising revenue in 2024 and a new pilot partnership with the Chicago Reader announced in November 2025 to expand joint advertising and sponsorship sales.

Chicago Public Media firmographics

Firmographics
Name
Chicago Public Media
Legal name
Chicago Public Media
Website
https://chicagopublicmedia.org
Company type
Private
Founded year
1990
Operating status
Operating
Headcount range
51–100 employees
Short description
Chicago Public Media is a nonprofit organization operating WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo to deliver independent local journalism, podcasts, and music to 3.3 million weekly Chicago-area readers, listeners, and donors.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Chicago Public Media industry classification

Industry
Product category
Public Media / Local News
NAICS
Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Newspaper Publishers (513110), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)
SIC
Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711)
akta.pro primary industry
Public/Noncommercial Radio Broadcasting (NPR, Community, Campus) (MPAIAEAB)
akta.pro secondary industries
Local News & Weather Stations (MPABACAJ), Public Media Digital Platforms & Streaming (Apps, On-demand, Podcasts) (MPABADAG)

Keywords

  • Public radio broadcasting
  • Local news reporting
  • Investigative journalism
  • Nonprofit media
  • Digital news platforms

Where Chicago Public Media is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city
Chicago
HQ country
United States
HQ region
North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Chicago Public Media business model

Business model
GTM type
B2C
Offering type
Digital Commerce or Content
Cost components
Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

  1. Advertising and Sponsorships: Chicago Public Media generates revenue through advertising sales across its broadcast, print, and digital platforms. The organization brought in $13.1 million in ads in 2024. A six-month pilot partnership with Chicago Reader expands ad and sponsorship sales capabilities.
  2. Community Donations and Membership: Over 90% of funding comes from the community through donations and membership support. Both WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times offer donation and membership programs on their websites.
  3. Programming Content: Revenue generated through programming content including local, national, and international news, podcasts, and urban alternative music via Vocalo station.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Chicago Public Media product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Chicago Public Media is a nonprofit media organization that produces and distributes independent local journalism, news, cultural content, and music programming through its WBEZ public radio station (including podcasts and the Vocalo urban alternative music station) and the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper. Content is delivered to Chicago-area residents via broadcast radio, print, and digital platforms, reaching approximately 3.3 million people weekly.

Product overview

Chicago Public Media is a nonprofit media organization operating as a unified platform with two core news products—WBEZ (Chicago's NPR affiliate featuring radio programming and podcasts) and the Chicago Sun-Times (Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper acquired in 2022). The organization also includes Vocalo, an urban alternative music station under WBEZ. Together, these brands reach more than 3.3 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

  • Vocalo: Urban alternative music station under WBEZ's programming portfolio

Products and services

  • WBEZ
  • Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Sun-Times is a Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago daily newspaper (eight Pulitzer Prizes) acquired by Chicago Public Media in 2022. It provides hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, sports analysis, and entertainment and cultural coverage to Chicago-area readers in print and digital formats.
  • Vocalo Vocalo is an urban alternative music radio station operated as part of WBEZ's programming portfolio under Chicago Public Media, serving Chicago-area listeners seeking independent and alternative music.

Quantifiable outcome

  • 3.3 million people reached each week
  • +2 more outcomes

Companies that use Chicago Public Media

Customer profile

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Chicago Public Media technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API
No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Chicago Public Media partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

  • Chicago ReaderpilotGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 November 2025Chicago Public Media has partnered with the Chicago Reader for a six-month pilot to sell ads and sponsorships. This partnership expands advertising sales capabilities across the Chicago media landscape.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Chicago Public Media competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Chicago Public Media financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Chicago Public Media leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Chicago Public Media subsidiaries and ownership

Company hierarchy

Subsidiaries3 records

Chicago Public Media funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Chicago Public Media M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chicago Public Media

What does Chicago Public Media do?

Chicago Public Media is a nonprofit media organization that produces and distributes independent local journalism, news, cultural content, and music programming through its WBEZ public radio station (including podcasts and the Vocalo urban alternative music station) and the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper. Content is delivered to Chicago-area residents via broadcast radio, print, and digital platforms, reaching approximately 3.3 million people weekly.

Is Chicago Public Media a public or private company?

Chicago Public Media is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was Chicago Public Media founded?

Chicago Public Media was founded in 1990. It employs 51 to 100 people.

Where is Chicago Public Media based?

Chicago Public Media is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.

How does Chicago Public Media make money?

Three revenue lines are on record. Advertising and Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are community Donations and Membership and programming Content.

Does Chicago Public Media have an API?

No public API is recorded for Chicago Public Media.

What industry is Chicago Public Media in?

Chicago Public Media's product category is Public Media / Local News. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAEAB, Public/Noncommercial Radio Broadcasting (NPR, Community, Campus), with a secondary code of MPABACAJ, Local News & Weather Stations. Its NAICS code is 51611 and its SIC code is 4832.

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Live signals
Northwestern's McCormick School of EngineeringChicago Public Media CEO Melissa Bell is Leading the Nation’s Most Watched Local News ExperimentChicago Public Media CEO Melissa Bell discusses the nonprofit merger of WBEZ and the Sun-Times, which lost $3 million in federal funding last year. Membership grew 25% and development over 48%, but the organization faces annual deficits and declining radio and print audiences. Bell is launching chicago.com as a new digital community platform.Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Public Media staff honored with two national Murrow AwardsChicago Public Media staff from WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times received two 2026 national Edward R. Murrow Awards for their work in broadcast and digital journalism. The awards recognized the news documentary 'Becoming Bovino' and the project 'Chicago’s Death Gap' for excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Winners are scheduled to be celebrated at a gala in New York City on October 12.WBEZ ChicagoChicago Public Media and Roundabout partner on ambitious network of digital communities on chicago.comChicago Public Media and Roundabout, a project of New_ Public, announced a partnership to launch five digital community spaces on the new chicago.com platform in the fall. This initiative aims to provide healthy, non-algorithmic online environments for Chicago residents to connect locally and access trusted information, addressing frustrations with current social media landscapes.Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Public Media and Roundabout partner on ambitious network of digital communities on chicago.comChicago Public Media and Roundabout, a project by New_ Public, announced a partnership to launch five digital community spaces on the new chicago.com platform this fall. The initiative aims to provide trusted local information and foster civic connection through moderated, non-algorithmic online environments. This collaboration expands Roundabout's pilot programs from smaller towns to one of the largest U.S. cities.AP NewsA nonprofit lifeline for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as more papers seek nonprofit sector helpThe Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced it avoided imminent shutdown after a nonprofit journalism operation agreed to buy it. The move follows similar nonprofit conversions by the Salt Lake Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and Tampa Bay Times, as advertising and circulation revenues decline. The Associated Press also announced journalist buyouts amid industry financial struggles.AxiosRichard Roeper leaves Chicago Sun-Times after nearly 40 yearsRichard Roeper is leaving the Chicago Sun-Times after nearly 40 years, taking a voluntary buyout offered by parent company Chicago Public Media. CPM accepted 35 buyouts, hitting its $3-5 million cost-reduction target. The Sun-Times guild said 15 members took the buyout, and CPM plans to merge its newsrooms.AxiosChicago Public Media pushes voluntary buyouts as part of restructuring of Sun-Times, WBEZChicago Public Media announced voluntary buyouts for Sun-Times and WBEZ staff, aiming to save $3-5 million. The buyouts target Sun-Times employees and WBEZ business personnel, excluding WBEZ newsroom staff. Acceptance begins next week.AxiosMatt Moog steps down as CEO of Chicago Public MediaMatt Moog announced his resignation as CEO of Chicago Public Media, serving until the board selects a successor in early 2024. He guided the 2021 acquisition of the Sun-Times, which doubled the company's audience to 4.5 million weekly listeners and readers. Moog plans to return to technology entrepreneurship.AxiosChicago Sun-Times union blasts new ownerSun-Times union members are criticizing Chicago Public Media's contract proposals, including eliminating overtime pay and the right to stage sympathy strikes. A strike in both newsrooms could wipe out half the city's reporting. Negotiations continue this week.AxiosChicago Public Media to acquire the Sun-TimesChicago Public Media's board voted to acquire the Chicago Sun-Times in a no-cash deal, aiming to preserve local journalism. The two newsrooms will operate separately but share content, with a nationwide search for executive editors. CPM expects to close the transaction by Jan. 31.