Chicago broadcasting executives begin their workday by checking the overnight Nielsen ratings and reading Robert Feder's column in the Sun-Times - although not necessarily in that order.

For more than 25 years, Feder has been tracking the local television and radio industries in his authoritative and widely read column, which appears Tuesday through Friday.

A lifelong Chicagoan and graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Feder joined the Sun-Times in 1980 and has been covering the broadcasting beat ever since.  NewCity named him the best daily newspaper columnist in Chicago.

Feder lives with his wife and daughter in the north suburbs.