Matt Watson
@mattwatson.fyi
Product leader at Chicago Public Media, helping build @chicago.suntimes.com and @WBEZ.org. Previously: Vox Media, SB Nation, AOL FanHouse (RIP), DBB. #GoBlue
Reposted by Matt Watson
Bryce Underwood hits the Paul Bunyan pose
October 26, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Bryce Underwood hits the Paul Bunyan pose
Reposted by Matt Watson
“We won’t save our business through short-term revenue solutions that alienate and fail to engage our audience.”
Recently, a seasonal edition went out to Sun-Times newspaper subscribers. It was intended to be a supplemental value to our readers alongside our own journalism. Instead, it detracted and distracted from our work, Chicago Public Media CEO explains:
Lessons (and an apology) from the Sun-Times CEO on that AI-generated book list
The summer section was intended to be a supplemental value to our subscribers alongside our own journalism. Instead, it detracted and distracted from our work.
chicago.suntimes.com
May 30, 2025 at 12:52 AM
“We won’t save our business through short-term revenue solutions that alienate and fail to engage our audience.”
Reposted by Matt Watson
Congrats to all my winning Chicago Public Media fam @wbez.org and @chicago.suntimes.com and to all the other esteemed colleagues at local news org who celebrated together last night headlineclub.org/2025/05/10/t...
These are the winners of the 48th Annual Peter Lisagor Awards - Chicago Headline Club
The Chicago Headline Club congratulates all the winners of the 48th annual Peter Lisagor Awards for exemplary journalism. The awards were handed out May 9, 2025 at a gathering of more than 200 members...
headlineclub.org
May 10, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Congrats to all my winning Chicago Public Media fam @wbez.org and @chicago.suntimes.com and to all the other esteemed colleagues at local news org who celebrated together last night headlineclub.org/2025/05/10/t...
Reposted by Matt Watson
Today's front page.
May 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Today's front page.
Reposted by Matt Watson
The Sun-Times got this gem: "The Rev. Robert Prevost (from left corner) ... at a 2005 White Sox World Series game at U.S. Cellular Field" chicago.suntimes.com/religion/202...
Chicago high school cheers White Sox fan Pope Leo XIV — 'He's one of us'
While Robert Francis Prevost didn’t attend St. Rita of Cascia High School in Ashburn, his connection to the school runs deep. In the 1980s, he was a substitute and summer school teacher at the school ...
chicago.suntimes.com
May 9, 2025 at 2:07 AM
The Sun-Times got this gem: "The Rev. Robert Prevost (from left corner) ... at a 2005 White Sox World Series game at U.S. Cellular Field" chicago.suntimes.com/religion/202...
Reposted by Matt Watson
THE NBA IS BETTER WHEN THE PISTONS ARE GOOD
April 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
THE NBA IS BETTER WHEN THE PISTONS ARE GOOD
Reposted by Matt Watson
“When a loved one, someone who you deeply respect, admire, and care about, goes through cancer, you don’t half-ass it. You do everything you can to help them.”
I’m glad I got to learn about these Pistons fans’ beautiful friendship at DBB
www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/4/18/24...
I’m glad I got to learn about these Pistons fans’ beautiful friendship at DBB
www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/4/18/24...
A Community of Magic: An Ode to DBB
An unforgettable evening 20 years in the making with the Detroit Bad Boys community
www.detroitbadboys.com
April 18, 2025 at 9:28 PM
“When a loved one, someone who you deeply respect, admire, and care about, goes through cancer, you don’t half-ass it. You do everything you can to help them.”
I’m glad I got to learn about these Pistons fans’ beautiful friendship at DBB
www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/4/18/24...
I’m glad I got to learn about these Pistons fans’ beautiful friendship at DBB
www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/4/18/24...
Reposted by Matt Watson
Chicago, come meet the newsrooms of the Sun-Times and WBEZ *TONIGHT* in Uptown! 🎉
We want to hear from you.
What do you like? Dislike? What do you need? What are your stories?
5 p.m. tonight at 935 W. Wilson Ave.
www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-s...
We want to hear from you.
What do you like? Dislike? What do you need? What are your stories?
5 p.m. tonight at 935 W. Wilson Ave.
www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-s...
Meet the Sun-Times and WBEZ Newsrooms in Uptown
Join members of the Sun-Times and WBEZ newsrooms for one-on-one conversations about how we can improve our coverage of your neighborhood.
www.eventbrite.com
April 8, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Chicago, come meet the newsrooms of the Sun-Times and WBEZ *TONIGHT* in Uptown! 🎉
We want to hear from you.
What do you like? Dislike? What do you need? What are your stories?
5 p.m. tonight at 935 W. Wilson Ave.
www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-s...
We want to hear from you.
What do you like? Dislike? What do you need? What are your stories?
5 p.m. tonight at 935 W. Wilson Ave.
www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-s...
Reposted by Matt Watson
The bad news: 35 staffers — including 23 in the newsroom — took a Chicago Public Media buyout and most are leaving today, @neilsteinberg.bsky.social writes. But their sacrifice will help ensure the newspaper’s future.
The Sun-Times is losing some amazing journalists. They wouldn't want us to stop.
The bad news: 35 staffers — including 23 in the newsroom — took a Chicago Public Media buyout and most are leaving today. But their sacrifice will help ensure the newspaper's future.
buff.ly
March 21, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The bad news: 35 staffers — including 23 in the newsroom — took a Chicago Public Media buyout and most are leaving today, @neilsteinberg.bsky.social writes. But their sacrifice will help ensure the newspaper’s future.
Reposted by Matt Watson
So ... I interviewed Sarah Bock, aka Miss Huang on #Severance. The 18-year-old is currently studying theater at Northwestern University. Here is my story for @chicago.suntimes.com.
chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-t...
chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-t...
Yes, that’s Miss Huang on campus: Sarah Bock juggles ‘Severance’ role, classes at Northwestern
The freshman, who's getting recognized now in the college dining hall, promises a jaw-dropping season finale that premieres March 21.
chicago.suntimes.com
March 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
So ... I interviewed Sarah Bock, aka Miss Huang on #Severance. The 18-year-old is currently studying theater at Northwestern University. Here is my story for @chicago.suntimes.com.
chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-t...
chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-t...
Reposted by Matt Watson
chicago sun-times, block club, injustice watch, illinois answers project, wttw, wbez, south side weekly, the TRiiBE: all great places to spend/donate your money to get good, insightful reporting and commentary. in case you were wondering
February 26, 2025 at 4:14 PM
chicago sun-times, block club, injustice watch, illinois answers project, wttw, wbez, south side weekly, the TRiiBE: all great places to spend/donate your money to get good, insightful reporting and commentary. in case you were wondering
Reposted by Matt Watson
The ebook's also currently that price at Nook/Apple/Google/Payhip/etc, per sources
hell is a world without you is $.99 on kobo/amazon right now! everyone should read it tbh
February 25, 2025 at 12:02 AM
The ebook's also currently that price at Nook/Apple/Google/Payhip/etc, per sources
Reposted by Matt Watson
I'll have more to say once the dust has cleared and we can tell what's left of the Reader, but Dan's hard work is already missed.
I can't say how we got to where layoffs were necessary. I don't know. But any donation you can make will help us get through the crunch. donorbox.org/supportchica...
I can't say how we got to where layoffs were necessary. I don't know. But any donation you can make will help us get through the crunch. donorbox.org/supportchica...
January 15, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I'll have more to say once the dust has cleared and we can tell what's left of the Reader, but Dan's hard work is already missed.
I can't say how we got to where layoffs were necessary. I don't know. But any donation you can make will help us get through the crunch. donorbox.org/supportchica...
I can't say how we got to where layoffs were necessary. I don't know. But any donation you can make will help us get through the crunch. donorbox.org/supportchica...
Reposted by Matt Watson
Taking a moment to try and think of a team that has ever had a better Bad Season than Michigan just did. Best possible final two games, #1 recruit, still the reigning champ, etc
December 31, 2024 at 8:37 PM
Taking a moment to try and think of a team that has ever had a better Bad Season than Michigan just did. Best possible final two games, #1 recruit, still the reigning champ, etc
Reposted by Matt Watson
Hey hey! @wbez.org is here and so is Vocalo’s holiday playlist. Let’s goooohohoooo !
Switch things up this year with 50 songs on Vocalo’s curated holiday playlist, featuring new twists on long-time favorites, fresh originals and classics that deserve a little more love. www.wbez.org/music/2024/1...
This 50-song holiday playlist from Vocalo Radio is the fresh vibe we all need right now
These songs — nearly three hours of music — capture the joyful spirit of the season without a single dreadful chestnut in the mix.
www.wbez.org
December 16, 2024 at 4:28 PM
Hey hey! @wbez.org is here and so is Vocalo’s holiday playlist. Let’s goooohohoooo !
Reposted by Matt Watson
Here's who's on Chicago's Spotify Wrapped: trib.al/v36O1k0
Who's on yours? Reply with your top artist and your response will be automatically added to the story👇
Who's on yours? Reply with your top artist and your response will be automatically added to the story👇
This is who Chicagoans listened to the most in 2024, according to Spotify
Taylor Swift snagged the top-streamed artist spot once again, but Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" resounded as Chicago's No. 1 song.
chicago.suntimes.com
December 4, 2024 at 4:54 PM
Here's who's on Chicago's Spotify Wrapped: trib.al/v36O1k0
Who's on yours? Reply with your top artist and your response will be automatically added to the story👇
Who's on yours? Reply with your top artist and your response will be automatically added to the story👇
Reposted by Matt Watson
Holy shit I am so excited about this. And it works!!!
Remember Nuzzel? A similar news-aggregating tool now exists for Bluesky
The creator of Sill says "the death of the link" has had disastrous consequences for journalism, art, and the web. His free social media tool entered public beta on Friday.
www.niemanlab.org
November 25, 2024 at 7:12 PM
Holy shit I am so excited about this. And it works!!!
Reposted by Matt Watson
one thing about living in chicago nobody ever talks about is that it’s the greatest city and your life is substantially better here than anywhere else
November 24, 2024 at 11:57 PM
one thing about living in chicago nobody ever talks about is that it’s the greatest city and your life is substantially better here than anywhere else
Reposted by Matt Watson
anyway, here's a starter pack of verified chicago journalists and newsrooms.
if i missed anyone, please let me know. if you want help self-verifying by using your domain as your handle, DM me.
if i missed anyone, please let me know. if you want help self-verifying by using your domain as your handle, DM me.
November 19, 2024 at 2:16 AM
anyway, here's a starter pack of verified chicago journalists and newsrooms.
if i missed anyone, please let me know. if you want help self-verifying by using your domain as your handle, DM me.
if i missed anyone, please let me know. if you want help self-verifying by using your domain as your handle, DM me.
Reposted by Matt Watson
Partners of longtime twitter addicts hearing us talk about bluesky
a man and a woman are sitting next to each other in a room and looking at each other .
Alt: While other people talk nearby, a woman dissociates.
media.tenor.com
November 19, 2024 at 5:01 AM
Partners of longtime twitter addicts hearing us talk about bluesky
Reposted by Matt Watson
Hello new Bluesky followers! Get connected with the Sun-Times and our journalists with our starter pack and feed. go.bsky.app/3WGJP7h
November 14, 2024 at 2:18 PM
Hello new Bluesky followers! Get connected with the Sun-Times and our journalists with our starter pack and feed. go.bsky.app/3WGJP7h
Reposted by Matt Watson
This is by far the best thing I've ever written.
Hope you'll give it a read (to make up for the harassment and microwaved food): chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...
Hope you'll give it a read (to make up for the harassment and microwaved food): chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...
48 hours aboard Amtrak’s new direct train from Chicago to Miami
The Sun-Times sent a reporter and photographer on the first run of the Floridian from Chicago to Miami — on one condition. We have to ride the whole way in coach.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 14, 2024 at 4:56 PM
This is by far the best thing I've ever written.
Hope you'll give it a read (to make up for the harassment and microwaved food): chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...
Hope you'll give it a read (to make up for the harassment and microwaved food): chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...