Richard Roeper will join NBC 5 Chicago as the network’s new entertainment and culture editor, the station announced Monday. The veteran film critic will launch on both television and digital this Friday, publishing reviews, features and cultural commentary across newscasts and online platforms. For Chicago viewers, it means a very well-known critic is returning to a local television scene that has recently been revamped with studio upgrades and a wave of high-profile on-air additions.
What Roeper will cover
According to NBC 5, Roeper will be a regular presence on the network’s weekday show “Chicago Today” and digital channels, with his first on-air segments scheduled for this Friday. “Richard is a respected and remarkable voice in Chicago media,” said Sally Ramirez, senior vice president of news at NBC 5, and Roeper added: “I am ready to get to work and bring my insights, reviews and more to NBC 5 Chicago viewers wherever and whenever they watch,” said NBC Chicago.
From Sun‑Times to RogerEbert.com
Roeper spent nearly four decades at the Chicago Sun-Times, where he became one of the city’s most recognizable names and burst onto the national stage in 2000 when he was named co-host of Ebert & Roeper. After taking over the Sun-Times in March 2025, he continued to review films and television projects and signed with RogerEbert.com as a regular writer in May 2025.
Wherever it fits locally
Roeper’s arrival comes as NBC 5 has consolidated its operations in renovated studios at NBC Tower and briefly secured the top spot in Chicago’s 10 p.m. ratings in February, helped by a series of major network events. The station’s studio overhaul and recent momentum were described by the Chicago Tribune.
Why it matters
For viewers, Roeper brings a familiar critical voice that can provide deeper cultural contributions and reviews that translate easily to broadcast and streaming platforms. Axios notes that his hiring is part of a broader strategy at NBC 5 to add well-known Chicago media personalities to its programming as the station focuses more on personality-driven local reporting.
