Bruce DuMont
Encyclopedia
Bruce DuMont is an American political analyst and broadcaster
based in Chicago, Illinois. He is the host of Beyond the Beltway
talk radio
, a show that airs on over 30 stations around the United States
. The program which began in 1980 (as Inside Politics) also airs on Chicago's Public Broadcasting Service
(PBS) Public television station, WYCC
. From 1987 to 2006 he was the host of Illinois Lawmakers, a television show covering legislative news that originated from the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois
when the Illinois General Assembly
is in session. Beyond the Beltway celebrated 30 years on the air in June 2010. In October 2010, DuMont recycled Inside Politics; bringing back the original format and using the title now to refer to the television version of Beyond the Beltway.
DuMont got his start in broadcasting as a radio show producer for WGN Radio
in 1968. He interrupted his broadcasting career with an unsuccessful run for the Illinois state legislature, returning to WGN as a producer, but this time for Howard Miller, who was a controversial local radio personality. DuMont had his first on-air position with WLTD
Radio in Evanston, Illinois
, which was a 1,000 watt AM
station at the time. It was here where he became nationally known for his investigative reporting.
DuMont returned to producing, but now in television. Working on a documentary about teenage suicides for WBBM-TV
earned him an IRIS award from the National Association of Television Programming. Another documentary, this one about censorship in public libraries, earned him the Golden Gavel Award from the American Bar Association
. He then went to work as a producer for the local PBS television station, WTTW
. His on-camera work began here as the anchor for the Republican
and Democratic
party conventions
in 1984.
DuMont is the founder and president of the Museum of Broadcast Communications
, which he began in 1982. The museum opened in 1987. The State of Illinois recently appropriated $6-million to complete construction of the new museum facility in downtown Chicago. The 62000 square feet (5,760 m²) building will be a LEED Gold building, meeting rigid environmental standards. On June 14, 2010, Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn announced a State of Illinois grant of $6 million to make the new museum possible. In 2009, the museum's Board of Directors voted to sell the partly completed building because $8 million promised by the state was never received.
The MBC also operates www.museum.tv—a popular media website, offering over 8,000 online digital assets.
DuMont is the nephew of Allen B. DuMont
, the inventor of a cheaper and longer-lasting cathode ray tube
which made television
practicable. Allen DuMont and his staff developed the first consumer all-electronic television set in 1938, which soon became the gold standard of the industry, and founded the DuMont Television Network
– the first commercial television network. DuMont is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago
('67) and is a former Chairman of the George Foster Peabody Awards
board (University of Georgia). He was honored by his Alma Mater with a lifetime achievement award in 1994, became a member of the "Silver Circle" of the Chicago Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1999, and received a lifetime achievement award from the Chicago Journalists Association in 2008.
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
based in Chicago, Illinois. He is the host of Beyond the Beltway
Beyond the Beltway
Beyond the Beltway with Bruce DuMont is a political talk show based in Chicago. It airs from 7-9PM every Sunday night on 38 stations, including its flagship WLS-AM 890/Chicago, Sirius-XM Satellite Radio and online at http://www.beyondthebeltway.com....
talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
, a show that airs on over 30 stations around the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The program which began in 1980 (as Inside Politics) also airs on Chicago's Public Broadcasting Service
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
(PBS) Public television station, WYCC
WYCC
WYCC is a Public Broadcasting Service memebr public television in Chicago, Illinois which broadcasts over digital channel 21, also reached as 20.1, and two other digital channels, 20.2 and 20.3...
. From 1987 to 2006 he was the host of Illinois Lawmakers, a television show covering legislative news that originated from the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
when the Illinois General Assembly
Illinois General Assembly
The Illinois General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois and comprises the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate. The General Assembly was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. Illinois has 59 legislative districts, with two...
is in session. Beyond the Beltway celebrated 30 years on the air in June 2010. In October 2010, DuMont recycled Inside Politics; bringing back the original format and using the title now to refer to the television version of Beyond the Beltway.
DuMont got his start in broadcasting as a radio show producer for WGN Radio
WGN (AM)
WGN is a radio station in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is the only radio station owned by the Tribune Company, which also owns the flagship television station WGN-TV, the Chicago Tribune newspaper and Chicago magazine locally. WGN's transmitter is located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois...
in 1968. He interrupted his broadcasting career with an unsuccessful run for the Illinois state legislature, returning to WGN as a producer, but this time for Howard Miller, who was a controversial local radio personality. DuMont had his first on-air position with WLTD
WCGO
WCGO was a radio station licensed to Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA on . The station is currently owned by Kovas Communications. WCGO went silent on April 10, 2009...
Radio in Evanston, Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
, which was a 1,000 watt AM
AM
Am or am may refer to:* Americium, a chemical element with symbol Am* Attometre , a unit of length * A minor , a minor chord in music* am, a form of the verb to be used as a Copula...
station at the time. It was here where he became nationally known for his investigative reporting.
DuMont returned to producing, but now in television. Working on a documentary about teenage suicides for WBBM-TV
WBBM-TV
WBBM-TV, virtual channel 2 , is the CBS owned-and-operated television station in Chicago, Illinois. WBBM-TV's main studios and offices are located in The Loop section of Chicago, as part of the development at Block 37, and its transmitter is atop the Willis Tower.-History:WBBM-TV traces its history...
earned him an IRIS award from the National Association of Television Programming. Another documentary, this one about censorship in public libraries, earned him the Golden Gavel Award from the American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
. He then went to work as a producer for the local PBS television station, WTTW
WTTW
WTTW channel 11 is one of three Public Broadcasting Service member public television stations serving the Chicago, Illinois market; the others are WYCC and WYIN. WTTW began broadcasting on September 6, 1955 and it is owned and operated by Window to the World Communications, Inc., a not-for-profit...
. His on-camera work began here as the anchor for the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
party conventions
Political convention
In politics, a political convention is a meeting of a political party, typically to select party candidates.In the United States, a political convention usually refers to a presidential nominating convention, but it can also refer to state, county, or congressional district nominating conventions...
in 1984.
DuMont is the founder and president of the Museum of Broadcast Communications
Museum of Broadcast Communications
The Museum of Broadcast Communications is an American museum that currently exists exclusively on the Internet and not in any physical capacity. Its stated mission is "to collect, preserve, and present historic and contemporary radio and television content as well as educate, inform and entertain...
, which he began in 1982. The museum opened in 1987. The State of Illinois recently appropriated $6-million to complete construction of the new museum facility in downtown Chicago. The 62000 square feet (5,760 m²) building will be a LEED Gold building, meeting rigid environmental standards. On June 14, 2010, Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn announced a State of Illinois grant of $6 million to make the new museum possible. In 2009, the museum's Board of Directors voted to sell the partly completed building because $8 million promised by the state was never received.
The MBC also operates www.museum.tv—a popular media website, offering over 8,000 online digital assets.
DuMont is the nephew of Allen B. DuMont
Allen B. DuMont
Allen Balcom DuMont also spelled Du Mont, was an American scientist and inventor best known for improvements to the cathode ray tube in 1931 for use in television receivers. Seven years later he manufactured and sold the first commercially practical television set to the public...
, the inventor of a cheaper and longer-lasting cathode ray tube
Cathode ray tube
The cathode ray tube is a vacuum tube containing an electron gun and a fluorescent screen used to view images. It has a means to accelerate and deflect the electron beam onto the fluorescent screen to create the images. The image may represent electrical waveforms , pictures , radar targets and...
which made television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
practicable. Allen DuMont and his staff developed the first consumer all-electronic television set in 1938, which soon became the gold standard of the industry, and founded the DuMont Television Network
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
– the first commercial television network. DuMont is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago is one of the largest art colleges in the United States with nearly 12,000 students pursuing degrees within 120 undergraduate and graduate programs...
('67) and is a former Chairman of the George Foster Peabody Awards
Peabody Award
The George Foster Peabody Awards recognize distinguished and meritorious public service by radio and television stations, networks, producing organizations and individuals. In 1939, the National Association of Broadcasters formed a committee to recognize outstanding achievement in radio broadcasting...
board (University of Georgia). He was honored by his Alma Mater with a lifetime achievement award in 1994, became a member of the "Silver Circle" of the Chicago Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1999, and received a lifetime achievement award from the Chicago Journalists Association in 2008.