Weigel Broadcasting’s Chicago independent WCIU-TV scored another urban sitcom coup by acquiring CBS Television Distribution’s Everybody Hates Chris. The program will air in off-network syndication as a strip beginning in the fall of 2009, assuming the CW renews the show for next season.
WCIU is likely to pair Chris with Debmar’s Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, another urban sitcom that’s currently airing on TBS. Both programs are scheduled to air in either early fringe and/or prime access.
In addition, Fox-owned My Network TV affiliates also purchased Chris to pair with Payne in New York (WWOR), Los Angeles (KCOP), Dallas (KDFI), Washington D.C. (WDCA), and Houston (KTXH.)
CBS’ CW affiliates have purchased to show to air in Philadelphia (WPSG), Atlanta (WUPA), Detroit (WKBD), and Miami (WBFS, which is a My Network TV affiliate.)