The Grab Bag: “Dish Nation” to launch; “Rachael Ray” renewed
With NATPE just around the corner (it takes place in Miami later this month), here what’s making waves in the syndication business:
– Twentieth Television announced a new syndicated strip titled Dish Nation, a new entertainment magazine show featuring the nation’s radio personalities dishing dirt on the hottest pop culture topics. Dish has already cleared 55 percent of the country, including the entire Fox-owned station group. Look for the series to be paired with TMZ in many markets, including WFLD-TV locally.
Dish was tested last summer on several Fox-owned stations and featured radio personalities from Detroit, Atlanta, and New York City (which was represented by WPLJ’s Scott Shannon and Todd Pettengill.)
More radio teams are expected to be added as the series launches in September. No word on what Chicago radio celebrities would participate (and before you ask, I don’t know if new WGN Radio personality Jonathan Brandmeier would be a part of this.)
Don’t know about you, but this is one of the lamest ideas yours truly has ever comes across… and it involves radio. Makes sense to me!
– Rachael Ray’s daytime talk show has been picked up for two more years from CBS Television Distribution, extending the show’s run through at least 2014. Currently in its sixth season, Ray has averaged a 1.6 rating, up 7 percent from last year. In the crucial female 25-54 demo, its averaging a 1.0 rating and up 11 percent from last year. Renewals include several ABC-owned and CBS-owned stations.
Locally, Rachael Ray airs at 10 a.m. on Tribune Broadcasting-owned WGN-TV.
– In a rather unique partnership, Adell Broadcasting’s WADL-TV in Detroit is partnering up with the Journal Register to launch a prime-time news show beginning Monday. Titled News @ 9,
In addition, WADL is picking up America Now! from Debmar-Mercury featuring Orland Park native Bill Rancic and former ET co-host Leeza Gibbons. The series is scheduled to run at 7:30 pm and 9:30 p.m. each weeknight. Debmar-Mercury plans to sell the show at the upcoming NATPE convention. So far, America Now! does not have clearances in the top three markets, including Chicago.