Analysis: “Simpsons” finally headed to cable

What this means for fans of the long-running franchise, its syndicator and the show itself In news first reported by TV Guide’s Michael Schneider Monday, the longest-running series in primetime TV history is expected to be sold by Twentieth Television to a cable network this year for airing in the fall of 2014. Possible cable contenders include Turner Broadcasting (TBS, […]

T Dog’s Grab Bag: Tony Malatia out at WBEZ

Chicago Public Media needs a new chief. Tribune to sell a few stations. Fox launches new Saturday night animation block.  – As first reported by Robert Feder on Friday, Torey Malatia resigned from his post as Chicago Public Media CEO and from the Board of Director after approximately twenty years. During Malatia’s watch, WBEZ created successful radio programs such as […]

Comic-Con, Day 4: Dan Harmon and “Breaking Bad” wrap it up

Comic-Con wrapped up on Sunday with the triumphant return of Dan Harmon and a farewell to Breaking Bad. – At the Community Comic-Con panel (see below), Harmon talked about being way from the show for the fourth season – and a la David Letterman when he’s made a mistake, continuing to apologize – to fans for his criticism of it. […]

Comic-Con: Animation Special

Of course, it’s not Comic-Con without some animation being presented, right? From adult favorites to kids’ fare (a.k.a. programming that also attracts the stoner crowd), many panels were held for fans over the four-day event. Here’s a quick synopsis on what went down: – Though this time without Seth MacFarlane or Mila Kunis, Family Guy made the trek to Comic-Con […]

Comic-Con, Day 3: Superstar Superhero Crossover Saturday

If you thought The Simpsons-Family Guy crossover event announced last Thursday wasn’t going to be trumped… well, two of the world’s prominent superheroes said “we’ll see about that.” In a stunning development, DC Comics and Warner Bros. announced on Saturday it is teaming up Batman and Superman in a yet-to-be-titled epic blockbluster slated for release in 2015. So far, Henry […]

Comic-Con, Day 2: “S.H.I.E.L.D” takes center stage

Plus: Walking Dead, Game Of Thrones, Veronica Mars, Big Bang Theory panels pack ’em in  One of the most anticipated television projects in years took center stage Friday afternoon at Comic-Con in San Diego. Yes, it was ABC’s new Tuesday night series Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. that was the biggest attraction Friday afternoon. And it turned out there was more […]

Comic-Con is back for another round

It’s that time of year again as people in superhero costumes and stormtrooper suits invade San Diego. Yep, I’m talking about Comic-Con. For the 44th consecutive year, fanboys and fangirls descend on the home of the Padres, Chargers, and Aztecs to see their favorite comic book artists, video game developers, and TV stars – especially TV. As you should know […]

T Dog’s Grab Bag: Rob Johnson re-ups with CBS 2

Plus: Meredith clears NBC 5 and other NBC O&Os; Heroes returns – in comic book form; the “Car Bomb” departs; and another old syndication name resurfaces – Rob Johnson is here to stay – the co-anchor of CBS-owned WBBM-TV’s 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. newscasts has signed a contract renewal in news first reported by Robert Feder on […]

New “American Dad” episodes shift to TBS in 2014

Hold the flag high and be proud, kids: In a joint announcement made by Fox and Turner Tuesday, new episodes of American Dad are moving off broadcast television after next season and heading to TBS during the 2014-15 season. Older seasons of Dad already airs in repeats on sister network Adult Swim, and will also get the rights to new […]

The weird week that was – Sharknados, Bearnados, and Cownados

Cows, bears, and sharks – oh my! If one were to turn on the TV last week, you saw a lot of weird. And Comic-Con hadn’t even begun yet. Here’s the rundown…Rhode Island residents were given tips… on what to do when you come in contact with a bear; cows invaded a Tallahassee, Fla. news set; while computer-generated sharks invaded […]

Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano head to WGN Radio full-time

According to a post on Robert Feder’s Facebook page today, Bob Sirott and his wife Murianne Murciano are joining WGN Radio’s daily lineup. The couple already have a Sunday night program on the station. This is the latest move from program director Jimmy DeCastro’s continuing plan on making over WGN-AM’s schedule. No timetable has been set on where or when […]

Tribune latest media company to do the split

The Tribune Co. announced Wednesday it was splitting its publishing properties from the rest of the company’s assets, becoming the latest media conglomerate to do so. The new company is being named Tribune Publishing Co., and consists of the Chicago Tribune, Red Eye, Hoy, Los Angeles Times, Orlando Sentinel, Sun-Sentinel (Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area), Hartford Courant, Morning Call, and Daily Press. […]

NBC 5 expands weekend newscasts

Here we grow again: NBC-owned WMAQ announced today it was expanding its weekend newscasts by 2 and 1/2 hours, beginning July 27. WMAQ is adding an hour to its 6 a.m. Saturday newscast, which runs from 5-7 a.m., leading into Weekend Today, which has been a staple on NBC’s Saturday schedule since September 1992. WMAQ retains its 9-10 a.m. newscast, […]