ViacomCBS’ cable networks snares “Young Sheldon” syndication rights

Starts November 30 on Nick at Nite; rights are non-exclusive Signaling the sign of the times in the television business, ViacomCBS’ cable networks acquired the linear syndication rights to Young Sheldon from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution for an unknown sum, announced in August. But to show you how far recent off-network sitcoms have fallen in the marketplace, the news […]

The 2020 T Dog Media Turkey Awards

2020: The Year Of The Turkey [Editor’s Note: Updated November 28 to add a crappy CBS promo to article. UPDATE: The video has since been removed from YouTube.]  Given a global pandemic, massive unemployment, riots, police brutality, and political division, it’s safe to say 2020 has been one big turkey. This year has been the ultimate Wheel Of Misfortune, with […]

The Media Notepad: WBEZ hires Sasha Anne-Simons as new midday host

Also: Charlie Brown returns; Fox renews syndicated shows; Sinclair to rebrand RSNs after Bally’s Chicago Public Media’s WBEZ-FM has filled its open midday position.  Her name is Sasha Anne-Simons and she’ll take over from the since-departed Jenn White on December 14 as host of Reset, which aired weekdays  from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For the last few months, the […]

Mancow Muller exits WLS-AM; Bruce St. James to replace him

Pandemic, expiring contract forces end of show [Editor’s Note: This post was updated on November 21 as Muller’s replacement was named on Friday.]  The last time Mancow Muller found himself out of a job was two and a half years ago when the station he worked for was sold and flipped to a Contemporary Christian music format. This time, it’s […]

Spin the Wheel: “Wheel of Fortune” comes to prime-time for first time

Wheel gets first prime-time exposure  Another syndicated game show is taking a spin in primetime.  Wheel of Fortune is heading to primetime with a first-ever celebrity edition where it’ll air on Thursday nights starting January 7 on ABC. Those celebrity contestants have a chance to win a million dollars for their favorite charity.  Sony Pictures Television produces Wheel of Fortune […]

Chicago White Sox return to ESPN 1000

Team returns to WMVP in new three-year deal After a turbulent last few weeks after the team announced the return of 76-year old Tony LaRussa as manager, the Chicago White Sox announced another retro signing – a return to WMVP-AM, branded as ESPN 1000. The last time you heard them on ESPN 1000, they became World Series Champs. The next […]

Documentary “Chicago at the Crossroad” to feature how the end of public hosuing re-shaped the Chicago area

WTTW to air latest Chicago-based documentary Thursday night   Fresh off the critical success of City So Real comes another documentary about urban life in Chicago – only this time, it deals with even gritter subject matter. Thursday night, PBS station WTTW is premiering the Emmy-nominated Chicago at the Crossroad, a one-hour documentary about the demolition of public housing in […]

Bears slide in standings and ratings

But national spotlight games keep on coming Over the years here at T Dog Media, it seems I’ve written more negative news about the Chicago Bears than positive  – 2006 and 2018 the exceptions, of course. But in most other years, writing about the team has been an absolute drag – especially the infamous 2014 and 2017 seasons. And despite […]

Media Notepad: WLIT now in Christmas music mode

Also: Fox News wins election night; NBA season to start Dec. 22 IHeartMedia’s WLIT launched its Holly Jolly format (or Christmas music as everyone else calls it) starting at 4 p.m. Friday, and is likely to last through the end of the year. This is the 20th year WLIT has turned its playlist to a Christmas Jukebox, playing Mariah Carey’s […]

“Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek dies

Iconic game show host dies at 80 after a battle with pancreatic cancer for the last 20 months Fans are mourning the loss of beloved game show icon Alex Trebek, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer Sunday morning at the age of 80. Trebek was host of long-running Jeopardy!, which has received a surge of buzz in recent years, […]