Report: Warner Bros. Discovery to shutter RSNs

Latest twist in on-going saga involving regional sports networks Adding to the latest saga surrounding regional sports networks – and with weeks to go before the start of MLB season, Warner Bros. Discovery have told sports teams they’re shuttering AT&T SportsNet and asking them to reclaim their rights.  March 31st is set for the closure, and if WBD can’t reach […]

“Dilbert” dropped by Chicago Tribune, other papers after creator’s racist comments (updated)

Comments hateful toward Black people were made on his YouTube show  [Editor’s Note: This story was updated on February 27 with new information. – T.H.] The Chicago Tribune – among numerous other newspapers – have pulled the plug on the “Dilbert” comic strip after the creator made racist remarks. As a result, syndicator Andrews McMeel Universal has severed ties with […]

Chicago PPMs: WXRT’s ratings soar after Lin Brehmer’s death

While others collapse with WGCI posting all-time low Chicago’s radio PPM ratings returned to normal after the holidays with a familiar name on top: iHeartMedia’s adult contemporary WLIT finishing on top for the third straight ratings period – even without Christmas music, which propelled them to the top for the last two months. WLIT also maintained their top rating in […]

Warner Bros. pulls plug on long-running “Judge Mathis”, “People’s Court”

Departure of “Mathis” leaves Chicago without a nationally daily syndicated show for the first time since 1986 Warner Bros. Discovery announced late Friday it was ending long-running courtroom shows Judge Mathis and The People’s Court after 24 and 26 seasons respectively. While Court was taped in Connecticut, Judge Mathis‘ cancellation leaves Chicago without a national daily program to call home […]

Super Bowl LVII Super for Fox

This year’s Super Bowl was the second most-watched of all time Super Bowl LVII was indeed super in the ratings department, although it fell short on the one-yard line toward the record books.  In the big game this this year were the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, with each looking to win their second Super Bowl title in […]

Ryan Seacrest to exit “Live”; Mark Consuelos to replace him

Ripa’s husband to take over co-host chair For those who complain about Ryan Seacrest holding too many jobs in this economy, there is now an opening – but it was quickly filled. Seacrest announced Thursday morning he was departing Disney Media Distribution’s New York-based top-rated daytime talker Live With Kelly And Ryan after six years and is moving back to […]

Nexstar to air LIV Golf matches on WGN-TV – and not WCIU

Not all CW affils carrying controversial golf league funded by Saudi interests In a bit of a surprise, LIV Golf’s first tournament on The CW won’t air on its local affiliate here. Instead it’s airing on its former affiliate. As first reported on T Dog Media’s Twitter and Instagram accounts, the controversial golf league is airing on WGN-TV this season […]

2023 Super Bowl Commercial Review: A Hollywood takeover

Celebrities take over commercials for Super Bowl Sunday in a very bland and boring batch of ads  There’s not much to say about this year’s batch of Super Bowl Commercials, which is perhaps the worst since these reviews started here in 2007. For the second year in a row, there were too many celebrities – including a few I’ve never […]

Decades Network to end, rebrand as “Catchy Comedy”

Weigel moves to comedy network, featuring sitcoms from 1950s to 1980s [This post was updated March 27.] Weigel Broadcasting announced Monday it was rebranding diginet Decades after eight years and is launching a new channel devoted to comedies from the 1950s to the 1980s branded as Catchy Comedy. The transition takes place March 27 with most stations currently with Decades […]

Kyle Santillian exits WGCI

Ends eight year run as morning co-host  WGCI-FM morning co-host Kyle Santillian has exited the iHeartMedia Hip-Hop and R&B station. Santillian left two weeks ago as he hinted on Twitter, but was made official this morning. “I appreciate VP/Programming Derrick Brown who opened up my email eight years ago. It led to a great eight years in a town that […]

NBC 5, WVON partner for mayoral forum targeting Black community

Tired of all these mayoral forums yet? There are more to come. If you watch Survivor, then you know about Tribal Council, where the strategies and backstabbing come out in full play. The Chicago mayoral forums have been like Tribal Councils every single night with insults, personal attacks, and language that makes the last few Survivor seasons look peaceful by […]

Construction begins on new South Side Regal Mile Studios

$100 million project in South Shore neighborhood aimed to boost economic development It’s a small space, but there are some big plans afoot.  City officials and Mayor Lori Lightfoot were on hand Monday for groundbreaking on the new Regal Mile Studios in the South Shore neighborhood in an area bounded by Stony Island, 77th, Harper, and South Chicago Avenue. The […]

The Media Notepad: “Family Feud” renewed through 2026

Also: Sling adds ABC 7 to its lineup – at a cost; MLB possibly looking at reclaiming local rights as RSNs creater; Chicago media comings and goings  Joining a trend of veteran series handing out multi-year renewals, the latest came this week when Debmar-Mercury announced it has re-upped Family Feud through 2026, taking the show to its 27th consecutive season […]

“Dr. Phil” to end long run

Calls it a career after 21 seasons Dr. Phil McGraw announced Tuesday evening that he’s leaving his successful syndicated talk show after 21 seasons to focus on other projects, including developing prime-time programming and forming a “strategic partnership” in the daypart. As first reported by Deadline, Dr. Phil is exiting as his contract with CBS Media Ventures ends after this […]