Tribune, CW relationship in fragile condition

          Network, station group may split; CW considering OTT option Can this marriage be saved? In a possible blow to The CW, Tribune Broadcasting has reached an impasse with the network on a renewal deal, which could have ramifications for the TV industry. According to TV Newscheck, Tribune – owner of thirteen CW affiliates, is balking at […]

T Dog’s Media Notepad: White Sox sink into the ratings abyss

The White Sox may not have the worst record in MLB for 2015, but earned an even-worse honor. According to Sports Business Journal, the South Siders again finished dead last among all 29 U.S. teams, with a 0.8 live-plus-same day household rating on CSN Chicago, down 29 percent from 2014, where they finished 27th out of 27 teams excluding Houston […]

TCA: ABC prepares new dramas to launch

The ABC Portion of the tour kicked off with ABC Family’s Bunheads and Pretty Little Liars, then descended into the executive session, where network president Paul Lee blundred and stumbled explaining why the network didn’t do well (finishing fourth in primetime), admitting defeat and the work ABC needs to do. Lee also admitted this past All-Star cycle of Dancing With […]

TCA: Disney/ABC: “The Revolution” will be televised

Tuesday and Wednesday saw Disney’s ABC and ABC Family take over the TCA Press with ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee addressing the media on Tuesday regarding numerous issues: – Lee said that despite low ratings AND the show being pulled off the schedule AND the episode order being cut, Pan Am actually has a shot of returning next season. In […]

T Dog’s Six Pack: Bringing in the New Year

It’s the first Six Pack of 2012 and here’s and the list of winners and losers of the new year so far: A Happy New Year Chicago Bulls. With the team off to a strong start this (abbreviated) season, ratings are already soaring for Comcast SportsNet and WGN-TV – not a good thing to hear for the major networks locally, […]

CW trots out 2011-12 schedule

Often the industry joke (well, besides NBC and MyNetworkTV), The CW unveiled four new shows during its upfront presentation Thursday in New York City at Time Warner Center. CW’s upfront was tailored to their young-female audience – flashing lights, a musical act no one over the age of 35 can’t stand, and other hip, happening stuff. The only problem is […]

TCA, Part 5: ABC opens the broadcast portion

The Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour continued on Monday with ABC as the first commercial network to present. – ABC right off the bat announced the early renewal of six shows for the 2011-12 season: Castle, Cougar Town, Grey’s Anatomy, The Middle, Modern Family, and Private Practice. Fans of Dancing With The Stars, Desperate Housewives, and 20/20 need not […]

Reboot Fever… Catch It!

Marvel is hoping Hulk can smash the competition in 2011 like he did in the late ’70’s. (Image: SciFiplanet.com) Get ready for another reboot… this time of The Incredible Hulk. The revival of the classic 1978-82 CBS series with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno – also notable for its wonderful closing theme song –  is one of the projects Marvel […]

TCA: ABC tries to move up and move on without McPherson

ABC’s presentation at the Television Critics Association Press Tour was dominated by talk of the sudden departure of its longtime entertainment chief (Stephen McPherson) after six years. But while there was talk about it, there was none of it coming from ABC brass – they consider the matter closed. In comes Paul Lee who was named new entertainment chief, who […]

"Teenager" whips "Gossip Girl"

Does TV Week still think Gossip Girl is a hot show? Well, here’s an even hotter show. ABC Family’s Secret Diary Of An American Teenager blew Gossip Girl out of the water last night in total viewers (4.5 vs. 2.2 million), in adults 18-34 (by 50%), adults 18-49 (by 43%) and viewers 12-34 (by 123%). It was the second half […]

CBS, Time Warner to The CW: We got your backs

Memo to all CW employees from Time Warner and The Church of Tisch: We have you backs. By the power and the salvation of the almighty dollar, The CW will be saved from a fate worst than anything: cancellation, thanks to Pastor Les Moonves and Deacon Dawn Ostroff. WBBM General Manager Joe Ahern will now make the rounds with the […]

TCA: More ABC

Highlights from the second day of ABC’s portion of the TCA tour: ABC Showrunner fest ABC had the showrunners from its popular dramas on a panel, incluidng those from Lost, Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, and Ugly Betty. University Park native Shonda Rhimes assured everyone there is no feud between her and Katherine Heigi, who critized the writing staff of the […]