The 2024 Oscars a big hit with viewers

Ratings surge despite earlier start time, change to Daylight Savings Time In an era where ratings for almost everything outside of sports are declining, the early numbers for the 96th Annual Academy Awards are certainly encouraging. According to Nielsen estimates, the Oscars drew 19.5 million viewers – up four percent from last year’s telecast and the highest numbers since the […]

The 2022 Academy Awards slaps up higher ratings (UPDATED)

  The “slap seen around the world” takes dominates on night where it should have been about historic wins  [Editor’s Note: This story was updated March 29 to add final Nielsen ratings and to make some minor corrections.] Ratings for this year’s Academy Awards telecast increased from last year but as we know, this isn’t the biggest story if the […]

ABC 7, WGN-TV win on election night

Election, R. Kelly, Jussie Smollett stories drive viewers to local stations in February; Super Bowl and Oscars also do their part After Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced he was not running for another term, a huge political shift was in progress with a record fourteen candidates running to replace him (and no, Man Of The People’s Pat Tomasulo wasn’t one […]

The Media Notepad: WLUP’s format to stay alive online

Also: Oscars notch record-low audience; Home Improvement has a new “home” A few more notes on WLUP’s demise: Not only The Loop is headed to the great radio graveyard in the sky, but so are the call letters (at least in Chicago.) According to Radio Insight, new owner Educational Media Foundation is changing the calls to WCKL-FM, currently at EMF’s […]

Oscar ratings hit record low despite epic Best Picture mix-up

The “biggest Oscar flub in history” made history of another kind – one on the wrong side of the ratings ledger  Cubs’ World Series victory drew more viewers locally and nationally  The 89th Academy Awards wouldn’t be best known for boffo ratings – but for an epic screw up at the end. Many expected La La Land – a musical […]

Oscar telecast shows some rust

The 2015 Oscars telecast declines from last season Mirroring the film industry, The 87th Academy Awards saw some major ratings declines from a year ago. According to Nielsen, the Neil Patrick Harris-hosted extravaganza drew 36.6 million viewers and a 10.8 rating among adults 18-49. While any network or TV station would kill for those numbers, the Oscars were down considerably from […]

T Dog’s Grab Bag: Harry Teinowitz out at ESPN 1000

– I guess he ain’t “winning” anymore: Harry Teinowitz is out as afternoon co-host at ESPN 1000 (WMVP). Teinowitz, who was paired up with John “Jurko” Jurkovic and Carmen DeFalco for the 2-6 afternoon shift, was given his walking papers Thursday after twelve years at the ESPN-owned radio station. Jurko and Carmen will continue with the show for the time […]

T Dog’s Grab Bag: Chicago Tribune on the sales block

The Tribune Co. Unofficially puts its papers on the block; Oscar viewership is up over a year ago; and more Mancow is headed to your TV: – It looks like the Chicago Tribune is up for sale. As first reported by CNBC on Monday, the 166-year old paper and others in the chain are on the block by creditors who […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: Seth MacFarlane, The Oscars, and you

MacFarlane panned at Oscars, but he wasn’t the problem with the show A few months ago on Twitter, yours truly said Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane wasn’t a good fit as host for the 85th Annual Academy Awards, aka The Oscars. Sunday’s telecast certainly verified that fact – well, somewhat. The first few minutes of MacFarlane’s gig actually got off […]

Oscar ratings up from last year – thanks to a Slumdog?

Dark Knight who? Or is that your Final Answer? The 81st Annual Academy Awards were up in household overnight ratings, total viewers, and 18-49 demo from last year. The increases come despite the lack of a big name in the Best Picture category, which Slumdog Millionaire won – as well as seven other Academy Awards. The movie of course, revolves […]

Oscar least watched in 34 years

This year’s Academy Awards, hosted by Jon Stewart, scored the lowest ratings ever by attracting only 32 million viewers, and averaging only a 10.7 rating in adults 18-49. The telecast was down 20 percent from last year. Meanwhile, a native Chicagoan has snared an Oscar for the second straight year. Congratulations to Diablo Cody from southwest suburban Lemont (and no, […]

Congratulations, Jennifer!

Congratulations to Jennifer Hudson for her win for Best Supporting Actress in the movie Dreamgirls from everyone here at The T Dog Media Blog. Thanks for making Chicago and the South Side proud! Keep up the great work!