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The 2024 T Dog Media Turkey Awards

Chicago sports teams and politicians dominate the list [Editor’s Note: This post was updated on November 29, updating and switching around entries due to Matt Eberflus’ firing, which took place earlier in the day.] If 2024 is Chicago’s worst year ever, this list sums up everything that’s gone wrong. From Trump’s reelection to heartbreaking Bears losses to the White Sox’s […]

NBC Universal spinning off cable networks into new company

Cable networks such as USA Network and E! under new ownership by 2026  With the business in freefall, Comcast Corp. has decided to part ways with its cable networks.  As hinted a few weeks ago, Comcast announced Wednesday it is spinning off its cable networks from its NBCUniversal into a new company. Tentatively titled SpinCo (we hope it’s a temporary […]

Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight scores big for Netflix

  Numbers were impressive; everything else…wasn’t [Editor’s Note: This post was updated on November 19 with additional information.] Even though boxing has seen better days, the sport received a jolt of energy thanks to Netflix and its heavily hyped matchup between 58-year-old Mike Tyson and 27-year-old YouTuber Jake Paul in front of a sold-out crowd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, […]

CHSN launches new DTC service

The new home of the Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox finally launched a direct-to-consumer streaming service. But is it worth the price? Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) finally released details on its new direct-to-consumer service, which launches today. But pricing leaves a lot to be desired. Details were released Thursday for the new offering featuring Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox […]

The Media Notepad: iHeartMedia Chicago names new region president

Also: A new syndicated radio show originates from Chicago; St. Louis Cardinals strikes new deal with FanDuel [This post was updated on November 12.] Amid layoffs, iHeartMedia announced some promotions on Friday with a pair of new Region Presidents. Adam Kurtz will take over from Matt Scarano in Chicago and oversee all six iHeart brands, including AC 93.9 The Lite, Adult […]

Election night ratings: Fox News stomps all over competition

Trump returns to the White House in a landslide and made huge gains in traditionally blue Chicago [This article has been updated. See below.] Fox News prevailed over its competitors on election night as Donald J. Trump was re-elected as President after a four-year break.  According to Nielsen’s final national numbers, Fox News led all networks – broadcast, cable, and […]

iHeartMedia layoffs include Angi Taylor, Matt Scarano

Company lets go of five percent of workforce out of 10,000 workers  A time-honored tradition like no other, iHeartMedia announced their latest layoffs Monday, and two Chicago names popped up on the list.  As first reported by Radio Insight, Angi Taylor was relieved of her duties as morning personality on Rock 95.5 FM. Taylor was shifted from sister station Kiss […]

FCC commissioner says NBC violated “Equal Time” rule when Kamala Harris appeared on “SNL”

Carr doesn’t even know how Equal Time works. Vice President Kamala Harris’ cameo on Saturday Night Live this weekend became controversial, but not in the way one would expect. The Democratic candidate for President appeared on NBC with Maya Rudolph, who plays her in sketches on the iconic Emmy-Award-winning variety series, now in its 50th season. Her appearance lasted about […]

The Media Notepad: Elon Musk wants to get rid of over-the-air TV

Plus, Chicago radio ratings, Comcast considering the sale or spinoff of cable channels, and the CW returns to a Cleveland station after Nexstar buys it  Elon Musk has finally expressed his thoughts on television, and he is not a fan. The South African billionaire who bought Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 blasted the major networks on his platform recently, […]

Sony sues CBS over “Wheel”, “Jeopardy!” profits

Believes CBS-owned syndicator isn’t delivering the revenue needed for shows Sony Pictures and CBS are headed to court in a real-life game of hangman. Sony sued CBS Media Ventures Thursday for breach of contract, alleging the syndication company had undersold Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, failed to reap significant revenue from each show’s sales, and made unauthorized deals under market value in foreign […]

The Grammys head to ABC, Disney

Ten-year linear, streaming deal start in 2027 The Grammy Awards has a new home as music’s biggest night is headed to ABC. The Walt Disney Co. announced Wednesday it has obtained the rights to carry the Grammy Awards to air on ABC and streaming on Hulu and Disney Plus. The ten-year deal reunites the awards show with the Alphabet network […]

Fubo adds CHSN for carriage

  Available for subscribers in Chicago area starting today In a small victory for the beleaguered regional sports network, Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) signed a deal with virtual provider Fubo, just in time for Friday night’s game against the Bucks at Milwaukee,  “Fubo continues to deliver more access for sports fans to watch their favorite teams, and they have made […]