“Rachael Ray” shifts to WLS-TV, three other ABC O&Os
Rachael Ray is once again getting a new address in Chicago.
The famous cook and television personality’s talk show strip from CBS Television Distribution has been acquired by WLS-TV in an ABC owned-and-operated deal which goes into effect this September.
This story was first reported by TVNewscheck.
In addition to WLS, Rachael was acquired by three other ABC O&Os: KABC-TV in Los Angeles; KGO-TV in San Francisco; and KTRK in Houston. Rachael currently airs on CBS-owned stations in Los Angeles and San Francisco; and on independent KUBE-TV in Houston.
Rachael Ray has aired on ABC-owned WABC-TV in New York, WPVI in Philadelphia, and WTVD in Raleigh, N.C. since its inception.
In Chicago, Rachael airs on WGN-TV at 10 a.m., where its been since September 2009. Rachael spent its first three seasons in a 2 p.m. time slot on CBS-owned WBBM-TV.
While no time slot has been specified for Rachael on WLS or the other ABC-owned stations, it does fill a hole vacated by the cancellation of Katie, Disney/ABC Domestic Television’s sophomore talk show. But some questions do remain unanswered: Currently, WLS has local talk show Windy City Live at 11 a.m., Inside Edition at 2 p.m., Jeopardy! at 2:30 p.m. and Katie at 3 p.m. It is not known if the purchase of Rachael would impact the future of Windy City Live, which replaced a top-rated 11 a.m. newscast last September, and has drawn fewer viewers.
In Los Angeles, KABC still must find something to replace Dr. Oz, which is moving back to Fox’s KTTV after a three-year hiatus.
Meanwhile, WGN had Rachael as a bridge between its morning and midday newscasts. There is no word on what would replace Rachael in September – another syndicated show or filling it with yet another newscast.
Rachael was renewed through the 2015-16 season a few months ago, taking it through its 10th season. This season, Rachael ranks tenth among all talk shows among women 25-54.
Rachael Ray premiered on September 18, 2006 – the same day The T Dog Media Blog was launched.