NBCUniversal wrapped up the last day of the 2015 TCA Press Tour, with panels for NBC and NBCU’s cable networks. Here are some selected panels that took place: NBCUniversal cable nets (USA/SyFy/CNBC) -USA Networks’ new Colony sounds like a ripoff of AMC’s new Fear Of The Walking Dead and CBS’ Under The Dome – apocalypse takes over Los Angeles with […]
WDBJ reporter, cameraman shot dead – live on the air A reporter and a cameraman were killed this morning live on the air in a Roanoke, Va. suburb Wednesday morning, leaving viewers of CBS affiliate WDBJ in shock. Reporter Allison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were doing an interview with Vicki Gardner from the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce in Moneta, Va. at 6:45 a.m. (ET) […]
CBS Corp.’s two other properties: Showtime and The CW, held their presentations at TCA recently: Showtime: CEO David Nevins addressed rival FX’s programmer John Landgraf’s comments regarding “too much TV”: “There is never enough great TV”, Nevins responded. Nevins also said he was developing a comedy with Jim Carrey about the 1970’s comedy club scene, and is developing a drama […]
Last week’s opinion piece shows the insensitivity of the Zell and Michaels era still abound at the Trib As you know by now, Chicago Tribune Editorial Board member Kristen McQueary caused a huge stir last Friday writing a column “wishing” a Hurricane Katrina storm would wipe out Chicago, giving it a “reboot” as the city struggles with crime, financial problems, and […]
Longtime Chicago meteorologist set the standard for weather reporting Chicago television fans are mourning the loss of one of local TV’s first known weatherman – Harry Volkman, who passed away at his home Thursday at the age of 89. In an era before Doppler Radars and computer technology, Volkman was known for his active visual descriptions of the weather. Volkman […]
Scientific Games’ Monopoly Millionaires’ Club, a weekly syndicated hour which debuted last March, is returning for a second season starting on Sept. 12. But there is a catch – the show is being cut in half – as in a half-hour weekly, down from a full hour. The game show, hosted by Mike & Molly’s Billy Gardell, uses state lotteries to […]
Expands to 10 p.m. to compete with Big Three Here we grow again: WGN-TV’s popular local newscasts are adding yet another half-hour – and this time, the Tribune Media-owned station is taking on the Big Three owned-and-operated stations with the launch of a local half-hour newscast at 10 p.m. beginning October 5. WGN’s current 9 p.m. anchor team – Mark Suppelsa, Micah […]
Top-rated network ready to defend their crown CBS trotted out its stars for TCA last week, touting its successes and promoting its new shows. Here’s a rundown on how it went with reviews of selected show panels: – Executive session: Nina Tassler talked about how CBS does business with competitors – such as Netflix – which also turns out to […]
Hulu Presentation: Mindy Project arrives in style FX president John Landgraf made waves at TCA last week during his network’s day at the Press Tour, stating there’s just “too much television”. Too much TV? You don’t say. He was referring to the 300+ scripted shows that dot the landscape, saying “it’s impossible to maintain quality control” – part of the […]
It was Fox’s turn at TCA last week, with Empire as the main attraction. Creator Lee Daniels told the crowd he was blessed to be employed, as some of his fellow colleagues aren’t so lucky. Taraji P. Henson, who plays the outspoken Cookie, said she was having the time of her life on the show, pointing out she’s more politically correct […]
It was ABC’s turn at TCA Tuesday and Wednesday: – Some big breaking news took place at the TCA tour: Kermit and Miss Piggy are no longe an item. That’s right – the long-running couple, who have been dating each other since 1976 – or so – called it quits recently, shocking the entire world. So my brothers and sisters, […]
To show you how things have changed in television, streaming services now have their own sessions at the Television Critics Association Press Tour. A few days after Netflix appeared at the gathering, itwas Amazon’s turn to present to the crowd. But According to some on Twitter, Amazon was just as excited about selling television shows as they were selling microwave ovens… […]
Plus: WBBM-TV’s news ratings stink; Downtown Abbey heads into the final stretch; MundoFox to become MundoMax…eventually – ABC-owned WLS-TV reclaimed the top spot at 10 p.m. according to Nielsen, reclaiming the late news throne from NBC-owned WMAQ-TV. Despite the loss, WMAQ still gained viewers year-to-year at 10 in the all-important 25-54 demo. The biggest loser no doubt is CBS-owned WBBM, who […]
For all the success HBO has had with its programming, it doesn’t get as much love on Wall Street as it does in the arts community – pundits were criticizing HBO’s decision to offer its programming over-the-top (OTT) for $14.99 per month. Well, if the over 100 Emmy nominations are any indication, it might be worth it. And that’s the […]