Getting ready to board “The Red Line”

Limited-series debuts amid back drop of real-life problems, including Jussie Smollett The latest drama to be based in Chicago debuts (or debuted) Sunday night titled The Red Line. But you wonder if Chicago TV viewers would board for the ride. Named after the “L” line running from Howard Street in the North Side’s Rogers Park community to 95th Street on […]

“Empire” cast stands by Jussie Smollett

(Editor’s Note: Updated to add ratings information from last night’s episode.) While Jussie Smollett’s tenure on Empire this season wound down Wednesday night, the battle on whether or not he returns to the show is just beginning. Earlier in the day Wednesday, the cast of the Fox show sent a letter to numerous executives at Disney and Fox as reported by […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: “It’s not you, it’s me”

WPWR-CW breakup illustrates how some affiliate partnerships don’t work The major networks have enjoyed long, prosperous relationships with their affiliates. For example, Milwaukee’s WTMJ, St. Louis’ KSDK, and Cincinnati’s WLWT each has enjoyed a long relationship with NBC dating back to the late 1940s. CBS and New Orleans’ WWL have been partners since 1957. And ABC and Dallas’ WFAA go […]

The Media Notepad: “Game of Thrones”, Masters score big

Also… Face The Truth won’t be back for a second season; CourTV returns May 8; AT&T sells Hulu strike While HBO turned Chicago’s weather into one big promotional machine (Winter came on Sunday…and left a big, slushy mess), it seemed to have worked: Sunday’s eighth-season premiere of Game Of Thrones proved to be a big draw. The season premiere attracted […]

The CW changes channels again in Chicago – this time to WCIU

Weigel scores major coup In a stunning move, Chicago-based Weigel Broadcasting Co. announced it has picked up The CW affiliation from Fox-owned WPWR, beginning this fall. The news was first reported by Robert Feder Thursday morning. No exact date has been set for the change, but it is expected to set off a chain reaction of programming moves within the […]

Chet Coppock dies in car crash

Legendary sports anchor, radio host, and author was 70. (Editor’s Note: Correction made to date when crash happened. – T.H.) In news shocking everyone in Chicago sports and media circles, legendary sports anchor Chet Coppock died Wednesday from injuries sustained in a car crash near Hilton Head, S.C. on April 6. Coppock was a major influence on numerous media personalities […]

Unbelievable! “Crazy” Howard McGee returns to Chicago radio

The “Crazy” is back after more than a decade off the airwaves It was back in July 2007 when a stunning development took place – in what would be a symbol of what was wrong with the industry at the time, a top-rated local radio personality was fired from his morning gig, replaced by a syndicated show. Now a dozen […]

Introducing Disney +

The Walt Disney Company unveils its weapon to win the streaming wars (Editor’s Note: This post was updated on November 12, the day Disney + was released.) At Disney Investor Day at Walt Disney Studios in the Los Angeles suburb of Burbank came the new everyone was waiting for. The long-awaited Disney answer to Netflix was finally unveiled Thursday afternoon: […]

Johnson Publishing to end 77-year run

Legendary Chicago publisher files Chapter 7 The end of the line has come for one of Chicago’s most iconic publishers. Johnson Publishing Co. announced Tuesday it filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, equal to the death penalty in the business world. The move comes as the company was unable to restructure its debt. The company sold its trademark Ebony and […]

Indianapolis TV station sale makes history

First African-American owner in Indianapolis media; buys Nexstar stations A week after Lori Lightfoot made political history as being the first African-American woman and the first openly gay person to be elected mayor, there was history made in Indianapolis – in media. Nexstar announced Monday it sold CW affiliate WISH and My Network TV affiliate WNDY to Circle City Broadcasting […]

Lori Lightfoot becomes Chicago’s next Mayor

Although Chicago TV viewers skipped out on election coverage, history was made Tuesday night After numerous debates (too many in this person’s opinion), and enough rhetoric to keep Chicagoans engaged (or repelled), history was made Tuesday as Lori Lightfoot was elected Chicago’s first African-American female mayor. Lightfoot faced current Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in a runoff election for […]

“Page Six TV” to end run

Syndicated gossip show dropped after two seasons As first reported by Broadcasting & Cable, syndicated gossip Page Six TV was canceled Friday after two seasons. Based on the New York Post’s Page Six gossip column, featured Post reporter Carlos Greer, comedian Bevvy Smith, and Variety reporter Elizabeth Wagmeister. The show was originally hosted by John Fugelsang, but departed early in […]

Media Notepad: 103.9 The Fox ends run as bible thumpers take over

Also: Sun-Times sees ownership shift; AAF ends its run quickly; Pickler & Ben to exit The bible thumpers strike again: Beginning Monday, Fox Valley-based WFXF-FM – better known as The Fox 103.9 – will turn the keys over to the Educational Media Foundation (EMF) as the station flips from Classic Rock to Christian Music. As a result, the station’s on-air […]