The U’s “Jam” comes to an end

Low ratings, pandemic forces The U to pull plug

As first reported by Robert Feder Thursday, The U’s local show The Jam is shutting down production, effective Friday.

Sadly, it is true that the Jam is coming to a close. What a ride the past few years have been, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity! We've still got a few shows left to say goodbye, and continue important conversations. Here's just a snippet of some of my favorite moments!! pic.twitter.com/GIxTlvXFyj

— Jon Hansen (@JonHansenTV) April 8, 2021

Originally launched in August 2017 as a replacement for previous morning show You And Me, The Jam featured hosts Felicia Lawrence, Jordan Cornette, and Danielle Robay. But Cornettte and Robay left the show early in its run and were replaced by You and Me holdover Jon Hansen and former WGN-TV personality Amy Rutledge.

From the beginning, the show had trouble finding an audience opposite WGN’s powerhouse morning news program, airing originally on CW 26. The Jam was temporarily put on production hiatus in March 2020 during the onset of the pandemic but resumed production last fall on The U and moved to prime access where it had an even tougher time finding an audience, being reduced an hour and had to be done remotely, scrapping the in-studio format. Still, The Jam was the only local non-news program on the airwaves between 6 and 7 p.m. every weeknight.

The U is not available to DirecTV subscribers but is available over-the-air on Channels 26.2 (WCUU) and 48.1 (WMEU) and other cable systems, including Xfinity.

Syndicated programming is replacing The Jam though the name of the shows weren’t yet specified. The show’s cancellation is expected to result in layoffs, including local programming and creative head Steve Bailey, who developed The Jam.