The Media Notepad: ABC 7 holds on to late-night news ratings lead

Plus…DeDe McGuire returns to Chicago airwaves via syndication; Konkol returns; Judge Steve Harvey? Despite the well-publicized departure of Mark Giangreco earlier this year, viewers are still tuning in to ABC 7’s (WLS-TV) newscasts and is handily beating their competition.  Even though 25-54 numbers haven’t been released yet and the following only measures total viewers, ABC 7 easily won the 10 […]

The 2021 T Dog Media Turkey Awards

Welcome to the 2021 T Dog Media Turkey Awards! For the 16th consecutive year, we celebrate the worst in media, sports, politics, and life. We have 22 entries this year and the qualifications to win an award are simple – make bad decisions, make stupid comments, stage a political coup, or just simply be a jerk. And there was a […]

WGN-AM revamps schedule, adds Lisa Dent in afternoons

Sirott, Williams shifts an hour later; Davlantes reassigned Chicago radio veteran Lisa Dent has a new full-time gig – an afternoon talk show co-host at storied WGN Radio.  The move is one of many at the Nexstar-owned news/talk radio station – the only one in the TV station group’s portfolio. She’s being paired with Steve Bertrand in afternoons starting January […]

ABC 7, other ABC-owned stations renew “Tamron Hall” for two more seasons

Renewal keeps her show on the air through 2024 Looks like we’re going to hear the phrase “TamFam” for some time to come. Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution announced Monday the renewal of Tamron Hall’s daytime talk show for its fourth and fifth seasons, taking the show through September 2024, thanks to an early pickup by the ABC-owned stations including […]

Byron Allen blasts McDonald’s CEO over comments, calls for his firing

The media mogul takes task with McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski over comments made about parents of Chicago gun violence victims [Editor’s Note: This post was updated at 3:40 p.m.] The controversy over McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski’s comments over how the parents of two Chicago children killed in gun violence failed them crossed over into the media community Friday as a […]

Jennifer Hudson in talks to host daytime talk show

Oscar-winner in talks with Warner Bros. The first project in development in syndication next fall is a big one: a show featuring Chicago native Jennifer Hudson. While there were rumors circulating in the last few weeks, Variety confirmed Thursday a show from Warner Bros. is in development with Hudson, a local woman who rose to fame on American Idol in […]

The Media Notepad: Failed by Ferguson: 101.9 The Mix slides in the ratings

Also: The Lite launches Christmas format today; NBCSN closure date revealed; Biden nominates two to the FCC  [Editors Note: The WLIT item was updated November 6.] Approximately four years ago, I wrote a headline here titled “Fueled by Ferguson” as his morning show propelled 101.9 The Mix/WTMX to ratings success throughout the day. But since the allegations of sexual misconduct […]