The Media Notepad: WBD strikes back against NBA with lawsuit

Also: The U branding returns to Channel 26; CBS 2 boss takes over sister station in Detroit [Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on July 30 and updated to provide the latest information on CW 26’s shift back to independent status.] Making good on their promise, Warner Bros. Discovery filed suit against the NBA Friday after rejecting their matching […]

NABJ convention invites Donald Trump for an Q&A panel – and he accepts

Marks first appearance in Chicago since 2019 The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is coming under fire – including from some within their organization – after they sent an invitation to Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump to be interviewed at a Q&A panel Wednesday at their annual convention in Chicago and accepted, which starts on the same day and […]

NBA announces new media deals: NBC, Peacock in; WBD out

Deals worth $76 billion NBA returns to NBC for the first time in 21 years Amazon Prime gets streaming games for first time  Warner Bros. Discovery may take legal action against the league in an unprecedented move  [This article has been updated. See the bottom of this post for notations.] Roundball Rock is coming home.  After months…and months of speculation, […]

NBC, affiliates get ready for Paris Olympics

NBC 5 sends Alex Margos to cover games NBC and its more than 200 linear TV affiliates are getting ready for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France with the Opening Ceremonies beginning Friday afternoon with soccer and rugby getting a head start on Wednesday. Running through August 11, the games are also an opportunity for NBCUniversal’s streamer Peacock to gain […]

ABC 7 promotes Doug Whitmire to VP of News

Replaces the recently retired Jennifer Graves in role as city prepares for DNC ABC 7 (ABC-owned WLS-TV) announced Tuesday the promotion of Doug Whitmire from assistant news director to VP of news at the top-rated station, replacing the recently retired Jennifer Graves after 32 years. The move is effective August 5.  “Doug has been a leading force in the newsroom […]

Global IT outage impacts media outlets

TV stations, networks affected A widespread outage affecting Microsoft Windows-based programs had major implications worldwide Friday morning, impacting flights, banks, government offices, hospitals, and more. The outage started around 2 a.m. CT and lasted throughout the morning though systems are slowly returning online. The outage also affected media outlets worldwide, with control hubs and traffic departments being hard hit and […]

Chicago native, comedy legend Bob Newhart dies at 94

Stand-up comedian known for his phone props, starred in five network comedies Bob Newhart left his mark on television in many ways as a stand-up comedian and later as a sitcom star. His resume included an underrated (and unappreciated) sitcom set in Chicago and another TV show where the premise of running a Vermont inn for eight years was revealed […]

Wild weather taxes local stations – and meteorologists to the limit

Multiple tornadoes, thunderstorms wreak havoc on prime-time programming If the news cycle couldn’t get any busier – for Chicagoans, it just did. A weekend after former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt – and with the Republican National Convention taking place to the north of us in Milwaukee, severe storms hit the Chicago area Monday night with unprecedented fury […]

NASCAR Chicago Street Race’s fate unknown for 2025

Declining attendance, mixed audience numbers, and less TV exposure could spell doom for event [Editor’s note: This post was updated on July 12 with updated ratings information.] The Chicago Street Race (The Loop 110 and The Grant Park 165) sped through its second edition this past weekend through downtown and DuSable Lake Shore Drive. But it seems the bloom is […]

Brand And Content Manager Jimmy Steal exits Hubbard Chicago

No word on a replacement Hubbard Radio’s vice president of brand and content Jimmy Steal is exiting the position at the end of the year and is starting a new consulting business for the company, focusing on new talent.  Steal was in charge of two of Hubbard’s stations: Hot AC 101.9 The Mix and 90s/2000s Pop Hits Throwback 100.3. Steal […]

Paramount, Skydance deal finally consummated

After near collapse, the duo finally crosses the finish line With several false starts and a near collapse, the Paramount-Skydance deal is finally done.  Announced Sunday evening, Paramount Global and Skydance finally agreed to merge in a two-step process: First, Skydance will purchase National Amusements – a company long held by the Redstone family for $2.4 billion and pay another […]

CNBC expands sports business reporting, launching “CNBC Sport”

NBCUniversal’s business network increases coverage on the financial side of sports CNBC is expanding its sports coverage with CNBC Sport, focusing on the intersection of sports and business for its online and TV platforms. “The spotlight on sports has never been brighter with more money at play than ever before,” said CNBC President KC Sullivan in a press release. “CNBC […]

The Media Notepad: Marshall Harris exits CBS 2, Ryan Baker returns to sports beat

Also: Scripps Sports signs Stanley Cup champs; diginet Defy changes owners As first reported by the Sun-Times, CBS 2 (WBBM-TV) main sports anchor and sports Marshall Harris has exited the station, effective immediately. Harris verified the report on X/Twitter Tuesday: “In case you haven’t heard, I’ve officially moved on from CBS Chicago. I’m grateful for my time there. And I’m […]