WMAQ pulls off 10 p.m. news upset

Beat WLS-TV in key news demo for the first time in nearly 20 years Dispute in 10 p.m. news race in Milwaukee The last time WMAQ won the 10 p.m. news race in adults 25-54 demo, Ron Magers and Carol Marin were still anchoring, ER was the hottest show on television, and Jay Leno was hosting the Tonight Show. Nineteen […]

Letterman’s send-off packs them in

Letterman’s finale episode draws more than 13 million viewers, largest since 1994 (Editor’s Note – all videos associated with this post were removed from YouTube as of June 15. The article has since been re-edited. -T.H.) The final Late Show With David Letterman on CBS Wednesday night sent tons of viewers through the entrances – and scored its highest ratings in over […]

End of an era: David Letterman exits late-night TV

Wednesday not only marks the end of another sweeps period, but also the end of an era. 68 year-old David Letterman hangs up his mic tonight, after 33 years in the late fringe daypart – 22 of those years at CBS, where he moved to in August 1993. The Indianapolis-born comedian went from bagging groceries to a weatherman for the […]

The Upfronts Post-Game Show

What we learned: – The sitcom is almost dead – Too much drama – Greg Berlanti is now the most powerful person on TV Now that the parties have been held, the red carpet has been rolled up, and the song and dance routines have been performed, it’s time to get to serious business: sell suckers… er… I mean advertisers on […]

CW stays the course for fall

Only three new shows for next season – just one for fall The CW unveiled its 2015-16 schedule on Thursday at the upfronts and there’s not much change – unless you count a few shows moving around the schedule. Only ten hours are programmed a week in primetime – and with network brass satisfied with most shows, they decided to bring […]

CBS unveils new 2015-16 season schedule

CBS announces seven new series – five for fall CBS announced its new 2015-16 season lineup for next season, with the network renewing 22 programs and bringing on seven new series – five of which will debut in the fall. Here’s the night-by-night throwdown: – Monday: Once again, Thursday Night Football is forcing some temporary changes, with The Big Bang […]

ABC releases its 2015-16 schedule

Muppetmania reigns supreme as the revival is already being talked about to death ABC unveiled its 2015-16 season schedule on Tuesday, and much of it looked like last season’s: much of the lineup is unchanged, with four new comedies and six new dramas joining the lineup. Five of those shows debut this fall. Of note is Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s lineups remains […]

Fox announces 2015-16 schedule

Announces end to American Idol in May 2016. Break out the Belvedere! Fox announced its 2015-16 schedule Monday during its upfront presentation and as you would have guessed, the show centered around Empire, the hottest TV show ever. The central cast made an appearance, including a performance from Chicago’s own Jennifer Hudson, who played a gospel singer in a few episodes. […]

NBC unveils 2015-16 season schedule

Emphasizes drama; only one hour of comedy on the fall sked for the first time in 37 years NBC released its 2015-16 schedule Sunday, with six new comedies, seven new dramas, and one new short-term variety hour emceed by Neil Patrick Harris. The sked also features two revival efforts: Coach, which ran on ABC from 1989-96 and Heroes, which ran […]

Bubble Bustin’ Friday: More shows get the ax

The Friday before the upfronts have become a tradition like no other: the day decisions are made on “bubble” shows. ABC already made some decisions on cancellations and pick-ups on Thursday (click here for more info), while the rest on the networks made their decisions on Friday and more could be coming: – After months of waiting around, NBC announced […]

“Simpsons” renewed for two more years

Renewed through 2017; seasons 27 and 28 on tap In a move certain to stir debate, Fox has given a huge vote of confidence to long-running animated comedy The Simpsons, which renewed the series through 2017, taking it through its 28th season. By the time the deal is up, The Simpsons would have produced 625 episodes – only ten short […]

Think Tank Express: Random thoughts

Oh, when are the upfronts? It’s been slow here at the T Dog Media newsdesk. So here are some random thoughts: – Dr. Oz said, for some reason “We will not be silenced” in response to some Columbia University doctors questioning his credentials. But would silence him is low TV ratings. – Instead of reporting the news, CNN and Fox try […]

Oh, Darling

Led by rookie goalie, Blackhawks score huge ratings Sunday and Tuesday  Other Chicago teams see ratings increases It’s playoff season and Chicago viewers are showing up in droves. Last Sunday’s third game in the first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Nashville Predators scored a whopping 12.0 household live-plus-same day rating locally for NBC’s WMAQ, easily trouncing […]

Chris Harrison named new “Millionaire” host

Is there now a Millionaire hosting curse? Disney-ABC Domestic Television on Monday named Dallas native Chris Harrison as the new host of its syndicated Who Wants To Be A Millionaire game show. Harrison replaces Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Terry Crews, who just replaced Cedric The Entertainer this season. Cerdic was named host of the show in 2013 to replace Meredith Vieira, […]

ABC 7 off to decent start with Cubs (in the ratings)

Wednesday’s game scores in the ratings – despite some production bumps in the road History was made on Wednesday when ABC-owned WLS-TV broadcast its first Chicago Cubs game since 1949 (when it was known as WENR, pre-ABC’s merger with United Paramount Theaters.) And it paid off handsomely in the ratings, too: Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals drew a […]