The latest

NBCUniversal Local Chicago renews Chicago Marathon media rights

Extends linear, digital rights through 2028 NBCUniversal Local Chicago, which consists of WMAQ-TV, Telemundo affiliate WSNS-TV,  NBCChicago.com, and its digital platforms, announced on Wednesday an extension of their current media rights for the Bank Of America Chicago Marathon through the 2028 race. “We’re thrilled to announce our continued partnership with NBC 5 Chicago and Telemundo Chicago as the official English […]

So long, PTC: Conservative TV watchdog group files for bankruptcy

Rose to fame due to Nippelgate After a three-decade run, the infamous Parents Television Council is no more. Known more recently as The Parents Television and Media Council, the watchdog group that terrorized free speech advocates, television executives, and Hollywood filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last week, revealing $92,000 in assets and $285,000 in liabilities. The organization’s membership has dwindled […]

WGN-TV news producer detained by ICE agents

Comes as immigration blitz continues through Chicago area The Chicago Tribune is reporting that a videographer and producer from Nexstar-owned WGN-TV was violently detained by ICE agents during a raid on the North Side Friday morning.  Debbie Brockman, who has been working for the station’s creative department since 2011, was detained by agents for “obstruction” after they arrested a person […]

Chicago PPM Report: Immigration blitzes and ICE protests sends listeners to news and talk stations

The Drive tops overall ratings while Kiss 103.5 FM is first in 25-54s With the continuing ICE enforcement and National Guard drama in Chicago, listeners tuned in to the city’s news, talk, and information stations in increasing numbers during the month of September in PPMs released earlier this week.  Operation Midway Blitz was fanned across the nation’s third-largest radio and […]

“Everybody Loves Raymond” heads to MeTV

Rare pickup of 1990s/2000s sitcom for classic TV channel In a surprising move, Weigel Broadcasting’s classic TV has acquired off-network rerun rights to former CBS hit Everybody Loves Raymond from CBS Media Ventures with airings scheduled for weeknights at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. CT and Sundays at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., starting October 13.  Outside of Saved By […]

NBCUniversal, YouTubeTV reach long-term agreement

Covers cable channels being spun off to Versant, is relaunching NBCSN  A day after reaching a short-term extension to stay on Google’s YouTubeTV, NBCUniversal announced a new long-term deal, which includes NBC, its owned stations, Bravo, Telemundo, and the soon-to-be spun-off cable channels to Versant: CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, SyFy, and others. Also included are NBC’s four regional sports network channels […]

Michelle Rutkowski named Brand Manager at 93XRT

She comes to the Audacy station from now-defunct Milwaukee cluster Audacy’s Triple A 93XRT (WXRT-FM) has named Michelle Rutkowski as their new Brand Manger, effective October 13. The Chicago native succeeds Laura Duncan in the role, who exits November 3. Duncan announced in August she would be stepping down from the position after four years.  “We are excited to welcome […]

Sinclair, Nexstar return Jimmy Kimmel to the airwaves

But not without a defense of taking the show off the air Sinclair and Nexstar decided to return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to the airwaves Friday, after over a week off the air due to the host’s comments about the person who assassinated Charlie Kirk. Both parties were “engaged in discussions” with the network after ABC reinstated Kimmel on Tuesday night. […]

YouTubeTV, NBCUniversal warn of impending blackout

    NBC prepared to take off channels Sept. 30 Just weeks after Fox Corp. and Google’s YouTube TV were involved in a retransmission dispute, another issue has emerged with NBCUniversal.  If a deal can’t be reached by Sept. 30, YouTubeTV subscribers could lose channels from the company, including NBC, Telemundo, Bravo, MSNBC, and CNBC, which broke the story Thursday. […]

Jimmy Kimmel to return to ABC Tuesday night (updated)

Sinclair and Nexstar stand their ground; they won’t air show [Editor’s Note: This post was updated at 8:45 p.m. on September 22 and at 1:30 p.m. on September 23.] Disney-owned ABC announced Monday it is returning Jimmy Kimmel Live to its regular late-night time slot on Tuesday night, after the network forced him to sit out a week due to […]

ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel for Charlie Kirk joke; show’s future in question

Network makes move after Nexstar, Sinclair drops show indefinitely, and comes after FCC chair threatens ABC In a bold move, ABC has put late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live on hiatus after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatened ABC and Disney after Kimmel committed on Charlie Kirk’s assassination Monday night. Kimmel mistakenly said that suspect Tyler Robinson was a Trump supporter (he […]

Bruce DuMont dies

Founder of the Museum of Broadcast Communications, WTTW alum, dies at 81 Bruce DuMont, known as the host of Beyond The Beltway and the founder of the Museum of Broadcast Communications, died from cancer complications on Wednesday at the age of 81.  DuMont was born in New London, Conn. in 1944 and moved to Chicago shortly thereafter. His uncle was […]

Fox 32 News Director Glenn Dacy exits; succeeded by Sean O’Heir

Change comes as station expands local programming efforts As first reported by Kevin Eck, Fox 32 News Director Glenn Dacy has abruptly left the Fox-owned station and is being succeeded by Sean O’Heir, who now takes over as VP Of News Content And Programming. Dacy came to WFLD from CBS News’ special events unit. A reason for his departure wasn’t […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: Chicago’s image problems? We’re used to it

National Guard threats, continued disdain from Trump and conservatives puts city in a familiar unflattering position While many say President Donald Trump declared “war” on Saturday on Chicago with a post on Truth Social, his “war” on the city really began in 2016.  That’s when protesters stormed the stage at a Trump rally at the then-named UIC Pavillion, canceling it […]