WGN pulls upset in the mornings

The CW may be tanking, but Tribune’s WGN-TV is thriving – its morning show ranked number one in the daypart (second item), besting ABC-owned WLS-TV in the recently concluded February book from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. – though it tied WLS at 6 a.m. Meanwhile, not even the presence of American Idol and the Super Bowl has helped Fox-owned […]

Oscar least watched in 34 years

This year’s Academy Awards, hosted by Jon Stewart, scored the lowest ratings ever by attracting only 32 million viewers, and averaging only a 10.7 rating in adults 18-49. The telecast was down 20 percent from last year. Meanwhile, a native Chicagoan has snared an Oscar for the second straight year. Congratulations to Diablo Cody from southwest suburban Lemont (and no, […]

ABC to bring back its shows

In fact, the Mouse of House renewed nine of them for next season, including Samantha Who, Private Practice, and Dirty Sexy Money (all of which will not return until then) while also-renewed Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, and Brothers & Sisters will be back with new episodes this spring. Boston Legal will resume production as well, but it has […]

Time to get "Lost"

Anticipation is building as ABC begins a new, shortened season of Lost tonight on a new night and in a new time slot (8:00 CT), and with a 3.3 ratings in the money demo (adults 18-49) for a repeat of last night’s season finale from May, expect a big number for the season premiere tonight. Click here to read a […]

WLS-TV hit with fine from FCC

As well as every other ABC affiliate in the Central and Mountain time zone for airing a episode of NYPD Blue on Feb. 25, 2003 that contained partial nudity. The fine being proposed is $1.4 million. Only two ABC O&Os (WLS and KTRK-TV in Houston) are named in the action, since the rest of the O&Os fall in the Pacific […]

Parents Television Council erupts again

Over two indecency incidents: Diane Keaton’s F-bomb on ABC’s Good Morning America and people giving an obscene gesture (aired live on the Eastern Time Zone only) on CBS’ 60 Minutes Sunday Night. Meanwhile, in a welcome bit of news (of sort), FCC Chairman Kevin Martin says it might be difficult to take action against ABC affiliates over the accidental airing […]

"I wanted to be on the news"

That’s what the driver of the van said after he crashed it into WLS-TV’s studios on Sunday night during the station’s newscast. He has been charged with criminal damage to property over $100,000. Man, that phrase is so 1976. Son, have you ever heard of YouTube?

Minivan crashes into WLS-TV’s studios – during a newscast!

A van crashes into WLS-TV’s studios – three minutes into the station’s 10 p.m. newscast. Notice what the ticker says on the photo to the left. Ironic, isn’t it? Tonight’s top story… Is right here at the station! A minivan crashed right into our studio… right when we are on the air! A minivan crashed into the studios of ABC-owned […]

"Duel" premieres tonight – at 1:35 a.m.

Thanks to something called a Bears-Vikings game on ESPN, and is being simulcast on ABC-owned WLS-TV in Chicago. Duel is also being delayed in Minneapolis because of the game, but it gets a better time slot: at 11:35 p.m. on ABC affiliate KSTP-TV (Being delayed in Chicago behind Oprah is one thing, but behind a Jimmy Kimmel Live repeat? Come […]

"Lost" to return January 31

On Thursday nights at 8 (Central) with eight episodes instead of the sixteen they promised because of the strike. To see ABC’s mid-season schedule, click here (you’ll need a road map to understand it.)

The journey ends for "Journeyman"

NBC has apparently let its option to pick up the back-nine episodes of its Monday night drama Journeyman lapse, effectively canceling the show. Meanwhile, ABC has knocked Big Shots down to size by putting the low-rated drama on indefinite hiatus. The first initials of this drama pretty much describe this show. And it looks like CBS’ Kid Nation might not […]

News and notes

– The game between the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins that aired on WPWR-TV last Thursday night from the NFL Network averaged a 16.6 rating – the highest number on that station since at least 1994, when WPWR aired the final episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. But it’s not so good for the Bears: The 16.6 rating and […]

WLS-TV relaunches website

WLS, and other ABC owned-and-operated stations, including top-rated outlets WABC-TV in New York, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia and KTRK-TV Houston relaunched their websites over the weekend, with large Flash video players and added more video to make their websites “more like a TV newscast”. Check out WLS’ new website here. (Thought: I like the new site. It’s […]

Take that, Stewie!

Yes, it’s true – Eric Cartman introduced the Colorado Buffaloes during a college football game airing on ABC this weekend (pretty funny stuff.) Next thing you know, Bart Simpson will introduce the Chicago Bears on next week’s Fox telecast against the New York Giants (I would have said Homer, but he would just mess up the names… D’Oh!)