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 […]
Short-term extension to last through Friday The Wednesday 4 p.m. (CT) deadline came and went with Fox channels remaining on YouTubeTV as the two parties agreed to a short-term extension that lasts until Friday. Update: We’ve reached a short-term extension with Fox to prevent disruption to our subscribers while we work on a new agreement. We’re committed to advocating on […]
Combined entity would own 265 stations covering 80 percent of country As hinted by the Wall Street Journal last week, WGN-TV and WGN Radio owner Nexstar Media Group has agreed to purchase rival Tegna, Inc. for $3.6 billion in the biggest deal in television history. The new combined entity gives Nexstar 265 stations with nine of the top ten markets […]
Comes after the network agrees to concessions [Editor’s note: This post was updated July 25.] After months of waiting, the FCC has officially approved the Skydance-Paramount merger, which will bring changes to the nation’s most prestigious television network. Technically, the FCC approved the transfer of 28 FCC licenses of CBS stations to Skydance. CBS operates stations in eight of the […]
But don’t look for a similar deal in the U.S. anytime soon, if ever On June 18, a landmark deal was made that brings together an old-school television network and a new-school global streamer. But it wasn’t in the United States—nor anywhere in this part of the globe. This landmark agreement was signed on June 18 in France, […]
When idiots collide: White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Subjects weren’t disclosed, but speculation centers on CHSN’s battle with Comcast for carriage The worst owner in sports meets the worst FCC Chairman in history. In the ultimate meetup from hell, Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf met with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Thursday, […]
Must-run segments parrot Sinclair’s Nexstar Media Group is taking its crusade for deregulation to the streets – and the home viewer. According to a report by The Desk, the broadcaster has instructed its 160-plus local stations to air a brief segment encouraging viewers to contact the FCC regarding potential changes to broadcast regulations that Chairman Brendan Carr is considering. Broadcasters […]
Changes ahead as the sports department is the hardest hit [Editor’s Note: This post was updated on March 19.] A fifth of Sun-Times employees – roughly twenty percent of the workforce, or thirty employees, have elected to take buyouts from the paper. which the paper offered to employees in January. Those exiting are longtime writers and editors, including Richard Roeper, […]
Some relief for starved Chicago sports fans – but will they take advantage? As hinted at when it was announced in January, DirecTV is adding regional sports network add-ons to its MySports skinny bundle, including CHSN and Marquee for Chicago-area viewers, just in time for baseball season as the former features the Chicago White Sox, and the latter for the […]
Claims they air “faith-based programming” – or something like that So what does the term “faith-based programming” mean? FCC Chairman Brendan Carr seems to be playing fast and loose with the definition as he blasted Google-owned YouTubeTV for not carrying a pair of channels owned by Great American Media: Great American Family and Great American Faith & Living. The former […]
Chicago stations could be impacted After just three weeks on the job as FCC Chairman, Brendan Carr is putting his stamp on the agency and it is proving to be a nightmare for journalists and media companies alike. In an unprecedented move, the FCC is investigating a Bay Area radio station for its coverage of immigration raids in San Jose, […]
Conflict could impact ABC-owned stations, including ABC 7 The battle between Sony and Paramount Global’s CBS is heating up as the syndicator is looking to take control of the distribution of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! – maybe as soon as next week. On Monday, CBS Media Ventures received a letter from Sony Pictures Television stating that they were taking […]
As viewers abandon linear TV, the people who run these stations are doing more harm than good Being a meteorologist in the post-Tom Skilling era has been rough. In an unthinkable move just five years ago, Allen Media Group announced nearly two weeks ago that it was firing its entire roster of meteorologists across the station group. The company planned […]
NBC 5 joins WGN News, and Fox 32 in documenting Dolton’s chaos as media tries to navigate choppy waters on covering her As you know, there is never a shortage of political scandals to cover in Illinois. From Operation Silver Shovel to Blago, the non-stop corruption has kept journalists busy and fascinated observers. And in the Year Of Our Lord […]
Audacy to go private The FCC approved a controversial Audacy bankruptcy plan in a politically divided three-to-two vote in which Soros Fund Management becomes the biggest shareholder in the company with a 57 percent stake through the Laurel Tree Opportunities Corporation. As a result, Audacy – who filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year, will go private and David Field […]
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