CBS gives up domestic syndication rights, but not until 2028 The year-long feud between CBS and Sony Pictures Television over the distribution rights and profits of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy has come to an end as the two parties announced a settlement of their lawsuit on Friday. Sony, who sought to take over distribution rights to both long-running game […]
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 […]
WGN-TV, Fox 32 expands local programming [Editor’s Note: This post was updated on Sept. 8 to reflect the last-minute scheduling changes made at Fox 32 and Fox Chicago Plus.] If there’s any indication about the struggles of first-run and off-network syndication, look no further than this season’s new crop of shows, in which you count on one hand whereas in […]
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 […]
Episodes available a day after airing in syndication As hinted a few months ago, Sony Pictures Television has sold next-day streaming rights of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune to not one but two streaming networks. Beginning this September, both game shows will stream on Disney’s Hulu and NBCUniversal’s Peacock. It’s a multi-year deal which will feature both current and […]
Cites loss of editorial independence after 60 Minutes lawsuit Paramount Global’s CBS News lost its leader Monday as Wendy McMahon was essentially fired as head of the CBS News and Stations group. On Saturday, Paramount co-CEO George Cheeks demanded her resignation from CBS News after she reportedly apologized to staff for how CBS was handling the 60 Minutes fiasco. The […]
Also: CBS wins another stay in Wheel/Jeopardy battle It’s quiet this Easter week, and not much is going on, so here are two notable items making news this week (this has to be the shortest Media Notepad ever:) – After thirteen years at Hubbard Chicago, 101.9 The Mix/WTMX midday host Lisa Allen has exited the station, per Radio Insight. Allen […]
Paramount Global to appeal ruling in last-minute bid In a surprise ruling Thursday, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge sided with Sony in their battle with CBS Media Ventures over syndication rights of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!. Barring any appeals (which will likely happen), Sony will take over distribution to 200+ stations in the United States starting Monday, including […]
Also: “Flip Side” renewed, “Perfect Line” a firm go; WCIU reveals Sky schedule [Editor’s Note: This post was updated on April 3.] Longtime news legend Walter Jacobson gave his final “Perspective” last Thursday morning on WGN Radio, but it seemed more of a “see you later” than a retirement as he left the door open for a possible return. In […]
Sony putting game veteran game shows up for bid Two longtime prime access game shows are finally joining the streaming age. Sony Pictures Television is soliciting bids from streamers to air next-day episodes of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy starting this fall, putting new episodes on the platform for the first time. The streamers and tech companies Sony plan […]
Also: Dr. Phil to end syndication run; new FAST channel launches from NESN and Pam Grier Chicago radio mainstay Scott Childers has landed a new job as Operations Coordinator at Jazz outlet WDCB-FM (90.9 FM), located at the College of DuPage in west suburban Wheaton. “I’m excited to share that I’ve accepted the role of Operations Coordinator at 90.9 WDCB, […]
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 […]
Believes CBS-owned syndicator isn’t delivering the revenue needed for shows Sony Pictures and CBS are headed to court in a real-life game of hangman. Sony sued CBS Media Ventures Thursday for breach of contract, alleging the syndication company had undersold Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, failed to reap significant revenue from each show’s sales, and made unauthorized deals under market value in foreign […]
Also: So long My50…again; “Wheel”, “Drew” off to strong ratings start; ABC 7 promotes Nwosu to marketing position While NBC Sports’ other RSNs are preparing for the future, NBC Sports Chicago is ending its 20-year run Monday – but not quietly as the station plans to air over 36 hours of live and past content Sunday, celebrating its time on […]
New TV era means a new way of doing business Back in the late 1980s when cable TV was growing, a big deal was made about syndicated exclusively, or “syndex” as local broadcasters complained about national “superstations” such as WWOR-TV in New York and WGN-TV in Chicago draining rating points from their programs. And so, on January 1, 1990, […]
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