Fox and NBC save shows; why do the networks cancel all these shows in a three-day window? The Bubble didn’t just burst on Friday for several on-the-fence shows…it exploded. According to TV Line, a total of nineteen shows were canceled in twenty-four hours’ time between Thursday and Friday – not unusual for this time of year as the major networks […]
Attacks programming on other networks – including on its own air In an interview with TVNewscheck Sunday at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, news director Mark Neerman of NBC affiliate KSNV in town (formerly known as KVBC) defended his station’s news content and the company’s news anchors reading the infamous promo about “fake news”, complied by Deadspin and went […]
Fox doubles down on football despite declining ratings, financial losses In a blockbuster deal, Fox announced Wednesday it has acquired the NFL’s Thursday Night Football package in a five-year, $3 billion pact, roughly $550 million a year. Effective next season, Fox replaces CBS and NBC as the primary broadcasters. The deal calls for Fox to produce the entire slate (eighteen […]
The latest in reboot fever Get ready… she’s going to be firing secretaries again. CBS and Warner Bros. Television announced Wednesday a thirteen-episode order of Murphy Brown featuring the woman who played her, Candice Bergen. According to the press release, Bergen reprises her role “set in a world of cable news, social media, fake news, and a very different political […]
Also: Tom Joyner loses home in Atlanta; Chicago sports hit a rough spot; the Crowd disbands; In yet another media merger, Meredith Corp. announced its acquisition of Time Inc. for $2.8 billion. The union brings together Time’s magazines (Time, Sports Illustrated, People, Entertainment Weekly, Fortune) with Meredith’s (Better Homes And Gardens, Family Circle, Midwest Living, etc.) Headquartered in Des Moines, […]
Bears game up in the ratings from last MNF appearance The Bears MVP: Luke Skywalker? Monday was a great day for Chicago sports fans as the Cubs and Bears played in meaningful games. The Cubs played Game 3 of the National League Divisional Series between the Cubs and the Washington Nationals and the Bears played the Minnesota Vikings on Monday […]
The Toy Box tanks (Editor’s note: these are preliminary adult 18-49 numbers only.) Sunday night may be football night, but it’s definately not Toy night. Ratings in for the first Sunday of the season show Fox may have a potential hit for new buddy comedy Ghosted, starring Craig Robinson and Adam Scott. The series earned a 1.4 rating, even with […]
The show was about as bad as yours truly expected (Editor’s note: Some tweets in this story were removed as their accounts were suspended. – T.H.) The only thing worse than watching the Bears Thursday night was the even bigger mess airing on ABC Friday night called Inhumans. And like the Bears, the Inhumans did the television equivalent of not […]
Strong start for veteran sitcom – and oh yeah…Chicago’s NFL Lakefront Team was also in action The return of Will & Grace to NBC Thursday night went better than expected. The “season nine” comedy – starring Eric McCormick and Debra Messing premiered with a 3.0 adults 18-49 rating – better than any season eight episode eleven seasons ago (in 2005-06) […]
Empire tops in national ratings (Editor’s Note: Excluding the Cubs number, these are final adults 18-49 ratings.) While yours truly should talk about Wednesday night’s prime-time ratings race, you can’t ignore the fact the Chicago Cubs’ return to the postseason is going to have an impact on the broadcast networks. TBS is happy given they have rights to the NLDS […]
Hot drama shows its dominance, helps NBC wins Tuesday night Note: All ratings are adults 18-49, unless otherwise noted. These are final numbers. If you think This Is Us was a fluke last season, things you might want to take a look at these numbers. The hit NBC drama entered its second season Tuesday night with a remarkable 3.9 rating, […]
Sheldon roars right out of the gate and so does Good Doctor (Updated at 4:40 p.m.) Despite hot temperatures throughout much of the country (including Chicago), viewers tuned in for the start of the new fall season on Monday, starting a week later than in recent years. The show industry watchers are keeping an eye on is CBS’ new Big […]
Network talks about new shows, but comes up short on diversity. Again. In what has been the case for the last several years, CBS’ presentation at the summer edition of the Television Critics Association tour has always been the most controversial. And this year’s was no different. Several reporters grilled The Church Of Tisch Tuesday on diversity, or the lack […]
Chicago sports teams now have something in common with media companies – rebuilding when the good times end Chicagoans better get used to a word they’ve been hearing a lot: rebuild. Last week, two of Chicago’s sports franchises – the Bulls and Blackhawks announced changes that dramatically overhauled their lineups for next season. On the day of the NBA Draft, […]
Ratings don’t seem to matter much as ad buyers remained committed to primetime TV This season, the television business has had its share of negative headlines: notably declining ratings for many shows, especially in the key 18-49 demo. But this isn’t deterring buyers from investing their advertising in primetime TV. And nowhere more this was evident than last week as […]
ABC ABC-Owned Stations ABC 7 Chicago American Idol CBS CBS Chicago CBS Media Ventures CBS News And Stations Chicago Bears Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Bulls Chicago Cubs Chicago White Sox ESPN Family Guy FCC Fox Fox 32 Fox Television Stations Los Angeles Milwaukee NBC NBC 5 NBC Owned Television Stations NBCUniversal Syndication Studios New York City Nexstar Media Group Radio Ratings Sinclair Inc. Syndication The Big Bang Theory The CW The Simpsons Tribune Media Warner Bros. WBBM-TV Chicago WCIU Chicago WFLD Chicago WGN-TV Chicago WGN Radio WLS-AM Chicago WLS-TV Chicago WMAQ Chicago WPWR Chicago