The Media Notepad: Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox go a different direction to launch new RSN

Also: Daily Herald makes changes; CBS releases fall sked early; US 99’s Drew Walker exits  The new proposed regional sports network featuring the Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox now may have a behind-the-scenes change. In a surprising move reported by The Athletic Saturday night, the new regional sports network Jerry Reinsdorf is looking to launch will now be handled by […]

Report: Bulls, White Sox, Blackhawks to bolt NBC Sports Chicago for Stadium

Jerry Reinsodrf’s digital network could be the new home for all three teams As first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times Monday night, the Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox are looking to exit their expiring deal with NBC Sports Chicago and launch a new regional sports network named Stadium, an existing streaming platform whose IP is owned by Bulls and […]

CW 26 to air Cubs exhibition game March 12

Could be a dress rehearsal for more According to a report in the Sun-Times, Weigel’s CW 26 (or WCIU) announced Monday it is televising a Chicago Cubs spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 12 at 8 p.m. The game will be simulcast on Marquee Sports Network, the home of all Cubs games since 2020 a year after […]

Media unloads on Jerry Reinsdorf for White Sox woes, stadium plans

One of those media members takes a hypocritical stand The local media was busy lately bashing Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf – that is when they’re not discussing who Justin Fields is following or not following on social media. Now the national media is joining in on the fun. Sports media website Awful Announcing slammed The Chairman Friday […]

Chicago White Sox name John Schriffen as new play-by-play man

Becomes first Black play-by-play voice for the team as the White Sox may be looking at a new stadium in the South Loop. In a rare positive move for the often-beleaguered team, the Chicago White Sox announced Thursday the hiring of John Schriffen as their new play-by-play voice, replacing Jason Benetti who departed for the Detroit Tigers in the same […]

Rewinding media in 2023

  A year dominated by labor strife, awful Chicago sports teams, and – oh yeah, Elon  If you watched the WWE, you remember Vince McMahon playing himself as an arrogant CEO and billionaire, ruling over anything and everything – the ultimate heel. It’s a real-life trend we’re seeing as we close 2023. Led by billionaire Elon Musk, CEOs – whether […]

Washington Capitals, Wizards head out of D.C. for Virginia

The NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals are on the move after owner Ted Leonsis announced Wednesday he was moving the teams out of Capital One Arena in downtown Washington D.C. come 2028 and to a new $10 billion sports and entertainment complex in nearby Alexandria, Va. known as Potomac Yard. “We are committed to providing world-class fan experiences […]

The 2023 T Dog Media Turkey Awards

Your winners/losers in the 18th annual roundup of the worst in everything: Donald Trump. He’s back.  Elon Musk. I’ll tell you what. You can click on this link, which leads to every story this space has featured on the arrogant billionaire, none of it positive.  Jerry Reinsdorf. Speaking of arrogant billionaires, the 87-year-old is currently one of the worst owners […]

The Media Notepad: Media companies suspend advertising on X after Musk approves anti-Semitic comments

Also: Bally Sports getting ready to close; The CW is on the move in two markets CNBC and other outlets are reporting Friday evening numerous companies have “paused” advertising on Twitter/X after owner Elon Musk boosted an anti-Semitic post on the platform.  Lionsgate (Debmar-Mercury) was the first traditional media company to pause and Apple was the first tech company to […]

The Media Notepad: ABC 7’s Ryan Chiaverini named lead sports anchor

Also: SAG-AFTRA strike ends; Jennifer Hudson’s ratings grow; Disney names two cable networks as possible sale candidates It’s official – Ryan Chiaverini was named lead sports anchor by ABC-owned WLS-TV Thursday, succeeding Jim Rose, who retired in September after 41 years at the station. “Ryan knows Chicago sports inside out and cuts right to the heart of what this city’s […]

Jason Benetti exits White Sox; joins Tigers as new broadcaster

Leaves with one year left on contract In stunning news, Chicago White Sox announcer Jason Benetti is exiting as announcer for the team and taking the same position as the TV voice of the Detroit Tigers. He replaces Matt Shepard in the role, who wasn’t exactly popular with the Tigers fanbase.  “I’m incredibly proud to join this historic and ascending […]

The Media Notepad: Sinclair launches “The Nest” as Stadium empties

Also: Bally Sports Arizona folds; SAG-AFTRA talks fail; your newest talk show host is…Ken Jeong?  With Sinclair out as partner in Stadium, the digital subchannel occupying the same will have a new name and new format effective October 30.  Called The Nest, Sinclair says the new channel features “family-friendly programming” but with reality cable TV show reruns. Shows featured in […]

MLB local ratings roundup for 2023: Cubs up, White Sox down

But the South Side team isn’t the league’s worst-rated Even though neither the Cubs and the White Sox made the playoffs this year, at least one team managed to score a victory in the ratings department.  According to final 2023 regular-season ratings released Tuesday (see below), the Cubs scored an increase for a season where they played better than they […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: The month of August was so on-brand for Chicago

  White Sox debacles, and news crews getting robbed spotlight the tremendous failure of city institutions If you were a kid in the 1970s or 1980s perhaps you remember a commercial for Resse’s Peanut Butter Cups when someone got peanut butter into their chocolate, and vice versa.  So what happens when the problems of sports’ worst-run franchise mash-up with the […]

White Sox exiting? Team may leave Guaranteed Rate Field

  Could throw the future of NBC Sports Chicago into question A report in Crain’s Chicago Business Monday suggested the Chicago White Sox may be looking to leave the South Side.  With six years left to go on their lease at Guaranteed Rate Field, the baseball team is looking at some options, including a move to the suburbs, somewhere else […]