DirecTV offers skinny bundle sports package, “MySports”

Comes after Venu collapse Just days after the planned Disney-Fox-Warner Bros. Discovery joint venture Venu fell through, one of the principals that helped bring down the effort is releasing its own “skinny bundle”.  DirecTV announced Tuesday it was launching MySports, a new sports streaming service available at launch in seventeen of the top twenty markets including Chicago, and includes local […]

The Media Notepad: Bears fourth quarter blunder draws 37 million

Also: Ramblin’ Ray gives up KCMO gig to focus on WLS-AM; Moffett Nathanson gives mixed reviews of upcoming NBCU cable spinoff Unlike other Chicago Sports embarrassments this year, this one was shown live in front of the largest audience of the season. The Bears’ major meltdown against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving drew a record of 37.5 million viewers for CBS […]

NBC Universal spinning off cable networks into new company

Cable networks such as USA Network and E! under new ownership by 2026  With the business in freefall, Comcast Corp. has decided to part ways with its cable networks.  As hinted a few weeks ago, Comcast announced Wednesday it is spinning off its cable networks from its NBCUniversal into a new company. Tentatively titled SpinCo (we hope it’s a temporary […]

Election night ratings: Fox News stomps all over competition

Trump returns to the White House in a landslide and made huge gains in traditionally blue Chicago [This article has been updated. See below.] Fox News prevailed over its competitors on election night as Donald J. Trump was re-elected as President after a four-year break.  According to Nielsen’s final national numbers, Fox News led all networks – broadcast, cable, and […]

The Media Notepad: Elon Musk wants to get rid of over-the-air TV

Plus, Chicago radio ratings, Comcast considering the sale or spinoff of cable channels, and the CW returns to a Cleveland station after Nexstar buys it  Elon Musk has finally expressed his thoughts on television, and he is not a fan. The South African billionaire who bought Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 blasted the major networks on his platform recently, […]

NBC, affiliates get ready for Paris Olympics

NBC 5 sends Alex Margos to cover games NBC and its more than 200 linear TV affiliates are getting ready for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France with the Opening Ceremonies beginning Friday afternoon with soccer and rugby getting a head start on Wednesday. Running through August 11, the games are also an opportunity for NBCUniversal’s streamer Peacock to gain […]

CNBC expands sports business reporting, launching “CNBC Sport”

NBCUniversal’s business network increases coverage on the financial side of sports CNBC is expanding its sports coverage with CNBC Sport, focusing on the intersection of sports and business for its online and TV platforms. “The spotlight on sports has never been brighter with more money at play than ever before,” said CNBC President KC Sullivan in a press release. “CNBC […]

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 […]

Elon Musk to advertisers who paused after he supported anti-Semitic comments: “Go (bleep) yourself”

Musk responds to advertiser boycott of X platform after support of anti-Semitic remarks [Editor’s Note: This post contains some offensive language. Reader discretion is advised.] Proving he is nowhere near fit to run a business, X/Twitter Chairman Elon Musk unleashed the fury Wednesday at the New York Times DealBook summit, calling out advertisers who paused on his platform due to […]

CNBC closes “Jay Leno’s Garage”, adjourns “Money Court” (updated)

But Leno’s You Bet Your Life renewed for third season  Editor’s Note: This post was updated on January 31.  With more and more viewers abandoning linear TV, it’s no surprise CNBC is getting out of the primetime originals business with the announced cancellations of Jay Leno’s Garage after seven seasons and Money Court after two.  Jay Leno’s Garage’s cancellation came […]

CNBC cancels “The News With Shepard Smith”

Shepard Smith also exits the business channel [Editor’s Note: This post was updated November 9.]  Back in September 2020, we looked at whether or not news marketed as unbiased and straight down the middle – the near simultaneous launches of CNBC’s The News With Shepard Smith and NewsNation, would be viable in a sea of opinionated cable news networks.  After […]

“The Profit” and host Marcus Lemonis slapped with lawsuit

  The perils of reality TV resurface as show faces legal trouble amid backlash from angry businesses  If you own a struggling business, it’s probably best you don’t take the reality TV show route to improve your fortunes. In a story published in the Los Angeles Times this week, an Allentown, Pa.-based design firm is suing The Profit, for $30 […]

The Media Notepad: ABC 7 holds on to late-night news ratings lead

Plus…DeDe McGuire returns to Chicago airwaves via syndication; Konkol returns; Judge Steve Harvey? Despite the well-publicized departure of Mark Giangreco earlier this year, viewers are still tuning in to ABC 7’s (WLS-TV) newscasts and is handily beating their competition.  Even though 25-54 numbers haven’t been released yet and the following only measures total viewers, ABC 7 easily won the 10 […]