The Media Notepad: Failed by Ferguson: 101.9 The Mix slides in the ratings

Also: The Lite launches Christmas format today; NBCSN closure date revealed; Biden nominates two to the FCC  [Editors Note: The WLIT item was updated November 6.] Approximately four years ago, I wrote a headline here titled “Fueled by Ferguson” as his morning show propelled 101.9 The Mix/WTMX to ratings success throughout the day. But since the allegations of sexual misconduct […]

WBEZ, Sun-Times strike “non-binding” deal to merge

Historic deal aims to strengthen journalism For the first time since the Chicago Tribune and WGN-AM had the same owner, a daily newspaper and a local radio station could team up – though the transaction is unusual.  But unlike the Tribune and WGN-AM, the transaction discussed here is non-profit. Chicago Public Media’s WBEZ-FM and the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday night […]

FCC ownership rules now law of the land

  Gives media companies more tools to build scale The broadcast industry is getting a boost now the federal register has published the FCC rules, upheld by the Supreme Court in an unanimous decision in April.  Effective as of Monday, the rule changes eliminates the newspaper/cross-ownership rule in place since 1975; the mandate eight television stations must remain after two […]

The Media Notepad: Supreme Court rules in favor of FCC in ownership case

Also: Bless The Harts canceled; Boost 97.5 arrives while Clubsteppin’ closes; Bally Sports Net debuts to mixed reviews [Editor’s Note: This post was updated on April 15 to remove some incorrect information regarding Clubsteppin’ 95.1 FM. T Dog Media apologizes for the errors. -T.H.]  As expected, the U.S. Supreme Court voted Thursday to uphold the FCC’s 2017 ownership rules, eliminating […]

What to look for and who to watch in 2021

New year, new administration brings changes When 2021 started, we had hope in a new year. But it looks like we’re going to spending a lot of time cleaning up the messes of 2020.  For one, we had an insurrection in Washington D.C.  just six days in the new year, as white supremacists and neo-Nazi groups descended on the Capitol […]

What to expect from a Biden administration regarding media issues

Right now, it’s too early to tell given Senate runoff races and the President’s refusal to concede – and even after he is seated, we still wouldn’t know  If you think there’s going to be sweeping changes regarding media issues with an incoming Biden administration – you might want to think again. In fact, there might not be any – […]

Supreme Court to take up FCC ownership rules case

High court agrees to hear longstanding argument There is a lot at stake with the U.S. Supreme Court now taking up the case of the FCC’s ownership rules dilemma, a battle raging for some 40-plus years. For one, this case would be the biggest one yet for the media industry as a decision on the FCC ownership rules have the […]

FCC Chairman to lawmaker on racist TV show: Not our problem, ma’am

FCC punts on racism allegations In a marked departure from the last time the FCC dealt with this issue, the agency has rejected a complaint regarding racial and homophobic content on a TV show. The content in question comes from a Puerto Rico TV show called La Comay, where as FCC Chairman Ajit Pai rejected a complaint from New York […]

Sinclair slapped with $48 million FCC fine

          Closes book on botched Tribune deal In one of the biggest fines ever levied against a broadcast company, the FCC fined Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcasting $48 million Wednesday for misrepresenting themselves in their pursuit of Chicago-based Tribune Broadcasting, which was later sold to Nexstar.  The fine and consent decree also closes three investigations into the company, […]

WGN-TV expands weekend newscasts

More news on tap for Nexstar’s independent station  (Editor’s Note: This post has been updated.) As alluded to when Nexstar announced the closure of CLTV, WGN is rolling out expanded weekend newscasts and local programming – including adding a 10 p.m. newscast on Saturday and Sunday, all effective January 11. For starters, the station’s Saturday morning newscasts are now three […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: “Survivor” stumbles again on social issues with #MeToo controversy

Latest controversy tells us the show’s producers aren’t willing to learn their lesson on social issues When a contestant named Colton Cumbie exhibited racist behavior on Survivor: One World, this blog called out the show, Hollywood, and the media business in general for failing hard on diversity in a business that’s overwhelmingly white and male. Nearly eight years later, the […]

The Media Notepad: Chicago stations cover teachers’ strike

Also: NBC pulls two shows – but one is moving to digital. Fox 32 downgrades local show; Bless The Harts renewed for season two To say Chicago stations had a busy week is quite an understatement: in addition to reminding viewers (constantly) about re-scanning their sets, news stations were covering the second Chicago Public School Teachers strike in the last […]

Be kind….re-scan

If you are an over-the-air viewer, you must do so on October 18 If you are an over-the-air television viewer, you probably know by now you have to re-scan if the numerous amount of PSAs and on-air crawls are any indication. So in order to continue having pictures beamed onto your 50-inch Samsung Smart TV without a cable or satellite […]

Networks drop E-Cig advertising as anti-vaping fever heats up

Local TV stations already shunning ads; Juul halts all advertising  (Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on September 22 and has been updated.) With complaints from viewers increasing on social media and users being hospitalized (including a few in the Chicago area), three major media companies announced they were no longer accepting advertising for vaping products and e-cigarettes. WarnerMedia, […]

FCC approves Tribune, Nexstar deal

Move ends 95 years of local control  I guess this is another way for the Trump administration and Republicans to stick it to Chicago. In another… all together now – partisan divided vote, the FCC approved the transaction of Nexstar Broadcasting, swallowing up Chicago-based Tribune Media for $6.4 billion. This gives Nexstar over 100 stations in 114 markets with a […]