In what is believed to be one of the biggest deals in at least a decade, McLean, Va.-based Gannett, Inc. announced Thursday morning their intent to buy Dallas-based Belo, Inc. for $2.2 billion, plus the assumption of debt. The deal should close at the end of the year, pending regulatory approval. The sale increased Gannett’s station count to 43; outside […]
In a move that comes as surprising and shocking, The Tribune Co. – home to the Chicago Tribune, WGN-TV and WGN-AM and the Chicago Cubs, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It’s no secret Tribune has been under heavy debt load since the company was taken over by Sam Zell for $8.2 billion and was taken private last year. […]
Much like what the New York Mets did in the cover of darkness (canning manager Willie Randolph after hours), those class acts at the FCC approved the XM-Sirius merger by a margin of 3-2 this evening when commissioner Deborah Tate and chairman Kevin Martin agreed on another of principles, including a $19.7 million fine for past FCC violations. The merger […]
You want to know what I thought of the Clinton-Obama debate? Worst. Debate. Ever. If Comic Book Guy watched the debate Wednesday night on ABC, he would’ve said this: “Worst. Debate. Ever.” Of course, he more was likely to be watching NBC and the 26 suitcase models on the “Spring Break” episode of Deal or No Deal. I’m surprised more […]
Usually the T Dog Media Blog doesn’t devolve into local politics since this is a media blog (it says that in the name!) and not a political one. But yours truly can’t pass up an opportunity to take this on since it involves those wonderful bedrocks of journalism, the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times (yes, I’m being sarcastic…) Last Friday, […]
The Justice Department approved the XM-Sirius deal, which clears another hurdle for the two to hook up (only the FCC stands in the way now.)
From the person who doesn’t know anything about sports – or anything else for that matter, Jay Moron – I mean Mariotti, addresses the Chet Coppock controversy, being the hypocritical douchebag he is. And of course, he finds time to rip on White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf while he’s at it. He has a nerve to talk about […]
The world’s largest computer company made a $44.6 billion bid for its arch web portal rival, and to compete more effectively with Google. So more consolidation in the media business, only now in the high-tech sector. Well, since it worked so well for the radio and television businesses…
The ownership vote fell among party lines 3-2. Which means a lump of coal for the rest of us. As you all know, this is far from over. Look for this to be challenged in court, and ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court. This is truly a sad day for independent media in this country.
What does one have to do with the other? The writers (and actors) aren’t the only ones getting screwed over by the big studios. Click here for details. Keep in mind the same people who run Hollywood and are screwing over the writers are also big supporters of media consolidation. And anyone who thinks the writers is just greedy, doesn’t […]
The FCC came to Chicago last Thursday, for public hearings on media consolidation and diversity. The whole thing was webcast for the world to hear on the FCC’s website, and yours truly hooked it up to listen for eight hours. Eight loooong hours… The FCC was there at Operation PUSH, and if you listed to the webcast- hell, you’d think […]
It turns out some media outlets did report on the FCC public hearings that took place last night: From WBBM-TV: Hundreds Line Up Speak To FCC About Media Rules From Fox News Chicago (WFLD): FCC Hearing Attracts Hundreds in Chicago WMAQ-TV also mentioned the hearing last night on its’ 10 p.m. newscast.Meanwhile, Presidential candidate and Illinois Senator Barack Obama is […]
12:30am It’s finally over. Thanks for hanging in with us.12:05 am A Korean television station (WOCH) is now being talked about.12:01 am (now 9/21) Just a thought: Where was Mancow? Too busy filing another lawsuit? 11:46pm Did the author of that book just swear? The FCC will fine him personally. That $8 million for you.11:43pm The corporate shills and charity […]
Make that much better. And it always helps to have Wall Street in your corner. Analysts are predicting that the XM/Sirius merger may go through as soon as next month, and it looks like the chances of the deal going though looks better than ever – inconceivable when it was announced last February. The FCC however, said that it will […]
In a surprise move, the planned media-ownership hearings in Chicago won’t be held in the Loop at Columbia College or Roosevelt University – but at Operation PUSH here on the South Side. The hearings will start at 4 p.m. and last until 11 p.m. Operation PUSH’s headquarters are located in the Kenwood neighborhood at 930 East 50th Street near Washington […]