CBS Chairman Les Moonves out due to sexual harassment allegations

Huge change means uncertainty at Black Rock The end has come for one of media’s most known media executives due to sexual harassment complaints. Les Moonves was officially forced out as Chairman, President, and CEO of CBS Corporation after 23 years with the company as a sexual harassment scandal surrounding him continues to grow. The move came as a second […]

“The Big Bang Theory” calls it a career

The long-running CBS sitcom to end in May after twelve seasons It won’t be remembered for its quality, but Sheldon and Co. have left their mark on pop culture, one “Bazinga” at a time. Chuck Lorre and CBS announced the conclusion of The Big Bang Theory last Wednesday after twelve seasons and ending its quest to becoming the longest-running live-action […]

Judge approves AT&T-TimeWarner deal

Merger survives court challenge Tuesday’s federal court decision clearing the way for AT&T to acquire TimeWarner has implications not only for consumers and businesses, but the entire media landscape. Judge Richard Leon of the D.C. District Court ruled in favor of the two companies on Tuesday imposing no conditions after a long six-week trial. The merger was announced on a […]

Reboots of ’80s shows headline CBS’ 2018-19 lineup

Murphy Brown, Magnum P.I. lead eight new programs for next season CBS unveiled its 2018-19 lineup with the ongoing battle between CBS and Viacom as a backdrop. As you know by now, the two companies are at a tug-of-war over a proposed merger with CBS suing majority shareholder National Amusements over control. CBS CEO Les Moonves was absent at CBS’ […]

The CW returns to Sunday nights

After nearly a decade, The CW is back in the Sunday night race Signaling they are not going anywhere, The CW announced Wednesday their intentions to return to programming Sunday nights after a nine-year hiatus. The expansion gives the network twelve hours a week to program, all in primetime beginning this fall. The move comes as The CW has received […]

Fox signs five-year deal for Thursday Night Football

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 […]

2017 in review: Hold our beers

This Bud’s for you – 2017 a carbon city of 2016 2016: The worst year ever. 2017: Hold my beer. Yes, you saw this type of “hold my beer” exchanges this year as 2017 turned out to be lousy as advertised. For one thing, American Idol is coming back thanks to ABC. This and host Ryan Seacrest appearing on TV […]

Bears, Cubs rule Monday evening

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 […]

“Young Sheldon” bows to strong ratings

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 […]

“The Orville” flies into turbulence

Poor writing, poor acting dooms Orville’s mission As one who used to watch Family Guy way back when, yours truly was a Seth MacFarlane fan. I even attended a live reading for the show ten years ago. But oh my, how times have changed. Outside of the brilliant Cosmos remake from a few years ago, he hasn’t done anything of […]

CBS at TCA: The more things change, the more they stay the same

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 […]

NBC makes changes to Tuesday, Thursday fall lineups

This Is Us remains on Tuesday; new Will & Grace avoids showdown with Big Bang Theory The month of June hasn’t arrived yet, and we already have our first change in the 2017 fall schedule. NBC announced Tuesday it was keeping This Is Us in its regular Tuesday slot after all, keeping it as a lead-out of The Voice. Meanwhile, […]

The Upfronts post-game show

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 […]

“Young Sheldon” is CBS’ centerpiece for 2017-18 season

CBS announces new schedule in front of buyers CBS held its 2017-18 upfront presentation Wednesday and announced its new schedule in front of ad buyers, and made a case for why the network is the “most watched in America”. CBS CEO Les Moonves addressed attendees at an upfronts breakfast Wednesday morning, subbing in for network president Glenn Geller, who is […]

NBC releases 2017-18 schedule

Must-See TV is back – and so is Will and Grace In the “innovative” world of television, there must be something about resurrecting a brand dominant in the 1980’s and 1990s. Thus, the return of “Must-See TV”. NBC released its fall schedule Sunday in advance of its upfront presentation, scheduled to take place Monday in New York, and the biggest news: […]