The Media Notepad: WGN-TV scores ratings win in gubernatorial debates

Pritzker, Bailey showdown tops time slot in viewers, demos  Chicago viewers obviously love their politics: according to Nielsen in a press release from Nexstar’s WGN-TV, the first of two Illinois gubernatorial debates between incumbent Democrat J.B. Pritzker and Republican Darren Bailey was a big local ratings hit on October 6, winning the 7-8 p.m. time period with an exact total […]

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 unveils 2013-14 schedule

After a season which went through extremes (first place in November 2012 in adults 18-49 to fifth in February 2013), NBC is completely overhauling its primetime slate in 2013-14, with eight new dramas, five new comedies, and three “alternative” reality series. The new schedule was announced Sunday afternoon, a day before NBC’s upfront presentation. Only eight series from this past season […]

A promo that takes you to the ’70’s

Check this out: A cool 1970’s-like promo for ABC’s upcoming crime drama Life On Mars, about a guy who wakes up one morning, and thinks it’s 1973. To see the clip, click here. The clip features ABC graphics and the “meatball” logo from the era, and even uses an Ernie Anderson-like voice to promote the show (Anderson, who did voiceover […]

"Ugly Betty’s" ratings get ugly

Trouble ahead: It looks like the party’s over for ABC’s Ugly Betty, as the series appears to heading for a ratings free fall. Last Thursday’s episode hit a season low, earning a 2.3 rating and 7 share in the Adults 18-49 money demo, and 7.9 million total viewers. The results were down 30 percent in total viewers and 35 percent […]