This Sam Zell video posted on Trib-owned Baltimore Sun’s website (click on “Sam 5” to see video) may hint at a possible affiliation switch for KSWB, going from CW to Fox (why are they still called KSWB to begin with?) So what happens to current Fox affiliate XETV based in nearby Tijuana, Mexico? It could be deja vu all over […]
– Wizards Rule: Disney-ABC Domestic Television has cleared Wizard’s First Rule in 84 percent of the country, including all top 50 markets, i.e., the 50 largest metro areas in the country – essentially making it a “firm go”. To see a complete list of station groups airing the show this fall, click here (locally, Wizard’s will air on WGN-TV.) This […]
The CW may be tanking, but Tribune’s WGN-TV is thriving – its morning show ranked number one in the daypart (second item), besting ABC-owned WLS-TV in the recently concluded February book from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. – though it tied WLS at 6 a.m. Meanwhile, not even the presence of American Idol and the Super Bowl has helped Fox-owned […]
Vinnie Malcolm is out as vice president and general manager of Tribune-owned KTLA in Los Angeles in the first series of changes expected under new Tribune station group head Ed Wilson. Like many other CW affiliates (with WGN in Chicago the notable exception),KTLA has struggled in the ratings, with its newscasts ranked behind Fox-owned rival KTTV, with some viewers moving […]
Syndication veteran Ed Wilson has been named the new president of Tribune Broadcasting. In his new role, Wilson will oversee Tribune’s 23 TV stations (including WGN-TV), as well as WGN Superstation, WGN Radio, and ad-sales company Tribune Entertainment. He comes over from Fox, where he was president of the network. Wilson began his career in sales at Viacom in 1980 […]
Here are your radio Fall Arbs (+12) for: Chicago Quick analysis: Tribune’s WGN is first, but stumbled. Clear Channel’s Urban Contemporary WGCI is back in second place, while sister Urban AC WVAZ fell from fifth place to eighth (they announced a huge schedule change today – more on that later, so watch the blog.) CC’s WLIT surged to fifth place*, […]
News Corp. had made good on its promise to sell eight of its Fox TV stations, and it did to the newly-formed Local TV group headed by private equity firm Oak Hill Partners for $1.1 billion. The proceeds from the sale gives News Corp. the cash it needs to purchase the Wall Street Journal. In a separate development, Tribune and […]
Interesting tidbits from the world of broadcast TV: – New Jersey residents aren’t happy with New York area WWOR-TV and accuse the Fox-owned station of backpeddling on its commitment of public service and giving the residents of the state the short shrift. WWOR is the only commercial VHF station in New Jersey. The FCC will hold a hearing tonight in […]
In the top 20 markets. And as predicted, all hell is breaking loose. Meanwhile, the Tribune co. may get short-term waivers to keep its TV stations and newspapers in Chicago and other markets.
Digital music video channel The Tube has ceased operations. The network, which was seen over WGN’s second digital channel here in Chicago, has been struggling financially since its launch. The Tube suffered a huge blow last year when original partner Sinclair Broadcasting pulled out over a dispute regarding three-hour FCC mandated children’s educational programming on the music channel. The Tube’s […]
Though not at the TCA Press Tour, two major syndicators have big news of their own: – As expected, NBC Universal has renewed Jerry Springer and Maury on the Tribune stations that currently carries them until 2010. Sinclair stations in Pittsburgh, Columbus (OH), and Cincinnati also renewed the duo. Separately, Maury was also renewed on Tribune’s WGN-TV in Chicago and […]
I decided to put the analysis of the Fox and CW schedules on this post instead of “burying” them after the announced fall schedules on separate posts. So here goes…. Fox: Because of post-season baseball and the return of American Idol and 24 in January, Fox’s schedule next season is separated into two parts, with an emphasis on midseason. The […]
All right, enough with Imus. We have some news on one of the best media personalities in Chicago (despite the fact he’s a Cub fan.) Bob Sirott, who currently co-anchors with Marion Brooks on WMAQ-TV’s 4:30 newscast, is returning to radio on a weekday basis – he’s landed a weekday gig at noon on WGN-AM, hosting a hour-long magazine show. […]
Arthur Greenwald of TVnewsday says that many ABC affiliates are passing up a chance to promote Dancing With the Stars locally. He compares the promo efforts of ABC-owned KABC-TV in Los Angeles, Tribune’s WGNO-TV in New Orleans, and Hearst-Argyle’s WTAE in Pittsburgh (which won in his book for its promo efforts over the Tribune station and the network O&O website.)
Before there was Fox vs. CNN, there was Fox vs. Tribune – a rivalry on the same level with the Bears vs. Packers, with both entities owning television stations in the top three markets. (Bill O’Reilly is no fan of the Tribune Co., occasionally blasting the company’s newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune – I wonder why he doesn’t blast its […]
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