NBC Universal spinning off cable networks into new company

Cable networks such as USA Network and E! under new ownership by 2026  With the business in freefall, Comcast Corp. has decided to part ways with its cable networks.  As hinted a few weeks ago, Comcast announced Wednesday it is spinning off its cable networks from its NBCUniversal into a new company. Tentatively titled SpinCo (we hope it’s a temporary […]

The Media Notepad: Elon Musk wants to get rid of over-the-air TV

Plus, Chicago radio ratings, Comcast considering the sale or spinoff of cable channels, and the CW returns to a Cleveland station after Nexstar buys it  Elon Musk has finally expressed his thoughts on television, and he is not a fan. The South African billionaire who bought Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 blasted the major networks on his platform recently, […]

NBC, affiliates get ready for Paris Olympics

NBC 5 sends Alex Margos to cover games NBC and its more than 200 linear TV affiliates are getting ready for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France with the Opening Ceremonies beginning Friday afternoon with soccer and rugby getting a head start on Wednesday. Running through August 11, the games are also an opportunity for NBCUniversal’s streamer Peacock to gain […]

Netflix bodyslams competition to grab WWE Raw

Major acquisition is a game changer for streaming In a major move signaling a tremendous shift for streaming – and continued dominance over its studio peers for some time to come, Netflix and the WWE announced the company’s flagship Raw program will be moving to the streamer in January 2025 in a ten-year, $5 billion deal. This means Raw is […]

The WWE heads back to The CW with NXT

Five-year deal comes as Smackdown heads back to cable Finally….the WWE has come back to The CW! But it’s not the show you think. World Wrestling Entertainment announced Tuesday afternoon its NXT franchise, which showcases up-and-coming wrestling talent, is moving to The CW next fall after a long run at NBCUniversal’s USA Network, who’ll regain Smackdown this fall after five […]

Gentlemen, start your engines: The NASCAR Street Race descends on Chicago

First-ever street race a boon for the city, NBCUniversal looks to capitalize on unique event For the first time in a very long time, Chicago is hosting a NASCAR race within the city limits and it’s not at some race track – it’s the streets of downtown Chicago in the inaugural NASCAR Street Race.  Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot signed a […]

The Media Notepad: Former TV personalities have rough election night

Also: NASCAR Chicago race lines up radio, TV outlets;  Chicago’s Thanksgiving Parade returns to TV  It was not a great election night if you were a former television personality. Republican challenger Dr. Memhet Oz, who quit his daytime talk show to run for the U.S. Senate last year, lost to Pennsylvania Democratic challenger John Fetterman in a race where four […]

Nexstar and The CW: Where things stand now

  CW cancellations fuel speculation of deal forthcoming Five months ago, The CW – the joint venture between Warner Media (now Discovery Warner Bros.) and ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global), created by the merger of UPN and The  WB in 2006 was up for sale, with Irving, Tex.-based Nexstar the leading suitor.  So where does things stand now?  A glimpse of […]

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 […]

“WWE Smackdown” close to massive deal with Fox

Smackdown returns to broadcast TV AND Friday nights Further signaling a shift away from scripted fare, Fox is expected to land rights to WWE Smackdown, taking over the rights in October 2019. In addition, the series would return to Friday nights. Fox reportedly is paying one billion dollars in a five-year deal lasting through 2024. Fox pounced after NBCUniversal passed […]

TCA: NBC wraps up tour; places big bet on “Heroes: Reborn”

NBCUniversal wrapped up the last day of the 2015 TCA Press Tour, with panels for NBC and NBCU’s cable networks. Here are some selected panels that took place: NBCUniversal cable nets (USA/SyFy/CNBC) -USA Networks’ new Colony sounds like a ripoff of AMC’s new Fear Of The Walking Dead and CBS’ Under The Dome – apocalypse takes over Los Angeles with […]

TCA Summer Tour 2014: NBC

The broadcast network portion of the TCA 2014 began Sunday, and the tone of the press tour changed quite a bit – there was a little more bite in these sessions, as one journalist squared off with a star of a new show and the network entertainment chief whined why his network gets no love. – Executive session: NBC Entertainment […]

Bubble Bustin’ Friday

Over the last few years, the Friday before upfronts became quite crazy, with the announcement of pilot pickups – and a huge batch of cancellations. 2013 was no different: Friday afternoon and Friday evening with social media abuzz with the latest pickups and cancellations, as those “bubble shows” fate were finally decided. Well, the bubble burst for a whopping seventeen […]