WMAQ-TV prepares for Chicago marathon

This story in TVNewsday (registration may be required) from Arthur Greenwald talks about how NBC-owned WMAQ-TV (NBC 5) is preparing for the upcoming Bank of America Chicago Marathon, which takes place on October 12. WMAQ gets the rights back from WBBM-TV, which held them for the last five years. The marathon (formerly the LaSalle Bank marathon until Bank of America […]

WLS sweeps May, but WMAQ shines in demos at 10

Staying on the subject of local news, it was a good May book for all of Chicago’s news outlets -(second item) despite the fact the networks lost audience share due to the after-effects of the recent writer’s strike with something for everyone to crow about: ABC-owned WLS-TV’s newscasts won the May sweeps in households (second item) – however, NBC-owned WMAQ-TV […]

WFLD to add 9 a.m. newscast?

Fox-owned WFLD-TV is once again considering expanding its news operation – this time to extend Good Day Chicago to 10 a.m. This comes as more and more stations are expanding local content to stay relevant as more and more viewers are getting their content from places other than traditional media sources. And WFLD is not the only ones thinking about […]

Larry Wert promoted (updated)

WMAQ-TV general manager Larry Wert has been promoted to president, Central and Western region, of the NBC Local Media Division. Among the stations Wert will be overseeing include WMAQ (which he’ll continue in his role as GM) and fellow NBC O&Os KNBC-TV Los Angeles, KXAS-TV Dallas, KNTV San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, and KNSD-TV San Diego. NBC also named a new GM […]

"Ellen" coming to town

The hokey daytime talk show will be in Chi-Town for one day during May sweeps, taping an episode on May 3. No word on any guests (forget Oprah and Jerry), but I’m certain a Chicago Cub or two may show up. The show is likely to tape at NBC Tower, given Ellen’s affiliate here (WMAQ-TV) airs the program at 3 […]

Brant Miller returns home

After the last few days, it’s great to announce a hiring for a change! WMAQ-TV meteorologist Brant Miller is returning to his roots at the frequency he used to work show. Miller has been hired as morning personality at Oldies outlet WZZN-FM (94.7) starting Monday, where he will hold down the 6 to 10 a.m. shift (Miller will continue in […]

WMAQ launches new local magazine

NBC-owned WMAQ-TV is launching a brand-new local magazine program to air after Saturday Night Live, beginning March 29. Titled 24/7, the new show is hosted by Catie Keogh and Billy Dec, and it features interviews with celebrities and local Chicagoans, providing “a fun, fresh approach to Chicago’s unique blend of urban liveliness and Midwest charm” (think 190 North crossed with […]

Warning: Local news shakeup ahead

A big news anchor shakeup is in the works at Chicago’s TV news stations. The ball got rolling last week when Mark Supplesa abruptly left WFLD-TV after rejecting a contract offer. In Feder’s column today, he put in all in perspective, with several high-profile names involved in play: – Diann Burns of WBBM-Channel 2 may lose her 10 p.m. anchor […]

Jacobson: "Law & Order" episode no laughing matter

An episode of tonight’s Law & Order: a reporter, looking to get to the bottom of a story regarding a man suspected of killing his wife, shows up at one point in the episode with a bathing suit on. Sounds familiar? To Amy Jacobson, it does. All too familiar, and she’s not pleased about it. Tonight L&O features Chicago native […]

"In the Loop" closes

The NBC-owned stations and iVillage has canceled the hour-long embarrassment that was In the Loop With iVillage, a daytime talk show taped at NBC Tower at 454 North Columbus Drive – not in the Loop , but on the city’s Gold Coast. The program will continue until March 28. No word on what WMAQ-TV will air in the 11 a.m. […]

Channel 5 to go all out on election night

NBC-owned WMAQ-TV plans to go all out on Super Tuesday primary night with comprehensive coverage on the station and on its’ website. The multi-platform plan go into action at 7 p.m. with coverage on WMAQ and real-time election updates on the station’s website, NBC5.com., with election coverage streamed on the web and on the station’s digital weather channel (WMAQ-DT 5.2.), […]

WMAQ hit with kids’ programming fine

Still on holiday, but this news is important since this involves FCC action against a local TV station: WMAQ-TV, owned by NBC Universal, was hit with a $10,000 fine from the Federal Communications Commission for failing to publicize the “existence and location” of its children’s TV programming reports. Click here for more details. Also on the FCC beat, former CBS […]

Syndication Notes

– Warner Bros. new Bonnie Hunt Show has cleared 55 percent of the country, including WMAQ-TV in Chicago for next fall. Click here for a station list. Station groups clearing include NBC, Hearst-Argyle, Gannett, Belo, Tribune, Fox, Clear Channel, Young, and several more. – Litton is syndicating two off-MTV shows – Pimp My Ride and Cribs to broadcast TV stations. […]

WBBM-TV continues to struggle in the ratings

This week’s issue of Crain’s Chicago Business details the continuing ratings struggle of CBS-owned WBBM-TV. Joe Ahern, who helped rocket competing WLS-TV into a ratings powerhouse in the ’80’s and ’90’s, is finding it a difficult task to repeat the same feat at WBBM. At issue is the station’s poorly-rated newscasts, which places behind not only ABC-owned WLS and NBC-owned […]