The Media Notepad: MeTV scares up “BOOnanza” (updated)

Also: Jennifer Hudson’s local time slot set; and the Chicago Blackhawks name new analysts [Editor’s Note: The Blackhawks item has been updated with more information.]  If you are a fan of Svengoolie – and I know there are a lot of you out there, then you have a lot to celebrate this October. Weigel’s MeTV is turning the pumpkin month […]

Fox affiliates drift away from off-net sitcoms in early fringe and access

Yours truly had to do a double take when John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported last week that Fox affiliate WXIX-TV in Cincinnati was dumping off-network sitcoms Seinfeld and Family Guy for… Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy? It is indeed true – the Raycom-owned station in Cincinnati has purchased the older-skewing game shows for airing beginning in September 2012, […]

,NBC local stations on Leno: Flat is the new up

It appears Jay Leno’s new 9 p.m. (Central) show isn’t having the drag many affiliates feared it would have on their late local newscasts. While ratings in the key 25-54 audience were down 12 percent from NBC affiliates and O&Os, ratings declines were also clocked in at ABC and CBS stations as well. To sum it up – ratings for […]

"Wheel", "Jeopardy!" to WATL (It’s true)

In a move that may be related to WTBS changing its format and becoming WPCH-TV, a thread on Radio-Info’s Atlanta TV board is stating that Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, now currently airing on NBC affiliate WXIA-TV, is moving to sister station WATL-TV this fall. Both stations are owned by Gannett. WATL is scheduled to air the game shows between […]

Local news no longer feel for the drive at five

There is a notable trend of big-market television stations on the East Coast dropping news at 5 p.m. for syndicated fare. WPLG in Miami went to No.1 in the time period when it inserted Dr. Phil several years ago, and its 6 p.m. newscast got a boost, too. WXIA-TV in Atlanta also scored ratings success with a similar move. That […]