The Chicago Tribune redesigned its paper yesterday, and it brought about as much excitement as another Oakland Raiders coaching change.
According to ChicagoBusiness.com, 72 percent of those polled by the site did not like the new look of the Tribune, while 81 percent said the new redesign made it no easier to find stories. (The comments section of the linked story have been mostly negative.) 60 percent of the respondents think the new design would actually make them cancel their subscriptions.
The new version of the paper is thinner and uses bigger photos on the front page and combines several sections into one. For example, you can find the Editorial pages and the Obituaries in the Business section.
The moves are being made to cut costs as the newspaper industry is being battered by declining ad revenue and circulation, as more and more readers are getting their news via the Internet.
Yours truly actually thought the redesign was pretty good, which now has more color illustrations and photos than the old version of the paper. But the elimination of pages and some sections (namely "Tempo") leaves little to be desired. And a story in Live! on Jerry Springer's talk show (which despite ultra-low ratings, somehow manages to stay on the air?) Come on Trib, this isn't 1998 - but at least it isn't another Oprah article...
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Mike North, Dan Jiggetts team up
The Monsters are back - this time on TV.
Former WSCR-AM sports stars Mike North and Dan Jiggetts are teaming up to launch a new morning talk show on Comcast SportsNet titled Monsters in the Morning, debuting on the regional sports network in January.
The program is scheduled to run from 6 to 9 a.m.
North and Jiggetts were paired together on WSCR for eight years with The Monsters in the Midday radio show. North left WSCR in a contract dispute this summer, while Jiggetts does Bears-related programming on CSN and part-time sports on Fox-owned WFLD-TV's newscasts.
Former WSCR-AM sports stars Mike North and Dan Jiggetts are teaming up to launch a new morning talk show on Comcast SportsNet titled Monsters in the Morning, debuting on the regional sports network in January.
The program is scheduled to run from 6 to 9 a.m.
North and Jiggetts were paired together on WSCR for eight years with The Monsters in the Midday radio show. North left WSCR in a contract dispute this summer, while Jiggetts does Bears-related programming on CSN and part-time sports on Fox-owned WFLD-TV's newscasts.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Stebics hit WBBM-TV with lawsuit
As what Amy Jacobson did a few weeks ago, the Stebic family has now followed "suit" with a suit of their own.
Craig Stebic and his family filed suit against CBS and its owned TV station here (WBBM-TV) and a couple of principals involved, including GM Joe Ahern and news director Carol Fowler. Also named in the suit was anchor Rob Johnson and reporter Alita Guillen.
Stebic's sister Jill (Webb) and her husband Robert filed suit in Cook County suit against the broadcaster for $40,000, charging the station has presented their relationship with former WMAQ-TV reporter Amy Jacobson was "false, malicious, and illegal" and also claimed the fiasco has suffered "severe emotional distress". The video created an impression that Jacobson and her children were attending a "pool party" at the Stebic house.
As you recall, on July 6, 2007, Jacobson appeared at the Stebic house to interview Craig Stebic about his missing wife, Lisa, which many suspect he had a hand in. Jacobson appeared at the Stebic house in a bikini - which was secretly videotaped by a neighbor and handed over to WBBM-TV, which aired the footage. Jacobson was subsequently fired from WMAQ.
So they're suing The Church of Tisch for only $40,000? That amount won't even cover their house payment. But it more than covers minister Ahern's marble showers and expensive lunches. If CBS is liable, look for The Church of Tisch to ask their congregation for another "mandatory donation".
The T Dog Media Blog Archive: What was she thinking?
T Dog's Think Tank: Local media blows it again
Craig Stebic and his family filed suit against CBS and its owned TV station here (WBBM-TV) and a couple of principals involved, including GM Joe Ahern and news director Carol Fowler. Also named in the suit was anchor Rob Johnson and reporter Alita Guillen.
Stebic's sister Jill (Webb) and her husband Robert filed suit in Cook County suit against the broadcaster for $40,000, charging the station has presented their relationship with former WMAQ-TV reporter Amy Jacobson was "false, malicious, and illegal" and also claimed the fiasco has suffered "severe emotional distress". The video created an impression that Jacobson and her children were attending a "pool party" at the Stebic house.
As you recall, on July 6, 2007, Jacobson appeared at the Stebic house to interview Craig Stebic about his missing wife, Lisa, which many suspect he had a hand in. Jacobson appeared at the Stebic house in a bikini - which was secretly videotaped by a neighbor and handed over to WBBM-TV, which aired the footage. Jacobson was subsequently fired from WMAQ.
So they're suing The Church of Tisch for only $40,000? That amount won't even cover their house payment. But it more than covers minister Ahern's marble showers and expensive lunches. If CBS is liable, look for The Church of Tisch to ask their congregation for another "mandatory donation".
The T Dog Media Blog Archive: What was she thinking?
T Dog's Think Tank: Local media blows it again
Friday, September 26, 2008
"Do Not Disturb" checks out
If you had Do Not Disturb in your pool as the first program to be canceled this new season, you win! Fox officially dropped the Faulty Towers rip-off after three episodes. The program starred Jerry O'Connell and Niecy Nash (and where do outlandishly bad TV shows go when they are canceled? They head to The T Dog Media Blog TV Hall of Shame!)
For comparison's sake, let's look back at 1978. Back then not one, but two sitcoms were practically tied with each other as the season's first fatalities. NBC canceled The Waverly Wonders after three episodes, which featured Joe Namath as a high school basketball coach who led his hapless team to defeat every week (much like in the ratings.) Meanwhile, ABC pulled the plug on Apple Pie at the same time. It was a sitcom set in 1933 Kansas City featuring Rue McClanahan as a woman who wants a family. So what does she do? She places an ad in the classifieds. Don't ask what she ended up with. Like Wonders, Pie also lasted three episodes.
Here's another sitcom stinker yours truly remembers because he actually watched it - The Trouble With Larry, a forgettable 1993 CBS sitcom with Bronson Pinchot and Courtney Cox. It too lasted three episodes.
And you thought sitcoms have changed in thirty years.
For comparison's sake, let's look back at 1978. Back then not one, but two sitcoms were practically tied with each other as the season's first fatalities. NBC canceled The Waverly Wonders after three episodes, which featured Joe Namath as a high school basketball coach who led his hapless team to defeat every week (much like in the ratings.) Meanwhile, ABC pulled the plug on Apple Pie at the same time. It was a sitcom set in 1933 Kansas City featuring Rue McClanahan as a woman who wants a family. So what does she do? She places an ad in the classifieds. Don't ask what she ended up with. Like Wonders, Pie also lasted three episodes.
Here's another sitcom stinker yours truly remembers because he actually watched it - The Trouble With Larry, a forgettable 1993 CBS sitcom with Bronson Pinchot and Courtney Cox. It too lasted three episodes.
And you thought sitcoms have changed in thirty years.
Spike O'Dell exits WGN-AM
It was speculated in July, it's now official: Spike O'Dell is leaving WGN-AM morning drive effective at the end of the year. No word on a replacement, but there is speculation WGN may hire two people to replace Spike O'Dell next January.
Like his predecessors (Wally Phillips and Bob Collins), Spike O'Dell's has owned WGN's morning slot in Chicago, finishing first in every book.
Like his predecessors (Wally Phillips and Bob Collins), Spike O'Dell's has owned WGN's morning slot in Chicago, finishing first in every book.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
T Dog's Groovy Grab Bag
- NBC's new remake of Knight Rider couldn't start the car with a lackluster third place finish in adults 18-49. Maybe they should have remade My Mother, the Car instead? (Oh God, no!)
- Oxygen has acquired the exclusive cable rights to reruns of America's Next Top Model, currently on MTV. The move takes place in January, when the show begins its second cable cycle.
- Remember earlier when yours truly said David Letterman hasn't been funny in the last twelve years? It looks like the streak has been broken. Wow, what a rant! And he goes after him again on Thursday! Right on, Dave. Who does McCain think he is? Jay Mariotti?
- An article about Lisa Simpson saving the environment. When she talks about pollution, you think she's referring to rival Family Guy?
- Important news here: WGN-AM and the Chicago Tribune are hosting a live, two-hour special live on the station this Friday regarding the current financial crisis. Titled "Your Voice, Your Money", WGN host John Williams and a panel of financial experts talk about what the current crisis means for you. Listeners can submit their questions to johnwilliams@wgnradio.com. The special runs from Noon to 2 p.m. on WGN and shown live on the station's website.
- Oxygen has acquired the exclusive cable rights to reruns of America's Next Top Model, currently on MTV. The move takes place in January, when the show begins its second cable cycle.
- Remember earlier when yours truly said David Letterman hasn't been funny in the last twelve years? It looks like the streak has been broken. Wow, what a rant! And he goes after him again on Thursday! Right on, Dave. Who does McCain think he is? Jay Mariotti?
- An article about Lisa Simpson saving the environment. When she talks about pollution, you think she's referring to rival Family Guy?
- Important news here: WGN-AM and the Chicago Tribune are hosting a live, two-hour special live on the station this Friday regarding the current financial crisis. Titled "Your Voice, Your Money", WGN host John Williams and a panel of financial experts talk about what the current crisis means for you. Listeners can submit their questions to johnwilliams@wgnradio.com. The special runs from Noon to 2 p.m. on WGN and shown live on the station's website.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
More on Feder's departure
- In today's column, Feder posts the letters reacting to his departure. Among those paying their tributes include Jay Marvin, former Chicago newsman Jim Ruddle, Sun-Times and Electronic Media (now TV Week) alumnus P.J. Bednarski, and former WBBM-FM radio personality Terry Foxx.
- Larz has a very thoughtful tribute to Feder on his Chicagoland Radio and Media blog. A very good read- check it out.
- Carol Marin also pays tribute to Feder in the Sun-Times today. It's a very intersting article as she notes about how Feder replaced Gary Deeb (another one of my influnces) on the media beat at the Sun-Times. Deeb (or "dweeb" as some would call him) went on to do commentaries and media reports for WLS-TV in the mid-1980's.
- Larz has a very thoughtful tribute to Feder on his Chicagoland Radio and Media blog. A very good read- check it out.
- Carol Marin also pays tribute to Feder in the Sun-Times today. It's a very intersting article as she notes about how Feder replaced Gary Deeb (another one of my influnces) on the media beat at the Sun-Times. Deeb (or "dweeb" as some would call him) went on to do commentaries and media reports for WLS-TV in the mid-1980's.
WGN-TV names new GM
And her name is Marty Wilkes and as of today, she loses the "interim" part of her title as vice president and general manager of WGN-TV, Tribune's CW affiliate here in Chicago. Wilkes succeeds Tom Elhamnn, who left for a similar gig at NBC-owned KXAS-TV in Dallas.
Wilkes has been at WGN since 1996, rising to local sales manager in 2001 and received another promotion in 2002 when she became director of sales.
Recently, Wilkes oversaw WGN's news expansion to 11:30 a.m. and to 5:30 p.m.
Wilkes has been at WGN since 1996, rising to local sales manager in 2001 and received another promotion in 2002 when she became director of sales.
Recently, Wilkes oversaw WGN's news expansion to 11:30 a.m. and to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
More on "Dr. Oz"
In the same Feder column from today, Fox-owned WFLD-TV (as well as WNYW-TV in New York and KTTV in Los Angeles) have purchased Dr. Oz from Sony Pictures Television for next fall. WFLD plans to air the show at 4 p.m. as a lead-in to a planned 5 p.m. newscast that could also launch next fall. Oz would replace syndicated repeats of Cops and King of the Hill, which currently occupy the hour.
WFLD has been talking about an early fringe newscast basically forever - only to see WGN-TV beat them to it by launching a 5:30 p.m. news show earlier this month.
WFLD has been talking about an early fringe newscast basically forever - only to see WGN-TV beat them to it by launching a 5:30 p.m. news show earlier this month.
Robert Feder to step down (updated)
I was stunned and a bit saddened when I read that Robert Feder was stepping down from his longtime position on the TV/Radio beat after 28 years at the Chicago Sun-Times to take a buyout. The Sun-Times offered employees who worked there more than 25 years a full year of pay and benefits and Feder took them up on the offer.
Feder, along with Marc Berman of Mediaweek and Aaron Barnhart of the Kansas City Star and TV Barn, are always must-reads for me every day and all three have profound influences on me and this blog basically because of their vast knowledge of the media business.
I've been reading Feder since I was eleven and his column was always the first I would read when I picked up the Sun-Times. Feder extensively covered local radio and television in a unique way. Though some didn't like his assessment of the industry (including some anchors, radio personalities, executives, and so forth), and I sometimes disagreed with him on a few issues, Feder was always honest and fair - and he told it like it was.
One of my favorite columns I would look forward to was his year-end roundup of radio and TV. It contained some rather wild items, including two from 1986 in which Joe Ahern (then GM of WLS-TV) was called a "cross-dresser" and a "Nazi" by Joan Rivers after he canceled her appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show and a former salesman from NBC affiliate KING-TV in Seattle drove his car through the station's front doors - which was done earlier by a disgruntled job applicant.
One thing he admitted in his column today is the media business hasn't been fun to cover lately (especially radio), and the cutbacks in the newspaper industry has hurt the viability of those who cover the TV/radio beat, as some papers have axed it. If you've noticed, television critics have vanished from newspapers in Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Phoenix, Indianapolis, and Las Vegas, among others.
Feder basically provided insight into local radio and television stations and into local media personalities like no one else could. It was a dream of his to cover the industry he has religiously followed since childhood, and his columns have helped me gained an understanding of what goes on in this business as well as a look into the inner workings of radio and television - an interest this media geek has had since I was little. If it wasn't for his columns - this blog and my interest in media - wouldn't exist. Chicago was fortunate to have Feder on the media beat.
The only thing left to say to Rob Feder is: Thank you for having a great influence on my interest in radio and television. It's going to strange not reading your column every Tuesday through Friday morning. You will be missed.
Robert Feder. A class act all the way.
Updated 11:50 p.m. on 2008-09-24
Feder, along with Marc Berman of Mediaweek and Aaron Barnhart of the Kansas City Star and TV Barn, are always must-reads for me every day and all three have profound influences on me and this blog basically because of their vast knowledge of the media business.
I've been reading Feder since I was eleven and his column was always the first I would read when I picked up the Sun-Times. Feder extensively covered local radio and television in a unique way. Though some didn't like his assessment of the industry (including some anchors, radio personalities, executives, and so forth), and I sometimes disagreed with him on a few issues, Feder was always honest and fair - and he told it like it was.
One of my favorite columns I would look forward to was his year-end roundup of radio and TV. It contained some rather wild items, including two from 1986 in which Joe Ahern (then GM of WLS-TV) was called a "cross-dresser" and a "Nazi" by Joan Rivers after he canceled her appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show and a former salesman from NBC affiliate KING-TV in Seattle drove his car through the station's front doors - which was done earlier by a disgruntled job applicant.
One thing he admitted in his column today is the media business hasn't been fun to cover lately (especially radio), and the cutbacks in the newspaper industry has hurt the viability of those who cover the TV/radio beat, as some papers have axed it. If you've noticed, television critics have vanished from newspapers in Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Phoenix, Indianapolis, and Las Vegas, among others.
Feder basically provided insight into local radio and television stations and into local media personalities like no one else could. It was a dream of his to cover the industry he has religiously followed since childhood, and his columns have helped me gained an understanding of what goes on in this business as well as a look into the inner workings of radio and television - an interest this media geek has had since I was little. If it wasn't for his columns - this blog and my interest in media - wouldn't exist. Chicago was fortunate to have Feder on the media beat.
The only thing left to say to Rob Feder is: Thank you for having a great influence on my interest in radio and television. It's going to strange not reading your column every Tuesday through Friday morning. You will be missed.
Robert Feder. A class act all the way.
Updated 11:50 p.m. on 2008-09-24
Monday, September 22, 2008
Who's in your four, Edition 6
This is retroactive to last week (I'll post this week's edition on Friday), so here it goes:
T Dog's Fabulous Four
- The Insider cans Pat O'Brien. He was fired after sending e-mails to staffers at the show and Entertainment Tonight, criticizing the programs. O' Brien, who was demoted to special correspondent for this season after a stint in rehab for alcohol abuse, was in Iowa and met fans who were more worried about the high prices of food and gas, and ripped Insider host Lara Spencer for "pick(ing) out accessories that makes the viewers want to vomit."
While all of that is true, he rips the business he steadily took a paycheck from for the last eleven years. What a hypocrite. Maybe he should send all the money he earned hosting those entertainment-based shows over the years back.
Of course, his e-mails also got him in hot water at Access: Hollywood, where he ripped correspondent Shauna Robinson in an e-mail. A tip for Pat: lay off the e-mails.
- The Chicago Tribune and Jay Mariotti DO NOT come to a deal. Let me get this straight... Mariotti left the Sun-Times because "newspapers were sinking", but was in negotiations with the Trib? More proof Mariotti is a fraud and a liar. And shame on Deadspin for passing this off nearly as fact. Yeah, the Internet fits very well for Mr. Scumbag.
- Fox's Tuesday Night. Fox now has a powerhouse on Tuesday nights when American Idol isn't on. Last week, Fringe held on to its viewers from its premiere, thanks in art to its lead-in, the newly relocated House. But what happens when Idol returns in January? One of those shows moves to Wednesdays to pair up with Bones. Bye-bye, Til Death and Do Not Disturb.
- Carlos Zambrano. His no-hitter on September 14 brought the Cubs a ratings winner for WGN-TV and the first no-hitter for a Cub since Milt Pappas did it in '72.
T Dog's Flopulous Four
- McCain's campaign reaction to the Palin's SNL skit. The opening sketch ran on the Sept. 13 edition of Saturday Night Live, and they slammed it as sexist. More proof that some Repubs have no sense of humor.
- Letterman wants to stay past 2010. And after late-night rival Jay Leno exits next year (by force.) The problem is, Letterman stopped being funny 12 years ago.
- The Boston Globe. For publishing this inane article from a "columnist" on why more people weren't outraged over the oral sex scene in the 90210 premiere. Maybe because we're more concerned about the high price of food and gas, as well as the crisis on Wall Street. Idiot.
- Who's F*****' Who. Sarah Silverman's and Matt Damon's very overrated Internet video card to Silverman's then-boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel won an Emmy at the Creative Arts portion of the award show (which took place Sept. 13.) What's next, an Emmy for "Jackass"?
Remember, look for "Who's in your four" again on Friday, and yes, the Primetime Emmys are going to be mentioned...
T Dog's Fabulous Four
- The Insider cans Pat O'Brien. He was fired after sending e-mails to staffers at the show and Entertainment Tonight, criticizing the programs. O' Brien, who was demoted to special correspondent for this season after a stint in rehab for alcohol abuse, was in Iowa and met fans who were more worried about the high prices of food and gas, and ripped Insider host Lara Spencer for "pick(ing) out accessories that makes the viewers want to vomit."
While all of that is true, he rips the business he steadily took a paycheck from for the last eleven years. What a hypocrite. Maybe he should send all the money he earned hosting those entertainment-based shows over the years back.
Of course, his e-mails also got him in hot water at Access: Hollywood, where he ripped correspondent Shauna Robinson in an e-mail. A tip for Pat: lay off the e-mails.
- The Chicago Tribune and Jay Mariotti DO NOT come to a deal. Let me get this straight... Mariotti left the Sun-Times because "newspapers were sinking", but was in negotiations with the Trib? More proof Mariotti is a fraud and a liar. And shame on Deadspin for passing this off nearly as fact. Yeah, the Internet fits very well for Mr. Scumbag.
- Fox's Tuesday Night. Fox now has a powerhouse on Tuesday nights when American Idol isn't on. Last week, Fringe held on to its viewers from its premiere, thanks in art to its lead-in, the newly relocated House. But what happens when Idol returns in January? One of those shows moves to Wednesdays to pair up with Bones. Bye-bye, Til Death and Do Not Disturb.
- Carlos Zambrano. His no-hitter on September 14 brought the Cubs a ratings winner for WGN-TV and the first no-hitter for a Cub since Milt Pappas did it in '72.
T Dog's Flopulous Four
- McCain's campaign reaction to the Palin's SNL skit. The opening sketch ran on the Sept. 13 edition of Saturday Night Live, and they slammed it as sexist. More proof that some Repubs have no sense of humor.
- Letterman wants to stay past 2010. And after late-night rival Jay Leno exits next year (by force.) The problem is, Letterman stopped being funny 12 years ago.
- The Boston Globe. For publishing this inane article from a "columnist" on why more people weren't outraged over the oral sex scene in the 90210 premiere. Maybe because we're more concerned about the high price of food and gas, as well as the crisis on Wall Street. Idiot.
- Who's F*****' Who. Sarah Silverman's and Matt Damon's very overrated Internet video card to Silverman's then-boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel won an Emmy at the Creative Arts portion of the award show (which took place Sept. 13.) What's next, an Emmy for "Jackass"?
Remember, look for "Who's in your four" again on Friday, and yes, the Primetime Emmys are going to be mentioned...
Sunday, September 21, 2008
"Mad Men", "30 Rock" wins Emmys
How about this for anti-climatic: As expected, both Mad Men and 30 Rock took home Emmys for best drama and comedy, respectively (really, do you think Two and a Half Men was going to win? Ha!)
And the idea for five people to host the Emmys... don't let it happen ever again. The opening was absolutely atrocious. They said they had "nothing", which pretty much described the opening skit.
HBO took home the most trophies with ten. Fox left with just one, while The CW was shut out for the second straight year.
Don Rickles wins an Emmy! Don Rickles 1, The CW, 0.
But they gave that stupid "I'm F*** Matt Damon" clip an Emmy? (they actually awarded it at the Creative Arts Emmys) Hell, they would've been better off giving Jim Belushi an award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series. Almost.
For the complete list of winners, click here.
And the idea for five people to host the Emmys... don't let it happen ever again. The opening was absolutely atrocious. They said they had "nothing", which pretty much described the opening skit.
HBO took home the most trophies with ten. Fox left with just one, while The CW was shut out for the second straight year.
Don Rickles wins an Emmy! Don Rickles 1, The CW, 0.
But they gave that stupid "I'm F*** Matt Damon" clip an Emmy? (they actually awarded it at the Creative Arts Emmys) Hell, they would've been better off giving Jim Belushi an award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series. Almost.
For the complete list of winners, click here.
Friday, September 19, 2008
"Dr. Oz" heads to WFLD
It's a home run by the Wizard!
Sony Pictures Television had the heart, the courage, and the brains - to clear Harpo Productions' new syndicated Dr. Oz in fourteen markets, including Fox-owned WFLD-TV in Chicago.
No word yet on a time period, but the program could wind up in a late morning time slot, possibly as a lead-out of The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet, or even an early afternoon slot on sis station WPWR-TV.
The show stars Dr. Memhet Oz, whose appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show boosted her program's ratings every time he's on.
This is Harpo's first production with another syndicator outside CBS Television Distribution and predecessor King World, where Oprah Winfrey has been with since the launch of her talk show in 1986. CBS launched a similar program in The Doctors two weeks ago. The program is produced by Jay McGraw, who is the son of Dr. Phil McGraw - whose made appearances on Oprah prior to 2002, when he got own his talk show - co-produced by Harpo.
In addition to WFLD, Sony cleared the show on Fox's New York (WNYW/WWOR) and Los Angeles stations (KTTV/KCOP) as well, and eleven other stations in the top twenty markets.
Oz marks the first project for fall 2009 to officially announce station clearances.
Sony Pictures Television had the heart, the courage, and the brains - to clear Harpo Productions' new syndicated Dr. Oz in fourteen markets, including Fox-owned WFLD-TV in Chicago.
No word yet on a time period, but the program could wind up in a late morning time slot, possibly as a lead-out of The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet, or even an early afternoon slot on sis station WPWR-TV.
The show stars Dr. Memhet Oz, whose appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show boosted her program's ratings every time he's on.
This is Harpo's first production with another syndicator outside CBS Television Distribution and predecessor King World, where Oprah Winfrey has been with since the launch of her talk show in 1986. CBS launched a similar program in The Doctors two weeks ago. The program is produced by Jay McGraw, who is the son of Dr. Phil McGraw - whose made appearances on Oprah prior to 2002, when he got own his talk show - co-produced by Harpo.
In addition to WFLD, Sony cleared the show on Fox's New York (WNYW/WWOR) and Los Angeles stations (KTTV/KCOP) as well, and eleven other stations in the top twenty markets.
Oz marks the first project for fall 2009 to officially announce station clearances.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
First week of new syndie fare in the books
The new five first-run strips debuting in syndication last week entered the new world of expectations - holding the lead-in and at least matching the year-ago time period share.
The five programs are Deal or No Deal from NBC Universal Television Distribution; The Doctors from CBS Television Distribution; Family Court with Judge Penny from Program Partners; The Bonnie Hunt Show from Warner Bros.; and Judge Karen from Sony Pictures Television.
Courtesy of both TV Week and Marc Berman's Programming Insider from Mediaweek, here are the week one results:
Sources: TV Week, PI Feedback.com, Nielsen
Of the five, The Doctors has the best stories, since the program debuted with the highest rating and is winning a handful of timeslots in several cities; on the other hand, its 9 a.m. clearance in New York on WCBS-TV isn't helping the show's ratings much; Deal's ratings seems to be doing well on the nine NBC O&O stations that carry it (especially at KNBC-TV in Los Angeles); but the program has an unconventional time period clearance in St. Louis (10 p.m. on KDNL-TV) against local news; Bonnie Hunt isn't doing well in the top markets (including her hometown of Chicago), but retains its lead-in in key female demos; Judge Karen is off to a roaring start here (at WCIU-TV) but sputtering in L.A. (at weak UHF indie KDOC -TV, where it's a point away from a hashmark); and Family Court is settling in well at a few stations, but could suffer when the national ratings come out because of its lack of clearances in other major markets.
Starting Monday (Sept. 22), Debmar-Mercury's Tyler Perry's House of Payne enters syndication, as does the company's new game show Trivial Pursuit: America Plays while Litton's Punk'd (from MTV) enters the following week (Sept. 29.)
The five programs are Deal or No Deal from NBC Universal Television Distribution; The Doctors from CBS Television Distribution; Family Court with Judge Penny from Program Partners; The Bonnie Hunt Show from Warner Bros.; and Judge Karen from Sony Pictures Television.
Courtesy of both TV Week and Marc Berman's Programming Insider from Mediaweek, here are the week one results:
| Show | RTG/SHR w/o 9-8 | Lead-in | TP Avg 9/07 |
| Bonnie Hunt | 1.0/3 | 1.3/5 | 1.1/4 |
| Doctors | 1.4/4 | 1.7/5 | 1.8/5 |
| Deal or No Deal | 1.2/3 | 1.3/3 | 1.3/3 |
| Family Court | 0.8/3 | 0.8/3 | 0.8/3 |
| Judge Karen | 0.9/3 | 0.9/3 | 1.0/3 |
Sources: TV Week, PI Feedback.com, Nielsen
Of the five, The Doctors has the best stories, since the program debuted with the highest rating and is winning a handful of timeslots in several cities; on the other hand, its 9 a.m. clearance in New York on WCBS-TV isn't helping the show's ratings much; Deal's ratings seems to be doing well on the nine NBC O&O stations that carry it (especially at KNBC-TV in Los Angeles); but the program has an unconventional time period clearance in St. Louis (10 p.m. on KDNL-TV) against local news; Bonnie Hunt isn't doing well in the top markets (including her hometown of Chicago), but retains its lead-in in key female demos; Judge Karen is off to a roaring start here (at WCIU-TV) but sputtering in L.A. (at weak UHF indie KDOC -TV, where it's a point away from a hashmark); and Family Court is settling in well at a few stations, but could suffer when the national ratings come out because of its lack of clearances in other major markets.
Starting Monday (Sept. 22), Debmar-Mercury's Tyler Perry's House of Payne enters syndication, as does the company's new game show Trivial Pursuit: America Plays while Litton's Punk'd (from MTV) enters the following week (Sept. 29.)
The Church of Tisch's new digs
The Chicago Chapter of The Church of Tisch opens its new location on Monday.
CBS-owned WBBM-TV opens its new "block 37" location in the loop on Monday, a new broadcast facility with its newscasts broadcast in HD. The new 22 West Washington St. location is dubbed "Heart of Chicago". Sun-Times columnist Rob Feder noted today he didn't get an invitation to come to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, mainly because of his constant bashing of the station's general manager, Joe Ahern (don't feel bad, Mr. Feder.. I'm just as critical of the guy and I didn't get one, either... Not that I ever wanted to go...)
A special showcasting the new HD facility titled - you guessed it - Heart of Chicago, airs Sunday at 6 a.m., 1 p.m., and 10:35 p.m. on Channel 2, giving you three chances to ignore it.
The Rev. Les Moonves may be in town Monday to preside over the service - I mean, the ribbon-cutting ceremony. A mandatory donation is being collected during the homily by head ushers Dawn Ostroff and Katie Couric. If you plan to attend, you'd better give - or they'll shake you down. Hard. After all, somebody's got to pay for Mr. Ahern's marble showers and expensive lunches.
After all, The Church of Tisch is in "The Heart of Chicago".
CBS-owned WBBM-TV opens its new "block 37" location in the loop on Monday, a new broadcast facility with its newscasts broadcast in HD. The new 22 West Washington St. location is dubbed "Heart of Chicago". Sun-Times columnist Rob Feder noted today he didn't get an invitation to come to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, mainly because of his constant bashing of the station's general manager, Joe Ahern (don't feel bad, Mr. Feder.. I'm just as critical of the guy and I didn't get one, either... Not that I ever wanted to go...)
A special showcasting the new HD facility titled - you guessed it - Heart of Chicago, airs Sunday at 6 a.m., 1 p.m., and 10:35 p.m. on Channel 2, giving you three chances to ignore it.
The Rev. Les Moonves may be in town Monday to preside over the service - I mean, the ribbon-cutting ceremony. A mandatory donation is being collected during the homily by head ushers Dawn Ostroff and Katie Couric. If you plan to attend, you'd better give - or they'll shake you down. Hard. After all, somebody's got to pay for Mr. Ahern's marble showers and expensive lunches.
After all, The Church of Tisch is in "The Heart of Chicago".
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
"Mother" sold to WFLD and WPWR
Twentieth Television has sold off-network repeats of How I Met Your Mother to the WFLD/WPWR duopoly in Chicago beginning in fall 2010. The CBS comedy has been on the air since 2005, and has seen its ratings rise this past season as part of the network's Monday night lineup.
WFLD/WPWR has already picked up The Office for next fall.
In addition to WFLD/WPWR, Twentieth has sold Mother to sister Fox stations WNYW/WWOR in New York and KTTV/KCOP in Los Angeles.
Other clearances include WPSG-TV Philadelphia, WSBK-TV Boston, and KTXA-TV in Dallas - all CBS-owned (but not affiliated) stations. Hearst-Argyle's KQCA-TV in Sacramento-Stockon, Calif. has also picked up the show.
Meanwhile, here's an interview with one of the stars of the show, Dr. Horrible and Doggie Howser himself, Neil Patrick Harris.
WFLD/WPWR has already picked up The Office for next fall.
In addition to WFLD/WPWR, Twentieth has sold Mother to sister Fox stations WNYW/WWOR in New York and KTTV/KCOP in Los Angeles.
Other clearances include WPSG-TV Philadelphia, WSBK-TV Boston, and KTXA-TV in Dallas - all CBS-owned (but not affiliated) stations. Hearst-Argyle's KQCA-TV in Sacramento-Stockon, Calif. has also picked up the show.
Meanwhile, here's an interview with one of the stars of the show, Dr. Horrible and Doggie Howser himself, Neil Patrick Harris.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
T Dog's Groovy Grab Bag
Another installment in the Groovy Grab Bag - let's see what's in the sack:
- WGN-TV announced it was re-airing the Carlos Zambrano no-hitter on Friday night at 10 p.m. on WGN and WGN America. Zambrano no-hit the Houston Astros Sunday night in Milwaukee in a game moved from Houston because of Hurricane Ike. Zambrano became the first Cubs pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Milt Pappas did it in 1972.
- MTV has pulled the plug on early fringe staple Total Request Live after ten years. Wait, was this show still on the air?
- Viewers hate the new Bens on Disney-ABC's At the Movies. No surprise there...
- Feder's pissed! In a story today regarding Westwood One's cutbacks to Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcast Services (the ones who provide radio stations with traffic reports and more) resulting in the loss of 300 jobs - including five here locally, Feder referred to the people doing the slashing as "the idiots who ruined radio."
And yes, these are the same type of idiots who ruined television and other forms of media as well. You can't continuously cut and slash your way to profitability. And how long has that been going on?
- WGN-TV announced it was re-airing the Carlos Zambrano no-hitter on Friday night at 10 p.m. on WGN and WGN America. Zambrano no-hit the Houston Astros Sunday night in Milwaukee in a game moved from Houston because of Hurricane Ike. Zambrano became the first Cubs pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Milt Pappas did it in 1972.
- MTV has pulled the plug on early fringe staple Total Request Live after ten years. Wait, was this show still on the air?
- Viewers hate the new Bens on Disney-ABC's At the Movies. No surprise there...
- Feder's pissed! In a story today regarding Westwood One's cutbacks to Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcast Services (the ones who provide radio stations with traffic reports and more) resulting in the loss of 300 jobs - including five here locally, Feder referred to the people doing the slashing as "the idiots who ruined radio."
And yes, these are the same type of idiots who ruined television and other forms of media as well. You can't continuously cut and slash your way to profitability. And how long has that been going on?
Denver, St. Louis stations combine operations
Local TV and Tribune Broadcasting have agreed to combine operations and certain programming under a plan to reduce overhead expenses with their respective TV stations in St. Louis and Denver, in which is being called a "virtual duopoly".
St. Louis' KPLR (CW) and KTVI (Fox) are combining operations in their market, as is Denver's KDVR (Fox) and KWGN (CW.) KPLR and KWGN are both owned by Tribune; KDVR and KTVI are owned by Local TV - both are former Fox O&O's.
Unlike regular duopolies, where one company owns two stations in the same market, this unique arrangement features two companies running their stations in a "co-op" fashion.
The agreement means in St. Louis, KTVI will be moving into KPLR's headquarters, while in Denver, KWGN moves into KDVR's pad.
The moves also means shared news resources for all stations involved, including Denver stations competing with each other in several time periods. However, management and other staff are being paired down: KDVR's Dennis Leonard will oversee both stations in Denver (KWGN's GM Jim Zerwekh is leaving the station). No word yet on any management changes in St. Louis.
This comes as no surprise: already, Local TV and Tribune are sharing back-end corporate, administrative, and engineering functions in a deal announced last year by current Tribune Chief Operating Officer Randy Michaels - who used to be the Chief Executive Officer at Local TV. There was some talk about the stations in Denver and St. Louis combining forces.
There are no affiliate swaps being planned at this time. In the 1990's, Fox tried to affiliate with KWGN twice, but to no avail. In 1995, KTVI - then owned by New World Television - dropped its ABC affiliation to join Fox along with eleven other New World stations. Fox bought KTVI in 1997, but sold it and seven other stations to Local TV.
Overheard: From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch comment board on this story:
"Have you ever seen a WGN news cast? St. Louis doesn't have the resources to be that bad."
Then this guy hasn't seen WBBM-TV's or WFLD-TV's newscasts...
St. Louis' KPLR (CW) and KTVI (Fox) are combining operations in their market, as is Denver's KDVR (Fox) and KWGN (CW.) KPLR and KWGN are both owned by Tribune; KDVR and KTVI are owned by Local TV - both are former Fox O&O's.
Unlike regular duopolies, where one company owns two stations in the same market, this unique arrangement features two companies running their stations in a "co-op" fashion.
The agreement means in St. Louis, KTVI will be moving into KPLR's headquarters, while in Denver, KWGN moves into KDVR's pad.
The moves also means shared news resources for all stations involved, including Denver stations competing with each other in several time periods. However, management and other staff are being paired down: KDVR's Dennis Leonard will oversee both stations in Denver (KWGN's GM Jim Zerwekh is leaving the station). No word yet on any management changes in St. Louis.
This comes as no surprise: already, Local TV and Tribune are sharing back-end corporate, administrative, and engineering functions in a deal announced last year by current Tribune Chief Operating Officer Randy Michaels - who used to be the Chief Executive Officer at Local TV. There was some talk about the stations in Denver and St. Louis combining forces.
There are no affiliate swaps being planned at this time. In the 1990's, Fox tried to affiliate with KWGN twice, but to no avail. In 1995, KTVI - then owned by New World Television - dropped its ABC affiliation to join Fox along with eleven other New World stations. Fox bought KTVI in 1997, but sold it and seven other stations to Local TV.
Overheard: From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch comment board on this story:
"Have you ever seen a WGN news cast? St. Louis doesn't have the resources to be that bad."
Then this guy hasn't seen WBBM-TV's or WFLD-TV's newscasts...
Monday, September 15, 2008
Smiley's successor found
No, this isn't a replay of Saturday's post regarding Roland Martin, but the Tom Joyner Morning Show has found its successor to departed commentator Tavis Smiley. Make that two successors.
Because of fan voting that left the contest between Jeff Johnson and Stephanie Robinson practically tied, TJMS has decided to bring both on as commentators.
This comes after Friday's announcement of Roland Martin of WVON-AM being tapped to provide commentaries for the show.
Even though TJMS held a contest to replace Tavis Smiley (who left the program last spring after listeners complained about his harsh criticism of Barack Obama), Martin essentially replaces Smiley in this role because his name recognition is on the same level as Smiley's, since he appears reguarly on CNN and has contributed to Essence magazine and is also an commentator at TV One.
As for the contest winners, Stephanie Robinson is a Harvard lecturer on law and founded is the founder of The Jamestown Project, a Washington, D.C. think tank, while Jeff Johnson hosts a talk show on BET titled The Truth with Jeff Johnson and is an award-winning journalist and social activst, also from Washington.
Because of fan voting that left the contest between Jeff Johnson and Stephanie Robinson practically tied, TJMS has decided to bring both on as commentators.
This comes after Friday's announcement of Roland Martin of WVON-AM being tapped to provide commentaries for the show.
Even though TJMS held a contest to replace Tavis Smiley (who left the program last spring after listeners complained about his harsh criticism of Barack Obama), Martin essentially replaces Smiley in this role because his name recognition is on the same level as Smiley's, since he appears reguarly on CNN and has contributed to Essence magazine and is also an commentator at TV One.
As for the contest winners, Stephanie Robinson is a Harvard lecturer on law and founded is the founder of The Jamestown Project, a Washington, D.C. think tank, while Jeff Johnson hosts a talk show on BET titled The Truth with Jeff Johnson and is an award-winning journalist and social activst, also from Washington.
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