Digital broadcast network The Tube folded last September and went belly up. But that hasn't stopped digital networks from emerging and vying for station's subchannels.
Whether its classic TV or Hispanic-targeted programming, digital broadcast networks could change the face of broadcast television as we know it.
And this revolution will be televised.
At the recent NATPE convention, digital networks were in full force, vying for stations' attention - Retro Television Network, LATV, World Championship Sports Network, .2Network, and Mexicanal.
The digital networks are targeting niche audiences - Latinos, movie buffs, sports fans, and classic TV junkies - and they are taking advantage of the government's mandated translation of analog broadcasting to digital.
Many of those stations are "multiplexing" - i.e. using digital subchannels. For example, WTTW has 11, 11.1 (HD),11.2 (simulcast of regular programming), 11.3 (Create), and 11.4 (Spanish language.)
This article from TVNewsday examines the revolution and the challenges that lie ahead for the digital nets (i.e. getting ratings above a 1.)
Friday, February 22, 2008
German "Idol" faces fine from government agency
For humiliating a teenager who later hyperventilated and collapsed. Please don't give the FCC any ideas!
Cubs games slowly getting booted off WGN
See if this makes sense: WGN is booting more Cubs games to make room for more CW programming. Just 63 regular-season games this year, a record low. But what you get instead? More Top Model. More Crowned. More Pussycat Dolls. More crap. More of a network that achieved a zero rating on a recent Sunday evening. Yours truly is a Sox fan and even he thinks this is totally retarded.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Diann Burns out at 5 p.m.
In a move that is certain to generate a lot of heated discussion, Diann Burns is out as anchor at 5 p.m. at CBS-owned WBBM-TV and is being replaced by newbie Anne State, who is coming from San Diego beginning in April. Ms. Burns will continue to co-anchor the 6 and 10 p.m. news at the station.
But this is likely the beginning of the end of Burns' often-controversial tenure at the station, given her contract expires in October. In 2003, she was signed to one of the richest anchor deals in history, luring her away from top-rated WLS-TV in the process. But the move failed to lift WBBM-TV's ratings, which as of November 2007, is far behind WLS in household ratings and in the main 25-54 news demo.
Thought: I posted this in the comments section of the Tribune story, responding to a reader on why he/she doesn't watch local news anymore:
"I've said this before in another blog, but it is worth repeating: Young people my age- 35 - and under - gave up on local TV news long ago. No wonder more of us watch "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart". His fake newscasts are better than any "real" local newscast. Local stations across the country have lost the next generation of viewers and they have no one to blame but themselves. They can hide behind the local mantra all they want - it won't do them any good."
But this is likely the beginning of the end of Burns' often-controversial tenure at the station, given her contract expires in October. In 2003, she was signed to one of the richest anchor deals in history, luring her away from top-rated WLS-TV in the process. But the move failed to lift WBBM-TV's ratings, which as of November 2007, is far behind WLS in household ratings and in the main 25-54 news demo.
Thought: I posted this in the comments section of the Tribune story, responding to a reader on why he/she doesn't watch local news anymore:
"I've said this before in another blog, but it is worth repeating: Young people my age- 35 - and under - gave up on local TV news long ago. No wonder more of us watch "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart". His fake newscasts are better than any "real" local newscast. Local stations across the country have lost the next generation of viewers and they have no one to blame but themselves. They can hide behind the local mantra all they want - it won't do them any good."
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Chris Berman's Ultimate Highlight
Are you sick and tired of those lame Chris Berman's Ultimate Highlight segments on SportsCenter? Well, I got his Ultimate Highlight right here.
Malcolm is no longer in the middle at KTLA
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 on after the death of longtime anchor Hal Fishman.
Tribune Broadcasting Executive Vice President John Vitanovec will serve as interim general manager until a replacement can be found.
Tribune Broadcasting Executive Vice President John Vitanovec will serve as interim general manager until a replacement can be found.
Jackson suspended at WVON
Santita Jackson is joining the ranks of radio's growing list of radio personalities who have been "suspended". She is expected back on WVON March 1. What's her offense you ask? It wasn't what she said on the air, but it was something she said to WVON management off the air, regarding a series of Black History Month vignettes .
In case you haven't figured it out, Santita Jackson's father is the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
In case you haven't figured it out, Santita Jackson's father is the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
R.I.P. HD-DVD
Burial or cremated?
It's official: HD-DVD is dead. Toshiba has officially pulled the plug on HD-DVD, which competed with Blu-Ray to become the official format of the next generation of home video entertainment...
This comes after Best Buy and Wal-Mart are recommending customers to go with Blu-Ray, which means the chains will phase out HD-DVDs. Netflix has also pledged its allegiance to Blu-Ray.
Warner Brothers got the nail-in-the-coffin ball rolling a few weeks ago, when it was switching its support to Blu-Ray, joining Sony, Twentieth, and Disney in the Blu-Ray camp (Sony developed the Blu-Ray format). leaving Paramount, NBC Universal, and DreamWorks Animation as the only studios in the HD DVD camp.
Toshiba will no longer manufacture, market, or ship HD DVD players. They will reduce those shipments, and stop compeltely at the end of March.
The HD-DVD/Blu-Ray battle is remisicent of the Betamax/VHS wars of the 1980's, in which JVC's VHS trimuphed over Sony's Betamax. However, Sony did not throw in the towel officially until 1986 - years after both formats were introduced.
WLS-AM slammed for coverage of NIU shootings
From the Sun-Times' Robert Feder (and rightfully so.) But he also praised the coverage of WBBM-AM and WGN-AM - as well as NextMedia's west suburban classic hits outlet WERV-FM (95.9 FM, a.k.a. "The River") for their continuing coverage of the tragedy.
Monday, February 18, 2008
"Everybody" loves you in HD
CBS Television Distribution's Everybody Loves Raymond will soon get an upgrade to high-definition.
Beginning March 17, all 210 episodes of Raymond will be available to air in high-definition. The program started shooting in high definition in 1999, so the series first three seasons are being converted to HD, with series creator Phillip Rosenthal supervising the process.
The move is timed with the series start of its' second syndication cycle, which also begins on March 17. On this same date, Raymond is shifting to Fox-owned WPWR-TV, where it will air weeknights at 6 p.m. Raymond now airs at 12:30 a.m., 1 a.m., and now 4 a.m. on WGN-TV (this gets worse, doesn't it?)
Beginning March 17, all 210 episodes of Raymond will be available to air in high-definition. The program started shooting in high definition in 1999, so the series first three seasons are being converted to HD, with series creator Phillip Rosenthal supervising the process.
The move is timed with the series start of its' second syndication cycle, which also begins on March 17. On this same date, Raymond is shifting to Fox-owned WPWR-TV, where it will air weeknights at 6 p.m. Raymond now airs at 12:30 a.m., 1 a.m., and now 4 a.m. on WGN-TV (this gets worse, doesn't it?)
"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. time slot where Village now resides.
The program will continue until March 28. No word on what WMAQ-TV will air in the 11 a.m. time slot where Village now resides.
WWE Smackdown to... WGN ?
Yes, that's one of two options the WWE under consideration with the other outlet being My Network TV. If the WWE goes with with WGN Superstation, most Chicagoans would not have access to the show, since the cable version of WGN is only carried on satellite (Direct TV and Dish Network) and not on any cable systems, unless the WWE can strike a deal with WGN locally.
Two weeks ago, CW canceled Smackdown after a nine-season run which started on predecessor UPN in August 1999.
Meanwhile, if Smackdown goes to My Network TV, some areas won't get the show, either. On the other hand, it would bring wrestling back to the stations that carried it when they were UPN affiliates.
Two weeks ago, CW canceled Smackdown after a nine-season run which started on predecessor UPN in August 1999.
Meanwhile, if Smackdown goes to My Network TV, some areas won't get the show, either. On the other hand, it would bring wrestling back to the stations that carried it when they were UPN affiliates.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Get "Better" at night
WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee and several other stations are scheduled to air a live, one-hour syndicated special originating from Las Vegas on March 18 called Better at Night, celebrating Better TV's first year on the air.
Better TV airs at 3 p.m. weekdays on the NBC affiliate, and airs on stations primarily owned by Meredith (such as KCTV in Kansas City) and Journal, which owns WTMJ and WGBA-TV in Green Bay, among others.
Better has been touted as an alternative programming initiative, in which stations airing the show can contribute local material to the show to air in their individual markets, a la PM Magazine, which was a popular prime-access staple in the 1970's and 1980's. Better takes its name from Meredith's Better Home and Gardens magazine. The program has been renewed for a second season in about 20 markets.
While Better is not likely to arrive at a Chicago outlet anytime soon (unless WPWR decides to replace the exiting Montel with it), its concept is a good one, and one that is better (no pun intended) for stations' bottom line - especially those who hate shelling out expensive licensing fees for first-run syndicated programming.
Maybe that's why they call it Better TV.
Better TV airs at 3 p.m. weekdays on the NBC affiliate, and airs on stations primarily owned by Meredith (such as KCTV in Kansas City) and Journal, which owns WTMJ and WGBA-TV in Green Bay, among others.
Better has been touted as an alternative programming initiative, in which stations airing the show can contribute local material to the show to air in their individual markets, a la PM Magazine, which was a popular prime-access staple in the 1970's and 1980's. Better takes its name from Meredith's Better Home and Gardens magazine. The program has been renewed for a second season in about 20 markets.
While Better is not likely to arrive at a Chicago outlet anytime soon (unless WPWR decides to replace the exiting Montel with it), its concept is a good one, and one that is better (no pun intended) for stations' bottom line - especially those who hate shelling out expensive licensing fees for first-run syndicated programming.
Maybe that's why they call it Better TV.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
CBS greenlights eleven series for fall
The network greenlights eleven shows for the 2008-09 season, with Cold Case, Criminal Minds, all three CSIs, and Without A Trace among them, but not Moonlight, as the fanbois and fangirls whine in the comments section below in the posted link (hey, get in line like the rest of us... I'm still waiting for CBS to return Frank's Place to the air...)
My Network TV cancels "IFL battleground"
Tough week for fans of wrestling and mixed-martial arts: now comes word the struggling My Network TV has dropped IFL Battleground, mainly because of disappointing ratings and the IFL's desire to partner with other entities, including Mark Cuban's HD Net.
IFL Battleground averaged around a 0.8 household rating, no better than the failed televonela format the net was previously airing.
This move comes a week after CW pulled the plug on WWE Smackdown.
IFL Battleground averaged around a 0.8 household rating, no better than the failed televonela format the net was previously airing.
This move comes a week after CW pulled the plug on WWE Smackdown.
Jane Fonda swears on live TV
On NBC's Today Show no less, while discussing her play. A deliberate stunt to piss off conservative groups?
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The winners and losers of the strike
So, who won and lost in the just-concluded writer's strike? Aaron Barnhart of TV Barn breaks it all down.
One notable winner: Nikki Finke of LA Weekly and her Deadline Hollywood Daily blog, which proved more reliable than the trades (notably Variety) and the mainstream media in breaking the latest developments in the strike.
One notable loser: David Letterman. All right, he signed an interim agreement with the Guild. You'd think he would have an advantage over the writer-less Leno. It turned out Leno performed admirably without his writers while Letterman and his show pretty much slipped back into its dull, stale routine. The audiences rewarded Leno with a Nielsen win over Letterman.
One notable winner: Nikki Finke of LA Weekly and her Deadline Hollywood Daily blog, which proved more reliable than the trades (notably Variety) and the mainstream media in breaking the latest developments in the strike.
One notable loser: David Letterman. All right, he signed an interim agreement with the Guild. You'd think he would have an advantage over the writer-less Leno. It turned out Leno performed admirably without his writers while Letterman and his show pretty much slipped back into its dull, stale routine. The audiences rewarded Leno with a Nielsen win over Letterman.
CBS, NBC sets return dates
For CBS, new episodes of Two and a Half Men and CSI: Miami resume next month, while it will not bring back The Unit, Shark, or Cane for the rest of the season (and maybe not ever for the latter show), while NBC will have original episodes of My Name Is Earl, The Office, 30 Rock, Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, while Heroes, Life, and Chuck won't be back until the fall.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Will the viewers come back?
All right, the strike is finally over. Now comes the toughest task of all: trying to win the viewers back.
When Major League Baseball went on strike in 1994 and when the NHL players were locked out twice in the last fifteen years, it hurt both sports tremendously, and some teams are still feeling the effects. Locally, the Chicago White Sox didn't really recover until they won the 2005 World Series, and the Chicago Blackhawks are only starting now to do so. The Cubs have always had its loyal fan base to count on after a work stoppage has occurred.
If only the television business were that lucky. While fans will no doubt return to their favorite shows, it may be tougher than ever to launch new shows - as viewers has left network TV behind for other viewing options - or simply to find something else to do. That phenomenon already happened before the strike - particularly among male 18-34 viewers, who abandoned network prime-time TV long ago for the Internet and video games. With Smackdown canceled by CW last week, more of them will likely head for the exits. The question is, will female viewers join them?
The Internet, Apple downloads, and DVRs are quickly changing the television world, and there's no going back. The viewer is clearly in control.
Maureen Ryan of the Trib examines these issues, and what the networks are facing in this post-strike world.
When Major League Baseball went on strike in 1994 and when the NHL players were locked out twice in the last fifteen years, it hurt both sports tremendously, and some teams are still feeling the effects. Locally, the Chicago White Sox didn't really recover until they won the 2005 World Series, and the Chicago Blackhawks are only starting now to do so. The Cubs have always had its loyal fan base to count on after a work stoppage has occurred.
If only the television business were that lucky. While fans will no doubt return to their favorite shows, it may be tougher than ever to launch new shows - as viewers has left network TV behind for other viewing options - or simply to find something else to do. That phenomenon already happened before the strike - particularly among male 18-34 viewers, who abandoned network prime-time TV long ago for the Internet and video games. With Smackdown canceled by CW last week, more of them will likely head for the exits. The question is, will female viewers join them?
The Internet, Apple downloads, and DVRs are quickly changing the television world, and there's no going back. The viewer is clearly in control.
Maureen Ryan of the Trib examines these issues, and what the networks are facing in this post-strike world.
IT'S OVER!!!
It's finally over. With 92.5 percent of the vote, the WGA on both coasts voted to return to work effective on Wednesday, ending the 14-week strike which cost everybody involved - the networks, the advertisers, the city of Los Angeles, the studios - and the writers.
Snoopy: (c) United Features Syndicate, Inc.
"Clone Wars" to TNT, Cartoon Network
George Lucas' new animated Star Wars series Star Wars: The Clone Wars will premiere this fall on Turner's Cartoon Network and on TNT, with a 3-D motion picture (also titled Star Wars: The Clone Wars) scheduled to hit theaters on August 15.
The program and movie is being distributed and produced by Warner Bros.- not News Corp's Twentieth Television, which has handled the theatrical, home video releases, and television rights for every Star Wars project. Warner will handle the home video release for both the film and the TV series.
Clone Wars has aired in a mini-episode format on Cartoon Network and was released on home video.
The program and movie is being distributed and produced by Warner Bros.- not News Corp's Twentieth Television, which has handled the theatrical, home video releases, and television rights for every Star Wars project. Warner will handle the home video release for both the film and the TV series.
Clone Wars has aired in a mini-episode format on Cartoon Network and was released on home video.
ION acquires "M*A*S*H"
ION Television has acquired the broadcast rights to air the classic series M*A*S*H, beginning this fall. The deal effectively ends its syndication run, meaning that the program will no longer be seen locally over WFLD-TV (finally!), which has aired M*A*S*H since it entered syndication way back in 1979.
ION's local affiliate in Chicago is WCPX-Channel 38.
Stations now pretty much use the series as time-period filler, i.e. airing the program after a network sporting event, or sticking it in the overnight hours. The move comes as major TV stations are relying more and more on first-run syndicated programs, news, local programming, recent off-network shows, and infomercials to fill out their schedules.
Meanwhile, ION Television stations (formerly with PAX) and digital subchannel and low-powered stations (including WWME-TV and WMEU-TV and the Retro Television Network) are buying up classic TV programs to fill out their schedules and provide viewers an alternative option.
M*A*S*H ran on CBS from 1972-83 for 255 episodes, and won fourteen Emmy Awards during that time span, with the series finale garnering 104 million viewers on February 28, 1983 - a record that still stands today.
ION's local affiliate in Chicago is WCPX-Channel 38.
Stations now pretty much use the series as time-period filler, i.e. airing the program after a network sporting event, or sticking it in the overnight hours. The move comes as major TV stations are relying more and more on first-run syndicated programs, news, local programming, recent off-network shows, and infomercials to fill out their schedules.
Meanwhile, ION Television stations (formerly with PAX) and digital subchannel and low-powered stations (including WWME-TV and WMEU-TV and the Retro Television Network) are buying up classic TV programs to fill out their schedules and provide viewers an alternative option.
M*A*S*H ran on CBS from 1972-83 for 255 episodes, and won fourteen Emmy Awards during that time span, with the series finale garnering 104 million viewers on February 28, 1983 - a record that still stands today.
"Ellen" moves back to 4 p.m. in the NYC
Since it worked so well the first time around...
NBC-owned WNBC-TV in New York has upgraded (or downgraded?) Warner's Ellen to 4 p.m., pitting the talk show once again against Oprah on WABC-TV and Judge Judy on WCBS-TV in a move that begins next Monday (and during a sweeps period no less.)
This knocks Program Partners' Crosswords and NBC Universal's Access Hollywood repeat to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., respectively - the time slot Ellen holds now. Crosswords had been struggling in the ratings at 4 p.m., often placing as low as seventh in the time period. Nevertheless, WNBC renewed the program for fall.
Insiders are saying however that this move is temporary, and Ellen will move back to the mornings come fall. A daytime version of Deal Or No Deal is expected to land in the 4 p.m. slot come then.
The move means that Ellen once again has early-fringe clearances in all top three markets, including a 3 p.m. slot at WMAQ-TV here.
NBC-owned WNBC-TV in New York has upgraded (or downgraded?) Warner's Ellen to 4 p.m., pitting the talk show once again against Oprah on WABC-TV and Judge Judy on WCBS-TV in a move that begins next Monday (and during a sweeps period no less.)
This knocks Program Partners' Crosswords and NBC Universal's Access Hollywood repeat to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., respectively - the time slot Ellen holds now. Crosswords had been struggling in the ratings at 4 p.m., often placing as low as seventh in the time period. Nevertheless, WNBC renewed the program for fall.
Insiders are saying however that this move is temporary, and Ellen will move back to the mornings come fall. A daytime version of Deal Or No Deal is expected to land in the 4 p.m. slot come then.
The move means that Ellen once again has early-fringe clearances in all top three markets, including a 3 p.m. slot at WMAQ-TV here.
Monday, February 11, 2008
ABC to bring back its shows
In fact, the Mouse of House renewed nine of them for next season, including Samantha Who, Private Practice, and Dirty Sexy Money (all of which will not return until then) while also-renewed Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, and Brothers & Sisters will be back with new episodes this spring. Boston Legal will resume production as well, but it has yet to be picked up for fall.
Not clear are the fates of Cavemen and Carpoolers, though it's probably safe to say those two clunkers won't ever return (sorry, Meet the Spartans fans.) Also likely done is According to Jim (we can only hope.)
Not clear are the fates of Cavemen and Carpoolers, though it's probably safe to say those two clunkers won't ever return (sorry, Meet the Spartans fans.) Also likely done is According to Jim (we can only hope.)
"Girlfriends" to end long run
As CW prepares its post-strike future, many of its popular shows (and I'm stretching "popular" quite a bit here) are returning with new episodes this spring, including Smallville, Supernatural, One Tree Hill, and Reaper, while others including Gossip Girl and Everybody Hates Chris will return with new episodes in the fall.
But two shows won't return at all: The ultra low-rated Life Is Wild, which has officially been canceled, as well as the long-running Girlfriends, which won't return to production but may air a series finale whose contents have not been yet determined.
Girlfriends is the second old UPN program dropped in the last week, following the lead of WWE Smackdown, which was canceled on Friday. The move leaves CW with just two former UPN shows: Chris and America's Next Top Model.
Girlfriends began in 2000 on UPN, and went into off-network broadcast syndication and BET in September 2004. However, the series' three-year contract in broadcast syndication wasn't renewed (because of low ratings), and the program's reruns are only run on BET sporadically.
And while the series will end this year, the controversy over how the show was promoted - or wasn't promoted will most certainly not.
Dissed in syndication by CBS, by the media, by BET, by UPN and CW - and yet the creators, producers, and cast of the show put on a brave face. Obviously, they are far classier than the companies and press they had to deal with.
But two shows won't return at all: The ultra low-rated Life Is Wild, which has officially been canceled, as well as the long-running Girlfriends, which won't return to production but may air a series finale whose contents have not been yet determined.
Girlfriends is the second old UPN program dropped in the last week, following the lead of WWE Smackdown, which was canceled on Friday. The move leaves CW with just two former UPN shows: Chris and America's Next Top Model.
Girlfriends began in 2000 on UPN, and went into off-network broadcast syndication and BET in September 2004. However, the series' three-year contract in broadcast syndication wasn't renewed (because of low ratings), and the program's reruns are only run on BET sporadically.
And while the series will end this year, the controversy over how the show was promoted - or wasn't promoted will most certainly not.
Dissed in syndication by CBS, by the media, by BET, by UPN and CW - and yet the creators, producers, and cast of the show put on a brave face. Obviously, they are far classier than the companies and press they had to deal with.
KWQC cuts staff, cancels newscasts
Young Broadcasting's KWQC-TV in Davenport, IA-Rock Island, IL has laid off twelve employees and the NBC affiliate has also canceled its Saturday morning newscasts. This move comes as Young is struggling, with its underperforming San Francisco station up for sale and its ABC affiliate in Nashville (WKRN-TV) also getting hit hard with job cuts.
Will cost cutting save radio?
Ummm... No. But this article in Mediaweek asks the question, anyway. And the answers aren't pretty. And judging by the article, some people who run radio stations still don't get it, particularly at the big-chain radio station groups. In an excerpt from the Mediaweek article, a program director (Jim Richards) from a classic rock station in San Diego said:
"I can speak about a concert that's happening tonight at a local venue just as well as a voice-tracker from somewhere else can," says Richards. "In a world that is increasingly global, to whom does it matter that it's live and local, as long as we're satisfying the entertainment and information needs of the listener and providing something that's unique to that signal?"
Well, draw your own conclusions on what he said. But the business has got to do more than appeal to the "what difference does it make" crowd.
"I can speak about a concert that's happening tonight at a local venue just as well as a voice-tracker from somewhere else can," says Richards. "In a world that is increasingly global, to whom does it matter that it's live and local, as long as we're satisfying the entertainment and information needs of the listener and providing something that's unique to that signal?"
Well, draw your own conclusions on what he said. But the business has got to do more than appeal to the "what difference does it make" crowd.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Writer's Strike to likely end on Tuesday
WGA West and WGA East are expected to vote on Tuesday whether or not to accept the tentative agreement hammered out by the studios and the guild. If the writers accept the deal (and that is likely the case), production could resume on many TV series by midweek.
The WGA Strike Central section on the sidebar of this blog will remain a week after the strike ends.
Maureen Ryan of the Trib has a handy list on when you might expect some of your favourite TV shows affected by the strike to return.
The WGA Strike Central section on the sidebar of this blog will remain a week after the strike ends.
Maureen Ryan of the Trib has a handy list on when you might expect some of your favourite TV shows affected by the strike to return.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
BREAKING NEWS: WRITERS, PRODUCERS REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT
Click here for details.
UPDATE: At 2:51 p.m.. Details are emerging of the tentative agreement. You can click here to read.
UPDATE: At 2:51 p.m.. Details are emerging of the tentative agreement. You can click here to read.
Oh, shut up!
From the person who doesn't know anything about sports - or anything else for that matter, Jay Moron - I mean Mariotti, addresses the Chet Coppock controversy, being the hypocritical douchebag he is. And of course, he finds time to rip on White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf while he's at it. He has a nerve to talk about ethics when his worthless and soon-to-be defunct paper endues scandal after scandal after scandal, including one this week.
He also has the nerve to talk about racist behavior when he wrote that Shani Davis article during the Winter Olympics two years ago.
Again, I ask: what happened to responsibility in the media? From Michael Savage to Bill O'Reilly to Jay Mariotti to various other sports and talk show hosts, these clowns are using the public airwaves and print to launch personal attacks against people they don't like. And it's getting quite tiresome. The public is finally getting weary of this childish behavior, and Big Media better damn well take notice.
Do you want to know why Mariotti decided to put out this column on a Saturday - a day you usually don't find him in the paper? So he can seize the opportunity to attack one of his enemies who made a huge public goof. That's just as bad. And disgusting.
And Chicago's news media should know better - which they don't. Mariotti, Coppock, and the rest of their ilk is one of the reasons why the Chicago news media is a complete laughing stock, and why Chicago sports journalism is the worst in the country.
It's worst enough Chicago sports is in the gutter - Chicago's news media seems to be in there with it. And we have FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to thank.
He also has the nerve to talk about racist behavior when he wrote that Shani Davis article during the Winter Olympics two years ago.
Again, I ask: what happened to responsibility in the media? From Michael Savage to Bill O'Reilly to Jay Mariotti to various other sports and talk show hosts, these clowns are using the public airwaves and print to launch personal attacks against people they don't like. And it's getting quite tiresome. The public is finally getting weary of this childish behavior, and Big Media better damn well take notice.
Do you want to know why Mariotti decided to put out this column on a Saturday - a day you usually don't find him in the paper? So he can seize the opportunity to attack one of his enemies who made a huge public goof. That's just as bad. And disgusting.
And Chicago's news media should know better - which they don't. Mariotti, Coppock, and the rest of their ilk is one of the reasons why the Chicago news media is a complete laughing stock, and why Chicago sports journalism is the worst in the country.
It's worst enough Chicago sports is in the gutter - Chicago's news media seems to be in there with it. And we have FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to thank.
Friday, February 08, 2008
CW cancels "Smackdown"
The CW has pulled the plug on WWE Smackdown after nine seasons, after failing to come to an agreement on renewal. The program's final CW airing is scheduled for September 12.
The program began on April 29, 1999 as a one-shot special on UPN, and joined that network's lineup on August 26, 1999. Smackdown originally aired on Thursday nights, but moved to Fridays in September 2005, and renamed Friday Night Smackdown. The show moved to CW in 2006, created after UPN and the WB shut down.
While the program performed decently in the ratings, Smackdown stood out as a sore thumb on the female-targeted network, and was unable to achieve revenue levels as other shows on the network, including America's Next Top Model.
Smackdown is the last wrestling show on national broadcast television, as the WWE has long moved its other programming to cable.
The WWE is expected to find a new home for Smackdown, with USA Network and My Network TV in the running.
Analysis: The move by CW and the WWE isn't actually bad strategically (well, don't tell that to CW affiliate WLMT in Memphis - Smackdown is constantly the station's highest rated show). But it was clear that Smackdown did not fit with the rest of the network's young female lineup.
Advertisers and media buyers often complained about the lack of audience flow on CW, as well as Smackdown's former UPN home. Despite good ratings, wrestling's controversial content (especially WWE programming) isn't exactly advertiser-friendly. Ask those stations that aired Jerry Springer ten years ago and scored high ratings - only to be limited in the revenue department because of the program's chair-tossing, hair-pulling brawls.
A move to Fox's My Network TV would make sense, since it already has some male-skewing programs on the network, instituted after its female-targeted telenovela format imploded last year. But a downside is it could be subject to sports pre-emptions, especially in New York and Los Angeles, where both WWOR and KCOP hold over-the-air broadcast rights to the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim games, respectively. A move to NBC is not likely.
But a move to USA (where Raw already resides) or SciFi (the home of ECW) would also be possible, and if that happens, for the first time in over 25 years, there would be no regularly scheduled wrestling program on over-the-air television. Chalk it up to changing times in the television business. Twenty years ago, the WWE had as many as four weekly shows in broadcast syndication, including Superstars of Wrestling and Wrestling Challenge.
Meanwhile, CW could move its comedy block to Fridays this fall. The family-friendly Everybody Loves Chris and Aliens in America would fit well on this night. On the other hand, two other family-friendly shows - Malcolm in the Middle and The Bernie Mac Show - tanked on this night for Fox in the fall of 2005. Both were canceled shortly thereafter, falling victim to the Friday Night Death Slot. Comedy has worked for the WB on the night before with Reba, albeit modestly. Giving it another try wouldn't be a bad idea, considering Friday is a low HUT night.
It's national Put Your Foot In Your Mouth Day
And look where the foot landed.
WMVP suspended Ironman sports radio host Chet Coppock for an offensive remark he made on his show on February 2. Meanwhile, a St. Louis radio talk show host (J.C Corcoran) was also suspended for making offensive remarks and threating violence on his KIHT-AM show February 4 at after the power went out at his house during the Super Bowl. Both since have apologized.
Surprised? You shouldn't be. It's talk radio! Good Golly, Miss Molly, whatever happened to responsible broadcasting?
WXRT to leave longtime home
CBS-owned WXRT-FM is leaving its longtime home in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood on Chicago's North Side and is moving to new digs at the NBC Tower, where sister station WSCR-AM is located.
The legendary station has been located in a building at 4949 West Belmont since 1972, and the station's Adult Album Alternative format is the longest-tenured in the market (excluding news,talk, and classical music).
The move come as WXRT GM Michael Damsky was let go after 24 years at the station, sacked in a wave of cutbacks at corporate cutbacks at CBS Radio.
WXRT and WSCR were owned by Daniel Lee until 1995, when he sold the combo to Westinghouse Broadcasting, which was acquired a year later by CBS.
Thought: There is no doubt in my mind that this will generate a lot of discussion on the message boards today and over the weekend (okay, maybe not... see above.) Sadly, the realities of the radio business has caught up with WXRT, and it just goes to show you how the radio business has changed drastically (and not for the better) since WXRT signed on with its current format in 1972.
The legendary station has been located in a building at 4949 West Belmont since 1972, and the station's Adult Album Alternative format is the longest-tenured in the market (excluding news,talk, and classical music).
The move come as WXRT GM Michael Damsky was let go after 24 years at the station, sacked in a wave of cutbacks at corporate cutbacks at CBS Radio.
WXRT and WSCR were owned by Daniel Lee until 1995, when he sold the combo to Westinghouse Broadcasting, which was acquired a year later by CBS.
Thought: There is no doubt in my mind that this will generate a lot of discussion on the message boards today and over the weekend (okay, maybe not... see above.) Sadly, the realities of the radio business has caught up with WXRT, and it just goes to show you how the radio business has changed drastically (and not for the better) since WXRT signed on with its current format in 1972.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Tyra takes lie detector test
Hyper talk show host Tyra Banks took a lie detector test on her show yesterday with Mark Walberg from Fox's new hit series The Moment of Truth. The results:
- Asked if she was jealous of Oprah, Tyra said no, and the lie detector buzzed wrong.
- Asked if she made nice with Naomi Campbell, the lie detector buzzed correct.
- Asked if she chose Saleisha Stowers to be the Cycle 9 winner of America's Next Top Model based on the fact that she had personal connections with her before she won the title, Tyra denied it, and the lie detector exploded.
- Asked if she was jealous of Oprah, Tyra said no, and the lie detector buzzed wrong.
- Asked if she made nice with Naomi Campbell, the lie detector buzzed correct.
- Asked if she chose Saleisha Stowers to be the Cycle 9 winner of America's Next Top Model based on the fact that she had personal connections with her before she won the title, Tyra denied it, and the lie detector exploded.
More radio layoffs
With CBS Radio pink-slipping, on top of Emmis' recent cutbacks, as well as those at Clear Channel, it looks like its going to be another tough year for the radio industry.
Among the casualties locally - WXRT GM Michael Damsky, who is out after 24 years.
Among the casualties locally - WXRT GM Michael Damsky, who is out after 24 years.
Cashmere Mafia vs. Lipstick Jungle
It's more like a Bulls-Heat matchup: Nobody cares, not even its target female audience. Check out the reviews for Lipstick Jungle here. Need any more proof prime-time programming on the broadcast networks are on the skids?
Want a real show to watch instead? Head to cable and check out The First 48 on A&E at 9 p.m. (CT) tonight, where real-life detectives deal with real-life crimes.
Want a real show to watch instead? Head to cable and check out The First 48 on A&E at 9 p.m. (CT) tonight, where real-life detectives deal with real-life crimes.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
WPIX declines to air Giants parade
New York Daily News TV Critic Richard Huff calls out Tribune-owned WPIX for not airing the Giants victory parade yesterday, but never mind that - read the comments section and Huff completely missed the real story - of WWOR simulcasting WNYW's feed of the parade (both WWOR and WNYW are owned by Fox) and the readers called him out (and you thought the readers' letters to Feder were nasty...)
Oh, if this was only the Post's Adam Buckman who wrote this article...
Oh, if this was only the Post's Adam Buckman who wrote this article...
You want more classic television? Well, Me-Too
WFBT to become WMEU-TV, a.k.a Me-Too; Me-TV expands to Milwaukee; Retro TV Network arrives in Rockford, South Bend
Can't get enough of classic television? You're not alone.
In a major expansion of its digital strategy, Weigel Broadcasting announced it is scrapping ethnic-format programming at low-powered WFBT-Channel 48 and replacing it with a spin-off of its' already successful WWME-Channel 23 (Me-TV), labeled Me-Too.
The WFBT call letters will become WMEU-TV, effective March 1. WFBT's format will move to one of Weigel's six digital channels of WCIU-TV.
Meanwhile, the original Me-TV format is expanding to Milwaukee (second item) next month, where it will become a digital subchannel on Weigel-owned CBS affiliate WDJT-TV, where it will be available on Channel 58.3, as well as on digital tiers on the city's cable systems. It will air mostly the same programs as WWME in Chicago, including I Love Lucy and The Dick Van Dyke Show.
In Chicago, the new Me-Too will be available on Comcast Digital Channel 248, WOW and RCN cable systems, and analog Channel 48.
Among programs scheduled to air on Me-Too include classics Route 66, Naked City, The Monkees, The Brady Bunch, and The Partridge Family. Between the Me-TV and Me-Too channels, they will air around 100 television series.
In a recent interview with TV Newsday, WCIU GM Neal Sabin discussed the possibility of one of his low-powered stations in Chicago joining the Retro Television Network, but this move apparently is not the case, although that still may be possible down the road.
Retro has a format similar to Me-TV and is a digital sub-channel network owned by Equity Broadcasting Group, which is airing on several low-powered and digital sub-channels. The network can be customized to suit stations' needs.
Retro recently signed with the Quincy Newspaper Group, whose WREX-TV (NBC) in Rockford and WSJV-TV (Fox) in South Bend recently agreed to carry Retro on one of their digital sub-channels.
updated at 11:59 p.m. on 2008-02-06
Can't get enough of classic television? You're not alone.
In a major expansion of its digital strategy, Weigel Broadcasting announced it is scrapping ethnic-format programming at low-powered WFBT-Channel 48 and replacing it with a spin-off of its' already successful WWME-Channel 23 (Me-TV), labeled Me-Too.
The WFBT call letters will become WMEU-TV, effective March 1. WFBT's format will move to one of Weigel's six digital channels of WCIU-TV.
Meanwhile, the original Me-TV format is expanding to Milwaukee (second item) next month, where it will become a digital subchannel on Weigel-owned CBS affiliate WDJT-TV, where it will be available on Channel 58.3, as well as on digital tiers on the city's cable systems. It will air mostly the same programs as WWME in Chicago, including I Love Lucy and The Dick Van Dyke Show.
In Chicago, the new Me-Too will be available on Comcast Digital Channel 248, WOW and RCN cable systems, and analog Channel 48.
Among programs scheduled to air on Me-Too include classics Route 66, Naked City, The Monkees, The Brady Bunch, and The Partridge Family. Between the Me-TV and Me-Too channels, they will air around 100 television series.
In a recent interview with TV Newsday, WCIU GM Neal Sabin discussed the possibility of one of his low-powered stations in Chicago joining the Retro Television Network, but this move apparently is not the case, although that still may be possible down the road.
Retro has a format similar to Me-TV and is a digital sub-channel network owned by Equity Broadcasting Group, which is airing on several low-powered and digital sub-channels. The network can be customized to suit stations' needs.
Retro recently signed with the Quincy Newspaper Group, whose WREX-TV (NBC) in Rockford and WSJV-TV (Fox) in South Bend recently agreed to carry Retro on one of their digital sub-channels.
updated at 11:59 p.m. on 2008-02-06
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Ask the T Dog Media Blog
Going back through some old posts, I discovered a question asked by an anonymous reader regarding the original version of American Gladiators. Instead of answering in the comments section of the post, I decided to answer in a new post here:
Q: Anonymous said... Do you know what the ratings were for the original American Gladiator series? Also did it air in prime time or on the weekend?
A: I wish I caught your question earlier... I'm more than happy to answer your question.
American Gladiators ran in syndication from 1989 to 1996 and was distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Television. Since it ran in syndication, time slots varied: the program ran mostly in weekend time slots - some in prime-time (WPWR-TV ran it at 9 p.m. Saturdays in Chicago for a few years, KCAL-TV in Los Angeles ran it on the same day at 10 p.m.); others in late-night (CBS affiliate KMOV in St. Louis ran it at 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays.) In its first few months on the air in New York City, the program ran on WNBC-TV at 2 a.m. Sunday mornings, where it regularly won its time period (in early 1990, the show moved to a better time slot on WNYW-TV.)
The program did decently well in the ratings in its first few years, with national ratings regularly hovering around a 3.0. But as with many programs, they declined as the show aged. The show ended in 1996 after Samuel Goldwyn exited the syndication business and was acquired by MGM subsequently thereafter.
Thanks for writing in!
Terence
Have a question about a post? Leave it in the comment section, and I'll be more than happy to answer it. Call me "The Media Answer Man".
Q: Anonymous said... Do you know what the ratings were for the original American Gladiator series? Also did it air in prime time or on the weekend?
A: I wish I caught your question earlier... I'm more than happy to answer your question.
American Gladiators ran in syndication from 1989 to 1996 and was distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Television. Since it ran in syndication, time slots varied: the program ran mostly in weekend time slots - some in prime-time (WPWR-TV ran it at 9 p.m. Saturdays in Chicago for a few years, KCAL-TV in Los Angeles ran it on the same day at 10 p.m.); others in late-night (CBS affiliate KMOV in St. Louis ran it at 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays.) In its first few months on the air in New York City, the program ran on WNBC-TV at 2 a.m. Sunday mornings, where it regularly won its time period (in early 1990, the show moved to a better time slot on WNYW-TV.)
The program did decently well in the ratings in its first few years, with national ratings regularly hovering around a 3.0. But as with many programs, they declined as the show aged. The show ended in 1996 after Samuel Goldwyn exited the syndication business and was acquired by MGM subsequently thereafter.
Thanks for writing in!
Terence
Have a question about a post? Leave it in the comment section, and I'll be more than happy to answer it. Call me "The Media Answer Man".
Winter Critics' Poll 2008
No surprises this time around in TV Week's 2008 Winter TV Critics Poll (which the publication decided to bury deep in its website for some reason)- they picked Pushing Daisies as the best, and Cavemen and the now-expired Viva Laughlin as the worst.
One notable drop in the best category was NBC's Heroes, falling from #6 to #25, reflecting what yours truly have been saying about the series this season.
To see the entire list of both best and worst series, click here.
One notable drop in the best category was NBC's Heroes, falling from #6 to #25, reflecting what yours truly have been saying about the series this season.
To see the entire list of both best and worst series, click here.
Hibberd joins Hollywood Reporter
The talented James Hibberd, who now blogs for TV Week, is joining The Hollywood Reporter as a senior television writer.
Gee, who are the self-smarmy Drudgies ("Television is a left-wing conspiracy destined to destroy our country") are going to whine to now?
Gee, who are the self-smarmy Drudgies ("Television is a left-wing conspiracy destined to destroy our country") are going to whine to now?
Monday, February 04, 2008
Sun-Times editor steps down
Editor Cheryl L. Reed (who is African-American) resigns after endorsements regarding Barack Obama and John McCain were rewritten by people outside the newspaper who are "white men". And on a night before a major election.
Coincidence? Or Chicago politics as usual?
And before the political hacks start trolling here... oh yeah... that's right. Yours truly doesn't talk about Chicago politics. Some people say I don't what I'm talking about regarding the subject, since "the hacks" know so much... Gee, maybe perhaps I should stick to giving recaps of Heroes episodes instead... Claire Bennet for State's Attorney! Can't be any worse than the choices we have now, right?
Save the Cheerleader... Save us from this crap.
Happy Election Day.
Coincidence? Or Chicago politics as usual?
And before the political hacks start trolling here... oh yeah... that's right. Yours truly doesn't talk about Chicago politics. Some people say I don't what I'm talking about regarding the subject, since "the hacks" know so much... Gee, maybe perhaps I should stick to giving recaps of Heroes episodes instead... Claire Bennet for State's Attorney! Can't be any worse than the choices we have now, right?
Save the Cheerleader... Save us from this crap.
Happy Election Day.
Super Bowl Ratings Box
- The Giants-Patriots tilt was seen by 97.5 million viewers, making it the highest-rated Super Bowl of all-time, and only second to the 1983 finale of M*A*S*H. The game was up 5 percent from last year's Colts-Bears Super Bowl.
- Super Bowl XLII earned a 43.2 household rating and 65 share, and averaged a 37.6 among adults 18-49.
- Fox-owned WNYW-TV in New York and WFXT in Boston both put up record numbers for the big game. WNYW scored a 44.9 rating and 67 share (in households) and a 33.8/75 in adults 18-49. In Boston, WFXT nabbed a 55.6/81 in households. WFXT's all-time highest-rated top 10 programs include several Patriots Super Bowls and Red Sox World Series games.
- While Fox clearly dominated the ratings, also of note was the ratings performance of the CW, which put up infomercial at 3 a.m.-like numbers for its Sunday night lineup. Perhaps it's time for the CW to give affiliates its time back on Sundays for them to program.
- Super Bowl XLII earned a 43.2 household rating and 65 share, and averaged a 37.6 among adults 18-49.
- Fox-owned WNYW-TV in New York and WFXT in Boston both put up record numbers for the big game. WNYW scored a 44.9 rating and 67 share (in households) and a 33.8/75 in adults 18-49. In Boston, WFXT nabbed a 55.6/81 in households. WFXT's all-time highest-rated top 10 programs include several Patriots Super Bowls and Red Sox World Series games.
- While Fox clearly dominated the ratings, also of note was the ratings performance of the CW, which put up infomercial at 3 a.m.-like numbers for its Sunday night lineup. Perhaps it's time for the CW to give affiliates its time back on Sundays for them to program.
Best and Worst Super Bowl Commercials - 2008
For the second year in a row, The T Dog Media Blog picks the best and worst commercials that aired during the Super Bowl. Here are the five best and the five worst: (Click the link to watch the commercial)
Best
1. Dwayne Wins (T-Mobile) This ad featuring Charles Barkley and the Miami Heat's Dwayne Wade was funny as hell. I couldn't stop laughing.
2. It's Mine (Coca-Cola) - A close second. It's a battle of the Underdog balloon and the Stewie balloon over a Coca-Cola - balloon. And guess who comes away with the Coke...
3. Budweiser Clydesdale Team - A Clydesdale fails to make the team. So, who is his coach to train him to make next year's team? A Dalmatian. Very clever.
4. Nod (Diet Pepsi Max) - Haddaway's 1993 hit What Is Love is used in this commercial, reminiscent of those Night at the Roxbury sketches on Saturday Night Live with Chris Kattan...
5. Magnetic Attraction (Pepsi) - Who here doesn't want to see Justin Timberlake get what's coming to him? Freakin' hilarious.
Honorable Mention: WALL*E SuperBowl Spot (Disney), Perfume (Planters), "Truth in Engineering" (Audi), Victoria's Secret Ad (well, duh?)
Worst
1. Trading Baby 2008 (E*TRADE) - Oh wow, a talking baby. Didn't we see this a Quizno's ad several years ago with Baby Bob? How original. Oh, oh, and now, the kid pukes on camera. Hey kid, down on the floor... DOWN ON THE FLOOR!
2. Meet Carmen Electra (Ice Breakers) - She's still around? What is she, 50 or something? And why does she have a Super Bowl Ad?
3. Breathe Fire (Bud Light) - Completely, utterly stupid.
4. Queen of Hearts (Career Builder) - Yes, your heart can jump right out of your body and leaves for a better place! The only surprise here, is the lady didn't immediately drop dead (so that's why Dick Cheney's been alive all those years...)
5. Thrillicious: 2008 Sobe Life - That was Naomi Campbell was in this ad? I thought it was Rihanna or that chick who won recently "won" Top Model...
Also in the trash bin: Both Sales Genie commercials (and you thought last year's ads were bad) and Carlos Mencia's Bud Light commercial (did he steal this from Joe Rogan, too?), plus another anti-drug commercial from your friend and mine, the government.
Halftime Show: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were the performers. Would it kill them to play some new stuff? (and they didn't play my favorites - "Don't Come Around Here No More" and "Mary Jane's Last Dance". Totally disappointing. Spent halftime on YouTube.)
Other notes:
-USA Today's annual Ad Meter ranked Budweiser Clydesdale Team ad number one on its survey, while the Doritos ad featuring an unknown signer ranked at the bottom.
- Bob Garfield of Ad Age reviews the Super Bowl ads. Memo to Garfield: Dude, lighten up (and whose this Terence Henderson guy making nasty comments to someone in the comments section? Impostors...)
- For the second year in a row, YouTube is rating the ads. The winner will be announced on February 12 (hopefully, it's not the one with the baby throwing up.)
- The reception toward this year's ads, much like last year's, were pretty cold, and yours truly tend to agree (maybe the copywriters should've went out on strike as well?) Most were average, at best. I scaled back on writing about the Super Bowl ads this year and limited them to the top five and the bottom five. Writing about last year's ads was too much work, and for what?
- Thumbs down to TV Squad for their ad reviews. Like geez, how many softball reviews can you squeeze in an article? They all weren't that great. Only the Meet the Spartans generation can write such junk...
- By the way, if you skipped the pregame show... good for you! The only performer worth watching was Alicia Keys. It was typical Hollywood arrogance on display with a "red carpet", egged on by Ryan Seacrest, and constant tie-ins to American Idol. This was the Super Bowl, not a Lakers game.
Best
1. Dwayne Wins (T-Mobile) This ad featuring Charles Barkley and the Miami Heat's Dwayne Wade was funny as hell. I couldn't stop laughing.
2. It's Mine (Coca-Cola) - A close second. It's a battle of the Underdog balloon and the Stewie balloon over a Coca-Cola - balloon. And guess who comes away with the Coke...
3. Budweiser Clydesdale Team - A Clydesdale fails to make the team. So, who is his coach to train him to make next year's team? A Dalmatian. Very clever.
4. Nod (Diet Pepsi Max) - Haddaway's 1993 hit What Is Love is used in this commercial, reminiscent of those Night at the Roxbury sketches on Saturday Night Live with Chris Kattan...
5. Magnetic Attraction (Pepsi) - Who here doesn't want to see Justin Timberlake get what's coming to him? Freakin' hilarious.
Honorable Mention: WALL*E SuperBowl Spot (Disney), Perfume (Planters), "Truth in Engineering" (Audi), Victoria's Secret Ad (well, duh?)
Worst
1. Trading Baby 2008 (E*TRADE) - Oh wow, a talking baby. Didn't we see this a Quizno's ad several years ago with Baby Bob? How original. Oh, oh, and now, the kid pukes on camera. Hey kid, down on the floor... DOWN ON THE FLOOR!
2. Meet Carmen Electra (Ice Breakers) - She's still around? What is she, 50 or something? And why does she have a Super Bowl Ad?
3. Breathe Fire (Bud Light) - Completely, utterly stupid.
4. Queen of Hearts (Career Builder) - Yes, your heart can jump right out of your body and leaves for a better place! The only surprise here, is the lady didn't immediately drop dead (so that's why Dick Cheney's been alive all those years...)
5. Thrillicious: 2008 Sobe Life - That was Naomi Campbell was in this ad? I thought it was Rihanna or that chick who won recently "won" Top Model...
Also in the trash bin: Both Sales Genie commercials (and you thought last year's ads were bad) and Carlos Mencia's Bud Light commercial (did he steal this from Joe Rogan, too?), plus another anti-drug commercial from your friend and mine, the government.
Halftime Show: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were the performers. Would it kill them to play some new stuff? (and they didn't play my favorites - "Don't Come Around Here No More" and "Mary Jane's Last Dance". Totally disappointing. Spent halftime on YouTube.)
Other notes:
-USA Today's annual Ad Meter ranked Budweiser Clydesdale Team ad number one on its survey, while the Doritos ad featuring an unknown signer ranked at the bottom.
- Bob Garfield of Ad Age reviews the Super Bowl ads. Memo to Garfield: Dude, lighten up (and whose this Terence Henderson guy making nasty comments to someone in the comments section? Impostors...)
- For the second year in a row, YouTube is rating the ads. The winner will be announced on February 12 (hopefully, it's not the one with the baby throwing up.)
- The reception toward this year's ads, much like last year's, were pretty cold, and yours truly tend to agree (maybe the copywriters should've went out on strike as well?) Most were average, at best. I scaled back on writing about the Super Bowl ads this year and limited them to the top five and the bottom five. Writing about last year's ads was too much work, and for what?
- Thumbs down to TV Squad for their ad reviews. Like geez, how many softball reviews can you squeeze in an article? They all weren't that great. Only the Meet the Spartans generation can write such junk...
- By the way, if you skipped the pregame show... good for you! The only performer worth watching was Alicia Keys. It was typical Hollywood arrogance on display with a "red carpet", egged on by Ryan Seacrest, and constant tie-ins to American Idol. This was the Super Bowl, not a Lakers game.
Ed Wilson named president of Tribune Broadcasting
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 (when it was more known as a TV syndicator and the "V of Doom".) Wilson helped found Eyemark (CBS) Entertainment and later NBC Enterprises, after the major networks were allowed back into the syndication business due to the collapse of the financial interest and syndication rules, or "fin-syn" (ironically, it was fin-syn that created Viacom in 1971 after the new rules forced CBS to spin off its syndication business.)
Wilson later joined Fox's News Corp., where he oversaw Fox's affiliate relations, ad sales, and integrated marketing operations.
Wilson began his career in sales at Viacom in 1980 (when it was more known as a TV syndicator and the "V of Doom".) Wilson helped found Eyemark (CBS) Entertainment and later NBC Enterprises, after the major networks were allowed back into the syndication business due to the collapse of the financial interest and syndication rules, or "fin-syn" (ironically, it was fin-syn that created Viacom in 1971 after the new rules forced CBS to spin off its syndication business.)
Wilson later joined Fox's News Corp., where he oversaw Fox's affiliate relations, ad sales, and integrated marketing operations.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Giants win Super Bowl
Oh wow... Giants win the Super Bowl in a stunning upset over the undefeated New England Patriots. Yep, Carl called it (well, not exactly... The Giants won only by three.) Yep, history was made - but not the kind of history Patriots fans were looking for.
Celebrate, Carl!
Friday, February 01, 2008
WCIU profiled
TV Newsday's Harry Jessell interviews Weigel Broadcasting executive Neal Sabin - the former general manager of WPWR-TV who jumped to WCIU in that same capacity in 1994 and now runs not only WCIU, but now a group of stations, including low power classic-TV formatted WWME-TV and ethnic WFBT in Chicago; and stations in Milwaukee and South Bend, Ind.
Sabin talks about WCIU, including the station's scheduling strategy - including Three Stooges on Saturday nights, Svengoolie, the station's minority-targeted programming, and the acquisition of The Doctors from CBS Television Distribution for airing at 5 p.m. beginning this fall.
Also discussed in his plans for continued growth at CBS affiliate WDJT in Milwaukee (which acquired the CBS affiliation from WITI after it switched to Fox in December 1994) and sister station WMLW, and newly acquired WJJA; and the company's three low-powered South Bend stations, which includes ABC affiliate WBND-TV.
Sabin talks about WCIU, including the station's scheduling strategy - including Three Stooges on Saturday nights, Svengoolie, the station's minority-targeted programming, and the acquisition of The Doctors from CBS Television Distribution for airing at 5 p.m. beginning this fall.
Also discussed in his plans for continued growth at CBS affiliate WDJT in Milwaukee (which acquired the CBS affiliation from WITI after it switched to Fox in December 1994) and sister station WMLW, and newly acquired WJJA; and the company's three low-powered South Bend stations, which includes ABC affiliate WBND-TV.
Burger King freaks out; Wendy's wigs out
The "Whopper Freakout" campaign boosted sales of the sandwich for Burger King, which features angry customers demanding Whoppers after being told that the chain's doesn't sell them anymore. It's all a gag of course. (Here is the Web version:)
The campaign drew 250,000 vistors to its WhopperFreakout.com website, according to ComScore, and grew to 1.5 million views in January.
The exact opposite of Burger King's successful Whopper Freakout has to be Wendy's Red Wig campaign: Wendy's pulled the plug on the inane ads this week, marking the second straight failed ad campaign for Wendy's (following the just as inane "Mr. Wendy" ads):
Like "Mr. Wendy", the campaign failed to drive customers to its restaurants. At least we are no longer subjected to idiots kicking trees and demanding hot, juicy burgers in red wigs... Where's the beef?
Or Dave Thomas? (I couldn't find his first commercial, which came out in 1989, so this is the best I can do... R.I.P., Dave...)
The campaign drew 250,000 vistors to its WhopperFreakout.com website, according to ComScore, and grew to 1.5 million views in January.
The exact opposite of Burger King's successful Whopper Freakout has to be Wendy's Red Wig campaign: Wendy's pulled the plug on the inane ads this week, marking the second straight failed ad campaign for Wendy's (following the just as inane "Mr. Wendy" ads):
Like "Mr. Wendy", the campaign failed to drive customers to its restaurants. At least we are no longer subjected to idiots kicking trees and demanding hot, juicy burgers in red wigs... Where's the beef?
Or Dave Thomas? (I couldn't find his first commercial, which came out in 1989, so this is the best I can do... R.I.P., Dave...)
Microsoft bids for Yahoo
The world's largest computer company made a $44.6 billion bid for its arch web portal rival, and to compete more effectively with Google.
So more consolidation in the media business, only now in the high-tech sector. Well, since it worked so well for the radio and television businesses...
So more consolidation in the media business, only now in the high-tech sector. Well, since it worked so well for the radio and television businesses...
Weigel heads to CNN
Rafer Weigel, the son of the late sports anchor Tim Weigel, has landed a plum job with CNN, and is following in his father's footsteps: He'll be the sports anchor for CNN Headline News' Morning Express, which runs weekdays from 5 to 9 a.m. starting Monday.
The Evanston-born Weigel also has a Hollywood resume: He regularly appeared in Jenny McCarthy's short-lived NBC sitcom Jenny, and most recently provided voices on an episode of Adult Swim's Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.
The Evanston-born Weigel also has a Hollywood resume: He regularly appeared in Jenny McCarthy's short-lived NBC sitcom Jenny, and most recently provided voices on an episode of Adult Swim's Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
"Match Game" may return
It may happen. Hopefully, the revival is more in the spirit of the Gene Rayburn-hosted version, and not the awful Ross Shafer (1990) and Michael Berger (1998-99)-hosted versions of the series.
Time to get "Lost"
Anticipation is building as ABC begins a new, shortened season of Lost tonight on a new night and in a new time slot (8:00 CT), and with a 3.3 ratings in the money demo (adults 18-49) for a repeat of last night's season finale from May, expect a big number for the season premiere tonight.
Click here to read a conversation Chicago Tribune TV Critic Maureen Ryan had recently with the co-creator of Lost, Damon Lindelof. (Maybe The Simpsons writers should take Lindelof 's advice and scale back on the flashback stories.)
Click here to read a conversation Chicago Tribune TV Critic Maureen Ryan had recently with the co-creator of Lost, Damon Lindelof. (Maybe The Simpsons writers should take Lindelof 's advice and scale back on the flashback stories.)
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.), which you can find on Comcast channel 194 and Wide Open West channel 130. The station's 10 p.m. newscast will also be streamed on NBC5.com.
The station (like others that night) will be out in the field, covering big races for the Cook County State's Attorney and various congressional races.
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.), which you can find on Comcast channel 194 and Wide Open West channel 130. The station's 10 p.m. newscast will also be streamed on NBC5.com.
The station (like others that night) will be out in the field, covering big races for the Cook County State's Attorney and various congressional races.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
NATPE News
The latest from the convention:
WCIU picks up Judge Penny: Independent WCIU-TV in Chicago picks up its first-ever syndicated program from Program Partners by acquiring the company's new first-run courtroom strip Family Court with Judge Penny. The program has cleared 70 percent of the country, including Fox-owned stations in New York and Los Angeles. Additional clearances include CBS/CW stations in Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta (WUPA), Seattle (KSTW); and Norfolk (WGNT); WMYD-TV in Detroit; WRBU-TV in St. Louis; WDJT/WMLW in Milwaukee; and WIAT in Birmingham.
WGN renews Wilkos for second season: As expected, NBC Universal's The Steve Wilkos Show has been renewed for a second season in 85 percent of the country, with Tribune stations WGN-TV in Chicago, WPIX in New York and KTLA in Los Angeles on board, along with Fox's WFTC in Minneapolis and KUTP in Phoenix; plus Sinclair's WNUV-TV in Baltimore, WLFL-TV in Raleigh-Durham, WTTA in Tampa, and WTTE in Columbus, Ohio. WLVI-TV in Boston has also renewed the show.
Canada's Global gets Doctors: Global Television, Canada's "third network", has acquired the rigths to air The Doctors from CBS Paramount International Television. Global plans to slot the Dr. Phil spin-off in a daytime slot. The show is produced by Jay McGraw, who is Dr. Phil McGraw's son.
The Doctors premieres this fall in the U.S. in syndication, and is slotted at 5 p.m. locally over WCIU-TV. The Doctors is not related to the 1963-82 NBC daytime soap opera of the same name.
WCIU picks up Judge Penny: Independent WCIU-TV in Chicago picks up its first-ever syndicated program from Program Partners by acquiring the company's new first-run courtroom strip Family Court with Judge Penny. The program has cleared 70 percent of the country, including Fox-owned stations in New York and Los Angeles. Additional clearances include CBS/CW stations in Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta (WUPA), Seattle (KSTW); and Norfolk (WGNT); WMYD-TV in Detroit; WRBU-TV in St. Louis; WDJT/WMLW in Milwaukee; and WIAT in Birmingham.
WGN renews Wilkos for second season: As expected, NBC Universal's The Steve Wilkos Show has been renewed for a second season in 85 percent of the country, with Tribune stations WGN-TV in Chicago, WPIX in New York and KTLA in Los Angeles on board, along with Fox's WFTC in Minneapolis and KUTP in Phoenix; plus Sinclair's WNUV-TV in Baltimore, WLFL-TV in Raleigh-Durham, WTTA in Tampa, and WTTE in Columbus, Ohio. WLVI-TV in Boston has also renewed the show.
Canada's Global gets Doctors: Global Television, Canada's "third network", has acquired the rigths to air The Doctors from CBS Paramount International Television. Global plans to slot the Dr. Phil spin-off in a daytime slot. The show is produced by Jay McGraw, who is Dr. Phil McGraw's son.
The Doctors premieres this fall in the U.S. in syndication, and is slotted at 5 p.m. locally over WCIU-TV. The Doctors is not related to the 1963-82 NBC daytime soap opera of the same name.
"Montel" over and out
As expected, CBS Television Distribution has officially canceled the long-running The Montel Williams Show after a seventeen-season run.
Montel Williams' talk show was dropped by Fox-owned stations in the top three markets (including KCOP-TV in Los Angeles and WPWR-TV in Chicago.)
In fact, KCOP was one of the founding stations of Montel Williams when Viacom and then owner of KCOP (Chris-Craft Television) rolled the program out in select test markets in 1991. The program nationally launched in syndication in 1992, with WPWR picking up the series (WPWR dropped Montel in 1997, but it would later return to the station in 2006, where it now airs at 3 p.m.)
CBS is offering best-of editions of Montel for next season on a straight cash basis (meaning no barter), but that could be a hard sell as most television outlets thumb their noses on those kinds of terms nowadays, especially with repeats of talk shows. The package is being offered to cable outlets as well.
Montel Williams' talk show was dropped by Fox-owned stations in the top three markets (including KCOP-TV in Los Angeles and WPWR-TV in Chicago.)
In fact, KCOP was one of the founding stations of Montel Williams when Viacom and then owner of KCOP (Chris-Craft Television) rolled the program out in select test markets in 1991. The program nationally launched in syndication in 1992, with WPWR picking up the series (WPWR dropped Montel in 1997, but it would later return to the station in 2006, where it now airs at 3 p.m.)
CBS is offering best-of editions of Montel for next season on a straight cash basis (meaning no barter), but that could be a hard sell as most television outlets thumb their noses on those kinds of terms nowadays, especially with repeats of talk shows. The package is being offered to cable outlets as well.
Wilbon, Payne off air
Wishing a speedy recovery to two on-air personalities: WGN's Allison Payne, who has been kept off the air due to a series of "mini-strokes", and to Pardon the Interruption host and Washington Post sportswriter Michael Wilbon, who suffered a mild heart attack over the weekend. To each, get well soon.
Updated at 2:30 p.m. (added link to Wilbon story)
Updated at 2:30 p.m. (added link to Wilbon story)
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
NATPE News
The latest from the convention:
- In a coup for small syndie Program Partners, the company signed Marie Osmond to host a one-hour talk show strip for fall 2009. Marie Osmond last co-hosted a talk show with her brother Donny back in the late '90's for Sony.
- MGM has decided to bring back Gladiators 2000, a teen-oriented game show that spun-off of American Gladiators in the mid-1990's and was hosted by Ryan Seacrest (gee, wonder what he's doing now?) The program's 39 episodes (originally produced by Samuel Goldwyn Television), will return to weekly syndication in September 2008, to meet stations' (E/I) requirements (as it did then.)
Meanwhile, MGM is launching an online site dedicated to the original American Gladiators series, which ran in first-run from 1989 to 1996, and originally syndicated by The Samuel Goldwyn Co., which was purchased by MGM in 1997.
In other MGM news, the company announced it is taking over syndication sales of home-improvement series Ron Hazelton's House Calls from now-defunct Tribune Entertainment. MGM will produce new episodes of the series, and well as nabbing the rights to the series' backlog of past episodes.
- Litton's new Storm Stories has cleared 70 percent of the country, earning it a "firm go" for next season. The program will air locally on WGN-TV, with popular weather personality Tom Skilling the likely host.
- Not related to NATPE, but CBS renewed Survivor for two more editions next season, and NBC has picked up Celebrity Apprentice for next season as well.
- In a coup for small syndie Program Partners, the company signed Marie Osmond to host a one-hour talk show strip for fall 2009. Marie Osmond last co-hosted a talk show with her brother Donny back in the late '90's for Sony.
- MGM has decided to bring back Gladiators 2000, a teen-oriented game show that spun-off of American Gladiators in the mid-1990's and was hosted by Ryan Seacrest (gee, wonder what he's doing now?) The program's 39 episodes (originally produced by Samuel Goldwyn Television), will return to weekly syndication in September 2008, to meet stations' (E/I) requirements (as it did then.)
Meanwhile, MGM is launching an online site dedicated to the original American Gladiators series, which ran in first-run from 1989 to 1996, and originally syndicated by The Samuel Goldwyn Co., which was purchased by MGM in 1997.
In other MGM news, the company announced it is taking over syndication sales of home-improvement series Ron Hazelton's House Calls from now-defunct Tribune Entertainment. MGM will produce new episodes of the series, and well as nabbing the rights to the series' backlog of past episodes.
- Litton's new Storm Stories has cleared 70 percent of the country, earning it a "firm go" for next season. The program will air locally on WGN-TV, with popular weather personality Tom Skilling the likely host.
- Not related to NATPE, but CBS renewed Survivor for two more editions next season, and NBC has picked up Celebrity Apprentice for next season as well.
What's this? A scripted series in first-run syndication?
For the first time in many years, a major syndicator is offering a first-run scripted, original action hour in syndication.
Disney-ABC Domestic Television announced at NATPE today it will launch a new offering in first-run syndication from producer Sam Raimi called Wizard's First Rule. The program has cleared the Tribune station group, covering 35 percent of the country. The deal of course, includes WGN-TV in Chicago.
The one-hour weekly series is based on Terry Goodkind's best-selling epic fantasy series, The Sword of Truth, which contains eleven epic novels, with Wizard's First Rule the first novel released in 1994.
The series is being produced by ABC Studios, marking their first venture in first-run under that name.
First-run, hour long scripted series were long staples in syndication dating back to the 1970's, with U.F.O., Space: 1999, and the mega-bomb Starlost (which was shot on videotape.)
But the bar was raised significantly in the 1980's, with higher-quality programs including Fame (a NBC castoff), the cult hit Friday the 13th: The Series, and the big budget Star Trek: The Next Generation, with the latter two practically making Paramount's syndication division a hot commodity.
In the 1990's, the action hour scene exploded, thanks to international financing, and mega-hits Baywatch, Hercules, Xena: Warrior Princess, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Relic Hunter. The forerunner to Disney-ABC Television Distribution (Buena Vista Television) itself syndicated two first-run syndicated weeklies in the 1990s with Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Land's End.
But since 2001, international financing dried up, and scripted hours in syndication dwindled. The last first-run scripted series sold in first-run syndication was MGM's She Spies in 2002. Today's move by Disney-ABC hopes to rekindle a once hot business.
Disney-ABC Domestic Television announced at NATPE today it will launch a new offering in first-run syndication from producer Sam Raimi called Wizard's First Rule. The program has cleared the Tribune station group, covering 35 percent of the country. The deal of course, includes WGN-TV in Chicago.
The one-hour weekly series is based on Terry Goodkind's best-selling epic fantasy series, The Sword of Truth, which contains eleven epic novels, with Wizard's First Rule the first novel released in 1994.
The series is being produced by ABC Studios, marking their first venture in first-run under that name.
First-run, hour long scripted series were long staples in syndication dating back to the 1970's, with U.F.O., Space: 1999, and the mega-bomb Starlost (which was shot on videotape.)
But the bar was raised significantly in the 1980's, with higher-quality programs including Fame (a NBC castoff), the cult hit Friday the 13th: The Series, and the big budget Star Trek: The Next Generation, with the latter two practically making Paramount's syndication division a hot commodity.
In the 1990's, the action hour scene exploded, thanks to international financing, and mega-hits Baywatch, Hercules, Xena: Warrior Princess, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Relic Hunter. The forerunner to Disney-ABC Television Distribution (Buena Vista Television) itself syndicated two first-run syndicated weeklies in the 1990s with Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Land's End.
But since 2001, international financing dried up, and scripted hours in syndication dwindled. The last first-run scripted series sold in first-run syndication was MGM's She Spies in 2002. Today's move by Disney-ABC hopes to rekindle a once hot business.
Clean sweep?
In all my years of following the syndication business (since 1985, when yours truly at the young age of thirteen read his first NATPE edition of TV/Radio Age), I cannot recall at any time the entire slate of rookie first-run strips that debuted in the fall were renewed for a second season.
In fact, go back to the 1990-91 season, where of the eight first-run strips (not counting kids' shows) that debuted in September 1990, only one was renewed for the 1991-92 season - and that program (Entertainment Daily Journal, which was known as Personalities until July 1991) was canceled shortly into its second season.
With the surprise renewal of Merv Griffin's Crosswords, and the likely return of The Steve Wilkos Show, that only leaves Twentieth Television's Temptation as the only holdout. If Temptation comes back for a second season, it would mark the first time in known memory in which all the rookie first-run strips would return for a second season.
The moves mean that time periods will tighten up even more, and it will be harder than ever for a company to launch a first-run strip.
This comes as ratings for non-prime dayparts are becoming more and more fragmented and HUT levels for daytime television are sinking, making it easier for struggling shows to stay on the air. In San Francisco for example, HUT levels are quite low in daytime - and even a program with a 0.5 rating is considered profitable.
Only three years ago, Sony's female-targeted Life & Style talk show averaged a 0.4 rating and the plug was pulled midseason. Then again, reported discord among the program's co-hosts may have played a factor in its demise.
It just goes to show how much the syndication business has changed in the last few years and the dreaded 0.8 rating (Crosswords' season average) isn't the kiss of death it once was.
In fact, go back to the 1990-91 season, where of the eight first-run strips (not counting kids' shows) that debuted in September 1990, only one was renewed for the 1991-92 season - and that program (Entertainment Daily Journal, which was known as Personalities until July 1991) was canceled shortly into its second season.
With the surprise renewal of Merv Griffin's Crosswords, and the likely return of The Steve Wilkos Show, that only leaves Twentieth Television's Temptation as the only holdout. If Temptation comes back for a second season, it would mark the first time in known memory in which all the rookie first-run strips would return for a second season.
The moves mean that time periods will tighten up even more, and it will be harder than ever for a company to launch a first-run strip.
This comes as ratings for non-prime dayparts are becoming more and more fragmented and HUT levels for daytime television are sinking, making it easier for struggling shows to stay on the air. In San Francisco for example, HUT levels are quite low in daytime - and even a program with a 0.5 rating is considered profitable.
Only three years ago, Sony's female-targeted Life & Style talk show averaged a 0.4 rating and the plug was pulled midseason. Then again, reported discord among the program's co-hosts may have played a factor in its demise.
It just goes to show how much the syndication business has changed in the last few years and the dreaded 0.8 rating (Crosswords' season average) isn't the kiss of death it once was.
Chicago Defender to be weekly only
It looks like the struggling newspaper industry has claimed another victim: The Chicago Defender, the historic African-American newspaper which has struggled for years, is converting from a daily newspaper to a weekly, a move that has been speculated since last summer.
The Defender, which drastically scaled back its online presence last year, isn't laying off employees (which is good) - but the conversion to a weekly paper tells you how much the newspaper industry is hurting (thanks to readers flocking to the internet and other sources), and it seems to be affecting newspapers big and small.
The Sun-Times recently laid off employees over the last few weeks and reduced the size and pages of its editions; The Daily Southtown and Star newspapers recently merged their editions and cut some jobs; and three community papers owned by the Sun-Times recently ended publication.
The Defender, which drastically scaled back its online presence last year, isn't laying off employees (which is good) - but the conversion to a weekly paper tells you how much the newspaper industry is hurting (thanks to readers flocking to the internet and other sources), and it seems to be affecting newspapers big and small.
The Sun-Times recently laid off employees over the last few weeks and reduced the size and pages of its editions; The Daily Southtown and Star newspapers recently merged their editions and cut some jobs; and three community papers owned by the Sun-Times recently ended publication.
Monday, January 28, 2008
NATPE News
- Syndicated repeats of Fox's hit Bones has been cleared 45 percent of the country, including all of the Fox O&Os, not to mention station groups belonging to CBS, Tribune, and Bahakel. Weekday airings of the program were sold to TNT.
-CBS' Judge Judy has been re-upped until 2012.
- As mentioned earlier, Program Partners has renewed Merv Griffin's Crosswords in 50 percent in the country for Season 2, including the NBC O&Os who carry the show.
- After failing to sell Baywatch in strip syndication last fall, Litton has struck a deal with ION Television to air the show over their network, beginning in March.
-CBS' Judge Judy has been re-upped until 2012.
- As mentioned earlier, Program Partners has renewed Merv Griffin's Crosswords in 50 percent in the country for Season 2, including the NBC O&Os who carry the show.
- After failing to sell Baywatch in strip syndication last fall, Litton has struck a deal with ION Television to air the show over their network, beginning in March.
ACLU lashes out against FCC over decision to fine ABC affils
WARNING: Strong opinions ahead. Reader discretion is advised.
Thank you, ACLU for stating what a lot of Americans already know. And of course, the PTC praises the decision over NYPD Blue, the commie bastards that they are.
Thank you, ACLU for stating what a lot of Americans already know. And of course, the PTC praises the decision over NYPD Blue, the commie bastards that they are.
NATPE is here
The NATPE convention begins today in Las Vegas, and Broadcasting & Cable has a story on what the nation's 25 largest TV station groups are shopping for next season.
One thing is clear: A lot of veteran syndicated programs (Oprah, Wheel, Rachael Ray, People's Court, etc.) are sold well into the future - for the next four or five years, which makes it harder for new shows to get on the air. Meanwhile, the future of Twentieth Television's Temptation and Program Partners' Merv Griffin's Crosswords are in very serious doubt, with the NBC O&Os expected to drop the latter show., while Debmar's new Trivial Pursuit is expected to replace Temptation on many large market Fox-owned My Network TV stations.
The convention is a chance for small syndicators to shine - and sell. Telco Productions for one, returned to handling distribution of its own programs, taking over from now-shuttered Tribune Entertainment, which previously handled the job for them (Tribune will continue with ad sales for the shows.) Telco syndicates weeklies Animal Rescue, Missing, and Dog Tales.
For those of you attending the convention, here is a complete NATPE schedule.
WAIT... HOLD UP: It looks like there is going to be a second season for Crosswords after all. Program Partners says that the program has been renewed by the six NBC O&Os that carry the show, as well as other station groups covering 50 percent of the country.
updated at 11:23 am on 2008-01-28
One thing is clear: A lot of veteran syndicated programs (Oprah, Wheel, Rachael Ray, People's Court, etc.) are sold well into the future - for the next four or five years, which makes it harder for new shows to get on the air. Meanwhile, the future of Twentieth Television's Temptation and Program Partners' Merv Griffin's Crosswords are in very serious doubt, with the NBC O&Os expected to drop the latter show., while Debmar's new Trivial Pursuit is expected to replace Temptation on many large market Fox-owned My Network TV stations.
The convention is a chance for small syndicators to shine - and sell. Telco Productions for one, returned to handling distribution of its own programs, taking over from now-shuttered Tribune Entertainment, which previously handled the job for them (Tribune will continue with ad sales for the shows.) Telco syndicates weeklies Animal Rescue, Missing, and Dog Tales.
For those of you attending the convention, here is a complete NATPE schedule.
WAIT... HOLD UP: It looks like there is going to be a second season for Crosswords after all. Program Partners says that the program has been renewed by the six NBC O&Os that carry the show, as well as other station groups covering 50 percent of the country.
updated at 11:23 am on 2008-01-28
Friday, January 25, 2008
WLS-TV hit with fine from FCC
As well as every other ABC affiliate in the Central and Mountain time zone for airing a episode of NYPD Blue on Feb. 25, 2003 that contained partial nudity. The fine being proposed is $1.4 million.
Only two ABC O&Os (WLS and KTRK-TV in Houston) are named in the action, since the rest of the O&Os fall in the Pacific and Eastern time zones, where Blue aired at 10 p.m., and fall outside the safe-harbor (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) for indecency.
However, ABC affiliates in the Central and Mountain time zones aired the show in the 9 p.m. slot, and that falls inside the safe harbor.
Besides ABC's two O&Os, other station groups hit include Hearst-Argyle, Sinclair, Tribune, McGraw-Hill, Belo, Hubbard, Barrington, Citadel, Gray, Allbritton, Young, and Scripps.
To see a complete list of stations being fined, click here and scroll down.
Thought: ABC got caught with pants down - no pun intended. But really, does the FCC have better things to do than this? The way the agency has bungled this transition from analog to digital broadcasting - of course. Come next year, Chicagoans who don't have cable, satellite, or a digital set are going to be more concerned about getting a picture on their sets than a silly indecent exposure on a TV show that ceased being good years ago.
Updated 11:37 pm on 2008-01-25 (fixed broken link) and 1:48 am on 2008-01-28 (added list)
Only two ABC O&Os (WLS and KTRK-TV in Houston) are named in the action, since the rest of the O&Os fall in the Pacific and Eastern time zones, where Blue aired at 10 p.m., and fall outside the safe-harbor (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) for indecency.
However, ABC affiliates in the Central and Mountain time zones aired the show in the 9 p.m. slot, and that falls inside the safe harbor.
Besides ABC's two O&Os, other station groups hit include Hearst-Argyle, Sinclair, Tribune, McGraw-Hill, Belo, Hubbard, Barrington, Citadel, Gray, Allbritton, Young, and Scripps.
To see a complete list of stations being fined, click here and scroll down.
Thought: ABC got caught with pants down - no pun intended. But really, does the FCC have better things to do than this? The way the agency has bungled this transition from analog to digital broadcasting - of course. Come next year, Chicagoans who don't have cable, satellite, or a digital set are going to be more concerned about getting a picture on their sets than a silly indecent exposure on a TV show that ceased being good years ago.
Updated 11:37 pm on 2008-01-25 (fixed broken link) and 1:48 am on 2008-01-28 (added list)
Randy Salerno dies (Updated)
Sad news to report: Randy Salerno, who co-anchored WBBM-TV's morning newscast, was killed in a snowmobile accident Thursday night in Eagle River, Wisconsin.
Salerno was a Crystal Lake native who worked at TV stations in Albany, N.Y., Peoria, and Rockford before arriving at WGN-TV in 1994, where he was a weekend anchor and general assignment reporter. He also anchored the station midday newscast until 2004, when he joined WBBM as part of their morning newscast. At WBBM, he won his first Emmy that year for his coverage of the Chicago Marathon.
Salerno is survived by his wife, Irene, and three children. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.
Statement from CBS 2 President and General Manager Joe Ahern
CBS 2 Chicago.com: CBS 2's Randy Salerno Dies in Automobile Accident
UPDATE: A person who was driving the snowmobile Salerno was in has been charged. Scott Hirschey, a longtime friend of Salerno's, was charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle in the accident.
Meanwhile, a tribute page for Salerno is up and running and you can view it by clicking here.
Updated at 12:41 am on 2008-01-26
Salerno was a Crystal Lake native who worked at TV stations in Albany, N.Y., Peoria, and Rockford before arriving at WGN-TV in 1994, where he was a weekend anchor and general assignment reporter. He also anchored the station midday newscast until 2004, when he joined WBBM as part of their morning newscast. At WBBM, he won his first Emmy that year for his coverage of the Chicago Marathon.
Salerno is survived by his wife, Irene, and three children. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.
Statement from CBS 2 President and General Manager Joe Ahern
CBS 2 Chicago.com: CBS 2's Randy Salerno Dies in Automobile Accident
UPDATE: A person who was driving the snowmobile Salerno was in has been charged. Scott Hirschey, a longtime friend of Salerno's, was charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle in the accident.
Meanwhile, a tribute page for Salerno is up and running and you can view it by clicking here.
Updated at 12:41 am on 2008-01-26
Lionsgate, Marvel sign interim deals with WGA
Independents Lionsgate and Marvel Productions have signed interim deals with the Writer's Guild, meaning those entities are no longer struck companies.
Lionsgate produces Mad Men for AMC and Weeds for Showtime, while Marvel Productions' current projects the company is working on include Captain America and Thor. Marvel, of course, produced animated programs based on characters from Marvel Comics, including Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends and X-Men.
Lionsgate produces Mad Men for AMC and Weeds for Showtime, while Marvel Productions' current projects the company is working on include Captain America and Thor. Marvel, of course, produced animated programs based on characters from Marvel Comics, including Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends and X-Men.
Doug Elfman out as Sun-Times' TV critic
TV critic Doug Elfman was among one of the seventeen staffers laid off at the Sun-Times on Wednesday, but Jay Mariotti stays, further cementing this paper as a third-rate joke.
More NATPE News
- Twentieth Television has renewed The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet for a second season the Fox O&O's, including WFLD-TV in Chicago. The program has done on many stations, especially in southern markets such as Birmingham (WBRC) and Greensboro, N.C. (WGHP). Other pickups include San Francisco (KTVU), Seattle (KCPQ-TV), and Portland, Ore. (KPTV).
- Mighty Oak's Whacked Out Sports sports blooper show is back for a second season in 85 percent of the country, including WFLD-TV in Chicago, KSDK-TV in St. Louis, and WTHR in Indianapolis. The program was renewed by WNBC-TV in New York and KTTV in Los Angeles.
- Martha from NBC Universal has been renewed in 85 percent of the country for a fourth season, including several NBC O&Os.
- Meredith's Better TV franchise has been sold in 12 additional markets, including seven LIN-owned TV stations, bringing the total clearances of the daytime hour to 25, including WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee.
- Nextstar-owned NBC affiliate WBRE-TV in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa. is shifting its midday newscast to 11 a.m. from noon, being replaced by Martha, which moves from 3 p.m. What's taking her' place in the early-fringe time slot, you ask? 55 year-old repeats of I Love Lucy. Even Martha Stewart is no match for the zany antics of Lucille Ball.
- Mighty Oak's Whacked Out Sports sports blooper show is back for a second season in 85 percent of the country, including WFLD-TV in Chicago, KSDK-TV in St. Louis, and WTHR in Indianapolis. The program was renewed by WNBC-TV in New York and KTTV in Los Angeles.
- Martha from NBC Universal has been renewed in 85 percent of the country for a fourth season, including several NBC O&Os.
- Meredith's Better TV franchise has been sold in 12 additional markets, including seven LIN-owned TV stations, bringing the total clearances of the daytime hour to 25, including WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee.
- Nextstar-owned NBC affiliate WBRE-TV in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa. is shifting its midday newscast to 11 a.m. from noon, being replaced by Martha, which moves from 3 p.m. What's taking her' place in the early-fringe time slot, you ask? 55 year-old repeats of I Love Lucy. Even Martha Stewart is no match for the zany antics of Lucille Ball.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Sports Box
Giants win net Giant ratings
Wow! The NFC Championship Game pitting the New York Giants at the Green Bay Packers notched a whopping 54 million viewers, making it the highest-rated non-Super Bowl program since the 1998 Seinfeld finale, which drew 76.3 million viewers.
In Milwaukee, the game notched a 58.5 household rating and a 78 share for Fox-owned (and soon to be sold) WITI-TV.
The Giants' victory over the Packers now means they get to face the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz. on Fox on Feb. 3. The Patriots beat the Giants on Dec. 29 to set the historic 16-0 mark and may make history against them again.
NHL gets good news, too
The New York-Boston rivalry mania even spread to the NHL, where two Original Six teams and longtime hated arch-rivals - The Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers - took to the ice last Sunday to kick off NBC's regular-season NHL coverage. The game notched a 1.1 household rating, holding even from last year's start and last year's overall average.
On a personal note... A request to TNT and ESPN... Can you please stop showing Miami Heat games? With a writer's strike going on and viewers looking for alternative programming, people do not want to see a basketball team that is also on strike. Thank you.
Wow! The NFC Championship Game pitting the New York Giants at the Green Bay Packers notched a whopping 54 million viewers, making it the highest-rated non-Super Bowl program since the 1998 Seinfeld finale, which drew 76.3 million viewers.
In Milwaukee, the game notched a 58.5 household rating and a 78 share for Fox-owned (and soon to be sold) WITI-TV.
The Giants' victory over the Packers now means they get to face the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz. on Fox on Feb. 3. The Patriots beat the Giants on Dec. 29 to set the historic 16-0 mark and may make history against them again.
NHL gets good news, too
The New York-Boston rivalry mania even spread to the NHL, where two Original Six teams and longtime hated arch-rivals - The Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers - took to the ice last Sunday to kick off NBC's regular-season NHL coverage. The game notched a 1.1 household rating, holding even from last year's start and last year's overall average.
On a personal note... A request to TNT and ESPN... Can you please stop showing Miami Heat games? With a writer's strike going on and viewers looking for alternative programming, people do not want to see a basketball team that is also on strike. Thank you.
Management shake-ups at Chicago Citadel, Emmis stations
- At WKQX-FM (Q101):
Marc Young has been named Program Director at the Alternative station, from Associate Program and Music Director at Emmis' KMVA-FM (Movin' 97.5).
- At WLUP-FM (The Loop):
Emmis' classic rocker also made a move by promoting Bill Klaproth from Associate Program Director to Program Director.
- At WZZN-FM:
The Oldies/Classic Hits outlet named Mike Fowler as president and general manager. He replaces John Gallagher, who now concentrates only on sister station WLS-AM. He previously ran both stations sale Citadel purchased the station.
Fowler was once general manager at WRCX-FM (now WKSC-FM, Kiss FM.)
Marc Young has been named Program Director at the Alternative station, from Associate Program and Music Director at Emmis' KMVA-FM (Movin' 97.5).
- At WLUP-FM (The Loop):
Emmis' classic rocker also made a move by promoting Bill Klaproth from Associate Program Director to Program Director.
- At WZZN-FM:
The Oldies/Classic Hits outlet named Mike Fowler as president and general manager. He replaces John Gallagher, who now concentrates only on sister station WLS-AM. He previously ran both stations sale Citadel purchased the station.
Fowler was once general manager at WRCX-FM (now WKSC-FM, Kiss FM.)
Me-TV to honor fallen TV stars
Weigel's local outlet for classic TV, WWME-TV (or Me-TV for short) is honoring three individuals who passed away in the last week.
Suzanne Pleshette, Allan Melvin, and Lois Nettleton will be honored by Me-TV this weekend with marathons of the programs they appeared in. All three lost their battle with cancer.
- Pleshette will honored Saturday Night from 7-10 pm, with The Wild, Wild, West, Route 66, and the show that made her famous, The Bob Newhart Show.
- Melvin will be remembered from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday with The Brady Bunch, All in the Family, and The Phil Silvers Show, among others.
- Nettleton will be remembered Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m., with Alfred Hitchcock Presents, the "Midnight Sun" episode of The Twilight Zone, and Night Gallery.
Among other credits, Nettleton had guest roles on Studio One, Bonanza, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She regularly appeared on You Can't Take It With You, In The Heat of the Night, and General Hospital, among other series. The Oak Park native studied acting at the Goodman Theater and landed the role of Blanche in the 1973 production of A Streetcar Named Desire. She also provided the voice of Maleficent on Disney's animated series House of Mouse.
Wonderful move by Me-TV, giving the fact that most local TV outlets barely mentioned these passings (thank goodness for the Internet.) Now, how about Boomerang - or better yet Cartoon Network - set aside airing Scooby-Doo fifteen times a day so they can honor Allan Melvin's work on Magilla Gorilla and The Banana Splits in a special marathon? How about it, Cartoon Network?
Suzanne Pleshette, Allan Melvin, and Lois Nettleton will be honored by Me-TV this weekend with marathons of the programs they appeared in. All three lost their battle with cancer.
- Pleshette will honored Saturday Night from 7-10 pm, with The Wild, Wild, West, Route 66, and the show that made her famous, The Bob Newhart Show.
- Melvin will be remembered from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday with The Brady Bunch, All in the Family, and The Phil Silvers Show, among others.
- Nettleton will be remembered Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m., with Alfred Hitchcock Presents, the "Midnight Sun" episode of The Twilight Zone, and Night Gallery.
Among other credits, Nettleton had guest roles on Studio One, Bonanza, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She regularly appeared on You Can't Take It With You, In The Heat of the Night, and General Hospital, among other series. The Oak Park native studied acting at the Goodman Theater and landed the role of Blanche in the 1973 production of A Streetcar Named Desire. She also provided the voice of Maleficent on Disney's animated series House of Mouse.
Wonderful move by Me-TV, giving the fact that most local TV outlets barely mentioned these passings (thank goodness for the Internet.) Now, how about Boomerang - or better yet Cartoon Network - set aside airing Scooby-Doo fifteen times a day so they can honor Allan Melvin's work on Magilla Gorilla and The Banana Splits in a special marathon? How about it, Cartoon Network?
The Price Is Right for Primetime
For the first time in a little over 20 years, CBS is putting it's most successful daytime game show in a regular prime-time slot.
Long-time staple The Price Is Right will take up residence on CBS' Friday night schedule for six non-consecutive weeks beginning Feb. 22. The move is a bid (without going over) to cut down on repeats caused by the ongoing writer's strike.
CBS has run Price specials in prime-time before, but this is the first time the game show will be shown since Drew Carey took over as host of the show from Bob Barker, who retired last June.
Meanwhile, Carey's other show - Power of 10, is being yanked off the prime-time schedule, for now, but will return in the summer.
Though successful in daytime, Price has often stumbled outside of the daypart, with two recent syndicated nighttime versions - a 1985-86 version hosted by Tom Kennedy (which did not air in Chicago because of WBBM-TV slotting the network show at 4 p.m. at the time) - and a 1994 version hosted by Doug Davidson -failing big time. Price did have modest success as a weekly syndicated prime-access series airing from 1972 to 1980, with Dennis James as the host for the first four seasons, with Barker taking over from the fifth season onward.
The last time CBS regularly scheduled The Price Is Right in prime-time was in the summer of 1986 on Thursday nights, where the program aired opposite The Cosby Show and Family Ties.
Long-time staple The Price Is Right will take up residence on CBS' Friday night schedule for six non-consecutive weeks beginning Feb. 22. The move is a bid (without going over) to cut down on repeats caused by the ongoing writer's strike.
CBS has run Price specials in prime-time before, but this is the first time the game show will be shown since Drew Carey took over as host of the show from Bob Barker, who retired last June.
Meanwhile, Carey's other show - Power of 10, is being yanked off the prime-time schedule, for now, but will return in the summer.
Though successful in daytime, Price has often stumbled outside of the daypart, with two recent syndicated nighttime versions - a 1985-86 version hosted by Tom Kennedy (which did not air in Chicago because of WBBM-TV slotting the network show at 4 p.m. at the time) - and a 1994 version hosted by Doug Davidson -failing big time. Price did have modest success as a weekly syndicated prime-access series airing from 1972 to 1980, with Dennis James as the host for the first four seasons, with Barker taking over from the fifth season onward.
The last time CBS regularly scheduled The Price Is Right in prime-time was in the summer of 1986 on Thursday nights, where the program aired opposite The Cosby Show and Family Ties.
This guy isn't playing with a full deck of cards...
WJMK-FM (JACK) personality Steve Dahl interviewed Drew Peterson on his show yesterday, who some consider a suspect in his wife's (Stacy Peterson's) disappearance. Dahl had been lampooning the former Bolingbrook police chief on his radio show for the last several months, and so Peterson and his lawyer decided to call up his show and take him on one-on-one - but the outcome wasn't what anyone expected, not even Steve Dahl.
At the end of a fifteen minute phone conversation, Peterson's lawyer suggested a "Win a Date with Drew" contest, in which Peterson would be fixed up with a date on Thursday's show. Dahl reluctantly agreed, but the idea was dropped by WJMK management yesterday evening. Dahl stated however, that he had no intention of ever going through with the plan.
Who's Drew Peterson's lawyer? Lionel Hutz?
At the end of a fifteen minute phone conversation, Peterson's lawyer suggested a "Win a Date with Drew" contest, in which Peterson would be fixed up with a date on Thursday's show. Dahl reluctantly agreed, but the idea was dropped by WJMK management yesterday evening. Dahl stated however, that he had no intention of ever going through with the plan.
Who's Drew Peterson's lawyer? Lionel Hutz?
NATPE Update
Back after a hectic day yesterday - attended John Stroger's funeral (R.I.P) at my church - not to mention battling a slight cold... But I'm back and ready to roll with a lot of stories for ya, so watch the blog today! First up...
With the National Association of Television Executives convention set to get underway Monday in Las Vegas, here is an updated list of programs being offered.
Among the main series being offered is The Doctors from CBS (a medical talk show, not related to the former NBC soap opera of the same name); Warner's Bonnie Hunt, Debmar-Mercury's Trivial Pursuit: America's Game (which has cleared 55 percent of the country, including WFLD/WPWR in Chicago); and NBC Universal's Deal or No Deal strip.
Katz Television Group is recommending all of the four above mentioned shows, as well as Sony's new Judge Karen strip and Debmar's Tyler Perry's House of Payne sitcom. Katz is seriously recommending game shows, a complete turnaround from the early 1990's, when most game shows launched in syndication in that era failed. However, Katz more or less, ignored the two new games that debuted last fall to low ratings: Crosswords and Temptation.
In addition to those two games, other programs reportedly on the fence for next season include Sony's two year-old Judge Maria Lopez and CBS' 18-year veteran Montel Williams.
Katz is also recommending several off-network sitcoms for the fall of 2009: NBC Universal's The Office, Twentieth's My name Is Earl, and CBS' Everybody Hates Chris, with the latter offered on a three-year (156 week) licensing term, similar to what the syndicator offered with Girlfriends.
On the downside however, at least for Office and Earl, the programs are already or soon will air on TBS, which decreases their value to stations in syndication.
We'll have another NATPE update later today.
With the National Association of Television Executives convention set to get underway Monday in Las Vegas, here is an updated list of programs being offered.
Among the main series being offered is The Doctors from CBS (a medical talk show, not related to the former NBC soap opera of the same name); Warner's Bonnie Hunt, Debmar-Mercury's Trivial Pursuit: America's Game (which has cleared 55 percent of the country, including WFLD/WPWR in Chicago); and NBC Universal's Deal or No Deal strip.
Katz Television Group is recommending all of the four above mentioned shows, as well as Sony's new Judge Karen strip and Debmar's Tyler Perry's House of Payne sitcom. Katz is seriously recommending game shows, a complete turnaround from the early 1990's, when most game shows launched in syndication in that era failed. However, Katz more or less, ignored the two new games that debuted last fall to low ratings: Crosswords and Temptation.
In addition to those two games, other programs reportedly on the fence for next season include Sony's two year-old Judge Maria Lopez and CBS' 18-year veteran Montel Williams.
Katz is also recommending several off-network sitcoms for the fall of 2009: NBC Universal's The Office, Twentieth's My name Is Earl, and CBS' Everybody Hates Chris, with the latter offered on a three-year (156 week) licensing term, similar to what the syndicator offered with Girlfriends.
On the downside however, at least for Office and Earl, the programs are already or soon will air on TBS, which decreases their value to stations in syndication.
We'll have another NATPE update later today.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Black radio and the Civil Rights Movement
This well written article on Radio-Info discusses how black radio played a role in shaping the Civil Rights Movement, in which local stations (such as WVON in Chicago and WDAS in Philadelphia), were the eyes and ears to the black community and dispatched the latest information on numerous issues.
This public service continues to this day, as several syndicated programs hosted by Tom Joyner, Steve Harvey, and Michael Baisden - as well as other black radio hosts - helped mobilize listeners regarding the Jena 6 case, which included broadcasting their shows on-site from Louisiana, and informing listeners regarding the latest on the situation.
This public service continues to this day, as several syndicated programs hosted by Tom Joyner, Steve Harvey, and Michael Baisden - as well as other black radio hosts - helped mobilize listeners regarding the Jena 6 case, which included broadcasting their shows on-site from Louisiana, and informing listeners regarding the latest on the situation.
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