The Chicago Bulls may not be burning up the ratings nationally like they used to (after all, this is a country that now would rather watch a bunch of cars race around a track all day), but they are a hit locally - Game 4 between the Bulls and the Miami Heat - a game that capped off a sweep of the defending champs -averaged a 10 rating in Chicago between Noon and 2 p.m., according to Nielsen, with the rating peaking at a 16 at 2:15 p.m.
Not exactly Jordan-era ratings, but big nevertheless.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
Comcast buys out Cablevision
Comcast Corp. has bought out Cablevision's share in the FSN Bay Area and FSN New England sports nets for $570 million. Comcast will get 60 percent of the stake in FSN Bay Area (with Fox owning the other 40 percent) and 50 percent in FSN New England, giving it full control.
FSN Bay Area carries San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose sports teams, including the Giants, A's, Sharks, and Warriors (who are in the midst of an amazing playoff run.) FSN New England has the Boston Celtics and the MLS' Revolution. (NESN has the Red Sox and Bruins.)
The addition of those two areas gives Comcast a total of ten regional sports networks serving New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Sacramento, Baltimore/Washington D.C., the Mountain States (The Mtn. - Mountain Sports Network), and the Southeast (Comcast SportsSouth.)
It's likely that Comcast will rename the sports nets. Both were previously known as SportsChannel Bay Area and SportsChannel New England, respectively.
The sale leaves Cablevision is just its New York City sports nets, MSG and FSN New York.
Last year, Liberty Media acquired FSN Pittsburgh, FSN Rocky Mountain, and FSN Northwest (Seattle) sports nets (and a stake in DirectTV) from News Corp. in a stock swap and cash.
FSN Bay Area carries San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose sports teams, including the Giants, A's, Sharks, and Warriors (who are in the midst of an amazing playoff run.) FSN New England has the Boston Celtics and the MLS' Revolution. (NESN has the Red Sox and Bruins.)
The addition of those two areas gives Comcast a total of ten regional sports networks serving New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Sacramento, Baltimore/Washington D.C., the Mountain States (The Mtn. - Mountain Sports Network), and the Southeast (Comcast SportsSouth.)
It's likely that Comcast will rename the sports nets. Both were previously known as SportsChannel Bay Area and SportsChannel New England, respectively.
The sale leaves Cablevision is just its New York City sports nets, MSG and FSN New York.
Last year, Liberty Media acquired FSN Pittsburgh, FSN Rocky Mountain, and FSN Northwest (Seattle) sports nets (and a stake in DirectTV) from News Corp. in a stock swap and cash.
Baseball's hot; NBA, NHL playoffs not
The ratings for Major League Baseball games are up 20 percent on regional cable networks, according to Nielsen, and advertisers are clearly benefiting from the strong start. Some of them, like Fox's Detroit and Houston's regional sports networks, are averaging better ratings than the local CW and MyNetworkTV affiliates in prime time. Meanwhile, Fox's Saturday Game of the Week (which started early this year) has outdrawn both the NBA and NHL playoffs in the last week.
Baseball ratings have even outdrawn the Bulls-Heat playoff series. While the Bulls are back in the playoffs, the audience, nationally at least, are not.
Chicago ratings for the Cubs, White Sox and Bulls were not available. Perhaps because some of our local media writers don't find covering local television interesting anymore but instead, they somehow manage to churn out junk like this. Honestly, does anyone remotely care what Mike North's ratings are for his morning show these days?
Baseball ratings have even outdrawn the Bulls-Heat playoff series. While the Bulls are back in the playoffs, the audience, nationally at least, are not.
Chicago ratings for the Cubs, White Sox and Bulls were not available. Perhaps because some of our local media writers don't find covering local television interesting anymore but instead, they somehow manage to churn out junk like this. Honestly, does anyone remotely care what Mike North's ratings are for his morning show these days?
Friday, April 27, 2007
Internet radio bill introduced
Two lawmakers have introduced a bill to reverse the net radio royalty increase fee that goes into effect on May 15.
Reps. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.) and Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) introduced the bill in a bi-partisan effort yesterday in order to overturn the Copyright Radio Board's decision that would increase the rate of royalties per song from .08 in 2006 to .19 in 2010, which would amount to a 30 percent increase each year. At that rate, the move would deplete internet radio stations' revenues and force them out of business.
As expected, Sound Exchange reacted negatively to the bill. Executive Director John Simson called the bill "anti-artist".
Click on SaveNetRadio.org on the right and send your information to your Senator and your representative, and let them know how you feel on this issue.
Reps. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.) and Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) introduced the bill in a bi-partisan effort yesterday in order to overturn the Copyright Radio Board's decision that would increase the rate of royalties per song from .08 in 2006 to .19 in 2010, which would amount to a 30 percent increase each year. At that rate, the move would deplete internet radio stations' revenues and force them out of business.
As expected, Sound Exchange reacted negatively to the bill. Executive Director John Simson called the bill "anti-artist".
Click on SaveNetRadio.org on the right and send your information to your Senator and your representative, and let them know how you feel on this issue.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
E! goes Canadian
Independent station CHCH-TV in Hamilton, Ontario (outside of Toronto) is converting its' entire programming schedule (sans news and prime-time programming) to E! programming, beginning Sept. 1. This marks the first time that a U.S. cable network is taking over a broadcast station and its' repeaters in Canada.
CHCH owner CanWest has pledged to continue airing Canadian content on the station, but I have a feeling this will rub Canadians - particularly in Hamilton - the wrong way.
CHCH owner CanWest has pledged to continue airing Canadian content on the station, but I have a feeling this will rub Canadians - particularly in Hamilton - the wrong way.
Family Guy clears 90% ; Adult Swim expands; Thorne in trouble?
Twentieth Television has cleared Family Guy in 90% of the country for syndication this fall, with 150 markets on board and 24 of the top 25 markets.
Outside of the core Tribune group, recent markets cleared included San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Phoenix, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Cleveland, Orlando, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City.
(The press release misidentified one of the Orlando stations. It's WOFL/WRBW.)
In Chicago, the program will air on WGN-TV beginning in September.
Meanwhile, the programming block Family Guy appears on, Adult Swim, is expanding to seven nights a week. Guess which one?
Adult Swim is launching two new programs - a live-action Internet spin-off called Fat Guy Stuck In Internet, and an animated drama, Superjail.
It's also producing new episodes of Robot Chicken, Aqua Teen Hunger Force (whose movie was released in theaters earlier this month) and The Boondocks, which hadn't aired any new episodes for the past year (The comic strip's since been retired), Moral Orel, Harvey Birdman, Frisky Dingo and Tim and Eric, Awesome Show, Great Job. (The last three are the same title of the same show. Don't ask.)
A Star Wars-themed Robot Chicken episode is also currently in production, with George Lucas doing a voiceover cameo.
The expansion begins on July 6.
And by the way, to those Boston politicians who thought those Lite-Brite promotional items were bombs? The Moonites are still giving you guys the finger. Next, they'll waste more time and taxpayer money by investigating current Orioles' and ESPN broadcaster (and former White Sox broadcaster) Gary Thorne's ludicious claim that the bloodied sock Curt Schilling wore in the 2004 World Series was painted on.
Outside of the core Tribune group, recent markets cleared included San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Phoenix, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Cleveland, Orlando, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City.
(The press release misidentified one of the Orlando stations. It's WOFL/WRBW.)
In Chicago, the program will air on WGN-TV beginning in September.
Meanwhile, the programming block Family Guy appears on, Adult Swim, is expanding to seven nights a week. Guess which one?
Adult Swim is launching two new programs - a live-action Internet spin-off called Fat Guy Stuck In Internet, and an animated drama, Superjail.
It's also producing new episodes of Robot Chicken, Aqua Teen Hunger Force (whose movie was released in theaters earlier this month) and The Boondocks, which hadn't aired any new episodes for the past year (The comic strip's since been retired), Moral Orel, Harvey Birdman, Frisky Dingo and Tim and Eric, Awesome Show, Great Job. (The last three are the same title of the same show. Don't ask.)
A Star Wars-themed Robot Chicken episode is also currently in production, with George Lucas doing a voiceover cameo.
The expansion begins on July 6.
And by the way, to those Boston politicians who thought those Lite-Brite promotional items were bombs? The Moonites are still giving you guys the finger. Next, they'll waste more time and taxpayer money by investigating current Orioles' and ESPN broadcaster (and former White Sox broadcaster) Gary Thorne's ludicious claim that the bloodied sock Curt Schilling wore in the 2004 World Series was painted on.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Rosie to leave "The View" (Updated)
Rosie O'Donnell announced that she is leaving The View today, after failing to come to contract agreement with ABC. She is expected to leave in mid-June.
Her arrival to the talk show brought increased ratings for ABC, but also controversy, as she has feuded with Donald Trump, and has frequently criticized the Bush administration.
O'Donnell is weighing many options, including returning to the first-run syndicated game as a daytime talk show host. O'Donnell hosted a successful daytime show syndicated by Warner Bros. , from June 1996 to September 2002. On that show, she was dubbed as "The Queen of Nice" (a far stretch from what she is today.)
Warner Bros. and CBS Television Distribution are among the studios interested in O'Donnell's services.
As for The View, there is no word yet on who would replace O'Donnell. Other panelists that left the show in recent years include Lisa Ling, Star Jones, and Meredith Vierra (who has moved on to Today.)
Her arrival to the talk show brought increased ratings for ABC, but also controversy, as she has feuded with Donald Trump, and has frequently criticized the Bush administration.
O'Donnell is weighing many options, including returning to the first-run syndicated game as a daytime talk show host. O'Donnell hosted a successful daytime show syndicated by Warner Bros. , from June 1996 to September 2002. On that show, she was dubbed as "The Queen of Nice" (a far stretch from what she is today.)
Warner Bros. and CBS Television Distribution are among the studios interested in O'Donnell's services.
As for The View, there is no word yet on who would replace O'Donnell. Other panelists that left the show in recent years include Lisa Ling, Star Jones, and Meredith Vierra (who has moved on to Today.)
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
MNT: No upfronts for us
The struggling MyNetworkTV will not be at the lavish network upfronts next month - instead, it will hit the road to New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago for one-on-one meetings with media buyers.
That's the smartest move MyNetworkTV has made all year.
The network will completely abandon its soap operas by September (it launched with a all-telenovela format last September) in favor of non-scripted reality shows. Already, it's airing the International Fight League on Mondays, male-oriented specials on Tuesdays (beginning next week), and movies on Thursdays and Fridays, leaving just one night for the soaps.
That's the smartest move MyNetworkTV has made all year.
The network will completely abandon its soap operas by September (it launched with a all-telenovela format last September) in favor of non-scripted reality shows. Already, it's airing the International Fight League on Mondays, male-oriented specials on Tuesdays (beginning next week), and movies on Thursdays and Fridays, leaving just one night for the soaps.
Another week, another embarrassment for radio
This time, its WFNY-FM's ("Free FM" - or "FraudFM" as many have dubbed it) The Dog House with JV and Elvis, suspended indefinitely for racist comments made on the air in a phone prank made to a Chinese restaurant.
This follows another incident last week at a Augusta, Ga. station, where a talk-show host repeated Don Imus' infamous comments on the air -during a phone call to a black radio station.
We are losing analog signals for TV in 2009. Maybe the federal government should take away the analog signals for radio instead.
This follows another incident last week at a Augusta, Ga. station, where a talk-show host repeated Don Imus' infamous comments on the air -during a phone call to a black radio station.
We are losing analog signals for TV in 2009. Maybe the federal government should take away the analog signals for radio instead.
Where's Your Game?
Chicago sports fans are going to be in a tizzy trying to find their games tonight, as the Bulls, Cubs and White Sox are in action all at the same time.
Comcast SportsNet will air Game 2 of the Bulls-Heat quarterfinal (also available on TNT), while the Cubs-Brewers game will be on CLTV (or Comcast SportsNet Plus), and the White Sox-Royals game will be on Comcast SportsNet Plus 2, which in the Chicago area, means it will air on Total Living Network, a Chicago-based religious programming cable network run by Jerry Rose, who headed Christan Communications of Chicagoland, the former owner of WCFC-TV (now WCPX). WCFC was sold to Paxson Communications in 1998, and became a PAX (now Ion)-owned station.
Usually, Comcast SportsNet Plus 2 airs on the Comcast Network, an infomercial and leased-access channel, but that's being used for a Wolves playoff hockey game tonight (hockey playoffs in Chicago in April... a novel concept.... it just might work....)
WGN-TV, which holds the broadcast rights to all three, opted to stick with the female crowd with new episodes of Veronica Mars and Gilmore Girls. Both shows are "on the bubble" for next fall, and need all the help they can get.
Of course, it doesn't really matter... All the shows tonight will get slaughtered by American Idol anyway...
To find where your game is airing tonight, click here.
Comcast SportsNet will air Game 2 of the Bulls-Heat quarterfinal (also available on TNT), while the Cubs-Brewers game will be on CLTV (or Comcast SportsNet Plus), and the White Sox-Royals game will be on Comcast SportsNet Plus 2, which in the Chicago area, means it will air on Total Living Network, a Chicago-based religious programming cable network run by Jerry Rose, who headed Christan Communications of Chicagoland, the former owner of WCFC-TV (now WCPX). WCFC was sold to Paxson Communications in 1998, and became a PAX (now Ion)-owned station.
Usually, Comcast SportsNet Plus 2 airs on the Comcast Network, an infomercial and leased-access channel, but that's being used for a Wolves playoff hockey game tonight (hockey playoffs in Chicago in April... a novel concept.... it just might work....)
WGN-TV, which holds the broadcast rights to all three, opted to stick with the female crowd with new episodes of Veronica Mars and Gilmore Girls. Both shows are "on the bubble" for next fall, and need all the help they can get.
Of course, it doesn't really matter... All the shows tonight will get slaughtered by American Idol anyway...
To find where your game is airing tonight, click here.
NBC picks up figure skating
Continuing in the tradition of picking up events nobody else wants (Miss USA, the NHL), NBC has agreed to a three-year deal with U.S. Figure Skating to air figure skating events. ABC and ESPN has held the rights for the last 12 years, but passed on the upcoming contract.
Hey NBC, Miss America is now available... make it a hat trick!
Hey NBC, Miss America is now available... make it a hat trick!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Corno promoted at Comcast SportsNet
Jim Corno has been promoted at Comcast Sportsnet Chicago to president effective immediately, from vice president and general manager. This move was a part of a management realignment at the three CSN regional sports networks. New presidents were also named at SportsNet New York (Steve Raab) and Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia (Stephanie LaFair Smith).
You're late on your rent for the last time...
Bob Vila is being evicted from his home at CBS - The syndication outfit has pulled the plug on Bob Vila's Home Again, ending a 28-year run on television. Low ratings and sub par weekend time periods (i.e. between midnight and 8 a.m.) apparently are to blame.
Bob Vila began hosting PBS' This Old House in 1979, but was dropped from the show ten years later after he started endorsing Sears' Craftsman products - a move that angered producers from House, who's show was underwritten by its rival, the now-defunct Montgomery Ward & Co. (Vila was replaced by Steve Thomas.)
In 1989, he signed a deal with Group W Productions, to host a weekly syndicated show originally named Home Again with Bob Vila to debut the following year (Vila's new syndicated show was sponsored in part by Sears.) It later became Bob Vila's Home Again, and two years ago became just Bob Vila.
Group W, of course, merged with CBS in 1995, the same year the network bought King World. Eyemark (CBS' other syndication unit), took over distributing Vila. Since 2000, the program has been a King World property. Last year, CBS folded its CBS Paramount and King World divisions into CBS Television Distribution.
This marks the second time in the last few weeks that a veteran syndicated weekly series has called it quits. Last month, The George Michael Sports Machine ended its run after 24 years.
Reruns of Bob Vila's shows (including This Old House) are available on the DIY channel. Bob Vila also appeared on Home Improvement, as a rival on Tim Allen's Tool Time show. (Allen returned the favor by appearing on Vila's syndicated show in 1992.)
Bob Vila began hosting PBS' This Old House in 1979, but was dropped from the show ten years later after he started endorsing Sears' Craftsman products - a move that angered producers from House, who's show was underwritten by its rival, the now-defunct Montgomery Ward & Co. (Vila was replaced by Steve Thomas.)
In 1989, he signed a deal with Group W Productions, to host a weekly syndicated show originally named Home Again with Bob Vila to debut the following year (Vila's new syndicated show was sponsored in part by Sears.) It later became Bob Vila's Home Again, and two years ago became just Bob Vila.
Group W, of course, merged with CBS in 1995, the same year the network bought King World. Eyemark (CBS' other syndication unit), took over distributing Vila. Since 2000, the program has been a King World property. Last year, CBS folded its CBS Paramount and King World divisions into CBS Television Distribution.
This marks the second time in the last few weeks that a veteran syndicated weekly series has called it quits. Last month, The George Michael Sports Machine ended its run after 24 years.
Reruns of Bob Vila's shows (including This Old House) are available on the DIY channel. Bob Vila also appeared on Home Improvement, as a rival on Tim Allen's Tool Time show. (Allen returned the favor by appearing on Vila's syndicated show in 1992.)
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Pump up your May
It's a month that has Mom's day, the NBA and NHL playoffs (Chicago doesn't apply for the latter - thank you Mr. Wirtz) - and lots of new TV. It's sweeps. Get ready for a month that features 24, Lost, and American Idol blowouts, Bulls playoff basketball, and to top it off - the network upfronts, which comes with its own drama, especially for Veronica Mars and Gilmore Girls fans: will they come back next fall?
The fun kicks off Thursday, but NBC is getting the party started Monday with the first of five fresh Heroes.
And then they're off....
The fun kicks off Thursday, but NBC is getting the party started Monday with the first of five fresh Heroes.
And then they're off....
Friday, April 20, 2007
From the has-been file.... (or in this case, X-File...)
Former X-Files star Gillian Anderson bashes TV in this piece from the London Telegraph via The New York Post, saying she's doesn't watch it, and doesn't care for it, and saying it's destroying society.
Talk about biting the hand that fed you...
Gee Ms. Anderson, how's that film career working out for ya? Still living off those X-Files residual checks? The only way this washed up has-been can get back in the press is to make some stupid comment.
Like Don Imus.
Talk about biting the hand that fed you...
Gee Ms. Anderson, how's that film career working out for ya? Still living off those X-Files residual checks? The only way this washed up has-been can get back in the press is to make some stupid comment.
Like Don Imus.
Google jumps the shark
Remember when Google was cool? Man, times have sure changed. One bit of advice: never hire Meredith from Grey's Anatomy to pitch your product.
'Betty', 'Grey's' hit season lows
And October Road hits a 4.2 in adults 18-49. With Grey's Anatomy idiotic ferry boat death arc and Ugly Betty's angling to become the next Will & Grace (as in too many long-faded guest stars), October is stepping up to the plate and deserves a second season renewal.
Clear Channel TV sold
Providence Equity Partners purchased the Clear Channel TV station group for $1.2 billion, in a deal that should close by this fall. Among the stations included in the deal are top-rated WKRC-TV (CBS) in Cincinnati, WAWS (Fox)/WTEV (CBS) in Jacksonville, and WOAI-TV (NBC) in San Antonio.
Hope
According to a story in Radio and Records, the Sound Exchange, which distributes and collects royalties from Internet broadcasters, are in negotiations with some commercial and non-commercial (public) broadcasters about future "business arrangements" that will help foster the growth of Internet radio, and fair compensation to the artists.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)