XM and AOL have ended their partnership as advertised, effective today. AOL signed a deal with CBS Radio a few months ago, and is scheduled to go into effect tomorrow, but you likely won't see any CBS Radio content on AOL Radio for another month or so.
But in AOL Radio's blog, they claim the reason they broke up with XM is because AOL is moving to an advertising-based model (which means commercials), and XM is sticking with its subscription-based model (some XM channels streamed for free on AOL), and also claim the RIAA and SoundExchange's increase in royalty rates forced them to go to CBS.
Not only that, according to XMfan.com, AOL tried to insert ads into XM's Internet streams, as the two shared the royalty rates to stream on AOL, and it was part of the reason why the two broke up and AOL sought a deal with CBS.
Hold it. Didn't AOL and other large webcasters make a deal last August? So why is AOL complaining about it? They make a very bad deal on Internet streaming rates and now they are whining? Please spare me. They let SoundExchange and the RIAA rip them off and now, AOL is playing the victim. Now, I am definitely not a fan of the greedy twin terrors, but AOL and other large webcasters should have known what they were getting into before making such a bad deal like this. Now, they look like total fools.
And the end result? AOL is now an advertising-based format rather than a subscription one. In other words, it's no different than terrestrial. Why bother listening when you can tune in to regular radio to hear the same songs and commercials? Some alternative.
While yours truly said this is the AOL-CBS deal is a bet worth taking and could help Internet radio, I don't like the arrogant stance AOL has taken on this, saying they had to go to CBS to keep its streams alive, when they could have made a better deal with the greedy twin towers to keep XM at reasonable rates. Instead, AOL comes off as a bunch of stupid hypocrites, claiming poverty on this issue while they have been nickeling and diming people for years. Big Media will never learn, will it? No wonder they screw up everything they get their hands on... network television, local news, cable, the television syndication business, terrestrial radio, and now Internet radio. You name it, they manage to screw it up.
AOL Radio is nothing but a bunch of crybabies. Yours truly doesn't feel sorry for them at all. Congratulations on selling out to terrestrial radio. Both of you, the RIAA, and SoundExchange all deserve each other. Good riddance.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
There's something about playoff season
Ratings for both the NHL and the NBA playoffs (despite the lack of the Knicks and Bulls) are up from last year, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Ratings for the NBA playoffs are up 20 percent on TNT with a more than 30 percent increase in key demos, and is up 47 percent on ESPN, with a 79 percent jump in the men 18-34 demo. Teams in the playoff hunt this year include the popular Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, along with teams with amazing playoff runs, including the New Orleans Hornets (formerly Charlotte Hornets) and the Atlanta Hawks (which tied the Celtics 2-2 in the quarterfinal series as of this writing.)
The NHL meanwhile, has set records on Versus, thanks to the presence of new stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. Ratings are up across the board in households and male demos from last year's quarterfinal rounds.
Ratings for the NBA playoffs are up 20 percent on TNT with a more than 30 percent increase in key demos, and is up 47 percent on ESPN, with a 79 percent jump in the men 18-34 demo. Teams in the playoff hunt this year include the popular Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, along with teams with amazing playoff runs, including the New Orleans Hornets (formerly Charlotte Hornets) and the Atlanta Hawks (which tied the Celtics 2-2 in the quarterfinal series as of this writing.)
The NHL meanwhile, has set records on Versus, thanks to the presence of new stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. Ratings are up across the board in households and male demos from last year's quarterfinal rounds.
Paula's off the wagon again
She criticizes Jason Castro for the two songs he sung in round one of American Idol... only problem is... he sung only one! Oh, Paula... you've got to lay off those three-martini lunches...
The WB lives online
KidsWB.com relaunches as well; The CW announces new name for its Saturday morning lineup
The WB died in the merger with UPN to form The CW two years ago, but now the frog is being resurrected online.
Time Warner announced Monday it is relaunching The WB brand online along with a revamped KidsWB website. The WB launches as a beta this week and is going live in August.
The new TheWB.com targets women 16-34 and feature shows that were popular in the demo, including Angel, Buffy, and Gilmore Girls. The site also features programming from Warner Bros. library, including Friends, The OC, and Veroinca Mars. Original programming is also planned for the website, as well as a partnership with social-networking site Facebook.
Meanwhile, KidsWB.com has relaunched, which now places its emphasis on classic Warner Bros. and Hanna-Barbera programming and characters, running the gamut from Bugs Bunny to George Jetson. The previous incarnation of the KidsWB.com has shifted to a new website called CW4Kids.com, to feature the network's new Saturday morning lineup this fall by 4KidsTV, which replaces the Kids WB lineup on CW affiliates.
CW's Saturday morning lineup is being re-branded as CW4Kids on May 24 with the programming changes taking effect in September, in a deal announced last October. Most, if not all of the current Kids WB programs are expected to be replaced. Some fare like Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get A Clue has already been removed from the schedule.
The WB died in the merger with UPN to form The CW two years ago, but now the frog is being resurrected online.
Time Warner announced Monday it is relaunching The WB brand online along with a revamped KidsWB website. The WB launches as a beta this week and is going live in August.
The new TheWB.com targets women 16-34 and feature shows that were popular in the demo, including Angel, Buffy, and Gilmore Girls. The site also features programming from Warner Bros. library, including Friends, The OC, and Veroinca Mars. Original programming is also planned for the website, as well as a partnership with social-networking site Facebook.
Meanwhile, KidsWB.com has relaunched, which now places its emphasis on classic Warner Bros. and Hanna-Barbera programming and characters, running the gamut from Bugs Bunny to George Jetson. The previous incarnation of the KidsWB.com has shifted to a new website called CW4Kids.com, to feature the network's new Saturday morning lineup this fall by 4KidsTV, which replaces the Kids WB lineup on CW affiliates.
CW's Saturday morning lineup is being re-branded as CW4Kids on May 24 with the programming changes taking effect in September, in a deal announced last October. Most, if not all of the current Kids WB programs are expected to be replaced. Some fare like Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get A Clue has already been removed from the schedule.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
WPWR acquires "Law & Order: SVU" strip
Fox-owned WPWR-TV has acquired Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as a nightly strip from NBC Universal Television Distribution beginning in September 2009. SVU is already airing twice in syndication every weekend, where it has done exceptionally well.
This comes as WPWR and nine other Fox-owned My Network TV affiliates are experiencing success with Law & Order's sister show, Criminal Intent.
In addition to WPWR and Fox's nine other MNT affiliates, the strip version of SVU has also cleared eighteen of the top twenty markets, in a 50/50 barter deal (7 minutes national ads/7 minutes local ads).
Criminal Intent meanwhile, has grown in the national ratings (1.3 in September to 1.5 in April) and has experienced ratings growth in New York at WWOR-TV. No word however, on whether or not NBC Universal will bring the series back to syndication after its contract expires with stations in 2009.
This comes as WPWR and nine other Fox-owned My Network TV affiliates are experiencing success with Law & Order's sister show, Criminal Intent.
In addition to WPWR and Fox's nine other MNT affiliates, the strip version of SVU has also cleared eighteen of the top twenty markets, in a 50/50 barter deal (7 minutes national ads/7 minutes local ads).
Criminal Intent meanwhile, has grown in the national ratings (1.3 in September to 1.5 in April) and has experienced ratings growth in New York at WWOR-TV. No word however, on whether or not NBC Universal will bring the series back to syndication after its contract expires with stations in 2009.
WGN, WPIX, KDAF sign deal with LATV
Three Tribune-owned stations - WGN-TV in Chicago, WPIX-TV in New York, and KDAF-TV in Dallas have signed deals with bilingual digital network LATV. The Hispanic-targeted network is landing on one of the digital subchannels of each of the three stations.
LATV replaces The Tube on these channels, which ceased operations last September.
With the new adds, LATV now airs on digital sub-channels in 26 markets, reaching 32 million households across the U.S., including KJLA-TV in Los Angeles and KTVU (Channel 2.2) in San Francisco.
LATV replaces The Tube on these channels, which ceased operations last September.
With the new adds, LATV now airs on digital sub-channels in 26 markets, reaching 32 million households across the U.S., including KJLA-TV in Los Angeles and KTVU (Channel 2.2) in San Francisco.
Chicago radio's Winter book results
The winter books are here, and according to Arbitron (click here to see daypart info):
WINNERS:
WGN-AM: This could be the beginning of a long reign for longtime leader WGN-AM on top of the radio hill in Chicago, as the station fended off WGCI to remain numero uno in Chicago's Winter Arbitron book, and is expected to remain number one throughout the spring and summer, thanks to Cubs baseball.
WGCI-FM: The station finished first in every key demographic across the board, and is Chicago's number one music station.
WBBM-AM: The all-news outlet finishes a strong third overall.
WVAZ-FM (V103): The Urban AC outlet yo-yos up in this book, finishing fourth.
WPPN-FM: Feel the passion! Spanish Oldies never sounded so good, with this Univision outlet finishing fifth overall, with its highest share ever, and bested WOJO-FM for top Spanish station in Chicago.
WZZN-FM (True Oldies): Finished 11th overall, matching last year's numbers.
WFMT-FM: The classical outlet scores its highest 12+ rating in over a year.
WXRT-FM: Highest rating in over a year, finishing 17th overall.
WCFS-FM (Fresh 105.9): Finished 20th overall, a marked improvement over what was on WCKG - but more notably, finished in the top ten middays in key female demos.
WCPT-AM : The progressive talk station doubled its number in the ratings from last book.
WSCR-AM (The Score) and WMVP-AM (ESPN 1000): The Score finished first among men 25-54 in a tight race with ESPN 1000. Both sports stations are winners in my book.
Steve Harvey: WGCI's morning show ranked first among teens and second among Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-34. Clearly benefiting from WGCI's loyal audience.
Doug Banks: WVAZ-FM's new afternoon show busted out of the gate, finishing second among Adults 25-54.
Eddie, JoBo, and Erica: WBBM-FM's (B96's) long-running morning show ranked second among the 12-24 demographic, behind Steve Harvey. A winner, don't you think?
Eric & Kathy: WTMX-FM's long-running morning show continues its dominance among the lucrative female 25-54 demo in the mornings.
Steve Dahl: WJMK-FM's (Jack) new morning man finished eighth overall and even better among men 25-54.
LOSERS:
WOJO: Once Chicago's top Spanish-language station, it fell behind WPPN and WLEY.
WLIT-FM (Lite FM): Back to regular AC music and down to 16th place.
WLUP-FM (The Loop), WJMK : Slides to 21st and 22nd place respectively, with mediocre numbers and for WJMK, a mediocre format despite the presence of Dahl in the morning.
WKQX-FM (Q101): Another rock station that can't get arrested in the ratings.
WILV-FM (Love FM): Down to 23rd place, with no purpose or direction whatsoever. With apologies to Marc Berman, tick-tock - the cancellation clock is ticking!
Nine-FM: Let's face it... This station will never catch on.
Overall, Chicago radio was a winner in the recent Winter book, with some morning shows gaining listeners. Whether you love it or hate it, you can't deny the local radio business is in better shape than the TV business right now, with ratings down for both networks and local stations and the return for many hit shows, thanks to the Writer's Strike.
Sources: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, "Ratings Info", Chicagolandradioandmedia.com.
WINNERS:
WGN-AM: This could be the beginning of a long reign for longtime leader WGN-AM on top of the radio hill in Chicago, as the station fended off WGCI to remain numero uno in Chicago's Winter Arbitron book, and is expected to remain number one throughout the spring and summer, thanks to Cubs baseball.
WGCI-FM: The station finished first in every key demographic across the board, and is Chicago's number one music station.
WBBM-AM: The all-news outlet finishes a strong third overall.
WVAZ-FM (V103): The Urban AC outlet yo-yos up in this book, finishing fourth.
WPPN-FM: Feel the passion! Spanish Oldies never sounded so good, with this Univision outlet finishing fifth overall, with its highest share ever, and bested WOJO-FM for top Spanish station in Chicago.
WZZN-FM (True Oldies): Finished 11th overall, matching last year's numbers.
WFMT-FM: The classical outlet scores its highest 12+ rating in over a year.
WXRT-FM: Highest rating in over a year, finishing 17th overall.
WCFS-FM (Fresh 105.9): Finished 20th overall, a marked improvement over what was on WCKG - but more notably, finished in the top ten middays in key female demos.
WCPT-AM : The progressive talk station doubled its number in the ratings from last book.
WSCR-AM (The Score) and WMVP-AM (ESPN 1000): The Score finished first among men 25-54 in a tight race with ESPN 1000. Both sports stations are winners in my book.
Steve Harvey: WGCI's morning show ranked first among teens and second among Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-34. Clearly benefiting from WGCI's loyal audience.
Doug Banks: WVAZ-FM's new afternoon show busted out of the gate, finishing second among Adults 25-54.
Eddie, JoBo, and Erica: WBBM-FM's (B96's) long-running morning show ranked second among the 12-24 demographic, behind Steve Harvey. A winner, don't you think?
Eric & Kathy: WTMX-FM's long-running morning show continues its dominance among the lucrative female 25-54 demo in the mornings.
Steve Dahl: WJMK-FM's (Jack) new morning man finished eighth overall and even better among men 25-54.
LOSERS:
WOJO: Once Chicago's top Spanish-language station, it fell behind WPPN and WLEY.
WLIT-FM (Lite FM): Back to regular AC music and down to 16th place.
WLUP-FM (The Loop), WJMK : Slides to 21st and 22nd place respectively, with mediocre numbers and for WJMK, a mediocre format despite the presence of Dahl in the morning.
WKQX-FM (Q101): Another rock station that can't get arrested in the ratings.
WILV-FM (Love FM): Down to 23rd place, with no purpose or direction whatsoever. With apologies to Marc Berman, tick-tock - the cancellation clock is ticking!
Nine-FM: Let's face it... This station will never catch on.
Overall, Chicago radio was a winner in the recent Winter book, with some morning shows gaining listeners. Whether you love it or hate it, you can't deny the local radio business is in better shape than the TV business right now, with ratings down for both networks and local stations and the return for many hit shows, thanks to the Writer's Strike.
Sources: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, "Ratings Info", Chicagolandradioandmedia.com.
Friday, April 25, 2008
"Soul Train" derails
Music awards show is also gone -for now. But a Soul Train Movie is in development
In the post below, I mentioned the fate of U.S. Farm Report, one of two programs which were left hanging after the shuttering of Tribune Entertainment. Now the other shoe has dropped for the other show.
The Soul Train Music Awards was canceled this year, apparently a casualty of the recent Writer's Guild strike and the closing of Tribune's syndication operation. But major African-American artists have stopped showing up to the awards show over the years, perhaps earlier sealing its fate, and the fact many stations in recent years have aired the awards show tape-delayed in late fringe or overnight time slots.
Don Cornelius, the creator and executive producer of Soul Train, said he hopes the awards show returns next year.
As for the show itself, it is indeed official - the program has ended its long run, with the last installment airing in 2006. However, a Soul Train movie is in development, and could hit theaters in 2009.
There is a report that Trifecta Entertainment has picked up the rights to reruns of Soul Train, which have been running in syndication since June 2006. But the company has not been able to confirm or deny this, since the company's website does not mention the show. Trifecta earlier picked up the rights to another former Tribune property, American Idol Rewind.
Thought: While Chicago's TV production is more known for Oprah, Jerry Springer, Jenny Jones, and other shows, some people don't know that Soul Train began its life in Chicago in 1970 at WCIU-TV as a daily strip. The program went into weekly national syndication in 1971, when production moved to Los Angeles, and ran an amazing 35 years. I practically grew up watching this show in the 1970's and 1980's, and it provided a window into black culture no other show could (remember the Soul Train scramble board?). Among the many people who danced on Soul Train include football players Fred Williamson and Walter Payton, and future pop and R&B star Jody Watley.
Don Cornelius was one of the hardest-working individuals in this business, producing this program and its various specials - but he usually wasn't recognized for it. And that's a shame. He deserves as much recognition as Bill Cosby for positive African-American contributions to the television industry. Cornelius was host of Soul Train until 1993, when he decided to stay behind the camera.
Soul Train motored on after other music programs like American Bandstand, Solid Gold, and The Midnight Special have passed on. Unfortunately, the changing nature of the both the music and television businesses (and not for the better) have caught up to Soul Train, and became a victim of mostly late fringe and overnight time slots in many markets in recent years. Soul Train may be gone, but the spirit of "Love, peace, and Soooooooooooul!" and "The hippest trip in America" lives on.
In the post below, I mentioned the fate of U.S. Farm Report, one of two programs which were left hanging after the shuttering of Tribune Entertainment. Now the other shoe has dropped for the other show.
The Soul Train Music Awards was canceled this year, apparently a casualty of the recent Writer's Guild strike and the closing of Tribune's syndication operation. But major African-American artists have stopped showing up to the awards show over the years, perhaps earlier sealing its fate, and the fact many stations in recent years have aired the awards show tape-delayed in late fringe or overnight time slots.
Don Cornelius, the creator and executive producer of Soul Train, said he hopes the awards show returns next year.
As for the show itself, it is indeed official - the program has ended its long run, with the last installment airing in 2006. However, a Soul Train movie is in development, and could hit theaters in 2009.
There is a report that Trifecta Entertainment has picked up the rights to reruns of Soul Train, which have been running in syndication since June 2006. But the company has not been able to confirm or deny this, since the company's website does not mention the show. Trifecta earlier picked up the rights to another former Tribune property, American Idol Rewind.
Thought: While Chicago's TV production is more known for Oprah, Jerry Springer, Jenny Jones, and other shows, some people don't know that Soul Train began its life in Chicago in 1970 at WCIU-TV as a daily strip. The program went into weekly national syndication in 1971, when production moved to Los Angeles, and ran an amazing 35 years. I practically grew up watching this show in the 1970's and 1980's, and it provided a window into black culture no other show could (remember the Soul Train scramble board?). Among the many people who danced on Soul Train include football players Fred Williamson and Walter Payton, and future pop and R&B star Jody Watley.
Don Cornelius was one of the hardest-working individuals in this business, producing this program and its various specials - but he usually wasn't recognized for it. And that's a shame. He deserves as much recognition as Bill Cosby for positive African-American contributions to the television industry. Cornelius was host of Soul Train until 1993, when he decided to stay behind the camera.
Soul Train motored on after other music programs like American Bandstand, Solid Gold, and The Midnight Special have passed on. Unfortunately, the changing nature of the both the music and television businesses (and not for the better) have caught up to Soul Train, and became a victim of mostly late fringe and overnight time slots in many markets in recent years. Soul Train may be gone, but the spirit of "Love, peace, and Soooooooooooul!" and "The hippest trip in America" lives on.
"U.S. Farm Report" ends run
If you're looking for U.S. Farm Report at 5 a.m. Saturday morning, you're out of luck... forever. Unable to find a syndicator to replace now-defunct Tribune Entertainment, the producers of the 33-year old agriculture series have decided to end production (3rd item).
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Jimmy's hosting a talk show
Jimmy Fallon is succeeding Conan O' Brien in the post-Tonight show slot effective in 2009, according to sources. NBC plans to announce the former Saturday Night Live star's new gig at its upfront presentation (yes, they are having another one) on May 12.
O' Brien is succeeding Jay Leno as host of The Tonight Show next year, and plans to move the show from Burbank, Calif. to Universal City, Calif.
O' Brien is succeeding Jay Leno as host of The Tonight Show next year, and plans to move the show from Burbank, Calif. to Universal City, Calif.
Oh, that Jim Elia!
The week of April 25, 1983 was quite memorable. Harold Washington was elected Chicago's first African-American mayor, yours truly celebrated his 11th birthday - and then- Cubs manager Lee Elia's went nuts on the team's fans!
In an article in today's Tribune, Teddy Greenstein talks about how Chicago news stations were jockeying to get a tape of a rant that would rank as perhaps the most memorable in Chicago sports history (check out what Mark Giangreco said about his cell phone... those things were huge back in the day.)
The story also reveals how then WMAQ-TV sports anchor Chet Coppock handled a rather rude request from former WBBM-TV sports anchor and Chicago Bear player Johnny Morris (Morris wasn't really remembered much for his charisma, or lack thereof.)
Yours truly remembers when this happened, and it cerainly generated an OMFG moment (before it was known as OMFG.) A Lee Elia like-rant certainly wouldn't air on TV today (even bleeped), as the Parents Television Council and the FCC would definitely have a stroke...
To hear the rant, click here. (WARNING: Contains strong language. Listener discretion is advised. But you already knew that, right?)
In an article in today's Tribune, Teddy Greenstein talks about how Chicago news stations were jockeying to get a tape of a rant that would rank as perhaps the most memorable in Chicago sports history (check out what Mark Giangreco said about his cell phone... those things were huge back in the day.)
The story also reveals how then WMAQ-TV sports anchor Chet Coppock handled a rather rude request from former WBBM-TV sports anchor and Chicago Bear player Johnny Morris (Morris wasn't really remembered much for his charisma, or lack thereof.)
Yours truly remembers when this happened, and it cerainly generated an OMFG moment (before it was known as OMFG.) A Lee Elia like-rant certainly wouldn't air on TV today (even bleeped), as the Parents Television Council and the FCC would definitely have a stroke...
To hear the rant, click here. (WARNING: Contains strong language. Listener discretion is advised. But you already knew that, right?)
WBBM-TV's newscast ratings update
CBS-owned WBBM's 10 p.m. ratings after the recent anchor changes have remained flat from February, according to today's Sun-Times. Despite the moves, the station is still in its third-place behind its other network O&O rivals. However, Channel 2 points out it has received positive e-mails and phone calls from viewers about the changes.
Today begins the May sweeps period, which ends on the 21st (the same night of the American Idol finale.)
Today begins the May sweeps period, which ends on the 21st (the same night of the American Idol finale.)
WLS-TV's Cheryl Burton attacked downtown
And the violence is spreading to the Loop as well - WLS-TV reporter Cheyrl Burton was attacked along with five other people as a mentally ill man was wondering around the Loop, striking people with his fist randomly. Police have the person in custody.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
WGCI stops the hits to address Chicago violence
Doing what they should be doing when a community in is crisis, WGCI-FM abruptly stopped playing music this afternoon and evening to address the shootings and killings that has plagued Chicago's minority communities over the past week. The impromptu move came after five people were gunned down inside a house on Chicago's South Side this afternoon.
WGCI invited leaders from the African-American community to talk to callers and discuss their stories, and try to increase the peace in some of the city's worst neighborhoods.
The shootings and killings have also brought something Chicago's leaders clearly didn't want: A national public relations nightmare, especially with the city competing for the 2016 Olympics.
Yours truly will address the local and national media's handling of the violence in a future Think Tank.
WGCI invited leaders from the African-American community to talk to callers and discuss their stories, and try to increase the peace in some of the city's worst neighborhoods.
The shootings and killings have also brought something Chicago's leaders clearly didn't want: A national public relations nightmare, especially with the city competing for the 2016 Olympics.
Yours truly will address the local and national media's handling of the violence in a future Think Tank.
CW launches racy "Gossip Girl" campaign
Originally posted on April 11, but now with update!
It's the giant douche and turd sandwich thing again... You guys just want to keep the Parents Television Council in the news, do you? Awaiting PTC press release, feigning outrage...
And here it is...
It's the giant douche and turd sandwich thing again... You guys just want to keep the Parents Television Council in the news, do you? Awaiting PTC press release, feigning outrage...
And here it is...
NBC, NHL agree to one-year deal extension
And both ought to thank Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins (and the Outdoor Classic in Buffalo) for this, as well as other young upcoming stars in the league (like the Blackhawks' Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.)
While ratings are still low, they are up 33 percent in the key male 18-49 demo and up 11 percent in households. NBC is continuing its Sunday Game of the Week next season, in addition to playoff games and at lest three Stanley Cup Final games in prime-time.
NBC exercised its option it had in its current contract to extend the deal one more year.
While ratings are still low, they are up 33 percent in the key male 18-49 demo and up 11 percent in households. NBC is continuing its Sunday Game of the Week next season, in addition to playoff games and at lest three Stanley Cup Final games in prime-time.
NBC exercised its option it had in its current contract to extend the deal one more year.
Superstation WGN in for makeover
The national version of WGN seen on cable systems and satellite (except in Chicago, where Superstation WGN is seen only on satellite), is in for a major Extreme Makeover-type overhaul. Specifics weren't mentioned, but Superstation WGN is scheduled to be re-launched in May, but the changes may only involve imaging, and not programming.
WGN went national in 1978, linking national cable viewers with the Chicago Cubs, Bozo, and the station's newscasts. Since the Syndicated Programming Exclusivity Rule (or Syndex, for short) went into effect in 1990, WGN had to draft a national schedule for its cable viewers, since most syndicated programming on the local station no longer could be carried on cable systems.
This drove WWOR out of business as a superstation, ceasing operations in 1996 to cable viewers and in 1999 to satellite viewers (WWOR is still available to broadcast, cable, and satellite viewers in the New York City area.)
In October, Turner split the national and local feeds of former superstation TBS, with Atlanta viewers getting a new channel in WPCH-TV, leaving WGN as the only true superstation left.
Currently, the national version of WGN carries mostly B and C -type syndicated fare, including Funniest Pets and reruns of Sister, Sister, but still carries Chicago sports (but only a handful of Chicago Bulls games), and WGN's noon and 9 p.m. newscasts and local specials.
WGN went national in 1978, linking national cable viewers with the Chicago Cubs, Bozo, and the station's newscasts. Since the Syndicated Programming Exclusivity Rule (or Syndex, for short) went into effect in 1990, WGN had to draft a national schedule for its cable viewers, since most syndicated programming on the local station no longer could be carried on cable systems.
This drove WWOR out of business as a superstation, ceasing operations in 1996 to cable viewers and in 1999 to satellite viewers (WWOR is still available to broadcast, cable, and satellite viewers in the New York City area.)
In October, Turner split the national and local feeds of former superstation TBS, with Atlanta viewers getting a new channel in WPCH-TV, leaving WGN as the only true superstation left.
Currently, the national version of WGN carries mostly B and C -type syndicated fare, including Funniest Pets and reruns of Sister, Sister, but still carries Chicago sports (but only a handful of Chicago Bulls games), and WGN's noon and 9 p.m. newscasts and local specials.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
"Gossip Girl", "Deal" tank
Despite all the hoopla - for Gossip Girl and its racy ads and pulling the program from the Internet, and for Deal for having President Bush appear - neither did well with Girl pulling in only 2.5 million viewers (even pulling in fewer viewers than MTV's The Hills, which drew a little over 4 million) and Deal matching a season low among adults 18-49. The biggest winners? ABC's Dancing With The Stars and CBS' comedy lineup (except for Big Bang Theory.)
WFLD gets Bears pre-season games and a whole lot more (updated)
Once again, the Chicago Bears have a new broadcast partner. And it's with a Fox.
This time, and for the first time, Fox-owned WFLD-TV will carry pre-season Bears games and is the new official television station of the team. WFLD outbid the previous carrier, NBC-owned WMAQ-TV. The move also means Spanish-language games broadcast over NBC's WSNS-TV is also ending.
WFLD's slogan is "All Bears. All Day". Their coverage begins this Sunday with Bears Draft Night Live, at 10:35 p.m.
The Bears will produce three pre-season games for WFLD, as well as a Sunday morning pre-game show and a 10 p.m. wrap-up show during the football season. The new Sunday lineup includes the station's Fox Kickoff Sunday, which moves to 10 a.m.; Bears Game Day Live which keeps it at 10:30 a.m. (the same time slot it head on WMAQ); and Fox's pre-game show at 11 a.m. On Sunday nights, WFLD's local sports wrap-up show (The Final Word) stays at 10 p.m., while Bears GameNight Live airs at 10:35 p.m.
The new five-year deal also gives WFLD significant exposure at Soldier Field, at off-season events, and on the Bears' website. The move makes sense, given the majority of Bears games air on the station through Fox's NFL coverage of the NFC. The move is a huge boon for WFLD, since the station has had a difficult time making inroads against the other established network-owned stations in Chicago and WGN-TV.
Pre-season games airing on WFLD will be repeated on sister station WPWR-TV the next day. WPWR is also expected to pick up the lone NFL Network game featuring the Bears on the schedule, which the team faces the New Orleans Saints in December.
updated 4:48 p.m. on 2008-04-23 (to add TVWeek link)
Monday, April 21, 2008
About WGN's 60th Anniversary Celebration...
Good thing you didn't take my advice. Yours truly did watch WGN's celebration and it turned out to be well done. Jim Belushi actually did a decent job of hosting (yes, I'm surprised myself) - though he was a little wooden. Personally, I would've prefered Dean Richards or Bill Murray, but Belushi did an alright job.
(This blog praising Jim Belushi? OMFG! What is going on here? And the F stands for "fool".)
While the special covered material that has appeared on other retrospective WGN specials in the past, it is still great to see those clips from yesteryear (and there were some that didn't air during the 50th Anniversary Celebration, which aired in 1998.)
Ironically, WGN didn't mention its ties to The WB or The CW. As you recall, the WB and UPN shuttered their doors in 2006 to form The CW. WGN was a founding affiliate of The WB in 1995 and aired popular WB shows like Dawson's Creek, 7th Heaven, Smallville, and The Jamie Foxx Show.
And as far as syndicated programming goes (understandable why they didn't air any clips - quite expensive to acquire), the station was home to everything from Space: 1999 to Charles In Charge, and from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. What could've have been cool was if WGN aired those wonderful Andy Griffith promos during the 60th Anniversary Celebration from the summer of 1989 when Griffith was up against The Cosby Show at 6 p.m. (one of the promos was set to Elvis Costello's "Watching the Detectives.")
(This blog praising Jim Belushi? OMFG! What is going on here? And the F stands for "fool".)
While the special covered material that has appeared on other retrospective WGN specials in the past, it is still great to see those clips from yesteryear (and there were some that didn't air during the 50th Anniversary Celebration, which aired in 1998.)
Ironically, WGN didn't mention its ties to The WB or The CW. As you recall, the WB and UPN shuttered their doors in 2006 to form The CW. WGN was a founding affiliate of The WB in 1995 and aired popular WB shows like Dawson's Creek, 7th Heaven, Smallville, and The Jamie Foxx Show.
And as far as syndicated programming goes (understandable why they didn't air any clips - quite expensive to acquire), the station was home to everything from Space: 1999 to Charles In Charge, and from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. What could've have been cool was if WGN aired those wonderful Andy Griffith promos during the 60th Anniversary Celebration from the summer of 1989 when Griffith was up against The Cosby Show at 6 p.m. (one of the promos was set to Elvis Costello's "Watching the Detectives.")
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