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They started the season with eight ladies. Two are out the door and one might not be far behind, which leaves five. The 5 that would remain strike me as a more solid team than in recent seasons, one that could last for a decent stretch of time with little turnover...if they're given a chance to gel more.

Yes, but they haven't shown the talent open for almost 2 years, nor made new ones for any of the new or timeshifted talent.

The rumors of the WCIU newscast's demise have been exaggerated. While only drawing about a 1.0/0.3 (not much different from the programming that previous filled the time slot), both stations are satisfied enough with the arrangement to continue for at least another year. "Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but sources said it was a one-year renewal at terms more favorable to Weigel than the previous two-year deal"...whatever that means. http://www.robertfeder.com/2016/12/08/u-renews-7-p-m-news-deal-abc-7/

But you'd know how serious a story is based on how squinted his eyes are!

I don't feel that Michael has been the complete disaster you all say, but I'd settle for expanding the 8:30 format with him back to the TOTH in exchange for returning him to contributor status before 8. I think that would be a reasonable compromise that restreghtens the news chops of the Robin and George team at 7 but still allows those in charge to maintain and expand the audience format (which really isn't that much different from when they'd have a standing crowd on the first floor for interviews and cooking segments back during the Charlie and Diane days).

Well, if they (everyone) had forecasted the 6-8 that actually came down, the hype would've been more warranted. That said, until everyone stops forgetting how to drive/park/function in the first snow of the year, I guess they all have the right to hammer it home. Unrelated, Karen Jordan is pregnant with her and Christian Farr's 2nd child. I didn't catch if they said when the baby is due, but based on her appearance, it shouldn't be for awhile. While it's never safe to assume, I kinda started noticing the baby bump a few weeks ago. Congrats to the whole family.

Did he steal your lunch money as a child or kick your puppy or something?

Ravi again at 10. If Alan is off, Rob will do the 6, 10 and possibly the 5 (Hosea did that once) on Monday and Tuesday. Ravi will do the 5 and 10 the rest of the week with Rob in the field on the late show.

Huh, you're probably right. It seemed like the build-up was longer than that, to me.

I was wondering when ABC 7 was going to start promoting Linda Yu's farewell, considering her last show is already next Wednesday. Sure enough, here's the first promo, with the hashtag #WeLoveYU. Is that tagline a little silly and predictable, yes, but it fits. Appearing in several old clips in the spot, you have to think that Joel will come back, and I just noticed the other day on social media that Magers shaved the beard, so I guess there's a chance that he might pop in.

I posted this the shout box, but thought I'd drop it here, too. Someone unearthed this old newspaper ad for 'WGN WorldTravel Services, Inc.' This article from 2012 also references it and the other entities under the 'WGN Continental Broadcasting Company' (later 'Tribune Broadcasting'). https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154274177818305

An 8 o'clock game in Colorado might be the only case from here on because 7's too soon after the Evening News, and there's already competition there...even if it could possibly outdraw Two and a Half Men and the opposition.

They've never changed the meaning of the calls, instead relying on the 'Chicago's Very Own' moniker, which has returned to prominence since returning to independent status.

I'd rather they go on with the old name without meaning or connection to the new programming than come up with some shitty consultant-driven name like "Freeform".

Even with sub-par coverage, WGN came out on top on Friday, winning the in households and demo viewers. WGN – 5.3/2.5 WLS – 5.0/1.3 WFLD – 3.5/1.8 WMAQ – 3.1/1.3 WBBM – 1.9/0.6 =658,000 Total/262,500 Demo (Likely better than normal midday numbers.) Number 3 in total and 2 in the demo is arguably a victory for Fox 32, and I'm sure ABC 7 is satisfied with being a close overall second (and the clear leader in non-demo viewers, which technically is a win), but I'd imagine the NBC 5 bosses are far from thrilled with their finish. http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/wgn-tops-for-cubs-rally-ratings/181387

They did get Rich to come back Wednesday night, so that's something.

Yeah, WFLD has really hit some kind of groove lately. WGN's coverage before 10 with Larry and Robin was so mich better, and Tomasulo has been their star, as Roan has become so bored on the job and the new lady is so sickeningly sweet that she's unwatchable, too. WLS has suprised me with their coverage. For one, they were the only one on the five stations with NO TICKER AT ALL, and their limited use of lower thirds was appreciated. Also, while I miss Magers, who thrived in extended coverage, the Krashesky/Brock team is much better balanced and even more established, though Jim Rose was kinda off alongside them, especially when calling out haters on Twitter during the parade.

ESPN carried it, just as an extended SportsCenter.

How am I going to find out how that guy meets his kids' mother???

Half of the Hawks games weren't even on local TV before then, anyway. As for the parade, it looks like MLB Network is carrying the WGN feed, so national viewers have 2 ways to see Chicago's Very Own coverage.

He left on his own. Greater anchoring and/or investigative opportunities weren't available to him at ABC 7, so he decided against an extension. Feder speculates that NBC 5 and WGN could be destinations, but not until after the new year. Perhaps WMAQ is about to finally get a 4pm co-anchor? http://www.robertfeder.com/2016/10/31/ben-bradley-leaves-abc-7-new-opportunity/

Diane Pathieu has been the regular fill-in for both for a long while. Liz Nagy, (and last resorts) Terrell and Tanja round out the back-ups to ensure there's no solo shows. (Slightly off-topic: I looked at Feder to see if he had anything on this, but he posted that he's off the grid til tomorrow, so I'll definitely be checking in in the morning.)

Just throwing it out there, but I think Ben Bradley is gone from ABC 7. His bio is no longer on the station's website, and his station Instagram account has been deactivated. He wasn't on the anchor desk this weekend, but I don't recall if he was mentioned as being off. There is an opening for a general assignment reporting position online, but it's been up for almost 2 months. We'll see if anyone has a scoop tomorrow.

No, it's not. A full-screen from KTRK for comparison. Only seeing that screenshot, is it possibly just for political coverage, or is it being used on other news, too?

Looks like GMA might be getting an updated open, and of course, none of you will like it. Personally, I don't like the current theme that debuted last fall, so while this may not be better, I'm not sorry to see the current one go. Heck, this new one might not even make it to air... [MEDIA=vimeo]189035753[/MEDIA]