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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]

Thursday Night Football, Saturday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, and the Oscars frequently go that late, just to name a few.

That makes no sense. If the game went til like 1am Eastern, they might have a case, but they were done well before midnight. Should be interesting to see what they do tomorrow, with the game starting an hour earlier.

What confirmation was still needed?

He just signed an extension with CNN.

Forget the 65th. They'll mention it, but it's not that noteworthy. That said, it'll be Matt's 20th anniversary on like January 3rd-ish. They'd be smart to make a big deal out of it, and even smarter to announce a transition and successor. Play it off like he's calling it at even 20, give him a big send-off, destroy his alarm clock and mug, and announce his new role. The unaware, aloof viewers that do like him and don't follow the behind the scenes drama will eat it up. Personally, I'm indifferent on Lauer. He doesn't bother me but I'm no fan, either. However, he's nothing if not lucky and smart. No matter the changes and criticism, he has survived it all. If that's not a sign of a tough, resilient veteran (who has stepped on the bodies of others), I don't know who is. Also, not having an obvious successor continues to help him retain some value, no matter the salary.

WMAQ went a solid hour. Meh, that's okay enough. WLS, on the other hand, must've been told by the network to return for the end of the Penn State/Ohio State game, going online-only for like 15 minutes for postgame. They gave the football viewers a ton of warning to switch to 7.2, but then brought it back to 7.1, leaving the game on 2 channels (plus ESPN3), and giving the Cubs fans NO OTA option. That borders on inexcusable, to me.

It's totally counterintuitive, but I think the 2-tiered ticker actually works and is more effective than its predecessor. Removing the weather info from the main leaves just news and sports, and makes it flow better. I also never liked how little of the space actually showed info in the departed ticker, with the headline tab taking up the left quarter of the screen and the whole thing ending off the right third of the screen. There's more bulk to it now, but it uses the space fairly well without being too overbearing. Also, I noticed last night that the blue within the circle 7 is now slightly transparent. Kind of an odd detail, considering it will only be noticed like morons like me... Finally, unrelated: follow your dreams, kids... https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1822233474721842

But why Lauren at 6? That's the real confusing sub.

Here's some other odds and ends from later on this evening...

The ABC stations have been promoting the hell out of their apps lately, so I'd imagine that led to the bar versus keeping it contained under the bug. Doesn't make it right, but it probably could've been worse. There were subtle signs that a change was coming, and I'm just thrilled they didn't get anything like WABC. Really, I'm surprised at how much this update spits in the face of modern trends, and that's mostly a good thing.