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I don't think it'll be successful, but I like that it's only the final half hour, to start.

I'll admit, I missed that.

Not necessarily. Whatever they have in mind could be done from the second floor.

She's done a few weekend morning fill-ins, but the weekday appearance is surprising. Heck, she's only part-time.

Anyone who panics when someone new comes along won't like to hear that Liz Nagy filled in for Burton on the WCIU-cast tonight.

Giangreco hasn't been particularly quotable lately on the radio, but he's annoyed that he has to stay for tonight's post-midnight newscast. "Mark, you should do the sportscast shirtless." "I'll tell you what, I'll ask Kathy and Ravi and Cheryl, and if they agree to do it topless, I will, too. Maybe I'll smuggle in some beer." "Yeah, that's not going to happen."

According to Paul Konrad, the weekend morning show will be just 7 to 9. Sean Lewis remains, and he'll be joined by Tonya Francisco. "Congratulations to Tonya Francisco on being named WGN Morning News Weekend Anchor. Starting Sept 10th, she will join Sean Lewis on the new expanded 7-9am show. Tonya is delightful and I am sure you will enjoy seeing more of her. Be sure to follow her here on Facebook and on Twitter at @TonyaFrancisco Congrats Tonya" https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154362679043847

Roker's past his prime, and maybe his demeanor wasn't the most appropriate, but he's 100% right in the Lochte commentary. NBC's probably only mad because his rant wasn't "on message" for their olympic brand, and thats not right, either.

Dammit, I want to hate that, but i don't.

Even though NBC 5 isn't my cup of tea, they should be commended for the moves they've made in the last few years to push themselves up the ratings ladder. That said, what is with the talent moves? They are setting themselves up to be so bloated in the weather (7) and sports department (4), while working with a not small, but understaffed anchor bench. I can't help but think they're potentially playing around too much. They've been the proof that viewer loyalties can change, so you hope they know what they're doing, cause it can all change quickly.

Ever heard of a designated, in-depth, investigative sports reporter at a local station? Me, neither. Peggy Kusinski is shifting roles. http://www.robertfeder.com/2016/08/22/sportscaster-peggy-kusinski-starting-new-chapter-for-nbc-5/

I forgot about that. As for Mondays, 7's cozy relationship with The U probably kills that possibility.

They have the one of the Hawks' six preseason games on Friday, 9/30, and WGN and WPWR each had a Bulls preseason match last year. All (the vast majority, anyway) MLB spring training exhibitions are day games (2 or 3 o'clock, depending on the time change).

I don't know that they wanted to lose those games, especially to their top competitor. The team exercised a renegotiation of the deal and was willing to let WGN keep like two thirds of their games at the same price, knowing they'd be pulling in 3 times as much from ABC 7. WGN pays $250K per game, CSN like twice that, and ABC drops three quarters of a million per game. WGN-TV just couldn't compete (the radio station, on the other hand, was happy to end their deal).

Two and a Half Men isn't the solution, for sure. That said, if they're willing to throw in some local programming and specials, in a addition to the sports, it gives me some hope that they're not entirely taking the easy/lazy way out. Speaking of the sports coverage, if their carriage agreements remain roughly the same, you can expect (not counting baseball preseason) close to 150 game telecasts each year, and like 80% of those falling in primetime. Heck, they might not even take as many day games next baseball season with their newfound freedom. I'd imagine they might even make a play for a Thursday night (non-NBC or CBS) Bears game every so often. So, even if the sitcoms are on like 3 weeknights a week, that's definitely not as bad as it could be. Octobers are gonna suck, though, no matter what.

I've always been indifferent about Lauer, and I don't want to come across as defending him, but he's merely the tip of the iceberg. Just like a professional sports team with undisciplined troublemakers, there is clearly a systemic problem within the ranks of the Today show that allow for such behavior and idiocy. Like sports, the more an on-air talent makes or the higher their profile is, the more they're allowed to get away with. Throw in the fact that NBC (News) has a horrific track record with handling personnel management on and off the air (Brian, Ann, Matt, Natalie, David, and before that Bryant, Katie, Jane, Deborah...pretty much everyone but Meredith), and it's a recipe for disaster.

Like 3 or 4 months ago, maybe 6.

I responded to the tweet, asking if the 6 will remain. We'll see.

Yeah, seeing that roster intact for another 25 years would've been very entertaining, though they would've had to hire someone to change diapers and mop up drool. That said, I still marvel at the fact that a top market station successfully locked its entire weekday operations in a time capsule for 7 years (06-13) with little more than an HD transition. Good times.

They must be short on reporters, because Stacey was out in the field. They'd normally slot her in a few of the broadcasts. Tanja Babich flew with the Blue Angels yesterday, so she likely wasn't free to anchor this morning, otherwise Judy would've come in this evening, like she did a few weeks back on a Friday.

Hmm...I mean, I guess that kinda makes sense. 6am is crowded, but the field is more beatable after 7, and I'm sure nothing would make WGN happier than destroying Good Day Chicago 7 days a week.

Well, we have an even better idea of what the first weeks of independence will be like on the old number 9. Fri 9/2: Wrigley 100 (from 2014, anniversary special) Mon 9/5-15: SportsFeed specials (TBA) Wed 9/14: LIVE Morning News special (TBA) Fri 9/16: Cubs Playoff Preview special (TBA) Mon 9/19: Last Man Standing debuts (8pm) As you might have guessed, the TBA's mean the time slot is unknown. Also unknown is whether SportsFeed will air every night, or just during the week. I'm also really excited to see what they come up with for the morning show special. Even if there are some old clips, I hope the only live bits aren't just segment introductions. Baseball will also air in M-F primetime on September 9, 12, 20, 21, 28 & 29. See it before they pull it... [MEDIA=vimeo]179477324[/MEDIA]

Oh, I agree. GMA did catch a little lightning in a bottle with their 2011-13 crew, but this guy was raised on Charlie, Diane, Robin, and Tony. Simpler, better times.

I mean, I haven't watched GMA with any regularity since they debuted those god-awful graphics and updated set (yes, it's that bad, to me), but I could better tell you who does what and when on ABC compared to the Today show. Heck, I don't think those anchors could tell you who's in or out and during what hour. To my knowledge, George and Robin anchor, with David, Lara and Amy (taking turns within any given week) as subs, with the latter getting more desk time than a year ago. That said, her news anchor duties have been diminished to pretty much the 8am TOTH (does she still do it at 7?). While it changes next month, Michael has been on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Jesse on the other days. And finally, last I knew, the show has returned to focusing on the 2 leads to start the show, even though the profiles of some supporting characters have increased.

Who's on the desk these few days? I know Lara's out, but is he alongside Amy or Robin? I like him better with Amy, but I've never noticed any coldness with anyone else. Maybe he's just got some other stuff bothering him.