Posted by chicagomedia.org on February 13, 2009 at 10:04:55:
WFLD-TV to change 'Fox Chicago Sunday,' add Chicago Urban League program
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With Fox-owned WFLD-Ch. 32 in a partnership to air the Chicago Urban League-produced "nextTV" Sunday mornings at 8 beginning Feb. 22, "Fox Chicago Sunday" slides into the 8:30-9 a.m. slot, reformatted as a half-hour program with a single-topic focus.
Jack Conaty and Dane Placko's new "Fox Chicago Sunday" format will offer a more in-depth examination of what looks to be the coming week's most important issue, according to WFLD boss Pat Mullen.
The duo last weekend divided a very full hour between Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes on the state's looming deficit, Dick Simpson of the University of Illinois-Chicago on political reform, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger on his budget and a possible campaign challenge by Paul Vallas and U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, (R-Ill.) on the stimulus package.
The Chicago Urban League's "nextTV" is positioned as an inspirational lifestyle program showcasing African-American entrepreneurs.
WFLD is giving the new show an hour to introduce itself at 6 p.m. on Feb. 21, the night before its series debut. In addition to the early Sunday runs on Channel 32, the program also will have a same-day rerun on sister station WPWR-Ch. 50.
Mullen said WFLD is getting paid production costs, as well as receiving a split of the ad inventory.
(Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune)