Jerry Springer, Steve Wilkos may move shows away from Chicago

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Posted by chicagomedia.org on March 02, 2009 at 08:15:06:

Jerry Springer poised to leave Chicago for Connecticut?

Jerry Springer's syndicated television show looks to be headed out of Chicago, lured by tax credits to Stamford, Conn., sources said.

Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell on Friday said the state and NBC Universal are working on a deal to establish a television production studio in Stamford, about 30 miles from New York City.

Sources close to negotiations say NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution, the company's syndicated television arm, plans to relocate "The Jerry Springer Show" and "The Steve Wilkos Show" from Chicago to the new facility this summer in time for the start of the 2009-10 television season. Maury Povich's syndicated NBC Universal program "Maury" would move there from New York.

The deal could be concluded in the next few weeks.

Stamford is home to the corporate offices of World Wrestling Entertainment, but WWE would not be involved with the new facility, which Rell said would bring between 150 to 200 jobs to the state and an initial infrastructure investent of more than $3 million.

"Not only are these jobs themselves important, many of these production facilities can become tourist attractions in their own right, becoming an additional economic development tool," Rell said, according to the Associated Press.

Connecticut is offering a 30-percent production tax credit, as well as a 20-percent tax credit on infrastructure costs after the first $1 million spent. Sources said NBC Universal's attempts to negotiate more favorable incentives from the state of Illinois fell short.

Telepictures' Chicago-based "Judge Mathis" with Greg Mathis and "Judge Jeanine Pirro" will continue to be produced at NBC Universal's NBC Tower facility, home to NBC-owned WMAQ-Ch. 5. The company will look for tenants to replace "Springer" and "Wilkos," which employ around 100 people.

"Springer," "Maury" and "Wilkos" have all been renewed for next season, which will be the 19th for Springer, 12th for Povich and third for Wilkos.

NBC Universal is a unit of General Electric Co., which is based in Fairfield, Conn.

(Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune)

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: Jerry Springer poised to leave Chicago for Connecticut? : Jerry Springer's syndicated television show looks to be headed out of Chicago, lured by tax credits to Stamford, Conn., sources said. : Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell on Friday said the state and NBC Universal are working on a deal to establish a television production studio in Stamford, about 30 miles from New York City. : Sources close to negotiations say NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution, the company's syndicated television arm, plans to relocate "The Jerry Springer Show" and "The Steve Wilkos Show" from Chicago to the new facility this summer in time for the start of the 2009-10 television season. Maury Povich's syndicated NBC Universal program "Maury" would move there from New York. : The deal could be concluded in the next few weeks. : Stamford is home to the corporate offices of World Wrestling Entertainment, but WWE would not be involved with the new facility, which Rell said would bring between 150 to 200 jobs to the state and an initial infrastructure investent of more than $3 million. : "Not only are these jobs themselves important, many of these production facilities can become tourist attractions in their own right, becoming an additional economic development tool," Rell said, according to the Associated Press. : Connecticut is offering a 30-percent production tax credit, as well as a 20-percent tax credit on infrastructure costs after the first $1 million spent. Sources said NBC Universal's attempts to negotiate more favorable incentives from the state of Illinois fell short. : Telepictures' Chicago-based "Judge Mathis" with Greg Mathis and "Judge Jeanine Pirro" will continue to be produced at NBC Universal's NBC Tower facility, home to NBC-owned WMAQ-Ch. 5. The company will look for tenants to replace "Springer" and "Wilkos," which employ around 100 people. : "Springer," "Maury" and "Wilkos" have all been renewed for next season, which will be the 19th for Springer, 12th for Povich and third for Wilkos. : NBC Universal is a unit of General Electric Co., which is based in Fairfield, Conn. : (Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune)

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