Changes coming to Superstation WGN? [Archive] - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MLBonTBS

02-06-2008, 10:28 PM

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-wed_phil_0206feb06,0,6929562.column

"Tribune Co., owner of Superstation WGN and Chicago's WGN-Ch. 9, as well as the Chicago Tribune, this week named Fox Television Network's Ed Wilson the new president of Tribune Broadcasting with a mandate to shake things up.

Wilson has said he envies what Time Warner has done with what once was its own superstation, WTBS, but now is the stand-alone network TBS."

Scoobiedoo30

02-07-2008, 01:07 AM

can someone please tell me what this means for viewes for Superstation WGN and when will see theses changes happen

MikeL

02-07-2008, 01:22 AM

hope it brings more classic tv shows on and nothing stupid

Scoobiedoo30

02-07-2008, 01:26 AM

I would love to see more Classic Show's as well on WGN

friendsfan77

02-07-2008, 01:58 AM

Wilson has said he envies what Time Warner has done with what once was its own superstation, WTBS, but now is the stand-alone network TBS."
This part has me a bit worried. TBS IMHO is not as good as it used to be.

Scoobiedoo30

02-07-2008, 02:09 AM

I am still a bit lost does this mean that we are no longer going to have Superstation WGN can someone please tell me what all this means

MikeL

02-07-2008, 05:05 AM

yeah tell me2

MLBonTBS

02-07-2008, 03:06 PM

It means they will probably try to make it more like other cable networks (TBS, USA, etc..). They might spend some more money on getting better programming, branding.. etc.. I'll miss the Chicago news though if they get rid of that.

Scoobiedoo30

02-07-2008, 03:08 PM

so are they doing away with Superstation WGN

Scoobiedoo30

02-08-2008, 12:56 PM

maybe Superstation WGN can have class show's jonied there line up

MLBonTBS

04-22-2008, 10:19 PM

The station will re-launch in May:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117984215.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&nid=2562

"Tribune execs also hinted at big changes to come for the company's WGN Superstation cabler. Randy Michaels, Tribune's CEO of broadcasting and interactive, said the channel would be relaunched in May; there's been speculation that the company will drop the "WGN" tag in a branding effort aimed it making it more of a national service and less rooted in its TV station sibling WGN Chicago."

Scoobiedoo30

04-22-2008, 10:40 PM

Are you saying that They are going to drop Superstation and just have WGN

noveel

04-23-2008, 01:05 AM

The concept of the Superstation seems to obsolete

Scoobiedoo30

04-23-2008, 01:07 AM

what do you mean by obsolete

Scoobiedoo30

04-27-2008, 01:14 AM

does anyone know when in May will The New WGN re-Launch

Scoobiedoo30

05-12-2008, 10:29 PM

listen since we are in May anyword when the Changes are coming to Superstation WGN please if you can let me know.

James28

05-13-2008, 02:01 AM

I don't even know much about the changes coming to the Superstation WGN channel.

Scoobiedoo30

05-20-2008, 01:29 PM

so far I only notice one change and that is They do not sure the Superstation WGN Bug anymore during Regural Programming.

Ireneparalegal

05-23-2008, 12:12 AM

I missed most of a commercial/promo stating something abt retro tv coming to WGN and I seen WELCOME BACK KOTTER snippet.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? ARE THEY ADDING CLASSIC TV SHOWS????? :confused:

Scoobiedoo30

05-23-2008, 12:59 AM

WGN needs more Classic Sitcoms Here some of the show's that I think should air on WGN

#1 Welcome Back Kotter
#2 Cheers
#3 Benson
#4 Maude
#5 M*A*S*H
#6 Soap
# 7 One Day at a Time
#8 Alice
#9 Hunter
#10 Trapper John M.D.

Pavan

05-23-2008, 01:58 AM

Blog story is coming on the Retro TV shows maybe tomorrow. So stay tuned. Shows like Mary Tyler Moore, Taxi, Kotter and Barney Miller are coming.

Scoobiedoo30

05-23-2008, 11:50 AM

I am glad that WGN is going to be airing Welcome Back Kotter Mary Tyler Moore and Barney Miller I hope they add more Class Show's on WGN.

chris31989

05-23-2008, 01:33 PM

So this has some truth to it? This sounds really good. I get the Superstation WGN feed on DISH Network, so that's a plus. I hope they keep Homicide: Life on the Street though. Most of the other shows they air can be found elsewhere. I bet they will keep the Beverly Hillbillies, Happy Days, The Cosby Show and Matlock quite possibly.

I just saw the Mary Tyler Moore reunion on Oprah, and thought "why doesn't any network air it?", so maybe there is hope!

Pavan

05-23-2008, 02:13 PM

Here are the full details of WGN's classic week:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2008/05/wgn-brings-back-70s-classics-for-retro.html

For now it is just a week, but more is coming...stay tuned.

Scoobiedoo30

05-23-2008, 03:00 PM

so Barney Miller Mary Tyler Moore Show Welcome Back Kotter are not on the reguralk Schedule

JulieSomoski

05-23-2008, 03:51 PM

Can't wait to see Mary Tyler Moore on WGN. Let's hope it can get a daily slot in the summer rather than just a single 2 hour block. I'm also hoping they air episodes from the later seasons, because I already own the first 4 seasons on DVD.

It's good to see WGN moving in the direction of classic sitcoms once again. They've been geered to much towards the tween audience lately, with shows like Sister Sister, Lizzie McGuire, AFV, and Moesha.

wkomorow

05-23-2008, 05:35 PM

Out of curiosity, WGN-HD is supposed to be coming to Dish Network. Have classic shows other than Hogan's Heroes been ported to HD? When HDNet aired Hogan's Heroes - it looked great.

Pavan

05-23-2008, 05:51 PM

Not sure about HD. The 5 sitcoms they are airing that week are the first four episodes of each. More will to come, so stay tuned...but no they are not on the regular schedule in June.

05-23-2008, 05:52 PM

Awesome, awesome, awesome. This is even better than BET's announcement of "Diff'rent Strokes," "Sanford," and "Thea" from a few months back.

All five are shows I haven't seen in a good while. I haven't seen a Mary episode besides the pilot in at least six or seven years. I haven't seen "Taxi" in ages, or "Barney Miller." The last time I saw Kotter was back on ION and WKRP way back when TVLand aired a few years ago. That's gonna be an awesome week!

This past week, they aired a couple of 1970s movies, too. I'd love it if they aired the old NBC Mystery Movies again too, like "Columbo" and "McMillan and Wife."

Pav, what exactly does WGN have the right to air? They're considered broadcast, right?

Pavan

05-23-2008, 05:59 PM

05-23-2008, 06:09 PM

WGN is cable, like TBS. Local WGN (Chicago) and local TBS (Atlanta) are broadcast. Local WGN in Chicago won't get this stuff.

MTM and WKRP are the only ones on other cable channels, both on AmericanLife TV, but they have a library deal with 20th Century, so it isn't exclusive ... so that is how WGN can air it.
Ah, okay, thanks. I hope this is the first of several theme weeks that last the summer and that the ratings are good enough to merit putting these shows on the regular schedule.

MrBand

05-23-2008, 07:42 PM

Great news. I am glad that these shows still have a life on television and are not confined to DVD collections and (ugh!) online viewing. If TV Land has all but given up on these shows, at least someone else will give them a try. I hope some, if not all, of these shows manage to find a regular berth on the WGN line up.

Scoobiedoo30

05-24-2008, 02:47 AM

WGN did change there website to www.wgnamerica.com

Scoobiedoo30

05-26-2008, 04:09 PM

does anyone know what The New Logo for WGN Amercica looks like.

Pavan

05-26-2008, 08:27 PM

Here are the episodes for the Outta Sight Retro Nights Week marathon:

Monday, June 2: The Mary Tyler Moore Show
8:00pm #1 Love is All Around (Pilot)
8:30pm #73 The Lars Affair
9:00pm #127 Chuckles Bites the Dust
9:30pm #168 The Last Show (Series Finale)

Tuesday, June 3: Barney Miller
8:00pm #1 Ramon (Pilot)
8:30pm #41 Werewolf
9:00pm #46 Hash
9:30pm #101 Identity

Wednesday, June 4: Taxi
8:00pm #1 Like Father, Like Daughter (Pilot)
8:30pm #25 Reverend Jim: a Space Odyssey
9:00pm #66 Latka the Playboy
9:30pm #67 Jim the Psychic

Thursday, June 5: Welcome, Back Kotter
8:00pm #3 Welcome Back (Pilot)
8:30pm #5 The Election
9:00pm #11 Barbarino's Girl
9:30pm #95 The Breadwinners (Series Finale)

Friday, June 6: WKRP in Cincinnati
8:00pm #1 Pilot
8:30pm #7 Turkeys Away
9:00pm #17 A Commercial Break
9:30pm #90 Up and Down the Dial (Series Finale)

05-26-2008, 09:55 PM

They picked some good episodes, I think. "The Lars Affair" is probably my number one favorite episode of MTM, but I haven't seen it in forever. I think the show I'm most looking forward to is "Barney Miller." I haven't seen that one at all, period, in at least six years.

Ireneparalegal

05-26-2008, 10:59 PM

OMG the episode HASH on Barney Miller is great. :rofl: Pav, is this some sort of "tryout" by WGN to see how things go? To see if people tune in and if they do, they will keep this retro line-up permanent?

Pavan

05-26-2008, 11:50 PM

Not sure, maybe not because they already told me expect more soon.

samanddiane4eva

05-27-2008, 12:48 AM

Definitely tuning in for this!

Scoobiedoo30

05-27-2008, 01:07 AM

I wonder what they mean by Expect More Soon

JulieSomoski

05-27-2008, 04:25 PM

Wow, did they pick some great episodes. Those MTM episodes are some of the greatest. So good to see "Chuckles Bites the Dust," which is probably my favorite MTM episodes ever, and the finale, which I haven't seen in years. I'm really looking forward to this!!!!!!

Scoobiedoo30

05-27-2008, 04:35 PM

they did indeed pick great episodes.

James28

05-28-2008, 09:43 AM

I saw that the network changed its name to WGN America.

05-28-2008, 10:53 AM

I saw that the network changed its name to WGN America.
I saw that this morning too. They've rebranded themselves with a new logo too, it seems. They're really making some changes, and if those changes include showing more old school TV shows, I'm all for it. They ought to bring "The Rockford Files" and "Magnum PI" back to mornings while they're at it. I seriously miss that.

PattiB

05-28-2008, 12:29 PM

It has me a little worried anytime I hear shake up and TV station in the same sentence. I heard the other day that we will continue to see a rise in Reality TV and less and less sitcoms.

Pavan

05-28-2008, 04:59 PM

05-28-2008, 05:50 PM

Out of Sight Retro Night is coming weekly starting Sunday, June 8 on WGN America! Every Sunday from 7-10pm ET (4-7pm PT). I will announce what shows will air in the weekly Sunday block tomorrow on the blog...so stay tuned!
Also, yes, this is in addition to the Out of Sight Retro Nights Week: Flashback to the '70s (June 2-6, 8-10pm ET).

One hint for the weekly Sunday block: It isn't all '70s...you'll see three classic sitcoms from 50s-80s in the three-hour block.
*grows feminine reproductive organs and has WGN's babies*

****IN' RIGHT!

(let me also add that i hope, hope, hope, pray, pray, pray, beg, beg, beg, wish, wish, wish that the ratings are GREAT, GREAT, GREAT for ALL of the stuff involved with this. That's the only way it'll last!)

ABC1

05-28-2008, 06:02 PM

does anyone know what The New Logo for WGN Amercica looks like.

I'm not sure if anyone's answered this already, but it's a map of the USA with what looks like eyes on either side...it really freaks me out.
Maybe someone can explain it better than I can. :)

tbswatcher

05-28-2008, 07:52 PM

I'm not sure if anyone's answered this already, but it's a map of the USA with what looks like eyes on either side...it really freaks me out.
Maybe someone can explain it better than I can. :)
Here's the actual logo:

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/zoidberg22/Online%20TV%20Forums/Wgnamerica.jpg

Scoobiedoo30

05-29-2008, 01:04 AM

do we get to guess the shoiw's that will be airing on Sunday Night's on WGN Americal

05-29-2008, 09:22 AM

do we get to guess the shoiw's that will be airing on Sunday Night's on WGN Americal
Sure, we could guess, but I don't want to. I'm thinking the range of what it could be is much too big for me to try to make three good guesses.

I just hope that all three are shows are shows that are really something to tune in for. They could easily throw together "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Happy Days," and "The Cosby Show," so let's just hope they're not just taking the easy way out...

Scoobiedoo30

05-29-2008, 11:36 AM

I am hoping one of the show's are Benson

Pavan

05-29-2008, 11:41 AM

Scoobiedoo30

05-29-2008, 11:48 AM

In am glad that Newhart and WKRP will be airing on WGN on Sunday Evening's

05-29-2008, 12:01 PM

Here is the announcement for the weekly Sunday block starting June 8 featuring WKRP, Newhart and Honeymooners:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2008/05/wgn-adds-weekly-retro-tv-block-renames.html

I advise you to read that before you have any questions. More theme weeks are planned, see the blog.
They're good picks, I think. Noting out of the ordinary, but I'm excited for all three. It has been a long, long time since I've seen "Newhart" on a regular basis.

Scoobiedoo30

05-29-2008, 12:03 PM

They are awsome pick up's

DSfan

05-29-2008, 04:36 PM

WGN America seems to be thinking very smartly at the moment.

I am disappointed about the fact that my cable box thing in Canada decided to switch to the local WGN9, that channel is completely useless for everything.

Scoobiedoo30

05-29-2008, 04:49 PM

When did Your Cable Box change to WGN9

DSfan

05-29-2008, 06:11 PM

I think it was in January but I never really noticed.

I used to watch the channel alot about 3 years ago when they had Home Improvement, Fresh Prince, and Family Matters (deja vu--that is now N@N lol)

This year I haven't really been watching that channel at all and my tv guide still shows the schedule for the cable WGN. I only noticed when I was flipping around and saw that they had all court shows and Maury type of junk along with the regular My Wife and Kids blahhhhhhh

Ireneparalegal

05-29-2008, 06:30 PM

I am so excited abt Taxi, Barney Miller and Welcome Back Kotter.

PattiB

05-29-2008, 06:47 PM

We get WGN on Dish.
I hope this question isn't stupid.:crazy:
Is this the same as the WGN ya'll are talking about? Never heard of WGN America.:confused:

tbswatcher

05-29-2008, 07:05 PM

We get WGN on Dish.
I hope this question isn't stupid.:crazy:
Is this the same as the WGN ya'll are talking about? Never heard of WGN America.:confused:
I have Dish Network and it's on 239 is it on your's too?

PattiB

05-29-2008, 07:10 PM

Yes it is and TBS is 139.
Gotta see Everybody loves Raymond each day. :D

Jack1000

05-30-2008, 10:40 PM

Great news!

I have TWC and this will be a wonderful incentive to begin watching WGN again. I HATE the reality based crap that major TV networks have become.

So what will the local Chicago people get in its place during this special 70's retro flashback?

Jack

Scoobiedoo30

05-30-2008, 10:46 PM

The Regural CW Prime Time Line up on WGN9

JulieSomoski

06-02-2008, 09:48 PM

Scoobiedoo30

06-02-2008, 09:57 PM

Pavan said that the episode was a last mintue change

JulieSomoski

06-02-2008, 10:40 PM

Pavan said that the episode was a last mintue change

When? Why wouldn't they air the series finale, that's definitely one of the most memorable episodes of the entire show, and I was really looking forward to it! :(

BensonFan

06-02-2008, 11:04 PM

So what will the local Chicago people get in its place during this special 70's retro flashback?

Good question. I live in Chicago so I guess I'll get screwed out of seeing these shows that are coming to WGN "America". That stinks!! :thumbsdow

06-02-2008, 11:55 PM

I've been watching MTM, and I noticed at 9:30 (now) the finale was supposed to come on, which was the one episode I was looking forward to the most, but instead the episode "Rhoda the Beautiful" from season 3. WHY????
I enjoyed all the episodes, but I was looking forward to the series finale too. I haven't seen it in a loooong time. The funny thing is, at one point during "Rhoda the Beautiful," there was a little bug on the screen that said that the finale was coming on next, but I knew that couldn't be true since there were only supposed to be four episodes on.

For those who care, they were sort of inconsistent when it came to squeeze credits. IIRC, the first episode's credits were squeeze after a very short while, the second episode's credits lasted a little bit longer until they were squeezed, the third episode's credits completely survived squeezing/voiceovers, and the fourth episode's credits were squeezed immediately (before the fade to black, even), but were squeezed back after the promo aired. Also, the commercial breaks were VERY short. I'm talking VERY short. I'd turn over to "Mama's Family" during the first hour and after maybe two minutes, I'd turn back to MTM and it was already back from commercial.

Scoobiedoo30

06-03-2008, 12:18 AM

I also enjoyed watching Mary Tyler Moore Show and I am looking forward to the other 70's show's this week on WGN

PattiB

06-03-2008, 01:46 AM

I watched Mary Tyler Moore on WGN but when I did a search on dish, it doesn't show it coming on again. Was it a one time thing?:( :( :(

06-03-2008, 09:09 AM

I watched Mary Tyler Moore on WGN but when I did a search on dish, it doesn't show it coming on again. Was it a one time thing?:( :( :(
Yes. This week, they're running four episodes of a different 70s sitcom each night. Tonight is "Barney Miller," and for the rest of the week, there's going to be "Taxi," "Welcome Back Kotter," and "WKRP in Cincinnati." I'm not sure of which days each of the last three will be airing.

Starting this Sunday, though, they're going to have a regular lineup of "The Honeymooners," "WKRP in Cincinnati," and "Newhart" every week.

Scoobiedoo30

06-03-2008, 11:38 AM

and we can see some more of your favorite's every sunday from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm on WGN America.

JulieSomoski

06-03-2008, 04:08 PM

I enjoyed it last night, but I still think WGN has a lot of things to iron out. The episodes were not as good as I thought they'd be. The finale should have been included, and I don't understand why it wasn't. I did enjoy "Chuckles Bites the Dust" a lot, but the other 3 episodes are all on DVD. And, I noticed the credit problem myself. I hate it when networks add in squeeze credits (mainly TV Land and NAN).

Pavan

06-03-2008, 04:16 PM

The episode change for MTM was announced yesterday afternoon. It was posted on thr MTM forum. I don't know why the change. Maybe they couldn't clear the episode.

I thought the editing was very good. Anyone know if anything was even edited out?

BensonFan: Yes, WGN in Chicago will get regular CW programming in primetime. You guys get Me-TV and Me-Too anyway, so don't complain, lol.

JulieSomoski

06-03-2008, 04:24 PM

The episode change for MTM was announced yesterday afternoon. It was posted on thr MTM forum. I don't know why the change. Maybe they couldn't clear the episode.

I thought the editing was very good. Anyone know if anything was even edited out?

The editing was great, I just didn't like the fact that they used the squeeze credits at the end. But, the commercials were so short, you'd believe that the episodes were actually aired unedited. I really don't recall anything be edited out.

BensonFan

06-03-2008, 07:20 PM

BensonFan: Yes, WGN in Chicago will get regular CW programming in primetime. You guys get Me-TV and Me-Too anyway, so don't complain, lol.

Actually I would have to switch my cable provider to get Me-TV (which I'm seriously considering anyway!), so at the moment I don't get it. I don't know about Me-Too...I have to look into that one!

06-03-2008, 11:33 PM

Good Lord, I forgot how much I love "Barney Miller." I was pretty much entranced for the entire two hours. I love how the episodes don't follow a set plot, they just feature various stories that go in and out of the police station.

They could so string together three or four episodes and make a Broadway play out of it.

My only problem was that I wanted to see some of the later episodes, too, because I remember loving Inspector Luger, but other than that, I enjoyed all the episodes a lot. I really wish they would have kept Barbara Barrie around for the whole run...I mean, yeah, the show at its best was when it was set completely in the police station, but some scenes every now and then with Barney and Elizabeth would have added a nice touch.

SOMEBODY put this show on a regular schedule!

repeatshistory

06-04-2008, 12:07 AM

Yes, WGN in Chicago will get regular CW programming in primetime. You guys get Me-TV and Me-Too anyway, so don't complain, lol.

This is the part that sucks for a lot of us in the "Chicago Area" which extends as far north as Milwaukee & Janesville Wisconsin, as far west as the Illinois/Iowa state line, as far southwest as St. Louis and as far south east as South Bend, Indiana. That's a lot of territory that doesn't get "Superstation" programming. And that sucks.

Scoobiedoo30

06-04-2008, 01:22 PM

I have to say it was good to watch The Barney Miller last Night on WGN America

friendsfan77

06-05-2008, 12:27 AM

I'm so glad I wound up actually looking forward to the changes on this channel. It's been so much fun seeing MTM, Barney Miller and Taxi. Seeing MTM, Taxi, and tomorrow Welcome Back Kotter in primetime again like this remind me of the good old days of when I first got cable and saw these shows on N@N.

06-05-2008, 01:41 AM

Third night in the row, I laughed and laughed all the way through. That last "Taxi" episode tonight was hilarious!

Scoobiedoo30

06-05-2008, 12:55 PM

I did not get to see Taxi but I would be Laughting myself

BensonFan

06-05-2008, 08:21 PM

This is the part that sucks for a lot of us in the "Chicago Area" which extends as far north as Milwaukee & Janesville Wisconsin, as far west as the Illinois/Iowa state line, as far southwest as St. Louis and as far south east as South Bend, Indiana. That's a lot of territory that doesn't get "Superstation" programming. And that sucks.

Exactly....it's like in sports when your local game is "blacked out". :mad:

Scoobiedoo30

06-06-2008, 01:45 AM

I have to say I enjoyed Welcome back Kotter this evening on WGN.

06-06-2008, 11:43 AM

I loved "Welcome Back, Kotter" too last night. My only problem was them randomly showing the final episode after showing three first season episode. I mean, considering the show had 4 seasons, they could have just done one from each season, but everybody knows that the first two seasons are the best.

Maybe it's because I got my fill of the final season back when I still had Goodlife/AmericanLife and it'd take them ages to get through one season. Beau was one annoying character, let me tell you...

An 80s Guy

06-06-2008, 12:24 PM

Scoobiedoo30

06-06-2008, 12:46 PM

I am looking forward to WKRP in Cincinnati from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm on WGN Amercia

06-06-2008, 01:13 PM

I also loved "Welcome Back Kotter" last night.Is this Retro evening thing only this week or every week?I loved Mary Tyler Moore,Taxi and Barney Miller as well.It was so much seeing these shows on TV again even if I own them on DVD.WGN should add all of these shows onto the daily schedule.
It's just this week, but Pav's hinted that there might be more themed weeks in the future. The advertisements for this week have certainly convinced me that they're planning more weeks too. Everytime Casey Kasem says "Outta Sight Retro Nights," he tacks "Flashback to the 70s" on as if it's a subtitle, meaning that there could be other variations of Outta Sight Retro Nights in the future.

Scoobiedoo30

06-06-2008, 01:28 PM

but you can see WKRP in Cincinnati from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm Central Time Newhart from 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm Central Time and The Honeymooners from 8:00 pm until 9:00 pm Central Time on WGN Amercia.

Pavan

06-06-2008, 02:00 PM

Scoobiedoo30

06-06-2008, 02:20 PM

is it Alf

DSfan

06-06-2008, 02:22 PM

An '80s week is planned for July, as I hinted in the blog. More will come soon on that.

And of course you can retro Sunday ever week from 7-10pm ET with WKRP, Newhart and The Honeymooners starting this Sunday.

Could you please tell me if it will be June 12 or after?

I will be able to get the channel when I got to the States.

I don't want to miss it, especially after being tempted by my cable who give me WGN 9. uggghh

Pavan

06-06-2008, 02:36 PM

What will be June 12 or after? I said the retro Sunday block starts June 8 and will air every Sunday until further notice.

I will have more info on the 80's week when it is announced, but that will be in July.

Please see the blog story, because all of this was already known: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2008/05/wgn-adds-weekly-retro-tv-block-renames.html