[Ccarc] More on Bob and Tom on TV

[Tom Murray]

Bob and Tom conquer America all over again on WGN America (and maybe Chicago, too).
The
Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rosenthal points out that the new three-way pact
involving Indy-based Bob & Tom, their radio syndicator Premiere and
WGN America owner Tribune doesn’t automatically put them into the
Chicago market – unless you have DirecTV or Dish. Remember that Tribune
long ago split off its WGN-TV, Chicago from the nationally-distributed
cable channel, giving up the “super-station” role for Channel 9. That’s
meant mostly separate programming for the channel that the Randy
Michaels gang has re-christened “WGN America” with the slogan “TV you
can’t ignore.” Shaking up that programming is one of former Clear
Channel/Premiere programmer Sean Compton’s objectives. He’s already
installed Marc Chase as the on-camera host for a weekly feature movie –
and now he’s gone back to the ranks of radio for Bob & Tom. We did
a morning bulletin about this signing yesterday from Radio-Info.com.
Signed up for those? Just make sure “Radio Info updates” is checked in your free-subscription page at Radio-Info.com.

Here’s the gist of the Bob & Tom Deal – and there could be further radio talent signings.
For
Bob Griswold and Tom Kevoian, Tribune’s installing seven
robotically-controlled cameras in the studios at Clear Channel-owned
WFBQ, Indianapolis. From the four-hour morning shows, they’ll distill a
one-hour weeknight TV program (midnight Eastern) for WGN America. The
only effect it should have on the radio show carried on 150+ stations
will probably be more high-profile guests. If you’re a celeb, the
chance to be in 70 million TV households might be a pretty good
incentive to put Indy on your itinerary. Sean Compton says the TV
version of The Bob & Tom Show debuts November 3 as part of WGN
America’s new Fall lineup. See the B&T release here.
And do look for Tribune to mine the radio talent field for more
crossover TV possibilities. I was chatting with a talk radio expert
yesterday about the people who’ve made that leap (like Sean Hannity and
Glenn Beck) and the ones who didn’t, for various reasons – including
Rush, Dr. Laura, Dr. Joy Browne, Michael Savage and most recently Laura
Ingraham. But that doesn’t mean their next attempts won’t be
successful, with a tweak here or there. And Tribune’s definitely
looking for projects.
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