ABC 7 cancels “Windy City Live” after 10 years of “big television”

Ten years after replacing “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in the daytime programming of WLS-Channel 7, “Windy City Live” is about to be blown away.

The locally produced talk and entertainment show will cease production on September 3 and final airing as a series Monday through Friday, according to John Idler, president and CEO of ABC 7.

“As we continue to navigate the tough times in our industry, we have had to make a tough business decision to end the daily airing of ‘Windy City Live’,” Idler wrote in an email to staff Wednesday.

“I want to thank WCL’s exceptional producers and production team for their tireless commitment to making a decade of great television. WCL’s hard-hitting storytelling and community outreach exceeded our expectations when we launched the show in 2011, ”Idler wrote.

Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini, co-hosts of the show since its inception, are expected to continue with ABC 7, but around 10 full-time jobs and an unknown number of freelance positions will be cut, sources said. No word at this time on what will air instead of “Windy City Live” at 1pm on weekdays.

Idler said Warner and Chiaverini will co-host “Windy City Weekend,” tentatively titled “Windy City Weekend,” a half-hour preview of weekend events and activities, at 11:30 am on Friday, from September 10. They should also co-host quarterly. specials, possibly associating the “Windy City” brand with what is now called “190 North”.

After months of auditions involving hundreds of applicants, ABC 7 hired Warner, co-anchor and traffic reporter for “WGN Morning News,” and paired her with Chiaverini, a weekend sports presenter at the station. , to replace “The Oprah Winfrey Show” at 9 am. “Windy City Live” premiered with slightly favorable reviews on May 26, 2011.

The show was then moved to 11 a.m. and then to 1 p.m. Except during the pandemic, the show was produced to a studio audience at ABC Headquarters 7 at 190 North State Street.

While it never reached the stratospheric popularity of Winfrey’s daytime juggernaut, “Windy City Live” was meant to pay off throughout its run. This is in part because the show has generated additional revenue through sponsored content.

Nielsen showed that “Windy City Live” won its period in household ratings and tied for first place among women between 25 and 54 in the May sweep.

In a difficult year for local television production, other recent cancellations include “Chicago’s Best” on Nexstar Media Group WGN-Channel 9 and “The Jam” on Weigel Broadcasting WCIU-Channel 26.2 / WMEU-Channel 48.1.

Here is the full text of Idler’s email to staff:

Dear team,

As we continue to navigate the tough times in our industry, we had to make a tough business decision to end the daily streaming of Windy City LIVE (WCL). Multiple factors were taken into account, but it was ultimately the best decision for ABC 7. The final MF show will air on Friday, September 3rd.

WCL will continue to be part of the fabric of our resort and our community, and Val and Ryan will continue to be part of our team. They will be featured in various station roles and initiatives, including a Friday edition of Windy City LIVE, tentatively titled Windy City Weekends. This half-hour program will air from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and will be an advanced preview of upcoming events to help our viewers enjoy their weekends. Additionally, we can expect quarterly promotions from the WCL that will celebrate our great city and neighboring communities.

I want to thank WCL’s outstanding producers and production team for their tireless commitment to making a decade of great television. WCL’s hard-hitting storytelling and community outreach exceeded our expectations when we launched the show in 2011. We are grateful to Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini for their talent, creativity and the enjoyment they have brought to the audience. from Chicago every day of the week, and we look forward to the next chapter in this award-winning program.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more plans with all of you.

Thank you all for your continued dedication.

John