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KRON4 Is Becoming a CW Network Affiliate, Will Broadcast TV Shows In Prime Time Shows Instead of Local News

Joe Kukura — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 23:58:57 GMT

The four hours of local news every weeknight on KRON4 will be replaced by the likes of Riverdale and FBoy Island, as KRON4 will become an affiliate of the CW Network on September 1.

The local TV station KRON4 has the most, shall we say, unique prime time broadcast schedule of any Bay Area TV station. There’s two solid hours of local news from 5-7 p.m., followed by Inside Edition at 7 p.m., Entertainment Tonight at 7:30, and then another two hours of news from 8-10 p.m. But that format is likely to go out the window, as SFGate reports that KRON4 is becoming an affiliate of the CW Network.

The transition is scheduled for September 1.

If you’re not familiar with the CW Network’s repertoire of television programs, they play two hours of prime time TV shows most nights, generally from 8-10 p.m. The most critically acclaimed of these is the “Archie” comic reboot Riverdale, and they’ve also got the current version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, a Nancy Drew show, and some DC Comics spinoffs Superman & Lois and Gotham Knights. They're also getting the HBO reality show cult hit FBoy Island and its spinoff FGirl Island.

And controversially, the CW is also the exclusive TV home of LIV Golf, the Saudi-owned gold league that’s torn apart the pro golf community. But LIV Golf did just merge with the PGA, so its unclear what’s left of that “exclusive” deal.

KRON4 had been an NBC affiliate from 1949 to 2001, was independent for a couple years after that, and has since been run by media organizations like Young Broadcasting Company, MyNetworkTV, and Nexstar in the interim.

Image via CW Network

Rights Are Wrong?

SFist_Jonathan — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 10:25:39 GMT

Writing in SFGate yesterday, CW Nevius tells us that the "Rights of Mentally Ill Street People Thwart Efforts to Prevent Harm." Those pesky rights! What happened was that the "Sign Guy" of Justin Herman Plaza was arrested after attacking a police officer, when it was pretty clear that someone (the City? Men in white coats?) should have intervened sooner.

Let us be clear that this Sign Guy is not Frank Chu, who was sometimes known as "the Sign Guy" before his celebrity, and is still sometimes called that by ignorant tourists. This Sign Guy is Richard E. Jaworski, a prolific sign-maker who hung his neatly-lettered, sometimes hostile cardboard messages on trees, in sharp contrast to the peripatetic, polysyllabic, and highly professional style of Mr. Chu.

Apparently, one of Mr. Jaworski’s signs asked for help. CW Nevius is aghast:

So why didn't someone step in? Here was someone who was literally advertising for assistance. Why wasn't something done to remove this dangerous person from the streets?

The City is clearly negligent here! Unlike every other sign-holding homeless person in America, Jaworski was literally advertising for help!

Who's to blame, after the jump.

Non-Football Related Argument Ends in Shooting and More

Brock Keeling — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:24:00 GMT

After yesterday's Raiders game in the McAfee Coliseum parking lot, a man was shot in the leg and groin (ye-ouch!) after a non-football related argument," according Alameda County Sheriff Dept. Sgt. J.D. Nelson.

Read more about stupid footballian fan behavior here.

(Okay, we only brought this up because we rarely have the chance to talk about football, or more to our point, the stellar show that is 49ers Press Pass With Mike Nolan. It is SO good! We started watching it because it takes over CW's Monday midnight time slot -- a spot our beloved King of Queens normally holds -- and now find ourselves totally impressed by this Mr. Nolan guy.

The show goes like this: each week the 49ers lose their ball matches, or whatever, and he has to stand before a gaggle of journos, explaining to them why the 49ers lost. Ugh, right? But he's really impressive at it. And we think he might punch someone real soon. Eeeps!

Also, associating with any journalist in a sober state is a harrowing and difficult experience, indeed. Here's to you, Mr. Nolan coach guy!)

It's a Motherf------ Column-Off

Jon — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:35:26 GMT

dueling press conferences and memo-leakage, the Homeless issue is becoming the Issue du Jour, leading to a full-fledged reporter dogpile. First came CW Nevius who weighed in with yet another story on the issue, this time saying that even in liberal, tolerant, San Francisco, residents might not be feeling so liberal and tolerant when it comes to dealing with the homeless. As evidence, he points to one of those online polls SFGate ran about the issue in which 90% of the people said they wanted something to be done. We, as a rule, hate those "polls" because it's actual scientific value is nil as it's all determined by people who were motivated enough to play along and doesn’t factor in those who were too lazy to.

In response, Steven T. Jones wrote about the column on the Bay Guardian's blog. In the posting, Jones compares Nevius to Ken Garcia and also says that Nevius is wrong to say San Franciscans are not so down with the homeless. He then accuses the Chron, and Nevius, of trying to stir things up to play to all the suburbanites out there as they are the only ones who hate the homeless, not local residents, and yadda...yadda...yadda... Spanish American War. Steven then posts the email back-and-forth he had between him and Chuck which is kind of interesting if slightly cringe-worthy in the same way as the Bill Maher show on HBO is. Not to be outdone on the fun, Garcia himself joined in with a column about homelessness, mainly to use it as an attempt to slam Chris Daly.

We're sure SFist Rita will detail all of this in We Read the Weeklies but this week's Bay Guardian seems to be the "Homeless Issue," which is just like Rolling Stone's Hot Issue except without Kid Rock on the cover and fun story about The Office inside (editor's note: more Toby). In the issue, the SFBG weighs in the recent fracas with an editorial and a lengthy story about how much all of these "Quality of Life" citations are costing the city.

SFist Watches: Even More TV Premieres

Rain Jokinen — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 18:38:38 GMT

Tonight's lone premiere is a show we have such little interest in we didn't even bother to check out the pilot when it was available for free online. It's called

We've mentioned before that the only "Law & Order" we watch is "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," and the main reason for that is our imaginary boyfriend Vincent D'Onofrio is on it. So you can imagine we were a little worried when the fate of the show was up in the air at the end of last season. It had something to do with the franchise not pulling in the numbers it used to, and production costs needing to be cut. (Of course it should come as no surprise that the shows aren't as big in the ratings as they used to be since you can basically turn the TV on at any time of day and find an episode playing on one of any number of stations.) But apparently a compromise was reached wherein new episodes of "C.I." will air on USA first, and then will be repeated on NBC at some as-yet-to-be announced time in the future. SO! You can catch the season premiere of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" tonight on USA at 10 p.m.

However, NBC was able to get one big thing right last season, and that was renewing the funniest sitcom on TV, "30 Rock." Despite going through a bout of the crazies earlier this year, Alec Baldwin did not leave the show, as he had threatened, and is indeed back as Jack Donaghy, Vice President of East Coast Television, (formerly Vice President of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming, before he was demoted after the Salute to Fireworks fiasco). Jerry Seinfeld will guest star as himself in tonight's season premiere at 8:30 p.m.

And finally, over on the CW, is the season premiere of "Supernatural" at 9 p.m., a show we know we would probably like if we watched it, but alas, it's a show that is on during a way too crowded hour on a way too crowded night of television.

SFist Watches: Even More Monday Fall TV Premieres

Rain Jokinen — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:30:57 GMT

Following "Chris" at 8:30 is the new series "Aliens In America" a comedy centered on a loser high schooler whose parents decide the only way he'll be able to make any friends is if they import one. Enter Raja, the Pakistani exchange student. The set-up is kind of groan inducing, but we'll admit we laughed a few times during the pilot, and we appreciate its single camera, laughtrack-free presentation. Also, any show that can get laughs out of the image of a dead clown is on the right track.

The season premieres of "Girlfriends" and "The Game" follow at at 9 and 9:30 p.m.

SFist Watches: Fall TV Premieres Tonight

Rain Jokinen — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:20:56 GMT

Abandoned kids, wannabe models, sitcom groaners, socialite teens, and a screaming Brit. It must be Wednesday!

Firstly, we have CBS's "Kid Nation," at 8 p.m., in which a bunch of kids are thrown into a western ghost town and forced to drink bleach. Or something. Shockingly, the notion that children were put into harm's way for the sake of a reality television program has raised the ire of local officials and some of the kids' parents. The same parents who signed waivers stating that CBS would not be held liable if their kid were to get pregnant, catch a venereal disease, or DIE while working on the show. Who cares if your kid comes home with herpes? Or dead? They'll be on national TV! Alas, this ridiculousness is another reality show that won't be getting the locals treatment as apparently there were no Bay Area stage moms or dads who were willing to hand over their kids to a dangerous TV show, (or at least none whose kids were actually picked for it).

If you prefer your reality fare more "Blam! Blam!" and "fierce," then tune in to the CW at 8 p.m. for the season premiere of "America's Next Top Model." We're totally bummed that there are no San Francisco gals this season, but we'll still be watching. The show is moving back to New York this time, which is good. L.A. just never seemed to have the same "high fashion" feel as New York. Or maybe it's just been the low-fashion selection of girls of late. Also, apparently Tyra lost a bunch of weight after telling all those people who were calling her fat that they could kiss her FAT ASS. You go girl! Go on with your wishy washy self!

SFist Watches: Fall TV Premieres Tonight

Rain Jokinen — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:30:30 GMT

Speaking of slim, if you'd like to watch a bunch of overweight Americans work out and moan about their diets instead, there's always "The Biggest Loser" at 8 p.m. on NBC. (It had its season premiere last Tuesday.) We will attest that this is one of the best shows to watch while working out. Nothing will give you the motivation to stay on that elliptical an extra ten minutes than the sight of a 350-pound guy dragging a giant tire across the desert. Nothing!

Homeless Kerfuffle, One Month In

SFist_Dan — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:30:29 GMT

We were on the 7 a few days ago and four gutterpunk types were complaining about how the city had taken their stuff from camps in Golden Gate Park. One of them, a long-haired fellow with a small backpack and very large pants, went on and on about how he was going to get a grant to put GPS chips in all of his things so he could get them back. Who, exactly, would pay for this grant was unclear. The conversation then descended into an irony-free discussion about restaurants on 6th Street that accept food stamps.

This reminded us of last month, when CW Nevius caused a ruckus and the city started to sweep the homeless out of the park. Nevius went back the other day, and found some things better, and some more-of-the same. A fact-ish article in the Chron takes some numbers from the city, which claims that the sweeps have removed 167 homeless camps, provided services to 164 people, and bussed away 25 people. The usual advocates chimed in, as well. If our bus eavesdropping is any indication, something's definitely going on.

We went running through the park this morning, taking the trail that parallels Fulton and eventually hits Park Presidio. Usually there's a tent or two along that route, visible peeking over the bushes from the trail that parallels the road, but the only human evidence we saw was a discarded pair of jeans and socks. The area around Stanyan and Haight was nearly deserted, despite the nice weather.

So...election-year pandering that will go away soon? Is everyone moving from the Park to the Presidio? The Mayor's office claims that the Park effort will be ongoing. What do you think?

Update: Gavin's changed the parks code, making it possible to be arrested for using obvious camping equipment (tarps, sleeping bags, etc.) even in the daytime.

Day Around the Bay

Brock Keeling — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:40:09 GMT

-- The al fresco SF Mayoral race debate, featuring full frontal. Gosh. What madcap wackiness will they unload on us next? [SFBG]

-- "Not guilty," says Ed Jew. [Examiner]

-- CW Nevius on Golden Gate Park a month later. [Chron]

-- Earthlink's citywide wi-fi networks? Might fail. [LeftInSF]

-- Jerry Brown's one-time top cop busted for DUI. [Oakland Tribune]

-- This year's Halloween in the Castro theme: martial law. [Beyond Chron]

-- White youths? Are the happiest youths. Thank God that question was finally answered. [Chron, va AP]

-- SF Weekly claims that all the gays love Joan Rivers. How insensitive! How--well, we do enjoy her old-Jewess charm on The View, so...maybe so. [ASD]

Bravely-captured image and cartoon thunderbolt: SFBG/Sarah Phelan

Yelp! Guns Drawn In Front Of Yelp's Offices?

SFist Jer — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:13:52 GMT

Friend of SFist Jeremy Stoppelman, Yelp's CEO and co-founder, just shot us this note:

Guns drawn in front of Yelp office...
Jeremy

(That would be Mission & New Montgomery.) According to Jeremy's comments on a Yelp thread, "(A) couple guys were arrested, cops are searching the car. Settled down now..."

Anyone have any further details? (We'd also draw your attention to the tips submission on the left-hand column [SFist Tip Line], where someone is saying the former Brother-in-Law BBQ's been lit up? Geez!)

You can see more pics and what the Yelpers themselves are saying about it here.

More details on both situations if and when we get them.

Photos courtesy of Jeremy Stoppelman

SFist Watches: TV Premieres Tonight

Rain Jokinen — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 11:05:23 GMT

That very thing happened when we tried to set a Pass for "Runaway," the CW's entry into the "mysterious disappearances" genre (see "Kidnapped," "Vanished," and "Without a Trace") which premieres tonight at 9 p.m. In this case the show is focused on those who have disappeared, not those looking for the disappeared. Donnie "Don't Call Me a New Kid" Wahlberg stars as a father falsely accused of murder who decides to go on the run--with his family in tow. Leslie Hope (Jack Bauer's wife on season one of "24") is the wife and mother. Darren Star, he of "Sex and the City" fame, had a hand in the series, so that's something. But so far we just can't drum up any real enthusiasm for the show. We'll have to see how the pilot plays out.

SFist Watches: Get Your Own Network, This One Is MINE

Rain Jokinen — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 10:30:53 GMT

Since the WB and UPN have merged to create the CW (all country and western music, all the time!) many former affiliate stations are adopting Fox's new network, MyNetworkTV. (Why KRON 4, which was neither a UPN or a WB affiliate, is adopting this new network remains a little perplexing.) The programming on this new network is apparently being modeled after the popular Latin American programming found on such stations as Telemundo, specifically, telenovelas. Hence we have such nightly soaps as "Fashion House" starring Bo Derek and Morgan Fairchild, and "Desire" starring people a lot younger than Bo and Morgan, (including former mayoral flame Sofia Milos!) What makes telenovelas different from the usual soaps is they aren't open-ended, and the series on MyNetwork TV look to be concluding after 13 weeks, after which new "stories" will take their place.

We've got enough new shows coming at us in the next month, we don't think we can devote the time needed to watch these new nightly programs, so thankfully, on Saturday nights--a virtual TV wasteland that no network can seem to be bothered with programming--MyNetwork TV plans to air hour-long weekly recaps! We love that idea. Why can't daily soaps like "Passions" have weekend recaps?

Riders Up!

chris — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 10:48:14 GMT

It may be January, but if you're a mountain biker in the Bay Area, it's never too early to start planning out your riding season. Especially if you have any interest in racing. Conventional wisdom might have you believing that you can start your serious riding and training in the spring and be ready for the summer racing season, but CW, she is a minx.

In fact, past experience has shown us that if you want to race mountain bikes in the Bay Area, you better start training now because a majority of the big races are in the spring.

Also, because a comprehensive, integrated, updated calendar of mountain bike events in Northern California does not exist, we've compiled the following list for your reading and racing pleasure. Be sure to bookmark this page.

If you can make only a handful of races this year, even just to watch, these are them:

By SFist the Truthmaker, contributing