Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
November 29, 2007
DA 07-4852
Released: November 30, 2007
Mr. Stephen H. Macek
1201 Greensfield Drive
Naperville, IL 60563
WGN Continental Broadcasting Company
c/o R. Clark Wadlow, Esq.
Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP
1501 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
Re:  WGN-TV, Chicago, IL, 
ID No. 72115, 
File No. BRCT-20050801BXY
Dear Mr. Macek:
This is in regard to your informal objection to the renewal application of WGN-TV, Chicago, Illinois.  You assert 
that WGN-TV has presented “skewed” news, “trashy” entertainment, inadequate children’s programming and 
“hypercommercialism.”  For the reasons stated below, we deny your informal objection.
Under the public interest standard in the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the Commission expects its 
broadcast licensees to be aware of some of the important local issues in the communities their stations serve, and to 
present programming that will inform their audiences about such issues.  The selection of issues to be treated and the 
types of programming used are decisions for which the individual station licensee is responsible.  In 1984, the 
Commission eliminated previous guidelines that television licensees provide specific quantities of certain types of 
nonentertainment programming.  Thus, the basic renewal standard consists of an obligation that a licensee address 
community issues with responsive programming.  We cannot direct broadcasters in their selection of program 
material.  The choice of what is or is not to be covered in the presentation of broadcast news (or other types of 
programming) is a matter that is committed to the licensee’s good faith discretion.  Therefore, we can take no action 
in regard to your complaint regarding allegedly “skewed” news.  The proper course of action, which you have 
apparently taken, is to make your dissatisfaction know to the licensee.  Licensees are generally receptive to valid 
complaints of viewers and reasonable complaints can be effective in influencing station practices.
In regard to allegedly “trashy” entertainment broadcast on WGN-TV, you have not made any specific allegations 
that any of the programming broadcast on WGN-TV is either indecent or obscene.  As noted above, broadcasters 
have wide latitude in what programming they present on their stations.  Unless such programming violates the 
Commission’s Rules in some way, there is no basis on which we can take action.
You also complain that the station has been grossly inadequate in meeting its children’s programming obligations.  
You specifically complain that WGN-TV has relied on the programs “Baby Looney Tunes” and “Sabrina, the 
Animated Series” as part of its core children’s programming.  However, your informal objection does not document 
how these programs fail to meet the station’s obligations in regard to children’s programming.  Under these 
circumstances, there is no basis to act on your allegations.
Finally, you complain that WGN-TV carries too many commercials.  Except in the cases of children’s programming, 
the Commission’s Rules do not restrict the type and amount of commercial matter that a station may carry.
In view of the foregoing, no further action regarding your complaint is warranted.  Please be advised that your letter
will be associated with the file of the station.
Sincerely,
James J. Brown
Deputy Chief, Video Division
Media Bureau