Litton And Tribune Offering ‘Direct Access’

This fall, Litton Entertainment and Tribune Broadcasting are partnering in the national launch of Direct Access, a half-hour weekly hip-hop, urban entertainment show hosted by TV and radio personality Darian “Big Tigger” Morgan. Direct Access has already been successfully road tested on Tribune’s WDCW Washington, where the show is No. 1 in the men 25-54 and 18-34 demos in its 11:30 p.m. Saturday time period.

In addition to WDCW, Direct Access will be airing on Tribune’s WPIX New York and KDAF Dallas-Ft. Worth, among others, as well as Weigel’s WCIU Chicago

WPIX General Manager Eric Meyrowitz (formerly GM at WDCW) launched the show in April 2010 when he noticed that other entertainment series weren’t serving certain audiences. “In the broadcast landscape there is no show centered around hip-hop,” he said. “Judging by the large audience for hip-hop shows and Tigger’s popularity on the radio, we knew there was an audience. And we want to serve that audience.”

“We are excited to join Litton and Tribune in granting Chicagoans ‘direct access’ to Big Tigg’s weekly show,” said Neal Sabin, President-GM of WCIU. “We think it will resonate with the Windy City’s hip-hop culture.”

Direct Access capitalizes on Tigger’s popularity and celebrity connections to give viewers a VIP pass with access to their favorite music, sports, entertainment and nightlife celebrities. “I let the viewer hang out with me in all kinds of places,” he says. “You’re allowed to go with me to parties and backstage — places you might not normally be able to.”