Pittsburgh Pop podcast: Talking Steelers Monday night move from WTAE to WPXI, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ holiday special

In this episode of the “Pittsburgh Pop” podcast, host Tim Benz and TV Talk columnist Rob Owen discuss Pittsburgh pop culture news of the moment, including why the local simulcast of tonight’s ESPN Steelers game, usually on WTAE-TV, is on WPXI-TV. It seems likely that WTAE parent company Hearst lost the rights to local simulcasts as the same thing happened with Hearst stations in Boston and Kansas City for ESPN games for their home market teams. Per Hearst spokesman Tom Campo, “Leading into the 2022-23 season, Hearst Television had conversations with Disney/ESPN about simulcasting ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Football’ games on Hearst affiliates in participating local markets, but ultimately did not arrive at an agreement.” (For WPXI viewers wondering where to see “The Voice,” it will air on Channel 11 overnight Monday at 2:07 a.m. Tuesday, so set your DVR accordingly.)

Benz shares NFL ratings highlights from Thanksgiving day games (a large viewer tune-in all around) and the pair discuss their reactions to Disney+’s “Andor.”

Owen reviews Disney+’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special,” a 44-minute gleeful ode to holiday gift-giving as Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Drax (Dave Bautista) try to cheer a sullen Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) by traveling to Earth and kidnapping Kevin Bacon (as himself) as Quill’s Christmas present. Throw in some jammin’ holiday tunes performed by The Old 97’s and this Marvel-ous treat from writer/director James Gunn proves an entertaining enough diversion regardless of the degree of your devotion to the MCU.

Owen discusses holiday-season programming nationally and the dearth of local Christmas programming.

Owen offer his reaction to Paramount+’s “Criminal Minds: Evolution” and Netflix’s “Wednesday.”

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