Philips DVD Recorder - VHS Memories [30 sec.] (Commercial - 2003) Chi-Town TV Fan 2026-09-20 | Philips DVD Recorder - VHS Memories [30 sec.] (Commercial - 2003)
Dominicks - Weekly Specials [#2] (Commercial - 1990) Chi-Town TV Fan 2022-12-10 | Here's another commercial for Dominick's featuring their weekly specials and this one has a vocal version of their theme, rather than the instrumental theme used in this previous upload.youtube.com/watch?v=FARuKdS3L8QLooks like they used the vocal version first, before switching to the simple instrumental.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1990
Jewel - Take a New Look [#7] - Commercial - 1990 Chi-Town TV Fan 2022-12-09 | Here's another commercial for Jewel with their catchy jingle at the time featuring a montage of all the foods available there as well as what appears to be places of origin. I have uploaded a different version here.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ0yEJaRICIAnother version hereyoutube.com/watch?v=-r-WfVc-NjYThis aired on local Chicago TV in 1990.
Omni Superstores - On A Roll (Commercial - 1987) Chi-Town TV Fan 2022-12-09 | Here's a commercial for Omni Superstores. This was Dominick's try at a supercenter. It did not have as much as say other superstores, most notably no apparel but it was quite an experiment. The name is Latin for "All" or "Everything" to those who don't know. It used same store brand as Dominick's (Heritage House) which made me believe the two were related at the time.The one I know of was in Naperville on Route 59 and 75th street. It is now subdivided.Omni was phased out after Safeway purchased Dominick's in 1997. All Omni locations either became Dominick's locations, other locations, or demolished and replaced due to their size.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1987.
Continental Cablevision of Chicago - CTV3 (Bumper - 1986) Chi-Town TV Fan 2022-12-08 | Here's a bumper for Continental Cablevision of Chicago, which would later be rebranded as Media One, before eventually becoming part of Comcast. This features a brief orchestral bumper as well as a brief slide with their recognition of winning a CableAce award.This aired on local Continental Cablevision Chicago - DuPage County cable TV in 1986.
Subway - Wear the Horns (Commercial - 1998) Chi-Town TV Fan 2022-11-26 | Here's a brief commercial for Subway promoting the (in)famous Bulls Horns hats that were available for $2.99 with any meal purchase. I still see an occasional superfan at a Bulls game wearing one of these hats to this day!This aired on local Chicago TV in 1998.
Naked Furniture - Design Suggestions (Commercial - 2000) Chi-Town TV Fan 2022-01-16 | Here's a commercial for Naked Furniture, a former furniture store that specialized in selling of unpainted and unvarnished wood furniture so anyone crafty could paint or varnish the furniture themselves, hence the rather funny name.The Downers Grove location was demolished and now is the location of the flagship store for Fresh Thyme market, the Naperville location is now another furniture store.This aired on local AT&T Elmhurst/Oak Park/Cicero Cable TV in 2000.
City of Chicago - The New Chicago (Commercial - 1988) Chi-Town TV Fan 2022-01-02 | Here's a commercial for the City of Chicago showing all what makes this city great at the time, and mentions the 10 major sponsors for the 1988 Olympic Games.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1988
Goodwill Industries of Michiana Inc. - 50% Off Sale (Commercial - 2002) Chi-Town TV Fan 2021-12-28 | Here's a commercial for Goodwill Michiana, the Goodwill affiliate for northern Indiana that has one location in the Chicago area as well (Lansing). This ad features their weekly 50% off sale.The main affiliate for Chicago is Goodwill Southeast Wisconsin and Metro Chicago, after the merger of those two affiliates in 2010, making it the largest of Goodwill's 165 affiliates.The affiliate for Chicago never did any TV spots before the merger due to its then low coverage of the area and only a handful of locations. To view all Chicago area Goodwill ads, check this channel - youtube.com/c/AmazingGoodwill1919Normally all Goodwill stores have a 50% off sale every week based on select tag colors, usually the "last call" for that tag color before the items are rotated out.This aired on local South Bend, IN TV in 2002 (Not Chicago, but close. Likely seen in Chicago on clear days, and I'm including this due to this having a location in the Chicago area.)
Wal-Mart - Zorro Smiley Rollback (Commercial - 2002) Chi-Town TV Fan 2021-12-27 | Here's a commercial for Wal-Mart featuring their smiley face mascot at the time, this commercial has the smiley as Zorro doing their infamous "rollback" discounts.I've been looking for the original ad to complement the parody that MADtv did of it here.youtube.com/watch?v=o9-ehIZkhmYThis aired on local Chicago TV in 2002
Honda Accord - Shoppers Dilemma (Commercial - 1996) Chi-Town TV Fan 2021-06-12 | Here's a commercial for Honda's best selling Accord model, with a very familiar difficult decision some people have while at the checkout, though I have the answer to that question below.Here's another commercial from that time, with someone at a coffee shop.youtube.com/watch?v=EYcI0USGu3gWhat's the answer to that difficult decision you may ask?*pulls out reusable cloth shopping bag*Neither, I'll use this!This aired on local Chicago TV in 1996
City of Chicago - Blue Bag Recycling (PSA - 1996) Chi-Town TV Fan 2021-06-12 | Here's a public service announcement for the new blue bag program at the time for curbside recycling pickup. This helped eliminate the need to bring your recyclables yourself to a dropoff station.This has now been replaced with a dedicated container for recyclables.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1996.
Illinois Lottery - Rainbows (Commercial - 1997) Chi-Town TV Fan 2021-06-09 | Here's a commercial for the Illinois Lottery highlighting the recent amount of winners they were having at the time symbolized by rainbows all over various places in Illinois.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1997.
Chevrolet - Chicago Picasso (Commercial - 1996) Chi-Town TV Fan 2021-04-24 | Here's a commercial for Chevrolet featuring their Lumina sedan, this also features the famous Chicago Picasso sculpture in the Daley Plaza. This ad was one of a series of Chevy commercials in the mid 1990s highlighting fun things about Chicago.Previous ones I have found:Chicago Bungalowyoutube.com/watch?v=_kWkvK_3KGQItalian Beef Sandwichyoutube.com/watch?v=r6TNVcyMB7EThis aired on local Chicago TV in 1996
Illinois Lottery - Lotto Winners - (Commercial - 1996) Chi-Town TV Fan 2021-04-24 | Here's a commercial for the Illinois Lottery listing all the lotto winners at the time, though the format of this ad seems very familiar... Where have I seen this regarding showing stuff in rapid succession to tension music? Oh, yes!youtube.com/watch?v=tKt-8b5QT-Yyoutube.com/watch?v=Kp3-zmp6gjYApparently this was some form of viral marketing scheme in the 1990s. Could have added a little more variety by adding all the hundred thousand winners too, the "million" never changing kinda ruins the randomness...This aired on local Chicago TV in 1996.
10-10-345 - Pit Crew [with Fred Willard] - (Commercial 1999) Chi-Town TV Fan 2020-12-27 | Here's a commercial for Lucky Dog Telecom with their 10-10-345 phone number, where you could save money and get special rates. This has the local special rate for this area. This was known as a dial around carrier for AT&T. Other carriers included 10-10-321 (originally just 10-321), 10-10-220, and 10-10-297.Apparently, these dial around services are still available, but the rates have changed drastically.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1999
Santas Village & Racing Rapids - Typhoon (Commercial - 1999) Chi-Town TV Fan 2020-12-26 | Here's a commercial for Santa's Village and Racing Rapids, a Christmas themed amusement park located in Dundee. This ad features the new Typhoon roller coaster. The park was closed in 2006 and retooled in 2011 and is now Santa's AZoosement park which now features exotic animals on display, as well as home to several rides salvaged from Kiddieland.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1999
Rayovac - Renewal Batteries [with Michael Jordan] (Commercial -1995) Chi-Town TV Fan 2020-12-08 | Here's a commercial for Rayovac batteries featuring Michael Jordan advertising their Renewal rechargeable alkaline batteries, the first of its kind that would become the standard for rechargeable batteries used today due to that formula's reliability and less toxicity.Previous rechargeable batteries were nickel-cadmium (NiCd) which took forever to recharge, had to be drained completely in order to recharge properly, and were very toxic to the environment. This battery was a solution to those problems.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1995
Harris Bank - Lion Power [2] - (Commercial - 2004) Chi-Town TV Fan 2020-12-08 | Here's another commercial for Harris Bank (now BMO Harris Bank after merging with Banque Du Montreal), the largest regional bank in Chicago.This aired on local Chicago TV in 2004
McDonalds - Quarter Pounder Club [with Alonzo Spellman] - (Commercial - 1995) Chi-Town TV Fan 2020-09-19 | Here's a commercial for the limited time release of the Quarter Pounder Club burger. This ad features Chicago Bears player Alonzo Spellman.It appears this commercial had versions based on the market area's football team. Here's another one likely from Miami with Dan Marino.youtube.com/watch?v=u9vGDx0T-zAThis aired on local Chicago TV in 1995
Marshall Fields - Its About Time (Commercial - 1995) Chi-Town TV Fan 2020-06-14 | Here's a commercial for Marshall Field's announcing another one of their famous 13 hour sales. This ad also features a neat montage of many locations around Chicago.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1995.
Advocate Health Care - Health Care With A Whole New Attitude (Commercial - 1996) Chi-Town TV Fan 2020-03-26 | Here's a commercial for Advocate Health Care, the largest health care system in Chicago, and the 10th largest in the U.S. This commercial exhibits this health care system's debut. This was renamed "Advocate Aurora Health" in 2017, and a green infinity loop was added alongside the cross.I decided to post this since if it weren't for this medical group... let's just say, you would have never seen any more updates on this channel after February.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1996
ATA Airlines - Kids & Seniors Sale (Commercial - 1999) Chi-Town TV Fan 2020-03-22 | Here's a commercial for ATA Airlines (American Trans Air). This is one of many commercials featuring their destinations being listed in rapid succession.Midway airlines used the exact same format for their commercials earlier in that decade. View it here.youtube.com/watch?v=tKt-8b5QT-YThis aired on local Chicago TV in 1999.
Aldi - The Stock-Up Store (Commercial - 1991) Chi-Town TV Fan 2020-01-28 | Here's a commercial for Aldi, the discount food market originally from Germany. This ad focuses on their selection of canned soups for a lower price.Aldi is short for ALbrecht DIscount and actually has two variants based on where In Germany they're located. This affiliate is the south (sud) version which was a Chicago exclusive chain originally before expanding nationwide. We also have the north (nord) version as well, but possibly to avoid confusion, that affiliate is known as Trader Joe's.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1991
Saran - Disposable Cutting Sheets - (Commercial - 2002) Chi-Town TV Fan 2020-01-27 | Here's a commercial for Saran Disposable Cutting Sheets, a short-lived product for your kitchen for food prep.You know, there's something called a "cutting board" that can be sanitized and reused (and is much more effective at protecting your counters.)This aired on local Chicago TV in 2002.
Mercedes-Benz - Take the Windy City With You (Commercial - 2002) Chi-Town TV Fan 2020-01-02 | Here's a commercial for the Mercedes-Benz C230 Sports Coupe with a tailwind reminiscent of the wind you'd feel in Chicago on most days.This aired on local Chicago TV in 2002
Commonwealth Edison - Seasons Greetings (Commercial - 1990) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-12-11 | Here's a commercial for Commonwealth Edison (now ComEd), the energy company that supplies electricity for the Chicago area. This commercial shows their contribution to making the season bright.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1990.
WGN CW 9 - Midwest FurFest Intentional Gas Leak - (News Segment - 12/07/14) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-12-11 | Here's a clip from WGN News highlighting one of the more unusual events here in Chicago. On the night of December 7, 2014, somebody spilled powdered sodium hypochlorite (pool shock) in in one of the stairwells of the Hyatt Regency Convention Center in Rosemont during Midwest Furfest, which was at that time the second largest furry convention in the world. The chlorine gas released sent 9 people to the hospital and caused a mass evacuation of the convention center that night.This media coverage is likely what led to that convention becoming the largest furry convention, now drawing over 10,000 attendees.NOTE: This segment was never shown online until now.This aired on local Chicago TV (and nationwide cable TV) on December 7, 2014.
Menards - Enchanted Forest (Commercial - 2001) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-11-30 | Here's a commercial for Menards, the third largest home improvement chain with their rarely heard Christmas jingle. This ad also notes the opening of the new and current Bolingbrook location. The Bolingbrook location originally occupied the shell of an old Kmart left at the long defunct South Commons Mall in the late 90's after the Kmart store moved further west to a new location. Menards would move north to its current Mega Store format. It appears Menards is an opportunist as it was able to gain a foothold in the Chicagoland area by setting up shop in older Kmart stores left behind as that chain was still updating its locations.This aired on local Chicago TV in 2001
WCIU 26 - Uz Got It! (Long Network ID - 1999) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-10-31 | Here's a longer version of the network ID that would occasionally air between shows on WCIU, featuring a very poetic listing of all of WCIU's known programs at the time.This bumper was made by Joe E. Dale, and more of his work can be viewed on his YouTube channel jocahontas.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1999
WCIU 26 - Uz Got It! (Network IDs -1999) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-10-27 | Here's three variants of the WCIU 26 network ID bumpers that would air between shows in the late 90's-early 2000s. This has all three variants including the common bumper (first one) as well as the two rarer variants.For the full version of the first bumper's jingle, go here.youtube.com/watch?v=5wXU-dR4rQoThese bumpers were designed by Joe. E Dale. Many of his other works can be viewed on his YT channel - Jocahontas. Check them out!These aired on local Chicago TV in 1999.
PrimeCo - Phone Delivery (Commercial - 2001) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-10-13 | Here's a commercial for PrimeCo, a long defunct cell phone service. This commercial is one of many in a series of an alien being sent to retrieve a piece of their technology because it was too advanced for Earth.Check around for other ads in this series, there were several. I'm surprised this one wasn't up yet (and I'm sure you know why I put it up!)This aired on local Chicago TV in 2001.
MCI - 5 Cent Sundays (Commercial - 1998) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-06-27 | Here's a commercial for MCI, a long defunct phone company offering their 5 cent sundays special. The company would merge with LDDS Worldcom later on to become MCI Worldcom.The commercials for MCI at the time were my first encounter to the smiley face emoticon :-) located with their slogan at the time. I wondered about the reason for those punctuation marks there until someone more wired than me at the time was able to explain the symbolism.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1998
Marshall Fields 13 Hour Sale [#2] (Commercial - 2004) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-05-19 | Here's another commercial for Marshall fields advertising their popular 13 hour sale, this one features judging after a figure skating competition.This aired on local Chicago TV in 2004.
Marshall Fields - 13 Hour Sale [#1] (Commercial - 2004) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-05-19 | Here's a commercial for Marshall Field's featuring their ever popular 13 hour sale. This one seems to be parodying a certain game show that can make you a millionaire if you know your trivia.Hey, is it just me, or do I see the pedestals from Deal or No Deal in the background even though that show wasn't around yet?BTW the answer is Boise.This aired on local Chicago TV in 2004.
Sharp - SharpVision (Commercial - 1990) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-04-29 | Here's a commercial for Sharp electronics illustrating their new LCD front projector TV which allows for big screen TV viewing in any room (with the right wall space or screen, of course.) This of course was showcased on Back to the Future II a year prior in the hypothetical 2015.Nowadays, LCD projectors are now everywhere including most lecture halls at schools and colleges, so the movie did get it right.I also find it intriguing they symbolize the picture as a scintillating, sparkler like thing. I would have used an image to symbolize it personally.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1990.
Black & Decker - GE Irons (Commercial -1986) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-04-23 | Here's a commercial for Black & Decker announcing the rebrand for irons originally made by GE.It appears that GE brand irons are now back, though as with most products nowadays, they are GE brand in name only.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1986
Dominicks - Neptunes Cove (Commercial - 1986) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-04-22 | Here's a commercial for Dominick's, this ad emphasizes on their seafood section known at the time as Neptune's Cove which offers a variety of fresh and frozen seafoods.Jewel's equivalent was known as Pier 14.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1986
Certi-Saver - Weekly Special (Commercial - 1986) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-04-22 | Here's another earlier commercial for Certi-Saver, a.k.a. Certified Grocers, a long defunct grocery cooperative, it's more well known affiliates are Butera and Sterk's. This ad features the weekly special and has the full jingle.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1986.
Group W Cable of Chicago - Special Offer (Commercial - 1986) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-04-21 | Here's a commercial for Group W Cable Chicago, a cable company owned by Westinghouse that was one of several cable providers in the Chicago area at the time. This ad highlights their availability in Chicago as well as a special offer.I remember when there were dozens of cable providers in Chicago (we had Continental Cablevision), and slowly they began to either merge or go away. We are only left with 2 now, Comcast (Formerly "Old" AT&T) and AT&T U-Verse. Only Naperville has a third option (WOW Cable). This is primarily the reason why cable is so expensive now due to little or no competition.Drat! I don't live on that side of Chicago! Guess I have to stick with Cablevision...This aired on local Chicago TV in 1986
Woodfield Mall - We Have It All (Commercial - 1986) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-04-21 | Here's a commercial for Woodfield Mall, the largest mall in Illinois.This mall sports over 2 million square feet of retail space and is home to the flagship store for Sears.I was probably the same age as that kid shown in this ad when this aired. This aired on local Chicago TV in 1986
Platos Closet - Gently Used, Gently Priced (Commercial 2006) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-04-03 | Here's a commercial for Plato's Closet, a store dealing in upscale resale of new and gently used upscale clothing and fashion. It's another place to check out if you want to look good for less.The Willowbrook location closed in 2010.This aired on local Comcast Elmhurst/Oak Park/Cicero cable TV in 2006
RCA - SelectaVision Video Monitor (Commercial - 1983) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-01-31 | Here's a commercial for the RCA SelectaVision Video Monitor Television, featuring the breakthrough connector at the time - AV Input. There were three which could be selected via the channel search (AV 1 and 2 were in the back and 3 was up front) and even hookups for stereo speakers.Nowadays, the latest feature on most TVs is multiple HDMI inputs.I would also add, I have one of those sets (the clone that Sears sold called the PROformance Video Monitor) and that feature was its saving grace from disposal during the DTV conversion. As you know, most convertor boxes have AV out only, so hooking one up to this without having to use an RF box or VCR in the middle was a definite plus.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1983
American Historic Society - Colorized Walking Liberty Dollar (Commercial - 2000) Chi-Town TV Fan 2019-01-10 | Here's a commercial for the American Historic Society featuring their colorized version of the 2000 Walking Liberty Silver Dollar. Around this time, the technique of coloring coins had been perfected and colorized versions of popular U.S. coins were being sold by many numismatic companies. The U.S. Walking Liberty dollar, which began being minted in 1986, is based off of the half dollar design of the mid 20th century and the only silver coin that is minted in 1.000 fine silver, other countries issues of their own silver coins are only .999 - .900 fine silver. One of those dollars (uncolorized mind you) were about $9 at the time of that advertisement, due to their intrinsic value. Their value soared to about $45 in the recession of 2008, but sank and are now are about $20 as of this posting. Nonetheless, those coins are a good investment not to mention a popular collector's item. Fun Fact: the word "dollar" is likely derived from the German word "thaler" which was the term for their silver coin that was also one troy of silver. When the dollar was backed by silver it was based on one full ounce of fine silver, unlike today where the dollar used now is merely by faith. If you want to own one of those pretty colorized coins today, fear not, most numismatics have some on hand and will sell them to you at around spot price. EDIT: This is a reupload of an older video due to having better video transfer equipment.This aired on local Chicago TV in 2000
McDonalds - Lunch Break McMania (Commercial - 1986) Chi-Town TV Fan 2018-12-25 | Here's a Chicago area commercial for McDonald's advertising their limited time offer of the Quarter Pounder burger for 99 cents.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1986
Jewel - Take a New Look [#6] (Commercial - 1989) Chi-Town TV Fan 2018-12-25 | Here's a commercial for Jewel with their catchy jingle at the time featuring a montage of all the foods available there. This appears to be an updated version of this ad.youtube.com/watch?v=62WvXG_fCeEThis aired on local Chicago TV in 1989.
WGN 9 - $100,000 Fortune Hunt (Promo - 1989) Chi-Town TV Fan 2018-12-25 | Here's a promo for $100,000 Fortune Hunt, a lottery game show that debuted in Chicago in 1989. Not only was this game show viewable in Chicago, but people with cable nationwide could see it on WGN's national feed.This show makes a cameo in Home Alone 2 as "Ding Dang Dong" and would spawn a version in Indiana called Hoosier Millionaire.Check out YouTube user JCMiscellany for episodes of this show.This aired on local Chicago TV in 1989.
Fruit by the Foot - Long on Fun (Commercial - 1994) Chi-Town TV Fan 2018-10-09 | Here's a commercial for Fruit by the Foot, a variant of Fruit Roll-Ups featuring a scouting group deciding to continue their hike until their Fruit by the Foot snack was finished. In Chicago, local company Farley's manufactured their version of this at the time simply known as "The Roll." I LOL'd at the map in this commercial when this ad was shown and still find it amusing today. The irony is that if you look at the state of Illannoyed (Illinois), you will notice one city marked on it (Peoria). That's the city where I found the tape with this ad! Ironic, isn't it? Note: This is a reupload due to having better video transfer equipment.This aired on local Peoria, Illannoyed... I mean Illinois TV in 1994 (not Chicago, but close)
Cliffhanger Video Game - Eat A Roll [Alternate Version] (Commercial - 1993) Chi-Town TV Fan 2018-09-21 | Here's the alternate toned version of the commercial for the videogame tie in for Cliffhanger with Sylvester Stallone. Original commercial for comparison can be seen in the link below.youtube.com/watch?v=0EAfkdgcxb4I believe the ad was toned down as it probably was too inappropriate for young audiences. This ad showed during kids programming blocks. I myself found the original version of this ad to be objectionable myself.This aired on local Peoria, IL TV in 1993 (Not Chicago, but close)
Arrasa con Todo con Kmart 02/19/11 - Part 5 Chi-Town TV Fan 2018-09-07 | Here's the 5th and final part of Arrasa con Todo con Kmart.
Arrasa con Todo con Kmart 02/19/11 - Part 4 Chi-Town TV Fan 2018-09-07 | Here's part 4 of Arrasa con Todo con Kmart.
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