Friday's the deadline for Channel 18 and 24 to be pulled off the Time Warner Cable lineup if there isn't a settlement between the cable company and Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns the two Milwaukee channels.

As of Thursday evening, there was no word of a deal that could prevent the disruption of 33 Sinclair stations around the country, including Milwaukee's Channels 18 and 24.

That doesn't mean something isn't in the works. We won't know until there's an announcement from both sides -- or the channels go dark.

I don't usually write about bars, but when change comes to my neighborhood, I try to stay on top of it.

And I've been watching the construction going on in the old Northstar Bistro location for a couple weeks, eagerly awaiting the opening of the Three Lions Pub. For former regulars at the old Brit Inn -- now just a shell of a building -- the best news is the pending return to Oakland Avenue is likable barmen David Price and Christopher Tinker, far better known as Tink.

Native Brits Price and Tinker are partners, along with the Brat House's Scott Schaefer, in the new enterprise.

The goal had been a Dec. 28 opening for the pub at 4515 N. Oakland Ave. But last-minute delays have pushed that back to early January. Construction is continuing on the renovated interior, which features a long bar along the north wall of the space.

Price says he plans on making soccer a main draw at the pub, along with offering the normal line of drinks, including cask ale; and pub fare including fish and chips.

Until the doors open, you can keep an eye on the progress at the Three Lions Pub Facebook page.

 

Channel 12 announced this afternoon that it's expanding its 10 p.m. newscast to an hour starting Monday, Jan. 24.

The ABC station, which won the 10 p.m. ratings race in the November sweeps,  already does an hour at 10 on Sunday nights.

"Nightline" will follow at 11 p.m. "Jimmy Kimmel Live" airs at 11:30, followed at 12:30 by "Access Hollywood."

The anchor lineup stays the same, but expect more weather coverage, with the station quoting a survey showing its target demographic, adults 25-54, look at local TV as a more important source of weather information than cable or network news.

I checked my e-mail today and found this, under the heading "Order Request:"

"I will like to know if you do sell Mallets and  If you do e-mail me with the types and  Models that you have so that i will let you know the Ones that I am interested in hope to read from you asap..."

I'm assuming it was a somehow automated response to my report last week that George Mallet was leaving Channel 4.

For the record, the "t" is silent in the anchor's name. And he's not for sale.