The Rod Blagojevich trial verdict on Tuesday drew larger than usual numbers of viewers to public television station WTTW-Channel 11's nightly news digest "Chicago Tonight." The show averaged a 3.0 rating for the 7 p.m. hour on Tuesday, peaking at a 3.3 rating. Those were show's highest numbers since November, 2005.

A WTTW spokeswoman said "Chicago Tonight" numbers have been better than usual all summer, attributable at least in part to the show's ongoing coverage of the Blagojevich trial, the spokeswoman asserted. On Wednesday night, "Chicago Tonight" talked to two members of the Blagojevich jury, including jury foreman James Matsumoto (a former WTTW employee). Tonight, "Chicago Tonight" will interview Rod Blagojevich's brother and co-defendant Robert Blagojevich.