Replaces Bounce as digital network heads to Ion’s WCPX It’s not just an expansion – it’s now a boom. Yet another new multicast network was announced with the launch of MeTVPlus from Weigel Broadcasting, scheduled to debut May 15. As first reported by Robert Feder Monday, MeTV Plus features off-network dramas and sitcoms that hasn’t aired on MeTV in years, […]
More multicast networks announced from Scripps, Tegna Days after Scripps shut down several digital subchannels (now called “multicast networks”) related to their acquisition of Ion, the Cincinnati-based company announced Tuesday two new channels: Defy and the amply named Doozy (yes, Doozy.) Both are cleared in 75 percent of the country for a July 1 launch. Defy is targeted to male […]
Former Katz networks to take their place Get ready for a major shift in the digital channel world. Months after Scripps acquired Ion Networks, the company announced it was eliminating three digital subchannel networks: Ion Plus, ShopIon, and Qubo effective at the end of February. Those channels will be replaced by existing Katz channels, including Bounce, Grit, Laff, and Court […]
Chicago’s WCPX becomes a Scripps-owned station – but remains an Ion affiliate In a blockbuster move, Cincinnati-based Scripps Thursday announced the purchase of Ion, a network with more than 125 affiliates, including 62-owned stations. The deal includes Ion-owned Chicago’s WCPX – the former Christian station known as WCFC-TV from 1976 to 1998 when the ministry sold the station to Bud […]
New Katz network signs with Tribune Media’s WGN-TV and 21 others First, we have TV shows such as Magnum P.I. and Murphy Brown being rebooted. Now, we have whole cable networks getting the treatment. Scripps-owned Katz Broadcasting announced Monday it has acquired the intellectual rights to the Court TV name from Turner Broadcasting and re-launching it as a digital subchannel […]
In fact, it’s already here. Deal with Univision puts Justice Network on digital subchannels; has been on WGBO since August Univision announced Wednesday it has struck a deal to put digital subchannel network The Justice Network on several of its stations in large markets, including WGBO in Chicago. Justice has been on WGBO’s digital 66.4 channel since August 7; Univision’s […]
ABC-owned WLS-TV has introduced its new toy it was teasing viewers for months – a new Doppler Radar called Doppler Radar Max 7 ( I kid you not.) This new powerful radar was once only used buy the National Weather Service and the military. The radar is mounted somewhere in Kane County, west of Chicago and uses. WLS-TV GM John […]
It what may likely be the end of Bill Cosby’s TV career, two networks have yanked his television series due to a new round of rape allegations. Diginet Bounce TV announced Tuesday it was pulling the plug on Cosby reruns, effective immediately. Hours later, Centric – a Viacom-owned cable network targeting African-Americans in the 25-54 demo and a competitor to […]
Both companies strike deal with Fox Television Stations to carry new classic game show channel In news that would no doubt please classic game shows fans, a new digital subchannel featuring the genre is launching this summer thanks to Fremantle Media NorthAmerica and Debmar-Mercury. The two companies are launching Buzzr TV, a new classic game show channel molded in the […]
ABC, Scripps stations clear new diginet; ABC to keep LiveWell after all ABC and Scripps Broadcasting announced this weekend they are launching a brand new digital subchannel called LAFF, injunction with Katz Communications beginning on April 15, “tax day”. Details on what the planned comedy network would carry (hint: you can’t go wrong with Mystery Science Theater 3000 reruns) were […]
Turns out Live Well Network wasn’t living well after all. ABC announced Monday it was shuttering its food, fashion, and travel diginet after nearly six years on the air. ABC carried Live Well on its .2 channel in 720p on its owned-stations, one of the rare digital subchannels to be presented in HD. In a statement, ABC Owned Television President […]
For the first time in twenty years, WGBO-TV is once again airing English-language programming. Well, somewhat. Spanish-language WGBO and other Univision-owned stations agreed a few months ago to carry a new English-language – yes, English-language digital subchannel network called Get TV from Sony Pictures Television, mainly featuring pre-1970 classic films from the Columbia Pictures Library, which Sony owns. Classic movies […]
Time to see what’s in this week edition of the Grab bag: – With This TV leaving for WGN-TV November 1, Weigel Broadcasting is replacing it with Bounce, moving from its 23.2 subchannel position to the much stronger 26.5 position, according to an item on WCIU’s website. Bounce is an African-American-targeted subchannel targeted to adults 25-54. The move comes as […]
Many viewers without cable or satellite in the Chicago area got good news – in threes as two lower stations – and owners of three full-powered rivals – beef up their diginet slate: – It seems like an unholy alliance from a Star Wars movie: Fox and Weigel are teaming up to launch Movies!, a new 24-hour diginet featuring uncut […]
Reach out and touch someone…. No, not there. Or there. The Grab Bag: – CBS AT&T . CBS Corp. and AT & T have signed a brand new retransmission consent deal, covering all CBS-owned stations (which includes CBS, CW, and independent stations), Showtime, The Smithsonian Channel, and CBS Sports Network. Locally, the deal covers CBS-owned WBBM-TV over all AT&T U-Verse […]