Dallas Mavericks to WFAA/KMPX

[Huff]

Buried in the story is the fact that KMPX will drop Estrella TV and become an independent prior to the Mavs season:

FAQ: Everything you need to know about how to watch the Dallas Mavericks on WFAA

From where all 70 of the games from the new agreement will air to how to watch Mavs games if you don’t live in Dallas-Fort Worth, here are the answers you seek.

www.wfaa.com

 

[Mediafrog+]

Buried in the story is the fact that KMPX will drop Estrella TV and become an independent prior to the Mavs season:

Or Estrella TV is moved to a different subchannel of KMPX.

Keep in mind that Estrella (now operated and programmed by MediaCo) still has an option to buy the current WFAA RF8 license, becoming the “new” KMPX, while WFAA is moved to the current KMPX RF30. That deal, if it is actually activated, is supposed to happen before the end of 2025. This was all part of the APA when TEGNA purchased KMPX in 2020.

The “streaming” option is not really explained for those Mavericks fans who are in the team’s TV territory but not within range of one of the broadcast affiliates carrying the games. The Dallas Stars, OTOH, have a “steaming first” availability with Victory+.

 

[salemjedi54]

Or Estrella TV is moved to a different subchannel of KMPX.

Keep in mind that Estrella (now operated and programmed by MediaCo) still has an option to buy the current WFAA RF8 license, becoming the “new” KMPX, while WFAA is moved to the current KMPX RF30. That deal, if it is actually activated, is supposed to happen before the end of 2025. This was all part of the APA when TEGNA purchased KMPX in 2020.

The “streaming” option is not really explained for those Mavericks fans who are in the team’s TV territory but not within range of one of the broadcast affiliates carrying the games. The Dallas Stars, OTOH, have a “steaming first” availability with Victory+.

Even though I am not one of the faithful 20,000 hockey fans in Dallas/Ft. Worth, I have a rooting interest in the Dallas Stars. I worked for them from 2000 until they moved to Frisco in the mid 2000's. So I would like to see an OTA option for their TV broadcasts.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Even though I am not one of the faithful 20,000 hockey fans in Dallas/Ft. Worth, I have a rooting interest in the Dallas Stars. I worked for them from 2000 until they moved to Frisco in the mid 2000's. So I would like to see an OTA option for their TV broadcasts.

The Stars may eventually do the same thing as the Anaheim Ducks in having a combination of Victory+ along with an OTA outlet, where the streamer provides those games to viewers outside the broadcast signal range.

I had thought that KTXA would be the most likely partner for such an arrangement. However that station may be put up for sale once the bigger Paramount Global deal is complete. Paramount owns KTXA and sibling KTVT.

KDFI might be another OTA option. FOX’s KCOP in LA is the Ducks OTA home.

 

[salemjedi54]

The Stars may eventually do the same thing as the Anaheim Ducks in having a combination of Victory+ along with an OTA outlet, where the streamer provides those games to viewers outside the broadcast signal range.

I had thought that KTXA would be the most likely partner for such an arrangement. However that station may be put up for sale once the bigger Paramount Global deal is complete. Paramount owns KTXA and sibling KTVT.

KDFI might be another OTA option. FOX’s KCOP in LA is the Ducks OTA home.

KMPX night be in play as well. I don't know how the money will work, but I am sure Tegna wants as much programming they can get when they flip 29

 

[Mediafrog+]

KMPX night be in play as well. I don't know how the money will work, but I am sure Tegna wants as much programming they can get when they flip 29

I haven't compared the Stars and Mavericks schedules, but there are likely numerous conflicts where both teams are playing at the same time. This is why BSSW had the "alternate" channel (BSSW+).

 

[tested]

One has to assume the Rangers will make a similar deal with someone after this season is over. Their BSSW deal ends at the end of this season and I can't imagine they would want to stick with whatever is left of that network. I would think KDFI, KTXA, and KDAF will all make runs for the Rangers games. It's also possible Victory+ will be an option. Either way, it's a massive shift for local sports. It used to be a few games would air on broadcast TV each year. Then cable stepped up and took most of the games. It's been that way for probably two decades now. But now it's going back to letting viewers see the games for free on broadcast or (in the Stars case) streaming. This is a great thing for local broadcasters and viewers alike. I think it will help the teams too.

 

[txchipk]

One has to assume the Rangers will make a similar deal with someone after this season is over. Their BSSW deal ends at the end of this season and I can't imagine they would want to stick with whatever is left of that network. I would think KDFI, KTXA, and KDAF will all make runs for the Rangers games. It's also possible Victory+ will be an option. Either way, it's a massive shift for local sports. It used to be a few games would air on broadcast TV each year. Then cable stepped up and took most of the games. It's been that way for probably two decades now. But now it's going back to letting viewers see the games for free on broadcast or (in the Stars case) streaming. This is a great thing for local broadcasters and viewers alike. I think it will help the teams too.

MLB has been directing teams to their streaming platform. Back in February when DSG was trying to drop them and Minnesota, MLB was prepping to move them to MLB.tv like they did with the Padres and Diamondbacks if the short term deal didn't come through. I would think that is the most likely scenario where the Rangers head after this season concludes. If they do indeed head to a streaming option, it will almost certainly be MLB.tv, not Victory+.

I doubt KTXA is a player since Paramount is trying to unload it. It seems doubtful they would be investing in sports rights for a station they are trying to sell off.

 

[Mediafrog+]

I doubt KTXA is a player since Paramount is trying to unload it. It seems doubtful they would be investing in sports rights for a station they are trying to sell off.

Thought occurred to me that Estrella TV might eventually wind up on KTXA if MediaCo wants to go that direction. TEGNA did state that the network would move to “another channel” though I thought this might be a different KMPX subchannel. Estrella could then take a pass on the WFAA RF8 purchase option.

 

[tested]

MLB has been directing teams to their streaming platform. Back in February when DSG was trying to drop them and Minnesota, MLB was prepping to move them to MLB.tv like they did with the Padres and Diamondbacks if the short term deal didn't come through. I would think that is the most likely scenario where the Rangers head after this season concludes. If they do indeed head to a streaming option, it will almost certainly be MLB.tv, not Victory+.

I doubt KTXA is a player since Paramount is trying to unload it. It seems doubtful they would be investing in sports rights for a station they are trying to sell

I had forgotten about the MLB.TV thing. But I think a broadcaster is more likely for them anyway. I think KTXA is unlikely, but not out of the question. KDFI, KDAF...maybe the new KMPX might be an option.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Update: TEGNA has filed a call change request for KMPX, with new KFAA-TV call letters effective October 20. This would put a new station identity in place in time for the NBA season and the station’s new Mavericks coverage.

The KFAA call is currently on an EMF radio station in North Dakota, and EMF has given TEGNA permission to use the KFAA-TV call on Channel 29. The radio station will not change call letters.

I am going to guess that the plan for Estrella/MediaCo to purchase the RF8 license is likely dead.

https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f9191bdbfda0191ede1ea2438a9&id=25076f9191bdbfda0191ede1ea2438a9&goBack=N

 

[txchipk]

Nice pick. The Fayetteville AR NBC affiliate was KFAA for about a decade and half, as a satellite of KPOM Fort Smith, until it rebranded as KNWA-TV and became the primary NBC market for the area. The KFAA calls tie in here more nicely with the connection to WFAA.

I wonder if they brand around that or they do something like branding channel 29 as "WFAA+" or something, sort of like Paramount did with some of its independents (WPCW 19 Pittsburg became WPKD, but branded as "KDKA+" after KDKA-TV 2; KBCW 44 San Francisco became KPYX, but branded as "KPIX+" after KPIX-TV 5) and what Fox still does in a lot of markets (KCOP 13 LA is "Fox 11+," KICU 36 SFO is "KTVU Plus," KUPT 45 Phoenix is "Fox 10 Xtra," etc.).

 

[salemjedi54]

Guess KMAV is not available

 

[Mediafrog+]

BTW the new KFAA-TV call was approved by the FCC on September 16.

 

[K.M. Richards]

I wonder if they brand around that or they do something like branding channel 29 as "WFAA+" or something,

I think you're on to something there, Chip. They could take the existing WFAA+ stream and run it on 29 when nothing else is scheduled ...

 

[salemjedi54]

BTW the new KFAA-TV call was approved by the FCC on September 16.

Any idea when 29 will flip the programming from Estrella to English. Also, where does Tegna plan on placing the Estrella programming.

 

[K.M. Richards]

Any idea when 29 will flip the programming from Estrella to English. Also, where does Tegna plan on placing the Estrella programming.

As I understand it, the deal with the Mavericks begins with the October 26 game against the Phoenix Suns, so it should happen within the next four weeks.

 

[E-Cam]

I wonder if they brand around that or they do something like branding channel 29 as "WFAA+" or something, sort of like Paramount did with some of its independents (WPCW 19 Pittsburg became WPKD, but branded as "KDKA+" after KDKA-TV 2; KBCW 44 San Francisco became KPYX, but branded as "KPIX+" after KPIX-TV 5) and what Fox still does in a lot of markets (KCOP 13 LA is "Fox 11+," KICU 36 SFO is "KTVU Plus," KUPT 45 Phoenix is "Fox 10 Xtra," etc.).

KDFW for quite a while a while had KDFI rebrand as "Fox 4 More" before quietly changing again to "More 27." I could see WFAA+ being used.

Any idea when 29 will flip the programming from Estrella to English. Also, where does Tegna plan on placing the Estrella programming.

I saw on Wikipedia (not a reliable source) that Estrella is moving to 29.2. The question is what kind of programming would KMPX (soon KFAA) be airing outside of Mavs coverage? Reruns of WFAA's news or any other programming WFAA has similar to when Belo had KFWD back in the mid 2000s?

 

[Loganfly]

Checked the schedule on TVPassport on KMPX, and on the date that the Mavericks are playing the Suns (26th) KMPX still shows Estrella programing. Checked WFAA's too and no game. Guessing either TVPassport is feeding only the Estrella part of the channel or whatever

 

[txchipk]

Checked the schedule on TVPassport on KMPX, and on the date that the Mavericks are playing the Suns (26th) KMPX still shows Estrella programing. Checked WFAA's too and no game. Guessing either TVPassport is feeding only the Estrella part of the channel or whatever

Looks like the listings have been updated to show the future KFAA will just be a mix of WFAA repeats (News 8 Daybreak, Good Morning Texas), Mavs live games and repeats, and the rest of the time carrying the Quest network Tegna owns (on WFAA 8.4 now).