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BOSTON HERALD ME-TV WMFP 62.1 ARTICLE

gregg75

gregg75

I thought MeTV affiliates couldn't chop up the schedule for infomercials. Weigel Broadcasting does have flexibility in pre-empting the schedule for stuff like local news, maybe a sportscast (either professional, college, or high school), or if another station has the rights to a specific program (this one Weigel will understand). They however have turned down affiliates who told them that they wanted to fill certain timeslots with infomercials. If WMFP didn't disclose that to Weigel Broadcasting, & they learn about it, they could yank that affiliation from them. They do not want infomercials clogging the timeslots that should go to their programming. I don't remember if I read it from an engineer who posts on another website, or if it was on the MeTV facebook page that I read it. If WMFP wanted to air a lot of infomercials, then they should have kept RTV on the main channel, as they're cool with the idea of customizing the schedule, & even allow a station to air infomercials in other timeslots. If I'm not mistaken, even Antenna TV doesn't allow for excessive slicing of the program schedule for infomercials. They also allow some pre-emption for the same reasons I mentioned for MeTV, but I believe Tribune wants as much of the schedule to remain intact as possible.

Sounds to me like WMFP would have been better off trying to program the schedule themselves, if they insisted on having infomercials inserted into certain timeslots. They obviously can't attract advertisers having MeTV on the main channel.
 
Dave said:
Weigel Broadcasting does have flexibility in pre-empting the schedule for stuff like local news, maybe a sportscast (either professional, college, or high school), or if another station has the rights to a specific program (this one Weigel will understand). They however have turned down affiliates who told them that they wanted to fill certain timeslots with infomercials. If WMFP didn't disclose that to Weigel Broadcasting, & they learn about it, they could yank that affiliation from them.
Click to expand...

A couple other offenders, for different reasons, include WBBJ's new CBS subchannel in Jackson, Tennessee; and WTVW in Evansville -- in both cases, they use Me-TV mainly as filler (in WTVW's case, the filler is tape-delayed).
 
My understanding from what I've read on the New England TV Board is that Weigel is allowing WMFP and WSAH to not clear the entire line-up is because they're airing ME-TV on the main channel rather than a digital sub channel and so ME-TV gets clearance in 2 major markets - Boston and New York City. (While WSAH is licensed to Bridgeport, Connecticut, Bridgeport is considered part of the NYC Market). Also since they're on the main channel rather than a sub channel, these are 2 of the few areas where you can get ME-TV on DIRECTV. While yes they are showing a lot of infomercials, it is fewer than when RTV was on the main channel. (Of course now that RTV is on Channels 62.2 and 43.2 respectively, RTV is now on 24/7, but as far as I know those channels are NOT available on cable).
 
azumanga said:
A couple other offenders, for different reasons, include WBBJ's new CBS subchannel in Jackson, Tennessee; and WTVW in Evansville -- in both cases, they use Me-TV mainly as filler (in WTVW's case, the filler is tape-delayed).
Click to expand...

As it stands now WBBJ has Me-TV during times when there is no CBS or local programming (Mostly local news). Mon.-Fri. it's only 9-10 AM, 3-5:30 PM, and 12:30-1 AM. On weekends it's some better with non-sports times in the afternoon, and late nights.

I've been told that WBBJ wants to put Me-TV on its own subchannel but that they have to make technical changes first because they have the most subchannels they can at the present time with their equipment. So I'm taking a wait and see attitude to see if they keep their promises. But if it stays like this and there are no changes then I hope that Weigel pulls Me-TV from them and gives it to WJKT. But if a station is pre-empting programming Me-TV for infomercials, Weigel should put a stop to that.
 
MarcB said:
My understanding from what I've read on the New England TV Board is that Weigel is allowing WMFP and WSAH to not clear the entire line-up is because they're airing ME-TV on the main channel rather than a digital sub channel and so ME-TV gets clearance in 2 major markets - Boston and New York City. (While WSAH is licensed to Bridgeport, Connecticut, Bridgeport is considered part of the NYC Market). Also since they're on the main channel rather than a sub channel, these are 2 of the few areas where you can get ME-TV on DIRECTV. While yes they are showing a lot of infomercials, it is fewer than when RTV was on the main channel. (Of course now that RTV is on Channels 62.2 and 43.2 respectively, RTV is now on 24/7, but as far as I know those channels are NOT available on cable).
Click to expand...
That actually makes a lot of sense. I'd think this would be a bit in WMFP's favor, if Me-TV brings up
the ratings they can charge more for infomercials. I'm not sure what kinds of fill in commercials
WMFP has, but I'd guess they are limited and they make up for that with the infomercials.
 
The mostly Boston/sometimes Chicopee Herald has a TV grid, but DOES NOT list WMFP, so someone reading this would not know how to find the channel.
 
gregg75 said:
Highlights.....

Avg. viewer is age 50 to 64
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This is the biggest problem with ME TV. I'm age 35 and I can't find a single program I like. The station leans way too old. They need more 80's shows to attract younger viewers. I'm dying to watch, but just can't find anything I like. In terms of advertising, 50-64 is the least desirable demo, which makes it surprising that ME TV caters to this demo.
 
I don't think they are aiming for your age group. 50-64 seems to be the "overlooked"
audience (with money)...............looks like they are cashing in on it.
 
I know a ton of people in their 20s and 30s in Chicago that LOVE Me-TV and Me-Too (Chicago's local Me-TV version).

It's odd because I always know a lot of young people under 35 that would never think of listening to Old Time Radio or watching a movie from the 40s, but when they hear me listening to "Burns and Allen," or the "Bickersons" or see a picture of Rita Hayworth, they suddenly start liking the old stuff.

But there is a definite bias out there. I also know of a few young people with the attitude, "Why on Earth would anyone watch an old black and white movie" ::)
 
gregg75 said:
I don't think they are aiming for your age group. 50-64 seems to be the "overlooked"
audience (with money)...............looks like they are cashing in on it.
Click to expand...

Old people have money, but they don't spend it the way younger people do. People I know in that demo watch every penny closely. Plus, all the commericals I have seen on ME TV are those mini infomercials for things like ab crunchers :D
 
Not necessarily true. You can't lump all people 50-64 into one size fits all. We do buy things
and some are expensive. Not everbody is pinching pennies. They may not have Ford adds on
Me-TV, but believe me they will get there.

Mark said:
I know a ton of people in their 20s and 30s in Chicago that LOVE Me-TV and Me-Too (Chicago's local Me-TV version).

It's odd because I always know a lot of young people under 35 that would never think of listening to Old Time Radio or watching a movie from the 40s, but when they hear me listening to "Burns and Allen," or the "Bickersons" or see a picture of Rita Hayworth, they suddenly start liking the old stuff.

But there is a definite bias out there. I also know of a few young people with the attitude, "Why on Earth would anyone watch an old black and white movie" ::)
Click to expand...

I tend to agree with your post. I like many of the older sitcoms from the 50's (most older than me). I'm more open to older TV than older music though.
 
If they have sufficient facilities to do it, WMFP could allocate another subchannel - 62-3, and put Me-TV on that when running infomercials on 62-1. The rest of the time, they could run infomercials at a discount rate on 62-3. Weigel would likely allow it - the whole lineup would then be carried in Boston, even if only fully viewable over-the-air.
 
It makes no sense to send your viewers fiddling around through the subchannels to watch desired programming. If you're going to have an all infomercial channel, make it .3. The infos get paid, and the viewers are satisfied as they're not going hunting through the dial (perhaps elsewhere).
 
Only 62-1 has must-carry status on cable and satellite. That means far more $$ for infomercials carried there. WMFP has not yet convinced any cable systems to carry 62-2, not to mention a potential 62-3. So they have little reason to move the infos off 62-1. If the facilities can handle a third feed, they could at least carry the full Me-TV lineup if 62-3 was added. Slight viewer confusion is better than not carrying the full schedule.
 
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