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i/PAX: NBC Buys 18-Month Buyout Option

> They can't buy him out completely, but today NBC is taking
> Paxson's nets one step closer to a buyout.
> Details here. (Yahoo! News)
>
> Wouldn't it be interesting if i were to turn into Y!?
>
Just what would Yahoo, Google, or any other third party from the "dot-com" industry want to do with OTA TV stations? Aside from maybe using the Paxson stations' digital spectrum for datacasting, the only value I can readily see the Paxson station group holding for any dot-com firm is as a cluster of commodities whose sale prices could fund ambitious new Internet ventures.

Also, this may be a bit off-topic, but if my latter scenario proves to be the case and a shakeup in Paxson's ownership triggers a "fire sale" of the company's TV stations, I personally hope that, if nothing else, CBS buys the Paxson stations in New York and Chicago and turns them into UPN O&Os. That way, KCAL in Los Angeles can at last be a UPN O&O and UPN would no longer have to rely on Fox-owned stations in the Top 3 markets.<P ID="signature">______________
This is AirwaveSurfer, reminding you that portions of this post have been prerecorded.</P>
 
> Also, this may be a bit off-topic, but if my latter scenario
> proves to be the case and a shakeup in Paxson's ownership
> triggers a "fire sale" of the company's TV stations, I
> personally hope that, if nothing else, CBS buys the Paxson
> stations in New York and Chicago and turns them into UPN
> O&Os. That way, KCAL in Los Angeles can at last be a UPN
> O&O and UPN would no longer have to rely on Fox-owned
> stations in the Top 3 markets.

From what I hear, KCAL is extremely profitable as it is. My guess is that if Viacom did get a hold of WCPX and WPXN, both would copy the KCAL formula.

- Trip<P ID="signature">______________
Visit my website, www.rabbitears.info! It's eventually going to be your one resource for television info! Digital television, histories, and technical information for the entire USA from one source!</P>
 
I think such a sale would result in a spin-off of quite a few "i" stations in cities where NBC and Telemundo both have O&O's.

But NBC may shut down "i", and convert those "i" stations it does keep into Telemundo O&O's.
 
> I think such a sale would result in a spin-off of quite a
> few "i" stations in cities where NBC and Telemundo both have
> O&O's.
>
> But NBC may shut down "i", and convert those "i" stations it
> does keep into Telemundo O&O's.
>

Definately, Telemundo needs full-powers (in a lot of markets) to fully compete with the massively powerful/popular Univision.

Univision has around 40 full-power vs Telemundo's 22ish. Telefutura is close in full-power count to Telemundo.

Azteca America only has 4 or 5 full-powers and a ton of lptvs.<P ID="signature">______________
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.stationindex.com/>TV Station List</a></P>
 
> > I think such a sale would result in a spin-off of quite a
> > few "i" stations in cities where NBC and Telemundo both
> have
> > O&O's.
> >
> > But NBC may shut down "i", and convert those "i" stations
> it
> > does keep into Telemundo O&O's.
> >
>
> Definately, Telemundo needs full-powers (in a lot of
> markets) to fully compete with the massively
> powerful/popular Univision.
>
> Univision has around 40 full-power vs Telemundo's 22ish.
> Telefutura is close in full-power count to Telemundo.
>
> Azteca America only has 4 or 5 full-powers and a ton of
> lptvs.
>
Would Azteca/Pappas make a play for some of these? They weren't discussed much during the original Pax breakup festival around here, but the 'i' affiliates in certain cities like New York (although they could probably buy WRNN for less), Phoenix, Denver, and Portland would make good Azteca America affiliates.
 
> But NBC may shut down "i", and convert those "i" stations it
> does keep into Telemundo O&O's.

I recall, Joseph, that we had a similar discussion back when Pax was reinventing itself and NBC stopped handling ad sales and news for them. And I recall you made the same statement at that time.

I also recall that a lot of the subsequent discussion disproved your theory because in the relative handful of markets where that was possible there isn't sufficient Spanish-speaking population to justify it.

What is your point in bringing up that theory again (other than adding to your post total)?<P ID="signature">______________


</P>
 
> I think such a sale would result in a spin-off of quite a
> few "i" stations in cities where NBC and Telemundo both have
> O&O's.
>
> But NBC may shut down "i", and convert those "i" stations it
> does keep into Telemundo O&O's.

That is not going to work, as in many places there would be little, if any, demand for Telemundo. Perhaps some sort of second NBC branded channel in English, perhaps even Weather Plus would make more sense then Telemundo.<P ID="signature">______________
WCBS = We're Crazy Buffoons and Schmucks
<a href=http://chuck.spotteddogs.org/tv/>Spotted Dog TV Talk - for all your non-news TV Talk</a></P>
 
>snip<
> > Azteca America only has 4 or 5 full-powers and a ton of
> > lptvs.
> >
> Would Azteca/Pappas make a play for some of these? They
> weren't discussed much during the original Pax breakup
> festival around here, but the 'i' affiliates in certain
> cities like New York (although they could probably buy WRNN
> for less), Phoenix, Denver, and Portland would make good
> Azteca America affiliates.
>

Pappas either isn't interested in growing Azteca America or they ran out of money. And when you look at the Azteca ratings even on full-powers, it doesn't look too good.<P ID="signature">______________
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.stationindex.com/>TV Station List</a></P>
 
> I also recall that a lot of the subsequent discussion
> disproved your theory because in the relative handful of
> markets where that was possible there isn't sufficient
> Spanish-speaking population to justify it.
>
> What is your point in bringing up that theory again (other
> than adding to your post total)?
>
Not taking sides, but if Univision can own and operate a station in Cleveland (where the hispanic population is very low), what would stop NBC from following suit with Telemundo?
 
> >snip<
> > > Azteca America only has 4 or 5 full-powers and a ton of
> > > lptvs.
> > >
> > Would Azteca/Pappas make a play for some of these? They
> > weren't discussed much during the original Pax breakup
> > festival around here, but the 'i' affiliates in certain
> > cities like New York (although they could probably buy
> WRNN
> > for less), Phoenix, Denver, and Portland would make good
> > Azteca America affiliates.
> >
>
> Pappas either isn't interested in growing Azteca America or
> they ran out of money. And when you look at the Azteca
> ratings even on full-powers, it doesn't look too good.

From what I understand, Pappas had a falling out with Azteca about a year or so ago. Azteca now operates Pappas' KAZA in Los Angeles, but Pappas still has a couple of Azteca stations that they run themselves. Pappas has just about abandoned its role in expanding Azteca America.
 
> > I also recall that a lot of the subsequent discussion
> > disproved your theory because in the relative handful of
> > markets where that was possible there isn't sufficient
> > Spanish-speaking population to justify it.
> >
> > What is your point in bringing up that theory again (other
>
> > than adding to your post total)?
> >
> Not taking sides, but if Univision can own and operate a
> station in Cleveland (where the hispanic population is very
> low), what would stop NBC from following suit with
> Telemundo?
>
As the Hispanic population throughout the country grows, NBC would have an advantage by being able to put a Spanish-language station on the air ahead of Univision/Telefutura if they took over the stations in these particular markets, put Weather Plus or shopping or news on them for now, and went to Telemundo once the need was there. The need will be there.

In the markets where that would work best, there is either no Spanish OTA TV now or it's only on LP.

Birmingham/Anniston is a prime example. The Hispanic viewer base may not be at viable levels yet, but it is growing rapidly. WPXH-44 is the only full-power station in the market not affiliated with a real network or religious broadcaster. Telemundo could snag all those viewers without having to worry about competition.
 
> > > I also recall that a lot of the subsequent discussion
> > > disproved your theory because in the relative handful of
>
> > > markets where that was possible there isn't sufficient
> > > Spanish-speaking population to justify it.
> > >
> > > What is your point in bringing up that theory again
> (other
> >
> > > than adding to your post total)?
> > >
> > Not taking sides, but if Univision can own and operate a
> > station in Cleveland (where the hispanic population is
> very
> > low), what would stop NBC from following suit with
> > Telemundo?
> >
> As the Hispanic population throughout the country grows, NBC
> would have an advantage by being able to put a
> Spanish-language station on the air ahead of
> Univision/Telefutura if they took over the stations in these
> particular markets, put Weather Plus or shopping or news on
> them for now, and went to Telemundo once the need was there.
> The need will be there.
>
> In the markets where that would work best, there is either
> no Spanish OTA TV now or it's only on LP.
>
> Birmingham/Anniston is a prime example. The Hispanic viewer
> base may not be at viable levels yet, but it is growing
> rapidly. WPXH-44 is the only full-power station in the
> market not affiliated with a real network or religious
> broadcaster. Telemundo could snag all those viewers without
> having to worry about competition.
>

In Philly, WWSI 62, an independently owned Telemundo affiliate licensed to Atlantic City (which is far enough to have its own NBC affiliate), doesn't have a signal that reaches Philly or its suburbs well. Mainly, it's a cable/satellite only thing for most, through must-carry. But, WUVP/Univision and WFPA(WUVP-DT2)/Telefutura, and PAX reach the city and suburbs well.
 
> From what I hear, KCAL is extremely profitable as it is. My
> guess is that if Viacom did get a hold of WCPX and WPXN,
> both would copy the KCAL formula.
>
> - Trip
>
As successful as KCAL may be as an indepdendent, CBS would probably be comfortable with turning WPXN and WCPX into similar indies only if it were to shut down or sell UPN. As I understand it, the biggest (if not only) reason KCAL has not become the Los Angeles UPN outlet is because Fox treats the UPN affiliations of WWOR, KCOP, and WPWR as a package deal; for any one of those stations to be with UPN, all three of them must be.

Besides, CBS would be utterly foolish to let a network under its ownership be on another company's station -- especially if the owner is a rival network -- when CBS can just as easily put that network on a station of its own in the same market.<P ID="signature">______________
This is AirwaveSurfer, reminding you that portions of this post have been prerecorded.</P>
 
> > I think such a sale would result in a spin-off of quite a
> > few "i" stations in cities where NBC and Telemundo both
> have
> > O&O's.
> >
> > But NBC may shut down "i", and convert those "i" stations13
> it
> > does keep into Telemundo O&O's.
>
> That is not going to work, as in many places there would be
> little, if any, demand for Telemundo. Perhaps some sort of
> second NBC branded channel in English, perhaps even Weather
> Plus would make more sense then Telemundo.
>
I wonder how many you need to support a Spanish station? I ask 'cause in Chicago we have 11 full power stations (not counting PBS and CH 62 which is a weak signal and doesn't reach past south Chicago). Of these commerical stations 3 are Spanish, Channels 44,60,66. That is 3/11 or 27%. There are about 1.2 million Spanish speakers (US Census) for 9.1 million Metro area. SO taht is 1.2/9.1 = 13.2% of the populations. Also low power Channel 13 is Spanish. And now I see a low power Channel 34 WEDE-CA is less and less infomercials and Religion and more and more Spanish programs.

I was a little surprised Channel 34 would put more Spanish shows on but apparently the market isn't saturated yet in Chicago.

I think Tribune will come into play. There website says they are going after duopolies in Top 50 markets.

Unfortunately I think whoever gets these Pax or "I" stations it'll be just one more station running infomercials.

<P ID="signature">______________
Once I figured out the meaning of life....Then I forgot to write it down.</P>
 
> From what I understand, Pappas had a falling out with Azteca
> about a year or so ago. Pappas has just about
> abandoned its role in expanding Azteca America.
>
And the troubles began before Azteca America opened up -- there were plans to acquire WSAH (I think) in the New York City market and KUSK (now KAZT) in the Phoenix market, with the intent of converting them to AA stations; Pappas also planned on converting CBS affil KDBC ch.4 in El Paso to an AA station (and was already in the process of doing so, starting with closing the news department). Shortly after the network opened up, the WSAH and KUSK deals fell through, and KDBC remains a CBS affiliate (don't know if they ever got their news back).
 
then could someone explain why then is AA on dish Network, I was happy when Azteca 13 was on dish
 
Re: I/PAX: NBC Buys 18-Month Buyout Option

Here in Hartford/New Haven (CT), we have an NBC O&O with WVIT-TV/DT channel 30/D 35 of New Britain. I/PAX is via WHPX-TV/DT channel 26/D 34 of New London. As for Telemundo, we only have it via low-power WRDM-LP channel 13 of Hartford. (They're carried on Comcast cable in New Britain, Hartford and Middletown plus Cox Communications in Newington, CT.) We have a full-power Univision affiliate (channel 18 of Hartford). Although I know of no cable coverage, Hartford also has WUTH-CA channel 47. They carry TeleFutura programming.
 
Azteca America is on LPTV 38 in Hartford, CT. They are not on cable and do not have any local commerecials unlike the local Univsion (WUVN/18) and Telemundo (WRDM-LP/13 soon to be 51) Affiliates. I dont even think LPTV 38 has anyone working for them because they always have WHCT-LP TV 38 Hartford, CT in the bottom right hand corner of the screen, even during commercial breaks.
 
> > From what I hear, KCAL is extremely profitable as it is.
> My
> > guess is that if Viacom did get a hold of WCPX and WPXN,
> > both would copy the KCAL formula.
> >
> > - Trip
> >
> As successful as KCAL may be as an indepdendent, CBS would
> probably be comfortable with turning WPXN and WCPX into
> similar indies only if it were to shut down or sell UPN. As
> I understand it, the biggest (if not only) reason KCAL has
> not become the Los Angeles UPN outlet is because Fox treats
> the UPN affiliations of WWOR, KCOP, and WPWR as a package
> deal; for any one of those stations to be with UPN, all
> three of them must be.
>
> Besides, CBS would be utterly foolish to let a network under
> its ownership be on another company's station -- especially
> if the owner is a rival network -- when CBS can just as
> easily put that network on a station of its own in the same
> market.
>

I agree with that, that it's all three together. And if CBS had second stations in NY and Chicago, they might be inclined to move UPN out of Fox's owned stations. I don't know what'd they do in the other markets like Baltimore.

However, there would be a substantial loss initially, atleast in NY, if UPN were to leave WWOR and move to CH.31. Lot of marketing would be needed, on CBS's part, and a new station would have to be developed from scratch (daytime, etc.) basically to fill in time, while making CH.31 a viable station to hold UPN, in the #1 market.

And now I wonder, with CBS and Viacom splitting up, CBS won't have direct access to content say TV Land or any of the Viacom channels would hold at a given time. In Philly, for example, WPSG 57 could just pull a classic rerun like All in the Family for a short time (say, a month run), out of TV Land's vault. With the split, I don't know if that'd be possible. Then again, it doesnt appear that difficult getting classic syndicated programming it seems, as small stations like WWME can get it. Hopefully, TV Land won't now be going for exclusive rights, blocking OTA stations from airing similar programming. I'm sure CBS would put Dr.Phil rerun at 10pm, if they owned CH.31.
 
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