LPTV - IS IT VIABLE?

[Bob E. Nelson]

Both the Houston and Dallas-Ft. Worth have a large number of LPTV stations to the point of over-saturation. This article from Cincinnati shows that, at least in that market, a station that tried to reach the general market (and with local programming too) failed:

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/tv/2011/04/27/low-power-wkrp-for-sale/

I think the lesson to be learned from WKRP is that LPTV is destined for infomercials, religion and targeted, niche ethnic content. It doesn't portend well for Dallas' K31GL channels 31-3 and 31-4.

 

[JHBrandt]

I think infomercials work on LPTV simply because they're a guaranteed revenue stream, and religion works because profit isn't the sole motive for putting it on the air (i.e., the Godcasters are more willing to lose some $ on LPTV as long as it serves the larger mission of winning converts). But I haven't seen a lot of niche/ethnic content in DFW's LPTV market. Houston may be a different story, but the closest DFW comes is MTV Tr3s (plus the Urban Superstation, which never got on the air).

I think general-interest programming can work, particularly if there's a shortage of full-power bandwidth for networks that people want; e.g., Mega TV on KODF, AMGTV on KATA, or RTV on K31GL. But as WKRP (love those calls) showed, coverage is key. People can't watch if they can't even receive your signal!

I'm surprised no one has yet figured out that Cedar Hill isn't the ideal location for an LPTV stick: there are large areas in DFW where indoor rabbit ears+loop antennas are fine for full-power TV but useless for LPTV. A downtown Dallas stick like KLEG would give them better coverage. Too bad there aren't equivalent downtown Ft. Worth stations (aside from religious KBFW/6 and micropower KUVN/47).

K31GL is a partial exception, due largely to that wonderful 330m-high antenna. If they could spare the cash, they'd do well to modify their RF 33 CP; still going to 15 kW but keeping that antenna (assuming that wouldn't interfere with someone like KJJM/34). But the brokered arrangement between Mako and the actual broadcasters may make that difficult to work out.

 

[newsmark]

This is PURELY an opinion, but I think LPTV for the general market might find a more successful niche in smaller markets and non-markets.

If someone were doing local news and other local programming, in addition to a network like Antenna TV or RTV or and offering an outlet to advertisers that doesn't already exist, there would be more incentive for viewers to watch and advertisers to support the station.

Of course, that requires someone with the desire who has cash for the startup and business sense to negotiate with the cable companies.

Here in DFW, there are too many options for advertisers to make the LPTVs an attractive buy, and there's not much an LPTV can offer that viewers can't get somewhere else (either the same programming or something similar).

 

[JHBrandt]

Regarding 31.4 specifically, this certainly isn't going to help!

As I write, the last comment in that thread was "looks like [RTV's] deal with Universal expired." Universal is part of NBC, which was recently purchased by big cable operator Comcast. Am I being paranoid in wondering if Comcast is trying to squeeze OTA competitors of classic TV cable stations?

 

[Mediafrog+]

I'm surprised no one has yet figured out that Cedar Hill isn't the ideal location for an LPTV stick: there are large areas in DFW where indoor rabbit ears+loop antennas are fine for full-power TV but useless for LPTV.

We have the same issue here in Houston...I'm 25 miles from the Missouri City tower farm. With an unamplified indoor antenna I can get all the full power stations, but none of the LPTV's have enough of a signal for a lock. I suppose an amplified antenna might work, or put up a directional yagi. Most people aren't going to do either, especially if there is no compelling content.

Some metro areas are simply too big for LPTV. And the original idea in the 1980's was to use even less power!

 

[JHBrandt]

... With an unamplified indoor antenna I can get all the full power stations, but none of the LPTV's have enough of a signal for a lock. I suppose an amplified antenna might work, or put up a directional yagi. Most people aren't going to do either, especially if there is no compelling content.

There are exceptions, but as a general rule, an amp is unlikely to help.

A directional antenna (Yagi or other design) will help, but most are too big for indoor use. There are some exceptions, but as you said, why bother if there's nothing on LPTV to watch?

I went to a better antenna because I'm so far out I couldn't get a stable lock on even full-power digital stations otherwise, and discovered LPTV totally serendipitously as a result of that antenna upgrade. Folks somewhat closer in will literally never know what they're missing.

Some metro areas are simply too big for LPTV. And the original idea in the 1980's was to use even less power!

The digital transition certainly helped. In analog, all our LPTVs were snowy even with a good antenna. As they converted to digital, all but one (HSN on K25FW) cleared up for me.

 

[TexasTom]

The overall viability of LPTV stations is a somewhat open question right now.

It's clear that there's a niche for these stations in many smaller markets -- the recent deal that NBC signed to affiliate with LPTV stations in four small markets is a good indication of that. (It's also an indication that NBC Universal's new owner isn't ready to squeeze out OTA broadcasting...at least not yet.)

But major markets such as DFW are another matter, especially now that digital has allowed each individual LPTV station to offer four to six separate programming streams. With the number of LPTV stations licensed or with permits in the DFW market, that gives us roughly 50 different available programming streams...that's a lot to fill, especially considering that these stations can only be seen by a relatively small portion of the market's total viewers due to the combination of limited range and lack of cable/satellite carriage. I question whether this many LPTV stations attempting to serve the entire market are viable under any circumstances.

One unknown for the future is what percentage of viewers will be watching OTA television in five years. It's entirely possible that the percentage could be either much lower or much higher than it is today. If it's lower, then none of these LPTV stations may be viable without carriage. If OTA viewership goes up, the viability of these stations may be enhanced. But while lots of people have opinions on the future of OTA television (some of us are convinced it is doomed, others that it's at the start of a big come back), the reality is that we just don't know.

 

[eskipper411]

No. Because no one funds or watches these channels. If you're a fan of Blocky TV or Commercials.... Then hey, watch W31GH-D or some other station that does that stuff.

 

[Bob E. Nelson]

With the number of LPTV stations licensed or with permits in the DFW market, that gives us roughly 50 different available programming streams...that's a lot to fill, especially considering that these stations can only be seen by a relatively small portion of the market's total viewers due to the combination of limited range and lack of cable/satellite carriage. I question whether this many LPTV stations attempting to serve the entire market are viable under any circumstances.

Well, it looks like we have one less in D/FW. KLEG/44 is now off the air. For over 6 months, all they've been running is a static slide encouraging Azteca viewers to tune to KAZD on 55.

So that's a total of 2 LPTVs in the market now gone: KVFW/38 and now KLEG/44. Plus KHPK/28 has been on for a month and all four streams are still color bars.

LPTV viable? Not here. Not now.

 

[JHBrandt]

I was thinking the same thing. 44 was on at 9 AM today but was off the air by 3 PM.

I'll wait a few days before writing their final epitaph. Sunday seems an odd day to pull the plug - someone would have to drive in and shut down the transmitter - and we've all seen LPTV stations drop off the air for a few days due to technical problems.

If it is the end for 44, it's a big loss. As I've mentioned, their transmitter location gave them a big advantage in coverage - they just never could capitalize on it.

As for the future, I expect OTA viewership to keep rising for some time, as folks cancel cable/satellite subscriptions in the weak economy and discover new (full-power) subchannels that cable wasn't carrying. Some will also discover LPTV, but at present few will find much worth watching there. But as the economy starts to improve things are much less certain.

LPTV's best hope is that OTA networks like MeTV take a chance on DFW once the economy improves. This could keep folks satisfied enough not to switch back to cable. (Subscription-only OTA channels could have the same effect.) If that happens some networks will have to turn to LPTV, because full-power bandwidth in DFW is actually quite limited. Except for the religious channels, all full-power stations in DFW are broadcasting HD. That chews up most of the extra bandwidth created by digital broadcasting (all of it in CBS's case), and M/H broadcasts will chew up even more. The only places left for anything non-religious are KFWD/52, maybe a single subchannel on KDFW/4 or KDFI/27, and the non-religious LPTVs.

As for Comcast's role, I agree they're not trying to squeeze out OTA broadcasting in general. I do wonder if they're trying to squeeze out competition, though. I don't know if they own any cable or OTA networks that compete with RTV, but it seems like a good guess.

 

[TexasTom]

Well, it looks like we have one less in D/FW. KLEG/44 is now off the air. For over 6 months, all they've been running is a static slide encouraging Azteca viewers to tune to KAZD on 55.

So that's a total of 2 LPTVs in the market now gone: KVFW/38 and now KLEG/44. Plus KHPK/28 has been on for a month and all four streams are still color bars.

LPTV viable? Not here. Not now.

Until the licenses are cancelled, those stations aren't permanently gone.

That said, I don't think that the number of LPTV stations currently on in DFW is viable unless something dramatically changes. But some smaller number of these stations probably could be viable -- there are niches (ie, Asian programming) that could be filled by some of these stations.

 

[JHBrandt]

Until the licenses are cancelled, those stations aren't permanently gone.

That said, I don't think that the number of LPTV stations currently on in DFW is viable unless something dramatically changes. But some smaller number of these stations probably could be viable -- there are niches (ie, Asian programming) that could be filled by some of these stations.

I agree; there are probably enough potential viewers for at least one or two Asian channels to work on LPTV here. There are already a few Asian radio stations. In addition, the church-owned stations (K*FW & KWDA) will likely continue as long as the churches are willing to pay for them.

As for the others, they're not all created equal. The ones that have good signals, like 31 and 44, should be more valuable. Hopefully they'll be able to survive.

44's troubles stem from the bankruptcy of 55 and its sale to UVM. Not only did 55 pick up Azteca, but they also got LATV, which was the obvious replacement network for 44. Similarly, the bankruptcy of 47 has cost 34 their programming. It's no surprise that broadcasters prefer full-power signals to low-power ones if the price is reasonable.

 

[JHBrandt]

As for the others, they're not all created equal. The ones that have good signals, like 31 and 44, should be more valuable. Hopefully they'll be able to survive.

... [T]he bankruptcy of 47 has cost 34 their programming. It's no surprise that broadcasters prefer full-power signals to low-power ones if the price is reasonable.

KTAQ/47 has also cost K31GL a channel (.2). Last night 31.2 was running a "nightlight" programming loop telling viewers (in Spanish) to rescan their TVs/converter boxes and tune to 47.3.

That leaves K31GL with only Hot TV, RTV, and infomercials on 31.5.

 

[JHBrandt]

Plus ca change....

We've been fretting over the possible disappearance of any LPTV worth watching in DFW, and that remains a valid concern. But I just compared today's lineup to the situation in January, and little has changed.

True, we lost six streams when 38 and 44 went off the air - but we gained ten when 28 and 30 lit up. Sure, most of those streams are color bars or simple logos, but the same was true of the streams we lost.

And 26 and 34 have dropped three streams between them, but full-power stations 47 and 55 have each added two. So we actually have a net of five more streams now than we did in January.

If you discount all the dark streams, test patterns, logos, and simulcasts, the number of streams carrying unique programs is about the same as in January - actually a couple more. If you further discount the infomercials and Godcasters, Hispanics and Anglophones are each better off by one (LATV and AMGTV, respectively).

Also, Azteca, Mexicanal and UAN have moved from LPTV to full-power stations, which is an improvement, even though it left less worth watching on LPTV.

Don't get me wrong: I still want more (MeTV, TheCoolTV, etc.) and it's frustrating that even with this glut of TV bandwidth, these networks can't seem to find a DFW home at a price they're willing to pay. But maybe the situation isn't as dismal as it seemed.

 

[dhett]

KLEG's absence is only temporary: https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/w...xt=25&appn=101430381&formid=910&fac_num=16930

 

[JHBrandt]

I haven't checked since last Thursday so perhaps it's back on now, but Mega TV was off KODF/26 last week. KODF was only broadcasting color bars.

 

[someperson]

Speaking of LPTV, am I the only one in Houston who has no trouble pulling in KUVM-CD (RTV)? I've talked to several people who primarily use OTA signals, and none of them could receive it. Over here, KTBU and KUBE are strangely more difficult to receive.

We bought an outdoor antenna last weekend to replace our broken Terk HDTVA, and it received KUVM-CD from the start with no issues, but it took me about half an hour of repositioning to get it to receive both KTBU and KUBE.

I should also point out that you should NOT use KUVM-CD's 34.4 AMGTV signal to position your antenna, as that channel has major signal issues on their end that make it unwatchable. Their RTV signal on 34.2 is very stable, however.

 

[Gridlock Joe]

Speaking of LPTV, am I the only one in Houston who has no trouble pulling in KUVM-CD (RTV)? I've talked to several people who primarily use OTA signals, and none of them could receive it. Over here, KTBU and KUBE are strangely more difficult to receive.

I finally found the one sweet spot for my antenna that lets me get 34 clearly, just in time for the big RTV schedule change.

 

[JHBrandt]

This may be beating a dead horse, but something occurred to me I wanted to share: It may be that LPTV's biggest problem is that the allowed power levels are too high!

That counterintuitive thought came from LPFM, where power levels are limited to 100 watts. The idea behind LPFM was to create "hyper-local" stations that serve a small geographic area, much less than an entire metroplex.

In contrast, LPTV is allowed enough power to cover, e.g., the entire D/FW metroplex from Cedar Hill. Sure, they don't reach into the boondocks like the full-power stations do, and most folks need bigger antennas; but the signals are strong enough that you can't easily have, say, a Dallas LP station and a Ft. Worth LP station on the same frequency. (You could do it if both stations cooperated and limited the signal strength radiated toward each other, but that's only likely if they're sister stations.)

This is good for programming that targets a relatively broad audience, like RTV, but bad for programming that targets local, under-served audiences as I think was intended. Interference issues and the natural desire to reach as many viewers as possible push LPTV stations to transmit from the full-power antenna farms and cover as much area as they can, leaving few or no channels available for any "hyper-local" stations that might want on the air.

The Godcasters that own KQFW ran into this problem recently. They want to transmit from Garland to reach the Hispanic Christians that live there. But the available RF channels, 24 and 26, could interfere with Home Shopping Network on 25. (To be fair, RF 47 might work if they limit the signal radiated toward Ft. Worth to avoid interference with KUVN-CA. But the point is, their choices are limited by a "low-power" station run by a large direct-to-home marketer that covers the whole D/FW metroplex.)

As I recall, I initially cheered the FCC's decision to raise the allowed VHF LP power from 300 watts to 3000 watts. But perhaps they need to be moving the other direction instead. Perhaps they (or Congress) should require LPTV stations to either upgrade to Class A, or limit the population their signals cover to allow for more locally-targeted programming. That way stations like K25FW or K31GL could go the class A route, while other LP stations narrowed their coverage to reach only their intended audience (downtown, a suburb like Garland, or wherever).

 

[TexasTom]

The problem with a hyperlocal LPTV station is that the local programming could be costly to produce, and when you only get into 20% of the households to begin with (since you're not on cable or satellite), how do you make enough revenue to cover those programming costs with only 20% of a small portion of a larger market as your potential audience?

Hyperlocal LPTV might work if it was also carried on cable/satellite. Without that carriage, it seems like an iffy proposition.