• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

My Prediction: Expect A New 6th Network

D

DiamondJoe

Guest
Surely there has to be another studio willing to fill the void of WWOR, KCOP, et al. The new network would likely have its first prestigious affiliates instantly. Not sure how much was lost between the two networks, and the rise of cable/satellite viewership aside, but I know that there has to be some movie studio where the thought of construction a new 6th TV network has crossed their mind.<P ID="signature">______________


New York City Radio and TV</P>
 
> Surely there has to be another studio willing to fill the
> void of WWOR, KCOP, et al. The new network would likely have
> its first prestigious affiliates instantly. Not sure how
> much was lost between the two networks, and the rise of
> cable/satellite viewership aside, but I know that there has
> to be some movie studio where the thought of construction a
> new 6th TV network has crossed their mind.

Only if Fox owns it. I'd be surprised if they affiliated with a competitor's network again.
 
> Only if Fox owns it. I'd be surprised if they affiliated
> with a competitor's network again.

I should point out that the WWOR/KCOP/WPWR combination was already affiliated with UPN before Fox bought it.<P ID="signature">______________


</P>
 
> > Only if Fox owns it. I'd be surprised if they affiliated
> > with a competitor's network again.
>
> I should point out that the WWOR/KCOP/WPWR combination was
> already affiliated with UPN before Fox bought it.

Specifically, that would be the former Chris Craft interest that was purchased by Fox.<P ID="signature">______________


New York City Radio and TV</P>
 
I doubt there would be a sixth English-language national commercial TV network, unless either...

(1) It's an "urban" network targeted at African-American viewers, with very deep pockets (i.e. Fox is a part-owner).

Odds: One in twelve.

(2) Fox decides to have it's 24-hour Fox News Channel be seen on Fox-owned stations that will lose UPN affiliation. A longshot, but Fox could get good PR by pointing-out that in a few cities, you can get 24-hour news on over-the-air TV. But cable operators would probably complain.

Odds: One in two hundred.

One other longshot: Fox decides to go into the Spanish-language network business. Yes, they have the deep pockets, but would face an uphill battle against Univision.

Odds: One in one hundred.

I suspect that in all likelyhood, we won't be seeing a network to serve the former UPN and WB affiliates that will become independents as a result of the merger. The numbers simply don't add up.
 
> > > Only if Fox owns it. I'd be surprised if they
> affiliated
> > > with a competitor's network again.
> >
> > I should point out that the WWOR/KCOP/WPWR combination was
> > already affiliated with UPN before Fox bought it.
>
> Specifically, that would be the former Chris Craft interest
> that was purchased by Fox.

WPWR was owned by Newsweb (formerly Metrowest) before Fox bought it. Chris Craft never owned WPWR.
 
> > Surely there has to be another studio willing to fill the
> > void of WWOR, KCOP, et al. The new network would likely
> have
> > its first prestigious affiliates instantly. Not sure how
> > much was lost between the two networks, and the rise of
> > cable/satellite viewership aside, but I know that there
> has
> > to be some movie studio where the thought of construction
> a
> > new 6th TV network has crossed their mind.

Personally, I doubt NewsCorp or any other "white knight" will create a 6th network to fill the void for those WB/UPN stations that lose affiliation. If PAX/i were in better shape (yeah, like that would ever happen), then that would be a different story, and you'd see Paxon chomping at the bit to sign up whatever stations would be left behind (at least in cities where there isn't already an over-the-air "i" affiliate).

What might happen, though, is that a slew of first-run syndicated shows (scriped and unscripted) could be available for the disaffiliated to pick up. I also wouldn't be suprised if they were "2nd airings" of shows on cable networks, much in the same setup SciFi Channel had with "The Invisible Man" earlier this decade or with "Andromeda" in its final season last year.

> Only if Fox owns it. I'd be surprised if they affiliated
> with a competitor's network again.

Adding to my guess above, rather than setting up another broadcast network, NewsCorp would probably go with developing syndicated programming for its disaffiliated stations (NYC, LA, Chicago, et. al.) and for anyone else who might be interested.
 
The Spanish market is already over represented in major areas

You couldn't divide the pie anymore. Someone (maybe not the start up network) would lose out.

I see the former UPN stations owned by FOX as simply being a "dumping ground" for FOX products. Already WWOR and WPWR in NYC and Chicago are just after thoughts

I would think that few people would want to invest capital until after a definite transition to digital is accomplished or pretty certain.<P ID="signature">______________
Once I figured out the meaning of life....Then I forgot to write it down.</P>
 
Sixth network? Why? Doesn't PAX/I count as a network at all?<P ID="signature">______________
#13 Dan Marino...2005 Football Hall Of Fame Inductee :)</P>
 
> Sixth network? Why? Doesn't PAX/I count as a network at all?

Oh, well then, let me rephrase that:

"Expect a new major network lacking a financial crisis to fill the void created by the UPN/WB merger."

Eh?<P ID="signature">______________


New York City Radio and TV</P>
 
> Surely there has to be another studio willing to fill the
> void of WWOR, KCOP, et al. The new network would likely have
> its first prestigious affiliates instantly. Not sure how
> much was lost between the two networks, and the rise of
> cable/satellite viewership aside, but I know that there has
> to be some movie studio where the thought of construction a
> new 6th TV network has crossed their mind.
>
The rumor is that FOX may start a second channel to replace UPN on its ex-UPN stations
 
> The rumor is that FOX may start a second channel to replace
> UPN on its ex-UPN stations

That rumor exists only on this board. Let's get real.
<P ID="signature">______________


</P>
 
> One other longshot: Fox decides to go into the
> Spanish-language network business. Yes, they have the deep
> pockets, but would face an uphill battle against Univision.
>
> Odds: One in one hundred.

While it's probably even a longer shot:
What if Azteca America negotiates a deal to give News Corp an ownership interest plus cash in exchange for a medium-term carriage deal on select stations?

Obviously, this is not a solution for all orphaned stations, but Azteca may be willing to come up with some money to be carried on stations that would instantly raise their network's profile. (I added the cash because I don't think Rupert would be interested for stock only.)
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom