Question about ATLANTA'S "Peachtree TV" (WPCH)

[electroboy73]

Does anyone know if the new channel,(WPCH-TV 17) will eventually be picked up on cable systems in places like, AUGUSTA, SAVANNAH, GREENVILLE, SC, COLUMBIA, SC, etc.?

I remember back in 1978 or 79, because of the BRAVES being televised on (WTCG/WTBS-17), the channel started popping up on cable systems everywhere...(even as far away as CHARLOTTE, NC)!

Just wondering if WPCH-TV 17 will start doing the same thing that WTBS did back in '79.If it's true that a lot Braves games will be on "Peachtree-TV", does anyone know if the new channel,(WPCH-TV 17) will eventually be picked up on cable systems in places like, AUGUSTA, SAVANNAH, GREENVILLE, SC, COLUMBIA, SC, etc.?

I remember back in 1979, because of the BRAVES being televised on (WTCG/WTBS-17), the channel started popping up on cable systems everywhere...(even as far away as CHARLOTTE, NC)!

Just wondering if WPCH-TV 17 will start doing the same thing that WTBS did back in '79.

Thanks.

 

[electroboy73]

(sorry my post above turned out so sloppy)

 

[MarkL]

Does anyone know if the new channel,(WPCH-TV 17) will eventually be picked up on cable systems in places like, AUGUSTA, SAVANNAH, GREENVILLE, SC, COLUMBIA, SC, etc.?

Not likely, since they are operating as a true local station now and only have syndication rights for the Atlanta market. They still air in Canada though, were there are no Syndex rules.

Hopefully, they will syndicate the Braves games to local stations though or put the games on FSN South / SportSouth outside Atlanta.

It wouldn't surprise me if Time Warner turned around and sold the station in a few years... they don't really have any reason to operate a local station anymore.

You have to wonder what Ted Turner thinks of all this...

 

[FloydB]

The Braves games on WPCH can be picked up by other locals in the respective markets, if they choose to do so, but they'd have to buy the rights, which you can be sure is not going to be cheap. However, you can also be sure that the billing will more than pay for the rights.

WPCH will only be in the Atlanta market since it's just an independent TV station. Time Warner wanted to do this to localize TV-17 to Atlanta, completely separate from TBS. No other market will get WPCH.

 

[dstout]

Do you guys see them being on in all the major markets? Like Nashville, Charlotte, Columbia, etc...

 

[FloydB]

Again, that'll depend on if the local stations would want to pay for the rights. It would be a huge payoff, but the Program Directors may not get the go ahead from corporate that won't want to pay a high price for broadcast rights.

 

[MarkL]

Hopefully, CW or My Network TV affiliates will pick up the games. I know there is a Charlotte Bobcats network in the Carolinas on some of these stations. The Braves would be a HUGE boost in ratings and revenue.

 

[jdkaraokeking]

The Bobcats are seen on WMYT, channel 55 in Charlotte. That is the current Charlotte My Network TV affiliate and it was formerly the WB affiliate (WWWB).

WAXN, an independent station, would make the most sense for the Braves in Charlotte since there are no network shows on there to preempt, even though that would only be an issue at the beginning and end of the season with reruns airing in the summer. WAXN carried the Braves Southeast Network telecasts in the late 90's before these games moved to Turner South beginning in 2000. I'm hoping and praying WAXN, WJZY, or WMYT comes on board.

 

[FloydB]

Yeah, those and the indies are probably going to be the best bet, since most smaller market network affiliates don't like to pre-empt network programming, or they can't for contractural (sp?) reasons.