Springfield, MA to get it's own FOX Affiliate

[NikeTown]

http://blog.masslive.com/breakingnews/2007/11/tv_station_set_to_launch_fox_a.html


WGGB TV owner John G Gormally Jr. plans to launch a FOX affiliate in Springfield, MA by the end of the year.

 

[KML0224]

That's nice except for a couple of things:

1- Isn't analog channel 55 a dead issue these days? I mean we just had channel 55 analog broadcasters shut off in Amsterdam, NY (Albany market) and Riverhead, NY (New York City market).
2-Will it transmit from Mount Tom in Holyoke on the WGGB-TV/DT tower?
3- What will its visual ERP in watts be?
4- How can it compete with WTIC-TV (FOX) channel 61 of Hartford?

 

[pqgeorge]

That's nice except for a couple of things:

1- Isn't analog channel 55 a dead issue these days? I mean we just had channel 55 analog broadcasters shut off in Amsterdam, NY (Albany market) and Riverhead, NY (New York City market).
2-Will it transmit from Mount Tom in Holyoke on the WGGB-TV/DT tower?
3- What will its visual ERP in watts be?
4- How can it compete with WTIC-TV (FOX) channel 61 of Hartford?

I do believe that WGGB is planning to move its' DT operation to Channel 40, once the analog sunset occurs. In the meantime, they can, and probably will, keep their DT on 55 until that time. From what I'm gathering, WGGB is putting a FOX affiliated subchannel stream on the existing DT signal on 55, eventually on Channel 40.2 . The local cable systems will probably carry it, much in the way that WSHM-LP is considered Springfield's CBS affiliate and also gets cable coverage as well. WTIC/61 could possibly disappear from local Springfield cable systems during FOX programming, provided WGGB requests local territorial exclusivity for its' FOX affiliation. Same thing happened here in the South of Boston area with WNAC/64 having WFXT/25 blocked out during FOX programming in several Southeastern Mass. cable systems.

 

[necrat123]

1- Isn't analog channel 55 a dead issue these days? I mean we just had channel 55 analog broadcasters shut off in Amsterdam, NY (Albany market) and Riverhead, NY (New York City market).

55 is 40's old analog allocation and temporary location. This new fox station will be on one of the WGGB-DT subchannels (40.2 40.3, etc.) By law, they can't put a "major" channel of 55.1 for the new fox affiliate.

2-Will it transmit from Mount Tom in Holyoke on the WGGB-TV/DT tower?
3- What will its visual ERP in watts be?

WGGB-TV and DT transmit from different towers actually, but thats a moot point. This new channel will be on one of the WGGB-DT sub channels.
WGGB's digital signal is 500kW (on 55), and will be 380kW on 40 when it returns there in 2009. Because it is part of the digital stream, there is no visual carrier or visual power.

4- How can it compete with WTIC-TV (FOX) channel 61 of Hartford?

Simple. It won't. They'll have WTIC-TV pulled off of the two cable systems in the market (Comcast & Charter), and I am sure will get DirecTV coverage as well. WTIC-TV only cares about the Hartford-New Haven market anyways, they aren't a Springfield station. As Meredith proved with WSHM-LP, the lines between Springfield and Hartford is just that much clearer. The only stations remaining on the cable systems from Hartford will be WEDH-TV, on Comcast WVIT, and on Charter WCTX.

 

[necrat123]

OOPS Sorry Peter. I guess we posted at the same time! =)

 

[pqgeorge]

OOPS Sorry Peter. I guess we posted at the same time! =)

No problem, my friend!

 

[chuckydoll]

Confirmed by NERW

Fox has a number of stations on DT subchannels in smaller DMAs. Fox Pioneer Valley (the likely station name) will fill the Fox hole in Western Mass.

Surprisingly the ABC40 website has yet to post anything on this new Fox station. Maybe it's because ABC40 laid off several employees last week.