STATIONS' COST TO OPPERATE SUB-CHANNELS

[quadraphonic]

General McArthur Channel [
Great Minds Channel [all educational documentaries]
Google Machines Channel [it's coming for you!]
Giant Movie Channel [all James Dean]
Glaringly Misnamed Channel [free-for-all]
Goober's Man Channel
Generic Mom Channel [not just for soccer moms]
Gandalf Movie Channel [LOTR marathons]
Geeks Make Coin [how White & Nerdy run side businesses]

 

[Carmine5]

How expensive is it for a station to opperate their sub-channels?

I see most of the sub-channels on PBS, ION or religious stations. That leads me to believe
the cost can't be all that great. Most of the networks (RTV, THIS, etc.) are on more of a
barter basis, so the stations aren't really paying for anything but the physical broadcast
(and set up).

If so, why aren't more stations doing it? This seems to be the GROWTH area in TV right
now, so why not take advantage of it and get on board early?

Gregg,

As you say, the majority of sub-channel networks are barter. Usually the deal is this: in exchange for free programming you, the TV station, agree to give them a certain amount of minutes of availabilities per hour. They will give you anywhere from 2-5 minutes an hour to sell on your own. In addition to the 2-5 minutes per hour, diginets will also allow you between one to two hours a day for local programming. They usually dictate what hours you can have (although it's possible to make special arrangements with them if you want a particular block of time for, say, local sports. 72 hours advance notice is usually required). A couple of diginets require certain must-carry shows and nearly all of them ask for affidavits to make sure you fulfill your part of the bargain.

If you, the station, don't want to carry the full required hours a day of their programming then they may charge an affiliation fee. On the other hand, if you agree to carry all of their programming some diginets will even provide a free satellite receiver.

So, as you can see, diginet arrangements are all over the map. Sure, it can be profitable if you have several subs streaming on one channel. And they all offer exclusivity in a given market. Only one station in the Los Angeles market, for example, can carry RTV (in this case, KFLA channel eight). Incidentally, the FCC requires sub-channels to have the same number of hours of E/I programming per week as the main channel.

Probably the biggest fly in the ointment as far as the future of sub-channels is concerned is the NBP. The Obama government wants to clear broadcasters off of UHF and confine them to VHF and, perhaps, lower UHF. This means less bandwidth, less channels and less room for diginets. So the future for OTA sub-channels and diginets is clouded at this point.

 

[landtuna]

Probably the biggest fly in the ointment as far as the future of sub-channels is concerned is the NBP. The Obama government wants to clear broadcasters off of UHF and confine them to VHF and, perhaps, lower UHF. This means less bandwidth, less channels and less room for diginets. So the future for OTA sub-channels and diginets is clouded at this point.

What? First the digital mandate making low-VHF completely useless and high-VHF not much better and now no UHF which is where a significant number of digital stations reside?

This makes no sense!

Is the idea here to force everyone off OTA entirely?

 

[Robnoxious]

Around me:
CBS has no sub-channels and operates at 1080i (but they also own a UHF station also with no sub-channels and also operating at 1080i).

CBS Corp passed down a mandate asking their affiliates not to split the main signal unless absolutely necessary to a particular market. I believe all CBS O&Os are pretty much forbidden to add subs expect under special circumstances. Trip would be able to clarify whether that is true across the board with CBS O&Os.

 

[gregg75]

That would make sense. I know CBS in Atlanta has a sub that they only used one time
to broadcast a sports game, which was already on the main channel.

CBS must fear that subs will take away from the network. As network viewers
continue to drop, you'd think they would be looking at creating their own sub as
a way to GAIN viewers not watching CBS at that time.

Which I have seen posted on here several times......why don't they make their own
sub channel(s)? Could that perhaps be their plan, or does CBS want to keep all their
options open?

 

[vchimpanzee]

Probably the biggest fly in the ointment as far as the future of sub-channels is concerned is the NBP. The Obama government wants to clear broadcasters off of UHF and confine them to VHF and, perhaps, lower UHF. This means less bandwidth, less channels and less room for diginets. So the future for OTA sub-channels and diginets is clouded at this point.

I don't think this is correct. But they shouldn't even be trying to put OTA TV on VHF since it has been a failure.

The logical thing to do is make all the network affiliates, except one or two subchannels, of a UHF station which is the remaining network affiliate (or two).

 

[JeeperOne]

Here in Denver, we have the following.....

KWGN 2 (CW) - None (Though I keep hearing from others on here that the .2 Network will go here if it ever gets off the ground)
KCNC 4 (CBS) - None (Don't count on this changing anytime soon either!)
KRMA 6 (PBS) - Usual PBS fare (Minus Sprout which Comcast has the national feed of)
KMGH 7 (ABC) - KZCO 27 (Azteca America)
KUSA 9 (NBC) - WeatherPlus (9.2) Universal Sports (9.3)
KBDI 12 (PBS) - Various (Not sure what they are though)
KTFD 14 (TeleFutura) - None that I'm aware of
KTVD 20 (MyNetwork TV) - None at present (Though given its owner & big brother, this could change)
KDVR 31 (FOX) - None (Though I keep hearing from others on here that ThisTV could go here)
KRMT 41 (Daystar) - Usual Daystar & other religious fare
KCEC 50 (Univision) - None that I'm aware of
KPXC 59 (ION) - Usual ION fare

As an aside, Comcast also has a slew of channels for KPJR which are almost all religious though I have no idea where KPJR is OTA (I'm tempted to say Channel 38 as it has a history of being an LPTVer but I'm likely wrong on that).

In addition, Comcast has a home on Channel 247 for NewsChannel 247 but all that does is simply loop the latest newscast from KMGH when there's not a live one going. Also, I'm given to understand that KMGH doesn't even have this as a sub-channel. It's a cable-only thing. Weird considering they could've very easily put ABC News Now on there when not doing local news & made it a REAL 24/7 news channel.

I wonder just how many other ABC affiliates are failing to capitalize on this.....

That's the report from here.....

Cheers

 

[alg2468]

This article proves that the FCC Chairman is indirectly forcing broadcast TV to cease:


http://www.broadcastingcable.com/ar...ould_Impede_Broadband_s_Successful_Future.php

 

[landtuna]

I personally see little benefit to additional mobile broadband and huge downsides. Look where we are after about five years of increased mobile phone usage. We've got people not looking where they are walking, crashing into each other on the highways because they are texting/talking, students not paying attention in class and a generation of communication-addicted zombies whose eventual commercial productivity will be bupkus because of their attachment to the damn phone.

I'm not in the business but if I was an invested player I'd be working very hard to get the commissioner out of gubmint service as quickly as possible and I'd let the Congresscritters who support this ill-advised policy that no further contributions will be coming their way.

 

[alg2468]

Excellent response, landtuna! I fully agree with you, this process of trying to end OTA broadcast TV must be stopped. You're more of a Charlie Tuna than a Chicken of the Sea.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

KWGN 2 (CW) - None (Though I keep hearing from others on here that the .2 Network will go here if it ever gets off the ground)

Old information...KWGN will run Tribune's own "Antenna TV" in January, per this list:

http://antennatv.tv/shows/antenna/affiliates/

 

[tripinva]

CBS Corp passed down a mandate asking their affiliates not to split the main signal unless absolutely necessary to a particular market. I believe all CBS O&Os are pretty much forbidden to add subs expect under special circumstances. Trip would be able to clarify whether that is true across the board with CBS O&Os.

I can't speak to the claim about affiliates overall, but none of the CBS O&O stations have subchannels. The only exceptions have been temporary additions during tower work (KMAX temporarily added KOVR and KXTV during periods of tower work on the KOVR/KXTV tower) and a simulcast of KTVT on KTXA right after the transition before they lit 18 back up.

- Trip

 

[vchimpanzee]

I personally see little benefit to additional mobile broadband and huge downsides. Look where we are after about five years of increased mobile phone usage. We've got people not looking where they are walking, crashing into each other on the highways because they are texting/talking, students not paying attention in class and a generation of communication-addicted zombies whose eventual commercial productivity will be bupkus because of their attachment to the damn phone.

I live near a college campus and kids are always on the phone when walking to class or wherever. When I was in college cell phones didn't exist! How DID we cope???

 

[mleach]

In addition, Comcast has a home on Channel 247 for NewsChannel 247 but all that does is simply loop the latest newscast from KMGH when there's not a live one going. Also, I'm given to understand that KMGH doesn't even have this as a sub-channel. It's a cable-only thing. Weird considering they could've very easily put ABC News Now on there when not doing local news & made it a REAL 24/7 news channel.

The other week I was chatting with a friend of mine who works at Denver's Direct TV about this..KMGH's "cable only" Newchannel 24/7. Yes it is a bit weird that this service on one of their subchannels ( unless its part of a deal between Comcast and KMGH that doesn't allow it ). What would work would be to not only to air a mix of "7 News" and ABC News Now but even for KMGH to air a newscast from two of their main sister stations like Indianapolis' WRTV and San Diego's KGTV. Sounds silly at first but then again there is a LOT of ties between the Denver business community and that of Indianapolis while San Diego is a very very popular destination for travelers out of DIA, could work. Now OTOH would this even be allowed? Have no idea but at least with Indy one can't deny the strong business connection between Denver and Indianapolis such as, well the obvious Frontier/Republic airlines. Want more proof? Ask Southwest Airlines just how popular those non-stop Denver-Indianapolis flights are considering that, lets face it Indianapolis is not exactly outside of sports a tourist destination so its mostly business travelers..lots of them. KMGH could make some money and get viewers out of this but again..I am not sure if this could even be possible or allowed.

 

[dave73]

In Chicago, CBS O&O WBBM-TV has no subchannels, & is the only full power station on the VHF.

NBC O&O WMAQ has 5.1 in 1080i HD , Chicago Nonstop on 5.2 with widescreen programming, but 4:3 screen. 5.3 is niversal Sports.

ABC O&O WLS-TV currently operates RF 7 (now classified a translator, but covers the entire market) & RF 44 (their main channel), & both channels map to 7.1 - 7.3. 7.1 is in 720p, along with Livewell Network on 7.2 (2 720p HD channels look horrible). 7.3 is Accuweather.

WGN-TV has 9.1 in1080i. Antenna TV, which is currently unmapped will eventually be on 9.2.

WTTW is the first of 3 PBS stations in the Chicago market. WTTW programs both 11.1 (1080i) with the general PBS programming, while 11.2 is WTTW Prime, & is all the PBS programming that typically airs in primetime, but is shown anytime. 11.2 (WTTW Prime) is 4:3, but wish it were widescreen, since most programs are in widescreen. 11.3 is Create, and this is the only channel that costs WTTW money, since it's programmed by American Public Television. 11.4 has V-Me, and it's currently a free service, which is why WTTW carries V-Me. WTTW Prime doesn't cost WTTW any money, since they already have the shows in their library.

WYCC is te second of 3 PBS stations in the Chicago m,arket, & they have 2 subchannels. 20.1 is their programming in 1080i HD. 20.2 is an SD simulcast of 20.1. 20.3 is Mhz Worldview. Not sure if that channel costs WYCC any money.

WCIU has 4 subchannels on their station. The main channel is in 720p HD, but few shows are currently in HD. So most of the time, bandwidth isn't an issue. 26.2 is the local MeTV, which is also mapped to 23.1. MeToo is on 26.3 & also mapped to 48.1. This TV is on 26.4. FBT (brokered foreign language programming) is currently on 26.6, but will be droppped for U Too. U Too is supposed to air some of the shows that currently are shown on 26.1 to be available on 26.6 in different timeslots, but also air programming not seen anywhere else from independent producers. WCIU pushes the bandwidth issue.

32.1 WFLD is the Fox O&O, & currently has no subchannels. The channel is in 720p HD.

WCPX is the Ion TV O&O, & has the usual channel lineup. Ion TV on 38.1 in 720p HD. Qubo on 38.2, & Ion Life on 38.3.

WSNS is Telemundo, & a duopoly for NBC. Telemundo is on 44.1 in 1080i HD, & Inmigrante TV on 44.2.

WPWR-TV is the My Network TV station, & a duopoly for Fox. While they don't have any subchannels, since unmapped 51.6 seems to have been turned off, bandwidth is set aside for Mobile TV. WPWR-TV 50.1 is in 720p HD.

WYIN is the third of 3 PBS stations in the Chicago market, & this station markets themselves to NW Indiana, since their COL is Gary, IN. 56.1, 56.2, & 56.4 are all simulcastsof the local WYIN schedule. 56.1 & 56.2 are also in 720p HD,& the second station to run 2 HD channels. 56.3 is primarily their locally programmed PBS Kids Go channel. WYIN has at times been airing some non-childrens programming on this channel as well, but mostly on weekends.

60.1 is WXFT, the Telefutura station, & is part of a duopoly for Univision. 60.1 is in 1080i HD, & 60.2 is an SD simulcast of 60.1.

62.1 is brokered religious programming from WJYS. 62.4 is the same thing, but different programming airing in different timeslots. 62.2 is a simulcast of WEDE-CA on analog channel 34. This is the only station that isn't in HD.

WGBO-DT is the Univision O&O station, & has no subchannels. 66.1 is in 1080i HD.

For the stations that run subchannels, I don't know if it overall costs stations more money to run them or not.