TBS: Still A "Superstation" (Legally)

[DToTheJ]

Even though they've done away with the branding years ago, it appears that they still have an active trademark:
http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4008:pq1e1q.2.14

Conversely, the trademarks for "WGN Superstation" and "Superstation WGN" (the channel is now known as "WGN America") are listed with a status of "dead".

 

[upstate29651]

TBS, smartly, maintains the trademark. This doesn't mean they're still a superstation....

 

[JayR]

TBS, smartly, maintains the trademark. This doesn't mean they're still a superstation...

Thank you.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

I think somewhere else, maybe on this board, Scott Fybush pointed out that WTBS is still legally listed as a "superstation".

Though, of course, WTBS does not exist under that name anymore. The broadcast signal is now WPCH-TV "Peachtree TV", and the cable channel TBS is not connected to over-air 17 in Atlanta. (Well, aside from common ownership along with the other Turner/Time Warner networks.)

So, it may just be that the legal designation (FCC-wise) of "superstation" is just semantics, as the service no longer exists at it used to.

One asterisk: In Canada, WPCH-TV is an American superstation even now, and gets carried instead of today's TBS. TBS' Conan O'Brien airs on CTV/The Comedy Channel, and George Lopez is cleared on another Canadian channel I forget.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

One asterisk: In Canada, WPCH-TV is an American superstation even now, and gets carried instead of today's TBS. TBS' Conan O'Brien airs on CTV/The Comedy Channel, and George Lopez is cleared on another Canadian channel I forget.

A station that isn't often English got the rights to George Lopez (in English, with Spanish available in "SAP")
TLN (Tele Latino Network) ----> http://www.tlntv.com/schedule.aspx

The funny thing about Peach Tree, is that I don't even think the channel (or TBS Anything) would be available in Canada if it weren't for the Jays vs. Braves away games.

 

[nomadcowatbk]

The on-screen guide on my cable company DVD lists TBS as "WTBS"

 

[Bengalsfan]

But what's the definition of "superstation". I believe it was coined to describe WTBS channel 17's programming being available all over the country, making it a "super" TV station. However, if that does not exist anymore, and TBS is a cable channel like Lifetime or ESPN, does that make it a "super" station? And yes, rightly so, it was wise of them to keep the trademark active.

 

[DToTheJ]

There's actually three "active" records of trademarks including the word "superstation": "Washington's Superstation" by WJFK (which is now "106.7 The Fan") and only the word "superstation", which is owned by a gas station in California.

 

[DToTheJ]

But what's the definition of "superstation". I believe it was coined to describe WTBS channel 17's programming being available all over the country, making it a "super" TV station...

Then there's WTOG in Tampa, FL, which claims to be the first "superstation" - or at least a "superstation" in the state of Florida, as it was carried by cable systems in other cities in the state.

 

[justthenumbers]

Do any cable systems still carry TBS on Channel 17 (and/or WGN America on Channel 9?) I believe this was somewhat common back when both actually were superstations.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Do any cable systems still carry TBS on Channel 17 (and/or WGN America on Channel 9?) I believe this was somewhat common back when both actually were superstations.

Not now (it's in the 30s here now), but I believe WTBS was on 17 in the early days of Akron Cablevision, today's Time Warner Cable system in Akron.

The early days, of course, after the system dumped the 2-13/A-B system.

 

[JeeperOne]

Do any cable systems still carry TBS on Channel 17 (and/or WGN America on Channel 9?) I believe this was somewhat common back when both actually were superstations.

Here in Denver, WGN America can't be broadcast on Channel 9 because of KUSA 9 (NBC) although Xfinity now has it on Channel 99 (Coincidence?) after it spent time on numerous other channels.

Conversely, TBS is on Channel 18 with KPXC 59 (ION) on Channel 17 (Does ION really need OTA stations now?). Personally I think Xfinity can simply carry the national ION feed & BURY IT in the digital channels (Like ABOVE the sports packages).

The same could probably be said for KCDO 3 (RTV) but it does carry SOME (Though VERY little) local programming.

Cheers

 

[wpxt]

Do any cable systems still carry TBS on Channel 17 (and/or WGN America on Channel 9?) I believe this was somewhat common back when both actually were superstations.

Here in Sanford, Maine prior to 2003 TBS was on Channel 17 but that year MetroCast redid their channel line-up and it went to 14.