As an offshoot to the discussion about FoxNet reminds me that Foxnet at that time was programmed better that the station that served other areas of my DMA, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City. KOCR-TV aired some top syndie product available on barter, generally weekend action shows, American Gladiators, movie packages and what was then the WWF, but the weekday schedule was severely lacking. This was because the station had severe financial problems and couldn't afford to buy programming so there was a lot of third tier syndie product as the schedule seemed to be made after the other three stations made their programming selections. I also recall that on one occasion, KOCR may have had their power disconnected due to a delinquent light bill. The finanical issues were due in large part to Paramount suing them and winning a judgement in a copyright violations lawsuit. If a Google search for "Metro Program Network" is done, you will see that this case is used in some law schools when they teach about copyright law. FoxNet was a Godsend for Waterloo and Dubuque viewers and the KOCR signal didn't meet the tests to put it on cable in those areas.
During the first season Fox had the NFL, KOCR made a deal with CBS affiliate KGAN to carry the games because KOCR's signal was not at full strength because they couldn't afford to broadcast at licensed power. A few weeks into that season, a judge ordered sherrif's deputies to basically kick KOCR out of it's studio. I remember the picture in the paper of a deputy carring a hefty bag full of videotapes out to the parking lot. The cable companies in Cedar Rapids (Cox) and Iowa City (TCI) at that time knew for several months this was going to happen and in the same day put FoxNet on. This continued for the duration of the 1994-95 season until KOCR was purchased by a Ohio based group and returned to the air as KFXA, subsequently upgrading programming and building a new tower with full power.
During the first season Fox had the NFL, KOCR made a deal with CBS affiliate KGAN to carry the games because KOCR's signal was not at full strength because they couldn't afford to broadcast at licensed power. A few weeks into that season, a judge ordered sherrif's deputies to basically kick KOCR out of it's studio. I remember the picture in the paper of a deputy carring a hefty bag full of videotapes out to the parking lot. The cable companies in Cedar Rapids (Cox) and Iowa City (TCI) at that time knew for several months this was going to happen and in the same day put FoxNet on. This continued for the duration of the 1994-95 season until KOCR was purchased by a Ohio based group and returned to the air as KFXA, subsequently upgrading programming and building a new tower with full power.