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TV38 web site up and running

As to what I understood, TV38 was very popular in the 70s and 80s. Their voiceover and on-air personality, Dana Hersey is mentioned a lot. The only thing I am trying to say is that no matter how cheap the programming was, the many times the station was sold, etc, on-air, the station had nice things about it, as any station would have. It beats UPN. Am I right? (You don't have to agree, but understand my opinion).
 
No, respectfully, I don't think you are right. The WSBK of the 1970s was not the WSBK of the 1980s (imho). Two very different stories. Ask anyone who worked there (if you can find them), I'll bet they'll tell you that WSBK was a low budget station. I don't agree that it is better to not have a network than to have one.

To tell you the truth, WSBK really is NOT an independent in my view, although they may say claim to be, for the fact that they are owned by CBS and I believe that it was announced that WSBK will be a secondary affiliate of CBS. So really, what they are is WBZ part II, or WBZjr. And if you don't believe me, take a look at KCBS/KCAL in LA. Same thing here. I wouldn't be surpised if at some point, TV38 starts to share their website with CBS (oops, I mean) WBZ 4.

But for WBZ and CBS, WSBK would need to be a MyTV affiliate to survive.

TV38fan, I know you have fond (and emotional) memories of WSBK from the old days, but in reality it was not what you thought. Except for Dana Hersey, WSBK in 1986 or even 83 was really nothing more than a Master Control switcher hooked up to a couple of VCRs and a tower. Not much of a TV station if you ask me.

But it's fun to debate it, huh?
Anyone else agree with TV38fan? I'm curious.
 
Just to let you know Garrett, I wasn't born until 1989, and I only saw the end of the old TV38. By looking at many boards on-line, and actually watching some of the shows they had, it seemed to me Boston loved their independent stations (not only WSBK, but WLVI and WFXT). I don't know what you have against this station. I am not emotionally obsessed with it either. What makes me like this station is that even though the station was low budget and cheap to run, it had a real home-like touching appeal to it, and that's all I meant by it. I didn't mean to start a debate on TV38. I watched many of my favorite programs such as The Three Stooges, Empty Nest, Blossom, Seinfeld, etc., and the station was a childhood memory.
 
TV 38 may have been low Budget, but they definitely had a loyal following. WSBK also made the most out of what they had by producing their own shows. "The Movie Loft" and "Ask The Manager" being two of the most popular. Don't forget that they were also a Superstation that was beamed up on satellite. They would often get letters from other parts of the country. Even as an independant station back in the 70's and 80's people loved them.

They were also the Home of The Boston Red Sox, The Boston Bruins and I think the Boston Celtics too! They did an exceptional job at airing the programs and Sporting events that people wanted to see.

Once WSBK became a UPN affiliate they lost their local flavor. I think that they now have an opportunity to gain back what they once had. Although I agree that it's typically a much better deal to be part of a Network, this is one of those rare cases where I think a TV station can be just as successful on it's own.

Good Luck Channel 38!
 
UPN38Fan said:
Just to let you know Garrett, I wasn't born until 1989, and I only saw the end of the old TV38.
Are you kidding? Your barely voting age? You were what, 5 when TV38 became UPN? How could you possibly have been old enough to know the difference?

And certainly, you have little right to use other people's arguement to make your case, if you've never even seen what you are making the case for (in this case, saying that TV 38 was better before UPN). You talk about Dana Hersey, and "Ask The Manager." Have you ever seen that show? If not, you can't comment on it.

As far as "debating," it's a message board kiddo, that's what we do here. You did say "You don't have to agree with me." What, you didn't think you could just come on here and make statements and not expect them to be challenged?

On the other hand, Skynet makes a much better case. TV38 has been the Bruins and RedSox flagship station over the years, and was indeed carried as a Superstation. But that's different than basing your opinion on "What others said," and a few reruns you saw on Channel 38 as a kid.
 
You're right, I did say that you didn't have to agree. That's all. I just came here to talk about how happy I am that the station becoming TV38 again. I sort of thought that I could experience how it is to not hear UPN38, but TV38, which some people loved.

About my age: just because I am not 18 yet, and was five or so when UPN took over, it doesn't mean I am not allowed to speak about it. I did some research on 38. I remember seeing "Ask the Manager" when I was young. How? I remember a bunch of people on a set on "TV38" talking about things on Saturday Morning. Then I did happen to see Dana Hersey specials and shows on YouTube about the show "Cheers", and thought "wow!". You don't see any local do what TV38 did, maybe on occassion.

I also knew they were a Superstation (that's why it's on DISH Network nationally). I knew about the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins and Celtics. I was around for the Bruins most notably which I believe ended on 38 in 2002. I'm happy SkyNet confirmed that. I only mentioned the sitcom re-runs because they were just part of the whole picture. I didn't feel I had to mention everything.

Garrett, I don't know why you think I'm not open to debate this. I clearly understand and believe in free speech. I support your opinions. I hope we can talk about this and other board topics in a fair and equal manner. I can be firm about things at times, but I guess I get caught up in the moment.

Anyways, good luck to Channel 38 this year and beyond.
 
I have to agree with TV38Fan. WSBK was famous not only in Boston, but all over the northeast and Canada! This was evident in the postcards and letters that would be read over the air during "Ask the Manager." And this is why TV38 was more than a station. Regardless of wires and towers, TV38 had a personal connection with its viewers. Low budget or not, that's what made TV38 so popular. The fact that no one does this anymore is another indication of what's wrong with TV today.
 
I have to agree with 'oldschooltv' 100%!! So true! WSBK had a great local feel & connection. And 'Ask The Manager'
proved that without a doubt!!! Back in the mid-70's. Specifically 1977. I used to enjoy watching 'Willie The Whistle'. Host afternoon cartoons. Dana Hersey did an excellent job hosting 'The Movie Loft'. Even my late grandparents knew where to find their favorite shows. There were many times, I enjoyed watching 'Kojak' with my grandma. Or 'Hogans Heroes' with my grandpa. Lets not forget Mash or The Three Stooges.Adam-12 & Tennessee Tuxedo.
 
Does anybody remember Emergency? I know when it was on TV Land it always followed Adam 12 and thats why I bring it up. I really think that would be a good show to land on 38. They should really have a big input from their viewers on what they want to see... It will get a larger viewer base and get people to interact and choose. Its obviously not that easy to take John's suggestion and sign a deal to show it but its worth a shot to get the viewers.
 
I liked the old TV38 and I think if anything us who enjoyed the great independent stations of the past took them for granted back then. I grew up in ct and we got TV38 out of boston and Channels WNEW 5, WPIX 11, and WOR 9 out of new york, All the best independent stations of the time. All of these channels wound up becoming network affiliates and I really dont think any diehard TV fans are going to be Pineing for the days of UPN 38, UPN 9, WB 11 or FOX 5 anytime soon. The reason we liked these channels is because they were an alternative to the ABC, CBS, and NBC affiliates. The Movie Loft on TV38 was great and they used to show movies uncut in there entirity! There was nothing on the network affilates as great as that in addition to the various sports programming they had too. I also enjoyed the older sitcoms they used to show on these channels. For example, TV38 had Hogans Heroes(I cant find this on any channel nowadays),Channel 11 had the Odd Couple(They stopped airing this sometime last year unfortunately),Channel 5 had Whats Happening and Make Room For Daddy among other shows, and Channel 9 showed some great cop shows like Baretta and Magnum PI.
Networks seem to be really homogenized and devoid of any real personality.
But these stations were the exact opposite. It doesnt matter how much money was spent on programming because we enjoyed things like Old Sitcoms or low budget Horror movies rather then some UPN sitcom that just stunk. As cable tv developed it really signaledl the death knell for independent stations and now that every cable channel out there is really genre specific.
In conclusion I think of these old independent stations as TV "Comfort food" and they were as good as is remembered.
At least in my eyes. :)
 
TV38Fan said:
You're right, I did say that you didn't have to agree. That's all. I just came here to talk about how happy I am that the station becoming TV38 again. I sort of thought that I could experience how it is to not hear UPN38, but TV38, which some people loved.

About my age: just because I am not 18 yet, and was five or so when UPN took over, it doesn't mean I am not allowed to speak about it. I did some research on 38. I remember seeing "Ask the Manager" when I was young. How? I remember a bunch of people on a set on "TV38" talking about things on Saturday Morning. Then I did happen to see Dana Hersey specials and shows on YouTube about the show "Cheers", and thought "wow!". You don't see any local do what TV38 did, maybe on occassion.

I also knew they were a Superstation (that's why it's on DISH Network nationally). I knew about the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins and Celtics. I was around for the Bruins most notably which I believe ended on 38 in 2002. I'm happy SkyNet confirmed that. I only mentioned the sitcom re-runs because they were just part of the whole picture. I didn't feel I had to mention everything.

Garrett, I don't know why you think I'm not open to debate this. I clearly understand and believe in free speech. I support your opinions. I hope we can talk about this and other board topics in a fair and equal manner. I can be firm about things at times, but I guess I get caught up in the moment.

Anyways, good luck to Channel 38 this year and beyond.

My point TV38fan (and btw, i'm glad you changed your username), is that if you are going to say TV38 was a good station, it needs to based on more than "well gee, they played great cartoons." A lot of people have now made some great arguements in support of them being a good station.

Use good criteria, not just here, but everything you say. You'll need it in college (and DO go to college, if you aren't there yet). I think TV38 has been a good TV station, but because of their landmark tower, their Bruin heritage, their history, and because they understand who thier audience is. UPN was intended to help them but I think having WBZ as their old brother mostly hurt them. It remains to be seen how CBS handles this now.
 
Re:WSBK feedback I recieved.......

Feedback from WSBK...Thank you for your email. I am waiting to hear back from our Chief
Engineer about whether or not WSBK will air in Rhode Island after
September.

There are currently no plans to bring back Ask the Manager on either
station.

Thank you,
Programming Department
TV38

..
 
Garrett said:
What do they mean "air in Rhode Island?" Are they talking about cable, or is there an issue with their transmission?

Garrett, When I posted the question I asked about COX and Satelite.
They need to back off the court shows if they want to gain thier old image.
 
Oh.

The court shows get ratings, sell ads and make money. The only image they need to preserve is that they are Boston's staton for local news and sports. Reruns and Cartoons won't do it.
 
Ok, back that up with proof?

It really depends on what you are rerunning.
If it's a classic like MASH (like they used to run years ago), Star Trek (Original Series), or I Love Lucy they may indeed. The problem is, shows like that often have high royalty fees, so you need to charge a lot to make back enough for it to be worth it.

Similarly, a second run show like King of Queens, or Everybody Loves Raymond will also get good ratings but again, have high royalty fees. So if you mean shows like that, you are correct. But if you mean something like old episods of WINGS, or old cartoons, probably not the best stuff. The troulbe is, everything is a classic in someone's mind. And if they begin running infomercials during the dayparts, that will be the lowest of the low.
 
Here's what the New TV38 should do this fall, if i ran TV38

Every Sunday, after Phantom Gourmet at 11am, beginning at Noon, TV38 would run programming when TV38 was a great station in the 70's and 80's

Programming Schedule for TV 38 Nostalgic Sunday
12pm- Three Stooges
1pm- Willie Whistle
1:30- Ask The Manager
2pm- Tom Larson
3pm- Retro Red Sox or Retro Bruins Game
6pm- Sports Programming
 
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