WBIH-TV 29...a waste?

[Nate Wesley]

I was browsing the TV Query at the FCC's website, and came across the pattern for WBIH-TV 29. According to its coverage map (which I know is pretty speculative), 29 covers both Montgomery and Selma well, and a nice bit of the Black Belt.

However, instead of being a player in the market, WBIH limps on with a seemingly fickle owner, Flinn Broadcasting. I get the channel through Mediacom cable. If it isn't non-stop infomercials, it's either some obscure Christian music channel or UATV/"Urban TV", a network claiming to serve African-American audiences...with largely public domain movies and shows.

If Channel 29 had a good staff running and good ownership to support it, it might make an ideal UPN affiliate (having never seen WRJM 67's on air product)--or, dare I say it, the "i" network (with WBMM 22 now going to Daystar?).

I'm sure Flinn still makes his money with the infomercials, but the on-air picture and overall programming is third rate. I've seen clearer and more interesting LPTVers and Class A stations. Is there even a local sales staff or local engineers for station? Everything looks lazily piped in.

It just seems that Channel 29 could be something halfway decent instead of being half-azzed. <P ID="signature">______________
There's nothing to see here.</P>

 

[jaydavenport]

I am the Technical Engineer at WBIH TV 29, right now a good 80% of it's revenue comes from Infomercials. we do not have a local sales staff at the moment, just me and the program director. our consultants are saying that big changes are on the horizon.

the quality of the channel depends on the cable provider, but we are what the fcc classify as a "must carry" station since we are largely a full power UHF station.

you are free to call me at the station any time.
or by email [email protected]


> I was browsing the TV Query at the FCC's website, and came
> across the pattern for WBIH-TV 29. According to its coverage
> map (which I know is pretty speculative), 29 covers both
> Montgomery and Selma well, and a nice bit of the Black Belt.
>
>
> However, instead of being a player in the market, WBIH limps
> on with a seemingly fickle owner, Flinn Broadcasting. I get
> the channel through Mediacom cable. If it isn't non-stop
> infomercials, it's either some obscure Christian music
> channel or UATV/"Urban TV", a network claiming to serve
> African-American audiences...with largely public domain
> movies and shows.
>
> If Channel 29 had a good staff running and good ownership to
> support it, it might make an ideal UPN affiliate (having
> never seen WRJM 67's on air product)--or, dare I say it, the
> "i" network (with WBMM 22 now going to Daystar?).
>
> I'm sure Flinn still makes his money with the infomercials,
> but the on-air picture and overall programming is third
> rate. I've seen clearer and more interesting LPTVers and
> Class A stations. Is there even a local sales staff or
> local engineers for station? Everything looks lazily piped
> in.
>
> It just seems that Channel 29 could be something halfway
> decent instead of being half-azzed.
> <P ID="signature">______________
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.jaydavenport.net>Jay Davenport</a>
"http://www.radiodaddy.com"><img

</P><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by jaydavenport on 08/11/05 02:34 AM.</FONT></P>