When Will The Mummers Move To Cable?

[DToTheJ]

This year began a new relationship with the Mummers organization and Comcast, who stepped up and contributed in an effort to continue the annual Mummers Parade. Of course, now it is known as "The Comcast Mummers Parade." This year, it was shown on Channel 17. (Remember when it aired on Channel 3 for many years?)

Anyway, with Comcast now entrenched in Mummers tradition, I am wondering when the other shoe will drop - i.e., when the Mummers Parade will move to one of Comcast's cable networks. The Comcast Network? Hell, maybe even Comcast SportsNet? Reason being because I have heard that some of the appeal of the Mummers Parade has worn off some in recent years, so that might contribute to the argument to move it off of broadcast TV... Otherwise, Comcast now owns Channel 10, maybe it could go there?

 

[Irishfl]

I suppose it will move when none of the braodcast channel want to support it. Keep inmind part of the reason 17 airs it is for their example of serving the public interest and community. You can be sure the mummers are listed in their public inspection file under betterment of the local community.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

Do they also sell spots as does the Macy's Christmas parade does on NBC ( I guess you'll pick up on the fact that I rarely if ever sit and watch a parade on TV)? If so, there still might even be a money incentive to tie up all that Philadelphia TV time, on PHL17, which I must admit I rarely if ever watch (their shows don't apparently appeal to me). However, Irishfl makes a good point in terms of Channel 17 using that all day parade as an example of serving the community. Because if they aren't selling spots for such a long time frame then it's pure charity on their part or they get a tax break, etc, for airing it.

So I'm making an assumption, that the station who gets to carry this, didn't win that by bidding on it as does happen with sporting events (Phillies, Eagles, UofDel or any college sports events, etc).

 

[wprt949]

joe

does nyc get the mummers on new years day i know WGN in chicago uesd to carry it

 

[MikefromDelaware]

I remember years ago that CBS used to carry the Mummers Parade, so it would have been available nationwide.

 

[ding12]

Otherwise, Comcast now owns Channel 10, maybe it could go there?

The Comcast deal still hasn't passed regulatory approval. So, its still maybe 1-2 years before we can say NBC 10 has been absorbed by Comcast, and any operations between Ch.10, The Comcast network, and CSN are under one local management. Also a chance Comcast would divest Ch.10 too, before any consolidation efforts.

TCN would just be a very low exposure outlet, now matter how hard Comcast tries with that channel, with the Comcast digital boxes programmed to default to Ch.8. CSN would be a better outlet, but hopefully it stays on broadcast. Ch.17. Maybe Ch.10, and options would be cw 57 or ion 61.