WHSV's New Fox Station

[Mark_Ericson]

I can't say I didn't see it coming (especially after the launch of WCAV/WVAW/WAHU).

What does everyone think? I imagine they'll try to get it to replace WTTG on the cable systems, but I wonder if people will be willing to part with WTTG.

Also, they have to hope that it will do better than their operations in Charlottesville are doing (I recall something about a 0.3 share last ratings period?).

- Trip<P ID="signature">______________
Visit my website, www.rabbitears.info! It's eventually going to be your one resource for television info! Digital television, histories, and technical information for the entire USA from one source!</P>

 

[Dan_Evans]

> I can't say I didn't see it coming (especially after the
> launch of WCAV/WVAW/WAHU).
>
> What does everyone think? I imagine they'll try to get it
> to replace WTTG on the cable systems, but I wonder if people
> will be willing to part with WTTG.
>
> Also, they have to hope that it will do better than their
> operations in Charlottesville are doing (I recall something
> about a 0.3 share last ratings period?).
>
> - Trip
>

Hi Trip, this situation reminds me of a situation that hit Palm Springs back in 1999. Before then, Time Warner had all of LA's Fox, UPN and WB outlets on the cable systems out there, then they decided to help launch 3 low powered stations for cable only for wide access. Same thing now with their CBS, just in a way to get people to stop getting the LA feeds in favor of local cable only feeds, after that hit, people went to the dish to get the LA feeds again. Not sure what is on their cable systems now, but I get this feeling the only LA station on the cable out there is the PBS, which is relayed on a low powered station in the desert.

Over in Harrisonburg/Charlottesville, I see it happening all over again. 5 years ago, the cable out there was dominated by mostly DC or Richmond. ABC and NBC was of course on channels 3 and 29, but all the other feeds were either out of DC or Richmond. Now I sit and await for Fredricksburg to become the next nail in the board for either cable only or new local stations, rejecting the plan for keeping both markets. Right now, they have both DC and Richmond. Do I think it will work in either case, no because people are probably going to be upset over losing their DC fix over the hell lets just take it all over attitude. In a way, it's another step of getting rid of the away from the city feel and getting into a more city boom. <P ID="signature">______________
Quoth the raven.....Nevermore</P>

 

[Radio-X]

Freddyburg TV...

> Now I sit and await for Fredricksburg to
> become the next nail in the board for either cable only or
> new local stations, rejecting the plan for keeping both
> markets. Right now, they have both DC and Richmond. Do I
> think it will work in either case, no because people are
> probably going to be upset over losing their DC fix over the
> hell lets just take it all over attitude. In a way, it's
> another step of getting rid of the away from the city feel
> and getting into a more city boom.

I'm supried Dead Fred hasn't gotten even one TV station yet. There was a NBC affiliate there for like three years in the 70's WHFV 69. Since UHF TVs were just being produced, there weren't a lot of viewers. Add that to a 2500kW/h power bill and the fact that Spotsy, Stafford, Caroline, King George, and Culpeper Cos had a combined population at the time of just over 100,000, and it was probably a real beeoch to pay the bills there at channel 69. Now, with all our friends from New Jersey moving down for somewhat cheap land and a *long* 50 mile commute, Freddyburg has about three times the people in the area and all of them basically have cable or UHF TV. That makes it prime real estate for an LPTV station or two with network affiliation. Then again, I'm sure some folks would poo a brick if they didn't get D.C. stations (Which reminds me, why isn't News Channel 8 not shown there?)

By the way, I'd love to know more about WHFV. If you know anything about it, post away! (P.S.: The tower still stands between 4 mile fork and Massaponnax. I want to say WGRX is on that tower now)

Radio-X<P ID="signature">______________
Send lawyers, guns, and money...
The s**t has hit the fan...
-Warren Zevon</P>

 

[kyleP]

Re: Freddyburg TV...

> I'm supried Dead Fred hasn't gotten even one TV station yet.
> There was a NBC affiliate there for like three years in the
> 70's WHFV 69. Since UHF TVs were just being produced, there
> weren't a lot of viewers. Add that to a 2500kW/h power bill
> and the fact that Spotsy, Stafford, Caroline, King George,
> and Culpeper Cos had a combined population at the time of
> just over 100,000, and it was probably a real beeoch to pay
> the bills there at channel 69. Now, with all our friends
> from New Jersey moving down for somewhat cheap land and a
> *long* 50 mile commute, Freddyburg has about three times the
> people in the area and all of them basically have cable or
> UHF TV. That makes it prime real estate for an LPTV station
> or two with network affiliation. Then again, I'm sure some
> folks would poo a brick if they didn't get D.C. stations
> (Which reminds me, why isn't News Channel 8 not shown
> there?)
>
> By the way, I'd love to know more about WHFV. If you know
> anything about it, post away! (P.S.: The tower still stands
> between 4 mile fork and Massaponnax. I want to say WGRX is
> on that tower now)

The funny thing about the old WHFV 69 is that I know many people who live in Fredericksburg and none of them ever heard of them. Unlike Martinsburg, WV where people to this day still talk about their old now-defunct station WYVN FOX 60. But then again its been over 30 years since WHFV signed off for good while WYVN, we are talking early-mid 90s here.

WHFV was an NBC afflilate. I have seen old copies of TV Guide ( DC-Baltimore )from both 1974 and 1975. The 1974 issues had WHFV but not the ones from 75 so I would imgaine they went dark sometime in 75. Interesting, in the few 1974 editions of TV Guide from the Richmond-Norfolk areas, WHFV is no where to be found at all.

Had it not for being so close to both Richmond and Washington, Fredericksburg would have at least one, maybe two network affiliates by now. Same can be said about Frederick, Maryland too. There is more then enough growth in those areas to support it. But I doubt we will ever see the day when a network affiliate will come to those areas. If one tried to, I am sure the DC stations would be on the phones with their lawyers. I'm pretty sure its a safe to bet one's paycheck to say that WTTG will.

Plus I am sure as it was said earlier many cable viewers in Fredericksburg would balk at the idea of their cable system dropping a station from either DC or Richmond. The commuter factor plays a role there. Since so many commute to either Richmond or DC, they consider their TV stations..well local even though it is rare for a DC station to do a Fredericksburg store ( dont know about Richmond TV ). On the flip side Frederick, MD gets a TON of coverage from not only the DC stations but from Baltimore too. Not too mention Hagerstown's WHAG NBC 25 and despite that station being so close to Frederick ( 20 miles? ), even WHAG is having a tough time getting the Frederick viewers as most people there prefer either Baltimore or DC.

 

[dmine45]

Re: Freddyburg TV...

> Had it not for being so close to both Richmond and
> Washington, Fredericksburg would have at least one, maybe
> two network affiliates by now. Same can be said about
> Frederick, Maryland too. There is more then enough growth
> in those areas to support it. But I doubt we will ever see
> the day when a network affiliate will come to those areas.
> If one tried to, I am sure the DC stations would be on the
> phones with their lawyers. I'm pretty sure its a safe to bet
> one's paycheck to say that WTTG will.

Fredericksburg is just too close to Washington DC (and Richmond for that matter) to ever have a successful TV station. We have all the networks available either on antenna, cable or satellite. Today, there really is no need for more stations in the area.

> Plus I am sure as it was said earlier many cable viewers in
> Fredericksburg would balk at the idea of their cable system
> dropping a station from either DC or Richmond. The commuter
> factor plays a role there. Since so many commute to either
> Richmond or DC, they consider their TV stations..well local
> even though it is rare for a DC station to do a
> Fredericksburg store ( dont know about Richmond TV ). On the
> flip side Frederick, MD gets a TON of coverage from not only
> the DC stations but from Baltimore too. Not too mention
> Hagerstown's WHAG NBC 25 and despite that station being so
> close to Frederick ( 20 miles? ), even WHAG is having a
> tough time getting the Frederick viewers as most people
> there prefer either Baltimore or DC.

As is the case with a number of cable outlets, both Adelphia and Cox in the Fredericksburg/Stafford/Spotsylvania region have local commercials. This fits the bill of local businesses who want to advertise on TV.

I've seen commericals for a local high-end furniture store (Gallahan's) on DC TV (I think WJLA), but that's for trying to get DC people to come down to "Dead Fred" and buy furniture for a discount (compared to DC area prices).

Dead Fred doesn't get on DC TV news very much (and hardly ever on Richmond) simply because there really isn't that much going on around here except for a dog mauling a person, or some stupid mother with an IQ that's below zero that puts their kids in the trunk! Oh, don't forget the infamous sniper incidents in 2002 when Geraldo came down to Freddyburg!

Finally, the locals here more associate themselves with DC than they do with Richmond. Caroline County and further south are more Richmond oriented, Spotsylvania County and north associate themselves with DC.

Dave in Fredericksburg, VA