why does ION have locat OTA stations, They are all lifeless and have no local programming
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Why isnt ION a cable channel?
- Thread starter travisl5678
- Start date
they could sell off the OandOs and go all cable
travisl5678 said:
That would be a brilliant move -- sell all their stations in a down market, and then try to convince cable companies that they should carry Ion in the absence of must carry. Considering the lack of negotiating leverage that Ion would have with cable, that would just effectively put them out of business.
The only one I watch is Ion Life. I don't care for Ion TV. They have no programs I see worth watching on Ion TV. If any channel has any life in it, it would be Ion Life and would be worth having as a cable/satellite only channel. If any Ion O&O stations ever get sold, I would like to see WCPX in Chicago be sold to Weigel Broadcasting. They could move MeTV & MeToo to that channel, like they did in Milwaukee when they bought WJJA, which later became WBME for MeTV Milwaukee. That's only if Ion goes under and sell their stations.
Just curious in what markets is ION on DIRECT TV and DISH? My parents had DIRECT TV in Connecticut and WHPX/26 was not part of the local channels. Where I used to live my landlord provided DISH Network for me and WHPX was not part of the local channels. You know what we did get on DISH? Stupid little WHCT-LP/38 the completely automated Azteca America affiliate. DISH picked their signal up OTA too. I remember because on really hot and humid days I could see WSBK from Boston bleeding through. WHCT-LP also had problems with whatever equipment they had to pick up the Azteca feed. The picture would get clearer during local ads and get worse when they'd go back to the network.
I
imhomerjay
Guest
YEKIMI said:
So let's say they just fold up. What do you think the likely end result is? (A) the sations go dark entirely, or (B) they get sold to someone in a down market with little revenue generating programming out there so they run infomercials under another name.
Understandably, that much paid programming isn't for everyone, but why would it annoy anyone? Just don't watch then. Seriously, it's not hard.
In Jackson, TN Charter carries the national ION feed. The closest OTA ION station is WPXX in Memphis, which only carries ION in the daytime and late night. They carry MNTV in prime time. To me that is probably even a bigger waste than most ION stations since almost all that they carry from ION is the infomercials and a few afternoon shows.
Well maybe they should sell the o and os and walk away,at least they could walk away with some profit
I
imhomerjay
Guest
Dependson the amount of debt the company has. It may well be in their best interest--and that of the creditors--to maintain them and keep going. It's completely over simplistic to assume they just can make some cash and walk away--besides, it's a lousy market to sell, if you've noticed.
imhomerjay said:
Although few of us tend to watch much on ION or see a lot of use in the way that they program their stations, what's on there now is probably 'better' than whatever most prospective buyers would put there.
And to add to HomerJay's comment, not only is it a lousy market for sellers - it's even worse for buyers. Despite the so-called "stimulus" bill, the credit markets are still tighter than Tom Thumb's butt and there's a real shortage of capital out there right now. Even if someone wanted to purchase those stations, they'd have a heck of a time getting the financing. There are much more attractive broadcast facilities out there right now that can't find buyers. I'm sure that Comcast would like to unload most (if not all) of the NBC O&O's as soon as possible - but will have to wait because there isn't enough capital out there for a buyer to pay them enough to get out of them.
Here is a list of ION statons
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ion_Television_affiliates
It says they have about 90 affiliates. So I guess in those markets ION gets must carry. Does anyone know if ION is able to get on cable systems where it has no affliates? Like maybe giving them an opportunity to import an out of market signal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ion_Television_affiliates
It says they have about 90 affiliates. So I guess in those markets ION gets must carry. Does anyone know if ION is able to get on cable systems where it has no affliates? Like maybe giving them an opportunity to import an out of market signal
K
kenrayc
Guest
Mark said:
Yes, When the ION station in Fresno switched to Telefutura, ION went directly to cable with the national feed.
Here in North Carolina, Time Warner Cable in Wilmington picks up the national "ION" feed, but Charter Communications in places like Carolina Beach, Hampstead and Holly Ridge pick up the Jacksonville affiliate, WPXU, which has a strong digital
signal in the Wilmington area, but Time Warner doesn't both to pick that station up, although i do agree ION should be a
cable channel, if that was the case, many systems would move them to a different position, i'm surprised it has survived
this long, and been expecting them to sign off for a few years, and still could do so.
signal in the Wilmington area, but Time Warner doesn't both to pick that station up, although i do agree ION should be a
cable channel, if that was the case, many systems would move them to a different position, i'm surprised it has survived
this long, and been expecting them to sign off for a few years, and still could do so.
tripinva said:
In looking at their schedule it looks like you're right. I really haven't seen WPXX much since the digital conversion and they aren't on Charter in Jackson. Sorry about the mixup.
Given that their O&O stations are entirely satellite fed, I doubt there is a lot of expense involved in running them. So why not keep them and capture the OTA audience as well as cable as a must-carry station? It's probably one of the most cost effective aspects of Ion's operation.
I enjoy some of the movies and reruns they carry and I really like how Ion using their subs: drama in HD on their main channel, cartoons and lifestyle on the others. There is something of interest for every member in the household and nothing competes with the other.
But another motivation for Ion to keep their stations is the prospect of Mobile DTV. Television stations large and small are really pinning their futures on this technology.
c5
I enjoy some of the movies and reruns they carry and I really like how Ion using their subs: drama in HD on their main channel, cartoons and lifestyle on the others. There is something of interest for every member in the household and nothing competes with the other.
But another motivation for Ion to keep their stations is the prospect of Mobile DTV. Television stations large and small are really pinning their futures on this technology.
c5
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