WLNE Infomercials on Saturday Nights

[E-Dub]

WLNE fills its 7PM timeslot on Saturday nights with paid programs. They even delay network programs that start at 7 for these quick bucks. It happened last night when "The Ten Commandments" came on. Due to the 1-hour delay, their 11PM newscasts aired more later than previously intended. Plus, they had to tape it because they had to go live on the RI News Channel at 11; double whammy.

Why do they need to preempt the network's schedule just for these infomercials? If it was for a news special, I could see an excuse, but why do they need to do it? This is a longshot, but hopefully this practice, among others, ends when the new ownership goes into effect.

 

[PaulRAnderson]

I am not aware of any ABC programming Saturdays at 7 PM.

At what time did "The Ten Commandments" start on the network? Are you saying that WLNE delayed the movie?

And I'm confused because you said WLNE's 11 PM newscast aired later than intended, then you say they had to tape "it" because they had to air news at 11.

Paul

 

[BRNout]

ABC made an exception to their normal PT schedule on Saturday night and showed "The Ten Commandments" from 7 to 11:45pm. So, ALL abc affiliates delayed news until 11:45.

They used to show it on Sunday (for cultural AND scheduling reasons). However, abc/Disney management has since decided that showing a group of 40+ year old sluts break all ten commandments is more appropriate programming for Easter than the 'making of' said commandments.

I suppose we should be grateful that the film hasn't been forgotten completely, even if it is relegated to Saturday night.

 

[E-Dub]

I am not aware of any ABC programming Saturdays at 7 PM.

At what time did "The Ten Commandments" start on the network? Are you saying that WLNE delayed the movie?

And I'm confused because you said WLNE's 11 PM newscast aired later than intended, then you say they had to tape "it" because they had to air news at 11.

Paul

Every holiday weekend, ABC starts a movie at 7 on Saturday. I believe it's around Christmas that they show the "Sound of Music." But every time the network does this, WLNE, being as cheap and desperate as the station is, continues to show its regularly-scheduled infomercials, thus putting their newscast on tape (thanks to the RINC) 1 hour later, around 12.

This past weekend, "Ten Commandments" ended at 11:45, putting all affilates' newscasts 45 minutes late. Normally, special 4-hour movies end at 11. That's what I meant by "later than intended" because WLNE didn't go on until 12:45, which was a waste, seeing as nobody watches. Anyone that does, may God bless you. ;D

Your opinions on WLNE's constant decision to air infomercials at 7, thus preempting special network movies and causing them to air their 11PM on tape, is recommended. Seeing as the people at the station are too cheap to work an hour later, why even question wheather or not to air infomercials? That is if they're willing to make a good, updated presentation, even if nobody watches.

 

[PaulRAnderson]

I grew up in an era when affiliates would often pre-empt network shows, either not airing them at all or moving them to a different time. I've always felt that stations should do what's best for them or their audience regardless of what the network said. I remember WTIC-TV's Monday night movie that pushed the nationally-popular Lucy Show to Saturdays at 5:30 PM. Lots of stations did then what WLNE did Saturday.

Pre-emptions are much rarer today and it's unusual that WLNE would make The Ten Commandments end at 12:45 AM. That seems a disservice, although there are such things as VCRs and TiVOs that can help out here.

Paul