We all know that WLVI 56 (WB) will become The CW, and WSBK will go independent. WHDH 7 (NBC) is not for sale, and MyNetwork has no affiliate yet in Boston - WZMY also might sue if another Boston station ran a "My" station.
However, might NBC pursue purchasing WLVI or WSBK?
Neither are Tribune or CBS's most strategic asset stations. WLVI would be more optimal - and I'm talking about making it an NBC O&O with NBC programming.
The one difference from WLVI being WB, and WSBK being UPN to now (or Sept.) is The CW can always go to WSBK. CBS WSBK would gladly carry the dropped network (The CW) they are part owners. Tribune could not have done this a year ago - if they dropped WB, and sold the station to another network who'd carry something else.
WLVI already has a news department as well, similar to KNTV 11 (ex-WB), when it became San Francisco DMA's NBC station, and NBC built it up from there.
Of course, why would Tribune sell? I thought about when WPHL 17, one of Tribune's weakest performers (soon to be gutted of even more programming), might be well fitted [duopolied with CH.10, who runs CH.17's news btw] if NBC bought it. Fox is also another one in my consideration. NBC is in the duopoly business, unlike Disney, but has no duopoly in Philly. And, Telemundo might not be the only route of running a duopolied station.
In Boston, the need is different. NBC wants O&O station in the top5 markets , and can enjoy the profits[including retransmission revenue from cable companies] that station would bring.
Tribune made a comment that they are willing to sell stations in markets, for duopolies in others. Now having no desire for a mid top market like S.F. station, Tribune doesn't necessarily need to be in Philly or even Boston. Unlike NBC, Tribune is just an affiliate group. NY, Chicago and LA are a must-be-in markets, however.
I'm sure syndicated product could be swapped between NBC and Sunbeam eventually (as in Raymond reruns for Access Hollywood) etc., and Sunbeam could operate a strong news-oriented indy for Ch.7 (like WJXT or KRON), with a decent roster of syndicated programming as well, and might be eligible for MyNetwork (if the WZMY is straightened out). MyNetwork may wind up advertised differently in Boston DMA.
All of this is just a thought, since Sunbeam doesn't want to sell its station - maybe NBC could buy out another. I actually don't get how Sunbeam gets off so easy - do they pay for NBC-and the equivalent of what NBC was asking Young or Granite?
However, might NBC pursue purchasing WLVI or WSBK?
Neither are Tribune or CBS's most strategic asset stations. WLVI would be more optimal - and I'm talking about making it an NBC O&O with NBC programming.
The one difference from WLVI being WB, and WSBK being UPN to now (or Sept.) is The CW can always go to WSBK. CBS WSBK would gladly carry the dropped network (The CW) they are part owners. Tribune could not have done this a year ago - if they dropped WB, and sold the station to another network who'd carry something else.
WLVI already has a news department as well, similar to KNTV 11 (ex-WB), when it became San Francisco DMA's NBC station, and NBC built it up from there.
Of course, why would Tribune sell? I thought about when WPHL 17, one of Tribune's weakest performers (soon to be gutted of even more programming), might be well fitted [duopolied with CH.10, who runs CH.17's news btw] if NBC bought it. Fox is also another one in my consideration. NBC is in the duopoly business, unlike Disney, but has no duopoly in Philly. And, Telemundo might not be the only route of running a duopolied station.
In Boston, the need is different. NBC wants O&O station in the top5 markets , and can enjoy the profits[including retransmission revenue from cable companies] that station would bring.
Tribune made a comment that they are willing to sell stations in markets, for duopolies in others. Now having no desire for a mid top market like S.F. station, Tribune doesn't necessarily need to be in Philly or even Boston. Unlike NBC, Tribune is just an affiliate group. NY, Chicago and LA are a must-be-in markets, however.
I'm sure syndicated product could be swapped between NBC and Sunbeam eventually (as in Raymond reruns for Access Hollywood) etc., and Sunbeam could operate a strong news-oriented indy for Ch.7 (like WJXT or KRON), with a decent roster of syndicated programming as well, and might be eligible for MyNetwork (if the WZMY is straightened out). MyNetwork may wind up advertised differently in Boston DMA.
All of this is just a thought, since Sunbeam doesn't want to sell its station - maybe NBC could buy out another. I actually don't get how Sunbeam gets off so easy - do they pay for NBC-and the equivalent of what NBC was asking Young or Granite?