It seems like one of the most under-viewed local TV stations in Northern Ohio is WMFD Channel 68 in Mansfield. Knowing that it's an independent station in an area where most people get their local TV from the Cleveland and Columbus markets, that's not exactly a surprise. The good thing, though, is that it's one of few indie stations I know of that broadcasts regular local newscasts. But one thing about WMFD I've been curious about is their other programming besides news, particularly throughout that station's history. Due to the fact that WMFD has never had their listings run in TV Guide, it seems like up until they started putting their program schedule on their website, their programming lineup has been pretty secretive to those like myself who can't pick up the station on cable (although I see the station is now available on DirecTV and Dish Network throughout Northeast Ohio). And there's hardly any video footage from their archives on YouTube.
I did, however, find this YouTube video from their days as WCOM. It looks like they aired a lot more movies then than they do now. Also note the lack of local news promos throughout this video. Did they not always have local newscasts?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJjv6RZch0E
Another thing I've noticed is that some of the syndicated programs they aired throughout the years were shows that were also seen in the Cleveland market (kind of makes sense though since there are only so many syndie shows out there). For example, American Bandstand, as seen in the video, was also shown on WEWS. More recently, I remember Family Feud also being on WMFD in the mid-2000s, even though WOIO had also aired it in Cleveland at that time. And I see that they now air Bloopers on weekends, as does WJW in Cleveland (provided Fox isn't broadcasting any games or races).
While I don't remember many other programs that aired on WMFD in its history, I do remember that they used to air The Outdoorsman with Buck McNeely, State Police (Real Stories of the Highway Patrol rip-off), and Crime Strike (which actually still runs on the station). Their programming seems to remind me a lot of the shows that WAX/WAOH in Akron used to show back in their indie days. Outside of syndicated programs, I also remember several years ago seeing on WMFD's website an episode of a high school quiz show they used to have (kind of like Academic Challenge on WEWS). I don't remember the name of it, but I can remember that the web simulcast I saw of it, strangely enough, had the commercials that originally aired during the episode still on it (I remember WMFD's media partner, Mix 106 WVNO, was one of the ads I saw).
So I started this thread to see if there was anyone out there who knew about anymore shows that WMFD used to air, both local and syndicated. Looking at that video from WCOM I found on YouTube, it seems like the station's program schedule had changed quite a bit over the years.
I did, however, find this YouTube video from their days as WCOM. It looks like they aired a lot more movies then than they do now. Also note the lack of local news promos throughout this video. Did they not always have local newscasts?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJjv6RZch0E
Another thing I've noticed is that some of the syndicated programs they aired throughout the years were shows that were also seen in the Cleveland market (kind of makes sense though since there are only so many syndie shows out there). For example, American Bandstand, as seen in the video, was also shown on WEWS. More recently, I remember Family Feud also being on WMFD in the mid-2000s, even though WOIO had also aired it in Cleveland at that time. And I see that they now air Bloopers on weekends, as does WJW in Cleveland (provided Fox isn't broadcasting any games or races).
While I don't remember many other programs that aired on WMFD in its history, I do remember that they used to air The Outdoorsman with Buck McNeely, State Police (Real Stories of the Highway Patrol rip-off), and Crime Strike (which actually still runs on the station). Their programming seems to remind me a lot of the shows that WAX/WAOH in Akron used to show back in their indie days. Outside of syndicated programs, I also remember several years ago seeing on WMFD's website an episode of a high school quiz show they used to have (kind of like Academic Challenge on WEWS). I don't remember the name of it, but I can remember that the web simulcast I saw of it, strangely enough, had the commercials that originally aired during the episode still on it (I remember WMFD's media partner, Mix 106 WVNO, was one of the ads I saw).
So I started this thread to see if there was anyone out there who knew about anymore shows that WMFD used to air, both local and syndicated. Looking at that video from WCOM I found on YouTube, it seems like the station's program schedule had changed quite a bit over the years.