Dish Network Expand WB DMA'S

[Scott Greczkowski]

WB Local Network Programming Launching in Additional DMAs – Effective February 22, 2006 Effective February 22, 2006, DISH Network will launch WB programming into the markets listed below. Please note that the customers living in the Eastern and Central time zones will receive the programming from WBZL, the Miami WB. Those customers living in markets in the Mountain and Pacific time zones will receive their programming from KSWB, the San Diego WB.

• WB, East, Channel 251 – Abilene, TX; Albany, GA; Amarillo, TX; Augusta, GA; Charleston, SC; Charlottesville, VA; Clarksburg, WV; Columbia, MO; Columbus, MS; Duluth, MN; Erie, PA; Fargo, ND; Florence, SC; Ft. Wayne, IN; Gainesville, FL; Greenville, NC; Harlingen, TX; Johnstown, PA; Joplin, MO; La Crosse, WI; Lansing, MI; Lexington, KY; Lincoln, NE; Macon, GA; Meridian, MS; Minot, ND; Monroe, AR; Montgomery, AL; Panama City, FL; Peoria, IL; Quincy, IL; Rochester, NY; Rockford, IL; San Angelo, TX; Savannah, GA; Sherman, OK; Sioux City, IA; Terre Haute, IN; Toledo, OH; Topeka, KS; Traverse City, MI; Wausau, WI; and Wichita Falls, TX.

• WB-W, West, Channel 252 – Anchorage, AK; Bakersfield, CA; Billings, MT; Boise, ID; Casper, WY; Cheyenne, WY; Chico, CA; Eugene, OR; Grand Junction, CO; Great Falls, MT; Juneau, AK; Medford, OR; Missoula, MT; Monterey, CA; and Santa Barbara, CA.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I find this move odd considring the WB is going away soon.

 

[chaddux]

I didn't get either channel so no WB for my DMA.

 

[goaliebob99]

Yes scott but the WB is becoming the CW.. so maybe this is a move to get the CW on air in as many markets as possable when they flipp the switch.

 

[BFG]

so does that mean this channel is in the local package, and that those who are paying $1.50 to receive a WB superstation, can drop it and save a $1.50 on their bill?

 

[chaddux]

Yes scott but the WB is becoming the CW.. so maybe this is a move to get the CW on air in as many markets as possable when they flipp the switch.

Well, that's not completely accurate. The WB and UPN are merging to create The CW. In some markets, the local UPN affiliate will become the new CW affiliate. In other markets, the local WB affiliate will become the new CW affiliate. Some WB and some UPN affiliates will be forced to become independent. But to say "The WB is becoming The CW" is not telling the whole story.

 

[BlackHitachi]

so does that mean this channel is in the local package, and that those who are paying $1.50 to receive a WB superstation, can drop it and save a $1.50 on their bill?

Yea this would be cool!

 

[Mr Tony]

so does that mean this channel is in the local package, and that those who are paying $1.50 to receive a WB superstation, can drop it and save a $1.50 on their bill?

yes. Well you probably have to pay the 5 buck downgrade fee though (knowing Dish)

 

[Max Wright]

Isn't it going to still be a few more months until the WB and UPN merge to form CW? So this is great to have in the mean time. I know my wife has been missing the current season of Charmed without the WB.

I'm in Columbia, MO. We get UPN over the air as 17.3 or something. So of course we don't get the EPG ("guide") to know what's on. Having the WB will be good especially if it comes with the regular locals.

 

[Mr Tony]

so is it just at 250/251 or is it mapped as a local? (Direct maps thiers as Channel 14)

 

[dlsnyder]

Strange that they would use KSWB in San Diego as the regional WB feed. I would have thought they would use KTLA since it is already a super, and is the flagship station of the WB.

I wonder if that means that CW programming will move to KCOP, or maybe even KCAL (Viacom-owned independent).

 

[Mr Tony]

KCOP will be part of the new Fox channel "My Network TV"

Fox Television Stations' WWOR/New York, KCOP/Los Angeles, WPWR/Chicago, KDFI/Dallas, WDCA/Washington, D.C., KTXH/Houston, WFTC/Minneapolis, KUTP/Phoenix, WRBW/ Orlando and WUTB/Baltimore will serve as anchor affiliates of My Network TV, representing 24% of the United States.

 

[dlsnyder]

So is CW staying on KTLA or moving to KCAL? I suspect it is staying put on KTLA since it is a Tribune station.

 

[Mr Tony]

CW is going to KTLA (and WPIX & KWGN) of the Superstations
WSBK is going Indy
WWOR will be the above network (My Network TV)

 

[dlsnyder]

That's what I figured - CW would be on the Tribune stations. So what the heck did Viacom buy KCAL for? OT, I know, but still...?

 

[dlsnyder]

I think I just answered my own question - after analog shutoff KCBS is going to take channel 9 and KCAL will be left on the UHF DTV allocation. I'll bet that they sell it soon afterward.

 

[Darrell S]

so is it just at 250/251 or is it mapped as a local? (Direct maps thiers as Channel 14)

No mapping with my locals. It only appears on 251.

 

[dlsnyder]

They could do it by using some channel that is unused in all markets. I'm not sure that 14 is unused everywhere, but I think 37 is.

 

[BobMurdoch]

CW is going to KTLA (and WPIX & KWGN) of the Superstations
WSBK is going Indy
WWOR will be the above network (My Network TV)

What is WWOR becoming?

 

[Chris Freeland]

What is WWOR becoming?

He told you in the quote you posted. (My Network TV)