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TBN also did themselves no favors by cashing out many of their stations in the spectrum auction, and subsequently selling the licenses to other parties, much like WDLI in Canton living on as a re-packed station on Ion's (Inyo's) WVPX. These TBN stations (and other full-power god-casters) exploited the must-carry obligation to get them on cable while the others opted for retransmission consent. Donations went down over time and the spectrum was a way to make some quick cash.

I think Mississippi TV will stay separate markets, but Greenville/Greenwood under one owner and WTOK in Meridian and WHLT in Hattiesburg ceding to their Jackson counterparts is beginning to weaken the markets a little. Moreso in Meridian since WTOK is the undisputed leader in the market while WHLT has always played second fiddle to WDAM who has kept their operation local to the market. If either Columbus/Tupelo or Greenwood/Greenville had Gray stations, they would probably have pulled the same moves Meridian did. At least WTVA is the only Allen Media station in Mississippi and WXXV and WCBI remain separate operations, likely due to distance.

I read that his wife will remain on WTVA. They actually worked in different stations at one time - I know that because of the clip that I saw when he proposed to her on live TV.

That can be attestable (TBN lost most of their Spectrum carriage over the years for their other channels outside regular TBN and enlace) but there's also the reality that cable providers are not up to paying $2 more for a channel with a shaky business model (big star with their own show tricking down an audience on generic other content already found on other channels) and whose product is already otherwise free or available in rerun form elsewhere or on podcasts. TBN is hard into digital first as then they don't need to bother with the middlemen negotiating carriage or the costs of the analog era translator network they sold off to speculators and subfarm operators. That he had no control of his network library at all certainly didn't help matters, but also that broadcast surcharge fees are getting near $50/month, it's beginning to be a losing battle for bundles, with providers beginning to fight back (re: the old Cinci Bell fighting Nexstar because they don't want NewsNation just to carry Dayton's NBC/CW stations) or having to capitulate (Spectrum getting back the dumped Disney networks in exchange for Hulu access at their own terms). Phil refused to do the most basic research that TBN simply doesn't negotiate carriage well outside must-carry and their JVs like Hillsong have had a high failure rate, that .1 channel leases for stations rarely watched, even must-carry on pay TV systems are a money pit (CHSN learned that too even as subchannels), and now he's learning that lesson in bankruptcy.

Merit Street is complaining that TBN didn't help it get on cable enough.

Yes

Good for them for not bending the knee.

Does the TV version of EWTN still air Mother Angelica's reruns? EWTN was her mission as a nun and was an extension of her creating a monastery in the South after experiencing a miracle of her own healing from a devastating injury. Her original TV efforts were through WBMG (now WIAT) but she decided to start forming EWTN after she objected to CBS's content at the time. As tormented as the Catholic Church has been throughout its history, this is probably the only religious TV channel purely devoted to faith.

For those who remember WTVD's longtime anchorman and reporting stalwart John Clark... you can find him in a new adventure with his wife Val offering positive Christian content in a new podcast... The Clark Report. https://theclarkreport.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLTQGlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFJalMxalp0ajdTZW9aakU4AR4G83An0B-nKcI3x15NORborAPXM99c_yKqZvPdIffI7nn96mfGMjIr-OiD8Q_aem_PAdL6hXnPq01R-Xhlg7OUQ

Yeah, it was very surprising. Her Instagram and LinkedIn still say she works for ABC7NY, so it must've happened within the past few days.

Interesting update on Janice. She was just on last week. I like WABC’s use of the networks talent lately. Rhiannon Ally filling in for Shirleen this morning.

More news via LinkedIn... Marc Mullins was one of those laid off by Scripps at WRTV Indianapolis. Thankfully, he has a new home with TEGNA and KVUE Austin starting July 14th. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7345984809032142849-iaYD?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAABqGw-0BrOQ_9csrv95OAtvM37gqLkE_dSc

WKMG loses two on-air talent folks in a span of days. First, Crystal Moyer who's leaving WKMG after 5 years there later today (as of the time I write this post). https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/06/25/thank-you-news-6-gets-ready-to-say-farewell-to-longtime-morning-anchor/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=snd&utm_content=wkmg6&fbclid=IwY2xjawLS5PNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHhenP7c_1K0bxmgKgC5KtLn9AfZwzuvSPyfCm6KTqmruSfmt8sT5jt1nm_MU_aem_fTe-Jk7_86xBB8s7up4gxw Now, its longtime morning and noon anchor Bridgett Ellison who left yesterday after 14 years there. https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/07/02/wkmg-news-6-celebrates-anchors-14-years-of-service-to-central-florida/

Saw him added into the group photo for the mornings on the 11pm news. I wonder who will be the permanent co-anchor for Weekends. Toni Yates appears to have a great rapport with Michelle. Also I just looked at the team page to see if they added Jaysha Patel yet, and was shocked to see Janice Yu is no longer there.

In the end, Paramount Global didn’t settle because they were wrong. They didn’t settle because it was fair. They settled because that’s how power works now. Grease the right palms, press the right flesh, and you can say whatever the hell you want—as long as you don’t mean it. In the end, they sold out the truth for 16 million bucks. ... that’s a hell of a bargain.

For a brief moment, I though John was going to curse.

Sounds like a game show rejected by Game Show Network.

Don't forget Daystar.

I would argue maybe bringing "Vatican Media" to the States via Roku and other streaming means and double down on content, even make actual newscasts from the reports from Vatican News? But does the cost justify it when the church is already in a tough financial spot, probably not.

Evening News not happy about it.

Ed Ansin did not want to redevelop WSVN property. One of my sources at the time explained in detail back in 2008, when one day Ed Ansin showed up at WTVJ to tour the building after WPLG announced they are buying the station, but I can't find the emails. What kept Sunbeam from getting the WIOD site was the old man refusing to pay $1.5 mil for it in 2002. I know from someone who was involved the old man balked at the price being too high. He was offered first dibs, even with his son Andrew pushing hard for the performance Ed said no. Then the owner sold to a local developer for $1.3 mil and announced condos. But Ed Ansin told him (and used WSVN to bludgeon him publicly) that he can't build anything on the lot without his permission because he had an agreement with the previous owner that requires his consent first, a condo building would be disruptive to WSVN and that is that. Turned out the developer offered to accommodate, including I believe a parking carve out for the station that can fit the ENG trucks, at his expense. Ed still said no. After the WSVN story aired and made him look bad, the developer decided to spite - he forbade WSVN staff to park on his property, majority of parking for WSVN staff was on it. That's why Sunbeam owns that building across the road. Employees parked there, and had to cross heavy traffic til 2021.The developer also removed the guard at the entrance and one of the billboards. Later, he announced hell make a strip club on the WOID site. A nod to sexed up female anchors at the station. Which caused old Ed to get North Bay Village mayor involved, used WSVN, Belkys Nerey and other female anchors as hammers to nip that plan, and it worked. After suing the developer, around 2008-2009, Ed bought the note on the property from the lender and tried to foreclose but I think failed. After Ed died 7/2020 one of the first things Andrew did after inheriting, is buy the lot from the developer... for $29 million in March 2021 And here we are.

It's also on KAZT's third subchannel as they de facto operate Loudon, and Sinclair is KTXD through Cunningham. KVMD indeed kicked them off their LA main channel coverage a few weeks ago. Current affiliate list

Here's something a CBS affiliate is DARING to do... WTSP is expanding their noon news to an hour starting Monday, July 7th. 10 Tampa Bay Midday will now run from 12-1pm, just like WTVT, WFTS, and WWSB. Y&R is moving a half-hour later to 1pm and B&B is moving 90 minutes later to 3pm. The PM Great Day Live moves to 3:30pm and takes Daytime Jeopardy! off the airwaves. So now they're just taking the 12:30pm newscast from streaming to actual television.

I mean... Nexstar-operated WYZZ Bloomington carries it on 43.3.

Then air it on cable... oh right... Cable is dying as we speak. NEXSTAR?! I mean, I know thay Nexstar might not be the best Broadcasting company/corporation but they don't need to be involved in any of that. Also, I am absolutely sure that the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) wanted a basic network airing Dr. Phil programming, not any of the stuff that is being shown that just sends them (TBN) into culture wars. It should also be reminded that even the Tri-State Christian Television Network (TCT) isn't safe. (From CNN. —> https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/02/media/dr-phil-cable-network-bankruptcy)