CircleSeven

Dale Hansen signed off one final time on WFAA tonight. But the opening of tonight's 10pm got me. They reenacted the 'Taxi' promo he did when he left KDFW 4 for Channel 8 over 38 years ago. And they brought in longtime VO guy John B. Wells to drive the Taxi. Videos Courtesy of WFAA's YT page.

I'm glad the O&O's are pulling from the "oversized" standard the network is pushing.

New PRMs today. Gray has filed four new petitions to get them off of VHF. KMVT (11 > 16) KNOE (8 > 24) KSCW (12 > 28) WYMT (12 > 20)

Gray is LP-picking again. This time, its in Richmond. They're acquiring WRID-LD from Daystar (Word of God Fellowship) for $630K. I don't see this being more than a UHF repeater to WWBT & WUPV (since they're on RF 10 & 8, respectively).

There's an amendment regarding one of the petitions. Dominion Broadcasting's WLMB Toledo proposed to move from VHF 5 to UHF 35. It was advanced to NPRM on March 4. But it appears to be a complaint north of the border (don't know if CRTC or Global TV complained). The Canadians feared that WLMB's new signal could interfere with Sarnia-Oil Springs, ON Global affiliate CIII-29, which operates on the same allotment (RF 35). Here's the contours of both signals (WLMB new signal & the CIII-29's). So, WLMB has amended its petition to swap its antenna from an omni-directional to a directional one. But it appears that they want to stay on RF 35. Don't know if this would remedy the Canadian's interference concerns. The contours don't look much different.

Two R&Os. KCWX (5 > 8.) with six DTS signals. KSNB (4 > 24, Superior > York). This is really good news for the Nebraska station, as they're already in process of building the new KOLN tower at Beaver Crossing.

KFVS has a different graphic pack than WSAZ (I believe that's what you meant) and WXIX.

So Gray has filed an appeal, asking the agency to cancel the $500k+ fine.

ESPN has filled one of Maria's former slots. Holly Rowe has been appointed as new sideline reporter for Saturday Night Football.

New petition today. WNYT wants to vacate VHF 12 for UHF 21.

That ended when Dr. Phil moved from WMAQ to WBBM.

I strongly doubt you'll see WYTV or KTKA going to Nexstar proper, given both are within the top-4 in their respective markets. They could exercise the option and then reassign them to Mission, like they've done with the other former sidecars (Shield, Tamer, etc.) On the other hand, KNVA (like WBDT) is not in the top-4. And because of the Pai Dereg Rule eliminating the eight-voice test, Nexstar could easily acquire KNVA outright. Also to keep in mind the FCC still treats KBVO Llano as a "satellite" of KXAN (even though it airs different programming).

New M&A. Nexstar want to exercise its option to acquire outright Vaughan's WBDT. It already owns NBC outlet WDTN.

That's it? That's a stale lineup if they're going to air it for the entire 7 days. You would think they would air something different, or at least move the shows around a bit on the weekend.

A small M&A. Weigel gets another LP. They're acquiring Marshalltown, IA KDAO-CD from MTN Broadcasting for $195K. Two things come to mind. One, their signal only serves the immediate Marshalltown area which is northeast of Des Moines. So I wouldn't be surprised if Weigel moves it closer to the capital city, should this deal be completed. Another thing is that Weigel is getting another LP, in the same city where the Hearst station (KCCI) carries their crown jewel MeTV. They also bought an unbuilt LP-permit (in one of the HC2 deals) near Orlando, where another Hearst station (WESH) carry MeTV. Hearst has been one of strongest groups to carry the network. And it would be a shame if it gets moved off of full power signal for the LP. I'm hoping they add the other networks on the LP and keep MeTV on Channel 8.

Hoping they'll turn this into an in-city translator viewers can get, without relying on that problematic VHF signal.

One NPRM. One R&O. NPRM: KVVU (9 > 24) R&O: Channel 26 Eagle River

Fox 29 does this "Sports in a Minute", which is nothing more than a taped sports segment during Good Day.

It's official. Maria Taylor joins NBC Sports. From the release:

New PRM. Gray wants Presque Isle, ME's WAGM off of VHF 8 and move to UHF 28. This is very interesting because, their close sister station to the south of them (WABI) is on the VHF dial (RF 13). Their former owners moved them off of UHF (RF 19) a decade ago. Could this be reversed in the future? ______________________________ Also, this the probably the first time I've seen a break up of a channel sharing arrangement. Telemundo O&O in Providence WRIW, has ended its CSA with Scripps' Ion O&O WPXQ. The station is now off the air, as they try to find a new channel to share with.

Tom Koch's replacement on 13...........

Not too sure when WJLP's carriage with MeTV runs out, but Weigel hasn't made any announcements on any affiliate switches.

WTVD has found Tisha Powell's replacement. Former WTXF Philly anchor/reporter Lauren Johnson will become the new anchor for its evening newscasts. She will start at the end of the month.

So follow up. Thanks to Pai's dereg rule, Nexstar wants to acquire KGBT outright.

One NPRM. Four R&Os. NPRM: KPTV (12 > 21) - That was quick! R&O: WGEM (10 > 19) KRCR (7 > 15) KECI (13 > 20) KTVM (6 > 20)