CircleSeven

I'm not too sure how long they're going to be on for the 11pm show, since its normally an hour. Could it go past Midnight tonight? Anywho, the station states that they will start the morning news at 4am tomorrow.

Sad News in the television world of a different sort. The NY Times state this morning that founder of the Christian broadcasting network, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), Paul Crouch passed away yesterday at the age of 79, after a long decade battle of a degenerative heart disease. Crouch founded TBN four decades ago, started by buying an LA TV station, and then with satellites, he would extend his reach to become one of the largest Christian broadcasters in the country. My condolences go to his wife Jan, and the rest of his family. _____________________________________ I kinda have a feeling, that after all the rememberances, tributes and such, everything would probably be business as usual at TBN in Santa Ana. But let's not forget that these incentive spectrum auctions are next year. I'm not too sure who will take full control of the licenses of the full power stations. This may be premature, but could TBN be the next company to be involved in the auctions next year? The network already have a heavy cable and satellite presence, so I don't think many OTA folks would miss the stations that much. Also in the big cities like NY and Chicago, their owned stations are in the market's extreme far fringes (Ottawa, IL & Poughkeepsie, NY). They might want to at least think about exploring some options if they want to sell their airspace for the auctions. And for the record, and I've said this many times on here. I'm not for these auctions, whatsoever. I never was when they started talking about this back in 2010. Because I feel that every station should keep their station, and not sell it for more wireless carriers to use. The FCC can find some more spectrum, and not take more of the TV spectrum away in the process. _________________________________ Now for some news we're familiar with. It's a change of the LMA gaurd of sorts, making a newscast move channels. KION-TV has announced that their 10pm produced newscast will be aired on the Central Coast CW on its DT2 subchannel, effective tonight. Today is the first day that it's former LMA partner KCBA (owned by Seal Rock Broadcasters) has formed a new LMA with Entravision-owned Univision affiliate, KSMS-TV. At this time, No word if KSMS is going to produce a 10pm news on KCBA or not. Edit 12/2 at 1:27am/PT: Okay, this article states that KCBA will air KTVU's morning news (5-9am weekdays & 7-10am Sundays) and its 10pm news every night. KION owner Cowles itself is awaiting FCC approval on their sale of KION, KMUV & KKFX to NPG, to grow their Cali presence. It will keep KCOY's license. Meanwhile, Cowles have completed their Montana acquisition from Max, as of Black Friday. Stations include KTMF & KFBB.

And almost three months after it was approved, the sale of Lockwood's new flagship station, WSKY, have been consummated, as of Monday. It even includes KAUZ Wichita Falls, as well, even though Gray didn't announce that they going to acquire that station. I think BIA/Kelsey assumed that Hoak is selling the entire company to Gray. Even if Gray temporary holds WMBB & KREX/KFQX until those sutible buyers come out, I don't think it would be much of an issue. That's why it's important to wait until they make the formal FCC AOL/TOC paperwork to see which stations are really getting sold or not. It would get a true understanding if Gray is getting all the stations or Hoak will hold those hold out stations, till a new buyer comes about. To me, it looks like Gray might be getting it all, and then then resell the overlapped ones. At least they are doing like Raycom and divest the overlaps, unlike other group who thrive on using multiple shells to keep everything under their fold...... Remember Raycom kept WTVR for almost a year after the Lincoln Financial Media (former owners of competitor WWBT) deal was close. But eventually swapped stations with Local TV's WBRC in Birmingham. I don't think it would be much of an issue in this case, as more buyers are coming in the woodwork fairly quickly.

And eight weeks after the paperwork was posted, the FCC has greenlighted the Cowles/Max Montana cluster deal. Stations include KTMF & KFBB.

If KNBC ever goes back to Gari, they should resurrect the Premier theme. Of course that's the last update to the Randall's News Center theme, before going to the Tower in the Fall of 2000.

They would really love Comcast to come back to the Metroplex. TWC basically have that state locked, except for Houston, where they use to be. Hell I wouldn't even mind a compromise in between split of the TWC assets or let Comcast leave some of their coverage areas. Comcast securing the bigger markets (they're already in the Bay Area, Chicago and their flaggy Philly), like the New York/Jersey (to complete the megalopolis strip), Upstate NY, California, Texas Cluster. If Comcast have to sell some of their clusters, it can give their Atlanta cluster to Cox. It's Cox's home turf. Yeah they own the paper, the radio and Channel 2, but it would make the most sense. And give some of the rest (anything south of DC, the Virginia, Carolina, Tennessee, the Midwest Cluster (except for Ohio, Erie PA & Wisconsin), Colorado, Utah and the Northwest cluster) to Charter. Hopefully that would clear some of the air for any anti-trust issues. But the Texas cluster should be clustered up with Houston. And the NYC/NJ, upstate NY and Maine should be clustered up with the rest of the northeast. While it would be wise to buy some and divest some, I doubt Charter and Comcast would even think about doing such of a thing. They want everything in one silver platter. And while Charter is still likely the favorite, and yes Comcast is no better than TWC, I would think Comcast has a way better shot of getting TWC. Not just for the regional cable and broadband standpoints, but what have been said with the NBC O&Os in those areas (NY, LA, San Diego & Dallas; Comcast is already six of those markets; Chicago, Philly, DC, Bay Area, Connecticut, & Miami). This article have the map of both TWC and Comcast maps and their coverage areas.

Okay, the B&C states that the American Cable Association & Time Warner Cable wants to try to block the WICZ deal to Mission Broadcasting. DAMN! Are they're going to do this with every deal they see? After doing it with every other big deal (Gannett/Belo, Tribune/Local TV, Sinclair/Allbritton), they've also done it with the Sinclair/New Age. And now this. And isn't it too late to file an informal objection/petition to deny for this deal. It's already have been over 7 weeks since the paperwork have been filed. Although I think they do have a point in their formal objections, I have strong doubt that the FCC is going to go in their favor in any of the deals they've made objections to. And all they're doing is making a whole lot of noise, just like Free Press is.

The Paperwork Is Up!!!! Since I didn't post the Citadel and Brady's "Stainless" acquisition, I will include those as well. Alrighty, here's the thorough breakdown list of the assignment of license/transfer of control applications of the stations owned by the Estate of Milton Grant and Grant Company, Inc. to Nexstar Broadcasting Group, including transaction description and the stock purchase agreement. The announcement of the deal took place on November 6th and all the paperwork was posted on the FCC site Today (11/21/13). Prior to the announcement, there was a separate transfer of control of Grant's Estate from the Bessemer Trust of Florida to Cabell Williams. That transfer was approved on October 28. This is a rarity to me, because nearly all of the applications are filed by Form 315 Transfer of Control application, and not the 314 Assignment of License apps that I usually see on Nexstar-related apps. The only 314 app is the KLJB application, which the only one station that's being assigned to Mission Broadcasting. Also, Nexstar has asked for the FCC to continue the current satellite waivers for WEUX in Chippewa Falls (repeats WLAX La Crosse) and WWCW in Lynchburg (repeats WFXR Roanoke), and to continue to operate KGCW in Burlington, IA under a 'failed station waiver'. I guess the only one that doesn't have any of those things is WZDX in Huntsville. The Purchase Price of the deal, $87.5M. In a separate asset purchase agreement. Mission will pay $15.3M for KLJB. _____________________________________________ Okay here's the paperwork of the applications to consent to assign the licenses (Form 314) of the stations owned by Citadel Communications (WHBF, KCAU and WOI) to Nexstar Broadcasting Group. The deals were made on September 16, which also on that date, Nexstar immediately took over operations through time brokerage agreements. The paperwork was posted on September 27th. Each station had separate asset purchase agreements. WOI was the only one that was a "stock purchase agreement", while WHBF & KCAU's were APAs. WHBF's APA stated that the "initial closing" price is $24.5M, and the "second closing" price is $4.2M, totalling $28.7M. KCAU's APA state that their "initial closing" price is $20.5M, and the "second closing" price is $3.3M, totalling $23.8M. And WOI's SPA states that their purchase price was $35.5M (no second closing price). So to add everything up (WOI's $35.5M, WHBF's $28.7M & KCAU's $23.8M) brings the total purchase price for all three stations to $88M. _____________________________________________ Finally here's the paperwork of the assignment of license application of the stations (WICZ & WBPN-LD) from Stainless Broadcasting to Mission Broadcasting Inc. The paperwork was made on September 13, the deal was announced three days later (same day as the Citadel deal), and the paperwork was posted on October 1st. Nexstar will provide shared services, sale of commercial time, option agreement and of course, will guarantee Mission's debt. On their APA, the purchase price is $15.25M. _____________________________________________ So that's the paperwork. But to me this its like and end of an era for sorts. Brady leaves Binghamton, the Citadel heads are slowing their roles, and the "Grant" name goes away for good. All this time, Brady had held on to WICZ and now he's finally selling one of his longest stations to Nexstar. But it's probably best for him, since he's now concentrated more on his west coast properties in Spokane, Yakima and Medford. But he will pretty soon own WSYT and operate WNYS in Syracuse. So its not like he's leaving the upstate anytime soon. So from Binghamton to Syracuse, and that's probably an upside. He's also awaiting on the FCC decision on his failed station waiver, so he can run both KYMA & KSWT, which I think that will get the greenlight. Even though Brady isn't one of those massive media companies that made the news in this M&A Media Wave of 2013, he has made some stunning news by buying things by the pieces with the Syracuse and the Yuma properties. I just hope he makes the much needed investments in the Yuma and Syracuse properties. As for the heads of Citadel, I'd said this before. Even though they've announced that they're going to slow down, I think it's just a matter of time before they'll end up hanging it up for good. Promised that they have some unfinished business, I have a good feeling, and I'm happy that I'm not the only one, that Citadel might pursue to acquire the NTV properties from Pappas. I think both KLKN & NTV would benefit. I'm pondering how are they're going to do this. Would they file a fail station waiver to acquire NTV or try to form a new satellite waiver and have the NTV relay KLKN's programming. Whatever they do, I would hope they would finally link ABC through the entire market like they said. They might as well try to form a shell to acquire KFXL as well or keep the same licensee who's holding KFXL. And after all of that, Citadel would probably sell the remaining stations. Sad to say this but since they have Omaha, Sinclair would probably want the that Lincoln cluster due west to match their Omaha footprint. I'm not too sure about WLNE. And while I really want Hearst to buy it, they probably may not even bother with. So you know what, why not put a "Shield" on it, and call it a day. It will forever be the ratings dump, while WPRI & WJAR continue with their ratings glory. Sinclair would've want WLNE if would've kept WLWC, of course they would've had to use a shell. But other than Portland, ME (and sometime in Springfield, MA), they're very stagnant in the New England region. WLWN-LD could be prone to speculator-bate. All these wireless firms want to buy useless stations so they can cash-in for the auctions. Pappas probably got some stations that could easily be speculator bate (WLGA & WIWN). So in other words, Citadel would probably be around for a little bit longer, but eventually the curtain will close at some point. And after that, we don't have to worry about which Citadel it is because both would already had been gone. :lol: As for Grant, I was too little to remember when Grant owned WGBO Super 66, but the Grant style logos will always be lodged in my memory, since the station used that logo all the way to 1994 when Univision bought the station, and finally made the station profitable. You would never thought a station that Grant own would have all these problems, then filing for chapter 11, then going to receivership, then sell the station to the creditors and the creditors would hold on to the station for four years, then sell it to a spanish network, and eventually make WGBO one of the leading spanish stations in the country. What would've happened if Univision didn't buy WGBO, would the station go bust and close shop before the year 2000? But Grant didn't want to make that mistake twice and went to another station venture and bought the current line of stations. Milton Grant passed on in 2007, but I will always remember him for those logos. Who could ever forget logos like this: May Milton Grant rest in peace. You might not hear his name ever again in TV ownership, but his history and his "logos" will live on in his memory. _______________________________________ And finally, I never in the over two years span, one group that have done their homework through all of these deals more than Nexstar. While Tribune, Gannett & Media General made their blockbuster news acquiring another big group, and Sinclair is just buying anything and everything but the kitchen sink in the last 26 months, I don't think a group have made better news than Nexstar. After buying a chunk of Newport stations, and finally divested a former NBC affiliate in Beaumont, then this year, buying KSEE, and turned a 180 buiding two news sets for both KSEE & KGPE, PLUS, moving its Memphis WPTY to a former phone call-in center and move a news set from Little Rock to Memphis. I would never thought that Nexstar would turn from a group of uncertainty, even contemplating a possible sale, to making it almost one of the best groups out there today. They've done heavy capital in Fresno & Memphis, and I don't think it would stop there after these proposed sales be finalized. Also, usually the underdog stations stay underdogs because of lack of investment and improvement. I don't think that Nexstar's intent but they tend to buy these underdog stations, and then breath some life into these stations buy doing these investments. WPTY & WLMT are underdogs. KSEE & KGPE are also underdogs. Hell both 24 & 47 are nothing like 30, but they do make good into their investments. And hopefully overtime, there will be proper results after these improvements. I see nothing but the best for Nexstar. I will tell anyone that I'm Gari-bias. But Nexstar has worked their magic with the uses of all these Arnold themes. Remember 7 years ago when Arnold was dropped. I don't that was a lasting memory. I'm worried that Arnold could topple Gari as #1 music provider (I hope that don't happen). But anyway, the cosmetic and the presentation wise, make Nexstar a serious player in the business. We could say a few years ago, they were literally a joke. I mean rediculous. But since they're strategic M&A decisions and the proper investments, Nexstar have become one of best out there now. I have nothing but the highest praise, and I'm hoping they'll continue with their success in 2014. They're good now. They're all good. Can't say that about the "Heathens of Hunt Valley".

Well, we don't really have a New M&A Tonight!!! It's basically the change of the "shell" gaurd in Hawaii. KFVE 9 (formerly KGMB) will be transfered from HITV Operating Company to (y'all ready) Southeastern Media Holdings!! Thomas Henson is the owner of Southeastern Media Holdings. Of course he also the owner of American Spirit Media. I have strong assumption that once this deal gets done, he'll probably do a pro forma app and re-assign it via American Spirit, to join the other assigned stations.

I don't think that response was directed at you. However, I do take your suggestion. Whether I follow that or not, it's my choice. But I do take your suggestion. But like I stated, what I stated above, I've meant every word that I said, even if you think it does sounds repetitive and/or rediculous, and I make no apologies. It is what it is. __________________________________________________ Going back on topic at hand which was the WLS's storm coverage, I did see the WCL-pre-empted 11am newscast today. Linda & Hosea anchoring with Tracy & Mike tag-teaming. The Governor had a long press conference that went past a couple of minutes past 12pm. Last night's 10pm news ended at 11:23pm last night, as what I expected. Nice to see Alan at the Big Board last night too, going over viewer photos after that deadly storm.

When you look at the application, you read the Asset Purchase Agreement in those apps, and its on the section, Purchase Price. Now some of the time when new M&As is announced, they won't state the purchase price immediately, until that full paperwork is posted. Now I didn't see that KOTA paperwork last night, (usually new apps are shown minutes after Midnight ET M-F). So I just happened to see it a couple of hours ago. It's rare they post new apps at midday, instead of everything that night. It doesn't always happen that way.

Here's KOTA's Assignment Of License app to Schurz through it's existing subsidiary New Rushmore Radio, Inc., the same licensee as its radio properties. Schurz is paying the Duhamels $10M.

I never said my opinion was fact or made it as fact. I never said that. And I never said that it was my only opinion. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Like I said, I don't judge anyone. But since you said what you said, that's how you feel about it, that's your opinion, and your opinion only. Oh well. It is what it is. And what I said, it is what it is. You call it as you see it, and I call it as I see it. I call a spade a spade. No matter how you splice it or if its been twisted around, a spade is a spade. So YOU take THAT for what it's worth, and you can send that straight to the cleaners. Some folks just don't get it. "....the fact is, that it was best for the station to update the music." You don't know what's best for the station. What kind of shit is that? How dare you to say that shit to me. But that's your opinion. But where's the fact that support what you said? There's is none! WHY??? Because that's his opinion!!!! Opinion is not FACT!!! How dare you say that shit to me?! And you obviously don't know what's best for the station. I can't believe this shit!!! :angry: ______________________________________________________ And what you just said just now, I don't protest that. WLS has to be more competitive because the other channels being more competitive. I'm saying that the theme song should not have changed. That is it. I honor your point and I don't protest. That's anything in life, not just the media business. WLS ratings have skipped a bit, but they still on top. There was no reason to eliminate history. I mention WPVI to drive my point. Yes WPVI & WLS are two different stations, with different contents. I'm not going to protest that. And yes, no station will be on top forever. Otherwise, Channel 2 in Chicago would've stayed #1 to this day. So I agree with you with that terminology you pointed out. Even though my philosophy haven't and will never changed, see look, there's something we can agree on. Thank the Lord for that. _________________________________________________________ All the meteorologist except for Tracy. Wow! And they just got finished with the Bears game not too long ago, and it ended in OT. The coverage ended a bit after 7:20pm. I hope they do an extention of the 10pm news past 11pm tonight. Talk about Wall-To-Wall coverage from 11am this morning. And this is the second time this year that they've went this many hours of weather coverage. Back in April, they pre-empted the entire morning schedule, because of all that heavy rain and flooding. They were on from 4:30am till the end of the 11am show. And those people that complain about interrupting a TV show that can easily be repeated, need to be shut their asses up. That was a deadly tornado, and they complain about some show that can easily be repeated, or can be rewatched via online streams. Back in May, we'd talked about folks complaining about severe weather alerts that interrupt their "precious" programming, while that vital information like a severe weather alert can save their lives. They obviously don't care about their own livelihoods. I don't like that one bit. Things can get repeated. A show can get repeated. You can't repeat a life. Tell that to the families of the five people who lost their lives today in this tornado.

I never said anyone's opinion was wrong. I don't have to judge anyone, and I don't have to be the only viewer. And you don't know what's best for the station. And where are your facts that states that? HUH!! You don't know what's best for the station. You can't tell me what's best for the station. How dare you say that shit to me? You're just as clueless as Miles and Dumbo. Outsiders who don't know shit. And that's just sad. You don't make any sense. Where are your goons with the info and studies that proved your point? You can't prove fact, without it being proven. Now where it is? Huh!! Yoo-Hoo!! You will never prove that to me. How dare you say that!!! :angry: _____________________________________________ Anyway. Special Report continues and now Stacey & Ben has been relieved by Karen & Ravi on the 3pm hour. And Jerry showed up about 15 minutes ago. Jerry & Mike is now tag-teaming.

As of 1:42pm, the special report is still rolling. Stacey & Ben is still there THIS LATE! (they were on at 5am this morning), and Troy & Phil is still tag-teaming. Phil standing at the big plasma at the Weather Center, while Troy is standing at the Chroma key. I know Ravi & Karen should be showing up before long. The Bears game started on time, then it stop at 4:51 left in the first quarter. Still on a rain delay now. As of 2pm, looks like Troy left and Mike Caplan showed up.

If It Ain't Broke...... ___________________________ I'm watching 7 now (as of 11:35am/CST), and they're having a Special Weather Report. Both Phil & Troy are tag-teaming. And on top of that, there's a Bears game at Soldier Field too. I wouldn't be shocked if they delay a game for at least an hour, before the rain is out. It looks like they're going to be on for a while.

Why would Rick Williams would be on the weekends, and he's like the top contender for Jim Gardner's spot once he leaves?

Wait, when was that? I don't think I remember a time when they said that.

Well, you kinda asked me not to. But I'll make a post anyway. I'm not mad at you. And please don't regret it, because I probably think you need to let that out. And I commend you for it. And you're right. I don't have to repeat my stance again because I've said what I had to say, and I meant every word. So I'm going to take that for what it's worth. And I commend your statement. __________________________________ But, Yes. We can agree to disagree on that. And I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I honor everyone's different views and such. But that part that you said, that I would make a post instantaneously, like my opinions count and the others don't, and that's never the intent. But when it comes to someone saying "Get Over It, Let's Move On" and blah, blah, blah, that's almost like a defense of what my main thing I was talking about all along. Folks are going to take offense for what I said, and that's all fine and dandy. But when someone tells me to "Get Over It, Move On", I got to suck it up and be mute about it and not say a word, Hell No. If that response was directly at me, and if it feels it needs to be replied, EVEN IF it didn't need for a reply in the first place, If I feel that it needs to be, and if I feel strong about it, as well, then It IS what It IS. I'm going to say something about it. I'm not going to be mute and not say anything. I know you were trying to make a point, and of course defend that Dumbo, but I actually did find the "bastard" part somewhat amusing, So I take no offense to that. But my stance on them have not changed, and as long as those assholes are where they at right now, it will not ever change. They are what they are, as I call it as I see it. I call a spade a spade. And I don't make any apologies for what I call them. They deserve to be called what they need to be called. If I see things that I don't like, I going to call it as it is. And I'm not going to be mute about it. And for folks that said that I need that psycho-whatever it is. It's going in one ear and come out the other. If it happen in Philly, I think the millions would probably need that. And you're right, I'm not going to let it go. My stance on the music is not going to change because that's is what I believe in. You're absolutely 100% right and exact. And I'm not going to stop preaching about that. But like I said, I said what I said that's that. And that's that.

You can say everything needs an update. But you don't realize there a process in all of this, and these fools obviously didn't do their homework. You just can't yank tradition out the window. And you can't just put any update because you want to see an update on there. There's a process. But since they did so, it is what it is. You're right, it's not going to change shit. Those bastards aren't going to bring back the old cues. Like I said, they're going to do what they're going to do, whether I like it, or you like it, or anybody likes it or not. It's not going to stop me for stating how I'm pissed about Dumbo Idler and Clueless Miles for what they've done. If they've done their homework, it wouldn't have been like this. I mention about the jingles from ads of other firms, just as the same of the station's sonic brand only because the viewers are familiar with the same, and for some form or fashion certain themes have been slightly been tweak, but the main body of the element stays the same. But you obviously don't understand either. One more time, My philosophy haven't change. And I'm not going to backtrack what I said about Dumbo Idler and Clueless Miles. Don't fix shit that ain't broken. Change ain't always good. In this case, this was the worst move they've ever done. If certain homework would've been done, the comprehensive planning, and all the works, we would not be hearing just these couple of themes. And you're right. I'm going to let mine known. You're absolutely right. Because some don't understand how some folks love to mess with historical overtones and the longtime traditions and legacies of a station's music, or any station that has a longtime theme song. And the effects when a longtime theme song gets altered for some new shit. These bastards wanted to do it from the get go, that's why they got rid of Hebel, and hire his sidekick from WTVD to come here and do the unthinkable. If Rebecca Campbell never appointed that bastard to replace Ms. Barr, we probably wouldn't even be talking about this today. But she's a dumbass for appointing him. She really is. I think Anne Sweeney is a dumbass too for appointing Campbell. I guess both Sweeney & Campbell are both dumbasses. But some of y'all don't care about musical historical overtones and traditional legacies. Y'all just care for the longtime news theme to end so we can hear this New Generation piece of shit all the other ABC affiliates are using. All what Dumbo Idler and his sidekick wanted to do is to put something new. And what they did was bring several of these cues that are very inconsistent with each other. It's like when WEWS used Eyewitness News after the HD launch. They'd used a combonation of versions, from Series 1 to NG 2. Those fools don't understand what they're on when they get rid of a longtime news theme. In fact, I don't think they cared in the first place. You get rid of Hebel within weeks after showing up, and bring your sidekick in and do these sweeping changes, and it made me think that it was the plan all along. Many of y'all are use to theme song changes left and right on other stations, but when it comes to stations that have used theme songs for a long period of time, you can't just make those sweeping and robust changes like that, without knowing the effects of those changes. But with folks like Idler & Miles, they care less. If they planned well, we would've seen a different result. But I still think that the music shouldn't been altered. I don't care how some of y'all say its old as hell and dated as an old block of cheese. The theme would've lasted another 21 years. They could've tweak the graphics so the 1992 music would've been incorporated. There was no excuse. No reason. None. And as for you trying to say how I feel, you can't make assumptions of how I feel. Because I can't assume how you feel. And you can't tell me to "Move On" either, damnit. As I said earlier, "In Time, things will fly. In Due Time". But you know what, that's your opinion, and we can agree to disagree. But I stand by my philosophy. And I'm surely ain't going to change that. Take it for what it's worth.

Well? Those are my replies. I don't care how big they are. I don't care how repetitive they are or if its gets re-arranged a million different ways. I don't think we have any sort of limit. And I think a good balance of my last post isn’t that repetitive. But since you said it is, or its been "reworded 30 different ways", I’ll treat is as that is just your opinion. At least I'm saying something. It's my replies. And if someone replies to me, I'm going to reply back, because we're talking about the same topic. Also, it's better to place many of the comments in one post, instead of making several different posts, just to get the user's post count up. And I do that for that REASON!!!! If WABC drops its 1999 EWN Series 3 theme, I would be just as pissed, as these fools Dumbo and his Sidekick that eliminated the 1992 theme. And if you think I’m “blowing this out of proportion” like you stated after I made my equally lengthy post after Sylvia’s departure, so be it, even though I know damn well that I’m not. It is what it is! And let’s not forget, you didn’t complain about the length of my post back then, why complain now? Other than the possible repetitiveness of it (or what you have called it), your question doesn’t make any damn sense. So again, It’s my reply. It is what it is! My Replies! So take THAT for what it's worth and you can send THAT to the cleaners. _____________________________________________________ But let's get back to the topic at hand. I'm thinking that I'm the only one that thinks that WLS should've stayed with the cues that they’ve been using. These new cues are just there because the new heads only reason to put things new to the station as they said they wanted to “refreshen up” the station. But this one spoke many volumes. OMG, at least somebody is getting the main root of what I've been saying all along. Wait, pardon my repetitiveness, but what did he say? People are comfortable with things that they’re familiar with. FAMILIARITY!!! Chicago is use to familiarity, more ways than one. And when you lose that, you got problems. Many folks are use to the things they’re already accustomed to. And they’re not use to seeing things that they’re already accustomed to, being altered like that. Look at the Empire Carpet ads, the Moo N Oink ads, and the countless other products with jingles and ads, either for TV, Radio and other business. They know their jingles have worked. Why? Because they are familiar and its in the consciousness of the viewer in Chicago. If those dumbos really done their homework, they wouldn’t even be using these cues they’re using now. Hell we wouldn’t even be hearing just these two/three themes of the NS2000+ NG. Since we have several inconsistencies of these cues, morning and evening, and I do agree that the close is just too difficult to watch, they could at least bring back the 1992 theme as a closing theme. But thanks to these imbeciles, that won’t even happen on their watch. It’s so sad that these imbeciles Dumbo and his Sidekick are tinkering, tweaking, fiddling, meddling with the historical overtones, and the traditions and legacies of the station. I wished Hebel had someone else along his side to teach about the stations musical historical overtones, so in case he would’ve retired, someone else would understand it right to the tee, and not have this catastrophic disaster we have today with Clueless Curtis and the Dumbo. I had a good feeling if Tom Hebel would’ve stayed, it might’ve been a possibility that they might come up with something that might not be similar to this disaster they got now. And since they got rid of a longtime CSD, they have to fend for themselves. I mean, I liked your suggestion of a WABC Series 3 version with NS2000+ logo And I’ll throw a suggestion out there and maybe use the same instrumentation style similar to Enforcer’s NG2, and make a package with NS2000+ They could take the same 1992 theme, and almost identical to the “T”, take that same cue and make it as brassier or upbeat similar to like the Enforcer NG2 and/or that WABC theme. But yeah, if the proper homework would’ve been done, then maybe, just maybe, things could’ve been different and the music product could possibly have a better result. It wouldn’t be blandish like this piece of shit. And we might not even have multiple musical logos as a sonic brand for one station. Most viewers are familiar with one sonic brand. And most are accustomed to the way that sonic brand is being used. If it is used in a way that it sounds very off to the viewer, they will say something about it. But with these new cues, everything was rushed. And even with all these suggestions, I’m still going to say, that none of the cues should’ve left period. And I stand by that. Those were traditional, historical and familiar to the viewer in its own right. But yes, Familiarity is key. Without it, you’ll be in big trouble.

One more thing, and I didn't think about this either. When I stated about Tribune could use the Dreamcatcher card to get WHDF, I wouldn't be shocked if they might eye WCWG from Lockwood as well. At first, I thought Tribune proper could get WCWG by itself, but Greensboro is one of the markets have 9 full-powers (8 commercial, 1 non-com) and it still need eight-commonly owned voices. Let's not forget they're the largest group of CW affiliiates. And they would love to add This TV on WCWG, since its one of the markets where they don't have a This TV affiliate (WXII was the market's last This TV affiliate, until it switched to Me-TV). That's some homework the Trib can work out in the not-too-distant future. My only problem with KTEN is that I think Nexstar isn't too keen to all those subchannels. But it's basically a two station market. But I think Nexstar would probably make an exception. It could be really crazy and Gray try to jam that Excalibur card and monopolize that whole market. I doubt that would happen. As for Rockfleet, and knowing all those stations are underdogs, it would really fit Nexstar's footings grately. The WVII/WFVX can have their programming hubbed in Rochester. And all stations involved use an Arnold theme, so that's already a plus. But Nexstar can breathed some life into those stations. I'm just hope they don't drop the Circle 7 logo at WVII. ___________________________________________ We have two new FCC approvals tonight, on this week ending Friday Night. TVNewsCheck posted earlier tonight that the FCC has greenlighted the sale of WIYC in Troy, Alabama to Neal Ardman. Ardman bought WIYC from Josie Park Broadcasting for $650K. Also, the FCC also greenlighted the sale of KTLM in Rio Grande City, TX to NBC. NBC is buying this Telemundo affiliate from Larry Patrick's Sunbelt Multimedia for $8.5M. ___________________________________________ And Finally, I know I'm not suppose to post this on this thread, but since it's been talked about many times, I think it's worth a mention. There's been talk that The Simpsons repeats would be aired in cable syndication. Tonight, the Daily Variety stated that Fox announced that their cable network, FXX will carry the repeats. The terms of the deal is around $750M. Along with the 730+ episodes being shown on the cable channel, segments of the program will also be stream through Video-on-demand websites and its soon-to-be released FXNow mobile app. B&C states that the repeats will begin airing in August of next year.

So Gray is starting to use this new Excalibur card extensively. The state of Wisconsin could be Gray's next target to use the Excalibur card. I wouldn't be shocked if they try to knock on Nexstar's door an try to buy WLAX/WEUX from them, should Nexstar is unable to try a duo partner, like if Murphy don't want to sell WKBT. I wouldn't even be shock if they use the Excalibur card to acquire WFXS (Wausau) and WBUW (Madison). It would be extremely gutsy if they use the Excalibur card in Bowling Green, where Max may be ready to unload WNKY. I don't think Gray want to take that gutsy chance. Let's not forget that Lockwood bought three stations within this past year, including making a duopoly in Knoxville (WBXX & WKNX), WCWG in Greensboro, and WSKY in Manteo, which that should be closed any day now. If Lockwood wants to unload, I don't think they just want to unload WBXX without unloading WKNX as well. Huntsville's WHDF could also be either Dreamcatcher or Mission/Rocky Creek's meal ticket. That's if Nexstar is probably eyeing on the Calkins' WAAY, and might want to throw some rocks and call it dibs for WHDF. Tribune could also use the Dreamcatcher card to get WHDF, and place their 9pm news on their. But back to Knoxville. Why can't Gray aim a bit higher? Merge with Raycom and terminate the news agreement with WBIR, and let WVLT produce the news on WTNZ. In markets where Gray and Raycom is at, it make a boatload of sense. But so far Raycom have been very silent in this phase of the M&A craze.

Oh NO!!! Don't say Indie-Band AHHLLLL!! SMH! :puke: But this is what these music makers are doing these days, they make music not like the music of the yesteryear. Case in point as you mentioned, Indie-Band News Theme. It would be the trendsetter of Arnold's other themes Locals Only, This Is The Place, 615's Moving Forward and In The Groove's line of music themes like Pride and Strive. All these themes have one thing in common, and it has the rock element. All it does is to bring a younger demo to the fold, but like when they do that, it almost eliminate the core demographic. I'm suppose to be in that younger demo that wouldn't mind this kind of music, but for an establishment like WLS, many viewers or LFATs (loyal friend and trues) would probably would revolt from this. It would probably be worst than a PVI-effect. What's really worst is the CSDs are not so into putting their own input into the music these days. Any new music composed by the firms are made and the stations are getting them immediately after composition, with absolutely no input. But that's the way it is these days at the stations. They want something to sound like a rock concert or something. I still think that was Idler's plan all along. If Hebel stayed, he probably wouldn't have touched any of those cues and those older cues would've stayed. Miles probably would've went with that ABC O&O theme fully, Hell he could've done even worst than that. Since he started using a customized "It's All About Early" crap earlier this year, it would've been even disasterous using an Arnold theme on WLS. That would've been crazy. WLS had every opportunity to use the new cues. They could've changed it in Summer of '98, or in April of 2001 (only the AM theme was changed), or in June of 2005 (Hothaus GFX), or April of '06 (New Set downstairs), or in January '07 (HD launch), or later that year when they first contemplating a possible musical update, which those were later rejected as well, or even in 2009, before they replace that afternoon bumper and use the evening bumper for the 4 & 5pm shows after stated using automation. They had all these opportunities to do so, but they didn't. Even when Gari did updates for them on numerous occasions, they'd rejected them every time. At that time, I use to have WABC & KABC on satellite, and I heard the themes there, I did question myself why the other stations is using the WLS NS2K melody, and WLS not using EWN and vice-versa. Then ctmajka wrote that letter to Hebel, stating his reasonings why he didn't wanted to use the themes that were used by the other O&Os, I was sold by what he explained, and I felt everything felt in place. Some of y'all would say that about 12 years too long, but I call that an eternal bliss. The new , it sounded like they composed it just days before they started using it. It's like they didn't have much of the time to even think about it. With the other cues being composed already, like their new morning theme and the NG2 bumper they used for the evenings. What happened on October 26, would probably never happen again, where a station would use the same EXACT theme song, all of those 21 years from start to finish. And to me that is sad. And you know what's even worst, all these new themes that's being made by Chris Gari, 615 & Arnold/360, many of these themes would sound even more dated in a few years. Just as the same as the '92 News Series 2000 Plus theme, and '99 WABC EWN theme, the '95 KABC EWN Theme & Bumper would've lasted even past their HD launch in 2006, hell they continue to use the series 1 cue for their Breaking News stinger, after now using NG4. And I'm still thinking WCSH will surprise me if they still use that Good News storm center cue this winter, while using the new This Is Home theme. To me, the old shit will ALWAYS be better than the new shit, anyday. It's just sad that this news music today have to sound like either some cheap sounding element or some rock concert element. But we got to get use to this shit nowadays. And as long as the younger demographic loves it, they will continue to make this filth. And I'm Gari-bias. I wouldn't mind hearing any new Gari theme in any station in any town. But hearing the News Series 2000 Plus NG on WLS, it doesn't make me change the way I feel about it. It's even sad of how it came to fruition. For an institution like WLS, they need something better than these cookie-cutter over-rushed NG cuts. But I don't think anything would've been better than the original cues. But that's your stance of the cues, but my stance of the cues are far different from yours. To me, its a waste of effort. I'm not saying throw the cues in the garbage dump. But if another station use the cues, then I wouldn't be so mad. WABC had use the rejected WLS cues for their IDs these last four years, since Gari have been marketing them. As for what I said about Idler and Miles, Well, I said what I said, and my stance haven't changed on that either. Let's not forget where they came from. Miles was the CSD of WTVD Channel 11 in Durham, North Carolina. Dumbo Idler was the President and GM at WTVD. I dunno which other word I can use other than "sidekick". He didn't bring other folks from WTVD to WLS, but I hate the fact he had to get rid of a longtime CSD to bring Miles in. He didn't fire any other prominent directors. The first weeks he step foot WLS, he got rid of Tom Hebel. In a nature of any business, whether its media, or any field of establishments, any new head comes in, they will try to bring people they're familiar with. Maybe he thought that Hebel probably wouldn't have dance to the Dumbo's music. Now I'm not sure if he was forced to resign or not, but he resigned. Hebel is now at Tampa's WFLA now. WFLA is nothing like WLS. He should've never left WLS. As for calling Idler a "bastard" and "dumbo", Well? I said, I call a spade a spade. And I make no apologies. He comes and waltz into an establishment, a rich establishment like WLS and do all these subtle changes, getting rid of 190 North, firing Sylvia, firing Hebel, stripping the RKO C&C prints (the last station ever to use them), and doing the ultimatum in eliminating the longest theme song in the station's history, and I suppose to be happy about that shit? I'm boiling pissed about the latter three. It's sad. It's sad that it now gone. But I can't be mad more than the ones who made these changes. I don't care if the song was even more dated than 21 years, or I don't care if any of you say "Nostalgia only gets so far....." or "It so old, its rusted and crusted". They meddled with traditional and historical overtones that day. And they didn't give a damn. It could've altered the graphics in a way they would've incorporated the 1992 theme there. There was no excuse not to use the old theme. It's like they did these change only for the sake of it. And that tears me apart. Those fools only wanted to see the theme song change because the predecessors never did so. And I honor them predecessors deeply. Idler & Miles. The Dumbo and his Sidekick. And I thought Ahern was this bad. Someone said on this board, one person use to say, and I'm paraphrasing, something under the lines of "Use the music, till the tape breaks", or something along those lines. You sound a lot like someone I know... "Buy the music... Buy it just like you buy your cameras and like you buy your transmitters. When you buy it, you own it and you use it until it is no good and you can throw it away." — Buddy Bostick, president-owner, KWTX (in Broadcasting magazine, 1985) (This is why KWTX beat Tuesday13 into the 90s and rode The News Image for seven years.) Well, in today's time, there's no longer tapes/reels. WLS could've continued using the old theme longer than 21 years. Hell, 25 would've been a better number. Sad that it won't happen. Someday MCTYW might see better days, I hope not in the near future or far into the future. But until then MCTYW is still around in Philly!!! Chroma Cues is still around in Baltimore!!! At least someone understands my philosophy. You missed WSOC with Bold Branding and maybe a couple of others. But you absolutely get what I'm saying. And finally, for the folks that continue to tell me to "Get Over it" and "Let's Move On". I will say this again. It's not going to change my philosophy or how I feel about what Dumbo Idler and & his sidekick Miles done for eliminating the station's longtime news theme. As long as John Idler & Curtis Miles are still at WLS-TV, I will never forgive them for eliminating the 21 year-News Series 2000 Plus theme, and stripping those RKO C&C prints. They're never good in my book. Never! Alrighty. I'm Done. Take it for what its worth.

Wait, what? Psycho-what? Are you saying that I need a psychiatrist/psychologist of something? I don't think I need any of that. Even though new folks went in and got rid of an iconic theme tune and went with the New Generation route, the previous management rejected, and I'm saddened and pissed about it, and I even said, I still watch the station, it doesn't mean I'm going to completely lose my mind. I keep on mentioning Philly. What would've happen if PVI did it again, I wouldn't be the only one that would feel the same way. To me, the sentiment is massive. At some point I feel that same way, LOL. But I think he was a bit concern, that's probably why he'd ask that. I don't think it meant that much of a harm. But like I said, Yeah I'm pissed that it happened, but it's not warrant to not watch the station. I still love the station and such. My point is just that there's a strong staple when a news theme goes a long time, and this would be any station like WSYR, or KTVU or WCSH or KARE 11. And I was stating how I felt about it. But that doesn't mean why I'm going to stop watch the station. The new folks are going to do what they're going to do, whether I like it or not. I'm not happy that it happen, but I'm not going to lose any sleep about it. I'm not in an emotional wreck. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and that's was basically it. I said what I said, and that's that. My philosophy hasn't change, and I'm not going to change that. I would feel the same way if WPVI drops MCTYW or WJZ throws Chroma Cues in the garbage dump. And to the folks that say, "Get Over It" and shit, I have a feeling that's mostly defending with those imbecile bastards have done and what I said doesn't have any merit. "Oh you have Deeeeallll with iiiiit!!!! Oh, you have to Move On!. Get Over It!, Deal with It!!!!!!!, Right NOW!! Suck It Up!!!" SMMFH! And some might think that it may sound like an attack, but like I said, my philosophy is not going to change. And I think I have a choice to deal or not to deal, and to get over or not to get over. I have that choice, so deal with that!!!! But, In time, things will fly. In due time. But until then... It is what it is. I'm fine. I've been preaching this for a really long time. It has happened to some stations in the past. But when it hit close to home. I understand your reasoning. I was never worried about the set, graphics, content & delivery style. I'd said before that I didn't like News Series 2000 Plus when it first came out, but time went on and I grew up to embraced, and longevity rolled, and it became more than a tradition. So my philosophy is, if a station has used the theme for a long time, they should not alter it. Other stations would get updates overtime. With the exception of the 2001 morning theme, this station never used any major updates in that 21-year span. I grew to love that more than anything else. These new cues? The morning theme, I've heard many times on WABC & KABC in the early 2000s, and that's a downgrade from their customized morning theme they'd used for 12 & 1/2 years. The evening cues, too much of a downgrade. It was like it was excruciating rushed. Almost like Propulsion v.1 was rushed in 2006. And I hear more NG themes from that ABC O&O theme, which made me think that Curtis Miles original plan would've been to use the ABC O&O pack, and not use an update from NS2000+. And if I remember correctly, that cue, which of course came from that morning theme from the NG of Advantage, I believe that theme has its own closing theme. Now I'm not sure if Gari did a closing theme a the same theme for WLS, but hearing that new close is just, it's nothing there. There's no effort into the cues. Going back to what I said, all the cues just cheapens the station. Whereever happen to getting music that will last? No station CSD want to be in part of the music planning experience. None of these cues would last a year. I never like station's changing its theme song for a short period of time, but they do that though. So I don't care for them. I only care for is the ones that are very gutsy to use the same music for a long period of time. There's still WPVI & WJZ, and maybe a couple of others. And a few others. And then when you change the theme once, you'll have to change it again and again and again. It's like you come from music that have history, to music having no historical merit. That's what I really get mad about. I almost forgot to mention, WAVY 10 got rid of the original Newswire theme for an update version of it. I can't help but remember when WMAQ used it back in 92. So that alone is like an end of an era for that as well. Including that Newswire close. New versions of the themes aren't as close as the older themes are. And one more thing, when I said "I don't I'll ever get use to this..", that doesn't mean I'm not going to get use to this. It means a couple of things. One, I don't want to get use to something I don't like hearing, and two, I'm not going grow and embraced these new cues, like the older cues. If I was really a traditionalist, My morning theme of choice would've been the 1989 NS2000 cue. For the evening, it would either be the NS2000+ themes and/or that 1992 NS2000 update cue WLS used before moving to the Plus in the fall. I don't care about the other stations because all they're going to do is change just for the sake of change. Just like the late Merv Griffin use to say, "If It Ain't Broke, Fix It Anyway. Change Is Good". I never like that, because some things need to be left alone. And if they music have strong merit, I don't think it needed to change. . So In due time, things will fly, in due time. And I'm going to be fine. I thank you for your concern. ________________________________________________ I didn't see this last night. But I think he was doing a report on which building is the tallest building in North America. Of course the end result was the new One World Trade Center over the Sears Tower (That's what I said). I'm waiting for someone to say "Oh it's not the Sears Tower, it's the Willis Tower, so Deal with it!!". If those giant antennas would've been their when the building was completed and not years later, we probably would've counted. But they'd counted 1WTC's spire on top. But you're right it was a very bizarre live shot Ben did. And even greater that this is sweeps month. I don't think it was intended to be a sweeps stunt.