CircleSeven

Isn't Olga is filling in for Amber Lee since she's on maternity leave?

The long-awaited channel switch in the Mid-South is one step closer to reality. On Monday, the FCC granted WMC's petition to change its signal from VHF 5 to UHF 30. It's been a long time coming. Since the digital transition in 2009, they've been trying to get off that VHF hellhole. They even tried to move to UHF 17 back in 2011, only to be told after the auction & repack that they're dismissing that petition. It wasn't until after the freeze was lifted two years ago when WMC tried again and filed this petition. And even that was a long process. I think the reasoning for the lengthy process was FCC probably had concerns for the viewers in those far fringe areas potentially losing WMC after its move to UHF. So Gray had to come up with a remedy by launching three small translators serving some of those lost coverage areas (contours). WANF-LD Dyersburg (serving the northern fringe) WDDY-LD Jackson (serving the eastern fringe) W20DW-D Clarksdale, MS (serving the southern fringe) So what's next? The station has to file a minor change app to get the construction permit. The R&O actually says once the order gets posted in the Federal Register, they'll have 10 days (not the usual 30 days) to file the app. I should also point out that Gray also has the permit to light up that new LP WTME-LD (formerly WYMP-LD) on the same tower as WMC's new UHF signal. So once the construction process is completed, Gray will be launching TWO new signals in Shelby County. That LP will likely be used to launch Telemundo (the webpage is already up, even though the station hasn't launched yet). But I'll tell you this right now. This should've happened before 2011. WMC should've filed at the same time Nashville's WTVF filed to move off of that same allotment. Hadn't it done so back then, we wouldn't be talking about this today. But better late than never.

New petitions. Sinclair filed three of them in the West. KCBY (11 > 34) - Coos Bay, OR KCFW (9 > 17) - Kalispell, MT KENV (10 > 20) - Elko, NV EDIT: Big News in the Mid-South. After more than 25 months since its filing, and basically nearly 12 years since this process began, the FCC have gave the greenlight (R&O) to WMC's move to UHF. WMC (5 > 30) I talked about this in detail in the Gray thread. There's one more R&O today. WWDP (10 > 36)

Mission & White Knight stations are blacked out by Dish Network.

It's only the first day. You're going to see old logos here and there. Just like when the graphics launched this morning, we did not see the time/temp ticker on the bottom of the screen. Let them take the time to change the logos.

Probably doesn't mean much. Both "kcal9.com" and "kcalnews.com" redirects to "cbsnews.com/losangeles".

Small follow-up. Forum has filed to change the callsign from KWSD to KSFL-TV. The change will be in effect on February 1.

I know CBS dealt with delays and such, given the magnitude of these changes, I wished they would've had longer window (at least three weeks) to promote these changes on the air, instead of three days before implementation. They could've aired some "coming soon" promos the week before Christmas.

So updates regarding Gray's three petitions...... So just a year after filing, the two Texas PRMs have now advanced to NPRM. However........ Just sixteen months after this filing, Gray has withdrawn its Presque Isle petition. So WAGM will stay on VHF 8.

That's IndyCar racing not NASCAR. In any event, glad Nexstar is at least going outside the box.........

Update: This Yuma petition has been advanced to NPRM.

Ever since this news came out last week, I've thought about whether Forum would acquire KDLT's former building for its future news op. Well just this week, KELO reported that there was a fire that hit parts of that building.

Okay. It appears the station updated the guides. Looking at Channel 2's grid, I'm seeing "KCAL News {time} on CBS Los Angeles" on all of their news slots starting Monday (12/5). Are they really going "KCAL News" as their unified news brand?

Well, Forum can't snag ABC. Gray just renewed its affil agreement that keeps the Alphabet on KSFY.

Gray has renewed its deal with ABC in all 25 markets.

Four R&Os today. The rest of the MTN cluster got the greenlight today. KPAX (7 > 25) KRTV (7 > 22) KTVH (12 > 31) KXLF (5 > 15)

So WPTA has announced last week about its future plans. The current, separate Fort Wayne's NBC evening (5, 6 & 11pm) newscasts will continue through Friday, December 16. WPTA will be adding a new 7-9am (on MyTV 21.3) & 4pm broadcasts beginning Monday, January 9. Current Fort Wayne's NBC anchor Julian Teekaram will join Kayla Stewart in the mornings, while co-anchor Linda Jackson will join Krista Miller on the 4 & 5pm-casts.

Paperwork is up. Purchase Price: $1.4M.

New scuffle. Fox & DirecTV. Blackouts could happen as early as Friday Night (12/2).

Mankato's KEYC debuted a new set this week. The news anchor in the video stated that this was first time it replaced the flooring in that studio in more than SIXTY years!!!!

Forum did own KSFY for over a decade, before selling it to Aflac in 1985.

Well, fifty miles from DC, WBAL longtime anchor Stan Stovall also signed off tonight after 44 years.

At 3:08pm, WBTV announced on air the deaths of Meteorologist Jason Myers & pilot Chip Tayag.

Two things today. One, it appears that Sinclair's KVII Amarillo have lit up RF 20 this week. The License to Cover app was posted today. Also, new petition. A PBS station in Roanoke, WBRA wants to vacate VHF-low 3 for VHF-high 13. Anything to get off that hellhole signal is a good thing.

New M&A. Marquee Broadcasting is getting another Ohio station. They're acquiring Lima, OH's WLMA (formerly WTLW) from owner American Christian Television Services, Inc. for $2M.