The Frog

MyNet will probably be sticking around.

https://deadline.com/2019/02/mynetworktv-10-years-after-strategic-pivot-is-a-quiet-but-steady-engine-for-fox-1202566142/

The Cubs and Sinclair are reportedly working together on launching a new RSN.

https://awfulannouncing.com/local-networks/cubs-marquee-rsn-sinclair-nbc-sports-chicago.html

Additionally, the Yankees are discussing a potential joint bid with Amazon and Sinclair for the YES Network.

http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/new-york-yankees-amazon-sinclair-yes-network

Nice picture.

The CW is eyeing an expansion to Saturdays.

https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/220147/cw-eyes-expansion-saturdays/

KFJX and WNBJ are adding CW affiliations. With the addition of KAIT, this continues the trend of CW replacing their cable-only affiliates with OTA outlets.

https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/220132/wnbj-jackson-launches-cw-subchannel/

http://www.joplinglobe.com/news/cw-network-now-available-over-joplin-airwaves/article_8e4404d4-9769-11e8-b072-e3b4960d3177.html

KAIT is launching a new CW-affiliated subchannel.

http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/38731455/kait-launching-new-cw-affiliate-in-region-8

I really miss the days when networks programmed Saturday morning cartoons. With the chance that the FCC is going to do away with E/I rules, there just might be a glimmer... but realistically the networks would just boot Litton and give the time back. More infomercial wasteland on a once vibrant daypart... am I getting old?

KidsClick isn't clicking because the programming isn't there. Neither is the timeslot or the station clearance. You need easily accessible exclusive original programming, something that'll pull kids away from cable and streamers... you need popular, recognizable IP. As mentioned above, most of the good stuff is locked down with Warners, Disney, Viacom, etc. But what about the toy companies? You've got the Mattels and Hasbros of the world.

Hasbro in particular... they recently purchased the Power Rangers franchise. They've got Transformers, G.I. Joe, that pony stuff and other IP all ripe for new cartoons. Would a Big 4 network dare take the plunge in a post-E/I world? Imagine a block with the Hasbro machine behind it. Now, there's no guarantee it would work, but that's how you give it a fighting chance in today's world. KidsClick just ain't cutting the mustard, brother.

Sinclair intends to launch ATSC 3.0 broadcasts in 24 markets this year.

http://www.tvtechnology.com/atsc3/0031/ces-2018-atsc-30-coming-of-age-celebrated/282528

KFXF's decision to drop Fox was a financial one.

"Notwithstanding significant commitments of time and resources from Gray and its talented local team, we have been unable to turn the station’s finances around," said Gray. "In light of these pressures, renewing the station’s expiring six-year Fox affiliation agreement was not financially feasible."

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/washington/grays-kfxf-dropping-fox-affiliation/169737

KATN has snagged the Fox affiliation away from KFXF.

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/108492/katn-picks-up-fox-affiliation-in-fairbanks

Fox has extended MyNetworkTV for two additional years, through the 2019-20 season.

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/108171/fox-extends-mynetworktv-through-2020

Airbox TV is shutting down. This will free up bandwidth on Ion stations.

[MEDIA=reddit]path=%2Fr%2Fcordcutters%2Fcomments%2F6yp4m0%2F[/MEDIA]

KDFI is now Fox 4 More.

https://www.facebook.com/FOX4MORE

Cuts are hitting ABC and their O&O's.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-to-cut-staff-at-abc-television-group-1504133905

Another FOX O&O / MyTV rebrand. Starting Monday, KUTP 45 will become known as FOX 10 Xtra and FOX 10 News NOW will be making its television debut.

 

[MEDIA=twitter]893942162341101568[/MEDIA]

Looks like KDFI isn't far behind. They recently moved MyNet out of prime time.

Launch lineup of KidsClick that will air on Sinclair stations:

WEEKDAY SCHEDULE

6:00am - Sonic X

6:30am - Max Steel

7:00am - Angry Birds

7:30am - Miraculous LadyBug

8:00am - Rocket Monkeys

8:30am - Super 4

 

SATURDAY SCHEDULE

5:00am - Robocop Alpha Command

5:30am - Sonic X

6:00am - Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures

6:30am - Scary Larry

 

1:00pm - The Pink Panther and Pals

1:30pm - Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures

 

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

12:00pm - Robocop Alpha Command

12:30pm - Sonic X

1:00pm - Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures

1:30pm - Scary Larry

2:00pm - The Pink Panther and Pals

2:30pm - Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures

http://thecwtc.com/news/local/kidsclick

That'd actually be better than this Litton Entertainment/Steve Rotfield crap they have on now. At the very least, put some entertainment into the shows. The only Saturday morning show I like on any of the broadcast networks is CBS' The Inspectors. At least they're somewhat trying to be entertaining.

 

I understand this is a different era but still.

It's definitely looking better than the Litton E/I crap:

http://kidsclicktv.com/

http://www.toonbarn.com/other-cartoons/take-sneak-peek-shows-headed-kidsclick-new-network-tv-morning-cartoon-block/

The shows are a mix of old and new. Some of them are making their U.S. broadcast debuts. It's a little surprising. This looks like an actual effort at reviving Saturday (and weekday) morning cartoons by Sinclair.

Is that why station groups tend to be sold en masse rather than piecemeal? To make it easier for the governmental agencies? That's really weird.

Nobody likes paperwork.

Fox rebrands WDCA as 'Fox 5 Plus'

Effective July 17, the Fox-owned sister station to WTTG Washington (DMA 7) – MNT affiliate WDCA — will be rebranded “Fox 5 Plus.” As part of the station’s change, WDCA will launch a daily 8 p.m. primetime newscast named Fox 5 News on the Plus.

 

Anchored by Tony Perkins and Shawn Yancy, the 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday newscast will focus on local and national stories, local traffic, weather and sports updates. In addition to this, Fox 5 Plus will also add various breaking news updates during primetime and throughout the day.

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/103316/fox-rebrands-wdca-as-fox-5-plus

WHTV has sold its spectrum and will go off the air on April 30th.

http://my18.tv/

Of Sinclair's 173 stations, 93 will be repacked and 3 of them have been sold in the spectrum auction.

Other tidbits from their earnings call: The Comet diginet has been profitable for them since launch, and they expect to roll out ATSC 3.0 in 2018.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/edited-transcript-sbgi-earnings-conference-015439583.html

FTVLive is reporting that Sinclair and Meredith are interested in buying Tribune's stations, contingent on cap space opening up.

http://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2017/2/23/are-the-tribune-stations-in-trouble

They can easily solve their cap problems by selling or shutting down KRON and KASW.

According to FTVLive, Nexstar is stuck with KRON thanks to the spectrum auction being a bust.

Not sure of what KBCA is replacing in primetime.

Local listings show them simulcasting their H&I subchannel.

The DOJ has made a ruling. Nexstar must divest the following stations in order to proceed with their acquisition of Media General.

• WBAY Green Bay, to Gray Television Inc.
  
• WSLS Roanoke-Lynchburg, to Graham Holdings
  
• KADN and KLAF-LD Lafayette, to Bayou City Broadcasting Lafayette
  
• WTHI Terre Haute, to USA Television MidAmerica Holdings
  
• WFFT Fort Wayne, to USA Television
  
• KWQC Quad Cities, to Gray Television
  

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/97455/justice-nexstar-must-divest-7-stations