NewsAce 0 Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 It's probably just speculation based on this article. Yes, speculation. It's why I used the word 'expected.' WFMZ says on its website 'Other gains will go towards purchasing new spectrum to use for broadcasting in the Greater Lehigh Valley.' The speculation is the new spectrum is from WBPH. If FMZ were channel sharing with KJWP they wouldn't need to also buy new spectrum. FMZ have so far declined to say who they will be channel sharing with, but WBPH will be the only full-power Greater Lehigh Valley-based channel / spectrum left after the spectrum for FMZ and LVT disappears. Here is what was reported in the Allentown Morning Call: 'Maranatha Broadcasting Co. of Salisbury Township, the private corporate owner of WFMZ, is in line for about $140.5 million in compensation, but it's unclear how much of that WFMZ will net once its channel-sharing agreement is sliced off the top. Barry Fisher, WFMZ president and general manager, declined to provide those details.' The Eight virtual channels couldn't all fit within WBPH's spectrum; FMZ has confirmed to the Allentown Morning Call that 69.3 and 69.4 will move to KJWP. 'The company is also buying KJWP-TV, which provides MeTV to the Philadelphia region. Fisher said that deal will be finished simultaneously with the completion of the auction, and Maranatha will put Heroes & Icons and Retro TV on KJWP-TV.' No mention of 69.2. Where does it end up? Also possibly within the WBPH spectrum as it might infringe on WPVI's exclusive use of the AccuWeather brand in Philadelphia. The other thing to consider: KJWP wasn't a way for FMZ to give up RF46 and switch to RF2 (which doesn't adequately cover Allentown - FMZ's city of license) but more likely a way to keep KJWP out of the auction (in such a way that PMCM would still benefit from the auction through a sale to FMZ). It also allowed FMZ to create a duopoly to better compete in the market by using the proceeds of the auction to buy KJWP while retaining FMZ's dominant news position in the Lehigh Valley with a strong signal at that end of the market. 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-172498 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCAUTVNBC10 413 Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 WFMZ, WBPH, and WLVT are all on WFMZ's tower at South Mountain already, so, yeah, okay, sure. Contours and footprint probably would remain the same. But are there any examples of eight virtual channels (69's 4, 39's 2, and 60's 2) sharing one physical channel anywhere else? Wouldn't there be bandwidth limitations? I don't know enough about this newfangled "H Dee" technology to really know, so someone please educate me, but it doesn't seem like it would work all that well. You can squeeze two 720p HD subs on one channel and have room for an additional 480p. So you'd assume you could get FMZ and LVT in there in HD and WBPH on the 3rd SD channel (I don't even think they can spell HD let alone broadcast it) and all should be satisfied. They'd have to move WLVT and WBPH's subs elsewhere though. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-172505 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewsAce 0 Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 You can squeeze two 720p HD subs on one channel and have room for an additional 480p. So you'd assume you could get FMZ and LVT in there in HD and WBPH on the 3rd SD channel (I don't even think they can spell HD let alone broadcast it) and all should be satisfied. They'd have to move WLVT and WBPH's subs elsewhere though. Yes, using the current ATSC 1.0 standard, but when the switch to ATSC 3.0 takes place it means many more subchannels squeezed into the same 6MHz of space. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-172519 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Horn 78 Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 You can squeeze two 720p HD subs on one channel and have room for an additional 480p. So you'd assume you could get FMZ and LVT in there in HD and WBPH on the 3rd SD channel (I don't even think they can spell HD let alone broadcast it) and all should be satisfied. They'd have to move WLVT and WBPH's subs elsewhere though. I'm pretty sure WBPH's main channel is actually in 720p! They only produce something like 2.5 programs in house using WFMZ's hand-me-down equipment. They pull feeds that are in HD for the rest of their programming, I think. Doesn't it seem more likely to anyone else that WFMZ takes WBPH out to pasture and puts it out of its misery? A duplex on VHF 9 where WFMZ and WLVT keep their subs strikes me as the scenario that makes the most sense. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-172525 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Horn 78 Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 You can squeeze two 720p HD subs on one channel and have room for an additional 480p. So you'd assume you could get FMZ and LVT in there in HD and WBPH on the 3rd SD channel (I don't even think they can spell HD let alone broadcast it) and all should be satisfied. They'd have to move WLVT and WBPH's subs elsewhere though. I'm pretty sure WBPH's main channel is actually in 720p! They only produce something like 2.5 programs in house using WFMZ's hand-me-down equipment. They pull feeds that are in HD for the rest of their programming, I think. Doesn't it seem more likely to anyone else that WFMZ takes WBPH out to pasture and puts it out of its misery? A duplex on VHF 9 where WFMZ and WLVT keep their subs strikes me as the scenario that makes the most sense. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-172527 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewsAce 0 Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 I'm pretty sure WBPH's main channel is actually in 720p! They only produce something like 2.5 programs in house using WFMZ's hand-me-down equipment. They pull feeds that are in HD for the rest of their programming, I think. Doesn't it seem more likely to anyone else that WFMZ takes WBPH out to pasture and puts it out of its misery? A duplex on VHF 9 where WFMZ and WLVT keep their subs strikes me as the scenario that makes the most sense. WFMZ has confirmed H&I (69.3) and Retro TV (69.4) are moving to KJWP. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-172535 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrknowitall526 115 Posted May 5, 2017 Author Share Posted May 5, 2017 I read that 69.3 and 69.4 are being sent to KJWP. I can't imagine that they wouldn't leave space, somehow, for the Accu-weather Channel, considering the large staff they have for it! 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-172608 Share on other sites More sharing options...
susquvalleywgal 517 Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 So I was watching WFMZ online the other day ... My question is, how many news helicopters does WFMZ have? I see them talking about QUADCOPTER ... I just can't imagine a station having 4 helicopters. During a traffic report, I did see them go live to 2 different helicopters. Amazing, especially for pseudo-suburban Philadelphia. -- Matt 5 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-172655 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SF1964 63 Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 So I was watching WFMZ online the other day ... My question is, how many news helicopters does WFMZ have? I see them talking about QUADCOPTER ... I just can't imagine a station having 4 helicopters. During a traffic report, I did see them go live to 2 different helicopters. Amazing, especially for pseudo-suburban Philadelphia. -- Matt Quadcopter 69 is a drone. There's more info about it posted in this thread on page 8, beginning with post # 147, by Mrknowitall526. 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-172656 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCAUTVNBC10 413 Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 They also have access to WPVI's chopper footage if needed. I guess they bought the drone to cut down on having to rely on that. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-172658 Share on other sites More sharing options...
susquvalleywgal 517 Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 Quadcopter 69 is a drone. There's more info about it posted in this thread on page 8, beginning with post # 147, by Mrknowitall526. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. -- Matt 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-172664 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrknowitall526 115 Posted May 7, 2017 Author Share Posted May 7, 2017 They don't own the drone, the service is provided by Lehigh Valley Drone: http://lvdrone.com/ Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-172711 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CircleSeven 1955 Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 In Philly, PMCM TV is selling its Philly VHF station, KJWP to Maranatha Broadcasting (owners of Allentown station WFMZ). Since it appears that these two parties could be participating in the auctions later this spring, the purchase price was not disclosed because of "sensitive bidding information". Follow-up. An amendment was made as they've now disclosed the purchase price of the KJWP deal. $25M. 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-172798 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CircleSeven 1955 Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 The deal has now been approved. No word on when they'll move H&I & Retro to KJWP. Marantha should've bought WJLP while they're at it. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-174065 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVForward 94 Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Has anyone heard what is being done to the WFMZ studio? In addition to this from Eve Russo's facebook, there were recent changes to the traffic office (which is on that upper level) and new lighting for weather. Just curious what other improvements their massive studio may be getting. 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-178622 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrknowitall526 115 Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 Has anyone heard what is being done to the WFMZ studio? In addition to this from Eve Russo's facebook, there were recent changes to the traffic office (which is on that upper level) and new lighting for weather. Just curious what other improvements their massive studio may be getting. No, but I did notice the new weather lighting. I thought Ed Hanna looked brighter than usual! Strange that they would have cones and caution tape where it might be visible on air! The studio could use a revamp. 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-178632 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVForward 94 Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Never saw the "construction site" on-air. They do seem to be using a lot more tight shots and that bird's eye hand-off from son to father @ the end of the 4pm is gone. I do agree - they need an update. This set is huge considering the market size, but as WFMZ has done in the past - small cosmetic tweaks can surely extend the life of their sets. This time some updated video walls, instead of those rear-projection screens and replacing that horrible faux-wood paneling would go a long way. 3 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-178651 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVForward 94 Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 @LDueWFMZ & @Steve_Mittman working hard in the temporary weather/traffic center while renovations in the studio... as tweeted by John Hayden, WFMZ Senior Floor Director. That explains the unique weather lighting. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-178748 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVForward 94 Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 Another great shot tweeted by John Hayden - Matt and his flip-flops... 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-178750 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrknowitall526 115 Posted July 18, 2017 Author Share Posted July 18, 2017 They announced at 10 on Sunday that Jacqueline Thomas is leaving the station, they didn't say where she was going. 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-178936 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVForward 94 Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 Jacqueline Thomas farewell and continued studio construction. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-179465 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrknowitall526 115 Posted July 26, 2017 Author Share Posted July 26, 2017 Sometimes the newscast is sleepy... but when a huge local story breaks, WFMZ really does a great job. They just had a full 9 minutes of coverage of the indictment of the Allentown mayor. There were 3 live reports. In fact it was the whole A-block. I wish they could do stuff like this everyday. It's really where they shine. 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-179515 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVForward 94 Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Sometimes the newscast is sleepy... but when a huge local story breaks, WFMZ really does a great job. They just had a full 9 minutes of coverage of the indictment of the Allentown mayor. There were 3 live reports. In fact it was the whole A-block. I wish they could do stuff like this everyday. It's really where they shine. They were not only on top of their game today - but way ahead of the curve with a live shot from Philly with Jamie Stover at the Federal Courthouse. GREAT JOB !!! 3 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-179523 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrknowitall526 115 Posted July 26, 2017 Author Share Posted July 26, 2017 They were not only on top of their game today - but way ahead of the curve with a live shot from Philly with Jamie Stover at the Federal Courthouse. GREAT JOB !!! She's been the one following most of the leads on that story ... "doggedly" as Rob Vaughn said 3 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-179528 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrknowitall526 115 Posted July 28, 2017 Author Share Posted July 28, 2017 Message posted on the WFMZ Facebook page says they are working on a new set with the "latest technology" to celebrate the 40th anniversary! Yesterday, I noticed the anchors using Surface tablets at the desk. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/13867-the-69-newswfmz-thread/page/8/#findComment-179694 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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