CircleSeven 1955 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I know its too late to say it now but I hope Harvey can bring back WGN News and Sports on WGN America. That's what the channel is for. Hahaha. Good luck with that. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176831 Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJClementeFan69 477 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Here is another example of how Sinclair's conservative values make its way into a newscast. Saturday morning on WJAR (NBC Providence) they ran the story about the RI Educator of the Year's photo with POTUS and wife and how it spread through the internet. (The educator wears a rainbow pin and used a hand fan). All other media outlets (print, TV and digital) called it a viral video. WJAR said it was a controversial video. SBG claims it doesn't influence local content decisions but I just can't buy it. It's such a top-down company in every other way. I have a hard time believing all local editorial decisions are made with 100% local input. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176833 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennTV1983 804 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I know its too late to say it now but I hope Harvey can bring back WGN News and Sports on WGN America. That's what the channel is for. Not likely to happen as Sinclair may decide to pull the plug on the very last superstation in the country in WGN America and use that space to start another network. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176835 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Frog 429 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Not likely to happen as Sinclair may decide to pull the plug on the very last superstation in the country in WGN America and use that space to start another network. Tribune already did that job. WGN America stopped being a superstation years ago. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176837 Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsbot 271 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 WGNA is no more a superstation at this point than TBS is. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176838 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetroCity 248 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I know its too late to say it now but I hope Harvey can bring back WGN News and Sports on WGN America. That's what the channel is for. That's not likely now or after the acquisition. In dozens (and eventually 150+) markets, that would mean one Tribune (Sinclair) news product competing against another Tribune (Sinclair) news product. Considering the weakness of most Tribune news operations outside Chicago and L.A., that's not a good situation for their local stations. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176839 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennTV1983 804 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Tribune already did that job. WGN America stopped being a superstation years ago. WGNA is no more a superstation at this point than TBS is. Huh. I didn't know that. But even so, I don't see WGNA surviving post-merger should Sinclair decide to take the network in a different direction from where it is now. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176841 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Salter JR 66 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Could Sinclair shut down WGN America completely? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176845 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrannical bastard 3953 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 It could be the "national news channel" that News Channel 8 could become. Especially since they left the Tennis Channel, other than pushing down must-run tennis stories for their news operations... Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176862 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CircleSeven 1955 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 It could be the "national news channel" that News Channel 8 could become. Especially since they left the Tennis Channel, other than pushing down must-run tennis stories for their news operations... Sinclair had planned on converting its existing News Channel 8 into a "national news channel" during the Allbritton acquisition. And as you see then, it didn't happen. So what are the chances they'll convert WGN America into a "national news channel"? I'm sorry but I'm not going to hold my breath for a second. But I would say this though. Should this deal goes through, I would say that there's a way better chance that they'll finally ditch the "WGN" name on the cable channel, then converting it to a "news service". Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176871 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoadStar 364 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 But I would say this though. Should this deal goes through, I would say that there's a way better chance that they'll finally ditch the "WGN" name on the cable channel, then converting it to a "news service". It should have been changed long ago, back when it began to be programmed separately from WGN-9. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176876 Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJClementeFan69 477 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Sinclair had planned on converting its existing News Channel 8 into a "national news channel" during the Allbritton acquisition. And as you see then, it didn't happen. So what are the chances they'll convert WGN America into a "national news channel"? I'm sorry but I'm not going to hold my breath for a second. But I would say this though. Should this deal goes through, I would say that there's a way better chance that they'll finally ditch the "WGN" name on the cable channel, then converting it to a "news service". Sinclair didn't have a place to put the hypothetical NC8 channel (other than on subchannels) to get enough cable reach to make it worth their time. WGNA is carried even on the most basic of tiers in most places. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176890 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 It makes me wonder, why the long delay for the paperwork to be filed? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176894 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megatron81 258 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 I don't see WGNA becoming a news channel plus I would think that Sinclair would have had to get deals done with pay providers otherwise they could get rid of WGNA. Even if WGNA gets a new name it will remain a general entertainment channel just my opinion. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176896 Share on other sites More sharing options...
broadcastfan9751 140 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 It makes me wonder, why the long delay for the paperwork to be filed? They have probably been waiting for the UHF Discount's return to officially take effect (30 days after publication in the Federal Register), and since the court denied the request for an "emergency stay" of it, the UHF Discount is now officially in effect and Sinclair and Tribune can now file the paperwork. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176898 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathannah 2429 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Could Sinclair shut down WGN America completely? My theory; since they're vocal about going towards a 'rerun and reality' mindset, it likely becomes more of a national version of Antenna TV with the prime content they have now moving there, and the subchannel version becoming more eccentric and niche (or else getting more movies while This is done away with). Changing the focus to news would definitely trigger provider 'outs', which no channel with good carriage wants. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176913 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSSZNews 1051 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Changing the focus to news would definitely trigger provider 'outs', which no channel with good carriage wants. Though I think turning it into a glorified Antenna TV is the most cost-effective solution, Sinclair's sheer size and brute force probably means they can get whatever they want from providers, including a sudden switch of WGNA to whatever. That's partially why Sinclair is at this size now--to effectively guarantee carriage of everything it's got and fight back in a big way if there's pushback. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176918 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mre29 1525 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 WGNA is carried even on the most basic of tiers in most places. Just not necessarily in HD. My cable system (Xfinity in southern NH) carries it, but only the SD feed. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-176926 Share on other sites More sharing options...
oklahomanewsman 210 Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 They have probably been waiting for the UHF Discount's return to officially take effect (30 days after publication in the Federal Register), and since the court denied the request for an "emergency stay" of it, the UHF Discount is now officially in effect and Sinclair and Tribune can now file the paperwork. How soon could both Sinclair and Tribune file their paperwork for the merger now that the UHF Discount can now go in effect? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-177009 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CircleSeven 1955 Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 At long last. After more than seven weeks since the announcement, The Paperwork Is Up!!!! Here's the comprehensive exhibit and the merger agreement. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-177420 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrad 113 Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 WGNA is carried even on the most basic of tiers in most places. And this isn't for cable only. AT&T U-verse also carries WGNA on its most basic tier (U-family). AT&T used to have a locals-only TV package called U-basic which carried WGNA. I wonder if Verizon/Frontier FiOS' locals-only package, as well as Cincy Bell FiOptics' locals-only package, includes WGNA. Anyways, removing the WGN name from the channel might cause people to despise it. I wonder what the future of WGNA will be like under Sinclair. Maybe Sinclair might put NC8 on the Washington DC-area Verizon FiOS lineup if it isn't there already. I don't have a TV despite my interest in local news, and don't live in the Washington DC area, so I was wondering: can area FiOS customers watch NC8 right now? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-177422 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 At long last. After more than seven weeks since the announcement, The Paperwork Is Up!!!! Here's the comprehensive exhibit and the merger agreement. As I look through it, this post will be updated. They admit (pages 13 onward) that they will likely have to divest stations. Let's face it, there is no way any moves are going to get through Congress anytime soon. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-177423 Share on other sites More sharing options...
oklahomanewsman 210 Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Also Sinclair/Tribune are 6.5% over the 39% cap even with the UHF Discount so expect quite a few stations in overlapping markets to be sold to other owners Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-177435 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CircleSeven 1955 Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 They admit (pages 13 onward) that they will likely have to divest stations. Let's face it, there is no way any moves are going to get through Congress anytime soon. They also said that if there any changes to the local TV ownership rule (specifically the current duopoly rules), they will amend its applications. Boy, they're really banking on Pai to swiftly change the rules. That's a very gutsy move. On a footnote on page 26, they also said this, regarding the cap: To the extent that there are changes, or proposed changes, to the National Cap rules that would permit ownership of such stations post-merger, the applicants may file amendments to the applications to seek waivers and/or conditional grants or to otherwise address any such changes. But I do agree with you, I doubt that Congress is going to act on raising the ownership cap, at least while this transaction is happening. And if they want this deal done by the end of this year. And should they actually have to make divestitures, are they going to sell it to independent buyers or going back to playing "shell games" (aka Stealfielding & Cunningrabbing). Which of the 6% they going to divest? I'll leave that to the speculatron. _____________________________ What I'm kind of surprised is that they mentioned that they might have to divest either WXIN or WTTV. Is WTTV still in 5th place or no? They might update that should they get recent number, similar to MG and Nexstar waiting on the ranking.for the Hampton Roads & New Mexico, during those transactions. They're also asking for a temporary waiver to operate WCGV until they get the auction proceeds. So this basically means once they get the money, this would probably be the same set up like Vegas where the MyNet get moved to a subchannel of one of the other stations. And the surviving duopoly will be WVTV & WITI. Also they're asking for satellite waivers for KFCT & WTTK, and failed waivers for KXNW & WCCT. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-177438 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColtFromGulfcoast 708 Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 They admit (pages 13 onward) that they will likely have to divest stations. Let's face it, there is no way any moves are going to get through Congress anytime soon. I notice that Hampton Roads and Wilkes Barre-Scranton aren't mentioned on the list of conflict markets. We see what you're doing, guys. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/40/#findComment-177440 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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