But, each broadcast station will have multiple signals that can be received by the viewer. IF local stations can push that fact, they could gain more viewers.

ION already had 3 or 4 network feeds for their affiliates, with different programming.

Plus, Cable may be required to care each of those feeds on cable.

Plus, one little fact is that not to known is that the Cable companies will be REQUIRED (FCC) to down convert the digital signals back to analog before transmitting to the cable customer. The will actually be getting crappier signal than if over the air.

quote:

Originally posted by TV-aholic:
But, each broadcast station will have multiple signals that can be received by the viewer. IF local stations can push that fact, they could gain more viewers.

Um...how will that cause a 'gain' in viewers? Do you think CBS is going to air 2 different shows in primetime just so they can split their ratings, but have a higher total?

quote:

ION already had 3 or 4 network feeds for their affiliates, with different programming.

ION and PBS aren't real netwroks, for all intents and purposes, though.

quote:

Plus, one little fact is that not to known is that the Cable companies will be REQUIRED (FCC) to down convert the digital signals back to analog before transmitting to the cable customer. The will actually be getting crappier signal than if over the air.

Yes, but people will watch the over the air HD only WHEN it is available and they will HAVE to get cable for the broadcast signals that they cannot recieve without cable. I think more people will sign up for cable in order to maintain the ability to get ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX/CW/MNTV than will cancel their cable just because they can now get some of those channels over the air in HD. The net result, therefore, is more cable subscribers. Once they subscribe, it opens up a lot more non-broadcast viewing options. The switch to digital broadcast will ultimately hurt the ratings for broadcast TV.

No, the local stations are, initially, airing all news channels, all weather channels, ect...

Tribune had been airng "The Tube", an all music video station, as a secondary signal for their affiliates. But the The Tube Went off the air about 2-3 months ago.

I forget the name, but there is a network that is basically the TV Land for over the air stations and they are getting into more and more markets.

ION, has its regular network, a Kids programming Network (Quba), ION Life and a worship channel. All 4 are HD Signals for the affiliates.

I don't see CBS, NBC, ABC starting second signal nets anytime soon, but I do see the local stations needing content to fill the channels. You might see some Cable nets, that don't get in a lot of cable homes, perhaps offering their programming to the locals for secondary signal content.

As it is now, only about 10% of the US homes are without cable, so I doubt many of those homes are going to rush out and get it now. They have their reasons for NOT Having it.

Depending on Local Must Carry laws, the local stations may end up having more channels and content on cable than the currently do now.

quote:

Originally posted by Obveeus:

quote:

Originally posted by TV-aholic:
But, each broadcast station will have multiple signals that can be received by the viewer. IF local stations can push that fact, they could gain more viewers.

Um...how will that cause a 'gain' in viewers? Do you think CBS is going to air 2 different shows in primetime just so they can split their ratings, but have a higher total?

quote:

ION already had 3 or 4 network feeds for their affiliates, with different programming.

ION and PBS aren't real netwroks, for all intents and purposes, though.

quote:

Plus, one little fact is that not to known is that the Cable companies will be REQUIRED (FCC) to down convert the digital signals back to analog before transmitting to the cable customer. The will actually be getting crappier signal than if over the air.

Yes, but people will watch the over the air HD only WHEN it is available and they will HAVE to get cable for the broadcast signals that they cannot recieve without cable. I think more people will sign up for cable in order to maintain the ability to get ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX/CW/MNTV than will cancel their cable just because they can now get some of those channels over the air in HD. The net result, therefore, is more cable subscribers. Once they subscribe, it opens up a lot more non-broadcast viewing options. The switch to digital broadcast will ultimately hurt the ratings for broadcast TV.

That would be "ME TV" here in Chicago and it is the secondary channel to our independent Channel 26 (26.2). We now are getting a 3rd from Weigel Broadcasting (26.3) starting March 1st that shows even older shows like Naked City and stuff from the 50s 60,s and 70s.

Among the titles on "Me-Too" will be a Sunday "Noir at Night" block of "Route 66," "Naked City," "77 Sunset Strip" and "Boris Karloff's Thriller."

A Saturday night "pajama party" lineup will feature "Square Pegs," "Silver Spoons," "Facts of Life," "The Monkees," "The Brady Bunch" and "The Partridge Family."

quote:

Originally posted by TV-aholic:
I forget the name, but there is a network that is basically the TV Land for over the air stations and they are getting into more and more markets.

Marc, what would your opinion be of this scenario: American Idol showcases a contestant who is currently in the Top 24 but previously had her record company pay over $2 million (according to the Wall Street Journal) to produce her album, which later proved to be a commercial failure, in 2002?

This scenario involves American Idol contestant Carly Smithson a.k.a. Carly Hennessy who had a record contract with MCA Records and tried to break through in the U.S. in 2002 with her Steve-Nicks-lite-like ditty, "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind". Watch her 2002 music video

I understand some previous contestants have had minor contracts with record companies before their Idol debuts but Carly's multi-million dollar contract is probably the most ever paid to a current American Idol "unknown".

I expect Carly to sing and perform great in this competition but how can an amateur or a performer who has first reached spotlight status compete with a singer who's had the experience of being a part of the music business for years?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Douglas,

Good question, Douglas. I will address it today. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Douglas:
Marc, what would your opinion be of this scenario: American Idol showcases a contestant who is currently in the Top 24 but previously had her record company pay over $2 million (according to the Wall Street Journal) to produce her album, which later proved to be a commercial failure, in 2002?

This scenario involves American Idol contestant Carly Smithson a.k.a. Carly Hennessy who had a record contract with MCA Records and tried to break through in the U.S. in 2002 with her Steve-Nicks-lite-like ditty, "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind". Watch her 2002 music video

I understand some previous contestants have had minor contracts with record companies before their Idol debuts but Carly's multi-million dollar contract is probably the most ever paid to a current American Idol "unknown".

I expect Carly to sing and perform great in this competition but how can an amateur or a performer who has first reached spotlight status compete with a singer who's had the experience of being a part of the music business for years?

Marc, I've been reading your daily columns for over a year now and just recently started to subscribe to your podcast. It is a great way to keep me informed when I'm driving to work every morning, which leads me to my question.

Your podcasts deal primarily with the broadcast industry. I'm curious if you recommend anybody that does a similar podcast focused more on the cable TV side of television. I work in cable TV advertising, so having a complementary tool to your daily update would give me an even broader scope of undertanding on what's hot, what's not, and what direction/s the industry is heading in.

Welcome aboard, turansformer. I will address this in today's podcast.

quote:

Originally posted by turansformer:
Marc, I've been reading your daily columns for over a year now and just recently started to subscribe to your podcast. It is a great way to keep me informed when I'm driving to work every morning, which leads me to my question.

Your podcasts deal primarily with the broadcast industry. I'm curious if you recommend anybody that does a similar podcast focused more on the cable TV side of television. I work in cable TV advertising, so having a complementary tool to your daily update would give me an even broader scope of undertanding on what's hot, what's not, and what direction/s the industry is heading in.

Here's how American Idol judge Randy Jackson addressed the Carly Smithson issue on Larry King Live on Friday, February 22:

LARRY KING: OK, there is the controversy, Randy. Lay it out. Viewers complain that several of the season's contestants have too much experience, particular criticism of Carly Smithson who had an album. MCA reportedly spent over two million dollars producing and promoting it several years ago. The rule of the show is that a contestant can't have a current contract. Past contracts are OK. Right?

RANDY JACKSON: Right. That's been the rule since day one. The rules have never changed. I mean you just can't be currently signed to a record deal. Every season since the first season, kids would show up that were in some boy group or girl group or had failed record contracts. I think Kelly Clarkson was signed to some management contract.

I must say, people must understand if you're out there trying to make it in the entertainment business, especially music, you're going to try to get anyone you can to pay attention and sign you and do whatever you can. So, you know, if she came and she sold 300 copies of a record, that is not a lot of success. That is a bad look.

Oh OK, Randy - so by this logic, if Britney Spears ever got dropped by her company today, and had no record contract, she could be on American Idol, right?


On another note, Marc, what are your thoughts on some of the networks (most notably NBC and CW) promoting shows above their network "bugs", or network logos, on the bottom portion of a TV screen?

On NBC, this method of promoting its shows above its logo all the time is most distracting during a game show like 1 vs. 100. I wanted to be able to read one of the game's questions but the text from recent above-logo notices for American Gladiators or Knight Rider block some of the question. And on February 7, how annoying was NBC's minute-by-minute countdown during Celebrity Apprentice for the premiere of Lipstick Jungle? (ABC is not immune - there was a similar "near-ABC-bug" countdown to the Lost season premiere during a Lost recap on January 31.)

I don't mind these network "bugs" and I don't mind an ad notice for a show on that network that appears for a brief time on the screen while I'm watching a program but I think by showing a notice for the entirety of a program, the networks have gone way overboard.

In fact, it makes me want to watch their advertised programs even less because with heavy promotion and hype comes heavy expectations for a show and then more often than not, the end result becomes way less than spectacular (take the mindless new Knight Rider, for example)!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Douglas,

quote:

Originally posted by Douglas:
RANDY JACKSON: Right. That's been the rule since day one. The rules have never changed. I mean you just can't be currently signed to a record deal. Every season since the first season, kids would show up that were in some boy group or girl group or had failed record contracts. I think Kelly Clarkson was signed to some management contract.

Nice to see Randy at least admit that Kelly Clarkson had a contract before the show. Lots of fans are still in denial that this show has been 'tainted' since the very first season. Now, all he has to do is own up to the fact that Kelly Clarkson was STILL being represented when she decided to do Idol. Wonder how much Kelly/Simon/whomever had to fork over to finally pay those people off?

Marc,

I have a request, rather than a question.

Since it only comes around once every 4 years and we have only had about 15 of them since 1950, could you give us some historical TV stats for the Day of February 29th?

1) What is the highest rated program that aired on February 29th?

2) What series have premiered on February 29th?

3) have any Series ever had their last show air on February 29th?

4) What great TV moments happened on February 29th?


Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by TV-aholic:
Marc,

2) What series have premiered on February 29th?

Oh, yea. I actually remember the show Day by Day. The Girl from Lou Grant was the key.

Thanks Marc!

Thank you for the great questons!

quote:

Originally posted by TV-aholic:

quote:

Originally posted by TV-aholic:
Marc,

2) What series have premiered on February 29th?

Oh, yea. I actually remember the show Day by Day. The Girl from Lou Grant was the key.

Thanks Marc!

took a while searching , but found this for February 29th.

2004
- The 76th Academy Awards, hosted by Billy Crystal, are held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California

2000
- Kathie Lee Gifford announced her departure from the ABC talk show "LIVE with Regis and Kathie Lee," after 11 years, leaving audience members and viewers stunned.

1996
- A television summit was held between U.S. President Clinton and broadcast industry representatives. At the meeting, the American television, cable and production community announced that it would establish and implement a voluntary rating system by January 1, 1997.

1960
- The Revels performed "Midnight Stroll" on "American Bandstand."

Famous TV Birthdays
- Dinah Shore 1916
- Randy Jackson 1956
- Antonio Sabato, Jr. 1972

So Randy Jackson is celebrating his 13th birthday today? Another couple of decades and he will be old enough to try out for American Idol.