So, Huntington-Charleston, WV market. Two Sinclair stations, 8 and 11, ABC and Fox. So Sinclair has rearranged its sub channel, now 8.2 is "Fox 11" a simulcast of 11.1.
Three possible explanations come to mind:
- Signal quality. Sometimes stations simulcast each other because the different stations have different signal patterns. This cannot be right as both stations are on the same tower and have identical signal pattern, if you can get one, you can get the other.
- Politics. It has always been illegal to own two of the top four stations in a market, but that has never been enforced. Does Sinclair think it actually will have to sell off all of its illegal duopolies?
- $$, theory 1. With Sinclair its always about the $$. Since providers are still going to carry, and pay for, a Fox affiliate, even if it is on a subchannel, could Sinclair be preparing to move something else, maybe Stadium to 11.1, and demand must carry status?
- $$, theory 2. Sinclair is in $$ trouble, because it paid big for the old Fox Sport Net channels, whose main content are local MLB, NHL, and NBA games, just as the panic/pandemic hit and deprived these of that content. Could Sinclair be keeping the Fox affiliation and selling the 11 license, either back to the government, or to another broadcaster without a major affiliation?
Three possible explanations come to mind:
- Signal quality. Sometimes stations simulcast each other because the different stations have different signal patterns. This cannot be right as both stations are on the same tower and have identical signal pattern, if you can get one, you can get the other.
- Politics. It has always been illegal to own two of the top four stations in a market, but that has never been enforced. Does Sinclair think it actually will have to sell off all of its illegal duopolies?
- $$, theory 1. With Sinclair its always about the $$. Since providers are still going to carry, and pay for, a Fox affiliate, even if it is on a subchannel, could Sinclair be preparing to move something else, maybe Stadium to 11.1, and demand must carry status?
- $$, theory 2. Sinclair is in $$ trouble, because it paid big for the old Fox Sport Net channels, whose main content are local MLB, NHL, and NBA games, just as the panic/pandemic hit and deprived these of that content. Could Sinclair be keeping the Fox affiliation and selling the 11 license, either back to the government, or to another broadcaster without a major affiliation?
