New Technology, Old Programs

When broadcast TV transitioned from analog to digital, the new technology provided each broadcast TV station with significantly more capacity.  With digital broadcasting came the ability for TV stations with a single channel to transmit more than one program at the same time.  If you are an over-the-air TV viewer you know that your favorite local TV stations have multicast channels.  So if you are watching Channel 9 you also have the option of watching 9.2 and 9.3. Most of the local stations have one or more of these multicast channels.  In fact Channel 14, one of the local PBS stations, offers 5 distinct digital programs on a channel that during the analog period could broadcast only one.

When first launched, local TV stations looked forward to this expansion.  In the blink of the eye they went from having 24 hours of broadcast time per day to 48, 72 or more hours.  And along with these expanded hours would come increased advertising revenue.  Over the last decade that this expanded capacity has been available, it is interesting to note that stations are still trying to figure out what to do with it as the advertising bonanza has not materialized.

People are creatures of habit and getting large numbers to find and sample the programming has been a challenge.  Good programming is expensive; purchasing high priced shows for small audiences didn’t make sense.

Some stations tried offering special services like Channel 9’s continuous local weather loop.  With smartphones and tablets providing more current information it was no wonder that the audience was miniscule and the service has been cancelled.

So, that advertising bonanza has turned into Bonanza or Daniel Boone or Perry Mason or any one of many programs from TV days past.  MeTV, a multicast channel of WLWT Channel 5 carries round the clock reruns from the last century. Recently, Channel 9 launched Laff TV and Escape TV.  I watched a few of the shows on Laff and didn’t do all that much laughing. The Escape Channel is not much better as series such as Resurrection from the 1980s or Presumed Innocent from the 1990s, unlike some fine wine, have not gotten better with age.