The classic TV programming service from Weigel and MGM will replace RTV on the Boston independent beginning Dec. 15.
DMA 7 (BOSTON)
Me-TV Lands Primary Affiliation On WMFP
Me-TV has signed an affiliation agreement with WMFP Boston. The independent station is owned by NRJ TV and managed by Titan Broadcast Management. Me-TV will launch on Dec. 15 and be carried over the air on WMFP’s primary channel, 62.1, as well as the market’s cable and satellite systems. Me-TV will be replacing RTV.
“We are excited to bring Me-TV’s excellent mix of classic dramas and comedies to the Boston market via WMFP. When evaluating what the best programming option for our primary signal in the Boston DMA, we thought of “Me” first. We believe the station, Boston TV viewers and the advertising community will find Me-TV a welcome alternative via WMFP,” said Bert Ellis, president of Titan Broadcast Management.
Me-TV’s library includes series from Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, CBS Television Distribution, NBCUniversal Television as well as independent series owners and producers. Me-TV, memorable entertainment television, launched nationally in December 2010, is owned and operated by Weigel Broadcasting Co. and distributed by MGM Television.
Comments (4)
Mike Henry says:
November 16, 2011 at 2:29 am
At this rate, the only way RTV can gain back affiliates and prevent its now-about-due death is for Henry Luken to sell a stake in the network to another company (like Weigel Broadcasting and MGM’s joint ownership of This TV since that network’s formation), and/or get distribution agreements with Disney and Warner Bros. (since they are the only major studios whose entire program libraries don’t already lie with Me-TV, This TV or Antenna TV). That’s the only way RTV will survive, but it seems like the writing’s clearly on the wall.
Lady Success says:
November 16, 2011 at 11:59 am
Warner Bros ought to revive The WB brand as a multicast network.
Ellen Samrock says:
November 16, 2011 at 12:16 pm
We know Luken has been acquiring a large number of LPTV stations in small and medium markets over the last few years. The speculation is that they are creating their own network while keeping affiliates only in the major markets. Also, Luken had been testing the HD waters with RTV-HD in conjunction with WHDT in South Florida. Have not heard if that will be rolled out nationwide or if they ended RTV-HD altogether. I do know that several Luken affiliates have complained about satellite feeds that have abruptly ended or changed birds without any notification and just poor communication in general between Luken and them. By contrast Weigel has been treating their affiliates well with “station-in-a-box” equipment packages and local imaging. I think Luken underestimated how formidable a competitor Weigel and even Tribune with their Antenna TV was going to be. But maybe shedding affiliates is part of their plan. Either way, they’re going to have to improve RTV or risk losing more than affiliates.
Robert Klein says:
November 16, 2011 at 1:47 pm
RTV is no longer on WHDT in West Palm Beach, FL. WHDT dropped them several weeks ago.