Scripps making changes at 16 and 13

[CAwasinNJ]

scripps.com/press-releases/scripps-takes-first-steps-to-realize-ion-synergies-with-multicast-networks-move/

The changes were originally scheduled for today (Mar 1) but actually started sometime between Friday and Saturday morning when the ID's (and presumably the programming) changed. Here's what changed on KUPX 16.

16.2 qubo -> Grit
16.3 IONPlus -> Laff
16.4 ShopION -> Bounce

All 3 of the new networks were/are available on other stations, but it looks like those agreements will probably not be renewed. Bounce is the one that is an actual upgrade since the other channel it's on is low power KBTU 23. The networks that were discontinued are kind of a mixed bag. I don't consider ShopION much of a loss. There are a half dozen others and I personally don't see much use for them but YMMV. ION Plus was the same basic idea as ION with off-network reruns of hour dramas and ION will continue. qubo is the loss I think. I think the only other OTA network aimed at children is PBS Kids. That doesn't leave a lot of variety.

The other change happened sometime between Sunday and Monday morning. KSTU added a new 13.5 for QVC, which is still available on 16.5 as well.

I'm sure there will be more changes. The press release says that Court TV and Court TV Mystery will be migrating to the ION stations. Both of those are currently on 2 other stations here including co-owned Fox 13. I'm going to be very interested to see what shows up on 30.4 and 32.4 when those agreements end. What would you like to see added?

[kenglish]

Are there stations running 5 subchannels?
How do they look?

[CAwasinNJ]

The current high water mark for # of subchannels is KPDR with 8. KUPX has 6 and the primary ION channel is in HD taking up 8 of the 19 mbps. KSTU has 5 with the Fox 13 primary getting about 9.5 mbps. Unsurprisingly when you start getting down to the 1-2 mbps range that many of the subchannels on many of the local stations are running, there's going to be a big problem with pixelation and low quality in general. I blame the suits for that. They don't seem to care how crappy something looks as long as it's there and they get paid for it.

[kenglish]

I liked qubo.
I always wondered why IHC paid for Comcast, to show a standard-def feed of Disney in their waiting rooms at clinics (the only channel they will allow), when they could get qubo free, with an antenna.

[CAwasinNJ]

I'm not sure most kids would have known what the programming on qubo was. If they were going to go with free OTA programming I would have suggested PBS Kids.

From what I've heard, (on the consumer side, at least at one time) cable companies' bundle of TV+internet tends to end up costing the same as the stand-alone internet so most people just got both. I've never had Comcast internet and haven't had Comcast TV for many years so maybe someone with current information can give us more specifics.

[dspete]

Looks like Scripps will also offer Newsy OTA in the very near future.
Kinda miss Weather Nation when it was available OTA...
What would be nice is if 13 running Newsy would throw in Fox 13 updates thru out day.

[CAwasinNJ]

It looks like Newsy's primary distribution will be on the ION stations.

scripps.com/press-releases/scripps-caters-to-cord-cutters-by-launching-newsy-as-a-free-over-the-air-network/

If I'm reading your suggestion correctly DS, you're thinking of something like the old Headline News Local Edition. I've never seen Newsy but if it currently does or could be adapted to have a preemptable slot where a local slot could go that would make sense. Figuring out what on the national feed is expendable could be tricky. HNLE did it by having the last segment in the newswheel be a lifestyle segment.