Houston Channel 55 KTBU "Channel is no longer available."

[zkc16]

What happened to the LiL Houston channel 55 KTBU? Well, all of a sudden guide data shows "Channel is no longer avaiable," and, sure enough, there is no video/audio when I tune to 55 on my receivers.

I called the fine folks at D*, who informed me that KTBU had not returned the necessary waiver form when renewal time came up, so off they went.

This is no big deal with my AM21-equiped receivers, and, admittedly, the station's programming is pretty weak, but to just disappear like that? :raspberry

[Shades228]

The FCC required stations to submit their intent to providers to be carried digitally. Sounds like they didn't want to be carried anymore or dropped the ball by not filling out the paperwork in time.

[bones boy]

admittedly, the station's programming is pretty weak,

Pretty weak? They have a line-up consisting of Hawaii Five-O, Magnum PI Renegade and Punk'd in prime time and a whole HOUR of Reno 911 reruns for the late night audience. Don't forget about 16 hours of Paid Programming on Saturday. You call that weak? :zzz:

[zkc16]

Pretty weak? They have a line-up consisting of Hawaii Five-O, Magnum PI Renegade and Punk'd in prime time and a whole HOUR of Reno 911 reruns for the late night audience. Don't forget about 16 hours of Paid Programming on Saturday. You call that weak? :zzz:

I was trying to be kind.

Actually, had I not been guide skimming, I'm not sure when or if I would have noticed their absence. But it's the principle, man, the principle! :)

[RVD26]

Isn't that the station called "The Tube"?
I think I remember they used to show some decent classic reruns.
It's been years since I've really watched anything on that channel though.
Not sure what they are broadcasting now.

[thrombus]

There's a channel 55 in Houston? :grin:

[LJR28]

I turned on Channel 55 at 1:00, expecting to see Gunsmoke. I also planned on seeing Star Trek Generations at 7:00, Cheers at 8:00 and Frasier at 9:00, as usual. You can imagine how surprised I was to see yet another Latin station in it's place!!! That isn't right!!! There was no notice that our programming was going to change and no opinion poll to see if people wanted it to change, either. This is America, not some Communist country where they control what people see, who sees it and when!!! Maybe the government needs to start making some of their financial cut backs in the FCC by firing the person or persons responsible for this theft of our right to freedom of choice and who's blaming it on some lame technicality!!!

[n9c1]

LJR28...I also planned on seeing Star Trek Generations at 7:00, Cheers at 8:00 and Frasier at 9:00, as usual. I agree with your sentiments. It totally blows.

[djzack67]

By checking google . There was a statement that 55 The Tube would end and it would become a MEGA Tv channel.

[LJR28]

djzack67....When you want people to know something about a TV channel, you inform them on TV while they're watching that channel. They could have had some kind of statement between programs or something. That's the least they could have done!

[ericcooper1956@att.net]

I turned on Channel 55 at 1:00, expecting to see Gunsmoke. I also planned on seeing Star Trek Generations at 7:00, Cheers at 8:00 and Frasier at 9:00, as usual. You can imagine how surprised I was to see yet another Latin station in it's place!!! That isn't right!!! There was no notice that our programming was going to change and no opinion poll to see if people wanted it to change, either. This is America, not some Communist country where they control what people see, who sees it and when!!! Maybe the government needs to start making some of their financial cut backs in the FCC by firing the person or persons responsible for this theft of our right to freedom of choice and who's blaming it on some lame technicality!!!

From Wikipedia:

The station was sold to Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) for $16 million in May 2011. Upon the completion of the sale, KTBU joined SBS' Mega TV network.

[djzack67]

I turned on Channel 55 at 1:00, expecting to see Gunsmoke. I also planned on seeing Star Trek Generations at 7:00, Cheers at 8:00 and Frasier at 9:00, as usual. You can imagine how surprised I was to see yet another Latin station in it's place!!! That isn't right!!! There was no notice that our programming was going to change and no opinion poll to see if people wanted it to change, either. This is America, not some Communist country where they control what people see, who sees it and when!!! Maybe the government needs to start making some of their financial cut backs in the FCC by firing the person or persons responsible for this theft of our right to freedom of choice and who's blaming it on some lame technicality!!!

I colleague of my that lives in the area said there was a notice in the local paper a week before the switch.

[adkinsjm]

I turned on Channel 55 at 1:00, expecting to see Gunsmoke. I also planned on seeing Star Trek Generations at 7:00, Cheers at 8:00 and Frasier at 9:00, as usual. You can imagine how surprised I was to see yet another Latin station in it's place!!! That isn't right!!! There was no notice that our programming was going to change and no opinion poll to see if people wanted it to change, either. This is America, not some Communist country where they control what people see, who sees it and when!!! Maybe the government needs to start making some of their financial cut backs in the FCC by firing the person or persons responsible for this theft of our right to freedom of choice and who's blaming it on some lame technicality!!!

Cancel if you don't like it.

[peppersimone]

I am glad to know I am not the only one having serious redrawals from the shows on Channel 55. I have watched Fraiser episodes every single nite before going to sleep for what seem like years. Needless to say, this is disheartening. At first I thought there were some mix up when I went to view one of my taped episodes only to find every one of them were a hispanic program. The first nite, my entire house was woke up with me screaming "where's my Fraiser." (LOL) It is my opinion that this is truly a very sad situation for all us fans of old shows.

[djzack67]

Its still not available on Directv though.

Guessing D did not get a contract with the new station

[Shades228]

Guessing D did not get a contract with the new station

They didn't want to carry them. See Post#2 which let them out of carrying them.

[jasondm4]

Its still not available on Directv though.

[XinLan]

I agree, I want to watch Star Trek. It's finally on air again after it's premier back in the 80's.... I read that 55.1 was sold and is now a Latin station called "Mega". Not fair! :(

[gomezma1]

Learn Spanish.