wakajawaka
03-15-07, 03:22 PM
Following is an e-mail I wrote to my local CBS affiliate in Charlotte about using the sub-channels for the NCAA Tournament. I got a nice response but I'm a bit dissapointed with the results. Read all about it....
ORIGINAL E-MAIL
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 12:59 PM
To: Viewerfeedback WBTV
Subject: NCAA Tourney Games on Digital Sub-Chanells
Many CBS affiliates (including WRAL in Raleigh) are offering every NCAA tournament game in there entirety by utilizing the digital sub-channels. Is WBTV going to be doing this? This seems like a perfect use of the sub-channels for this special event. It is especially nice for those of us that want to watch games of out of market teams. If WBTV is not going to offer the games on the sub-channels I would implore you to reconsider as this is a perfect opportunity to use the (relatively) new digital TV technology.
Thanks
Scott
REPLY:
Dear Scott,
Thank you for your email.
I agree that utilizing the digital sub-channels for the NCAA Tournament is a great way to take advantage of new broadcast technology.
Unfortunately, CBS can only offer a limited number of stations within a certain region the opportunity to do this (due to NCAA license restrictions). WFMY and WRAL are both already multi-casting games in the first couple of rounds, so it is not an option for WBTV. I have put in a request with CBS to allow us to do this in the future, but I am not sure when it might happen. WRAL or WFMY would likely need to stop multi-casting in order for WBTV to have the opportunity.
Thank you again for the email, we appreciate all of the feedback we receive.
Sincerely,
Shelly Hill
Marketing & Program Director
WBTV, Inc.
3 On Your Side
ORIGINAL E-MAIL
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 12:59 PM
To: Viewerfeedback WBTV
Subject: NCAA Tourney Games on Digital Sub-Chanells
Many CBS affiliates (including WRAL in Raleigh) are offering every NCAA tournament game in there entirety by utilizing the digital sub-channels. Is WBTV going to be doing this? This seems like a perfect use of the sub-channels for this special event. It is especially nice for those of us that want to watch games of out of market teams. If WBTV is not going to offer the games on the sub-channels I would implore you to reconsider as this is a perfect opportunity to use the (relatively) new digital TV technology.
Thanks
Scott
REPLY:
Dear Scott,
Thank you for your email.
I agree that utilizing the digital sub-channels for the NCAA Tournament is a great way to take advantage of new broadcast technology.
Unfortunately, CBS can only offer a limited number of stations within a certain region the opportunity to do this (due to NCAA license restrictions). WFMY and WRAL are both already multi-casting games in the first couple of rounds, so it is not an option for WBTV. I have put in a request with CBS to allow us to do this in the future, but I am not sure when it might happen. WRAL or WFMY would likely need to stop multi-casting in order for WBTV to have the opportunity.
Thank you again for the email, we appreciate all of the feedback we receive.
Sincerely,
Shelly Hill
Marketing & Program Director
WBTV, Inc.
3 On Your Side