WCGV's Loss of UPN ? (a few years ago)

[midwesterntv]

I don't know if anyone has talked about this already, but I was told that WCGV-TV lost it's affiliation with UPN for awhile in .. I think 1998?

Does anyone know why?

[Todd Wiedemann]

Whoa !

Dylan -

I edited the title (originally WCGV's Loss of UPN) because I nearly fell out of my chair !

I'm really enjoying Enterprise and Jake 2.0 this season !! :cool:

[midwesterntv]

Maybe with Sinclair's logic - it may happen again.  

[techguy1975]

Originally posted by midwesterntv
I don't know if anyone has talked about this already, but I was told that WCGV-TV lost it's affiliation with UPN for awhile in .. I think 1998?

Does anyone know why?

They did....I dont remember exactly why, and I think it was back in the days when Ch. 24 was owned by a subsidiary of Sinclair.  It was only a few months..

[midwesterntv]

I guess I am able to answer my own question now.

I talked with a contact of mine who said it was because of fear that the UPN network would fold.

Sounds odd, but it didn't just happen here in Milwaukee.

[John L]

Yes I do recall WCGV having contract dilemma's with UPN and 1998 sounds about right.  Also at the time WVTV gave up its broadcast rights to Brewer and Bucks games and they were switched to WCGV since it became a independent station since UPN and WCGV failed to agree on a contract.

After about 6 months UPN and WCGV agreed to negotiations and once again contracted to carry UPN network programming.

Since we are on the subject of UPN, I notice with the new fall season that UPN network programming is now limited to Mondays thru Thursdays.  Didn't UPN also offer Friday night programs???

Now I see that network programming is now limited to Monday thru Thursdays. Because on Fridays now WCGV is carrying movies, while WACY-32 Appleton, Fox Valley's UPN is carrying High School Football games LIVE from a selected Fox Valley area high school.

I have heard UPN is not making a profit and don't have any real stable program that hits ratings like galore unlike WB in which "7th Heaven" is a big hit for them, and I guess "Everwood" is now big. WB's network programming is daily except Saturday nights and on Sunday WB network programming starts at 4:00 pm until 9 pm.  Don't forget WB also offers childrens programs during the day and Saturday mornings in which WVTV also airs.

-John L.