As the June 12, 2009 DTV transition date approaches broadcasters are looking to broaden their program offerings. While the current OTA program choices appear to be narrow. Quality program expansion will occur as advertising revenues grow. We will see lower budget programs replaced with high quality programming. June 12, 2009 is the beginning of an exciting and ever changing future of DTV.
Subchannels Need Programming, Offer Ad Opportunities
Broadcasters don’t have to search far and wide for programming because digital programmers are eager to pitch their fare to stations, said Thom Postema, general manager for Southeastern Media Holdings’ Fox affiliate WSFX-TV in Wilmington, N.C. “They come to you. We’ve been pitched on real estate channels, NASCAR channels, economy channels,” he said.
The business model for digital subchannels is unproven, but that’s because the business is new, said Del Parks, VP of engineering and operations for the Sinclair Broadcast Group, which carries MyNetworkTV and THIS TV in a few markets.
DTV: Stations Try to Fill Digital Subchannels – TVWeek – News
