# The networks have ruined UHF!

Category: Cinema 31

## Post 1 by chicago66 (Generic Zoner) on Friday, 24-Oct-2008 2:54:24

Whatever happened to local, independent UHF TV stations? You know, those stations that were higher up on the tuner but offered some of the more interesting programming on TV during the 1980s and early 90s before the WB and UPN started getting affiliates in major cities and limiting expression to whatever the network execs thought was appropriate. I fondly remember the wealth of programming on station WGBO, Channel 66 in Chicago, from which my username is derived. That stuff was interesting, even if it only consisted of syndicated reruns and local information programs. That was a mix of great entertainment that the networks couldn't deliver. Here you can share your memories of what made your local station special: the shows, hosts, and even the image liners or stations jingles that made the station sound like it was an integral part of your community, not just a network affiliate trying to keep the big boss in New York happy.

## Post 2 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 24-Oct-2008 4:57:36

Ah yes. The same can be said of all media. Networks have totally ruined the local flavor. I think AM Radio is the last bastien (If I spelled that right) of regional broadcasting. Back to your issues though, I do mis the local personalities that Baltimore TV spawned, and even every city's version of things like Romper Room and Bozo the Clown. Now I'm really dating myself *smile*.
Lou

## Post 3 by Jesse (Hmm!) on Friday, 24-Oct-2008 9:56:01

"U62? U62? May I remind you that we are a network afiliate!" Lol loved that movie! I think Weird Al was a prophet of things to come!

## Post 4 by Twinklestar09 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Friday, 24-Oct-2008 12:40:17

At first, I didn't get what this topic was about, but when I started thinking about it, I started remembering some of the channels I used to watch as a kid during the 80's thru 90's. Fox used to be on channel 35. When they would have a commercial for something they show, they would say, "Fox 35, Cable 7.) I also remember them saying "This is Fox 35, Kerville, San Antonio" and I believe they used to have a identifying tune during/after that. Also, KABB used to be "KABB 29". It's still KABB like if you look it up thru NFB Newsline or probably other sources, but it is now called "Fox 29". Both channels also used to have set times put aside for cartoons, sitcoms, and other shows. I specifically remember 35 having cartoons every weekday from like 5 or 6 to about 8 or 9 (we watched that one more in the mornings before going to school), and I believe both channels also had cartoons from 3 to 5 PM when kids would get home from school. Now all they have are adult-type shows and sitcoms and no children's cartoons (I personally don't count Simpsons, Family Guy, or King of the Hill as children's shows), but they do have some on Saturdays and not sure on Sundays. I also remember that during the cartoons of the former channels, there would be Public Service Announcements toward children and on 29 there was a lady host that would come out I think usually after/before shows to talk to children/about things. There would also be a lady that would come out during the mornings sometimes on 35 to do a short news piece. Both channels had sitcoms that started from 5 to maybe like 7 I think.
On other channels like USA, and what used to be the Family Channel, there were also set times for children's cartoons and set times for adult shows. Oh, and UPN was formerly KMOL, although I don't remember much of what that channel was like as we didn't watch it as much.
Nicolodeon used to be similar, cartoons for younger children in the mornings, and for older ones in the afternoons, and of course the Nick at Night for adults at night.
I liked when time slots used to be more defined and not just reruns of the same cartoons practically all day everyday or too much reality-type sitcoms/shows.
I'm disappointed that at my sister's house (who for now has the antenna channels, all the kids have to watch during weekdays on TV was KLRN for cartoons. Nothing wrong with educational cartoons of course, but there used to be more choice when I was younger. But even with Basic Cable, I think most of the shows for kids are either same cartoons thru-out the day, or teen sitcoms. I miss TV when I was a kid. *sad smile*

## Post 5 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Friday, 24-Oct-2008 18:50:14

I miss the old game shows like shop Till You Drop, Super Market Sweep, Press Your Luck, Twenty Five Thousand Dollar Pyramid etc and the cool stuff on the Gameshow Network. I used to love the Block Party Summers on Nic at Night, especially Bewitched, and the cool stuff on TV Land before they got stupid. I also enjoyed Animal Planet, The History Channel, The Discovery Channel and ANE. But they all started having way too many repeats. I remember we used to have Channel Eleven and that's all it was called. Then, they became the WB or whatever. I don't even watch television anymore cause we switched to Fios and that's not really accessible. I don't like the fact that everyone else could choose to watch stuff On Demand, read the on-screen TV Guide etc.

## Post 6 by changedheart421 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Saturday, 25-Oct-2008 11:39:39

damn there use to be this cool game show called I'm telling but no one remembers it. it came on the family channel in the mid 90's. miss that. also there was a show on pbs called kid songs. loved that one.

## Post 7 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 25-Oct-2008 17:44:17

I've got a better one. Ghost Writer! lol

## Post 8 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 25-Oct-2008 19:38:59

Tiffanitsa, I'm not sure whre you live, but you might try the accessible TV Listings from Newsline for the blind. Granted, you won't be able to access the on-demand feature, (I can't with comcast), but at least, I can decide what I want to watch. Also over on the Blind Bargains Website, I seem to remember something about accessible TV Listings.
Lou

## Post 9 by chicago66 (Generic Zoner) on Friday, 31-Oct-2008 23:30:15

To Jesse, I couldn't agree with you more. They certainly picked the right man for the lead role. And it was awesome to see how the whole community pitched in to keep the station on the air. Someone should really look into eavesdropping on a network affiliate's general manager commenting on how he can lead an audience of dumb sheep, as Fletcher put it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to get back to Spatula City for their buy-nine-get-one-free offer.

## Post 10 by lights_rage (I just keep on posting!) on Saturday, 01-Nov-2008 1:44:05

wow what happened, now there are no kids cartoons on tv hell ya cant get a kid to go outside and play anymore. and i remember when shit like family guy was against the law. so yeah the world of media has gone to shit radio stations are just coporations and its all bull shit.

## Post 11 by The Elemental Dragon (queen of dragons) on Friday, 07-Nov-2008 18:27:01

there is only one channel or three actually that I watch because everything else is just mehhh. National Geographic when I'm at college along with animal planet and what used to be court TV but is now True TV, shows the same stuff the thingy just changed, travel channel sometimes and history sometimes, i watch fox channel 6 for the news, but that's it.

## Post 12 by DHS Darcy (Zone BBS Addict) on Friday, 21-Nov-2008 1:53:28

This is an interesting topic. I live in Canada, but I'm on the Michigan border, so picked up the Detroit stations. My favourite of these was wkbd tv 50. When I was growing up in the 80's, they would have cartoons on in the mornings, sitcoms through the day, and then cartoons again in the afternoons when kids got home from school. For years they ran the original star trek at midnight, so in the summers I used to like to stay up and watch that.
For those of you nostalgic for those old UHF stations, you might try putting the call letters of your favourite stations in to youtube. You might find old clips.

## Post 13 by dave84 (Zone BBS Addict) on Monday, 18-May-2009 17:04:07

some one asked about tv listings. Well, i like to use
www.tvguide.com/listings
you click on Edit Location and put in your zipp code.
i also use some times
www.zaptoit.com
it is pretty simple, you just put in your zip code and tv provider and you get the listings for your earea.
about tv stations here in Arizona the only good local independent channel now is AZTV. It has a llot of sindicted sitcoms in the evenings and in the mornings in has local talk shows. yah i miss cartoons now. I remember waking up early to watch them before school and watching them some when i got home in the afternoon. Now all it is is court shows in the afternoon mostly. And cartoons only on Saturday mornings now.

## Post 14 by blindndangerous (the blind and dangerous one) on Monday, 18-May-2009 18:19:43

wow, ghost writer? I didn't think anyone else knew about taht one. I loved that show.