One of the networks developed for digital sub channels wants to join the major leagues of broadcast and cable networks. Me-TV has announced that it will be subscribing to the Nielsen ratings service. Me-TV is owned by Weigel Broadcasting has developed Me-TV and ThisTV primarily to serve as digital sub channels.
Digital sub channels were made possible when congress decreed that all over the air broadcasts had to be digital. With digital broadcasting, channels are able to be split and carry different programming streams.
Me-TV is carried in the Fargo-Grand Forks-Moorhead market on KVLY channel 11.
Me-TV recently became available in the country’s top ten TV markets when it became available in Washington, D.C.
In addition to local broadcasters Me-TV is also carried on local cable systems and on satellite providers.
Being represented in the Nielsen ratings means that the network will be measured along with the major broadcast and cable channels.
Me-TV’s content is classic network TV shows, drawn primarily from the 1960s and 1970s. Many of the series are in black and white and the network makes a point of running complete opening and closing credits. This can be a boon for trivia fans who want to see who played what in the series as many famous actors and actresses got their starts in smaller roles on famous TV shows. The shows run the gamut from 1970s sitcoms like The Bob Newhart Show to rarely seen hour long dramas like the World War II series, Combat!
They also offer the horror host, Svengoolie, who hosts classic Universal horror films on Saturday nights.
The network also offers a Sunday programming blocked called Sunday Showcase that offers a four hour block of seldom seen offerings, such as Laurel and Hardy shorts, or The Loretta Young Show.
The network also offers videos of other shows on its website, alongside some other goodies, such as cartoon shorts.
The network, through its TV channel, and its website is positioning itself for fans of classic TV, and creating new fans for classic TV through its social media. Now that Nick at Nite and TV Land have largely abandoned its fare of classic TV for more current fare and original programming. There some other digital sub channels that have come to the fore for classic TV lovers, such as Antenna TV and RetroTV. There are some TV shows run on Weigel’s other property, ThisTV, as well.
Comments