[BC] Call Letters

[Broadcast List USER]

May be silly, but it is real.  If you have spent 15 years branding  
NBC-4, you have a real "New Coke" problem re-branding as NBC-48, but  
still maintaining in the public's mind that NBC-4 and NBC-48 are the  
same thing.

I really think they need to think long term and change their  
branding, but I don't know of any considering it.  I'm sure their  
must be some, but I don't know of any.

I spoke, at length, with an RF engineer for KCBS-2 LA.  They are  
currently on 60, on their way to 43.  By the way, they take a REAL  
hit on coverage.  They are directional on both the transition channel  
and the final channel.  They lose a LOT of coverage, even with the  
latest application, which is better than the CP, but not by much.

Anyway, the marketing people, with engineering on the same page,  
don't want to do a THING to alter the branding of CBS-2.  It just  
amazes me.

BBC and ITV have done this for years -- nay, forever.  They care not  
one whit about what channel they are on.  They are just "BBC-4."  Of  
course, they are a bit more organized in that they have mostly  
allocated "network channels" to a group of RF channels to make it a  
bit easier for the public.  Now, with digital TVs, they just scan,  
and mostly automatically pick the right one for the user.

Things are a bit less organized in the US.  Frankly, I think it would  
really be a CF, except that MOST people get their TV through cable or  
satellite.  Because of this, the transition has been going easier  
than expected, and will continue to be that way.

When the translators are forced to digital, the poo is really going  
to hit the fan, but that may never happen.

But, I agree it is silly.  Take the hit now, and move on.  Why not  
brand it in transition now?  "NBC-4/NBC-48 Digital."  Some stations  
would be hurt as their digital is not yet on the final channel, like  
KCBS above.

--chip

On Mar 2, 2009, at 3:36 PM, broadcast-request at radiolists.net wrote:

> Message: 15
> From: Cowboy <curt at spam-o-matic.net>
>
>  And this is just silly !
>
>  "Mom, what channel is channel 4 ?"
>  "I think channel 4 is on channel 13, or 31, or maybe channel 17 ?"
>  "So, what channel is channel 17 ?"
>
> Cowboy
>
> On Monday 02 March 2009 12:29 am, Broadcast List USER wrote:
>
>>  Nearly EVERY TV station is going to continue to use their existing
>>  "branding" even if they change channels.  NBC-4 in Washington is
>>  going to remain NBC-4 (WRC) as an example.  They will be on 48 after
>>  the analog shut off.  This is repeated all over the country,
>>  especially for low-band analog stations.