BIG Washington,DC rumors...WOW

[WXFORECASTER]

This is from DCRTV... Think might what happen if one of the rumors come true....


CBS & ABC Intererested In NBC4? - 6/16 - DCRTV hears more rumors that NBC is seriously thinking about selling Channel 4/WRC, its longtime owned station in DC. And, we're hearing rumblings that two of the possible bidders for the station are the two other major broadcast networks. CBS has long wanted to own a TV station in DC, but the DC's CBS affiliate, Channel 9/WUSA, is owned by Gannett. And the Washington Post before that. But if CBS were to bid on 4, it could face a co-ownership hurdle, since it owns five radio stations in the DC market. Another potential bidder, we hear, is ABC, which has always lusted over ABC affiliate Channel 7/WJLA, but owner Allbritton has steadfastly refused to sell. Also, ABC just sold its three DC radio stations to Citadel. If either CBS or ABC gets control of 4, expect some sort of network "musical chairs" as NBC finds a new "home" on the DC TV dial. Stay tuned.....

[The Fedora]

this has to be a late april fools joke on dcrtv. nbc would be outta their minds to sell that station and bureau. it is one of their most important properties.

[TAFKA wacowx]

Honestly...what has NBC done in these days of 2.0 that has made sense to us?

I can easily see this as a way to raise capital for the Landmark/Weather Channel purchase.

My personal opinion is that NBC is concentrating MUCH less on affiliates and trying to embrace cable more and more. I notice a lot more Bravo commercials on NBC now and this interest in The Weather Channel will give NBCU another cable property. Heck, even the NBC news programs always point you to MSNBC for more information...even when the actual information should be covered right now, on NBC. It's almost as if NBCU has given up on NBC and is just looking to diversify in as many cable networks as possible.

Looking at it, I mean, do they REALLY need an affiliate in DC to do the job of covering Washington? The other nets have always had bureaus there and have done fine to excellent jobs without having a local.

[The Mockingbird]

In the old days, you needed the expensive satellite equipment to maintain a bureau in a cost effective manner. That required a TV station.

I think that model's changing, if it hasn't already changed.

[WXFORECASTER]

another update on this:

HD Delay At 4 - 6/17 - DCRTV hears rumors that NBC suits have delayed or scrapped high-def upgrade plans for the news studios of DC's WRC-TV and Philadelphia's WCAU-TV. Fueling rumors that the Peacock is planning to put both stations on the market.....

[The Fedora]

Wow... as someone who grew up in DC I just can't believe that they are seriously thinking about this. Or selling Philly.

[WXFORECASTER]

Wow... as someone who grew up in DC I just can't believe that they are seriously thinking about this. Or selling Philly.

I also grew up in the DC area!! NBC was the top top dog. No one came close. But over the past 10 years, things started to change and people jumped ship to other stations!

[Diplomat]

Wow... as someone who grew up in DC I just can't believe that they are seriously thinking about this. Or selling Philly.

They haven't had Philadelphia as long. NBC got WCAU when CBS and Group W merged; WCAU was at the time owned by CBS. CBS got Group W's KYW so it sold WCAU to NBC which had long wanted an O-and-O in Philadelphia. Maybe they don't want it as much anymore.