RTN Gone!!! - Videokarma.org TV - Video

site123a · #1 01-04-2009, 11:35 PM

I'm watching WJLA 7-3 in Maryland, and there's a solid red slide with this on it:

After doing a search on wikipedia on Equity Media, it turns out the company filed for bankruptcy last month. I would hate to see RTN go, this is the only channel I really watch...

radiotvnut · #2 01-05-2009, 12:00 AM

A couple of months ago, there was a blank channel on the local NBC affiliate that was supposed to be for RTN; but, nothing ever happened. A recent rescan of the DTV box removed that subchannel completely. Then, it was announced that the FOX network would be moving from the ABC affiliate to the NBC affiliate effective January 5th. Supposedly, RTN programming was to be carried during "non FOX programming" times. I guess that will be a "no go" if the network goes belly up! Go figure! Let a decent network come along with good programming and it goes belly up while all the other networks with their shitty reality shows, etc. keep going strong!

newhallone · #3 01-05-2009, 12:21 AM

I was looking forward to getting this network.

I would think with all the subchannels available out there, syndication of old programs would pick up. Fox killed a bunch of independents way back, and infomercials seemed to have killed the free space on the rest of the local stations not filled by network programing which has increased as well.
I was reading over some question and answer pages on a couple of local channels web sites. People are not happy. Come feb. all hell is going to break loose. One thing you don't do is take away someones TV. It should be great fun.

newhallone · #4 01-05-2009, 10:42 AM

This is what wiki said......In June 2008, after many financial troubles facing its parent company, RTN was sold by Equity Media Holdings to Henry Luken, the company's largest shareholder for $18.5 million in cash. The network is now owned by Luken Communications, LLC. Equity has the option to re-purchase the network within six months of the close for $27.75 million. The network will continue to be operated out of Little Rock, Arkansas and use Equity's C.A.S.H. (Central Automated Satellite Hub) system.[2]

On January 4, 2009, a contract conflict between Equity Media Holdings Corporation and RTN interrupted the programming on many RTN affiliates.

Another network that will be coming out is called This-TV with MGM programs not owned by Turner and time warner. So it sounds like RTN is still going (anybody getting it?) and more networks like it in the works which is great.

Robert Grant · #5 01-05-2009, 11:42 AM

Maybe NOT gone.

I saw this same graphic early Sunday afternoon on WXYZ "7.2" Detroit.
At the same time, WNWO "24.2" Toledo had actual programming, but the audio was unreliable.

HOWEVER, but 7 PM (EST) that same evening, RTN was back on both stations.

Rob

kx250rider · #6 01-05-2009, 11:48 AM

Never heard of it... But it sounds like something interesting!

I'll keep an eye out for it on DirecTV.

Charles

newhallone · #7 01-05-2009, 12:34 PM

That's good to hear. Last night I thought I was getting pbs from greenbay, but thought it was odd I didn't get any other channels. I am outside the fringe with a vhf antenna so I only get GB on a good day. It turns out I was picking up the pbs translator in Sister bay which by the crow flys is 30 to 40 miles away across the water.

I am still getting it today so I think it's a keeper.

It cuts out a little tho. Once I get a UHF antenna up I should get it real good. I have a tower that's about 80 foot for my triband I am putting up. I will hang a UHF beam off the side of it fixed at GB.

ablethevoice · #8 01-05-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kx250rider

Never heard of it... But it sounds like something interesting!

I'll keep an eye out for it on DirecTV.

Charles

I've never heard of RTN either, but I'll keep an eye out on DirecTV myself.

site123a · #9 01-05-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newhallone

This is what wiki said......In June 2008, after many financial troubles facing its parent company, RTN was sold by Equity Media Holdings to Henry Luken, the company's largest shareholder for $18.5 million in cash. The network is now owned by Luken Communications, LLC. Equity has the option to re-purchase the network within six months of the close for $27.75 million. The network will continue to be operated out of Little Rock, Arkansas and use Equity's C.A.S.H. (Central Automated Satellite Hub) system.[2]

I didn't see that article on wikipedia until you mention it, but at least there back up here at my end, hopefully this won't happen again...

RTN is the only reason why I like my converter box, they have a lot of great classic shows that are a lot better then the crap they put on today. There is nothing on the other subchannels but PBS and the Weather channels which I took most of them off.

At least I won't miss Airwolf next weekend...

site123a · #10 01-05-2009, 01:30 PM

You guys with DirecTV should be able to get it.

wkand · #11 01-05-2009, 01:54 PM

I am still getting RTN as of this past Saturday as a sub-channel of CBS affiliate KIRO TV in Seattle, over my converter box. I have found nothing on the Internet to contradict that. Wish they'd move off "Ironside" however...Luv that Dragnet !!!!

radiotvnut · #12 01-05-2009, 02:05 PM

Well, I now have RTN. Just checked and caught the tail end of "Kojak". Here, it's actually the fox network but RTN programming is carried during non FOX programming slots.

AUdubon5425 · #13 01-05-2009, 02:51 PM

A friend of mine who now lives in Lafayette, La. mentioned the "red slide" yesterday. Glad to hear it's still on the air. I wish I could pick it up in New Orleans but the closest affiliates are translators in Baton Rouge and Hattiesburg - I could erect a 300ft. tower and still wouldn't pull them in!

holmesuser01 · #14 01-05-2009, 07:01 PM

I have THIS-TV thru a local channel WNEG-TV. They used to be a CBS afilliate, but they dropped it.

THIS plays The Outer Limits, and The Patty Duke Show alot. Sometimes, I catch Mr. Ed.

Lots of commercials.

We can only hope that it takes off. Best of luck to them.

radiotvnut · #15 01-05-2009, 07:48 PM

I see a couple of things about RTN that I like already. There are no stupid logos, crawlers, pop-up's, etc. on the screen and they don't chop the closing credits off the end of a show.

I did get a little ticked, though. I saw the opening theme to "Knight Rider", then they went to a commercial, and then to a 30 minute infomercial about the DTV transition. This happened at 6 PM CST, probably the time that FOX programming takes over.