KPBI Fort Smith, Ark., Drops MNT For Retro TV
KPBI, the full-power My Network TV affiliate in the Fort Smith, Ark., market (DMA 100), will drop its MNT affiliation this week and become a fulltime Retro TV affiliate.
Greg Fess, president of KPBI, said: “I am very excited to be bringing the RTV Network to the northwest Arkansas area. We love the family-friendly programs that we have enjoyed over the years. We know that viewers will embrace this new programming on KPBI.”
RTV’s Neal Ardman pointed to the success many full-power stations are now having using RTV on the main channel as the primary — and often only — network. “We have enjoyed tremendous ratings success in several markets, including Boston on WMFP, Knoxville, Tenn., on WMAK and St. Louis on WPXS. Along with fantastic shows like Magnum P.I. and Quincy, RTV provides most of its affiliates 24/7 centralized master control on a barter basis.”
Ardman added that with RTV “providing both the local and national content on an individual stream, the stations have little if any capitol cost in launching and the only ongoing cost is the actual cost of spot sales.”
Comments (6)
Marsha MacEachern says:
August 13, 2009 at 12:10 am
WAY TO GO NEAL – knock ’em dead!
William Malik says:
August 31, 2009 at 9:55 pm
this sucks big time, i seen all of these shows with my granny. Losing My Network TV and Friday night smackdown SUCKS BIG TIME. as well as alot of other showsl.
this bites and i am sure i am not the only one who feels the same.
Carmen Vega says:
September 1, 2009 at 12:57 am
This has to be the worst thing to happen around here. I do not know of anyone who watches most of these shows. Although if you look at the ratings smackdown is a highly watched show and now its gone. And Kelly you are not the only one that feels that way about the change. Thanks a lot KPBI!! The new stuff or excuse me old as granny stuff sucks. I want my smackdown back!!
nancy booher says:
September 8, 2009 at 8:34 pm
i live in the Springdale area and have directv and used to get mynetwork tv through the KPBI 34 station. im also not happy that i cannot watch smackdown anymore. If anyone has directv and knows anything that might be happening to get mynetworktv back on directv in this area i would like to know. i want my smackdown back. i dont want to have to download it every week or watch it on the site. I called directv about this and they say that we were getting mynetworktv by a fluke. We need mynetworktv in hd on directv
Carmen Vega says:
September 13, 2009 at 1:05 am
Did you know that smackdown on My Network TV was the #1 most watched show last friday on cable and broadcast tv. look it up if you do not believe me. KPBI lost a main thing when they took mntv off the air. Bring it back if you people really know whats good for tv. I mean did any of the shows on Retro TV get ratings like that ever. I don’t think so. go to nielsen media research and you will see what a mistake was made!!
Carmen Vega says:
September 13, 2009 at 1:07 am
oh yeah and this station is no longer embraced but is now rejected. nice going KPBI!!