MGM, Sinclair To Debut Sci-Fi Diginet

MGM and Sinclair Television Group this fall will launch a digital over-the-air network with science-fiction programming from the MGM library such as Dead Like Me and Stargate.

The not-yet-named channel is so far cleared on stations reaching 30% of U.S. television homes with more expected to be announced.

MGM will program the network.

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http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/86528/mgm-sinclair-to-debut-scifi-diginet?nocookies

With all of these Diginets making a debut, while very welcome, I have to wonder how much clearance they can all get. Obviously Sinclair intends to carry this on their stations, but is that enough for critical mass?

Sinclair owns/operates stations in 80 markets, so up to 80 markets will get the new network. Buzzr only launched in 17 markets. However most of the Buzzr affiliates are in major markets and thus will have more eyeballs. What's Sinclair's biggest station? WJLA in DC?

MarcB said:

What's Sinclair's biggest station? WJLA in DC?

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yes. Then one in Seattle and CW in Minneapolis

Outside The Works and the Luken networks, this is the nadir for subchannel networks so far. MGM's sci-fi product outside of Dead Like Me was universally terrible in the 90's and 2000's (most of their other stuff before then was acquired by other parties), and pretty much strangled Showtime until CBS got them and found much better shows to put on that channel. This definitely seems limited to duopoly markets and ATSC 3.0 test stations, along with a replacement for the 'will this deal ever die' Zuus Country stations unless Sinclair shapes a large amount of bandwidth to make it work; with Grit, GetTV and Weathernation already on the Sinclair roster it's getting a bit crowded.

I wish it was CBS and Weigel doing a sci-fi diginet. Put that Star Trek library to good use.

crackedscreen said:

I wish it was CBS and Weigel doing a sci-fi diginet. Put that Star Trek library to good use.

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Definitely agreed. And also add the original and 80's versions of The Twilight Zone as well.

The MGM/Sinclair channel will probably be another one that won't make it to the Memphis or Jackson, TN area because Sinclair doesn't have any stations here.