WBPX-TV
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HAAT | 334.59 m (1,098 ft)[2] |
Transmitter coordinates | 42°23′2.7″N 71°29′35.3″W / 42.384083°N 71.493139°W[2] |
Links | |
Public license information | |
Website | iontelevision |
Satellite station | |
WPXG-TV | |
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Channels | |
Ownership | |
WDPX-TV | |
History | |
First air date | September 1, 1995 |
Former call signs | WNBU (1995–1999) |
Former channel number(s) |
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Technical information[3] | |
Facility ID | 48406 |
ERP | 80.6 kW |
HAAT | 342 m (1,122 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 43°11′4″N 71°19′10″W / 43.18444°N 71.31944°W |
Links | |
Public license information |
WBPX-TV (channel 68) is a
WBPX-TV's programming is duplicated on WPXG-TV (channel 21) in Concord, New Hampshire, which shares its channel with Lowell, Massachusetts–licensed Daystar station WYDN (channel 48) and broadcasts from Fort Mountain near Epsom, New Hampshire.
WBPX-TV began broadcasting as WQTV in 1979 and originally broadcast
Early history
The subscription television years
On June 3, 1966, Boston Heritage Broadcasting, Inc.—a consortium of local owners and New Jersey-based
Even though a construction permit had been awarded in 1969, it would be nearly a decade before channel 68 broadcast. By late 1977, Boston Heritage had begun work to build the transmitter on the
WQTV began program testing at the very end of 1978 and regular programming on January 2, 1979.[8] The subscription service, named BEST at launch, became known as StarCase in May 1979.[9] That month, the station's only non-subscription programs were paid-for ethnic and religious hours.[10] Universal was prompted to abandon its plan to sign up subscribers by area because prospective customers kept calling, having dialed past channel 56 to see the new station on their sets.[10] Further interest was sparked when StarCase began broadcasting adult films in late-night hours.[11]
Universal Subscription Television was acquired in two parts during the course of 1981 by
Channel 68 was not the only purveyor of subscription television programming in Massachusetts; alongside a microwave distribution system carrying
Beginning in late 1982, subscription television began to decline as an industry due to increased penetration of cable services. Satellite Television & Associated Resources would be one of the first and highest-profile failures in the industry. At the end of January, Star's 23,000 remaining subscribers received Preview program guides for February;[17] the end for Star came on the night of February 12, when customers were confronted with a graphic slide after a second mortgage holder foreclosed on the operation and sold its assets privately.[18] Preview bought the subscriber list and temporarily simulcast most of its programming on both channels 68 and 27 until it could switch Star's subscribers to Preview equipment.[19] At the end of March, Satellite Television & Associated Resources, with $30.9 million in liabilities, was forced into Chapter 7 bankruptcy by three movie studios and an advertising company in Los Angeles.[18]
"Where the Stars Shine"
Handy-man special. A station in search of an image, Ch. 68 relies on worn-out shows like I Dream of Jeannie and The Flying Nun in the prime-time slot. Weak signal and low ratings, station failed to garner even 1 percent of the viewing audience in the latest ratings period report by the Nielsen Co.
Gregory A. Patterson, The Boston Globe, on the situation of WQTV in 1986[20]
Preview's transitional service for former Star customers and promotional messages for Preview occupied WQTV's evening hours until September 5, 1983, when channel 68 launched a new ad-supported evening lineup. The station's existing daytime programming from the Financial News Network (FNN) was joined by syndicated fare including Kojak, Barnaby Jones and Tic-Tac-Dough.[21] The new programming proved popular enough that the FNN daytime programming was discontinued on April 2, 1984.[22]
WQTV became an aggressive buyer of programs and an aggressive promoter of its programming. The station relocated its studios to a site on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton. It managed to see ratings increases, and sales nearly doubled in 1985 to $4.2 million ($10.1 million in 2023 dollars).[23] However, the early 1980s had brought a boom in independent stations and rapid increases in the prices for syndicated programming that formed the backbone of these stations. WQTV succumbed in December 1985 and laid off all except "the essential operating staff"—dismissing more than half of its 40 workers—in a desperate bid to cut costs; it also put itself on the market.[24] Many popular programs were axed by the station because they had become too expensive,[20] while WQTV's national sales representative resigned from the position and began considering "further action" to obtain back payments.[25] Clifford Curley, the general manager, managed to get the station to turn an operating profit in the first months of 1986 by subsisting on pre-1948 films, any and every network show turned down by the local affiliates, and other titles it owned in perpetuity, along with aggressively promoting the studios for lease to industrial filmmakers.[23]
Within six months of going on the market, it had been joined by two competing independent stations:
Christian Science Monitor ownership
On May 28, 1986,
The Monitor hired Allan Ginsberg, the former vice president of Metromedia, and announced that it would not operate WQTV with an all-religious lineup; instead, channel 68 would feature commercial programs along with some programming already produced by the newspaper, such as the weekly Christian Science Monitor Reports, which was distributed through Independent Network News to 88 stations across the country.[31][32] This program had debuted as a monthly show in 1985, though it aired in off hours and often on smaller, lesser-viewed stations.[33]: 37 It had reason to begin an extensive expansion into broadcasting: the newspaper was prestigious but a longtime money-loser for Christian Science.[30]
They had gone and built this whole apparatus, bought a lot of equipment, hired a lot of people, and they didn't know what to do. They were wading into the ocean and found that the water was deeper than they thought.
Sanford Socolow, on the situation prior to the launch of World Monitor[33]: 40
The Monitor-produced programming was restructured in September 1988, when World Monitor, a half-hour international news program hosted by former
The introduction of World Monitor presaged a total programming change in April 1989; WQTV dropped almost all of its remaining entertainment programming—retaining just a handful of nature and children's shows—and began offering a suite of new Monitor-produced public affairs programs.
Even though ratings dropped precipitously for channel 68 after the removal of many of the syndicated shows, with the network plan well into development but still not publicly announced, Monitor officials forged ahead and announced they would add another 24 hours a week of new output on WQTV by early 1990, intending to syndicate some of it nationally.[41] Programs on the air at this time included the newsmagazine One Norway Street; Today's Monitor, featuring looks at stories in that day's newspaper; the Spanish-language Monitor de Hoy, the first-ever Spanish-language TV show in Boston;[42] 50 Years Ago Today, featuring excerpts from 50-year-old issues of the Monitor; and the weekly minority-oriented Inner City Beat, hosted by longtime Monitor journalist Luix Overbea.[37][41][43] Religious programs featured in only a limited capacity: a daily Bible lesson and a five-minute reading of the religious article in the Monitor.[42] This was supplemented by foreign-purchased programs, such as the 42-part Japanese documentary The Silk Road.[44] Some of the new programs found their way to the WWOR EMI Service, the superstation feed of New York television station WWOR-TV, which was created at the start of 1990 to substitute some of the New York station's programming due to new syndication exclusivity rules.[45] By 1990, World Monitor alone cost some $20 million ($56.8 million in 2023 dollars) a year to produce;[46] that same year, Canadian journalist Peter Kent joined as reporter and substitute anchor, a post he would hold until the program ceased production in 1992.[47]
The Monitor Channel
I don't think it could be profitable any time in the foreseeable future, and I probably shouldn't say this, just as a Boston operation. Yes [it can be profitable] if this can be a springboard to national distribution.
John H. Hoagland, Jr., member of the WQTV board, on channel 68's new format in 1989[41]
At the 1990
The Monitor Channel
As early as April 1990, when ABC's World News Tonight ran a report on the financial losses of the Monitor television division,[54]: 55 concern arose among some within The Christian Science Monitor about the scope and priority placed on the broadcasting operation.[46] Even before the Monitor Channel launched, several maneuvers prompted financial questions: church officials were touring the country urging an increase in contributions, while the Monitor Channel began to court outside investment.[38] In April 1991, the church was revealed to have transferred $25 million (equivalent to $49.9 million in 2023 dollars) from its retirement fund to its general fund, sparking more concerns.[54]: 57 Dissidents in the church complained of losing jobs or being warned of potential excommunication for criticizing the board of trustees.[55]
[The Monitor's approach to television] made you scratch your head all the time. I think their chances in the short run are next to nil. I don't think they're dealing with reality.
Bob Klein, television consultant, on the channel's launch[55]
While the Monitor Channel featured many of the same shows seen in Boston on WQTV, World Monitor could not be scheduled on the national service because of the existing Discovery contract.[38] New shows included one helmed by comedian Mort Sahl.[55] In the early months, the Monitor Channel performed well. With four million homes signed up in a difficult environment, regional Emmy and other awards for its programming, positive media reception, and new shows coming to air on a regular basis, the channel seemed set up for long-term success.[56]
That fall, World Monitor—the most widely available Monitor program, with a national viewership of 450,000—underwent turmoil. Hart resigned on October 31, 1991,
Before long, any discussion of the Monitor television operation was overshadowed by financial considerations that by now were affecting the core religious functions of the Church of Christ, Scientist. In 1958,
Demise of the Monitor Channel and sale of WQTV
Like PBS at its worst, the station betrays a distaste for television, rather than an appreciation of the medium.
Ed Siegel, television columnist, The Boston Globe[64]
The Christian Science Church revealed in March 1992 that it had borrowed $41.5 million (equivalent to $80.9 million in 2023 dollars) in the first two months of the year to underwrite its media operations, including WQTV and the Monitor Channel; in doing so, it denied that the borrowing from its own endowment and other sources would affect the church's pension fund.
On March 9, the church announced it had put the Monitor Channel up for sale and would shut it down by June 15 if no buyer was found for the cable service; that same day, church leader Harvey W. Wood—who had been a supporter of the media expansion—resigned as chairman.[66] WQTV would not be affected and was declared to not be for sale.[70] The next month, the majority of the channel's 400-person workforce was laid off, with a small staff kept on to wind down operations; the cost of shutting down the channel was quoted at $45 million (equivalent to $87.8 million in 2023 dollars).[71] Several last-minute sale talks were held in the two months that followed, but none bore fruit.[72]
The last task confronting the church as it wound down its once-expansive media operation was to sell the Boston television station that had fueled its boom. The church announced on May 16, citing continued fiscal pressures, that it would seek to sell WQTV.[73] With much of the equipment used in the Monitor Channel operation being sold separately and a poor signal from the Prudential Tower, added to a competitive market with many existing stations, the station would face some difficulty in its immediate future.[73] As the Monitor Channel shut down on June 28, WQTV continued to air archive programming from the service.[74] Continued litigation over the $97 million bequest, promoted by the two potential California beneficiaries,[75] led the church to auction off equipment and the Monitor Channel transponder:[76] the latter fetched $14.2 million (equivalent to $27.7 million in 2023 dollars), being sold at a profit to the Discovery Channel, while another $4 million (equivalent to $7.8 million in 2023 dollars) was raised from the equipment.[77]
By early May 1993, two bidders presented proposals to the church: Krypton Broadcasting Corporation, owned by Elvin Feltner, and audio electronics manufacturer Ira Gale.
In the end, The Christian Science Monitor lost $325 million (equivalent to $634 million in 2023 dollars) in its television venture, and the Monitor Channel cost $65.9 million to shut down (equivalent to $129 million in 2023 dollars).[76]: 15 Bridge cites three outside factors that contributed to its closure: the recession, lack of channel capacity on cable systems in an uncertain and depressed investment environment, and the association of an "internal opposition" within Christian Science with The Globe.[81]
Boston University ownership
It is rare that a television license becomes available in a major market such as Boston, and the university would be remiss if it did not take advantage of this opportunity.
John Silber, president, Boston University[82]
With the Krypton bid in peril, another local group entered the picture: Boston University (BU) began to analyze the possibility of buying WQTV.[83] The deal was officially announced in June, with WQTV being sold for $3.8 million (equivalent to $7.24 million in 2023 dollars), below the church's $4.5 million asking price.[82] After the WQTV sale, Christian Science would retain only a small production facility to continue making religious programs.[82]
While researching WQTV, Boston University also learned of other television opportunities. Less than a month after announcing its purchase of channel 68, BU reached a deal to buy
BU, through commercial affiliate Boston University Communications, closed on the purchase of WQTV in November 1993. The call letters were changed to WABU as the new ownership set out to build a commercial general entertainment station.[89] The first local programs materialized three months later: hourly newsbreaks hosted by market veterans Ted O'Brien and Gail Harris, the latter of whom had also worked at the Monitor Channel.[90] BU's presence also augmented the 37 paid staff with some two dozen student interns earning credit for their work at channel 68.[90] Additionally, CBS This Morning briefly joined the channel 68 lineup in early 1994 after WHDH (channel 7) stopped carrying it.[91] This would mark the start of two years of upgrades and new local programs. Adler on Line, a nightly call-in program hosted by Canadian broadcaster Charles Adler, started in August 1994[92] and was followed by two Sunday programs: news review Consider This and a business program, Business World with Jim Howell.[93] Consider This became a nightly show the next year, and a new weeknight talk show fronted by Harris also joined the primetime lineup in 1995.[94] By the end of 1995, WABU had upgraded its original programming and acquired newer and more popular syndicated shows than it aired at launch, including Baywatch, Northern Exposure and The Golden Girls.[95] However, ratings had largely been flat.[96]
At the same time, WABU ramped up its sports coverage. BU hockey was soon joined by the Beanpot and other events, and by 1995, the station aired 60 collegiate games a year.[95] However, a bigger opportunity awaited. WSBK ended its 21-year run and dropped the Boston Red Sox after the 1995 season, and after another deal the Red Sox had been making collapsed, WABU became the new home of 80 Red Sox games for 1996 on a one-year contract.[97] The deal, however, created upheaval for Red Sox fans outside of the Boston market, as WABU and the team had to seek new coverage partners where WSBK's regional cable carriage once sufficed.[98] In the middle of the 1996 season, a new pact was reached between the Red Sox and WABU, extending the partnership through 1998.[99] 1996 also brought the New England Revolution in the new Major League Soccer to channel 68, which aired 19 of 32 games in the league's first season.[100] In 1997, 68 Sports Night debuted, hosted by John Holt.[101]
After the Red Sox arrived on WABU, potential buyers began to make themselves known. By February 1996, Boston University had received multiple unsolicited offers for channel 68 and its satellites, prompting BU to retain an investment firm to determine the value of the properties.[102] One reported offer came from the Meredith Corporation, which had prepared a $50 million bid for WABU.[103] BU's indebtedness began to increase administration's desire to sell off the television station; in 1998, the USA Broadcasting group owned by Barry Diller signed a letter of intent to purchase WABU for a reported $30 to $40 million.[104]
In 1998, WABU struck a three-year deal to replace WSBK as the home of Boston Celtics away games.[105] That same year was the last for the Red Sox on WABU; with the station losing $5 million (equivalent to $8.72 million in 2023 dollars) a year, the Red Sox sold their television rights to a consortium known as JCS for the 1999 season.[106]
Pax and Ion ownership
On May 4, 1999, Boston University announced that it had sold WABU and its repeaters to an affiliate of Paxson Communications Corporation, which owned the Pax TV network.[104] While the university had rejected a string of unsolicited offers, it felt comfortable with the Pax bid because of the network's family-friendly program orientation.[107] Pax opted not to retain the Celtics, who moved all games to Fox Sports Net New England (now NBC Sports Boston).[108] The buyer was not Paxson directly but DP Media, owned by Bud Paxson's son Devon; Pax had launched the year before in Boston over DP Media's WBPX (channel 46) and Paxson Communications-owned WPXB (channel 60) in Merrimack, New Hampshire.[107] The WBPX call letters moved to channel 68 along with the Pax programming months later, and WNBU and WZBU became WPXG and WDPX, respectively.[109] Paxson acquired the DP Media stations in December 1999.[110]
Pax operated as a national network with very little program deviation and moved to shutter the entire WABU-TV local operation, resulting in 75 layoffs at channel 68, including a local personality who would move to WFXT: Butch Stearns, who had been a sports host at the station.[101][111] The 1660 Soldiers Field Road studio space was acquired by the Staples Inc. office supply chain to expand its existing location; the Brighton store had been the chain's very first in 1986 and was now small compared to its more recent builds, and Pax moved into a former Ground Round restaurant at 1120 Soldiers Field Road.[112] After changing its name to i: Independent Television in 2005, the network became known as Ion Television in 2007.[113]
On May 18, 2016, the
In the FCC's
On February 27, 2021, Qubo, Ion Plus and Ion Shop ceased broadcasting, and WBPX-TV's second and fourth subchannels switched to Ion Mystery and Bounce TV; concurrently, WDPX-TV replaced Ion Plus with Court TV. This change was as part of the acquisition of Ion by the E. W. Scripps Company, which already owned a suite of diginets.[117] The QVC and HSN subchannels were switched on July 1 to new multicast networks from Scripps, Defy TV and TrueReal, as part of their launch in 92 percent of the United States, with the Ion transmitters as their primary carriers.[118]
Technical information
Subchannels
The stations' signals are
Channel | Res. | Aspect | Short name | Programming | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
WBPX-TV | WPXG-TV | ||||
68.1 | 21.1 | 720p | 16:9 |
ION | Ion Television |
68.2 | 21.2 | 480i | Mystery | Ion Mystery | |
68.3 | 21.3 | SCRIPPS | Scripps News | ||
68.4 | 21.4 | Bounce | Bounce TV | ||
68.5 | 21.5 | Defy | Defy TV | ||
68.6 | 21.6 | Jewelry | Jewelry TV
| ||
68.8 | 21.8 | HSN2 | HSN2 |
One channel on each multiplex is devoted to the channel-sharing stations: WDPX-TV (58.1 Grit) on the WBPX-TV multiplex and WYDN (48.1 Daystar) on the WPXG-TV multiplex.[119][120]
Analog-to-digital conversion
WBPX-TV shut down its
Former translators
WBPX's signal was previously relayed on
See also
- Channel 68 virtual TV stations in the United States
- Channel 32 digital TV stations in the United States
- List of television stations in Massachusetts
- WNHT (TV) (for information on WPXG prior to 1993)
Notes
- ^ In 2023, the Christian Science Board of Directors, with the concurrence of the Board of Trustees of The Christian Science Publishing Society, removed The Destiny of The Mother Church from publication. In doing so, the board cited contradictions between the book and Mary Baker Eddy's own writings as well as restrictive conditions on the availability of the book imposed by Knapp's will. It justified the removal by noting that "several of the ideas contained in Mr. Knapp's book have led to some confusion".[63]
References
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- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WPXG-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ a b "FCC history cards for WBPX-TV". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
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- ^ Bridge 1998, p. 75.
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