[opendtv] Re: Sinclair Launches Original Programming Division | Broadcasting & Cable

  • From: Mark Aitken <MAitken@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2014 10:37:20 +0000

Been buried…survival requires real work! Craig, I hope you are not surprised 
that we are trying to survive. ;-) Been the motive for a long time…

The world of entertainment is changing quickly…Comcast/TW…AT&T/DirecTV. What 
will be the next move? Verizon will respond, but how? Will they turn to Network 
and work the acquisition engine towards new levels of market control?

Hint…there is only one reason the carriers want 600MHz spectrum…BROADCAST! 
LTE-A / eMBMS is the weapon they will use. The physics of spectrum propagation 
and reuse leads to no other conclusion. For you IEEE members, Kent Walker 
published an excellent paper that draws the picture and same conclusions. 
http://tinyurl.com/lcr7tes

Anyone think the FCC Broadcast Incentive Auction was anything except an attempt 
to kill us?

So…yes, survival. A fully occupying business for those that wish to live. 
Craig, thanks for noticing…

Mark

From: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On 
Behalf Of Craig Birkmaier
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2014 5:56 PM
To: OpenDTV Mail List
Subject: [opendtv] Sinclair Launches Original Programming Division | 
Broadcasting & Cable

Looks like this broadcaster wants to survive...

Regards
Craig

http://broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/sinclair-launches-original-programming-division/133353
Sinclair Launches Original Programming Division | Broadcasting & Cable

Sinclair Broadcast Group has launched Sinclair Original Programming (SOP), a 
division devoted to the development of entertainment and business-to-consumer 
content. Arthur Hasson will be chief operating officer and leader of the 
division, reporting to David Smith, president and CEO of Sinclair. Hasson will 
continue as general manager of Sinclair's stations in Harrisburg.

Initially, shows will be developed for the growing broadcaster’s MyNetworkTV 
and CW affiliates and will air in primetime and afternoon time periods on the 
weekend. The business-to-consumer content includes infomercials.

Sinclair closed on its Allbritton acquisition earlier this summer, and 
announced a new, considerably smaller batch of acquisitions stemming from the 
Media General-LIN merger. It reaches 38.2% of U.S. television households, 
including pending transactions.

"Combining content ownership with our premier distribution spectrum of 
over-the-air television and related digital/web platforms is one of the last 
key components in securing the value of our platform," said Smith. "Controlling 
our content and its development not only reduces our dependency on others, 
providing a hedge against network disruptions, but allows us greater economic 
upside potential.”

Sinclair’s original programming includes station-level news, Ring of Honor 
Wrestling and the recently launched American Sports Network.

“The media landscape is evolving and controlling distribution, as well as the 
content delivered through that platform, is even more imperative in order to 
remain competitive,” said Smith.

From 2009 to 2011, Hasson was cocreator and executive producer of Crowd Sourced 
Hero, Subway® High School Heroes and various other entertainment programs. 
Prior to that, he was COO and cofounder of music creation software firm 
ClubCreate. From 1990 through 2005, he held various roles at NBCUniversal 
Television Distribution.

“By developing original content in connection with talented program producers, 
we can provide cost effective, flexible projects that can be readily 
monetized,” said Hasson. “In addition, we believe there is potential to 
distribute shows beyond our platforms both domestically and internationally. 
From the creative side, our large footprint of stations allows us to test 
concepts and talent efficiently."

Bill Butler, VP of programming and promotion, will continue to manage the 
syndicator and studio relationships, among other duties.

Other related posts: