Palm Springs, California
March 16, 2006
Officials of the CW+ Network announced today that KESQ-TV, Channel 3, will become the new CW+ Network affiliate beginning September of 2006. KESQ-TV will continue to be an ABC television network primary affiliate, and will operate the CW as a separate channel on its digital signal and on cable.
The CW+ Network is jointly owned and operated by the CBS, which operates the UPN Network, and Warner Brothers, which operates The WB network. UPN and The WB networks will cease operation early this September, to be replaced by the CW and the CW+. Prime-time programming on the new CW+ network will include the most successful programming currently airing on UPN and the WB and a many new television series.
The CW+ is a special version of the CW network serving markets smaller than the top 100 markets in the U.S. In larger markets, the CW will offer only two hours of prime-time programming per day. In markets smaller than 100, such as Palm Springs (Nielsen DMA Market 153) the CW+ will offer programming twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. This is the same business model currently used by the WB 100+ Network, and seen locally on KCWB, cable channel 5.
KESQ-TV currently operates KCWB, the WB 100 + network affiliate for Palm Springs. Viewers watch the WB throughout the Palm Springs market on cable channel 5. Unlike the WB, the CW+ network will be seen over-the-air and on cable. KESQ-TV will include CW+ programming as a multicast channel on KESQ-DT, which already carries high definition digital programming from ABC and digital programming from Fox affiliate KDFX-TV. The CW+ will be the third programming stream carried on KESQ-DT. KESQ will work with local cable operators to provide CW+ programming on local basic cable tiers.
KESQ-TV General Manager Bob Allen said “We are proud to be the CW’s Palm Springs affiliate. We currently operate KCWB, the WB 100+ affiliate for Palm Springs, and it has consistently been the number-one WB affiliate in markets 100+ in the United States in both audience ratings and revenue. We are confident that our new CW+ affiliate will be just as successful.” Bob Allen is currently the Chairman of the WB 100+ Network Executive Committee.
The CW+ network is actively taking advantage of 21st century digital television technology, which enables over-the-air television stations to broadcast multiple program streams on one channel. Many new CW+ affiliates plan to carry CW+ programming as one of their digital programming streams. Congress recently passed a law which requires analog stations to stop broadcasting in early 2009. At that time, viewers will need a digital receiver, or a cable or satellite subscription to continue to receive local programming.
KESQ-DT’s ABC high-definition programming can be seen over-the-air on digital cable 42.1 by viewers who own over-the-air set top receivers. KDFX-TV’s digital programming can be seen over the air on DTV channel 33.1. Time Warner cable carries KESQ high definition digital programming on channel 603, and Fox high definition digital programming on channel 611. When the CW Network offers a high definition digital programming to its affiliates, KESQ will work with local cable operators to pass through high definition CW programming to their homes.
For more information contact Bob Allen, Executive Vice President and General Manager,
Gulf-California Broadcast Company. 760-340-7001, or ballen@kesq.com
Gulf-California Broadcast Company currently operates the following business in the Palm Springs Market: KESQ-TV/DT, (ABX) KDFX-TV (Fox), KUNA-TV (Telemundo) KCWB (WB 100+) KUNA-FM and KESQ-AM, KESQ.COM and MYKESQ.COM.
