User:Schoolbus13/PBC Franchising

On February 1, 2011 at midnight, PBC local stations will cease to exist. In their place will be "mini-networks" or franchises.

Why the change?
Three words: programming, revenue, and locality.

Programming
Currently, PBC One is given 18.5 hours of network programming time. The remaining 5.5 hours of programming time are given to local stations, mainly for news programming. Thus, no locally produced programming is shown on local stations. The local programs are usually forced to digital subchannels, if any.

Thus, one of the issues the new franchises will address are timeslots. Under the new franchise licensing agreements, franchises will receive 12.5 hours of programming time, while PBC One time will be reduced to 11.5 hours. Also, whenever franchises do not have enough local programming to air, they can switch to a new PBC Two feed for networked programming.

Revenue
This is the category that most viewers will enjoy. Although PBC One's operating budget is about M3 billion, one clause in the licensing agreements will force franchises to bid for the Channel 11 license every 4-5 years. The cash bids will increase revenue, in turn reducing the number of commercials on PBC One. This will, in tur, allow viewers to see more of their favorite programs.

Locality
Outside of news programs, the local PBC One stations have no sense of locality, as the network dominates almost everything about local television. Every station is an O&O of PBC One. Under the new agreements, O&O's will be abolished. Local franchises will own and operate PBC One stations. All of the owners must be locally-based. Thus, locality is guaranteed to return to PBC One stations.

Coastal Television
Coastal Television will be the new channel 11 license holder/franchise for Parkview, the Emerald Coast and the Emeraldsbourg Lowcountry. The new franchise will take over the PBC One frequencies on transmitters in Southern Hunter County, Green Hill, North Buckner, Solinuston and Surryville. Three well-known PBCP staff members will continue to work for Coastal: Cathy Elmore, Sylvia Prower, and Scooter the Hedgehog. Some local programs coming to the franchise include Buckbillies and Traffic Jam.
 * Takes over station: PBCP-TV 11
 * Franchise area: Emerald Coast and Emeraldsbourg Lowcountry

Television Southwest (TVSW)
It's about time! Since 2009, PBCG (formerly WGHT) had operated as a semi-satellite of PBCG, their neighbor to the north. However, the Southwest is rapidly growing, so the southwest will receive their own franchise, TVSW. Television Southwest will be the new channel 11 license holder/franchise for the Southwest. The new franchise will take over the PBC One frequencies on transmitters in Alexandertown, Hyatt Grove and Bordersville.
 * Takes over station: PBCG-TV 23
 * Franchise area: Southwestern Emeraldsbourg

[Under construction..]