On the Wikipedia page for TV station KMCI 38 in Lawrence, Kansas, it is listed as a "secondary affiliate of NBC." What does this mean? I thought stations were affiliates or independents, as in a black and white issue.

Here's the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KMCI

On the Wikipedia page for TV station KMCI 38 in Lawrence, Kansas, it is listed as a "secondary affiliate of NBC." What does this mean? I thought stations were affiliates or independents, as in a black and white issue.
It means that if another station in your area that normally airs NBC programs is airing something else, then KMCI will pick up the show. An example would be WBZ 4 of Boston who air the Boston marathon in May, so WSBK 38 airs
all the CBS soaps. I hope this is helpful.

An example would be WBZ 4 of Boston who air the Boston marathon in May,

<nitpick on> Actually, the Boston Marathon takes place on Patriots Day, which is on the third Monday of April. </nitpick> :D