PAX TV being renamed to "i" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Pavan · 06-28-2005, 11:49 AM

This isn't sitcom related, but PAX TV is changing its name to i starting July 1. The i stands for independent.

Paxson Communications says it is changing its name to "i"--an "independent broadcast platform for producers and syndicators," starting July 1.

During a transition phase, both the old Pax TV and the new "i" brands will appear onscreen, after which the Pax TV brand will continue on one of the digital multicast channels of its owned stations (it is multicasting on 45 of its 60 stations).

Paxson President Dean Goodman said the move was to make its operating structure more efficient and its programing more flexible.

Goodman says the new independent channel will be "a mix of original series, movies, specials, sports and news that appeals to a variety of interests. Supported by our broad distribution platform, we want to evolve our primary network as a strongly branded television destination for all viewers and for producers and syndicators seeking a national venue for their programs."

Goodman told B&C that the model for i would include both programming that Pax owns and time it would sell to syndicators and other producers.

For example, a small syndicator could buy its way onto a 60-station national launch pad for a show, then sell all the time it in.

Goodman would not say what the ratio of programming it paid for to programming time it sold would be, nor, citing ongoing litigation with one-third owner NBC, how the move jibed with that network's charge that migrating to a paid programming model violated its contract.

An NBC spokeswoman said the network was not aware of the changes. "It would not be unusual for NBC not to know what was going on," said Goodman. "But we are doing what is best for our company."

But for the family-friendly Pax TV, that means a move to digital, where there are currently few TV sets to receive it. Its fate likely depends on the government requiring cable to carry broadcasters' multicast channels. "That will be crucial to the entire industry," said Goodman, not just to Pax TV.

Goodman wouldn't give a timetable for the transition from Pax TV to "i" (the actual channel logo will not have quotation marks around it), but said it would be within a year.

Some change in the network structure had been expected, and advertised.

Paxson Chairman Bud Paxson last month said the net was not reducing its entertainment fare in favor of paid programming, calling reports that the company was dropping or even reducing its entertainment programming "totally incorrect."

But, Paxson also said that "as we approach the new fall season, the entertainment programs on our schedule may change to allow the company to give its shareholder a better return on their investment."

Just how the new Pax/"i" model does that isn't clear, though the new independent channel could conceivably be a home for paid entertainment programming rather than infomercial. Big nets also sell their time to outsiders, for kids blocks, say, or NBC's coverage of the Lacrosse Championship, which the league paid it to air.

Paxson's programming defense last month followed the filing of an arbitration claim by NBC two weeks before.

NBC was also under the impression Paxson was cutting back on entertainment fare and loading up on paid programming and said such a move breached a contractual agreement.

Paxson responded with a petition to the FCC to block NBC from influencing its programming, claiming the Peacock was trying to take "illegal control" of the the 57-station TV group.

Paxson also told the SEC: "We are not currently investing substantial additional amounts in new entertainment programming and are evaluating other programming strategies and opportunities that might be available to us that could improve our cash flow."

In February Paxson axed 50 staffers, many in the programming department.

L&OFan4Eva · 06-28-2005, 12:06 PM

Pax becomes I? I'm skeptical.

Ant-Lox · 06-28-2005, 03:44 PM

Theym better not get rid of Family Feud.....

dawsongirl · 06-28-2005, 04:00 PM

*yawn*

TJL · 06-28-2005, 04:30 PM

"i" won't be watching.

TripperFan · 06-28-2005, 04:57 PM

"i" for Independent???????

I think not!

isn't it more "i" - for INFOMERCIAL???? ARRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!

Just what we need - more of Billy Mays shouting how great Oxy-Clean is!!

Mr. Television · 06-28-2005, 05:03 PM

I.....don't care.

PrettyinPink55 · 06-28-2005, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

I.....don't care.

troopoleon8897 · 06-28-2005, 09:20 PM

Maybe Now They Will Bring Back Some Classic Sitcoms

Dr. John Becker · 06-28-2005, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troopoleon8897

Maybe Now They Will Bring Back Some Classic Sitcoms

"i" wouldn't bet on it.

Mr. Television · 06-28-2005, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. John Becker

"i" wouldn't bet on it.

dawsongirl · 06-28-2005, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

Just what we need - more of Billy Mays shouting how great Oxy-Clean is!!

That stuff is awesome though!

TripperFan · 06-28-2005, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

That stuff is awesome though!

Doesn't work on MY stains!!!

Brent88 · 06-28-2005, 10:10 PM

Guess I can keep the channel deleted from my TV.

"i" won't be watching.

dawsongirl · 06-29-2005, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

Doesn't work on MY stains!!!

Really? I've gotten out a lot of stains with it. Except the purple ink stain on my bathroom floor...ugh, I'm such a klutz.

06-28-2005, 11:49 AM	#1
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	PAX TV being renamed to "i" This isn't sitcom related, but PAX TV is changing its name to i starting July 1. The i stands for independent. Paxson Communications says it is changing its name to "i"--an "independent broadcast platform for producers and syndicators," starting July 1. During a transition phase, both the old Pax TV and the new "i" brands will appear onscreen, after which the Pax TV brand will continue on one of the digital multicast channels of its owned stations (it is multicasting on 45 of its 60 stations). Paxson President Dean Goodman said the move was to make its operating structure more efficient and its programing more flexible. Goodman says the new independent channel will be "a mix of original series, movies, specials, sports and news that appeals to a variety of interests. Supported by our broad distribution platform, we want to evolve our primary network as a strongly branded television destination for all viewers and for producers and syndicators seeking a national venue for their programs." Goodman told B&C that the model for i would include both programming that Pax owns and time it would sell to syndicators and other producers. For example, a small syndicator could buy its way onto a 60-station national launch pad for a show, then sell all the time it in. Goodman would not say what the ratio of programming it paid for to programming time it sold would be, nor, citing ongoing litigation with one-third owner NBC, how the move jibed with that network's charge that migrating to a paid programming model violated its contract. An NBC spokeswoman said the network was not aware of the changes. "It would not be unusual for NBC not to know what was going on," said Goodman. "But we are doing what is best for our company." But for the family-friendly Pax TV, that means a move to digital, where there are currently few TV sets to receive it. Its fate likely depends on the government requiring cable to carry broadcasters' multicast channels. "That will be crucial to the entire industry," said Goodman, not just to Pax TV. Goodman wouldn't give a timetable for the transition from Pax TV to "i" (the actual channel logo will not have quotation marks around it), but said it would be within a year. Some change in the network structure had been expected, and advertised. Paxson Chairman Bud Paxson last month said the net was not reducing its entertainment fare in favor of paid programming, calling reports that the company was dropping or even reducing its entertainment programming "totally incorrect." But, Paxson also said that "as we approach the new fall season, the entertainment programs on our schedule may change to allow the company to give its shareholder a better return on their investment." Just how the new Pax/"i" model does that isn't clear, though the new independent channel could conceivably be a home for paid entertainment programming rather than infomercial. Big nets also sell their time to outsiders, for kids blocks, say, or NBC's coverage of the Lacrosse Championship, which the league paid it to air. Paxson's programming defense last month followed the filing of an arbitration claim by NBC two weeks before. NBC was also under the impression Paxson was cutting back on entertainment fare and loading up on paid programming and said such a move breached a contractual agreement. Paxson responded with a petition to the FCC to block NBC from influencing its programming, claiming the Peacock was trying to take "illegal control" of the the 57-station TV group. Paxson also told the SEC: "We are not currently investing substantial additional amounts in new entertainment programming and are evaluating other programming strategies and opportunities that might be available to us that could improve our cash flow." In February Paxson axed 50 staffers, many in the programming department.
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06-28-2005, 03:44 PM	#3
Ant-Lox Cloud Watcher Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,824	Theym better not get rid of Family Feud.....
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06-28-2005, 04:30 PM	#5
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	"i" won't be watching.
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06-28-2005, 04:57 PM	#6
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	"i" for Independent??????? I think not! isn't it more "i" - for INFOMERCIAL???? ARRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!! Just what we need - more of Billy Mays shouting how great Oxy-Clean is!!
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06-28-2005, 05:03 PM	#7
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	I.....don't care.
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06-28-2005, 12:06 PM	#2
L&OFan4Eva Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 02, 2005 Posts: 477	Pax becomes I? I'm skeptical.

06-28-2005, 04:00 PM	#4
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	yawn

06-28-2005, 09:20 PM	#9
troopoleon8897 Let's Go!! Senior Member Join Date: Jun 28, 2004 Location: Not Hell, But the same Zip Code Posts: 1,751	Maybe Now They Will Bring Back Some Classic Sitcoms
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06-28-2005, 10:10 PM	#14
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	Guess I can keep the channel deleted from my TV. "i" won't be watching.
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