New digital broadcast network coming (.2 Network) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

clj2 · 06-22-2008, 02:12 PM

I was playing around on Wikipedia and came across a new network that is debuting next month called ".2 Network." It is going to air shows from the Sony library and have movies, lifestyle programming, etc. Sounds sort of like ION. Here's their website: http://dot2network.com/national/home

And Wiki info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.2_Network

They are a lot like RTN and apparently are trying to compete with them for affiliates....from a press release:

"In addition to some stations' or groups' home-grown digital services, .2 Network is competing against Retro Television Network, LATV, World Championship Sports Network and Mexicanal.

Retro Television Network, with its lineup of “classic” TV shows, is operated by Equity Media, a TV group based in Little Rock, Ark., and has done the best job in recruiting affiliates so far."

Zoneboy · 06-22-2008, 03:10 PM

Find a source of info other than Wikipedia and I might believe it.

bostonmediaguy · 06-22-2008, 03:29 PM

It's true. Their website (www.dot2network.com) has more information. They have not yet launched, but a promotional sales tape is featured on the site.

Their programming is nothing like RTN's, however. HD movies, airing three times each day, and a lot of sub-par 'original' programming, are their selling points.

My opinion? Both RTN and dot2 are not going to last. Major market stations have no interest and could do better on their own. CBS has been floating a "CBS dot2" network, which would be used to promote the mothership with shows like the 'Survivor' and 'Big Brother' internet call-ins and other behind-the-scenes stuff. They could also easily start a classics network using their Paramount programming library.

Zoneboy · 06-22-2008, 03:44 PM

Thanks, I admit I didn't notice the other link in the first post.

clj2 · 06-22-2008, 05:38 PM

Pavan, do you know anything else about this? Will you be able to provide any info about it once they get going (like RTN, ION, TV Land, WGN, etc)?

Pavan · 06-22-2008, 06:43 PM

Yeah, I heard about it some months back. So far nothing really new except the stuff posted on their website. It will be exactly like RTN in airing on digital channels, but with classic TV not the main focus...although they will certainly have some such as Sony's Gidget and Flying Nun.

Once information comes on an actual launch and an actual launch schedule for affiliates, I'll let you all know. It won't be a set national schedule like say ION or TV Land...but more like customizable for local affiliates like RTN.

clj2 · 06-22-2008, 11:01 PM

Thanks Pavan. Maybe they will expand and give us some more variety in local channels. Doesn't look like the best thing ever, but it'll help.

Pavan · 06-22-2008, 11:28 PM

It hasn't launched yet. I think they are planning for October. I believe they only acquired 4 TV shows. I'll confirm that soon.

clj2 · 06-24-2008, 09:51 PM

I know they're going to air Gidget and The Flying Nun....wonder what the others would be. Bewitched and Jeannie? It'd make a nice block.

According to wikipedia (which is not reliable), their tentative launch date is July but the website says nothing.

Pavan · 06-25-2008, 12:10 AM

I spoke to a few people at .2 Network today. They are not interested in classic TV at all. They will air a show or two, but Flying Nun and Gidget are their main shows. This channel will mainly be a lifestyle and movie network unfortunately. I think Little House is another option for them.

clj2 · 06-25-2008, 12:41 AM

Well that's a bummer...but we do have RTN and ION has access to older shows. I guess it's nice that there will be a digital/OTA channel dedicated to movies/lifestyle stuff.

James · 06-25-2008, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

I spoke to a few people at .2 Network today. They are not interested in classic TV at all. They will air a show or two, but Flying Nun and Gidget are their main shows. This channel will mainly be a lifestyle and movie network unfortunately. I think Little House is another option for them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60s70s80stvfan

I know they're going to air Gidget and The Flying Nun....wonder what the others would be.

Does Sally Field hold a major stake in the network? Those are her two big shows.

dawsongirl · 06-26-2008, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

I spoke to a few people at .2 Network today. They are not interested in classic TV at all. They will air a show or two, but Flying Nun and Gidget are their main shows. This channel will mainly be a lifestyle and movie network unfortunately. I think Little House is another option for them.

Wow...there certainly aren't enough lifestyle shows and movies being aired already! What an untapped market!

clj2 · 06-28-2008, 02:02 PM

Here's the best article I've read on this network so far. Sounds like an ION clone to me.

http://dot2network.com/national/press/firstaffils

James · 06-28-2008, 03:13 PM

The article stated that religious network GTN (based out of Columbus in my state, by the way!) would have to change its name and begin airing the movies. I just hope this isn't code for "selling out"! I can't help but think of TNN's transition to Spike TV!

06-22-2008, 02:12 PM	#1
clj2 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 3,501	New digital broadcast network coming (.2 Network) I was playing around on Wikipedia and came across a new network that is debuting next month called ".2 Network." It is going to air shows from the Sony library and have movies, lifestyle programming, etc. Sounds sort of like ION. Here's their website: http://dot2network.com/national/home And Wiki info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.2_Network They are a lot like RTN and apparently are trying to compete with them for affiliates....from a press release: "In addition to some stations' or groups' home-grown digital services, .2 Network is competing against Retro Television Network, LATV, World Championship Sports Network and Mexicanal. Retro Television Network, with its lineup of “classic” TV shows, is operated by Equity Media, a TV group based in Little Rock, Ark., and has done the best job in recruiting affiliates so far."
	Last edited by clj2; 06-28-2008 at 02:03 PM.

06-22-2008, 03:10 PM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,460	Find a source of info other than Wikipedia and I might believe it.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

06-22-2008, 06:43 PM	#6
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	Yeah, I heard about it some months back. So far nothing really new except the stuff posted on their website. It will be exactly like RTN in airing on digital channels, but with classic TV not the main focus...although they will certainly have some such as Sony's Gidget and Flying Nun. Once information comes on an actual launch and an actual launch schedule for affiliates, I'll let you all know. It won't be a set national schedule like say ION or TV Land...but more like customizable for local affiliates like RTN.
	__________________ SitcomsOnline.com News Blog -- The best news out there! SitcomsOnline.com DVD Reviews -- We are #1 in reviews!

06-22-2008, 03:29 PM	#3
bostonmediaguy Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 14, 2006 Location: Boston, Mass. Posts: 88	It's true. Their website (www.dot2network.com) has more information. They have not yet launched, but a promotional sales tape is featured on the site. Their programming is nothing like RTN's, however. HD movies, airing three times each day, and a lot of sub-par 'original' programming, are their selling points. My opinion? Both RTN and dot2 are not going to last. Major market stations have no interest and could do better on their own. CBS has been floating a "CBS dot2" network, which would be used to promote the mothership with shows like the 'Survivor' and 'Big Brother' internet call-ins and other behind-the-scenes stuff. They could also easily start a classics network using their Paramount programming library.

06-22-2008, 03:44 PM	#4
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,460	Thanks, I admit I didn't notice the other link in the first post.

06-22-2008, 05:38 PM	#5
clj2 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 3,501	Pavan, do you know anything else about this? Will you be able to provide any info about it once they get going (like RTN, ION, TV Land, WGN, etc)?

06-22-2008, 11:01 PM	#7
clj2 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 3,501	Thanks Pavan. Maybe they will expand and give us some more variety in local channels. Doesn't look like the best thing ever, but it'll help.

06-22-2008, 11:28 PM	#8
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	It hasn't launched yet. I think they are planning for October. I believe they only acquired 4 TV shows. I'll confirm that soon.

06-24-2008, 09:51 PM	#9
clj2 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 3,501	I know they're going to air Gidget and The Flying Nun....wonder what the others would be. Bewitched and Jeannie? It'd make a nice block. According to wikipedia (which is not reliable), their tentative launch date is July but the website says nothing.

06-25-2008, 12:10 AM	#10
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	I spoke to a few people at .2 Network today. They are not interested in classic TV at all. They will air a show or two, but Flying Nun and Gidget are their main shows. This channel will mainly be a lifestyle and movie network unfortunately. I think Little House is another option for them.

06-25-2008, 12:41 AM	#11
clj2 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 3,501	Well that's a bummer...but we do have RTN and ION has access to older shows. I guess it's nice that there will be a digital/OTA channel dedicated to movies/lifestyle stuff.

06-28-2008, 02:02 PM	#14
clj2 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 3,501	Here's the best article I've read on this network so far. Sounds like an ION clone to me. http://dot2network.com/national/press/firstaffils

06-28-2008, 03:13 PM	#15
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	The article stated that religious network GTN (based out of Columbus in my state, by the way!) would have to change its name and begin airing the movies. I just hope this isn't code for "selling out"! I can't help but think of TNN's transition to Spike TV!