Why isn't RTN and American Life Networks not on satellite? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

y2k3Joker · 06-13-2008, 10:59 PM

Does anybody know the reason?

Especially American Life Network... they've been around for a while now.

appreciate any info on this.

thanks

wkomorow · 06-14-2008, 08:01 PM

Both are available on free to air satellite systems, but not Dish and Direct. RTN is actually a broadcast network and not a cable network - there is no national network. It is only available on cable in places where it is broadcasted over the air. In most markets it is on a subchannel.

I am not certain about American Life. My guess is that they has not been enough customers asking for the channel. Adding channels to satellite is more difficult in that there is only room for so many channels - this increases when new technologies allow channels to be compressed so more can be carried or additional satellites are launched. Therefore, they must carefully weigh the number of customers adding a channel will attract or keep versus the amount of space the channel will take up. Many channel adds are the result of agreements that have nothing to do with that channel. For example, the right to carry Discover HD may mandate also carrying TLC HD, Animal Planet HD, etc becaus they are all owned by the same company. Satellite companies need to make sure they have room for their packaged adds.

y2k3Joker · 06-15-2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkomorow

Both are available on free to air satellite systems, but not Dish and Direct. RTN is actually a broadcast network and not a cable network - there is no national network. It is only available on cable in places where it is broadcasted over the air. In most markets it is on a subchannel.

Thanks for the reply.

What you mention about RTN makes sense and that's probably why it's not available.

I'm curious about FTA satellite. What kind of programming do you pick up?

TeeVeeCloset · 06-15-2008, 01:57 PM

I used to be a big fan of American Life, because they do air things relatively uncut and don't redo credits, have no voiceovers, etc. But they have a big problem when airing complete series....They only aquire a season or so most of the time...My Favorite Martian aired for three years and never got beyond season 1, the same thing is happening to the monday night comedies currently airing as well as Lost In Space on Thursday nights.

wkomorow · 06-15-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y2k3Joker

Thanks for the reply.

What you mention about RTN makes sense and that's probably why it's not available.

I'm curious about FTA satellite. What kind of programming do you pick up?

Multiple languages, for English mostly educational, religious, and non-US English language broadcasts. Also an number of independents , several of them RTN networks:

http://www.ftalist.com/english.htm

I was incorrect about AmericanLife - I could have sworn I have seen it FTA, but it is not on the FTA list.

Zoneboy · 06-15-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkomorow

I was incorrect about AmericanLife - I could have sworn I have seen it FTA, but it is not on the FTA list.

It most likely was removed, The only problem with FTA channels is that they can be here today and gone tomorrow.

06-13-2008, 10:59 PM	#1
y2k3Joker Why So Serious? Senior Member Join Date: Aug 28, 2003 Location: Arkham Asylum Posts: 1,256	Why isn't RTN and American Life Networks not on satellite? Does anybody know the reason? Especially American Life Network... they've been around for a while now. appreciate any info on this. thanks

06-14-2008, 08:01 PM	#2
wkomorow Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 24, 2005 Posts: 226	Both are available on free to air satellite systems, but not Dish and Direct. RTN is actually a broadcast network and not a cable network - there is no national network. It is only available on cable in places where it is broadcasted over the air. In most markets it is on a subchannel. I am not certain about American Life. My guess is that they has not been enough customers asking for the channel. Adding channels to satellite is more difficult in that there is only room for so many channels - this increases when new technologies allow channels to be compressed so more can be carried or additional satellites are launched. Therefore, they must carefully weigh the number of customers adding a channel will attract or keep versus the amount of space the channel will take up. Many channel adds are the result of agreements that have nothing to do with that channel. For example, the right to carry Discover HD may mandate also carrying TLC HD, Animal Planet HD, etc becaus they are all owned by the same company. Satellite companies need to make sure they have room for their packaged adds.

06-15-2008, 01:57 PM	#4
TeeVeeCloset Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 1,873	I used to be a big fan of American Life, because they do air things relatively uncut and don't redo credits, have no voiceovers, etc. But they have a big problem when airing complete series....They only aquire a season or so most of the time...My Favorite Martian aired for three years and never got beyond season 1, the same thing is happening to the monday night comedies currently airing as well as Lost In Space on Thursday nights.