How do TV Networks simulate Affiliates?

[MrCanada]

In real life, it has just been anounced that FCW will be getting a try on a TV Network called WBFS-My 33, an affiliate of MyNetwork TV.

 

My question is how does this sim best in the game? I mean currentley I have it set up so MyNetwork TV is a stand alone network with broadcasting available across the USA. Is that how it works? Is there a channel 28 that is MyNetwork TV? Or is MyNetwork TV only represented in each region by its affiliate? Meaning that in the game, realistically, SmackDown would have however many slots just to represent its availability?

 

Or do I not understand how the affiliate system works in the states?

 

In Canada its all very simple, networks are the same across the country. And if they arnt they are labled as such (SportsNet Ontario, which focuses on Ontario sports, SportsNet West which focuses on the teams out that way, ext) and they are all clearly different and would be represented as such. But it seems to me that in the states each general area, not just state, has its own affiliate of MyNetwork TV that seemingly runs the same programs but with different local news... is that correct? Seems almost un-simmable. Especially if wanting to add local networks to the game.

[shamelessposer]

An affiliate is essentially a local channel which pays money to air programming from a large network. Almost all TV channels in the US are affiliates. For example, in pretty much all of North Carolina, watching Fox means watching WGHP - Fox 8.

 

The two most feasible ways to handle local affiliates are to either assign a single "Local Network" to each region, or to ignore them entirely. In the modern era, there aren't a lot of promotions which have been helped all that much by airing a TV show on their local network.

[AnarChy]

Just to Help explain it better, the main television networks in the USA all have affiliates. The affiliates get to make decisions on certain programming but also has to broadcast official network programming at certain times. (most of the time in primetime)

 

For example:

In Charlotte, The FOX affiliate is WCCB-TV Fox Charlotte. This network broadcasts daytime syndicated shows such as Everybody Loves Raymond, The King of Queens, Ellen DeGeneres, and many more. It also has a local news in the morning, noon, and night. BUT, it also MUST show official FOX programs such as 24, American Idol, House, etc. on those specific days.

 

So, in wrestling terms:

The FCW show is one of those shows that is put into a timeslot that is free to the affiliate network. HOWEVER, SmackDown! is a national program that MyNetworkTV is forcing this affiliate to show.

 

See What I mean?

 

So the best solution is probably just to make local networks for each region, as complicated as this may be.

[MrCanada]

Just to Help explain it better, the main television networks in the USA all have affiliates. The affiliates get to make decisions on certain programming but also has to broadcast official network programming at certain times. (most of the time in primetime)

 

For example:

In Charlotte, The FOX affiliate is WCCB-TV Fox Charlotte. This network broadcasts daytime syndicated shows such as Everybody Loves Raymond, The King of Queens, Ellen DeGeneres, and many more. It also has a local news in the morning, noon, and night. BUT, it also MUST show official FOX programs such as 24, American Idol, House, etc. on those specific days.

 

So, in wrestling terms:

The FCW show is one of those shows that is put into a timeslot that is free to the affiliate network. HOWEVER, SmackDown! is a national program that MyNetworkTV is forcing this affiliate to show.

 

See What I mean?

 

So the best solution is probably just to make local networks for each region, as complicated as this may be.

 

Thanks for the clarification guys! Thats not really how TV works in Canada as I said so I've always been confused by that. In Canada, CTV is CTV... simple. I think I likely will make a local station for each region in the US at least.

[dse81]

Thanks for the clarification guys! Thats not really how TV works in Canada as I said so I've always been confused by that. In Canada, CTV is CTV... simple. I think I likely will make a local station for each region in the US at least.

 

Even Canadian affiliates are different across the country. The local CTV station here is CFQC-TV, and I'm sure some of the programming we get out on the Prairies is different from in Ontario. I think the network provides 'X' amount of programming hours to the affiliate, and the local station is responsible for filling in the rest of the time, either with local programming or syndicated shows.

 

So MyNetwork TV would probably air Smackdown in Primetime, and the local station (WBFS-My 33) would air FCW during the hours MyNetwork TV doesn't provide programming (Most likely late nights or weekends).

[kingtutt]

The local CTV station here is CFQC-TV

 

Nice, another Saskatonian!

 

Now, I think the best way to simulate affiliates would be to create a local network for each region that you want an affiliate in, and then assign them to a media group with a parent company.

 

For example, say you want to simulate Fox. Create local networks (affiliates) in each region. So you've got WUHF in Tri-State, KCPQ in North West, etc. All as tiny or very small networks, willing to deal with local or small promotions. Then Create one called Fox as a huge network. Then lump them all into a media group. If you wanted you could even throw in Fox Sports as well.