-16-

WQED has been "simulcasting" channels 13 and 16 since 1997, and they've been trying to get rid of channel 16 since 1996. The particulars are in this article.

As you can see, the WQED brass (as in balls) have told this reporter that plan "D" is in effect. I like this line:

"Our goal was clearly not to do anything with a religious broadcaster or another nonprofit," [WQED President George] Miles said. "It's complicated and it's complex and we've still got a number of issues that are open."

Maybe it's the memory of Plan B that chills my blood to this day.
WQED tried to sell public airwaves to a religious broadcaster, and were blocked by local activists and moderate politicians.

Since radicals tend try the same tricks over and over until someone lets it happen out of apathy, my money's on secret plan D working the same way as B. This time our exhausted activists will fold, and Miles will cover himself by selling it to a middleman, who will then effect a switch.

Your nine-volt ham radio for my 661kW tower.

[Watchdog press licks hindquarters]

You know what I like about this article?

The FCC's last "unique and compelling" reason for approving the sale of Channel 16:

"Pittsburgh would benefit from the addition of another commercial station, noting that its seven existing for-profit channels are fewer than can be found in markets of comparable size."

There's nothing chilly about my blood now.