MeTV Toons - Network TALKBACK & Discussion Thread

[HombreSinNombre]

Why not. At least where I live, Directv Carries Me-TV.

MeTV and Heroes & Icons are both carried nationally on DirecTV, so there's certainly the possibility that MeTV Toons could be as well.

 

[SpecialColorfull]

I think more affiliates and cable services will provide the channel as it grows more popular.

 

[harry580]

look, anything before mid 2000s would work, that's like asking metv toons to air stuff from recently shuttered studios like blue sky studios & tengant studios

 

[AngusTinMan16]

It's been almost a week and already people are starting to have doubts that MeTV Toons will become a instant success. Not helping matters is that the backlog of its content is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and we all know how much of a disaster the company is been.

Look, I'm just as sick as WBD as all of you folks, but at the very least, we should be able to suck it up and accept it as one of the very few silver lining on a thunder cloud. When you become so negative on an already bad situation, things aren't going to be better. Just make the most of a bad situation, and watch whatever stuff you can. You don't know it until it's gone.

 

[JMTV]

It's been almost a week and already people are starting to have doubts that MeTV Toons will become an instant success.

Oh really? I never heard of that. I thought people were praising and loving MeTv Toons.

 

[Jeff Harris]

It's been almost a week and already people are starting to have doubts that MeTV Toons will become an instant success.

Who's been having doubts? Most folks who have been talking about the channel have been more than positive about the channel's launch.

Warner Bros Discovery being a part of the network isn't going to be problematic. If anything, their involvement with the channel (Weigel is the majority owner and operator of MeTV Toons) Is largely an advisory role. As far as I know, WBD has no custodial or management duties in MeTV Toons, and they're providing their massive library to the channel, which was impressive enough to convince other studios to do likewise with their classic animation libraries (except Disney, who never shares with anyone). They're also not programming the lineup, the folks behind channels like MeTV, H&I, and Classy Comedy are, and they believe in the animation medium and want to see it thrive on broadcast television.

If anything, the right people are in control at MeTV Toons behind the scenes, and it's going to be a fantastic channel when it launches.

If anything, the announcement of MeTV Toons has provided a huge sense of optimism with animation fans that has been lacking over the last couple of years.

The MeTV Toons affiliates are still being worked out, and Weigel is very optimistic it'll have 80% coverage at launch, with nine out of the top 10 TV markets already set (they're still working on a Boston affiliate).

I don't know where this so-called negativity is coming from, but I'm not seeing it.

 

[powergate92]

Why not. At least where I live, Directv Carries Me-TV.

As Satellite provider, they don't have the capacity to carry every single local Sub-channel network like Cable companies do. Or as DirecTV's top content executive put it in an interview with John Ourand last year, it is a technology issue that they can't carry every single local Sub-channel. Although I guess if there's enough demand for it, the retrans fees are not bad, and there's no market exclusivity with the local station, then they could carry the national feed of the network. Where I live in Phoenix, AZ, the main reason DirecTV carries MeTV is because it is broadcast on the main channel of Weigel owned KMOH in Kingman, AZ (Phoenix DMA) and KMOH has elected Must-Carry with the FCC to be carried on every Cable and Satellite provider in the Phoenix DMA free of charge, which can only be done with a full-power station's main channel.

 

[LinusFan303]

As Satellite provider, they don't have the capacity to carry every single local Sub-channel network like Cable companies do. Or as DirecTV's top content executive put it in an interview with John Ourand last year, it is a technology issue that they can't carry every single local Sub-channel. Although I guess if there's enough demand for it, the retrans fees are not bad, and there's no market exclusivity with the local station, then they could carry the national feed of the network. Where I live in Phoenix, AZ, the main reason DirecTV carries MeTV is because it is broadcast on the main channel of Weigel owned KMOH in Kingman, AZ (Phoenix DMA) and KMOH has elected Must-Carry with the FCC to be carried on every Cable and Satellite provider in the Phoenix DMA free of charge, which can only be done with a full-power station's main channel.

One of the reasons , I'm glad I never had Direct TV, cable at least picks up most of the sub channels.
But last year, Direct TV and Weigel made a deal to carry METV's national feed. So people can get it on there without having a local full power or even a sub channel station airing it.

Weigel Broadcasting Expands MeTV Distribution with DirecTV Deal.

They did the same with Heroes and Icons

DirecTV Adds Weigel’s Heroes & Icons Network

Classic drama and action channel available on satellite, in addition to streaming and U-verse TV

www.nexttv.com

In theory, they could do it with MeTV Toons, sign a national deal.

 

[PinkieLopBun]

(they're still working on a Boston affiliate)

Yep. Figures that's the one they're still working on. I know it can still happen, I was just watching that interview and couldn't help but think "ahh, of course".

 

[J'onn J'onzz]

I live in the outer Phoenix area and have DirecTV. There is the main channel 6 which is MeTV. There is also a channel 77 also listed as MeTV which is blacked out. I assume this is the National MeTV station, and I can’t get it because I already get a local MeTV station. Maybe this channel is useful if you live in an area with no MeTV but for me it just gives errors and a blank screen.

A few months ago, there was a big mess with local channels on DirecTV in Phoenix. NBC was dropped for around a month because of a carriage dispute between TEGNA and DirecTV. The tweet above is from late October when Coyotes games were on 15.2 and DirecTV was not carrying this subchannel. To get this channel, I would have needed a “local channel connector” which is some official add on that can be used on some DirecTV boxes. I called DirecTV about getting one when they put an on screen message on NBC advertising a number to call for free antennas during the carriage dispute. They said the LCC is not compatible with your type of boxes, go buy an antenna. After I did that, I could get the CW (then 15.2, they swapped it with 61 after one month of hockey season) but not NBC. At Ike point I was able to pick up NBC from Tucson but not Phoenix. Eventually DirecTV started carrying NBC again and the CW moved to channel 7, which DirecTV carries. It would be nice if DirecTV does end up carrying it, but when they didn’t even carry 15.2 last fall when it had two different periods of programming that would normally be on the main networks like sports and CW programming, I don’t think DirecTV will carry MeTV Toons in the Phoenix area sadly.

 

[PicardMan]

The MeTV Toons affiliates are still being worked out, and Weigel is very optimistic it'll have 80% coverage at launch, with nine out of the top 10 TV markets already set (they're still working on a Boston affiliate).

80% huh? Sounds like this won't be a Funimation channel repeat. People will actually get this channel.

 

[Rynnec]

Hope they add a Kansas affiliate in time for launch. Love to have a comfy cartoon channel to tune in to.

 

[Mandouga]

It's been almost a week and already people are starting to have doubts that MeTV Toons will become a instant success. Not helping matters is that the backlog of its content is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and we all know how much of a disaster the company is been.

Look, I'm just as sick as WBD as all of you folks, but at the very least, we should be able to suck it up and accept it as one of the very few silver lining on a thunder cloud. When you become so negative on an already bad situation, things aren't going to be better. Just make the most of a bad situation, and watch whatever stuff you can. You don't know it until it's gone.

Let's put it this way. Personally, I'm picking my battles. As Jeff Harris mentioned, Weigel is ultimately the one in charge, but not watching this network at all just because Warner Bros. Is involved would be “counterproductive” as some people call it. In any case, I seriously doubt that that certain “D.Z.” would try to take over. As far as this network goes, he knows his place. That said, if he threatened to take…uh, “his” company’s shows, etc. off the network if Weigel didn’t do this or that, it ultimately wouldn't be a big loss since there’s “other fish in the sea”. OTOH, he would be making a big mistake if he tried all that stuff, and he knows it, so ultimately, I don't think the viewers (regardless of whether it's “Papa”, “Mama”, “Brother”, or “Sister”, if you understand me…) have anything to worry about.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[powergate92]

Let's put it this way. Personally, I'm picking my battles. As Jeff Harris mentioned, Weigel is ultimately the one in charge, but not watching this network at all just because Warner Bros. Is involved would be “counterproductive” as some people call it. In any case, I seriously doubt that that certain “D.Z.” would try to take over. As far as this network goes, he knows his place. That said, if he threatened to take…uh, “his” company’s shows, etc. off the network if Weigel didn’t do this or that, it ultimately wouldn't be a big loss since there’s “other fish in the sea”. OTOH, he would be making a big mistake if he tried all that stuff, and he knows it, so ultimately, I don't think the viewers (regardless of whether it's “Papa”, “Mama”, “Brother”, or “Sister”, if you understand me…) have anything to worry about.


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Something to keep in mind is the network is a partnership between Weigel and WBD, but we don't know how that partnership works and who is the majority owner of the network. Looking back This TV, which was launched as a partnership between Weigel and MGM in 2008 where Weigel was in charge of the network and MGM provided the programming (and Cookie Jar provided the kids programming for those who remember Cookie Jar Toons). 2 months after the network launches Weigel and MGM ended up in a legal dispute over who owned the trademark for the TV network name "This." That legal dispute was settled in 2013 with Weigel's "This" trademarks being transferred to MGM and Weigel being replaced by Tribune as a partner in the network (and Cookie Jar Toons being dropped at the same time). That's not to say that would happen with with MeTV Toons, but we don't know how the ownership of this new network partnership works.

USPTO TTABVUE. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Inquiry System

 

[Tacomaster]

I have a strong feeling that Weigel is the majority owner, especially considering that they own MeTV- the MeTV in MeTV Toons

 

[powergate92]

Speaking of MeTV Toons ownership, I wonder what WAM TV Limited Partnership stands for. WB Animation Me TV?

Also, just noticed this network is a Limited Partnership. So I guess that could mean Weigel is the General Partner managing the network and WBD could be the Limited Partner with "little or no involvement in management, but their liability is limited to the amount of their investment." Of course that would be assuming it's not a case of Weigel and WBD being the General Partners and other investors we don't know about being the Limited Partners which goes back to we don't really know how this partnership works.

Limited Partnership (LP): What It Is, Pros and Cons, How to Form One

When a business is owned by two or more partners, with one being the general partner that manages the business, it is known as a limited partnership (LP).

www.investopedia.com

 

[Takao]

I'd argue the biggest issue isn't Warner, but just the idea of relying on one external company's portfolio in general. Yes, I know MeTV has acquired a bunch of programming independent of the Warner library, but it's clear that is something they're leaning heavily on. What happens to this network if Warner decides to not renew their partnership or they get sold off and the new owners have other plans? That PBJ network died almost immediately after its content partner got bought out by Comcast.

The reality is that there are far fewer vendors of animated programming than live-action material. Even less so if you're looking for a one-stop shop of notable boomer friendly animation. Outside of Warner, the only other company that fits the description is Disney, who doesn't play nice with others. If MeTV were to lose that Warner deal, they'd have to either pivot to "newer" material from other programming partners or just call it a quits.

Of course, this is just expressing concern for a potential scenario that's likely years away from ever being on the table.

 

[Jeff Harris]

Speaking of MeTV Toons ownership, I wonder what WAM TV Limited Partnership stands for. WB Animation Me TV?

Also, just noticed this network is a Limited Partnership. So I guess that could mean Weigel is the General Partner managing the network and WBD could be the Limited Partner with "little or no involvement in management, but their liability is limited to the amount of their investment." Of course that would be assuming it's not a case of Weigel and WBD being the General Partners and other investors we don't know about being the Limited Partners which goes back to we don't really know how this partnership works.

Limited Partnership (LP): What It Is, Pros and Cons, How to Form One

When a business is owned by two or more partners, with one being the general partner that manages the business, it is known as a limited partnership (LP).

www.investopedia.com

I think the consensus is that the W stands for Weigel, not necessarily Warner Bros, and the A stands for Animation or Animated. M... that could mean Media or it could legitimately stand for "Me"

Breaking it down, WAM TV could also be seen as "Weigel Animation Media Television Limited Partnership" or "Weigel Animated MeTV Limited Partnership."

And yes, Weigel wouldn't have put their MeTV branding on the channel if they weren't the biggest partner and operator in this venture providing the network's infrastructure, operational services, and core affiliates. Otherwise, they would have gone with their secondary branding, Toon TV or Toony TV, named after the co-host of the Toon In with Me daily block.

 

[PicardMan]

For those in fear of Zaslav, MeTV Toons probably doesn't have worry about him. MeTV Toons would have to pay the residuals and royalties to the people who worked on the cartoons, not Warner. The Max cartoon purge was all about residuals.

 

[LinusFan303]

I do have to mention that is the most open Warner has been to letting someone else purchase rights to run their stuff. The Phone Company and the Spinning Globe Company as owners have been much better at that than the previous Time Warner. ABC lost rights in 2000, and TW locked things onto CN and Boomerang that whole time. Kids WB did have new Scooby Doo and etc, but they weren't airing the classic stuff that late either. Under the Phone Company they let METV buy the rights two run two Hanna-Barbera shows that never happened before, the allowed Toon in with Me to happen with more stuff. Under Discovery, they let Tubi buy rights to stuff and METV have more stuff, and now a letting Weigel launch a channel with that stuff.


Channel hasn't even launched, there's not one reason to be dooming at all, yet. Enjoy the channel when it comes out, it can run 5 months, 5 years, 5 decades, however long, just enjoy it.

The MeTV Toons affiliates are still being worked out, and Weigel is very optimistic it'll have 80% coverage at launch, with nine out of the top 10 TV markets already set (they're still working on a Boston affiliate).

9 out of 10 and still working on Boston (market 8) ? They figured out Philly (market 4) then? I know Maranatha's channel 2 airs 4 of the Weigel networks already, wouldn't be surprised if they did pick up this one too.

It will be interesting how they handle Denver. They legally have a station that's part of the Denver market, but people in Denver really can't get OTA, the station used to be a repeater for the CBS station in Grand Junction. MeTV has a deal to run the main channel OTA also on CBS owned Channel 4's sub channel, along with Catchy Comedy on another sub channel. Would be interesting if they make another deal for the OTA viewers. They are going to be confused if the website says watch on Channel 3-8, and people in the area thinking they mean channel 3 and not channel 3. There's two channel 3's. Cable might be easy though.