Topic: WKRP is on the air in Cincinnati - no, really

[Soreyes]

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081128/ENT/811280363/1035/LIFE

WKRP is on the air in Cincinnati.


Really.

Low-power Channel 38 - known as WBQC-TV since 1995 - has changed its call letters to WKRP-TV to promote its new digital TV signal.

This is the first time a station here has been known as WKRP since the CBS premiere 30 years ago of "WKRP in Cincinnati," a TV sitcom about a wacky rock radio station fictionally set in Cincinnati.


"When I call someone out-of-town and say we're a TV station in Cincinnati, the response usually is, 'WKRP in Cincinnati?' This gives us recognition," says Elliott Block, general manager and chief engineer for WKRP and sister low-power WOTH-TV (Channel 25).

His Block Broadcasting started the low-power station in 1990 as W25AI-TV. He changed to WBQC-TV when it became the local WB network affiliate. The WB ceased operation last year.

Block has registered trademarks for "WKRP" and "WKRP Cincinnati," he says. The station's new Web site is www.wkrp.tv.

Block began plotting the change two years ago, tied to TV stations' transition nationwide from analog to digital broadcasting scheduled for Feb. 17. Although low-power stations aren't required by law to switch to digital next year, Block made the investment so viewers here with digital TV converter boxes could continue to see his stations next year.

"Now we're in the mix with everyone else," he says.

On digital tuners, WKRP-TV is Channel 25.2. WOTH-TV is digital Channel 25.1. WKRP-TV viewers will see "Matlock," "Cops," "Punk'd," "Lincoln Ware Live" (10 a.m. Sunday) and Bill Boshears' "Scizone" (11 p.m. Saturday). But not the station's namesake show.

"We've checked, but 'WKRP in Cincinnati' is not available for broadcast. It's only available for cable," Block says.

"WKRP" reruns air 7-8 p.m. Sundays on WGN America (Time Warner Channel 74; Insight Channel 24) and 10 p.m. Mondays on AmericanLife (Time Warner Channel 141; Insight Channel 182).
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Well it's about time 

[Sirgod]

Les Nessman cracked me up. one of my favorite parts, was when the station donated turkeys to the city, and launched them from a plane, not knowing Turkeys don't fly.

Stephen

[Bonk]

I loved Les' imaginary office walls marked by tape on the floor and Herb's loud suits. 

[Age]

I always liked Howard Hessman in that searies as DR. Johnnny Fever nice find.

[Father Ted]

Stephen, I think I still have the WKRP Turkey Bombing audio around here on this site. Another classic episode was the video will with Pat O'Brian, which was hillarious.

It's still one of the funniest shows ever, and BTW I'm in the Bailey corner when it comes to Bailey(Jan Smithers) vs. Jennifer(Loni Anderson).

[Capt. Mike]

Here's the you tube link     

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=P2ifyi8-lxo

   


Mike           


.

[Nemesis]

I wonder how long before the studios notice and start a lawsuit and forced name change.  I'm pretty sure that they would have trademarked the name.

[Vipre]

I wonder how long before the studios notice and start a lawsuit and forced name change.  I'm pretty sure that they would have trademarked the name.

The Station Manager owns the trademark. Is it possible to "double register" a trademark? You'd think if it were already done by the studios he wouldn't have been able to register them.

Block has registered trademarks for "WKRP" and "WKRP Cincinnati," he says. The station's new Web site is www.wkrp.tv.

[Nemesis]

You can "double register" to a point.  Apple computers versus Apple records (the Beatles company) for example.  But that point ends where there is some point of overlap in fields, which is why its iTunes not Apple iTunes.  They had some lawsuits early on and ended with an agreement. 

A TV show about a radio station using a trademark and an actual TV station using the same one seems too close to me.  I'm not a lawyer but it seems questionable, especially when the station took out the trademark with the apparent intent to capitalize on the TV shows fame.