KPBI Broadcasts MyNetwork TV

KPBI began airing MyNetwork TV the first week of September. MyNetwork is a Fox Network spin-off that airs originally produced drama mini-series developed to mimic popular Spanish-language telenovellas, said Kevin Mirek, station manager.

Equity also owns KFDF, Channels 10/36, which had been the area’s UPN affiliate. But UPN ceased broadcasting on Sept.18, and turned into the CW, a hybrid between UPN and the WB.

But KFDF began broadcasting Retro Television Network instead. RTN will air old shows like “Hogan’s Heroes,” “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.,” and “My Three Sons.”

Channel allocations for Cox Communications subscribers were still being negotiated at press time.

Fort Smith’s KPBI, Channel 46 was the area’s Fox affiliate, but the contract between the network and the station allowed Fox to switch to a higher-powered station, which it did with the announcement of the sale of KFTA.

Equity Broadcasting Inc. of Little Rock owns KPBI and filed an objection to the FCC to stop the switch of its Fox Network affiliation. But that objection has not been answered, said Greg Fess, senior vice president of Equity.

Equity is being purchased by Coconut Palm Acquisition Corp. of Boca Raton, Fla., in a deal valued at $267.4 million.