Lottery may once again appear on WTAE-TV
June 6, 2009
The drawing was once held in its studios, but if negotiations pass, WTAE-TV (4, D-51) could once again show the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings in the Pittsburgh market effective July 1. The Post-Gazette reports that five local stations sent proposals to air the lottery and the decision was based on viewership, promotional value, and the amount interested stations would contribute toward production of the drawings.
KDKA-TV (2, D-25) has carried the lottery for 25 years but PA Lottery Director Ed Trees said that WTAE would bring more value to the broadcast, especially with on-air support and promotions. Right now the advertising prices are being with the station. The commercial spots which the lottery airs on the affiliate station are purchased at specified levels.
KDKA General Manager Chris Pike didn’t take the time to speculate what losing the lottery would mean for KDKA. Pike thinks that there will be a number of other factors this summer alone which will affect programming – next week’s switch to digital-only transmission and a new Nielsen ratings system coming in July chief among them.
