Monday, April 27, 2009

ABC O&Os add lifestyle channel

The ABC O&Os are turning their digital sub-channels to the Live Well HD network.

WLS-TV - along with nine other O&Os - are launching Live Well HD, a network airing six original (yes, original) health-related programs, including Let's Dish (a cooking show featuring Chris Koteke, the dean of the School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College) and Mirror, Mirror, a beauty and fashion show.

WLS general manager Emily Barr is managing the new network, along with William Burton, who is vice president of digital media of the ABC O&Os.

Live Well HD is somewhat similar to PBS' Create digital channel, which offers the same fare on some of the same subjects.

WLS is featuring Live Well HD on its 7.2 digital channel, but if you are a Comcast subscriber on Channel 217 - all you're getting as of Monday evening - is a black screen.

The launch comes as Wall Street analysts are predicting the revenues for the station group - whose stations are either number one or number two in their respective markets - could drop as much as 30 percent in the first three months of this year.

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