Max Media’s three ABC affiliates in Montana and their satellite stations have added Fox as digital multicast channels. The new affiliations began this month.
Max Media announced that it was investing over $1 million in equipment and adding staff for the Fox Montana launch.
“We are very excited to be associated with Fox and this is a huge addition for our Montana television group. Our parent company’s relationship with Fox started with the network’s launch in October of 1986 and we have a great deal of respect for their executives and staff,” said Linda Gray, Max Media of Montana’s president.
“After some ups and downs for Montana’s FOX viewers over the past several years, we’re pleased that this new relationship will provide stability and enhanced service to communities throughout Montana,” noted Jon Hookstratten, Fox’s Executive Vice President of Network Distribution.
Fox is now on the following Max Media stations in Montana:
Missoula KTMF-DT channel 23.2 and satellite Kalispell KTMF-LD channel 42.2
Butte KWYB-DT channel 18.2 and satellite Bozeman KWYB-LD channel 28.2
Great Falls KFBB-DT channel 5.2
Fox was already available in Helena on Max Media’s KHBB-LD channel 21.2.
RBR/TVBR observation: We expect to see this happen quickly in just about every market where there weren’t previously enough stations for every network to have a home. So, while some folks have ended up with fewer over-the-air channels as a result of the DTV transition, those non-cable/satellite homes in the heart of many markets will finally have a full complement of major networks.
