Classic reruns dropped from local station
A dispute between the former owner of the Retro Television Network (RTN) and the current owner has knocked "The A-Team," "Magnum, P.I.," "Emergency!" and other classic television programs off of local affiliate WNGS-TV.
The station remains on Time Warner Cable and has been running movies in the place of the reruns of classic programs, which have dominated its schedule and have remained on the cable channel guide.
According to the trade publication Broadcasting & Cable, former RTN owner Equity Media Holding Corporation is no longer allowed to air the RTN programs on its stations, including WNGS here. However, an Equity spokesperson told the trade publication it eventually might be able to bring the RTN programs back to the stations.
B&C; reported that Equity's contract to distribute RTN had been extended a week past its Dec. 24 expiration date. Dec. 24 also was the deadline on Equity's option to buy back RTN from current owner Luken Communications, which had purchased it for $25 million in June. The principal of the company is Henry Luken. B&C; reported Luken also is a major shareholder in Equity Media, which the trade publication said filed for bankruptcy in Little Rock last month.
-- Alan Pergament
