superstations
Widely transmitted channels
Superstations are television broadcast stations whose signals are distributed nationally or regionally via satellite or cable, far beyond their local market.
The term emerged in the 1970s and 1980s when stations like WTBS and WGN reached audiences across the country: We watched Cubs games on the superstation.
The concept has largely faded as cable and streaming fragmented the television landscape.
Chicago television superstation
- cableHeavy-duty woven line
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- nationwideAcross entire country
- syndicationMulti-outlet content distribution
Turner · FCC · signal · distribution · programming · reruns · ratings · viewership
Pre-midday designation
- nighttimeDark hours between dusk and dawn
- skywaveRadio reflected by atmosphere
- transmitterSignal-emitting device
- frequencyRate of recurrence
coverage · megawatt · broadcast · continental · skip · ionosphere · powerful
Central connection point
- interchangeReciprocal transfer between parties
- terminalAt the endpoint
- junctionPoint where things meet
- metroUrban rail transit
railway · multimodal · transfer · central · commuter · platform · concourse · connection
WGN
Chicago television superstation
- cableHeavy-duty woven line
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- nationwideAcross entire country
syndication · Turner · FCC · signal · distribution · programming · reruns · ratings · viewership · antenna
AM
Pre-midday designation
- nighttimeDark hours between dusk and dawn
- skywaveRadio reflected by atmosphere
- transmitterSignal-emitting device
frequency · coverage · megawatt · broadcast · continental · skip · ionosphere · powerful
hub
Central connection point
- interchangeReciprocal transfer between parties
- terminalAt the endpoint
- junctionPoint where things meet
metro · railway · multimodal · transfer · central · commuter · platform · concourse · connection · underground