WRDE adjusts name to reflect dominant audience
Formerly myRTN-31, the station has changed its name to myRTN-9 because most viewers tune into the station on cable Channel 9.
Bob Backman, president of WRDE-TV parent company, Rehoboth Beach-based Price Hill Television LLC, said WRDE is carried on Comcast Digital Cable Channel 9 and also broadcast on digital Channel 31 for those who receive an over-the-air signal by antenna.
Backman said myRTN (Retro Television Network) has started to make programming changes – with more change to come.
He said the network is moving away from reality-based programming and has already dropped daily late-night talk shows, replacing them with TV classics “It Takes A Thief” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.”
Backman said the network also plans to begin airing “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.”
Also returning to the schedule, are Saturday morning programming for children and Sunday morning westerns.
Backman said although some myRTN programming is changing, fans of Friday night’s “WWE SmackDown” needn’t worry – the popular wrestling show isn’t going anywhere.
He said WRDE would also begin airing Philadelphia Phillies baseball games Saturday, April 4, when they take on the Tampa Bay Rays.
Backman said although other networks televise Phillies games in the area, they aren’t the same games aired on WRDE.
In other sports news, Backman said the station is the only one locally airing Atlantic Coast Conference tournament basketball games.
He said televised tournament play started March 12 and runs through the weekend, with the final game scheduled to air Sunday, March 15.
Backman said the station is developing plans to begin airing “High School Game of the Week” this fall.
“We’d tape a Friday game and air it late on Saturday so the kids can see themselves,” Backman said.
He said game of the week programming could start with football and run through basketball season.
WRDE will air the Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday, March 14, from 11 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 21. “It will be our first locally produced program,” Backman said.
He said parade coverage and planned local sports programming are just a few ways in which the station is increasing its connection with the community it serves. “We want to hear from churches, organizations and other nonprofit groups to get information about what they’re doing on-air,” he said.
For additional information, call myRTN-9 WRDE, at 888-956-7999.
