WRLP-TV
Encyclopedia
WRLP-TV was a television station
in Greenfield, Massachusetts
which broadcast on UHF channel 32 from 1957 to 1978. For most of its history, it was a satellite
of WWLP
in Springfield
.
WRLP came into existence because of the technical limitations UHF stations faced in the 1950s. The Springfield market was designated as an all-UHF market because it was too close to Boston
, Hartford
and the Capital District
for VHF service. This area is very mountainous, making UHF reception difficult. Soon after WWLP signed on, the station's owners, the Putnam family, realized that much of the northern portion of the market--including Greenfield, Brattleboro, Vermont
and Keene, New Hampshire
--could not get an acceptable signal. They decided to open WRLP as a full-time satellite of WWLP.
The station debuted on May 15, 1957. WRLP came from Roger L. Putnam, brother of WWLP founder William Putnam. The transmitter was located on Gunn Mountain in Winchester, New Hampshire
; one of the highest points in the region. The station could also be seen in Springfield as well, creating a strong combined signal with over 50% overlap.
WRLP was a money-bleeding full-time satellite of WWLP, although, later in that timeframe, with a separate newscast. It picked up Boston Bruins
, Celtics
and Red Sox
telecasts. Other than that, it simulcasted WWLP. It soon appeared on cable systems across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut
and upstate New York
. At one point, 70% of the station's audience was on cable. Unfortunately, cable coverage was not factored in by advertisers at the time, so WRLP reaped almost no windfall from its large cable audience. The station continued to lose money.
Finally, the Putnams ran out of patience, and WRLP went off the air on April 9, 1978 with almost no fanfare. The transmitter was dismantled and transported to Utah to start KSTU
in Salt Lake City.
Television station
A television station is a business, organisation or other such as an amateur television operator that transmits content over terrestrial television. A television transmission can be by analog television signals or, more recently, by digital television. Broadcast television systems standards are...
in Greenfield, Massachusetts
Greenfield, Massachusetts
Greenfield is a city in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 17,456 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Franklin County. Greenfield is home to Greenfield Community College, the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra, and the Franklin County Fair...
which broadcast on UHF channel 32 from 1957 to 1978. For most of its history, it was a satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
of WWLP
WWLP
WWLP is the NBC-affiliated television station for the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts that is licensed to Springfield. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on VHF channel 11 from a transmitter on Provin Mountain in the Feeding Hills section of Agawam. The station can also be seen...
in Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
.
WRLP came into existence because of the technical limitations UHF stations faced in the 1950s. The Springfield market was designated as an all-UHF market because it was too close to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
and the Capital District
Capital District
New York's Capital District, also known as the Capital Region, is a region in upstate New York that generally refers to the four counties surrounding Albany, the capital of the state: Albany County, Schenectady County, Rensselaer County, and Saratoga County...
for VHF service. This area is very mountainous, making UHF reception difficult. Soon after WWLP signed on, the station's owners, the Putnam family, realized that much of the northern portion of the market--including Greenfield, Brattleboro, Vermont
Brattleboro, Vermont
Brattleboro, originally Brattleborough, is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States, located in the southeast corner of the state, along the state line with New Hampshire. The population was 12,046 at the 2010 census...
and Keene, New Hampshire
Keene, New Hampshire
Keene is a city in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 23,409 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cheshire County.Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England, and hosts the annual Pumpkin Fest...
--could not get an acceptable signal. They decided to open WRLP as a full-time satellite of WWLP.
The station debuted on May 15, 1957. WRLP came from Roger L. Putnam, brother of WWLP founder William Putnam. The transmitter was located on Gunn Mountain in Winchester, New Hampshire
Winchester, New Hampshire
Winchester is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,341 at the 2010 census. The primary settlement in the town, where 1,733 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the Winchester census-designated place...
; one of the highest points in the region. The station could also be seen in Springfield as well, creating a strong combined signal with over 50% overlap.
WRLP was a money-bleeding full-time satellite of WWLP, although, later in that timeframe, with a separate newscast. It picked up Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
, Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
and Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
telecasts. Other than that, it simulcasted WWLP. It soon appeared on cable systems across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
and upstate New York
Upstate New York
Upstate New York is the region of the U.S. state of New York that is located north of the core of the New York metropolitan area.-Definition:There is no clear or official boundary between Upstate New York and Downstate New York...
. At one point, 70% of the station's audience was on cable. Unfortunately, cable coverage was not factored in by advertisers at the time, so WRLP reaped almost no windfall from its large cable audience. The station continued to lose money.
Finally, the Putnams ran out of patience, and WRLP went off the air on April 9, 1978 with almost no fanfare. The transmitter was dismantled and transported to Utah to start KSTU
KSTU
KSTU, channel 13, is the Fox-affiliated television station serving the Salt Lake City designated market area. The station is owned by Local TV LLC, the media arm of private equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners, and its transmitter located on Farnsworth Peak, southwest of Salt Lake City...
in Salt Lake City.