PAX Network
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The PAX Network, PAX TV, PaxNet, or simply PAX, is a broadcast and cable television network first broadcasted on August 311998. PAX, which is primarily owned by Paxson Communications, shows family-oriented programming (NBC Universal also has a 32% share). Its programming contains little or no sex, violence, or strong language.
Unlike most TV networks in the United States such as ABC, CBS, Fox or NBC, PAX has a national feed that is part of basic DBS packages as well as having its affiliates carried by cable TV systems, LPTV stations, or translators, similar in structure to most Latin American TV networks (on which model TV networks have relay stations across the country). PAX programming consists of some original programming mixed with reruns of various TV shows and movies and some Christian-oriented programming.
It was estimated in 2003 that PAX is viewable by 74.25% of all households, reaching 79,185,730 houses in the United States. PAX has 94 VHF- and UHF-owned-and-operated or affiliate stations in the U.S., although these stations are mainly poorly watched UHF stations, and not all of the stations air PAX's complete nightly transmission. Some local PAX stations rebroadcast that market's NBC affilliate's newscasts at a later time.
PAX is not considered by many to be a channel on par with the six existing major national broadcast networks, as it is not received in many parts of the country yet. It has no stations in several major markets, most notably Charlotte, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and St. Louis.
Typically, PAX television shows average only 1% of the viewing audience, which is considerably lower than any other (major) broadcast network. To compare, the "big 3" networks (ABC, CBS and NBC) frequently garner 15–22% of viewers.
In 2003 PAX scaled back its operations, presumably due to financial losses: it was originally offering five or six new series each season. That year the number of new series airing on PAX dwindled to just two: Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye and Doc. The netlet seemingly recovered a year later when seven TV series made it to PAX's 2004–05 schedule.
In the spring of 2005, it was reported that PAX intended to break its contract with NBC Universal, eliminate all entertainment programming, and rely on infomercials, direct response advertising, and other paid programming to help increase cash flow. However, the network issued a press release on May 25, 2005, in which Paxson Communications chairman Lowell "Bud" Paxson was quoted as saying, "There have been several reports in the press that the Company is dropping or reducing entertainment programming. Those reports are totally incorrect. The Company will continue to offer the same or an increased amount of entertainment programming than it has in the past." [1] (http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/index.jsp?epi-content=GENERIC&newsId=20050525005744&ndmHsc=v2*A1085914800000*B1117523853000*DgroupByDate*J2*M740*N1001503&newsLang=en&beanID=1963892417&viewID=news_view)
See also
- List of PAX Network affiliates
- List of United States television networks
- List of United States cable and satellite television networks
- Lists of corporate assets
External links
- PAX TV website (http://www.paxtv.com)