Why is KDKA dropping Decades channel?
Post-Gazette TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions online every Friday in Tuned In Journal blog at post-gazette.com/tv. Here’s a selection of recent queries.
Q: Is Decades gone for good? How can KDKA be so callous about this terrific channel? — JUDY, BETHEL PARK
Rob: This smells more like a corporate CBS decision than a local KDKA-TV decision. Decades will be replaced by Start TV on Sept. 3 as we noted a few weeks ago. The Start TV release included this quote from CBS Television Stations Peter Dunn, which suggests the change was made to Start TV to better align the digital subchannel with CBS’s current prime-time, procedural-heavy programming: “We are pleased to partner with our friends at Weigel Broadcasting to launch Start TV. Our CBS Television Network prime-time audience has enjoyed great success with procedural dramas for many years. We are excited to feature ‘The Good Wife’ and many other compelling series in the Start TV lineup as a great companion to our CBS programming.”
It is possible Decades could land on the digital subchannel lineup of another local station, but so far I’ve heard nothing to suggest that will happen.
Q: Will ABC give one more try for an American Christmas version of “The Great British Bake- Off” after last year’s disaster? — LINDA, MONROEVILLE Rob: Nothing has been announced, but my understanding is “The Great American Baking Show” willlikely return to ABC this Christmas.
Q: I have been streaming two BBC-produced mysteries: “Hint e r l a n d ” and “Shetland,” both with strong characters, typical British mysteries and marv e l o u s sceneries. Is there any word on whether new episodes will be filmed and released to Netflix?
— TOM, MURRYSVILLE Rob: It’s difficult to gather information on a streaming service’s plans for an acquired series — their publicity and marketing emphasis is usually on homegrown originals — but in this case it appears “Hinterland” was produced for just three seasons. All three seasons are already on Netflix, so there are no additional episodes Netflix could acquire.
Three seasons of “Shetland” are on Netflix. A fourth season aired on the BBC earlier this year, so presumably that will come to Netflix at some point.
Q: I haven’t seen any mention of “Last Tango in Halifax.” Is it coming back and if so, when? — SHIRLEY VIA
EMAIL Rob: “Last Tango in Halifax” writer Sally Wainwright has become so popular writing other British series she hasn’t had time to get to more “Last Tango.” Star Derek Jacobi said late last year the show was done because of this, but the BBC says Ms. Wainwright “has every intention of revisiting Last Tango when she is able to.” But there is no ETA on when that might happen.