Nielsen: Diaries Finally On The Way Out

BY RICK BENTLEY
rbentley@fresnobee.com

Since 2012, Mark Shirin has been growing his local television empire. His Ventura Broadcasting Company now offers 24 channels broadcasting on KGMC (Channel 43.6), KVHF (Channel 4.1), KVBC (Channel 13) and KBID (Channel 31).

That’s a lot of programming. To help, Shirin has added an on-screen channel guide on KVHF to help viewers keep up with what’s being broadcast on the over-the-air channels.

“We strive to satisfy the requests of our viewers,” Shirin says. “One of the biggest complaints that viewers have expressed to us is that there was not a convenient way to get local program information. While we have gone to great lengths to make program guides available online and on mobile devices via our website, that simply wasn’t always convenient for our viewers.”

The guide doesn’t just list stations being broadcast by Ventura Broadcasting; it features all local TV stations.

In addition to the guide, the channel also will offer streaming audio powered by Biz Talk Radio, a nationally syndicated talk-radio network. Biz Talk Radio broadcasts business related programming.

The other recent addition is BUZZR, a classic game show television network. It is available to TV watchers who use an antenna at KVBC (Channel 13.7).

“While BUZZR is not yet a household name, our viewers will surely be familiar with the great classic game shows on the Buzzr Channel, like ‘What’s My Line’ and ‘Family Feud.’ Many of our viewers not only remember the show hosts, but fondly remember the celebrity contestants that appeared on those shows,” Shirin says.

Other game shows featured on the channel include “Let’s Make a Deal,” “Beat the Clock,” “Super Password,” “To Tell the Truth,” “Match Game,” “Password,” “Blockbusters” and “Card Sharks.”