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Greek TV station moves to Ch. 948

WZRA and Bright House Networks reach agreement on a new home for the station, which was kicked off Channel 15 this year in favor of government access.

By ASHLEE CLARK
Published July 22, 2006

Pinellas County viewers of television station WZRA can put away their antennas.

The Greek channel has gone digital.

WZRA International 48 will air on Bright House Networks digital Channel 948 to thousands of customers in most of Pinellas County.

"It's better for cable, better for us, better for the community," said WZRA president and general manager Sotirios "Sam" Agelatos.

WZRA, which operates out of studios in Oldsmar, promotes the culture of the strong Greek community in North Pinellas, Tarpon Springs Mayor Beverley Billiris said. Programming includes news from Greece, Europe and Canada, sports, children's programs and local talk shows.

The 27-year-old station aired on Knology 122 and Bright House's Channel 15, which is Tarpon Springs' government-access channel.

But WZRA got the boot from the Bright House channel this year to make room for Tarpon Springs city programming.

With Agelatos' on-air urging, viewers began calling Bright House to get WZRA back.

"We appreciate every phone call they make," Agelatos said. "That makes the difference, believe me."

Recently, the station entered a standard three-year deal with Bright House to occupy digital Channel 948, Bright House spokesman Joe Durkin said.

There are no other international channels like WZRA in the Bright House lineup, with the exception of Spanish-language channels, Durkin said.

Billiris said she is pleased that the community's needs for cultural programming are met in this deal.

"If we have Spanish channels, why can't we also offer a channel for the Greek population?" said Billiris, who was involved in negotiations with Bright House and WZRA to find a home for the station.

WZRA is also in talks with Verizon to broadcast in the Tampa area, Agelatos said.

Verizon is interested, but there isn't a definitive timetable for what will come next, Verizon spokesman Bob Elek said.

There won't be many changes for the station because of the switch to digital, Agelatos said. WZRA will still air on Knology 122, and the programming will still cater to audiences seeking international information, Agelatos said.

All international programming is welcome, he said.

Ashlee Clark can be reached at aclark@sptimes.com or 445-4158.

[Last modified July 21, 2006, 21:11:21]