Q: I’m one of the subscribers to Comcast’s Xfinity Popular TV package that will apparently be losing access to SportsNet Pittsburgh on Jan. 16 to watch Penguins and Pirates games. I have been paying $13.30 as a regional sports fee. I wonder if that fee will be removed since I will no longer be able to watch “regional sports” on my current package?
—James via email
Rob: My understanding is the regional sports network (RSN) fee on the Popular TV tier will be adjusted to account for this change. For Popular TV customers, it will be reduced to reflect costs associated with other RSNs that are still part of the Popular TV package, which, depending on a customer’s location, may include ACC Network, Big 10, MASN, YES, NBC Sports Philadelphia, Bally Sports Ohio and Monumental Sports.
Costs associated with the carriage of SportsNet Pittsburgh will be applied to customers who take the Ultimate TV package.
RSN fees are separate from the cost of either the Popular or Ultimate TV tiers. I tried to find out what the RSN fee for Popular TV is now and what the RSN fee had been for Ultimate TV and what it is now, but a Comcast spokeswoman said RSN fees vary by specific service areas. She did not provide any hard numbers.
Q: Wondering why local TV stations don’t just switch over from helicopters to drones? They already have FAA clearances for the copters. Wouldn’t it be even safer with drones? There’s no excuse for any news station to risk lives with helicopters these days.
— Chris, via email
Rob: If the general managers of KDKA-TV or WPXI-TV had responded to my inquiry, I planned to ask if they might use drones more in the future after grounding their shared helicopter, how coverage would differ with drones, and if the Philadelphia news chopper crash last month played any role in their decision or if they’ve made arrangements for occasional (but not routine) helicopter use.
My understanding is there are limitations about where drones can operate, including the FAA’s Part 107 rules about flying no higher than 400 feet. It appears waivers on some Part 107 rules exist for commercial operators.
But flying a drone over highways for traffic coverage? Nope.
Drones also can’t fly over airports, stadiums, prisons and some other locations.
Drones can be a partial replacement for choppers, but it appears their use does have more limitations than helicopters.
Q: I keep seeing commercials on WTAE for the Very Local app. Is there any way to watch it on TV or is it just an app?
— Krissy, via Facebook
Rob: The Very Local app can be downloaded on smart TVs or a device like Roku, Apple TV or Fire Stick and watched on a TV via streaming. The app can also be downloaded and watched on mobile devices (iOS and Android). The most recent Very Local Pittsburgh series is “Local Love Pittsburgh,” which streams a new episode each Tuesday through Feb. 20.
Q: Game Show Network removed “Master Minds” from the 6 p.m. time slot and replaced it with “Blank Slate.” Is this a permanent change?
— Jim, North Huntingdon
Rob: As much as any TV programming decision is “permanent,” then yes, it is.
“Blank Slate” is a new series hosted by Mario Lopez. But “Master Minds” is not gone entirely, just relocated to 3 p.m. weekdays.
You can reach TV writer Rob Owen at rowen@triblive.com or 412-380-8559. Follow @RobOwenTV on Threads, X, Bluesky and Facebook. Ask TV questions by email or phone. Please include your first name and location.