Why do I get an Atlanta TV station on cable in Calgary?

[Screaming Lord Byron]

OK, I understand getting channels from Spokane, our nearest US city, but it seems bizarre that we get Channel 40 from Atlanta. Is this some residual deal dating from when we took the Flames off their hands? I've noticed it elsewhere in Canada. In Edmonton, I think it's Detroit (correct me if I'm incorrect, Edmontonians), and in Vancouver, I seem to recall getting New York TV. In New Brunswick, some people get Edmonton TV. What is this bizarre TV geographical anomaly? Is it purely a Canadian phenomenon? or are folks in Denver getting Philpadelphia TV?

[Magrittes Pipe]

1. So you can watch your beloved Braves try to win the East?

:shrug:

[Screaming Lord Byron]

2. That must be it.

It's just totally incongruous when the local Georgia content is on. I can't go to an Atlanta Ford-area dealership to get my Explorer test-drive!

[ClintonTyree]

3. It's considered...........

a "Super Station", whatever the hell that means. Likewise with WGN from Chicago. They're bundled, just as computer programs on a new computer, in your cable TV package.

We get them in the US too, wherever you live. I know I'm not interested in the least in anything they air, but we're stuck with them.

I'm sorry you're subjected to the same torture.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

4. That makes sense.

What's so Super about them, anyway? When they're not running the same three movies over and over again, it's sitcom re-runs. False Advertising, anyone? ;)

[RUSTY SHACKLEFORD]

5. WGN and WTBS used to be the greatest stations around.

I remember when WTBS came on back in the 1970's. I used to come home from school every day and watch "Space Giants". Ted Turner was a genius too, because he set his programming up at the hour or half our +5 minutes to give you enough time to realize there wasn't anything else good on TV without missing the begining of the show.

And Bozo the clown used to come on WGN which was always fun. And since the two greatest teams in baseball are the Cubs and the Braves anyway, I wouldn't trade those stations for 10 HBO channels. Used to love to listen to Harry Carry announce for the Cubs on WGN before he died. I grew up with those channels, they've got a lot of sentimental value for me..........