WHIZ's Vanelli: DTV could kill station

Las Vegas - Van Vanelli, station manager at WHIZ-TV in Zanesville, Ohio, said the DTV build out, coupled with the small market stations' tenuous relationship with the networks have combined to put his and similar outlets in a precarious position.

With his NBC contract up for negotiation this year, he wonders whether he will continue to obtain the top-tier programming and ad revenue necessary to pay for digital facilities. "Why should I spend $3 million on a digital stick if I'm only going to reach 5% of the DMA?"
- Bill McConnell