FIRST OFF . . .

Citing a combination of economic, competitive and public-interest reasons, three network affiliates in the Midwest have opted to air either old movies or sitcoms on election night next week, forgoing their networks’ live election coverage. CBS affiliate KMEG-TV in Sioux City, Iowa, and ABC affiliates WBAK-TV in Terre Haute, Ind., and WUHQ-TV in Battle Creek, Mich., are the three stations that have pulled out. However, network executives have privately said they expect that list to grow as Election Day draws nearer. WBAK’s station manager said the station “needed the inventory to generate revenue,” while WUHQ’s general manager said “with two ABC affiliates in the market, there will be ample coverage of the national election.” CBS’ KMEG-TV general manager, Linda Snyder, said: “This was a programming decision. We opted to be an alternative viewing to our market.”