Affiliate

From TeeVeePedia, the Internet TV Encyclopedia.

No television network, whether a well-oiled giant such as ABC or a more speculative venture such as CW, can do everything alone. At least, that's what the FCC says. In order to get around FCC rules, large non-cable networks hire television stations across America to act as their affiliates. These local stations show network programming during primetime and at other times during the day, and usually fill in the rest of the 24/7/365 with syndicated shows, hyped-up "breaking news" stories, and infomercials.

The original plan was that these smaller, locally run stations would produce programming of local interest, while providing the major (or sometimes not so major) networks a base from which they could show their national programming. In the reality of 2006, with large organizations gobbling up television stations like Pac-Man on a rampage, it is obvious that the original plan is basically worthless. Despite this, the FCC doesn't appear to be all that concerned.