So is a Fox affiliate coming to Lincoln?

That’s become the hot topic after a page recently appeared — and then disappeared — from KOLN/KGIN-TV’s Web site.

The answer — at least for the forseeable future — is “no.”

Troy Frankforter, KOLN/KGIN operations manager, said the Web page wasn’t meant for public consumption, noting it was “a leftover piece of an experimental project.”

He said there are no plans for KOLN to launch a Fox affiliate.

“Imagine our surprise when it came up,” he said. “It was like a ghost in the machine.”

But why did the page appear?

Frankforter couldn’t confirm or deny that KOLN/KGIN has been looking into securing a Fox affiliate for one of its digital channels.

KOLN, however, has the rights to the “Fox 10/11” Internet domain, he said.

While it was up, the Web page said the “digital revolution” has made it possible for KOLN to broadcast several channels at once.

Fox 10/11 would be seen on over-the-air, digital channel 10.2 or 11.2, with MyTV moving from 10.2/11.2 to 10.3 or 11.3.

CBS, of course, would remain on channels 10 and 11.

For Time Warner Cable subscribers, Fox 10/11 would appear on channel 110 in place of MyTV, the page said. 

It’s not a stretch to assume the station might be considering a Fox affiliate, especially in light of Pappas Telecasting’s financial difficulties.

Pappas, which filed bankruptcy in May 2008, operates but doesn’t own, the Fox stations in Lincoln’s market  — KTVG/17 (Grand Island) and KSNB/4 (Superior). It also operates The CW affiliates in Lincoln (KCWL/51)  and Omaha (KXVO/15).

On Monday, a bankruptcy judge approved New World TV Group’s purchase of 10 full-power stations owned and operated by Pappas, including KPTM in Omaha, the Fox station most of us watch.

I believe Frankforter when he said that nothing is happening — at least for now.

Don’t be surprised that once the digital conversion happens in February that stations such as KOLN begin looking for alternative programming for their extra channels.

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.