By Frank Macek When the digital television transition arrived in the United States back in 2009, it carried with it a promise of endless possibility. Broadcasters were no longer bound by the limitations of analog signals. With the flip to digital, every station suddenly had the ability to transmit not just its main channel, but multiple additional channels through the magic of digital compression. The concept of the subchannel was born. For viewers, it meant more programming choices without paying a larger bill, and for broadcasters, it looked like an untapped revenue stream waiting to be exploited. In those early days, the airwaves were flooded with new names like MeTV, Antenna TV, Cozi TV, This TV, Grit, Bounce, Laff, Heroes & Icons, and Comet. These networks were programmed primarily with reruns of classic television shows, low-cost syndicated programming, and specialty movies. For audiences, it was suddenly possible to watch The Andy Griffith Show , M A S H*, or I Love Lu...