Arizona TV Station Update - February 2016

[dhett]

Better late than never...

As always, questions, additions, comments and corrections welcome.

Programming changes

• KTVP-LD 22.x Phoenix (Mako Communications, LLC) has dropped JTV programming from channel 22.6. No programming has replaced JTV; the subchannel is a blank screen, but where the channel description used to show just "22.6", it now shows "KTVP-LP|TBA". Could something be showing up soon? Almavision on channel 22.5 is missing, replaced by a Spanish-language slide from Dish Network informing viewers that due to technical difficulties from Almavision, the channel is not available at the moment, and encouraging viewers to visit the Almavision website to watch their programming.
• K38IZ-D 38.x Phoenix (Spanish Independent Broadcast Network, Inc.) has added a new subchannel, 38.7, which is the new home of Rev'n, formerly on KPHE-LD 44.3.
• KFPB-LD 50.x Globe (Globe LPTV, LLC) began airing Comet TV on channel 50.3, but after less than two weeks, removed it. Three weeks later, it came back, but with such low audio volume, I had to turn the audio up to 100% just to hear it. Two days later, it's gone again.
• KUDF-LD 14.x Tucson (LM Media Group, Inc.) has replaced its For Lease slide with a graphic of a computer desktop. The channel is still not leased out.
• KBLR 39.x (40) Paradise NV (Telemundo Las Vegas License, LLC) is rumored to be adding Cozi TV to channel 39.4 in the near future. The Cozi TV schedule is listed under channel 39.4 in Titan TV but under the call sign KSNV. Telemundo Las Vegas links to the Titan TV listings from their own website. Tip of the hat to RDVegas and CigarTimeRon in Las Vegas for the information.
• KEGS-LD 30.x Las Vegas NV (Mako Communications, LLC) is missing its Almavision programming from channel 30.2, with a slide from Dish network advising viewers of the outage.

Call sign change

• KVMY 21.x (2) Las Vegas (Channel 33, Inc.) has changed its call sign to KHSV, effective March 7.

Transactions

• KNXV-TV 15.x Phoenix (Scripps Media, Inc.) has been granted a pro forma transfer of license to Scripps Broadcasting LLC.
• KPPX-TV 51.x Tolleson (America 51, LP) consummated its first pro forma restructuring, and was granted permission to proceed with its second pro forma restructuring.
• KAZT-TV 7.x Prescott (KAZT, LLC) has proposed a pro forma restructuring, adding a new company upstream in the ownership hierarchy.
• K24KS-D 15.x Flagstaff (Scripps Media, Inc.) has been granted a pro forma transfer of license to Scripps Broadcasting LLC.
• K30LL-D 15.x Kingman (Scripps Media, Inc.) has been granted a pro forma transfer of license to Scripps Broadcasting LLC.
• K44CN-D 15.x Cottonwood (Scripps Media, Inc.) has been granted a pro forma transfer of license to Scripps Broadcasting LLC.
• K47DJ-D 15.x Prescott (Scripps Media, Inc.) has been granted a pro forma transfer of license to Scripps Broadcasting LLC.
• The FCC has dismissed the applications for transfer of control for the following stations as a result of the decision of Media General shareholders to seek a merger with Nexstar Broadcasting, rather than with Meredith Corporation:
  • KPHO-TV 5.x (17) Phoenix
  • KTVK 3.x (24) Phoenix
  • K11LC-D 3.x Prescott
  • K14NA-D 3.x Globe/Miami
  • K15HY Williams/Ash Fork
  • K25MG-D 3.x Flagstaff
  • K27KS-D 5.x Globe/Miami
  • K30JD-D 5.x Prescott
  • K38AI-D 3.x Cottonwood
  • K40AD-D 5.x Cottonwood
  • K50HU-D 5.x Flagstaff
  • KVVU-TV 5.x (9) Las Vegas NV
  • K28EU-D 5.x Laughlin NV

Construction permits and STAs granted

• FanVision Entertainment LLC requested and was granted an STA to operate a temporary TV station on channel 49 from March 1 through March 8 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for events surrounding the Kobalt 400, scheduled to be run on March 6.

License renewals

The following stations have filed for renewal but the licenses have not yet been renewed:

• KBFY-LP 41 Fortuna (Powell Meredith Communications Company)
• KCOS-LP 28 Phoenix (Aracelis Ortiz Corporation)
• KHRR 40.x Tucson (NBC Telemundo License LLC)
• KJPO-LD 49.x Parker (Iglesia Manmin Toda La Creacion USA INC.)
• KRPO-LD 21.x Quartzsite (Jenifer Juarez)
• KTAZ 39.x Phoenix (NBC Telemundo License LLC)
• KZVE-LP 30 Littlefield (Hispanic Christian Community Network, Inc.)
• KMCC 34.x (32) Laughlin NV (Cranston Acquisition, LLC)
• K33MB-D 34.X Laughlin NV (Cranston Acquisition, LLC)
• KVTE-LP 35 Las Vegas NV (Mountain Ridge Holdings, Inc.)
• KBLR 39.x (40) Paradise NV (Telemundo Las Vegas License LLC)
• KSNV 21.x (22) Las Vegas NV (KUPN Licensee, LLC) - formerly KVMY
• KVCW 33.x (29) Las Vegas NV (KUPN Licensee, LLC)
• KMYU 12.x (9) St. George UT (KUTV Licensee, LLC)
• K07SC Hildale UT (KUTV Licensee, LLC)
• K49AS-D 2.x Santa Clara UT (KUTV Licensee, LLC)
• K08PC-D 2.x Hildale UT (KUTV Licensee, LLC)

 

[mapman1071]

I wonder if there will be ATSC transition period in mid to late 2017 from 1.0/2.0 to 2.0/3.0. the FCC and broadcasters are saying that we will need to buy converter boxes or new tv's to receive ATSC 3.0 Standard broadcasts with no transition.

 

[KeithE4]

I wonder if there will be ATSC transition period in mid to late 2017 from 1.0/2.0 to 2.0/3.0. the FCC and broadcasters are saying that we will need to buy converter boxes or new tv's to receive ATSC 3.0 Standard broadcasts with no transition.

Might as well just turn 'em off if that's the case. Maybe some TVs can be upgraded with just a firmware update (internet connection required), but most probably won't.

 

[dhett]

Quoting Trip Ericson on a Las Vegas forum on another website:

The idea would be to have a phased transition. Using Vegas as an example, Sinclair might say, okay, we're going to transition to ATSC 3.0. KVCW will flip to ATSC 3.0 and due to the added efficiencies, will carry the programming of 3-1 through 3-3 and 33-1 through 33-3 on a single transmitter. KSNV, by contrast, would revert to all SD and carry that same spread of channels. (Or it may be across ownership groups, especially if it's someone without a duopoly partner, or they may carry NBC in HD and just CW and My in SD with the other services on 3.0 only, or some variant thereof.) After there is a certain amount of receiver penetration, the ATSC 1.0 transmitter would be turned off and converted to ATSC 3.0 as well.

Mind you, this is NOT an official FCC opinion, but just an illustration of how it can be done. It makes sense to me.

 

[tripinva]

The FCC hasn't said peep about 3.0 other than to say that the incentive auction will not be delayed waiting for it; repacking will be done with the current ATSC 1.0 standard. ATSC 3.0 has not yet been proposed to the FCC and there is (at present) no plan to transition to it.

- Trip

 

[Sammi Brie]

The FCC hasn't said peep about 3.0 other than to say that the incentive auction will not be delayed waiting for it; repacking will be done with the current ATSC 1.0 standard. ATSC 3.0 has not yet been proposed to the FCC and there is (at present) no plan to transition to it.

- Trip

The standard itself needs to be finalized as well. It should be worth noting that ATSC 1.0 -> 3.0 is a lot easier than analog to digital, often requiring as little as changing an exciter on newer equipment.

 

[landtuna]

It should be worth noting that ATSC 1.0 -> 3.0 is a lot easier than analog to digital, often requiring as little as changing an exciter on newer equipment.

What about on the viewer's end?

 

[K.M. Richards]

What about on the viewer's end?

My guess -- just a guess, mind you -- is that the majority of new sets are designed with this in mind and may only require a firmware update to continue working. Those which use "cable card"-like technology for off-air tuning would require a card change. DVRs which have built-in ATSC tuners will likely be a firmware update, which will likely download during the daily guide information period.

Either way, I expect the "upgrades" will allow dual-tuning (both standards) since there is no "flash-cut" date involved here.

For the rest, probably a new converter box ... even those who waited until the conversion date have had over six years' service from their boxes already so it's not unreasonable to suggest those be replaced, and they'll likely be as inexpensive as the ones available in the late 2000s. Again, I expect those will be able to receive both standards during the transition period. (I still have one of the Insignia-branded Zenith boxes from the transition; it feeds my old TiVo Series 2 DVR as if it were a cable or satellite receiver.)