106.7 moving to WLZT HD-3?

[TANK1]

Whispers out there that 106.7 may do a cast on WLZT HD-3 to increase signal range - is that true?

 

[willcail]

What's on WLZT HD-2? Or CC run that station to the ground as well?

 

[TANK1]

TVN - news.

 

[gr8oldies]

Seems it would make more sense to put TVN on the HD3 and 106.7 on the HD2

 

[JohnboyCrenshaw]

WLZT-HD2 is simulcast 100% WTVN-AM.

Did the whisper have a hint of garlic or bourbon? It certainly didn't have a clue!

Thanks for whispering,
JbC

 

[xiradiodotcom]

Putting it on a WLZT subchannel would help people like me that can't get a reliable HD signal from 106.7 within about 3 miles of downtown.

 

[del_griffith]

JbC:

Why was TVN put on HD2? Or any HD channel?

 

[xiradiodotcom]

JbC:

Why was TVN put on HD2? Or any HD channel?

My guess is to help night coverage west. The term "HD" in radio is misleading. It does not stand for High Definition, but rather Hybrid Digital. The 93.3 HD2 stream of WTVN does sound better than the AM HD signal, and it's on 24/7, unlike the AM HD.

 

[JohnboyCrenshaw]

Del:

One more delivery platform for a successful product. Same reason we stream.

Best,
JbC

 

[xianbroadcaster]

Del:

One more delivery platform for a successful product. Same reason we stream.

Best,
JbC

JBC,

I get that but do you think that the FCC is going to step in and require that these HD stations be more than re-streams of other properties?

Right now HD is sort of in the same funk that FM was in the late 60's early 70's when the FCC told FM station owners to use it or lose it..

I know we are in a totally different time and era now but it seems to me that the simulcasting of product that can already be heard just means that the HD band isn't really necessary.

ALso, for everyone else too, I am not really aware of EVERYTHING that stations are doing with their HD freqs, what are some of the ways that communities are actually being served BETTER than the above mentioned uses?

 

[columbus radio fan]

Del:

One more delivery platform for a successful product. Same reason we stream.

Best,
JbC

JBC,

I get that but do you think that the FCC is going to step in and require that these HD stations be more than re-streams of other properties?

Right now HD is sort of in the same funk that FM was in the late 60's early 70's when the FCC told FM station owners to use it or lose it..

I know we are in a totally different time and era now but it seems to me that the simulcasting of product that can already be heard just means that the HD band isn't really necessary.

ALso, for everyone else too, I am not really aware of EVERYTHING that stations are doing with their HD freqs, what are some of the ways that communities are actually being served BETTER than the above mentioned uses?

Putting WTVN on WLZT's HD2 channel actually would allow WTVN to serve Southern Ohio at night when WTVN changes from non-directional to directional signal. WLZT has a very good coverage to the south since they are on WTVN's daytime tower.

 

[xianbroadcaster]

Del:

One more delivery platform for a successful product. Same reason we stream.

Best,
JbC

JBC,

I get that but do you think that the FCC is going to step in and require that these HD stations be more than re-streams of other properties?

Right now HD is sort of in the same funk that FM was in the late 60's early 70's when the FCC told FM station owners to use it or lose it..

I know we are in a totally different time and era now but it seems to me that the simulcasting of product that can already be heard just means that the HD band isn't really necessary.

ALso, for everyone else too, I am not really aware of EVERYTHING that stations are doing with their HD freqs, what are some of the ways that communities are actually being served BETTER than the above mentioned uses?

Putting WTVN on WLZT's HD2 channel actually would allow WTVN to serve Southern Ohio at night when WTVN changes from non-directional to directional signal. WLZT has a very good coverage to the south since they are on WTVN's daytime tower.

Yeah, but is it really serving those communities?
Why not plant a new news operation to serve the local community?

 

[del_griffith]

JbC:
If it's delivery platform driven, then why not place WYTS programs on some of those HD carriers? If anything, it needs the most help in getting it's programs available to the most people.

 

[JohnboyCrenshaw]

Xi,

I cannot predict what the FCC may or may not do. WTVN, by larger reach, would serve the communities to the south the same way it serves the communities to the north. Service is service, correct? I didn't know that a news operation was necessary to serve. That's also probably not a successful business model, either. See the local newspaper for more on that subject.

Del:

I'd stream WYTS before an HD2 assignment.

Yours in hybrid digital service,
JbC

 

[xianbroadcaster]

JB:

Well, I don't imagine "SERVE" is the right word of what WTVN or WCOL or WNCI or WLW or WHOK or any other station that has the "umpf" to broadcast in a large geographic area does in communities outside their immediate area. Just because you can hear a signal doesn't mean that it is information that impacts you. Which is why I think it is marginal at best for a station like TVN to be rebroadcast on any other frequency outside their immediate local target area.

To the rest of the readers....and JB....Are the HD freqs really needed? Everyone is just doing the same stuff is anybody anywhere doing anything useful with their HD freqs?

 

[JohnboyCrenshaw]

Xi:

You seem distressed at the interpretation of "serve." Most of the FMs off the Sears Tower in Chicago can hold a stereo signal for 80 miles across Indiana, yet not a one of them has a PSA for Michiana. Who, if anyone, is to blame?

You are correct, just because you hear it doesn't mean it impacts you. However, if you don't speak Korean (or any other language being programmed, for example) does that mean the station is not serving?

WTVN, by virtue of the directional nighttime pattern, does not serve all of its immediate local target area. This target area has grown along with the population (see: urban sprawl.) This problem gets worse in the winter time, with fewer daylight hours. Does WTVN not have a responsibility to serve Columbus if possible, even if the city of license has grown? Would HD2 not be an appropriate use, on that basis?

Please also note: HD2 is NOT additional "frequency." It is carving up an existing amount of "frequency" (bandwidth) into two or three parts.

Yours in service,
JbC

 

[AugC]

JB: I think there might be a psa or two being blowtorched off of Hancock or Sears for the western Michiana area. This includes LaPorte and(limited) Porter Counties in IN and Berrien Co. in MI. US99.5 has done a few United Way spots. And I know for a fact they(US99.5) sell spots for the Casino and Outlet shopping area in Michigan City, IN! As far as actually locking in a true stereo signal....ehhh....maybe next to the lake. Although most Chicago signals can be heard out to Plymouth, IN--signal lacks penetration due to power levels and this holds true for actual stereo signal....mostly mono in the fringes.


As for HD radio....who listens? Ha! Try locating a (reliable) HD radio in the market today. A market where listeners are more concerned about paying for food, gas, etc. Here's an idea: Run your stations contests on webstreams and HD signals ONLY! Maybe that will give some incentive for people to buy HD radios and create demand for a dwindling supply of HD.

 

[gr8oldies]

There was a lot of simulcasting in the early days of FM, and possibly the ability to recieve WTVN reliably after sunset and during morning drive could be a start. Maybe like in the early days of FM stations need to hand out converters.