Analog to Digital TV Re-Branding

[txchipk]

KCEN Temple/Waco TX shut-off their long-time analog channel 6 today. Now, only KCEN-DT 9 exists. Interestingly, they have changed their branding from "NBC6" to "KCEN 9" (www.kcentv.com).

Are there any others switching today that are branding around their new digital assignment even though the old analog channel is virtually mapped to the new channel?

 

[Rick Rose 2.0]

According to video on their web site that was on the 6pm news they said that antenna tv's would show 9-1 so maybe they will no longer remap.

 

[KML0224]

I thought the FCC mandated that stations use their existing channel branding or whatever to avoid confusion? Hey, now I'm confused!

 

[PTBoardOp94]

The FCC does not require any sort of branding. They do require remapping.

 

[stationi]

The only station I know that has rebranded based on their digital channel is KAIL in Fresno. KAIL was formerly called "My 53" but now calls itself "My 7.1".

 

[mescutia]

I thought the FCC mandated that stations use their existing channel branding or whatever to avoid confusion? Hey, now I'm confused!

At this point, I think even the FCC's confused!

 

[azumanga]

The funny thing, though, is WCNC in Charlotte NC, known for many years by its cable slot channel, channel 6, started identifying itself again by its analog channel number, 36, just last year.

Furthermore, WWSB in Sarasota, FL, has opted to use "7" as its PSIP, after its cable slot, instead of its analog (40) or digital (52, soon to be 24).

Apparently, it seems that FCC standards for PSIP has gone out the window.

 

[tripinva]

I'm told KAIL got an exception from the FCC. KCEN and KAIL may both be covered. I've heard the FCC is allowing stations to map to the physical channel, though I'm not 100% on that.

I'd report WWSB to the FCC. KSWB got smacked for trying the same thing. Mapping to a channel you have no claim to is a no-no.

- Trip

 

[romer979fm]

WJFB-TV (Lebanon,TN) Nashville DMA dropped their analog on channel 66 a few weeks ago;
they now map to 66.1 but are actually digital on channel 44. On their local programming, the owner
refers to the station as "digital 44"...and their graphics also show "DTV 44" with no mention of 66.1.

probably not illegal, but certainly not smart. this owner alsos hosts a 30 minute "morning show", thet
consists of himself (and sometimesd his grandson) staring at a fixed camera...reading from the newspaper,
taking a call or two from friends, and walking the line of libel and slander when delivering the local "news"

 

[quadraphonic]

this owner alsos hosts a 30 minute "morning show", thet
consists of himself (and sometimesd his grandson) staring at a fixed camera...reading from the newspaper,
taking a call or two from friends, and walking the line of libel and slander when delivering the local "news"

every young broadcaster's dream

 

[dhett]

The only station I know that has rebranded based on their digital channel is KAIL in Fresno. KAIL was formerly called "My 53" but now calls itself "My 7.1".

KMCC in Laughlin NV also does. Analog was ch 34; digital is ch 32. Station brands as ch 32.

Station website: http://www.kmcc.tv/

But that's branding. Regarding scanning, at last check, the STA pre-transition facility in Laughlin scanned as 34.1, but the co-channel booster in Henderson (Las Vegas) scanned as 32.1. I don't know how the station's post-transition facility scans. They should have cut over last night.

 

[dhett]

I've heard the FCC is allowing stations to map to the physical channel, though I'm not 100% on that.

If you're correct, that's a good thing. If a station wants to go through the process of rebranding by their RF channel, why not let them map to it as well?

 

[fybush]

I've heard the FCC is allowing stations to map to the physical channel, though I'm not 100% on that.

If you're correct, that's a good thing. If a station wants to go through the process of rebranding by their RF channel, why not let them map to it as well?

The problem comes in markets where one station has taken over the RF channel that formerly was occupied by another station - say, my neighboring market of Syracuse, where WSTM-DT moves from RF 54 to RF 24, the channel formerly home to WCNY's analog. (WCNY stays on RF 25.)

In this particular case, WSTM wants to keep its longtime "3" branding and WCNY wants to keep its "24" branding - but if the stations weren't so cooperative, and if WSTM did decide it wanted to rebrand as "24," who'd decide which station deserves to use that channel for its mapping?

The current rules may not be perfect, but they at least provide a clear, consistent answer to that question.

I don't have any particular problem with stations being allowed to map to their new RF channel numbers when there's no conflict (KCEN, for instance, or KAIL). It would be nice to see the FCC enunciate that as a formal policy, though.

At the bare minimum, the FCC's going to need to be keeping data on which major channel numbers are being used by which stations once the transition is complete, so I'd think some sort of formal waiver program to allow stations to choose to use their new RF channels as their major channels for PSIP might be in order.

Doug?

 

[dhett]

I don't have any particular problem with stations being allowed to map to their new RF channel numbers when there's no conflict (KCEN, for instance, or KAIL). It would be nice to see the FCC enunciate that as a formal policy, though.

I had assumed barring station conflicts as you describe. I guess I won't worry about what the FCC enunciating policy until I can clearly enunciate my own thoughts.

 

[arnoldevns]

KCEN Temple/Waco TX shut-off their long-time analog channel 6 today. Now, only KCEN-DT 9 exists. Interestingly, they have changed their branding from "NBC6" to "KCEN 9" (www.kcentv.com).

Are there any others switching today that are branding around their new digital assignment even though the old analog channel is virtually mapped to the new channel?

For what it's worth.. when KLDT in Lake Dallas, Texas dropped its analog signal on 55 a few years ago it started branding itself with its digital channel number 54.

As for KCEN: That seems like a remarkably foolish thing to do. That station has been known as channel 6 for decades in that market. It's a very poorly run station so nothing surprises me.