Arizona TV Station Update - April 2009

[dhett]

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

New license

• KPVY-LD 45.x Prescott (KM Communications) has been granted a license to cover construction of their modified facilities. No signal has been observed from the station's transmitter, reportedly located atop Yarnell Hill.
• KJPO-LP 49 Parker (Hispanic Christian Community Networks) was granted a license to cover its original construction permit. The license grant was later revoked after a member of the public filed a complaint to the FCC that the station was never constructed.
• K11QQ-D Hildale UT (Bonneville Holding Company) has been licensed for digital operations, replacing analog K11QQ. The station, which is to serve the neighboring communities of Hildale UT and Colorado City AZ, broadcasts a signal strong enough to be detected in Colorado City, but not decoded.
• K35FS-D Santa Clara UT (Bonneville Holding Company) has been licensed for digital operations, replacing analog K35FS.
• K20GJ-D Bloomington UT (Bonneville Holding Company) has been licensed for digital operations, replacing analog K20GJ.
• K27JV-D Kanab UT (Western Kane Co Special Service Dist) has been granted a license to cover its original construction permit. The station is the digital companion to K23DP and retransmits KUEN 9 Ogden UT on DT1, PBS World on DT2 and V-Me on DT3. Reception in the neighboring community of Fredonia AZ is difficult due to intervening terrain.
• K40JM-D Kanab UT (Western Kane Co Special Service Dist) has been granted a license to cover its original construction permit. The station is the digital companion to K10ME and retransmits KSTU 13 Salt Lake City UT in SD on DT1 and in HD on DT2. Reception in the neighboring community of Fredonia AZ is difficult due to intervening terrain.
• K17IK-D Cane Beds AZ/Hildale UT (University of Utah) has been licensed since December 2008. Its programming consists of a rebroadcast of KUEN 9 Ogden UT on DT1, MHz Networks on DT2 and audio from KUER-FM on DT91. Programming guide information is carried on DT145 and DT161.

New programming

• KPHE-LD 44.x (16) Phoenix (Lotus Television of Phoenix) has added a subchannel on DT4. Currently simulcasting DT1, but without sound, it is eventually to be Multicultural TV.
• K25KO-D Kanab UT (Western Kane Co Special Service Dist) is operating under Program Test Authority. Digital companion to K32DC, it features a reboadcast of KTVX 4 Salt Lake City UT on DT1 and Untamed, presumed successor to The Beehive on DT2. Look for a license application shortly.
• K26IO-D Kanab UT (Western Kane Co Special Service Dist) is operating under Program Test Authority. Digital companion to K05AX, it features a reboadcast of KSL-TV 5 Salt Lake City UT on DT1, weather on DT2, and Universal Sports on DT3. Look for a license application shortly.

New construction permits

• K25HU has been granted a construction permit to relocate from near Chloride to the KMCC transmitter near Dolan Springs, to convert from analog to digital, and to change from channel 25 to channel 14. This seems to have been a phantom station thus far, so there is no reason to believe that these facilities will actually be constructed, but rather, this is just the latest stop on a migration into the Las Vegas market.
• K45JX-D Prescott (KM Communications) was granted a minor construction change permit to reduce power from 15 kW to 0.35 kW to avoid having to gain Mexican concurrence.
• K67HK St. George UT (Obidia Porras) has been granted a displacement permit to change to VHF channel 6.

Special Temporary Authority granted

• KOLD-TV 13.x (32) Tucson (KOLD License Subsidiary [Raycom]) has been granted Special Temporary Authority to construct a replacement translator station at the site of its old analog operations. The replacement translator will operate on VHF channel 13 and will fill in the parts of the Tucson metro area shielded from the primary station by Mount Lemmon.
• K63HJ Laughlin NV (Roger Mills) has been granted a silent STA, as it has been required to move from its antenna site.
• KEEN-CA 17.x Las Vegas NV (Christian Communications of Chicagoland) had been granted an STA to move its digital transmitting antenna from the northwest part of the metro area to the mountaintop antenna farm in Henderson, from where it would likely reach parts of Arizona.
• K46GX Henderson NV (KLAS LLC) has been granted an extension of its Silent STA.

Digital transition

• KPAZ-TV 21 Phoenix (Trinity Broadcasting of Arizona) has shut off its analog transmission. Permanent digital operations continue on UHF channel 20.
• KAET 8 Phoenix (Arizona Board of Regents for ASU) has shut off its analog transmission on VHF channel 8 and its pre-transition digital transmission on UHF channel 29. The station now has its permanent digital operations on channel 8.
• KDTP 11 Holbrook (Community Television Educators [Daystar]) has shut off its analog transmission on VHF channel 11 and now operates on that channel in digital.

Call sign changes

• K45JX-D Prescott (KM Communications) changed its call sign to KPVY-LD, taking the letters of its unbuilt analog companion, KPVY-LP.

Transactions

• KEGS-LP 30 Las Vegas NV (Nevada Channel 3 Inc. D-I-P [Equity Media Holdings]) has been sold to Mako Communications, pending FCC approval.
• KNBX-LP 31 Las Vegas NV (Nevada Channel 6 Inc. D-I-P [Equity Media Holdings]) has been sold to Mako Communications, pending FCC approval. It is unknown whether KNBX will continue its analog simulcast of KMCC 34.X Laughlin NV.

Silent stations

• KNJO-LP 6 Holbrook (KM Communications) is silent.
• K09JZ Winslow (KSAZ License [Fox]) is silent.

Applications not yet granted

• K55DB Prescott (Arizona Board of Regents for ASU) has filed a new displacement application to change to channel 43. The new application replaces one that expired.
• KAET 8.x Phoenix (Arizona Board of Regents for ASU) has filed an application to raise power from 25.1 kW to 40 kW.
• KFPB-LP 30 Globe (Globe LPTV) has filed an request for STA to operate in digital on UHF channel 50 from its current Usery Mountain site while it waits for a use permit from the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department to build at the South Mountain antenna farm.
• K38IZ-D Phoenix (Spanish Independent Broadcast Network) has filed for an extension of its STA to continue analog operations on UHF channel 53, at least until June 12, although it has requested a full six-month extension.
• KJPO-LP 49 Parker (Hispanic Christian Community Network) has filed an application to move to a nearby tower with Bouse; however, this filing is uncertain due to the actions taken by the FCC against KJPO-LP.
• KRPO-LP 55 Quartzsite (Hispanic Christian Community Network) has filed a silent STA so that it can convert to digital. Riiiiiight.
• KYPO-LP 27 Tacna (Hispanic Christian Community Network) has filed a silent STA so that it can convert to digital. Uh-huh.
• K57JO Laughlin NV (9th Island Broadcasting) has requested an extension of its silent STA. The station was forced to move from its tower and has been unable to find a replacement, due to financial difficulties.
• K40AD Cottonwood (Meredith Corporation) has filed a new digital flash cut application to replace the one that expired May 3.
• K50HU Flagstaff (Meredith Corporation) has filed a new digital flash cut application to replace the one that expired May 3.
• KKRP-LP 46 St. George UT (Community Television of Utah License) has requested to flash cut to digital.

Expired construction permits

• KAFL-LP 45 Flagstaff (Una Vez Mas) was never built. It was to have been an Azteca America station.
• KPVY-LP 50 Prescott (KM Communications) was replaced by KPVY-LD 45.
• K64BV Casa Adobes (KVOA Communications) will not be moving to UHF channel 20. KVOA instead plans to open a LP DTV station on RF channel 4.
• KBFY-LP 41 Yuma (Powell Meredith Communications) will not be moving to UHF channel 39. The station has not broadcast since co-channel KYMA-DT signed on; KBFY is likely abandoned.
• K55DB Prescott (Arizona Board of Regents for ASU) did not build its new facilities on UHF channel 43 due to delays in acquiring the necessary equipment; ASU has filed a new application for displacement.
• K40AD Cottonwood (Meredith Corporation) has allowed its 2006 digital flash cut construction permit to expire.
• K50HU Flagstaff (Meredith Corporation) has allowed its 2006 digital flash cut construction permit to expire.
• K69CT St. George UT (Newport Television) did not build its new facilities on UHF channel 38.

Upcoming digital transition

• KAZT-TV 7 Prescott (The Londen Group) is planning to shut off its analog transmission on channel 7 and its pre-transition digital transmission on channel 25 and will commence post-transition digital operations on channel 7.

Expiring construction permits

• The flash cut construction permit for K30GL Many Farms (Lin of Colorado) will expire May 12.

 

[landtuna]

Quote: "KOLD-TV 13.x (32) Tucson (KOLD License Subsidiary [Raycom]) has been granted Special Temporary Authority to construct a replacement translator station at the site of its old analog operations. The replacement translator will operate on VHF channel 13 and will fill in the parts of the Tucson metro area shielded from the primary station by Mount Lemmon."

As a kid growing up in Tucson when the original TV stations came on-air, I often wondered why the transmitters were located atop Mount Lemmon. The only viewing audience then was in the Santa Cruz valley (metro Tucson) and there was virtually nothing to the north except San Manual, Oracle and a few other very small mining communities. Of course, there was nothing in the NW part of the valley either at that point so the signal blockage by Pusch Ridge didn't matter then as it does today.

If you are not familiar with Mt. Lemmon, it is about 9,500 in elevation and accessible by a one-hour drive (in summer) up a pretty steep road (the Hitchcock Highway). This road is frequently closed due to washout, snow and repair work. The transmitter location is also in a fire hazard area.

I've always wondered why the stations didn't place their transmitters on the Tucson Mountains, to the west of the city. Lower in elevation but much more accessible and no natural blockage.

 

[dhett]

Late addition:

Silent stations

• K25DM Phoenix (Mako Communications) went silent on May 1, having lost its network affiliate status. The station was broadcasting HSN; how does one lose that affiliation?

 

[azumanga]

• K25DM Phoenix (Mako Communications) went silent on May 1, having lost its network affiliate status. The station was broadcasting HSN; how does one lose that affiliation?

Does HSN (and other shopping channels) pay LPTVs to carry their programming? Maybe, based on sales resulted by watching the LPTV signal (as opposed to watching it direct on cable), they felt carrying it on LPTV in Phoenix wasn't worth it.

 

[powergate92]

• KPHE-LD 44.x (16) Phoenix (Lotus Television of Phoenix) has added a subchannel on DT4. Currently simulcasting DT1, but without sound, it is eventually to be Multicultural TV.

44.4 is now showing a DVD menu.

 

[powergate92]

• KPHE-LD 44.x (16) Phoenix (Lotus Television of Phoenix) has added a subchannel on DT4. Currently simulcasting DT1, but without sound, it is eventually to be Multicultural TV.

44.4 is now showing a DVD menu.

44.4 is now showing a infomercial in English.

 

[dhett]

I've always wondered why the stations didn't place their transmitters on the Tucson Mountains, to the west of the city. Lower in elevation but much more accessible and no natural blockage.

KOLD and KHRR have their analog transmitters on Tower Peak and KTTU had its analog transmitter there as well, but KOLD and KTTU have their digital transmitters on Mt. Bigelow. KHRR is staying on Tower Peak.

For the reasons you state, I don't see the full benefit of moving. The majority of population outside the range of the Tower Peak operations are also terrain-blocked from Mt. Bigelow. In addition, the high-growth Marana and Oro Valley areas are blocked from Mt. Bigelow, but are in perfect range for Tower Peak. The only gain you get from Mt. Bigelow is from Oracle up to Winkelman. That's what? 10-15 thousand people?

 

[dhett]

Does HSN (and other shopping channels) pay LPTVs to carry their programming? Maybe, based on sales resulted by watching the LPTV signal (as opposed to watching it direct on cable), they felt carrying it on LPTV in Phoenix wasn't worth it.

If that's true, then I would expect it to be dropped from K57HX Mesa as well, as that station serves even a smaller population than K25DM.

 

[oldiesfan6479]

I've always wondered why the stations didn't place their transmitters on the Tucson Mountains, to the west of the city.

For the reasons you state, I don't see the full benefit of moving...(snip)...In addition, the high-growth Marana and Oro Valley areas are blocked from Mt. Bigelow, but are in perfect range for Tower Peak. The only gain you get from Mt. Bigelow is from Oracle up to Winkelman. That's what? 10-15 thousand people?

Oracle to Winkelman can't hold a candle to the NW Tucson/Marana/Oro Valley
high-growth area, flush with $$$$ and demos.

For those who don't know much about history (not to mention biology ),
the channels 4 and 13 sticks were originally at their near-downtown studio
sites, moving up to Bigelow later on. IIRC, channel 9 began up on the mountain
as it took air a few years after 4 and 13. At that time, the NW area was still
spiders and snakes and not much more. Just "...the Casas Adobes Shopping
Plaza, North Oracle Road at Ina. Bullard's is open Sundays from 11 until 4."
(The dulcet tones of Tucson radio/TV advertising icon Gene Ackerley.)

 

[dhett]

For those who don't know much about history (not to mention biology ),
the channels 4 and 13 sticks were originally at their near-downtown studio
sites, moving up to Bigelow later on. IIRC, channel 9 began up on the mountain
as it took air a few years after 4 and 13. At that time, the NW area was still
spiders and snakes and not much more. Just "...the Casas Adobes Shopping
Plaza, North Oracle Road at Ina. Bullard's is open Sundays from 11 until 4."
(The dulcet tones of Tucson radio/TV advertising icon Gene Ackerley.)

If you insist on going down that road, I must inform you that I don't like spiders and snakes.

 

[dhett]

New construction permits

• K25HU has been granted a construction permit to relocate from near Chloride to the KMCC transmitter near Dolan Springs, to convert from analog to digital, and to change from channel 25 to channel 14. This seems to have been a phantom station thus far, so there is no reason to believe that these facilities will actually be constructed, but rather, this is just the latest stop on a migration into the Las Vegas market.

Its new callsign when licensed (as if) would be K14NE-D.

 

[landtuna]

Until the mid-80's we used to four-wheel the sandy washes in NW Tucson/Marana. Now it's paved over with a sea of red tile roofs. UGH! Never saw one single snake. Did see some magnificent palm-sized tarantula's though.

 

[powergate92]

• KPHE-LD 44.x (16) Phoenix (Lotus Television of Phoenix) has added a subchannel on DT4. Currently simulcasting DT1, but without sound, it is eventually to be Multicultural TV.

44.4 is now showing a DVD menu.

44.4 is now showing a infomercial in English.

I don't think 44.4 is going to be Multicultural TV as all i seen on 44.4 is infomercials and a DVD menu.

 

[powergate92]

• KPHE-LD 44.x (16) Phoenix (Lotus Television of Phoenix) has added a subchannel on DT4. Currently simulcasting DT1, but without sound, it is eventually to be Multicultural TV.

44.4 is now showing a DVD menu.

44.4 is now showing a infomercial in English.

I don't think 44.4 is going to be Multicultural TV as all i seen on 44.4 is infomercials and a DVD menu.

44.4 is now showing multicultural programming under the brand nptv. Here's the website for 44.4: http://www.nptvchannel.com/

 

[EricStein]

It looks as if KVPA-LP finally received FCC approval for a flash-cut to digital broadcasting on Channel 42. It specifies for a different transmitting antenna, so I don't expect this to happen until the end of this month or early June, since broadcasters normally frown upon power reductions for tower work during "sweeps" month (plus, they have to return to the air before the end of June to retain their license - it will be a year since the then-LAT TV station went silent).

 

[dhett]

It looks as if KVPA-LP finally received FCC approval for a flash-cut to digital broadcasting on Channel 42. It specifies for a different transmitting antenna, so I don't expect this to happen until the end of this month or early June, since broadcasters normally frown upon power reductions for tower work during "sweeps" month (plus, they have to return to the air before the end of June to retain their license - it will be a year since the then-LAT TV station went silent).

I was thinking June 13, after KHRR-DT in Tucson moves from pre-transition ch 42 to post-transition ch 40. 6/23/2009 marks one year silent. It took the FCC nearly five months to approve the flash cut application (probably due to Mexican coordination) - I wonder if they might be flexible on the one-year extended silent STA. If not, Liberman will have to hustle to get the digital station running. Either that or fire up the analog for a brief period, and if they have to go that route, they should heed the example of WYLE 26 in Florence AL. They fired up their transmitter just before the 12 months were up, and ran a test pattern for 24 hrs before shutting down again. The FCC said it wasn't good enough - they had to broadcast actual programming - and revoked the license.

 

[EricStein]

I was thinking June 13, after KHRR-DT in Tucson moves from pre-transition ch 42 to post-transition ch 40. 6/23/2009 marks one year silent. It took the FCC nearly five months to approve the flash cut application (probably due to Mexican coordination) - I wonder if they might be flexible on the one-year extended silent STA. If not, Liberman will have to hustle to get the digital station running. Either that or fire up the analog for a brief period, and if they have to go that route, they should heed the example of WYLE 26 in Florence AL. They fired up their transmitter just before the 12 months were up, and ran a test pattern for 24 hrs before shutting down again. The FCC said it wasn't good enough - they had to broadcast actual programming - and revoked the license.

It wouldn't make sense for Liberman to re-launch the station with the analog equipment just because it needs to be "fired up" to retain their license. That would most likely cause viewer confusion, and if they were going to do that to begin with, the station would be on the air right now.

If they can't get the antenna up on time, they may just want to simulcast KRCA-62 out of L.A. until they get the DTV on the air, then launch the local operation.