Arizona TV Station Update - August/September 2016

[dhett]

Another busy month finds August combined with September.

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

Programming changes

• KTVK 3.x (24) Phoenix (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation) is reported on the Comet TV website to be picking up Comet TV on channel 3.2, which would replace the current 24/7 newscast loop.
• KASW 61.x (49) Phoenix (Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.), following its newly-inked deal with Katz Broadcasting, as added Grit on channel 61.3 and Escape on channel 61.4, duplicating programming already seen on Univision's KTVW-DT 33.3 and KFPH-CD 35.4, respectively.
• KTVP-LD 22.x Phoenix (Mako Communications, LLC) has added Majestad TV, a Spanish-language Christian station, on channel 22.6.
• K38IZ-D Phoenix (Spanish Independent Broadcast Network, Inc.) dropped Action TV and resumed airing Tuff TV on channel 38.2, with Gun TV continuing to air overnights.
• KPHE-LD 44.x (16) Phoenix (Lotus TV of Phoenix, LLC) has made infomercials on channel 44.6 a permanent fixture, with the label DRTV2.
• KFPB-LD 50.x Phoenix (Globe LPTV, LLC) has added a new subchannel to its lineup. Infomercials now air 24x7 on channel 50.7.
• KDTP-LD 48 Phoenix (Community Television Educators, Inc.) is silent.
• KUDF-LD 14.x Tucson (LM Media Group, Inc.) has replaced its "For Lease" graphic with infomercials.
• KINC 15.x (16) Las Vegas NV (Entravision Holdings, LLC) has begun airing Mundomax on channel 15.2. LATV also shows on some tuners as channel 15.2, so it's not clear whether KINC added MundoMax and moved LATV to KELV-LD, if MundoMax is actually on KELV-LD, or if MundoMax is actually on a third subchannel of KINC.
• KPVT-LD 2.x (27) Las Vegas NV (DNV Spectrum Holdings, LLC) has added two new subchannels. Channel 2.5 now features MOXiE, a 24-hour movie channel, while channel 2.6 now airs black & white movies on a channel called Oldie Goldies. Both subchannels are productions of WANN-CD in Atlanta, home of the owner of KPVT-LD and KHMP-LD. Both channels seem to be modeled after WANN, which features a program guide and Biz TV on its primary subchannel.
• KHMP-LD 18.x Las Vegas NV (DNV Spectrum Holdings, LLC) has added a new subchannel. Channel 18.5 is the new home of LifeHacks. I'm guessing it's a lifestyle channel.
• KEGS-LD 30.x (24) Las Vegas NV (Mako Communications, LLC) has replaced Grace TV on channel 30.1 with color bars. Unknown if it is a temporary or permanent disappearance.
• KGNG-LD 47.x (48) Las Vegas NV (King Kong Broadcasting, LLC) has added a new subchannel to its lineup. Channel 47.9 now airs Korean station MBCD. Channel 47.2, which had been the temporary home for MBCD, has resumed Buzzr programming. KGNG is claiming on their website that they will soon have 10 channels.
• K25JS-D 4.x St. George UT and K28EA-D 4.x Washington UT (Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.), translator stations for KTVX Salt Lake City UT, are reflecting the parent station's replacement of WeatherNation with Laff on channel 4.3.
• KUWB-LD 30.x (22) Bloomington UT and K48JD-D 4.x Santa Clara UT (Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.), translator stations for KUCW Ogden UT, are reflecting the parent station's replacement of Buzzr TV with Grit on channel 30.3 and the addition of Escape on channel 30.4.
• K16DS-D and K27MQ-D St. George UT (West American Finance Corporation), translator stations for KCSG Cedar City UT, are reflecting the parent station's affiliation with AMGTV on channel 14.2.
• K24CY St. George UT (KJZZ Licensee, LLC), translator station for KJZZ-TV Salt Lake City UT, is reflecting the parent station's switch from 720p to 1080i.
• K47OA-D 14.x St. George UT (University of Utah), translator station for KJZZ-TV Salt Lake City UT, is reflecting the parent station's switch from 720p to 1080i.

Channel change

• KPPX-TV 51.x Tolleson (America 51, LP) is sending out a notice that the station will be upgrading its technical facilities on October 7, and that a channel rescan would be necessary. It has been confirmed that KPPX will be changing to RF channel 31 at that time, freeing up channel 51 so that T-Mobile will be able to deploy service in their adjacent 700 MHz A block spectrum.

Transactions

• KOAT Hearst Television, Inc. has filed a pro forma request to transfer licenses to Hearst Properties, Inc., as part of corporate restructuring. The following stations viewable in Arizona are included in the transaction:
  • K10IN Chinle
  • K36JX-D Many Farms
• K16DS-D and K27MQ-D, both licensed to St. George UT and owned by Southwest Media, LLC, were sold to West American Finance Corporation in May. The transaction was consummated in June.
• K24CY St. George UT (Larry H. Miller Communications Corp.) was sold to Sinclair under the licensee KJZZ Licensee, LLC, in June. The transaction was consummated in the same month.

Canceled, Denied, Dismissed, Expired or Expiring

• The FCC has again dismissed an appeal by KBFY-LP 41 Fortuna (Powell Meredith Communications Company), seeking to overturn its recission of its 2007 grant allowing the Yuma-area station to move to channel 53 in Henderson NV. Even though the station hasn't been on the air since being forced off by KYMA 11 Yuma opening temporary digital facilities on channel 41 in 2002, it retains its license, which was renewed in March 2016, and has been invited to file for new facilities during the next yet-unannounced filing window for LPTV stations. KYMA has not been on channel 41 since 2009, and no nearby Mexican station uses that channel, so KBFY-LP could technically resume broadcasting on its currently-assigned channel, although I doubt that the broadcast facilities exist any longer.

License Renewals

• The FCC has renewed the licenses of Sinclair-owned stations, including the following stations viewable in Arizona:
  • KSNV 3.x (22) Las Vegas NV (KUPN Licensee, LLC)
  • KVCW 33.x (29) Las Vegas NV (Channel 33, Inc.)
  • KMYU 12.x (9) St. George UT (KUTV Licensee, LLC)
  • K07SC Hildale UT (KUTV Licensee, LLC)
  • K08PC-D 2.x Hildale UT (KUTV Licensee, LLC)
  • K49AS-D 2.x Santa Clara UT (KUTV Licensee, LLC)

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

• 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)
• KVTE-LP 35 Las Vegas NV (Mountain Ridge Holdings, Inc.)
• KBLR 39.x (40) Paradise NV (Telemundo Las Vegas License LLC)

 

[dhett]

Shopping network Evine (formerly ShopNBC) has replaced The Country Network on K38IZ-D channel 38.4 Phoenix.

 

[Prescott Joe]

K46IL atop Mingus Mtn has finally flash cut to digital. They are carrying the
same programming as K32LO. Religious programming on all four S.D. channels.
Interestingly, there are also using the K32LO PSIP which is confusing, to say
the least..... That leaves K35FH as the only analog station in the Prescott/
Flagstaff/Cottonwood area.

 

[dhett]

At last check, the Camp Verde translators were still analog.

 

[dhett]

Just back from the Verde Valley...I'm guessing that the K46IL translator is being fed from K32LO-D's signal. I have a transport stream reading that confirms what Prescott Joe is reporting: K46IL is broadcasting from atop Mingus Mtn., showing RF channel 46 in their transport stream, but showing a virtual channel of 32, with an identical channel lineup to K32LO-D's.

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to catch the Squaw Peak signals in Camp Verde. No matter...I expect to be going up more often.

 

[dhett]

The Mexican government has released an update list for the upcoming virtual channel realignment. Changes to stations viewable in Arizona:

• XHAQ 5.x (25) Mexicali BCN will become channel 1.x (was 16.x)
• XHCTME (17) Mexicali BCN will become channel 18.x (was 1.x, to be 3.x)
• XHFA 2.x (15) Nogales SON will become channel 1.x (was 16.x)
• XHNSS 7.x (31) Nogales SON will become channel 8.x (was 31.x)

Although the changes officially take place on Oct. 27, stations can begin identifying with their new virtual channel beginning Oct. 20. Many are expected to do so.

 

[dhett]

Mexico's TV Azteca has announced 10/25 as the date that they plan to switch to national virtual channels. Azteca trece becomes virtual channel 1 and Azteca 7 becomes virtual channel 7. Also, programming from Proyecto 40 will be found on channel 1.2.

 

[Sammi Brie]

You got it all correct!

XHNSS likely saw what other local stations were doing (getting nice, low numbers - 4, 8, 10, 12) and said "we want in!" Since 4 wasn't available (KVOA), they got 8. 6 is nationally reserved in the event the TV auction starting up soon produces a fourth national network.

The award of 18 to those border Imagen transmitters appears to be no coincidence as they are getting 118 on the major cable and satellite systems.

The network launch is Monday night. I'm not sure whether the transmitters in BC, Sonora, Chihuahua, etc. are timeshifted.

 

[mike847]

KPPX (ION-TV) has popped up on 31.3, the kids channel on 31.4, and the shopping channel on 31.5. Normally, my TV picks up new channels, but I had to dig these up last night.

I see rabbitears already has that info, with the correct names of the channels, but I didn't notice it until now.

Good work there. My apologies.

 

[KeithE4]

KPPX (ION-TV) has popped up on 31.3, the kids channel on 31.4, and the shopping channel on 31.5. Normally, my TV picks up new channels, but I had to dig these up last night.

I see rabbitears already has that info, with the correct names of the channels, but I didn't notice it until now.

Good work there. My apologies.

On my newer Panasonic TV, KPPX is still 51.x, but on my older Dynex (Best Buy) TV, it's now 31.x, with ION being 31.1 and going up from there. I didn't try to rescan the Panasonic, but the Dynex switched it to 31 immediately.

 

[dhett]

My Philips TV added a second set of virtual 51.x subchannels, linked to RF channel 31. I had to rescan to get rid of the old RF 51 entries.

If Ion is showing up on 31.3, qubo on 31.4, IonLife on 31.5 and Shop TV on 31.6, then the TV isn't reading the PSIP data. Instead, it's picking up the actual RF channel with the actual Program IDs, instead of the virtual channels.

 

[mike847]

Even Rabbit Ears is posting the same information. Main channel on 31.3.

I don't understand it, either.

 

[dhett]

I'm not sure why, but most stations begin program ID numbering at 3, which TV's generally pick up as subchannel .1. If you haven't rescanned your TV for the new channels, then I suggest trying that. If you're picking up KPPX on 31 after rescanning, then I'm puzzled, especially if you're getting 3, 5, 7, 21, 45 and 61 on their virtual channels. (RF channels are 24, 17, 36, 20, 26 and 49, respectively.)

 

[mike847]

The TV we use in our living room finds new channels on its own...except for KPPX. The old 51.1 was blank for several days and when I entered 31.1 I also had a blank screen.

After a few weeks of 8.5 being lit up (which the TV found on its own) and it NOT being utilized, I decided to use the "Shown/Hidden" feature and Hid 8.5. It was at that time I discovered KPPX was at 31.3, et al.

All other channels show up okay: 3, 5, 8, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

So, if it's SUPPOSED to be at 31.1 then I'll find it when it shows up. I've never had to "rescan" the big TV and wouldn't know how to do it without consulting the electronic manual.

I have never been an electronic genius so why this is happening is beyond me. I hope others can enlighten me (us). ;-)

Thanks for writing.

 

[VoiceofWayne]

I wonder how this will look after the repack, especially where RF36 and 49 end up...

 

[dhett]

Arizona should be fine, as we don't have large cities every 50-60 miles as they do back East, especially in the Northeast.

Consider:

If the current auction round succeeds and 114 MHz of frequency are cleared for reassignment, that leaves 18 UHF frequencies for 23 full-power and class A UHF stations in Phoenix and Tucson, where frequencies are in greatest use and full-power co-channel assignments are not possible. Up to five UHF stations would be forced to relocate to VHF if none volunteer to relocate or go off air. It is also plausible that a Phoenix class A could exist co-channel with Tucson's KUVE-CD, as the latter broadcasts from the Tucson Mountains, which is terrain blocked from Phoenix South Mountain. Another Phoenix class A might be able to exist co-channel with Sierra Vista's KWBA, as that station broadcasts from the Santa Rita Mountains, which is 30-40 miles farther from Phoenix than the Mt. Bigelow or Tucson Mtn. stations and is also terrain blocked from Phoenix South Mountain.

If the auction only clears the minimum 84 MHz, which many think will be the outcome, there will be 23 available UHF frequencies for 23 UHF stations. No station should be forced to move.

 

[KeithE4]

On my newer Panasonic TV, KPPX is still 51.x, but on my older Dynex (Best Buy) TV, it's now 31.x, with ION being 31.1 and going up from there. I didn't try to rescan the Panasonic, but the Dynex switched it to 31 immediately.

I rescanned the Panasonic yesterday. It still shows KPPX on 51.x.

 

[tripinva]

Up to five UHF stations would be forced to relocate to VHF if none volunteer to relocate or go off air.

The rest of your statement was spot on, but this is completely wrong. No station will be forced to move to VHF if it does not voluntarily agree to accept money to do so. Stations bid to go off the air or move to VHF. If it were to close at 114 MHz, presumably some stations would go off the air, and some would move to VHF, but none would be forced to do either. Only moving to a new channel in its current band is allowed involuntarily, and that cost will be paid by the FCC.

If the auction only clears the minimum 84 MHz, which many think will be the outcome, there will be 23 available UHF frequencies for 23 UHF stations. No station should be forced to move.

This is correct. At 84 MHz, there should theoretically be a home for every full power and Class A station in Arizona. By hand, without the duplication in channels you did for KUVE-CD (for example), I managed to fit every station except one Class A station into the 14-36 plan consistent with the Mexican agreement. Presumably, the computer would do a much better job of it than I could by hand.

- Trip

 

[tripinva]

Presumably, the computer would do a much better job of it than I could by hand.

Assuming I've not made a mistake, I came up with a solution.

14 (KUAS)
15 KNXV
16 [KHRR] (KNAZ)
17 KPHO
18 KFTU-CD
19 KTTU
20 KPAZ
21 [KWBA]
22 [KPPX]
23 KVOA
24 KTVK
25 KMSB
26 KUTP
27 [KASW] KTVW-CD
28 [KUVE]
29 [KTAZ]
30 KUAT
31 [KPDF-CD]
32 KOLD
33 KTVW
34 [KUVE-CD]
35 KFPH-CD
36 KAZT-CD KFTU-DT

Stations in [brackets] are protected on channels above 37. I phrased that carefully because KPPX is protected on 51 for the auction. Stations in (parens) are currently below 37 but would have to move to make this plan work.

- Trip

 

[VoiceofWayne]

This looks good. Something could probably be co channel on RF 21 with KWBA -- translator or Class A in Phoenix for example as you mentioned. Couple of questions,

1. KPPX has already moved to 31, they would be moving again?

2. KGUN RF9 Tucson puts out a monster signal that is easy to receive all the way up in North Scottsdale and the northeast valley. I wonder based on that if KMSB and KOLD thought about taking the money returning to their original locations on 11 and 13? High VHF seems to work well in the flat desert areas. Not sure how it works with the terrain issues in greater Tucson however.

3. Which also begs the question what of the translators in Tucson, Prescott, and Northern AZ? I assume they have to fit in to this somehow.

4. Gila River Broadcasting runs stations on RF 19 and I believe 21 and 29. I thought these were Class A and could interfere with this.