Channel 48 to Become "Me-Too" TV More Classic TV

[Markxxx]

Channel 48 will become WMEU and broadcast more shows like the current ME-TV on WWME-CA Channel 23

Story from the Chicago Sun Times at

From those wonderful folks who brought you "The U" and "Me-TV" now comes another channel of classic TV.

In the latest brand extension from Chicago-based Weigel Broadcasting, WFBT-Channel 48 is becoming WMEU-Channel 48.

Welcome to "Me-Too."

Starting March 1, the station will turn into a companion to WWME-Channel 23, the home of vintage reruns known as "Me-TV." Between the two, more than 100 different series will be aired.

Brokered ethnic and foreign language programming now on Channel 48 will switch to one of six digital channels of Weigel's WCIU-Channel 26. "Me-Too" also will be carried on Comcast Digital Channel 247 as well as WOW and RCN cable systems.

"The combination of 'Me-TV' and 'Me-Too' will allow us to expand the classic TV franchise in an unprecedented way," said Neal Sabin, executive vice president of Weigel Broadcasting.

Full story at

http://tinyurl.com/yo3oda

 

[radiotower40]

I like this idea I'm a younger guy ,but I love the old TV shows I'm watching Sanford and Son as I'm typing this on ME-TV. There is one
thing wrong with the article though. I am on the far southwest side of Chicago and on my Comcast digital WFBT is on channel 248 not
247.

 

[avtosalon]

This is good news for fans of classic TV, but not so good news for the viewers of the ethnic/foreign language programming which aired on Channel 48.

Robert Feder says the ethnic programming will only be shown on one of WCIU's digital sub-channels. Channel 48 (WFBT-CA) was already simulcast on a WCIU digital sub-channel, and Channel 33 WFBN-LP Rockford.

I wonder what the ethnic programmers are going to do? Most viewers do not own HDTV's yet, so they will be unable to receive the free broadcast. I believe that cable companies/satellite services are not required to carry digital sub-channels or low power analog stations. When they are offered, they may only be available on a higher-tier package, and that's if you choose to pay for TV in the first place.

Does anybody know if the new HD converter boxes, which will soon be available, can show digital sub-channels? Or do the boxes only convert the primary channel?

What about antennas? Can someone's existing old analog antenna still work with a HDTV or converter box? Or is a new HD antenna required?

What is the actual channel number to tune-in on the set/box for the HD broadcast? For example, analog WTTW is channel 11, however HD WTTW-DT is channel 47. Why is it that program listings on TVGuide.com and TitanTV.com still refer to the old analog channel number for the digital sub-channels? For example, they use 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, and 11.4. Is that incorrect? Shouldn't the listing be 47.1, 47.2, 47.3, 47.4?

I suspect that some of Channel 48's ethnic programmers may want to lease on another low-power channel: 6, 13, 34, 41. Furthermore, I believe that analog low power stations are not required to shut off on February 17, 2009 when full-power stations make the transition.

What is the correct city of license of Channel 48? According to the FCC's website, the city of license is still "Blue Island", but Weigel has never used that except on a test pattern with the former calls (W48DD Blue Island) for a few days when they first purchased the station in 2004. Now they use "WFBT-CA Chicago / WFBN-LP Rockford / WCIU-DT Chicago". I don't think that the FCC would approve a change of the city of license because Blue Island does not have any other TV or radio stations.

 

[azumanga]

What is the actual channel number to tune-in on the set/box for the HD broadcast? For example, analog WTTW is channel 11, however HD WTTW-DT is channel 47. Why is it that program listings on TVGuide.com and TitanTV.com still refer to the old analog channel number for the digital sub-channels? For example, they use 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, and 11.4. Is that incorrect? Shouldn't the listing be 47.1, 47.2, 47.3, 47.4?

It's a crazy little thing called "PSIP", which virtually assigns the channel's analog number to its digital frequency. In this case, you can dial up either 11 or 47, and get the same digital signal. And, as they say, it's not only a good idea, it's the law -- PSIP is used so those watching digital signals won't need to relearn watch channel is which.

 

[zman]

[quote Most viewers do not own HDTV's yet, so they will be unable to receive the free broadcast. [/quote]



Just to clarify, you don't need an HDTV to receive the digital broadcasts, you need a digital TV. A digital signal is not HD. There is a difference.

 

[w9wi]

I believe that cable companies/satellite services are not required to carry digital sub-channels or low power analog stations.

Right now, sub-channels are not required. The FCC is considering changing that. In most cases, low-power stations are not required carraige either. (there are exceptions, but they're not going to apply to any LPTV in Chicago.)

Does anybody know if the new HD converter boxes, which will soon be available, can show digital sub-channels? Or do the boxes only convert the primary channel?

Some are already available and they do show sub-channels.

What about antennas? Can someone's existing old analog antenna still work with a HDTV or converter box? Or is a new HD antenna required?

There is no such thing as a "HD antenna". (yes, big-box store salesmen may tell you otherwise. They're wrong.)

If your existing antenna delivers a passable analog signal it will work fine for digital.

What is the actual channel number to tune-in on the set/box for the HD broadcast? For example, analog WTTW is channel 11, however HD WTTW-DT is channel 47. Why is it that program listings on TVGuide.com and TitanTV.com still refer to the old analog channel number for the digital sub-channels? For example, they use 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, and 11.4. Is that incorrect? Shouldn't the listing be 47.1, 47.2, 47.3, 47.4?

No, because if you want to watch WTTW-DT you have to punch in 11 on your DTV, not 47. Some TVs (like mine) will convert (if you punch in 47 it will automatically switch to 11) but others will just tell you "there's no station on channel 47".

Your existing analog TV contains a lookup table. WTTW's analog signal is not on "channel 11", it's on 199.25MHz. When you punch in "11" on your analog TV, the lookup table tells the set to tune to 199.25MHz and display the signal it finds there, WTTW.

Your digital TV will also contain a lookup table. The difference is that the TV station is able to change this lookup table by remote control. When you "scan in the channels" when the TV is first installed, the TV checks each RF channel. If it finds a digital signal, it reads "PSIP packets" to determine what channel number that station wants to show up. In Chicago, when it reaches 668.31MHz, it finds WTTW's digital signal. WTTW-DT tells your TV to associate "channel 11" with 668.31MHz.

Furthermore, I believe that analog low power stations are not required to shut off on February 17, 2009 when full-power stations make the transition.

This is true. However, I believe the FCC will eventually set a drop-dead date for low-power analog, and I think it will be sooner rather than later. (if forced to bet, I'd say February 2010) Also, analog -LP stations may voluntarily convert to digital, and quite a few have.

WFBT has not yet filed to go digital. WWME has, and has received a permit for a digital facility on channel 39.

What is the correct city of license of Channel 48? According to the FCC's website, the city of license is still "Blue Island", but Weigel has never used that except on a test pattern with the former calls (W48DD Blue Island) for a few days when they first purchased the station in 2004. Now they use "WFBT-CA Chicago / WFBN-LP Rockford / WCIU-DT Chicago". I don't think that the FCC would approve a change of the city of license because Blue Island does not have any other TV or radio stations.

Depends on whether they're on the Sears Tower or not!
Their original city of license is indeed Blue Island, but their STA to move to the Sears Tower specifies Chicago.

I don't think the limit on changing cities-of-license applies to LPTV.

 

[Markxxx]

I just got back from the Walmart on North Avenue in Chicago. They have the digital converter boxes (to convert digital signals to analog sets) and they are selling for $49.95. They have a big sign telling you that you also get a $40.00 rebate.

 

[overtheair]

Why would WWME need a digital facility on 39 when they already have one on 26.2 (27.2)?
The Feder article mentioned that their would now be six digital channels for WCIU: WCIU 26.1, WWME 26.2,

WMEU 26.3; WFBT 26.4; Is this correct and what would be on the other two?

 

[w9wi]

Why would WWME need a digital facility on 39 when they already have one on 26.2 (27.2)?

Good question.

I suppose the best reason is that they can get their own & then WCIU can use 26.2 for something else. (or drop it altogether & open bandwidth for HD)

 

[Markxxx]

Looks like Channel 48 has either boosted their power or something cause the channel now comes in OTA for me almost as good as Channel 23

 

[tfraveletti]

What is the correct city of license of Channel 48? According to the FCC's website, the city of license is still "Blue Island", but Weigel has never used that except on a test pattern with the former calls (W48DD Blue Island) for a few days when they first purchased the station in 2004. Now they use "WFBT-CA Chicago / WFBN-LP Rockford / WCIU-DT Chicago". I don't think that the FCC would approve a change of the city of license because Blue Island does not have any other TV or radio stations.

The FCC granted us a STA to move it to Sears Tower. You can move a transmitter location within a specific market to gain better reception.

 

[tfraveletti]

[WFBT has not yet filed to go digital. WWME has, and has received a permit for a digital facility on channel 39.

We have filed for a digital companion for WMEU, were waiting on analog 46 shut down operations before the application with "go through"

 

[tfraveletti]

Why would WWME need a digital facility on 39 when they already have one on 26.2 (27.2)?
The Feder article mentioned that their would now be six digital channels for WCIU: WCIU 26.1, WWME 26.2,

WMEU 26.3; WFBT 26.4; Is this correct and what would be on the other two?

WWME is kept on 26.2 as well as 23.1 for reasons I cannot discuss. Trust me, its there for a good reason!! As of right now there will not be 6 subchannels for WCIU. WFBT does not exist anymore. (FCC legalities) It is now called FBT and is available on 26.6.

 

[tfraveletti]

I just got back from the Walmart on North Avenue in Chicago. They have the digital converter boxes (to convert digital signals to analog sets) and they are selling for $49.95. They have a big sign telling you that you also get a $40.00 rebate.

Read the Consumer Reports analysis on this box. You're better off with the LG made box from Best Buy/Circuit City. The only qwerk we've found with these boxes is they do not down convert audio very well. HD stations downcoverted to analog audio sound tinny. Selecting mono audio in the menu's improves the quality quite a bit.

 

[tfraveletti]

Why would WWME need a digital facility on 39 when they already have one on 26.2 (27.2)?

Good question.

I suppose the best reason is that they can get their own & then WCIU can use 26.2 for something else. (or drop it altogether & open bandwidth for HD)

The biggest misconception consumers have about bandwidth is the more you have, the better the picture. True to an extent but it also depends on your DTV encoders. Just because a station has 15mb of bandwidth for HD doesn't mean it needs that much. It all comes down to whats going on on your screen. Yes sports need more bandwidth than say a talk show. With the new encoders we just put online, we can feed an "encoder killing" signal with tremendous moving detail (quick panning camera through a crowd at a sport venue) and the encoder only needs 7mb to produce a 1280x720 picture.

 

[Markxxx]

Well WCIU does broadcast sports that WGN can't handle do to other obligations.

And outside of nature shows, sports is about the only thing HDTV is good for.

 

[overtheair]

I know that Me-TV and Me-TOO cannot show everything but a few suggestions if available would be: Highway

Patrol, San Francisco Beat, Cannonball, Burke's Law, December Bride, I Married Joan, Tarzan, The Bowery Boys

movies, I could go on and on.....

 

[TexasTom]

And outside of nature shows, sports is about the only thing HDTV is good for.

I recognize that this is subjective, but in my opinion you're absolutely wrong. Shows like "Lost" and "Smallville" benefit hugely from HD, as do many movies.