Digital transition delayed!!!

[Mario500]

WKRG-TV continues to air promotional advertisements with the words "On February 17th, TV will change forever" counting down the days the station's analog signal will stay on. A separate advertisement with meteorologist Alan Sealls continues to run, since it states the options (cable TV, satellite TV, digital converter, digital TV) needed to watch TV5, or "News 5", as Alan said, after February 17th.

In Mobile, WKRG-TV5 General Manager Joe Goleniowski said "it's good" for the CBS affiliate if attempts to slow the changeover fail "because we are ready to do it."

Delaying the analog shutoff past the original Feb. 17 timetable would disrupt the station's plans to move its digital broadcast antenna to the topmost position on its transmission tower, which would improve reception for some viewers, Goleniowski said. WKRG also faces thousands of dollars in monthly electrical bills if it's required to keep its analog transmitter going beyond that date, he said - Mobile Press-Register, January 29th, 2009

I have read reports of WBPG-TV broadcasting a low-powered digital signal on channel 25 before WXXV-TV in southeast Mississippi stops broadcasting on analog channel 25. I cannot receive WBPG-TV's digital signal on any of my midtown Mobile home's three TV sets with antennas.

 

[theformerwhammy1978]

It is going to be really interesting to see what will happen come Feb. 17 and how many stations will shut down the analog channel. I know in Charlotte, WSOC had this message on their website last night, but has since been moved to their DTV page...

WAXN-TV will be shutting down its analog signal on Feb. 17 to free up the signal for emergency responders.

WSOC-TV management is still determining by FCC guidelines when it will proceed in turning of its analog signal.

 

[kenrayc]

In Fresno CA NBC KSEE 24 and PBS KVPT 18 will drop analog Feb 17.ABC owned KFSN is waiting word from ABC,which is still considering dropping analog.CBS KGPE 47 and FOX KMPH 26 are planning to file to end analog on Feb.17.

 

[michiana_media]

In South Bend, Indiana... WSBT-TV (22 CBS), WNDU-TV (16 NBC), WSJV-TV (28 FOX) are all switching on Feb 17. WNIT (34 PBS) switched last spring where their analog transmitter died.

 

[alg2468]

In Providence, RI, the local ABCaffiliate, WLNE-TV 6, reported on their 11:00 PM news last night that WLNE, WJAR-10 NBC, WPRI-12 CBS, WNAC-64 FOX, and and WPXQ-69 ION, will all shut off their digital signals as of the 17th. WLEC-28 CW and WSBE-36 PBS have already shut off their analog signals. In the neighboring Boston market - chs. 2, 4, 5, 7, 38, 44, 56, 68 - ch. 25 shut off analog already - - whose stations are easy to receive in the Providence market, and vice-versa, most stations there are also shutting off analog on the 17th too.

 

[JayR]

To add to my previous post...

From News-Press.com:

Feb. 17 remains SW Fla. digital conversion date

From ABC-7.com:

SWFL sticking with Feb. 17th DTV deadline

On Wednesday, Congress approved a plan to delay the switch from analog to digital television from mid-February to June 12th. The decision won't affect residents of Southwest Florida because four local TV stations will make the switch on February 17th.

The four stations mentioned in the article are:

WINK-TV 11 (CBS)
WBBH -TV 20 "NBC 2"
WZVN-TV 26 "ABC 7"
WXCW-TV 46 "6 TV" (CW).

During the "WINK News At 6" newscast, Mike Walcher reported that WFTX-TV 36 ("FOX 4") is reviewing the situation.
: :

 

[Poledo]

I have read reports of WBPG-TV broadcasting a low-powered digital signal on channel 25 before WXXV-TV in southeast Mississippi stops broadcasting on analog channel 25. I cannot receive WBPG-TV's digital signal on any of my midtown Mobile home's three TV sets with antennas.

I wouldn't call WBPG-DT's signal low powered, I've been getting a rather strong signal from WBPG-DT 25 in Pensacola and Gulf Breeze. WBPG-DT 25 is at about 70% while WKRG-DT (27) only comes in at about 45%. I don't know how much work goes into tuning a stations broadcast antenna, but I've been wondering if they are using a directional antenna while waiting for WXXV analog to sign off. I've also wondered if WXXV had already signed off their analog or possibly lowered their analog power or antenna height early. No one seems to know why Pensacola is getting WBPG-DT and Mobile isn't. I've also read reports of WBPG-DT reception in Navarre and Crestview.

A news report tonight stated that it is expected that all 16? television stations in the Mobile-Pensacola-Fort Walton Beach market will sign off analog broadcast by February 17th. This isn't surprising, if I'm not mistaken our market has 90-95% cable/satellite penetration. And I know that we just can't wait for Daystar to sign on their new full power later this month on channel 23. I truly believe that after Daystar signs on over half our OTA channels (including subs) will be religion or infomercials.

One more interesting quirk in all this, for the past 2 or 3 months all of the LP, LD, and translators have been off the air in Pensacola except the newest one on channel 46 (GCN?)

 

[Poledo]

I hit post to quick. Does anyone know of an American station that is NOT signing off on February 17th?

 

[PTBoardOp94]

I can't find any stations in Indiana making any statements about Feb 17th. WTVW reported that the transition was delayed to June, and did not say that they would continue with the cutoff of Feb 17th. None of the LIN broadcasting stations have any statements on their websites -- they haven't changed their DTV info pages since late last year.

I've seen a dearth of DTV PSAs this week, though.

So we've now got even more confusion. ::

 

[TheRob]

The A.P. reported "most" O&Os would stay on to June 12, along with "most" Gannett and Hearst-Argyle stations.

Local TV LLC. is now reconsidering, even though we went on the air with the Feb. 17 date.

However, almost all PBS stations are sticking with Feb. 17.

 

[zman]

From what I've read today ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and Telemundo plan to keep their owned and operated anologue signals operating until June 12. The only thing I can find for Chicago is it looks like WGN TV and WYCC TV plan to switch to digital on February 17th. Those are the only chicago stations can find that appear to be switching on February 17th. Also according to the Peoria Journal Star. WMBD, (CBS) WYZZ (Fox) WEEK (NBC) and WTVP (PBS) and WHOI (ABC appear to be shuting off their anologue signals. No word on what WAOE (My network) is planning to do.

 

[philosofy]

I found this at the LATimes website: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/02/digital-tv-fcc.html

"Copps said today that the FCC would set a high hurdle for approving early switches in markets where all stations want to make the transition before June 12. Though the agency may allow individual stations to switch early, commissioners worry that allowing all stations to turn off their analog signals early could leave unprepared viewers with no access to any TV.

"We reserve the right to deny those requests if we find that it would not serve the public interest or if it would frustrate Congress' goal of giving consumers adequate time to prepare," he said."

So even if a station is ready and applies to the FCC to go digital the FCC might not allow them to do it. That seems a bit unfair at this point in time for the stations that were ready to go on 2/17.

Also does anyone know when we will be able to reapply for the $40 coupons again? We recently moved into a new condo, never got coupons before but the site is rejecting our address because the people here before us must have applied and received them.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

"We reserve the right to deny those requests if we find that it would not serve the public interest or if it would frustrate Congress' goal of giving consumers adequate time to prepare," he said."

How can they do that? I can't see how the FCC can prevent a station from turning in its analog license.

 

[oldiesfan6479]

I can't see how the FCC can prevent a station from turning in its analog license.

Exactamundo.

Failing AMs have done that on occasion--shut down the old Ampliphase
for keeps and turn in their license.

Someone who is savvy on FCC regs should check this one out, as I think
any broadcaster who wants to give up a license can, and probably doesn't
need a reason.

OTOH, the "minions of Satan" (old, old radio reference involving the FCC's
predecessor, the FRC) in Washington might not be so rubber-stampish the
next time an analog-dumping broadcaster's DT comes up for renewal.

 

[radiolives]

WCSC Channel 5 in Charleston, SC which is now owned by Raycom after Jefferson Pilot sold off its TV is sticking with Feb. 17. Are all Raycom stations staying with Feb 17 ?

 

[Poledo]

So even if a station is ready and applies to the FCC to go digital the FCC might not allow them to do it. That seems a bit unfair at this point in time for the stations that were ready to go on 2/17.

Many stations have had appointments with crews to move their digital antenna to the best available position on the best possible towers on or close to February 17th. I'm in a completely unrelated service industry and have strategically scheduled jobs all the time. These jobs are booked sometimes at the expense of loosing other work or sometimes entire corporate contracts from customers that can't get us because of these jobs where "time is of the essence." When these "special circumstances" jobs cancel at the last minute for reasons beyond anyone's control I don't bill them, I just eat the loss. I can't imagine tower companies and antenna hangers and engineers across the country that already have labor reserved and all the materials paid for, in hand, and are just standing by waiting to go to work on February 17th are going to be as forgiving as I am to my customers. I would expect that many people are going to be looking for a paycheck for work they planned on doing around February 17th whether it gets done or not. Then they'll have to reschedule and do it all over again and pay for it again. I could see situations like this that could cause many a TV station to go bankrupt if the FCC denies permission for them to go ahead with the February 17th transition. Perhaps O&O and major networks in top 25 markets could eat these expenses, but if the FCC forces analog stations to stay on in smaller markets, especially at full power, OBama's going to have to open his checkbook and spend some more of our money. What does it take to call up a recall election for a sitting president?

Now I could understand action being taken if the broadcasters went to the FCC and said they weren't going to be able to get it done. And broadcasters have always had the option to lease/LMA translators or LPTV stations if they feel the need analog coverage for a little longer. Did the FCC ever consider offering a special circumstances temporary analog translator option where they could put the old analog antenna on any old tower they could find and fire up the old transmitter for a few months? Logical? I think so.

If they were going to delay the transition, why didn't they put this into play six months ago? Two weeks notice for all this work is just plum ridiculous and I'm sure most of you agree with me. I predict that if this delay is forced, TV stations will be strapped for cash and start laying people off. Good job Osama!

That felt like I just took a good rant.

 

[tripinva]

The analog and digital stations fall under the same license, so to turn in the "analog license" is to take the whole station off the air.

Now what's not strictly prohibited is a little bit of "unscheduled maintenance" followed by transmitter failure.

- Trip

 

[radiolives]

Now when they were going to wait till June 12, stations that were already and ready to go for February 17 can go ahead and do so with the switch. Wasn't that what the article said?

 

[jal41]

I have a feeling all of the stations that want to shut down on the 17th will get an order from the FCC to keep pumping out their analog signals. Congress will get involved again if they don't.

I support the extension fully, but the botched transition just got botched even worse.

 

[gr8oldies]

wHIO in Dayton said it could be a year before they could re-book the tower crews. Of course people now think Feb 17 was a bluff and will think June 12 is another one.