Everyone is backtracking on analog shutoff

[mjlarochelle]

I'm surprised about XETV, as not long ago their website said they planned to keep analog well past 2009, until digital-only was mandatory in Mexico. This was after the switch to CW too.

What about other stations on the Mexican side of the border, such as XHRIO?

 

[Poledo]

The biggest culperits are statewide PBS networks, including Alabama, Georgia, and Kentucky. Several standalone PBS stations are going as well. So much for public broadcasting serving the public interest.

When did Georgia Public Television finish building their digital network? Last I check only Athens-Atlanta had their digital up at full power. Then again, maybe I haven't checked this year.

 

[Poledo]

Who did the proofreading on that FCC "Red List"? There's at least one error per market.

 

[Madmansam]

On that list of stations switching to DTV on Feb. 17, What does the term NITE LITE stand for?

 

[dhett]

On that list of stations switching to DTV on Feb. 17, What does the term NITE LITE stand for?

That would be the Analog Nightlight program, which allowed some stations to continue broadcasting in analog until one month after the analog shutoff. Rather than regular programming, they would air information about the DTV conversion and public safety information, if necessary. Only in-core (chs 2-51) stations not going back to their analog channels were eligible to participate in the Analog Nightlight program.

 

[KyDXIn]

I'm still wondering about the folks on substandard cable systems such as mine. I went to Radio Shack over the weekend to begin MY conversion process. They have a 190 mile antenna for about $105.00. I'm tempted to do that, but it's probably like EPA ratings for gas mileage. Tell you 40, you get under 30.

190 mile antenna?? Do you have the catalog ID on that?? I haven't heard of any antenna that picks up signals from that distance yet! I think I'd get that with a money-back guarantee and keep my receipt!

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

I'm surprised about XETV, as not long ago their website said they planned to keep analog well past 2009, until digital-only was mandatory in Mexico. This was after the switch to CW too.

The thing about XETV - from what I've been told, the vast majority of its San Diego viewers aren't watching over analog channel 6. XETV is basically (for U.S. viewers, the bulk of its audience) a cable/satellite only station, and feeds both San Diego cable systems and the two major satellite providers directly via fiber.

From what I understand, that fiber feed does not contain the Mexican government-mandated programming, though I don't know if they split off the commercial sets to cover the individual ads and PSAs the Mexican government mandates.

I do hear that if the preisdent of Mexico feels the need to break into programming to talk to his nation, "San Diego 6" viewers on this side of the border only see it if they've got an antenna and are watching channel 6 analog OTA. (I believe I was told that the digital OTA side of XETV is not mandated to carry the Mexican government's programming.)

The biggest loss for XETV in switching off analog early isn't losing U.S. viewers...the biggest loss is the loss of the ability to promote the 87.75 mHz audio carrier so people can "listen in their cars" to the station's news programming. The FAQ on XETV's website used to assure "listeners" that the audio carrier wouldn't go away on the 17th, since XETV is a Mexican-licensed station. I presume that'll be changed, if it has not been already.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

From the Union-Tribune article:

The bill has left stations the option of shutting down their analog signals Feb. 17, and like some stations in other parts of the country, Fox outlet KSWB/Channel 69, CBS affiliate KFMB/Channel 8, CW affiliate XETV/Channel 6 and KGTV/Channel 10 plan to take advantage of it.

Well, actually, XETV isn't taking advantage of an American early analog shutoff provision. (I assume Televisa had to file with the SCT to take 6 dark?)

From XETV's site, they're half there on the update:

http://www.sandiego6.com/content/contacts/faq.aspx#shutdown

Is channel 6 shutting down February 17, 2009?

Yes, we're signing off the analog channel 6 at midnight, the end of February 17.

The FAQ goes onto telling folks what big VHF antenna to use to get 6, and suggests alternatives like pulling in the digital OTA signal, and then:

Can I receive San Diego 6 on my car radio?

Yes, most people in the greater San Diego and Tijuana area can receive us on 87.7 MHz on your FM radio. Give it a try! Just turn it up and enjoy. And that signal will continue for the foreseeable future--we aren't turning it off in February 2009.

So, good for them for quickly editing the first line, but the rest still needs to be fixed.

Oh, and this line from the FAQ confirms what I'd heard about the separate feeds:

Why am I hearing your broadcast in Spanish?

If you watch XETV channel 6 over-the-air, you will see some Mexican public service announcements. XETV is required to play these announcements in their original form as part of its obligation to the people of Mexico, where the station is licensed. Those watching SanDiego 6 via cable, satellite, or over-the-air on our digital station will not see these announcements.

 

[Poledo]

Does anyone know for sure that XETV is shutting down it's audio carrier? Things do kinda work different in Mexico, like double dipping... Perhaps they will keep the old audio carrier on and transition it into a new radio station for San Diego.

 

[markwooldridge]

Cable companies serving 200 or fewer subscribers should have been forced to tell customers that such systems will probably not be ready, and to make suitable arrangements. I'm losing cable service next week, based on stations in my area. Area Radio Shacks and independent dealers are being inundated with customers, as 300 families are losing service in my area. I'm not looking forward to buying the antenna, tower, coax, converter box and so on, and putting everything up in a West Virginia winter.

I guess that cable station must be pretty darned broke! You mean, they can't afford some digital-to-analog converters in the interim so they can feed their system in with an analog signal and then redistribute that? Just buy X number of those digiboxes going at Wal-Mart for $50, use the component video output and feed that into the headend, or if it demands input on that old analog channel, use a RF modulator between the component video output and feed that in. A bit of labor and possibly anywhere between $300 to $1000 of equipment... and then they're providing service just as before.

Mark.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Does anyone know for sure that XETV is shutting down it's audio carrier? Things do kinda work different in Mexico, like double dipping... Perhaps they will keep the old audio carrier on and transition it into a new radio station for San Diego.

Looking further into this, it appears that XETV, analog channel 6, isn't shutting down on the 17th after all.

But the English-language CW and local programming from San Diego-based "San Diego 6" will be gone after next Tuesday. The engineer for U.S.-based Bay City Television says analog 6 will be showing one of Televisa's Spanish-language Mexican-based feeds after the 17th.

So, when you tune your FM radio to 87.7(5) on February 18th, you'll be hearing Programming En Espanol.

There is one station that is supposedly trying to run a separate 87.75 MHz FM audio carrier after transitioning digital to its own channel 6 - WRGB in the Albany NY market. I have no idea if that is going to work, even if the FCC approves it...and the engineers I've talked with about it don't seem to think it's feasible, either.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

XETV's engineer, with the initial news that analog 6 was shutting off, with clarification later that it'll just be "San Diego 6" U.S.-based programming going away for a Televisa service:

http://hdtv.forsandiego.com/messages/76/7302.html?1234326506

 

[jal41]

The biggest culperits are statewide PBS networks, including Alabama, Georgia, and Kentucky. Several standalone PBS stations are going as well. So much for public broadcasting serving the public interest.

When did Georgia Public Television finish building their digital network? Last I check only Athens-Atlanta had their digital up at full power. Then again, maybe I haven't checked this year.

Just this past Fall. They now have their HD and multicasts up and running. There are some issues at the WABW/Pelham (Albany) site as a result of a tornado that hit last year that destroyed their tower.

As for the nite lite...that is where a station can continue transmitting a informational message or emergency info on the analog signal for up to 30 days after ending regular programming. There are only a few takers from what I saw.

 

[Poledo]

Just this past Fall. They now have their HD and multicasts up and running. There are some issues at the WABW/Pelham (Albany) site as a result of a tornado that hit last year that destroyed their tower.

That's my problem then, I usually catch GPTV on channel 14 from Pelham or channel 25 from Americus. Albany's had a rough time the past few years with almost all of their television stations' towers collapsing for one reason or another. At least now the market has all new towers and antennas, among other equipment.

 

[Poledo]

Cable companies serving 200 or fewer subscribers should have been forced to tell customers that such systems will probably not be ready, and to make suitable arrangements. I'm losing cable service next week, based on stations in my area. Area Radio Shacks and independent dealers are being inundated with customers, as 300 families are losing service in my area. I'm not looking forward to buying the antenna, tower, coax, converter box and so on, and putting everything up in a West Virginia winter.

I guess that cable station must be pretty darned broke! You mean, they can't afford some digital-to-analog converters in the interim so they can feed their system in with an analog signal and then redistribute that? Just buy X number of those digiboxes going at Wal-Mart for $50, use the component video output and feed that into the headend, or if it demands input on that old analog channel, use a RF modulator between the component video output and feed that in. A bit of labor and possibly anywhere between $300 to $1000 of equipment... and then they're providing service just as before.

Mark.

The way I interpreted the original post was that the cable system's head end was located somewhere that could pick up acceptable over the air signals from major networks using specially tuned antennas but won't be able to pick up the major networks new digital signals due to terrestrial issues, perhaps the local stations are using VHF stations for DTV... Is the cable system shutting down or just losing the major networks? This is where I believe Dish or DirecTV could step up and provide feeds of local stations to smaller cable systems, for a fee of course.

As for Dish and DirecTV being an alternative for subscribers of this local cable company, if houses are on the wrong side of the mountain they wouldn't be able to get a satellite signal while a cable head end on the top of the mountain may have the line of site needed.

I live next to the Gulf of Mexico and my local cable system picks up stations OTA. It's always been hit or miss with picture quality for local stations on cable. Now with DTV were having tiling and drop out problems with the locals. Since Dish and DirecTV get the local stations by fiber (I think), they have an advantage on picture quality. It would be cool if cable systems could get local stations feeds from a satellite uplink instead of relying on OTA reception.

 

[azumanga]

It would be cool if cable systems could get local stations feeds from a satellite uplink instead of relying on OTA reception.

Many cable systems, especially in larger markets and owned by the national chains, already have most of their channels delivered to the headend via fiber.

And some cable systems already get local channels off the bird -- especially stations owned by Equity (which use satellite for their remote master control).

 

[thathoustonradiogeek]

Well, for those who is wondering if any of the stations in the US territories will go digital, we can tell you that at approximately 1:59 PM Chamorro Standard Time on February 18, 2009 in Guam (11:59 PM North American Eastern Standard Time on February 17, 2009) KUAM (NBC), KGTF (PBS) and KTGM (ABC) will say bye-bye to analog. All three stations have been running scrollers on their stations saying that will go ahead and switch to digital. As for KUAM's LP sister (CBS) and KTGM's LP Fox sibling KEQI, they plan to make them available on their DT signals as well.

What about Puerto Rico?

 

[kc8kfg]

With the Dayton DMA going entirely digital next week still, those couple of channels being clear should open up some interesting DXing for the next couple months for me, especially on channel 2.

Now how much longer are stations going to hold on to the virtual numbers?

 

[only1moore]

Well, for those who is wondering if any of the stations in the US territories will go digital, we can tell you that at approximately 1:59 PM Chamorro Standard Time on February 18, 2009 in Guam (11:59 PM North American Eastern Standard Time on February 17, 2009) KUAM (NBC), KGTF (PBS) and KTGM (ABC) will say bye-bye to analog. All three stations have been running scrollers on their stations saying that will go ahead and switch to digital. As for KUAM's LP sister (CBS) and KTGM's LP Fox sibling KEQI, they plan to make them available on their DT signals as well.

What about Puerto Rico?

Well, since you asked:

San Juan
WTCV

Naranjito
WECN

Fajardo
WORA
WRUA

Arecibo
WMEI

Mayaguez
WOST

Ponce
WSUR

As the US Virgin Islands, only WVXF will join the 2/17/09 DT switch fray.

 

[gr8oldies]

I'm thinking they will als\ways have the virtual numbers. That's part of the idea that "nothing's really going to change". WHIO-TV, after decades of punding "7" into people's skulls. certainly doesn';t want to start promoting "Newscenter 41". I did find it interesting that WDTN, Channel 2, is running giant crawls about the end of analog, and it does mention programming continuing on Channel 50. Interesting because it will still map to 2.1, etc. It will be an interesting DX season.