Fybush: Springfield's WSHM-67 To Launch Local News

[Joseph_Gallant]

According to this week's (June 27th) issue of Scott Fybush's Northeast Radio Watch, low-power WSHM-67 Springfield (which calls itself "CBS-3" and is under the same ownership as WFSB-3 Hartford) is looking for a news director.

That means some kind of local news service will be launched.

I would suspect that prior to WFSB launching WSHM (which replaced WFSB on Springfield-area cable systems), WFSB's local news included some Springfield stories, given that the station was the CBS affiliate for both cities.

With all the posts on this board concerning WSHM's picture and sound quality not being "up to par", this move will hopefully also lead to WSHM getting all-new equipment not just for it's news operation, but for it's signal transmission as well.

 

[TXengineer]

They need a new channel...

Don't forget that WSHM-LP on 67 is still 'out of core', and they have no new channel to go to.

All the other LPTV allotments are accounted for.

28 - WWLP's LPTV W28CT sister to move to Mt Tom
34 - WESA-LP, Sal Minitti's LPTV station, I just don't see Sal selling it.
43 - WHTX-LP, Repeater of Univision (WUNI 18) that will be feeding the local cable outlets soon.
45 - Was what WSHM-LP was applying for, but CPTV also applied for it in Hartford. So WSHM-LP's app. was withdrawn.
51 - The big Telemundo affiliate (WDMR-LP 65) which is carried on all the CATV systems around here.

So unless they find another solution, or figure people will watch the DTV "3-2" that they are on now, they will be a cable only station.

 

[fybush]

Re: They need a new channel...

> Don't forget that WSHM-LP on 67 is still 'out of core', and
> they have no new channel to go to.
>
> All the other LPTV allotments are accounted for.
>
> 28 - WWLP's LPTV W28CT sister to move to Mt Tom
> 34 - WESA-LP, Sal Minitti's LPTV station, I just don't see
> Sal selling it.
> 43 - WHTX-LP, Repeater of Univision (WUNI 18) that will be
> feeding the local cable outlets soon.
> 45 - Was what WSHM-LP was applying for, but CPTV also
> applied for it in Hartford. So WSHM-LP's app. was withdrawn.
>
> 51 - The big Telemundo affiliate (WDMR-LP 65) which is
> carried on all the CATV systems around here.
>
> So unless they find another solution, or figure people will
> watch the DTV "3-2" that they are on now, they will be a
> cable only station.

You're assuming that the FCC moves relatively quickly to take back the non-core channels. I don't see that happening, which means WSHM-LP could stay put on 67 for a while - maybe long enough to move to 22 or 40 after Jan. 1, 2009.

I can't imagine the FCC will force anyone dark during the transition.<P ID="signature">______________
Tower Site Calendar 2005 NOW AVAILABLE! - <a target="_blank" href=http://www.fybush.com/nerw.html#calendar>www.fybush.com</a></P>

 

[TXengineer]

Re: They need a new channel...

> You're assuming that the FCC moves relatively quickly to
> take back the non-core channels. I don't see that happening,
> which means WSHM-LP could stay put on 67 for a while - maybe
> long enough to move to 22 or 40 after Jan. 1, 2009.

Not very likely on 22 or 40.

22 is what WGBY-TV has elected to go to post transition.

40 is the only option for WGGB-TV who's DT is out of core (55).

 

[shadowman]

Re: They need a new channel...

> Don't forget that WSHM-LP on 67 is still 'out of core', and
> they have no new channel to go to.
>
> All the other LPTV allotments are accounted for.
>
> 28 - WWLP's LPTV W28CT sister to move to Mt Tom
There's a rumor this could be a UPN affiliate once it's move is completed. I also heard this could be WAPA America's main station (even though Comcast already carry WAPA America it on channel 717). Any thoughts on this one?

> 34 - WESA-LP, Sal Minitti's LPTV station, I just don't see
> Sal selling it.
Is this channel active? What programming does it air?

> 43 - WHTX-LP, Repeater of Univision (WUNI 18) that will be
> feeding the local cable outlets soon.
The reason this one is on the air is because Entravision could not convince Comcast, Charter, and the other local cable providers to carry WUVN, which comes clear in most of Hampden County, and parts of Hampshire County.

> 45 - Was what WSHM-LP was applying for, but CPTV also
> applied for it in Hartford. So WSHM-LP's app. was withdrawn.

I see WSHM using Channel 36, or channel 14 (if they can be feasible to be used).

Unless you all want them to tell NASA to give up Channel 37. LOL

>
> 51 - The big Telemundo affiliate (WDMR-LP 65) which is
> carried on all the CATV systems around here.
It tooke them nearly five years (and 75 Red Sox games from WABU TV 68) to get carriage outside of Springfield. None of the cable providers wanted to carry it when it signed on June 28, 1991.

Once it moves to 51, their signal coverage will greatly improve. This Low Power channel is one of the best operated in the country, even though it's a simulcaster of WRDM LP 13 from Hartford. Only if they could offer their audio in STEREO....
>
> So unless they find another solution, or figure people will
> watch the DTV "3-2" that they are on now, they will be a
> cable only station.
>

Virtually, they are cable only. Their OTA signal, audio, centering of screen, color processing, facilities let us wish for WFSB to come back!

 

[TXengineer]

Re: They need a new channel...

> 28 - WWLP's LPTV W28CT sister to move to Mt Tom
> There's a rumor this could be a UPN affiliate once it's move
> is completed. I also heard this could be WAPA America's
> main station (even though Comcast already carry WAPA America
> it on channel 717). Any thoughts on this one?

Don't have any info on this.

> Is this channel active? What programming does it air?

Nope

> > 43 - WHTX-LP, Repeater of Univision (WUNI 18) that will be
>
> > feeding the local cable outlets soon.
> The reason this one is on the air is because Entravision
> could not convince Comcast, Charter, and the other local
> cable providers to carry WUVN, which comes clear in most of
> Hampden County, and parts of Hampshire County.

I heard that Univison had made a requirement for all local cable systems to carry the "local" Univision affiliates, and that Comcast/Charter are two of the LAST systems in the country to still carry the national cable feed. For whatever technical reason, it's obvious from the antenna design/orientation of WHTX-LP's antenna is aimed at the Comcast head end on East Mountain in Westfield.

> I see WSHM using Channel 36, or channel 14 (if they can be
> feasible to be used).

Nope. Channel 36 is WCDC-DT from Adams, MA. Too close in spacing.
Channel 14 is the Land-Mobile allocation in the Boston area.
So channel 14 is also no go.

> Unless you all want them to tell NASA to give up Channel 37.
> LOL

That would be a great idea, but it isn't happening.

> Once it moves to 51, their signal coverage will greatly
> improve. This Low Power channel is one of the best operated
> in the country, even though it's a simulcaster of WRDM LP 13
> from Hartford. Only if they could offer their audio in
> STEREO....

They have a stereo generator that isn't turned on, IIRC because they are using a SAP channel, their microwave only has two audio channels. One is the main program audio feed, the other is the SAP channel.

> Virtually, they are cable only. Their OTA signal, audio,
> centering of screen, color processing, facilities let us
> wish for WFSB to come back!

Not only that, but the overall poor programming...

However it could be newstime for them soon...

we'll see...

 

[shadowman]

Re: They need a new channel...

> > 28 - WWLP's LPTV W28CT sister to move to Mt Tom
> > There's a rumor this could be a UPN affiliate once it's
> move
> > is completed. I also heard this could be WAPA America's
> > main station (even though Comcast already carry WAPA
> America
> > it on channel 717). Any thoughts on this one?
>
> Don't have any info on this.
>
That's all the "info" I got. It's just a hear-say rumor, unlike the WAPA America Launch, and their deal with Comcast.

> > Is this channel active? What programming does it air?
>
> Nope
>

This where the FCC must step up and find out how long this channel has not been active.
> > > 43 - WHTX-LP, Repeater of Univision (WUNI 18) that will
> be
> >
> > > feeding the local cable outlets soon.
> > The reason this one is on the air is because Entravision
> > could not convince Comcast, Charter, and the other local
> > cable providers to carry WUVN, which comes clear in most
> of
> > Hampden County, and parts of Hampshire County.

>
> I heard that Univison had made a requirement for all local
> cable systems to carry the "local" Univision affiliates, and
> that Comcast/Charter are two of the LAST systems in the
> country to still carry the national cable feed.

Also, they (UNIVISION) are stalling on where in the lineup Telefutura's East feed should be located on Comcast's lineup, where there is no OTA station carrying their feed. This is probably the main reason why it was not added at the beginning of the year, as promised to many subscribers in Western Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire (they also promised, and delivered WAPA America). Comcast wants it on their digital Spanish tier unless it's available locally by a way of a miracle, while Univision wants it on the Basic lineup. Univision also wants Galavision on basic service.

> For whatever technical reason, it's obvious from the antenna
> design/orientation of WHTX-LP's antenna is aimed at the
> Comcast head end on East Mountain in Westfield.

Their signal comes kind of blurry at the Charter head end in Chicopee (I work near the Westover ARB), but it can be picked up by them. A friend of mine had a TV set on his minivan, and WHTX does come up, but you had to aim towards the south west direction (pointing to Provin Mountain) in order to get a decent signal.


>
> > I see WSHM using Channel 36, or channel 14 (if they can be
>
> > feasible to be used).
>
> Nope. Channel 36 is WCDC-DT from Adams, MA. Too close in
> spacing.
> Channel 14 is the Land-Mobile allocation in the Boston area.
>
> So channel 14 is also no go.
>
> > Unless you all want them to tell NASA to give up Channel
> 37.
> > LOL
>
> That would be a great idea, but it isn't happening.
>
> > Once it moves to 51, their signal coverage will greatly
> > improve. This Low Power channel is one of the best
> operated
> > in the country, even though it's a simulcaster of WRDM LP
> 13
> > from Hartford. Only if they could offer their audio in
> > STEREO....
>
> They have a stereo generator that isn't turned on, IIRC
> because they are using a SAP channel, their microwave only
> has two audio channels. One is the main program audio feed,
> the other is the SAP channel.

Now, what I've been asking myself is why DirecTV do not carry their signal which comes in much better at their head end than WSHM, and why DirecTV don't carry any Telemundo affilliates O&O by ZGS Broadcasting (and just before you even mention WNEU TV 60, WNEU in Manchester/Boston is a LMA between NBC-Universal and ZGS)?

My brother tried getting answers from DirecTV (as well as no UPN outlet), but DirecTV gave him the same old answers.
>
> > Virtually, they are cable only. Their OTA signal, audio,
> > centering of screen, color processing, facilities let us
> > wish for WFSB to come back!
>
> Not only that, but the overall poor programming...
>
> However it could be newstime for them soon...
>
> we'll see...
>

 

[TXengineer]

Re: They need a new channel...

> This where the FCC must step up and find out how long this
> channel has not been active.

They don't need to. As an LPTV, you can file an STA to remain silent! Yup!
And WESA-LP has such an STA. Which is good, because I'd hate to see WSHM-LP get another in market channel. I am not ashamed to say that. It's a really poor excuse for a local CBS affiliate and basically it feels like Meredith has given this market the cold shoulder. I know the station is still new but I have yet to find anything appealing about it.

> Also, they (UNIVISION) are stalling on where in the lineup
> Telefutura's East feed should be located on Comcast's
> lineup, where there is no OTA station carrying their feed.
> This is probably the main reason why it was not added at the
> beginning of the year, as promised to many subscribers in
> Western Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire (they
> also promised, and delivered WAPA America). Comcast wants
> it on their digital Spanish tier unless it's available
> locally by a way of a miracle, while Univision wants it on
> the Basic lineup. Univision also wants Galavision on basic
> service.

I've never seen Telefutura so I can't comment on it. I think channel 66 in Boston is carrying it.

> Their signal comes kind of blurry at the Charter head end in
> Chicopee (I work near the Westover ARB), but it can be
> picked up by them. A friend of mine had a TV set on his
> minivan, and WHTX does come up, but you had to aim towards
> the south west direction (pointing to Provin Mountain) in
> order to get a decent signal.

Yeah but have you seen their setup? It's a narrow directional Andrew antenna mounted maybe 100 feet off the ground. And it doesn't matter how clear it comes in to Charter, as Comcast and Charter all ready share enough resources that they would just interconnect it like they do so many other signals...
(I have the list, but I won't print it here or list it for obvious reasons)

> Now, what I've been asking myself is why DirecTV do not
> carry their signal which comes in much better at their head
> end than WSHM, and why DirecTV don't carry any Telemundo
> affilliates O&O by ZGS Broadcasting (and just before you
> even mention WNEU TV 60, WNEU in Manchester/Boston is a LMA
> between NBC-Universal and ZGS)?

I have no clue on that...

 

[KML0224]

Re: They need a new channel...

1- Merideth should have left well enough alone and be happy that WFSB-TV channel 3 is/was on most cable systems in western Massachusetts.

2- Shouldn't most people in Springfield be able to pick up WUVN-TV (UNI) channel 18 of Hartford with an antenna?

3- Do you mean WUTF-TV (FUT) channel 66 of Marlborough, MA?

4- Our Direct TV setup at my workplace in Newington, CT has some Spanish channels but doesn't carry WRDM-LP (TEL) channel 13 [low-power] of Hartford. They are carried in New Britain, Hartford and Middletown, which are all served by separate Comcast branches.

 

[shadowman]

Re: They need a new channel...

> 1- Merideth should have left well enough alone and be happy
> that WFSB-TV channel 3 is/was on most cable systems in
> western Massachusetts.
>
> 2- Shouldn't most people in Springfield be able to pick up
> WUVN-TV (UNI) channel 18 of Hartford with an antenna?
Better than a B-grade signal, as it always has been.

>
> 3- Do you mean WUTF-TV (FUT) channel 66 of Marlborough, MA?
The closest affilliate is WUTH-LP 47 out of Hartford, which hardly comes in. A reason I say it will take a "miracle" for Univision Networks to force Telefutura in the basic service on the Comcast service area in Western Massachusetts.

>
> 4- Our Direct TV setup at my workplace in Newington, CT has
> some Spanish channels but doesn't carry WRDM-LP (TEL)
> channel 13 [low-power] of Hartford. They are carried in New
> Britain, Hartford and Middletown, which are all served by
> separate Comcast branches.
>

I know the cable operatos carry WRDM and WDMR, but DirecTV (and Dish Network for Hartford) do not carry them. I know that Dish Network has a policy of not carrying LP stations, even if they feed them directly to their local head end, but what's the reasoning for no carriage (besides not being mandated to carry LP stations). I talked to someone that works at ZGS Broadcasting in Springfield, and that is a subject they won't give answer, and they won't answer the question if they are trying to get a simulcast agreement with both DirecTV and DIsh.