HD Channel Legal ID

[strangelove]

I've noticed inconsistencies in the way certain stations in my local market ID the digital service at the top of the hour. For example the NPR station here will ID as 'WLRN and HD-1 Miami, Fort Lauderdale' while a station owned by Cox Media will ID as 'WHQT Coral Gables' with no mention of the digital service even though they broadcast in HD. Is there a hard and fast rule for identifying the HD broadcast like there is with the analog signal? If so, wouldn't the Cox station be in violation of the rule for not mentioning the digital service?

 

[seattlesarchiebunker]

I thought that an HD signal must be identified..even HD2s, HD3s, etc. Therefore, WLRN would have the proper legal ID. Unless WHQT had a separate legal ID for their HD signal (which would not make it a full-simulcast), they are technically identifying improperly.

Of course, its 2019, and the FCC is far more interested in fielding ISP complaints and tracking down pirates than reminding stations the proper manner to do TOH IDs.

 

[CTListener]

I thought that an HD signal must be identified..even HD2s, HD3s, etc. Therefore, WLRN would have the proper legal ID. Unless WHQT had a separate legal ID for their HD signal (which would not make it a full-simulcast), they are technically identifying improperly.

Of course, its 2019, and the FCC is far more interested in fielding ISP complaints and tracking down pirates than reminding stations the proper manner to do TOH IDs.

Shutting down unlicensed operations should always take precedence over playing "gotcha" with stations that slip up on the proper TOH protocol. Are you implying that TOH pickiness was a higher priority in earlier days?

 

[Kelly A]

I've noticed inconsistencies in the way certain stations in my local market ID the digital service at the top of the hour. For example the NPR station here will ID as 'WLRN and HD-1 Miami, Fort Lauderdale' while a station owned by Cox Media will ID as 'WHQT Coral Gables' with no mention of the digital service even though they broadcast in HD. Is there a hard and fast rule for identifying the HD broadcast like there is with the analog signal? If so, wouldn't the Cox station be in violation of the rule for not mentioning the digital service?

It depends. As I understand the rules, when operating an HD-1 only, then there is no need for more than the station ID. If operating ancillary channels, one should ID TOH their HD2, 3's etc. Practically speaking though, I don't think the Commission would bother penalizing a station for not ID-ing their HD-2, 3, 4..whatever channels, because it's a simple matter to determine what primary station those other audio streams are attached to.

That, and many HD2+ channels are leased for feeding other market stations translators or full power stations. The other stations probably don't want the relaying-station call sign used for their unrelated translator/station.

 

[bulwnkl]

It depends. As I understand the rules, when operating an HD-1 only, then there is no need for more than the station ID. If operating ancillary channels, one should ID TOH their HD2, 3's etc. Practically speaking though, I don't think the Commission would bother penalizing a station for not ID-ing their HD-2, 3, 4..whatever channels, because it's a simple matter to determine what primary station those other audio streams are attached to.

That, and many HD2+ channels are leased for feeding other market stations translators or full power stations. The other stations probably don't want the relaying-station call sign used for their unrelated translator/station.

In my local area there are HD2 and 3 sub-channels which are simulcasting some other station. I’ve noticed that some of them just play the station identifier from the main broadcast station. That’s a little odd-sounding on occasion, when I know I’ve just tuned xxx.x-HD2 but I hear it identify itself as FM xx.x a few minutes later. I haven’t heard or probably just don’t recall _all_ of them do that. So it seems like a mish-mash here.