New Haven Channels 8 / 59 Quality

[RadioMan203]

I don't know if it's DirecTV's feeds or not, but a couple of nights ago on the 10pm news on 59 had immense audio problems between no audio at all, bussing, hiss and the like. Lately they are also having random clicks and impulse noise in the audio, more notable with local programming.

Equally as irritating I noticed on channel 8 when they air certain news and GMA programming the audio is out of sync with the video. I've grown tired of this and now switch to a different channel.

I know LIN seems to be a budget operation from everything I've seen and heard from past employees but I would hope they try to operate in a manner that encourages people to actually watch their programming. I've gotten to the point where if there's something I want to watch on ABC I now plan on taping it at my office where I can pick up the New York affiliate.

 

[MarcB]

I don't know if it's DirecTV's feeds or not, but a couple of nights ago on the 10pm news on 59 had immense audio problems between no audio at all, bussing, hiss and the like. Lately they are also having random clicks and impulse noise in the audio, more notable with local programming.

Bill I was watching the 10PM News on 59 the other night and I noticed the same thing. I have DISH NETWORK. (Not my choice. The choice of my landlord).

 

[RadioMan203]

I also spoke to someone who has Comcast in the valley and they told me the same thing without prompting them, so I guess it wasn't out selected carriers, it was the low quality of the channel.

 

[kms575]

I also spoke to someone who has Comcast in the valley and they told me the same thing without prompting them, so I guess it wasn't out selected carriers, it was the low quality of the channel.

It seems to go hand in hand with their countless production blunders in their newscasts. I only wish we Comcast would provide us with WABC's HD feed along with the SD one we already receive. That way, I'd have no reson to watch WTNH.

 

[RadioMan203]

I also spoke to someone who has Comcast in the valley and they told me the same thing without prompting them, so I guess it wasn't out selected carriers, it was the low quality of the channel.

It seems to go hand in hand with their countless production blunders in their newscasts. I only wish we Comcast would provide us with WABC's HD feed along with the SD one we already receive. That way, I'd have no reson to watch WTNH.

At least you have the ability to watch WABC with Comcast. DirecTV doesn't offer WABC on my package, most likely due to geographical restrictions and in my location it's pretty much a crap shoot if I'd even get WABC due to the surrounding terrain. I'd give my eye teeth not to have to watch 8 again to see ABC affiliate programming. It's almost as painful as a sharp stick in the eye!

 

[oldschooltv]

I also spoke to someone who has Comcast in the valley and they told me the same thing without prompting them, so I guess it wasn't out selected carriers, it was the low quality of the channel.

Ditto for me Bill. I tried to watch the 10 o' clock news, but the audio was off the wall. The best I can compare it to is when two units on a public service frequency are stepping on each other, nothing but scrambled eggs. I flipped back and forth between this and FOX61's news for a good 15 minutes before giving up on MyTV9. I couldn't tell you when they finally fixed it.

On a sidenote: Channel 8 has been on a downward spiral since LIN came in (about the same time they stopped using the "Action News 8" brand). I don't know what it is about 8, but when 3, 30, and even 61 -for crying out loud- beat you for a story or breaking news in your own backyard, then something is seriously wrong. Channel 8 used to be the source for news around here, now it's just another option.

 

[kms575]

I also spoke to someone who has Comcast in the valley and they told me the same thing without prompting them, so I guess it wasn't out selected carriers, it was the low quality of the channel.

Ditto for me Bill. I tried to watch the 10 o' clock news, but the audio was off the wall. The best I can compare it to is when two units on a public service frequency are stepping on each other, nothing but scrambled eggs. I flipped back and forth between this and FOX61's news for a good 15 minutes before giving up on MyTV9. I couldn't tell you when they finally fixed it.

On a sidenote: Channel 8 has been on a downward spiral since LIN came in (about the same time they stopped using the "Action News 8" brand). I don't know what it is about 8, but when 3, 30, and even 61 -for crying out loud- beat you for a story or breaking news in your own backyard, then something is seriously wrong. Channel 8 used to be the source for news around here, now it's just another option.

Oldschool, I don't even think it's an option anymore! I used to stick up for 8 until recently, but it's gotten so bad now, I can't stand to watch it. How do they take some of the "news stories" they air seriously?

 

[RadioMan203]

On a sidenote: Channel 8 has been on a downward spiral since LIN came in (about the same time they stopped using the "Action News 8" brand). I don't know what it is about 8, but when 3, 30, and even 61 -for crying out loud- beat you for a story or breaking news in your own backyard, then something is seriously wrong. Channel 8 used to be the source for news around here, now it's just another option.

I had suggested to the GM/CE of Channel 43 that if they were to pair up with Cablevision's News 12 operation and carry their newscasts for maybe 6pm and 10 or 11 pm that they (43) ,ay actually be performing both a public service and maybe even get some ratings. I would be willing to say they would kick the living tar out of 8, for sure!

Unfortunately my past communications seemed to fall on deaf ears, as Multicultural only seems interested in broadcasting their home shopping programming and moving the signal to the Empire State Building - like that's going to serve the Bridgeport community! What ever happened to being licensed "... in the public interest"?

 

[WPPCProductions]

I've notice the out of sync audio problen too.on ch 8, I have'nt checked the other locals yet with this problem,but when I'm ober my mothers watching the Comcast Digital Tier, is a joke ,the quility totally sucks,The Video looks like Mpeg1 encoded or vhs {ep} recorded video, and the sound is off sync.

 

[radiolives]

Speaking of 8 is Gill WTNH's verison of Scot Haney. Found this on youtube today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvxRsbkBXZI&NR=1

 

[KML0224]

Gee...and to think I missed THAT? "Darn"! :O

 

[oldschooltv]

I had suggested to the GM/CE of Channel 43 that if they were to pair up with Cablevision's News 12 operation and carry their newscasts for maybe 6pm and 10 or 11 pm that they (43) ,ay actually be performing both a public service and maybe even get some ratings. I would be willing to say they would kick the living tar out of 8, for sure!

Unfortunately my past communications seemed to fall on deaf ears, as Multicultural only seems interested in broadcasting their home shopping programming and moving the signal to the Empire State Building - like that's going to serve the Bridgeport community! What ever happened to being licensed "... in the public interest"?

I remember when you brought that idea up. It's too bad nobody listened! Channel 43 is in such a prime location and with digital now, they could add RTN (or some other decent non-shopping, non-religious networks) to their subchannels. They could also simulcast News12 on one of those subchannels. This would actually give people a reason to watch WSAH. As of now it's a huge waste of a signal, your average person doesn't even know the station exists, it has no listings in the Post, it doesn't advertise, they put no effort into serving the public with that station. And moving the transmitter to NYC would be a shame - I hope Multicultural fails in this endeavor and get rejected by the FCC. If it did happen, the county would have just one full-powered station left, WEDW. Fairfield County is such an untapped market, hardly served by the New York channels and underserved by the Hartford channels. Fairfield County is also where all the money is, it's also home to Stamford, aka Connecticut's Wall Street, and it's home to Bridgeport - the state's largest city. They could have turned it into a Fairfield County independent like Long Island's Channel 57, or RNN in the Hudson Valley. But I guess no one else saw the potential. I won't hold my breath for any changes now with the troubled economy. I also won't hold my breath hoping that someone will come in and save WTNH from Lin.

 

[kms575]

I had suggested to the GM/CE of Channel 43 that if they were to pair up with Cablevision's News 12 operation and carry their newscasts for maybe 6pm and 10 or 11 pm that they (43) ,ay actually be performing both a public service and maybe even get some ratings. I would be willing to say they would kick the living tar out of 8, for sure!

Unfortunately my past communications seemed to fall on deaf ears, as Multicultural only seems interested in broadcasting their home shopping programming and moving the signal to the Empire State Building - like that's going to serve the Bridgeport community! What ever happened to being licensed "... in the public interest"?

I remember when you brought that idea up. It's too bad nobody listened! Channel 43 is in such a prime location and with digital now, they could add RTN (or some other decent non-shopping, non-religious networks) to their subchannels. They could also simulcast News12 on one of those subchannels. This would actually give people a reason to watch WSAH. As of now it's a huge waste of a signal, your average person doesn't even know the station exists, it has no listings in the Post, it doesn't advertise, they put no effort into serving the public with that station. And moving the transmitter to NYC would be a shame - I hope Multicultural fails in this endeavor and get rejected by the FCC. If it did happen, the county would have just one full-powered station left, WEDW. Fairfield County is such an untapped market, hardly served by the New York channels and underserved by the Hartford channels. Fairfield County is also where all the money is, it's also home to Stamford, aka Connecticut's Wall Street, and it's home to Bridgeport - the state's largest city. They could have turned it into a Fairfield County independent like Long Island's Channel 57, or RNN in the Hudson Valley. But I guess no one else saw the potential. I won't hold my breath for any changes now with the troubled economy. I also won't hold my breath hoping that someone will come in and save WTNH from Lin.

Do you mean Long Island channel 55? I used to be able to pick them up loud and clear OTA from the Old Saybrook area.
Speaking of Ch 8, wasn't there a story of LIN selling its TV stations at one time?

 

[RadioMan203]

The funny thing is it seems that LIN is carrying on the tradition of lackluster performance that some past owners had done.

I don't remember if 8 was still owned by Triangle or was part of Cap Cities at this point, but the one instance that stands out in my mind was back in the late 70's. The state was getting hit by a hurricane, Belle I believe. I was watching the 11pm Action News and the hurricane coverage wasn't all that great. I nearly soiled myself that at 11:30 they cut away from the news to air the network late movie. Maybe weather wasn't considered as important as today, but come on!

There could have been marvelous potential for 43 if they aired news and maybe something like RTN. I don't understand how these people could have a license to operate a station which is essentially a satellator for a home shopping channel. Do you actually need high def to see another George Forman grilling machine?

It's almost as bad as when WICC had the channel back in the 1950's Hardly anybody knows about the channel today and nobody cares about another shopping channel.