I purchased a DTV receiver this weekend (the $90 STB from RadioShack) to try to get some better reception where I live outside of Athens. I had partly predicated my purchase on being able to receive WGTV and WNEG, since my location is within the digital contours. Well, it turns out that neither are broadcasting any digital signal now.
GPB has been requesting waivers since 2002, citing lack of funding from the state, outside of their control. The good news is that they now have the funding, and the signals be brought up in the next few months.
On the other hand, the owner of WNEG, Media General, wants to do a "flash cut" to DTV when the final transition is made. They filed an exhibit back in 2001 saying that WNEG is one of their "satellite stations," which "usually originates no local programming, It rebroadcasts the programming of the parent station," but despite this designation, WNEG produces local programming, etc. So, really, the satellite station designation is invalid.
They claim that the "poor financial prospects" at WNEG make DTV construction costs "simply unfeasible," and if Media General were forced to construct a DTV station, they would be forced "to eliminate most if not all of the resources currently dedicated to sustaining local operations." And then the losses would be SO great that they would have to surrender the license to the FCC, and the viewers would lose the service, etc., etc.
This is on its face outrageous. Media General puts very little into WNEG, and I'm sure if the station were unprofitable, they'd be selling it. And in general, equipment/construction costs are negligible compared to the value of the station. If other stations in small markets can build out DTV facilities, there is no excuse for failing to do so here. Moreover, they could add more services by DTV and opportunities to sell advertising.
I just don't understand why a full-power station has been able to go for years after the deadline without building a DTV facility....
GPB has been requesting waivers since 2002, citing lack of funding from the state, outside of their control. The good news is that they now have the funding, and the signals be brought up in the next few months.
On the other hand, the owner of WNEG, Media General, wants to do a "flash cut" to DTV when the final transition is made. They filed an exhibit back in 2001 saying that WNEG is one of their "satellite stations," which "usually originates no local programming, It rebroadcasts the programming of the parent station," but despite this designation, WNEG produces local programming, etc. So, really, the satellite station designation is invalid.
They claim that the "poor financial prospects" at WNEG make DTV construction costs "simply unfeasible," and if Media General were forced to construct a DTV station, they would be forced "to eliminate most if not all of the resources currently dedicated to sustaining local operations." And then the losses would be SO great that they would have to surrender the license to the FCC, and the viewers would lose the service, etc., etc.
This is on its face outrageous. Media General puts very little into WNEG, and I'm sure if the station were unprofitable, they'd be selling it. And in general, equipment/construction costs are negligible compared to the value of the station. If other stations in small markets can build out DTV facilities, there is no excuse for failing to do so here. Moreover, they could add more services by DTV and opportunities to sell advertising.
I just don't understand why a full-power station has been able to go for years after the deadline without building a DTV facility....