NYC Digital TV Line-Up

[ansky212]

What would be the point in moving any transmitters to WTC? The ESB and WTC are only a few miles apart, so the only viewers affected would be those that are on the fringe of the signal anyway. It hardly seems worth the investment for any station to move at this point.

 

[w9wi]

What would be the point in moving any transmitters to WTC? The ESB and WTC are only a few miles apart, so the only viewers affected would be those that are on the fringe of the signal anyway. It hardly seems worth the investment for any station to move at this point.

It's likely any increase in antenna height would, in any case, be compensated by a reduction in power.*

The point is multipath.

When the WTC was originally built, there were concerns it would cause problems for TV reception. Signals broadcast from the ESB would bounce off the new building, interfering with signals received directly from the ESB and creating ghosting issues. To that end, a set of UHF translators were built.

When the WTC was completed, the transmitters were moved there & the translators sold or shut down.

* In the analog world, absolutely, the increase in antenna height would be compensated by a reduction in power. In digital, the FCC has done some things I didn't think they'd do - so I wouldn't bet on a power reduction - but I wouldn't bet *against* it either.

 

[NYC viewer]

Re: NYC Digital TV Line-Up -- updated Spring, 2011

It's been a while since someone else posted this list, thought I would add in some new stations I have noticed and repost.

Of note:

24.1 usually a message that a DVD has not been inserted
26.1, 32.1, 35.1 and 43.1 all showing color bars -- anyone know what's in store for these channels?
39.817 - 39.820 I assume that these are just duplicates of their other subchannels
42.1 - 42.5 WKOB -- their signal vanishes at night in NYC, I've heard that they do this to avoid interfering with an adjacent channel in Brooklyn, they just added "HOT" -- another vintage programming channel
and... two analog stations

What ever happened to the .2 (Dot Two) network, promising more vintage TV programming, and the Me and MeTOO channels that have become popular out in the Chicago area
I am sure that there are some other digital networks aiming to be carried by broadcast subchannels, such as TUFF TV that was just bounced off of 42.4 by HOT


The updated list (pardon any typos):

2.1 WCBS-TV...CBS...DT 33

4.1 WNBC...NBC...DT 28
4.2 Non-Stop NY (Local News, Weather, Features)
4.4 Universal Sports (mostly pre-Olympic competitions) (No 4.3 channel)

5.2 WNYW...Fox...DT 44
5.1 same

6 WNYZ analog -- operates as a radio station, airing silent movies to satisfy the FCC's video requirement. Last time I tuned in this station a few weeks ago, the video portion seemed frozen.

7.1 WABC-TV...ABC...DT 7
7.2 LiveWell HD...health programs and infomercials
7.3 LiveWell

9.1 WWOR...My Network...DT 38
9.2 same

11.1 WPIX...CW...DT 11
11.2 Estrella...Spanish language programming (Something called LaTV, a youthful half Spanish, half English channel similar to MUN2 used to be on 11.3 but that's gone.)
11.3 this TV
11.4 Antenna TV

13.1 WNET Thirteen...PBS
13.2 PBS Kids
13.3 Kids
13.101 blank screen -- I have heard this is a data stream carrying time signals used by some TVs/VCRs
13.102 blank screen -- I have heard this is a data stream carrying time signals used by some TVs/VCRs

17.1 WEBR...DT GCN Korean religious programming
17.2 was MBC, now carrying a dupe of audio from 17.4 with a slide written in Korean
17.4 Korean Radio (no video... and no 17.3)

24.1 WASA...usually a message that a DVD has not been inserted (Station is licensed to Port Jervis, NY, about 70 miles away, but I think it broadcasts from the Empire State Building.)
24.2 ICN Chinese
24.3 ICN English

25.1 WNYE...PBS and city programs...DT 24
25.2 NYC Government (Was City Drive Live)

26.1 WRNN color bars -- Have not seen this in a while. Isn't WRNN on two other channels? Do they have 3 now?

31.1 WPXN...Ion...DT 31
31.2 qubo...non-commercial and PBS children's shows
31.3 Ion Live...health, home repair and travel shows plus infomercials (31.4 Worship, a channel of religious music videos, is gone.)

32.1 WXNY color bars

35.1 WNYX color bars

39.1 WNYN Infomercials
39.2 Infomercials in Spanish, poor sound quality
39.3 Infomercials (last time I tuned this in, the video was frozen, no audio)
39.4 AlientoVision
39.5 HSN
39.817 dupe of .1
39.818 dupe of .3
39.819 dupe of .4
39.820 dupe of .5

41.1 WXTV...Univision...DT 40
41.2 WFUT

42.1 WKOB -- Daystar
42.2 Daystar
42.3 RTV
42.4 HOT - History of Television
42.5 WizeBuys

43.1 WNXY color bars

46 WMBQ analog -- religion

47.1 WNJU...Telemundo...DT 36

50.1 WNJN...New Jersey Network and PBS...DT 51
50.2 NJN 2 (Alternate PBS and NJN programs)
50.3 NJN Audio Service (reading for the blind)

60.1 W41DO-D HSN
60.2 HSN 2

63.1 WMBC
63.2 MBN Korean
63.3 CGN Korean (there is a website (MyFamilyTV.TV claiming this channel as an affiliate)
63.4 SinoVSN Chinese
63.5 NTDTV Chinese
63.6 Azteca Spanish
63.7 KCBN Korean radio
63.8 WDNJ Spanish radio

68.1 WFUT...Telefutura...DT 30
68.2 WXTV
===========================

About a year ago, I posted the line up of digital channels available in NYC. Since then the dial has changed a bit, with two new stations available (17 and 64) and a few others rearranged.

2.1 WCBS-TV...CBS...DT 33

4.1 WNBC...NBC...DT 28
4.2 Non-Stop NY (Local News, Weather, Features)
4.4 Universal Sports (mostly pre-Olympic competitions) (No 4.3 channel)

5.2 WNYW...Fox...DT 44
5.1 same (Not sure why 5.2 comes before 5.1 on my channel line up)

7.1 WABC-TV...ABC...DT 7
7.2 Liv Well...health programs and infomercials
7.3 Accu-Weather with local WABC meteorologist inserts

9.1 WWOR...My Network...DT 38
9.2 same (Co-owned Fox 5 used to show up here and WWOR used to show up on 5.2, but no more.)

11.1 WPIX...CW...DT 11
11.2 Estrella...Spanish language programming (Something called LaTV, a youthful half Spanish, half English channel similar to MUN2 used to be on 11.3 but that's gone.)

13.1 Kids Thirteen...PBS Kids Shows
13.2 V Me...Public Television in Spanish
13.3 WNET...PBS...DT 13 (Not sure why the principal programming is on 13.3?)
13.4 blank screen
13.5 blank screen

17.1 WEBR...DT 17 blank screen (I believe this will be a religion station in the future because they test with some religion shows.)
17.2 blank screen
17.4 Korean Radio (no video... and no 17.3)

25.1 WNYE...PBS and city programs...DT 24
25.2 City Drive Live (Continuous 5 second shots from numerous traffic cameras around NYC)

31.1 WPXN...Ion...DT 31
31.2 qubo...non-commercial and PBS children's shows
31.3 Ion Live...health, home repair and travel shows plus infomercials (31.4 Worship, a channel of religious music videos, is gone.)

41.1 WXTV...Univision...DT 40
41.2 WFUT

47.1 WNJU...Telemundo...DT 36

50.1 WNJN...New Jersey Network and PBS...DT 51
50.2 NJN 2 (Alternate PBS and NJN programs)
50.3 NJN Audio Service (reading for the blind)

64.1 WASA...Continuous infomercials...DT 25
64.2 Continuous slides of NYC landmarks. (Station is licensed to Port Jervis, NY, about 70 miles away, but I think it broadcasts from the Empire State Building.)

68.1 WFUT...Telefutura...DT 30
68.2 WXTV

These are the channels I get living on the Upper West Side. According to the list from www.tvfool.com, I'm missing quite a few low power broadcasters who don't transmit from the ESB or other midtown location. It's odd that I get WNJN from Montclair but not WFME from nearby West Orange NJ. Others say they have problems with WABC, WPIX and WNET since those stations remain on VHF channels. I do notice WABC drops out sometimes, even though I haven't touched the antenna. But I guess I live close enough to the ESB that these VHF channels aren't usually problems for me.


Gregg
[email protected]

 

[ansky212]

Re: NYC Digital TV Line-Up -- updated Spring, 2011

It's been a while since someone else posted this list, thought I would add in some new stations I have noticed and repost.

Are you able to pick up WDVB-LD 23.x. I can get them from NJ. Last time I checked 23.1 was showing color bars, 23.2 had some foreign language programming, and I believe there was also something on 23.5.

 

[ansky212]

Re: NYC Digital TV Line-Up -- updated Spring, 2011

42.1 - 42.5 WKOB -- their signal vanishes at night in NYC, I've heard that they do this to avoid interfering with an adjacent channel in Brooklyn

Really? At what time of night does the WKOB signal "vanish" in NYC? I live about 12 miles west of NYC and have not had a problem receiving them at night. Does the signal change to directional or something? It can't be a power change if I can get them 12 miles away.

 

[NYC viewer]

Have never seen nor even heard of WDVB nor any signal on 23.

WKOB's signal disappears each night. The time varies depending, I guess, on the season and weather. Tonight it vanished at about 7:40, in the winter it happens before 5 pm and it usually happens right at sunset. I can see the signal strength from the usual spot around 65 to 75%, dropping steadily over a couple of minutes. It usually hovers a bit around 30 and then drops right down to zero. The reason, I am told, is that there is another station operating on channel 3 (recall that WKOB is actually operating on channel 2). I have heard that they did request another channel, but the FCC has not done very much. Only channels 7, 11 and 13 are the major area stations still using VHF.

Not sure where WKOB's transmitter is located -- I have heard Wall Street, Empire State Bldg and also Trump's high rise near the UN. Sad to know that there is great programming I can't see outside of daylight hours, especially since there are several stations showing nothing but color bars for weeks on end. I think the FCC should have never shrunk the UHF band. Stepping off the soapbox now...

 

[w9wi]

WKOB's signal disappears each night. The time varies depending, I guess, on the season and weather. Tonight it vanished at about 7:40, in the winter it happens before 5 pm and it usually happens right at sunset. I can see the signal strength from the usual spot around 65 to 75%, dropping steadily over a couple of minutes. It usually hovers a bit around 30 and then drops right down to zero. The reason, I am told, is that there is another station operating on channel 3 (recall that WKOB is actually operating on channel 2). I have heard that they did request another channel, but the FCC has not done very much. Only channels 7, 11 and 13 are the major area stations still using VHF.

There's supposed to be a low-power analog station operating on 3, from the same site as WKOB. But it's authorized for 24/7 operation as well (and I'd be surprised if it isn't operating 24/7) so if it's interfering with WKOB it should interfere all the time.

I suspect what you actually have is an interference issue involving something other than a transmitter. A light of some kind, most likely.

The dial is pretty well-packed in the NYC area. It's going to be a challenge to find any higher channel.

 

[tripinva]

WBQM-LD is a digital on channel 3. It has a permit to move to channel 50.

- Trip

 

[ansky212]

The dial is pretty well-packed in the NYC area. It's going to be a challenge to find any higher channel.

WKOB has (or had) a CP to move to channel 42 and broadcast from West Orange with a directional pattern east towards NYC. I have no idea what the status of that is now or what the chances are that they will actually move. All the activity at the station (adding RTV, adding Hot TV, adding WizeBuys, etc.) makes me believe the owners are taking the station seriously so we'll see what happens.

 

[w9wi]

WBQM-LD is a digital on channel 3. It has a permit to move to channel 50.

My information is that WBQM never received approval to go digital on channel 3. They do have an application on file to that effect. They also have approval (as you cite) to go digital on channel 50. And they do have a license to cover for an analog operation on channel 3.

_________________________________________________

WKOB has (or had) a CP to move to channel 42 and broadcast from West Orange with a directional pattern east towards NYC. I have no idea what the status of that is now or what the chances are that they will actually move. All the activity at the station (adding RTV, adding Hot TV, adding WizeBuys, etc.) makes me believe the owners are taking the station seriously so we'll see what happens.

I don't see a current permit for WKOB to go to channel 42, but they do have an application on file. Don't remember whether they had a CP in the past. (I do have a vague recollection)

 

[tripinva]

My information is that WBQM never received approval to go digital on channel 3. They do have an application on file to that effect. They also have approval (as you cite) to go digital on channel 50. And they do have a license to cover for an analog operation on channel 3.

It's digital, and has been for years. It was digital before LPs were allowed to go digital, under STA. Latest STA extension is here and was granted two days ago: http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...3712&Service=LD&Form_id=911&Facility_id=22797

SiliconDust; it's the 3-1 UNKNOWN at the bottom: http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineup_web/US:11101#lineup_4829809

- Trip

 

[NYC viewer]

I suspect what you actually have is an interference issue involving something other than a transmitter. A light of some kind, most likely.

Thanks, never did think about that as I have heard from others regarding reception problems re WKOB and there were no changes made in my home at the time the signal was lost, nor were my neighbors at home during those same periods. At this point I am suspecting a street light -- even though it is not anywhere near the TV. If that is the case, is there any type of filter to resolve the issue?

Also, has anyone seen the ads they have been airing re "Save Free TV?" There is a version of what they are using on youtube regarding the NAB ad campaign that played in movie theatres in the mid 1970's regarding pay tv/cable tv charging for what was free over the air. Seems as if they are trying to get WKOB carried by the local cable companies and are also trying to get new sponsors (I have seen a few new ads on 42.3 and .4).

 

[NYC viewer]

I noticed over the last few days that right after the WKOB signal fades out is exactly when the street lights start to flicker on. I am convinced that is no coincidence and that the streetlights must be creating enough interference to make their weak signal unwatchable.

I have heard that WKOB is working on something to improve their signal. Have heard that they have applied for a channel change to 42, and that was accepted by the FCC, but have not heard anything further. I really enjoy the retro/historical programming and look forward to the possibility of seeing more.

I have also heard that WKOB does not have plans to pick up the soon to launch PbJ network, though many of those cartoons can be seen as filler on Saturday mornings on 42.3. Have also noticed that "TUFF TV" is still part of their PSIP on 42.4 and someone also mentioned that, TUFF TV's audio may still be heard for a second or two right after the HOT TV logo appears at the top and bottom of each hour.

There's supposed to be a low-power analog station operating on 3, from the same site as WKOB. But it's authorized for 24/7 operation as well (and I'd be surprised if it isn't operating 24/7) so if it's interfering with WKOB it should interfere all the time.

I suspect what you actually have is an interference issue involving something other than a transmitter. A light of some kind, most likely.

The dial is pretty well-packed in the NYC area. It's going to be a challenge to find any higher channel.

 

[NYC viewer]

I've noticed that WXNY 32, WNYX 35 and WNXY 43 have all disappeared after airing nothing but color bars for many weeks or months. Anyone know what's happened or if they plan to carry any programming at all?

I have read that the MeTV network has teamed up with MGM (which placed "this TV" on 11.3) to find affiliates. Would really like to see their vintage programs. Yes, there is Antenna TV, but I dislike all of the preemptions by PIX to insert repeats of newscasts. We also have WKOB's RTV and HOT, but reception is just not possible at night.

I've also noticed another low power station on channels 12.1 to 12.3 carrying the ION/qubo/ION Life networks.

 

[ansky212]

I have read that the MeTV network has teamed up with MGM (which placed "this TV" on 11.3) to find affiliates. Would really like to see their vintage programs. Yes, there is Antenna TV, but I dislike all of the preemptions by PIX to insert repeats of newscasts. We also have WKOB's RTV and HOT, but reception is just not possible at night.

When does WPIX insert newscasts on Antenna TV? I have never noticed that.

 

[NYC viewer]

When does WPIX insert newscasts on Antenna TV? I have never noticed that.

PIX reruns the 10 pm news at 2 am on Antenna TV, preempting the two episodes of Hazel every day of the week from 2 to 3 am. I know of many vintage sitcom fans who are particularly annoyed, especially because PIX is sloppy -- allowing the sitcom to start and sometimes minutes later cutting away to the news repeat. PIX is also inserting news updates, though only about two minutes long, during the evenings. Those are welcome, but showing us yesterday's news in place of a gem of a show is not.

I have also heard of other Antenna TV affiliates cutting away for more newscasts and even baseball coverage -- though I am not sure if that is live (or, my guess) a taped replay. I have heard that the news is a "test" by Tribune. I hope that the repeats fail, it really is annoying. I do like the updates, and I figure that will actually make people tune in to the newscast if there is a story that interests them. Just my .02 -- stepping off the soapbox now.

 

[MarcB]

FOX Connecticut does news updates on Antenna TV during commercial breaks. They don't rerun their their news on it however. They rerun their 11PM news on sister station WCCT-TV 20 at 1AM.