Phoenix TV Stations Dumping Analog on the 17th?

[landtuna]

I've seen some comments about other markets but nothing (except KPPX 51) for Phoenix. Anyone have a theory about the others?

 

[dhett]

KPPX 51 has already filed to shut off analog on 2/17.

KTVK 3, KPHO 5, KPAZ 21, KUTP 45 and KASW 61 are already operating their post-transition digital facilities. There's no reason to continue operating the analog facilities after 2/17, unless they want to run the DTV Nightlight.

KSAZ 10 already has their auxiliary transmitter set to go as the digital transmitter on 2/18 and will convert the primary transmitter once analog is shut off. I see no reason for them to delay.

KAET 8, KPNX 12, KNXV 15 and KTVW 33 are returning to their old analog channel, and KTAZ 39 is flash cutting to digital. All have plans to shut off analog on 2/17; I don't see any reason they would delay.

Another benefit to a 2/17 shutoff: unlike most of the country, this is the perfect time of year to be working on the antenna. I pity the poor person who would have to be on the tower in the middle of June.

Most likely in the state to take advantage of the delay:

• KAJB 54 Calipatria CA (Yuma/El Centro): they only received their initial construction permit last August and have already been issued an STA giving them until 8/17/2009 to construct their digital facilities.
• KNAZ 2 Flagstaff: their post-transition operation is specified for channel 2, but with the antenna trouobles they'd been having, they filed a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) asking to designate channel 22 as their post-transition channel. Given their problems, it looks as if channel 2 will not be able to handle their post-transition operations.
• KCFG 9 Flagstaff: they have an application on file to change their post-transitional digital allotment from chan-32 to chan-9, which, combined with an antenna location change, will theoretically allow them to place a rimshot signal into Phoenix.

 

[w9wi]

KPPX 51 has already filed to shut off analog on 2/17.

As of yesterday morning you can add KAET-8, KASW-61, and KTVK-3 to that list.

My list includes both stations that have filed Legal STAs that specify intent to shut off analog on 2/17, and stations which appear in the CDBS database as "LICENSED AND SILENT". I *think* what's happening is, if a station files an informal letter of notification (as opposed to an electronic application in CDBS) of intent to sign off on 2/17, that station is immediately marked in the database by Commission staff as "silent". I would guess they can't enter it as going dark at a future date, because until this came along there was no reason for a station to notify the FCC of intent to go dark at a future date. It happened in case of major technical failure - which you don't know is going to happen until it happens!

I'm not entirely sure what happens to the Analog Nightlight program now!

The only other Arizona stations to file as of yesterday morning were Tucson channels 9, 11, and 18.

 

[dhett]

KPPX 51 has already filed to shut off analog on 2/17.

As of yesterday morning you can add KAET-8, KASW-61, and KTVK-3 to that list.

My list includes both stations that have filed Legal STAs that specify intent to shut off analog on 2/17, and stations which appear in the CDBS database as "LICENSED AND SILENT". I *think* what's happening is, if a station files an informal letter of notification (as opposed to an electronic application in CDBS) of intent to sign off on 2/17, that station is immediately marked in the database by Commission staff as "silent". I would guess they can't enter it as going dark at a future date, because until this came along there was no reason for a station to notify the FCC of intent to go dark at a future date. It happened in case of major technical failure - which you don't know is going to happen until it happens!

You're correct. For each station listed as "LICENSED AND SILENT" in the CDBS Station Search, if you view their correspondence folder, you'll see a Silent Notification. For KAET, they filed on 1/16 and were marked silent as of 1/20, but KASW filed on 2/3 and was marked silent as of 2/17, so they can post a future silent date. At least they can now.

 

[landtuna]

You're correct. For each station listed as "LICENSED AND SILENT" in the CDBS Station Search, if you view their correspondence folder, you'll see a Silent Notification. For KAET, they filed on 1/16 and were marked silent as of 1/20, but KASW filed on 2/3 and was marked silent as of 2/17, so they can post a future silent date. At least they can now.

Many thanks!

 

[tripinva]

KAET and KGUN have not filed to go silent, they've reduced power. Since they're no longer making the power in their licensed facilites, they are listed as "silent" since their licensed facilities actually are silent.

KAET, for example, cut power on January 20, thus the date of the filing.

- Trip

 

[dhett]

KAET and KGUN have not filed to go silent, they've reduced power. Since they're no longer making the power in their licensed facilites, they are listed as "silent" since their licensed facilities actually are silent.

KAET, for example, cut power on January 20, thus the date of the filing.

- Trip

Nope. The first sentence of Exhibit 4 in KAET's application reads thusly:

KAET EXPECTS TO TERMINATE ANALOG TRANSMISSION ON FEBRUARY 17, 2009.

Although the January 20 date indeed reflects the date KAET reduced power, they intend to shut down on February 17.

KGUN doesn't expressly say they will shut down on February 17, but it's moot anyway. This is from a Public Notice that the FCC released on 2/5 (emphasis mine):

As a condition of the partial waiver of the early termination procedures set forth in the Third DTV Periodic Report and Order that we are granting herein, we will require stations that wish to terminate their analog signal transmission on February 17, 2009 to provide notice to the Commission, the public, and their viewers. Stations must notify the Commission no later than Monday, February 9, 2009 (11:59 p.m. EST), of their intention to terminate analog service on February 17,11 and must also update their Transition Status Reports (Form 387). In light of the short time before February 17, we find this amount of time for stations to file notifications is reasonable. As discussed infra, as a condition of the waiver discussed herein, stations that have already notified the Commission about their intention to terminate on February 17 must, nonetheless, again notify the Commission confirming their intent to terminate on that date and their performance of the required viewer notifications.

Full notice: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-6A1.pdf

Thanks to Congressional meddling, the stations will have to notify the FCC all over again, but at least we'll know by February 10 or 11 who is shutting down early.

 

[tripinva]

Nope. The first sentence of Exhibit 4 in KAET's application reads thusly:

KAET EXPECTS TO TERMINATE ANALOG TRANSMISSION ON FEBRUARY 17, 2009.

Although the January 20 date indeed reflects the date KAET reduced power, they intend to shut down on February 17.

While it is moot now, the key word is "EXPECTS." There's no "out of an abundance of caution" or anything else to imply that they would be keeping to the deadline regardless of Congressional action. It's a matter of interpretation, but I'd been erring on the side of caution with regard to stations delaying.

We'll know something more certain soon, I suppose...

- Trip

 

[newschannel]

OK, from what I read, this is what I discovered.

3TV (KTVK)- Leaning delay. (Most likely delaying, as they needed to file paperworks to continue with the original transition date by 9 Feb.)
CBS5 (KPHO)- As a part of Meredith Corporation, they have no choice. All of Meridith's stations are delaying to June.
Eight (KAET)- From a source within the station, the station will go digital-only on 1 April.
Fox10 (KSAZ)- As a part of Fox Corporation, they have no choice. All of Fox's O&Os are delaying to June.
Channel 12 (KPNX)- As a part of Gannett, they have no choice. All Gannett stations are delaying to June.
ABC15 (KNXV)- Leaning delay. (Most likely delaying, as they needed to file paperworks to continue with the original transition date by 9 Feb.)
KUTP (My45)- As a part of Fox Corporation, they have no choice. All of Fox's O&Os (as well as their MyNetwork O&Os) are delaying to June.
KPPX (Ion)- Not Delaying
KSAZ (CW6)- Leaning delay. (Most likely delaying, as they needed to file paperworks along with 3TV to continue with the original transition date by 9 Feb.)

 

[dhett]

OK, from what I read, this is what I discovered.

3TV (KTVK)- Leaning delay. (Most likely delaying, as they needed to file paperworks to continue with the original transition date by 9 Feb.)
CBS5 (KPHO)- As a part of Meredith Corporation, they have no choice. All of Meridith's stations are delaying to June.
Eight (KAET)- From a source within the station, the station will go digital-only on 1 April.
Fox10 (KSAZ)- As a part of Fox Corporation, they have no choice. All of Fox's O&Os are delaying to June.
Channel 12 (KPNX)- As a part of Gannett, they have no choice. All Gannett stations are delaying to June.
ABC15 (KNXV)- Leaning delay. (Most likely delaying, as they needed to file paperworks to continue with the original transition date by 9 Feb.)
KUTP (My45)- As a part of Fox Corporation, they have no choice. All of Fox's O&Os (as well as their MyNetwork O&Os) are delaying to June.
KPPX (Ion)- Not Delaying
KSAZ (CW6)- Leaning delay. (Most likely delaying, as they needed to file paperworks along with 3TV to continue with the original transition date by 9 Feb.)

From the FCC document, neither KTVK, KNXV nor KASW notified the FCC that they planned to continue their February 17 shutoff. As they have not provided such notification, they won't be able to shut off analog now until at least March 19. You just covered nine of the 12 full-service stations. KPAZ and KTVW did not file for early shutoff, and KTAZ has filed for early shutoff, claiming that many of their viewing audience bought convertors that lacked analog pass-thru, so they're dumping their analog signal just to stay completitive.

 

[oldiesfan6479]

For the several locals that are either flash-cutting or shutting off analog,
was it last night 02/16 at 2359 or is it tonight 02/17 at 2359?

I rescanned the DTV converter again this morning and I now also get
KVOA 4.1 Tucson and KGUN 9.1/9.2 Tucson (location: the 'Tuke).

The previously mentioned KAZT 7.1/7.2 Prescott and KTTU 18.1 Tucson
are still coming in, however there is right rabbit ear adjusting needed
for the non-locals--full length for 7 and 18, a bit shorter for 4 and 9.

 

[dhett]

Tonight. None of the Tucson stations are switching tonight. KTTU (18) had to shut off their analog due to equipment failure a couple of weeks ago, while KUVE (46) shut theirs down a couple of months ago so that they could prepare to move their digital signal to channel 46. You're in an area that, according to TV Fool, should give you the main Tucson stations.

Your 7.1/7.2 isn't Prescott's station KAZT-TV, it's KAZT-CA channel 27 here in Phoenix. It maps to 7.1/7.2 because it simulcasts the Prescott station. Once KPNX-DT goes back to channel 12, the station will move to RF channel 36, KPNX's pre-transition channel.

None of the Tucson stations are on VHF, so what you do with the "rabbit ears" shouldn't really matter, unless your UHF antenna is integrated and you don't have a separate UHF loop or bowtie antenna. Come June 13, only KGUN is going back to their VHF channel in Tucson; in Phoenix, only KAET, KSAZ and KPNX are. Once KGUN goes back to channel 9, you should be able to pick up KFPH-CA 35 analog, which is getting overrun by KGUN-DT right now. (Not necessarily that you'd want to though.)

 

[dhett]

Early results:

KTAZ shut off its analog signal on channel 39 and had its digital signal on 39.1 up and running by 10:30 PM last night.

KPPX shut down about 12:01 a.m., right after giving legal ID and starting a new program, which cut off after about 30-45 seconds. As of 9:30 a.m., they still weren't back up.

 

[powergate92]

Early results:

KTAZ shut off its analog signal on channel 39 and had its digital signal on 39.1 up and running by 10:30 PM last night.

KPPX shut down about 12:01 a.m., right after giving legal ID and starting a new program, which cut off after about 30-45 seconds. As of 9:30 a.m., they still weren't back up.

KTAZ shut off its analog signal at 12:00pm and turned on its digital signal about 30 seconds after.

KPPX is back up now.

 

[oldiesfan6479]

A re-scan of the DTV converter today added KTAZ 39.1, plus
KMSB 11.1 Tucson, to my viewing pleasure in the 'Tuke.

Still unsuccessful in getting 13.

Don't really care about 6. I wonder if I could trade 8 for 13?

Attention, DTV converter-ites: willing to trade 8.1/8.2/8.3/8.4,
or 33.1/33.2/39.1, in a package deal for 13.1. Yeah, I know it
doesn't work that way, but since I only have "fake" digital TV
I doubt if I qualify as one of KAET's "selected homes."

 

[landtuna]

Attention, DTV converter-ites: willing to trade 8.1/8.2/8.3/8.4,
or 33.1/33.2/39.1, in a package deal for 13.1.

Wouldn't 13 simply be a channel 5 redux?

 

[oldiesfan6479]

Wouldn't 13 simply be a channel 5 redux?

Not always.

Having 4, 9, 11, 13 along with 5, 10, 12, 15 is good when the PHX station
preempts for an infomercial, pay-for-pray, local special program, etc.
Of course the TUS stations may do the same thing.

There's the rare case where one affil airs something at a different time.
(I guess if you're a TPIR fan, you can watch it twice, back-to-back.)

But the main luxury of having both markets' affils is during NFL season--
I believe TUS always gets three games, even when PHX only gets two,
on weeks where the Cardinals are at home but on the "wrong" network.
This assumes sellouts which should be a given again next fall. (If there
is a blackout, it affects both markets.)

 

[dhett]

But the main luxury of having both markets' affils is during NFL season--
I believe TUS always gets three games, even when PHX only gets two,
on weeks where the Cardinals are at home but on the "wrong" network.
This assumes sellouts which should be a given again next fall. (If there
is a blackout, it affects both markets.)

You are correct.

 

[dhett]

KPPX is back up now.

Then it was sometime between 2:15pm, when I had access to a TV on my lunch break, and 5:15pm, when you posted this. I'll bet some engineers are exhausted tonight.

 

[desertskies]

After reading this thread, out of curiosity, I re-scanned my HDTV.
Initially, I could not get KNXV 15.1 or 15.2 with rabbit ears.
Fortunately, I can get them now.
However, still no luck pulling in AZ-TV HD OTA.
I must rely on my Dish Net receiver to get them, but not in HD.

I am on the north side around 35th Ave and Greenway.
Any suggestions?