VHF Dominiated Cities

[tripinva]

This reminds me of something I've always wondered about: Why was VHF 3 never assigned in the Pacific Northwest?

Well, if you'll look at this here, it's the original 1952 FCC table of allocations:

http://www.w9wi.com/images/1952allotments5.jpg

(Thanks W9WI!)

Note that channel 3 is not assigned to Bend as it is today, but to Salem. Being in Salem meant that channel 3 would not be available for use in Seattle. And with channel 2 being assigned to Victoria, I doubt anyone wanted to step on its toes with a channel 3 up that way.

- Trip

 

[KML0224]

How can 3 analogs be side-to-side like that ?

 

[tripinva]

Referring to the Norfolk situation?

WUND-2 and WSKY-4 analog were both about 70 miles south of Norfolk (where WTKR-3 is). WSKY-TV was right on the coast near Manteo to be spaced far enough from WUNC in Chapel Hill. WUND is near Columbia, where their city-of-license used to be (it's now Edenton).

I say "was" and "were" because WSKY analog has been silent for a while. They're operating their digital on channel 4 from a tower near the WPYA-FM tower right on the VA/NC border, on the NC side across from Chesapeake. WSKY-DT 4 will be moving to channel 9 next year.

- Trip

 

[Morgan Wick]

Why does Honolulu have no 7?

 

[only1moore]

Why does Honolulu have no 7?

They would have to reassign channel 7 from Wailuku, Maui, to make that happen.

 

[mbatchelor]

What about Saint Louis? 2 (FOX), 4 (CBS), 5 (NBC), 9 (PBS) and 11 (CW).

You could also add RTN Affiliate WPXS 13 Mt. Vernon, IL which is considered part of the DMA, and its OTA signal is seen in the St.L Metro East.

 

[KML0224]

Yes, the former WCEE-TV, back in their independent days. I believe the Western Illinois Edition of TV Guide (or was it the Evansville/Paduch Edition ?) used to list them as well.

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

Yes, the former WCEE-TV, back in their independent days. I believe the Western Illinois Edition of TV Guide (or was it the Evansville/Paduch Edition ?) used to list them as well.

Actually, it was the Eastern Illinois edition of TVG (not the Western Illinois one) that also used to give listings for the old WCEE-TV (but the channel did disappear from that edition's listings by 1999, IIRC). The Western Illinois edition was the primary edition for the Quad Cities, Quincy, and Peoria/Bloomington stations, plus those from Springfield (but none of the latter market's Decatur or Champaign stations were in that edition). KPLR was the only St. Louis market station listed in that edition (grouped with the cable stations).

 

[Markxxx]

As an aside the biggest all UHF markets (not counting low-power) are

55) Fresno
63) Lexington
88) South Bend
102) Youngstown
104) Fort Wayne

Of course there are a lot of other markets with just one VHF station

 

[KML0224]

What about Springfield, MA?

WWLP-TV (NBC) channel 22
WGGB-TV (ABC) channel 40
WGBY-TV (PBS) channel 57

 

[RonM]

As an aside the biggest all UHF markets (not counting low-power) are

55) Fresno
63) Lexington
88) South Bend
102) Youngstown
104) Fort Wayne

Of course there are a lot of other markets with just one VHF station

Don't forget Huntsville, #83:

15 (CW)
19 (CBS)
25 (PBS)
31 (ABC)
48 (NBC)
54 (Fox)

Only VHF is WTZT-CA (11) in Athens with a whopping 2KW!

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

As an aside the biggest all UHF markets (not counting low-power) are

55) Fresno
63) Lexington
88) South Bend
102) Youngstown
104) Fort Wayne

Of course there are a lot of other markets with just one VHF station

Don't forget Huntsville, #83:

15 (CW)
19 (CBS)
25 (PBS)
31 (ABC)
48 (NBC)
54 (Fox)

Only VHF is WTZT-CA (11) in Athens with a whopping 2KW!

I know Peoria-Bloomington is down at #117, but here's their lineup:

19-WHOI (ABC) (their subchannel has CW)
25-WEEK (NBC)
31-WMBD (CBS)
43-WYZZ (Fox)
47-WTVP (PBS)
59-WAOE (My)

Also the north half of the Peoria market (generally along and north of I-74) with a good antenna can also pick up TBN from WWTO-35 in LaSalle and/or its translators in Peoria and Bloomington (among many other translators they have in northern Illinois relaying 35's programming--including those in Rockford, Elgin, Sterling, and Galesburg). (Despite LaSalle being in the Chicago market, the original channel 35 allocation to that city was as a translator, WEEQ, for WEEK in Peoria back from 1957 into at least 1964 after WEEK moved from channel 43 to 25 and boosted their power).

Interestingly, the Grade B contours of the Quad Cities stations reach Peoria (which has traditionally been VHF-dominated until the '80s), so you can also get fair to decent reception of those stations in parts of the Peoria market, particularly in Stark and rural Peoria counties (even on rabbit ears).

 

[fortmill]

As an aside the biggest all UHF markets (not counting low-power) are

55) Fresno
63) Lexington
88) South Bend
102) Youngstown
104) Fort Wayne

Of course there are a lot of other markets with just one VHF station

Actually, Scranton/Wilkes Barre PA (DMA 54) is the largest all UHF market. Charlottesville VA (about 180) is the smallest all UHF market with a full complement of stations (6 major nets). Also all UHF, Bakersfield CA, Yakima WA(just realized, I think Fox is VHF), Salisbury MD, Lima OH, Parkersburg WV and Zanesville OH (both one station markets) I'm sure there are others.

 

[Markxxx]

Actually, Scranton/Wilkes Barre PA (DMA 54) is the largest all UHF market. Charlottesville VA (about 180) is the smallest all UHF market with a full complement of stations (6 major nets). Also all UHF, Bakersfield CA, Yakima WA(just realized, I think Fox is VHF), Salisbury MD, Lima OH, Parkersburg WV and Zanesville OH (both one station markets) I'm sure there are others.
[/quote]

Thankss for the catch

 

[HoustonListener]

What will be the largest market without any VHF after the digital transition?

And will there be any "VHF dominated cities" anymore after transition?

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

What will be the largest market without any VHF after the digital transition?

And will there be any "VHF dominated cities" anymore after transition?

I don't have time now to check other markets, but the largest market that will lack VHF after the transition that I know of will be St. Louis:

DTV 14: KNLC (analog 24) (Ind./religious)
DTV 21: WPXS (analog 13, licensed to Mount Vernon, IL) (Ind.)
DTV 24: KMOV (analog 4) (CBS)
DTV 26: KPLR (analog 11) (CW)
DTV 31: KDNL (analog 30) (ABC)
DTV 35: KSDK (analog 5) (NBC)
DTV 39: KETC (analog 9) (PBS)
DTV 43: KTVI (analog 2) (Fox)
DTV 47: WRBU (analog 46, licensed to East St. Louis) (My)

 

[fortmill]

I guess Las Vegas will be VHF dominant after the transition, if things don't change. Almost all the major stations will be on VHF. For all purposes, Charlotte will be ALMOST all UHF. Onlly PBS WTVI/42 will be on VHF--at 2.4kw/channel 11 and the only digital channel which presently doesn't cover the entire metro quite well. I guess WTVI has written off their OTA audience, but at least there are two other PBS stations...

Charlotte after the transition

11-WTVI PBS
15-WNSC PBS
22-WCNC NBC
23-WBTV CBS
27-WCCB FOX
34-WSOC ABC
39-WMYT MY
44-WUNG PBS
47-WJZY CW
50-WAXN ind

 

[mjlarochelle]

Portland, Vancouver (2,6,8,10,12)

Vancouver only technically has Channels 2 and 8. Channel 6 is Victoria, Channel 12 is Bellingham, WA, and although Channel 10 is licensed to Vancouver, that allocation was originally for Victoria and the transmitter for CKVU is closer to Victoria than Vancouver.

 

[Charles1]

Portland, Vancouver (2,6,8,10,12)

Vancouver only technically has Channels 2 and 8. Channel 6 is Victoria, Channel 12 is Bellingham, WA, and although Channel 10 is licensed to Vancouver, that allocation was originally for Victoria and the transmitter for CKVU is closer to Victoria than Vancouver.

I think they meant Vancouver, WA, not Vancouver, BC.

 

[Morgan Wick]

Portland, Vancouver (2,6,8,10,12)

Vancouver only technically has Channels 2 and 8. Channel 6 is Victoria, Channel 12 is Bellingham, WA, and although Channel 10 is licensed to Vancouver, that allocation was originally for Victoria and the transmitter for CKVU is closer to Victoria than Vancouver.

I think they meant Vancouver, WA, not Vancouver, BC.

Vancouver, WA isn't its own market, unlike all the others on the list. On the other hand, Vancouver, BC is Canadian, unlike all the others on the list. So it doesn't make any sense either way.