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WECP (Panama City) repack delayed

C

Ccook55

Panama City CBS affiliate WECP/channel 18 was supposed to move their digital frequency from its current 29 to 35 this month, but it has now been delayed until late December. Sister station WJHG/channel 7 (NBC) moved theirs on October 6 (RF 18 to 16) and three other Panama City stations are slated to move theirs this month but those could be delayed as well. Panama City is one of the markets in phase 1 of the repack. It is believed that the wrath of Hurricane Michael is the reason for the delay.

The other stations repacking are WPCT/ch. 46 (Tourist info, RF 47 to 33), WBIF/ch. 51 (DayStar, RF 51 to 26), and WFSG/ch. 56 (PBS, RF 38 to 28).
 
Still can't understand why PCB & Dothan can't act like one market. They had no problem doing so in the analog age.

G
 
Forty-five years ago it could have been conceivable as Panama City and Dothan each had two stations (7 and 13 in P.C., 4 and 18 in Dothan). Now that each market is fully served by their own Big Four, the CW, MNTV and PBS, melding into one market just couldn't be done. In the 90s, WTVY/ch. 4 took out advertising on the big lighted sign outside Miracle Strip Amusement Park reading "WTVY is CBS for the Emerald Coast."
 
It now appears WECP will stay on RF 29. The FCC database no longer shows construction permit particulars for RF 35 and there hasn't been anything on WECP's website alerting viewers to rescan their TVs. Rabbit Ears still shows the move along with links to their application for it.
 
They have to move as they will cause too much interference...Interference caused to WFSG Repack Ch. 28 Panama City FL
Interference caused to WFBD Repack Ch. 29 Destin FL

it will be 2.37% interference to WFSG and 1.99 to WFBD. Has to be .5 or less

They modified their CP as of 6/14/19 to use a different antenna pattern
https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/d...&id=25076ff36a4c4d70016a5a17bd6009f2&goBack=N
and the document
https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076ff36a4c4d70016a5a4703c20ad7
 
I had seen that. Also noted that WECP's coverage would have a 2.2 mile reduction in its radius. Their Wikipedia page doesn't reflect the pending change (but we all know how dependable Wikipedia is...;) ). Is there any word on when the change will take place?
 
Last edited:
Question answered. WECP repacked to RF 35 on August 21.
 
If I'm not mistaken, I think channel 4 of Dothan has their transmitter in Florida. :confused:

I think their's common ownership of a station in each market by the same company already. (4 Dothan and 7 Panama City?)
 
KML-224 said:
If I'm not mistaken, I think channel 4 of Dothan has their transmitter in Florida. :confused:
Click to expand...
correct

I think their's common ownership of a station in each market by the same company already. (4 Dothan and 7 Panama City?)
Click to expand...

Gray has a duopoly in each market
Dothan WTVY (CBS) and WRGX-LD (NBC & CW+)
Panama City WJHG (NBC & CW+) and WECP-LD (CBS)
 
The article was updated on the 28th but it clearly states the move was made on the 21st.
 
no it was done the 28th at least how I read it...reason is on the 21st they mention only the SD version available on 7.3

On August 21st, WECP will be making some changes in order to move to a new channel.

What does this mean to you?

Nothing will change if you view WECP through most cable systems. However, if you use an over-the-air antenna or digital converter box, then it will be necessary for you to watch WECP via 7.3, which is a standard definition version of WECP's CBS high definition program stream.

Dish Network and DirecTV subscribers will also air a standard definition version of CBS programming throughout the project's completion.

Construction and relocation should take no more than seven to ten days. Once the project is complete, simply rescan your device and all streams associated with WECP will be restored to the new channel.

The 28th update
The WECP displacement is complete. WECP is now available in HD over the air on Ch. 35. If you receive the WECP signal over the air, you will need to rescan your receiver or set in order to get WECP on its new channel.
 
Sounds like they did it in a roundabout way...instead of being low powered (or lower power) for a week on a temporary antenna, they just referred everyone to their SD simulcast while they changed antennas.
 
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