WGBH-FM ID

[amtec897]

We don't identify our HD-1 because some of our FM classical schedule repeats on our all-classical HD-2 channel and it might be confusing to those listeners.

A question for the rule making and broadcast practices folks on here. How should digital television stations identify their minor channel subdivisions? Something like WGBH-DT1 and WGBH-DT2 for 19.1/19.2 also known as virtual 2.1/2.2? I know this is a radio board but it's a similar matter with the HD identification thing.

Or maybe it isn't all that important.

Dennis Correia

Not true, Peter. See 73.1201(b)(1)...the FCC modified it a few years ago to require identifying an HD broadcast as such.

http://www.hallikainen.com/FccRules/2008/73/1201/

A radio station operating in DAB hybrid mode or extended hybrid mode shall identify its digital signal, including any free multicast audio programming streams, in a manner that appropriately alerts its audience to the fact that it is listening to a digital audio broadcast.

There is a lot of debate about exactly what this means, as AFAIK there aren't any HD Radio receivers out there that do NOT have a text display of some kind. So as long as that text display works, and you set your HD transmission to send out call letters in your PSD/PAD, then technically you have met the requirement. But this is a gamble that there will always be a text display on every single HD-capable receiver.

IANAL, but I think at a minimum WGBH's legal ID would have to be "WGBH-HD, Boston" (they don't need the -FM suffix, it's not part of their official call letters) Also legal would be "89.7FM-HD, WGBH, Boston" or "WGBH, Boston, in HD" or similar permutations. I suppose technically they could also say "WGBH-DAB, Boston" or "WGBH-IBOC, Boston" but it'd confuse the hell out of the listeners.


Also worth noting for multicast channels (i.e. HD2, HD3, etc), the rule states:
Where a multicast station is carrying the programming of another station and is identifying that station as the source of the programming, using the format described above, the identification may not include the frequency or channel number of the program source.

This isn't terribly problematic, but it does mean you have to be thorough with including the proper legal ID for both the origin station and the destination multicast channel/station.

 

[aaronread]

We don't identify our HD-1 because some of our FM classical schedule repeats on our all-classical HD-2 channel and it might be confusing to those listeners.

Well you don't have to say "WGBH HD1" on the main channel, but you do have to say something that indicates that those with HD Radio receivers are listening to a digital audio broadcast. I believe that saying "WGBH HD, Boston" would be sufficient and shouldn't confuse your listeners. Or even just saying "89.7FM WGBH, Boston, Boston's Arts and Culture station, now broadcasting in HD Radio" would likely suffice for an FCC inspector (so to speak). Especially if you could show due diligence that you say something like that on a regular basis.

As always, though, IANAL.

I thought the total bit rate in the FM-band system was only 96 kbps, which would allow 32/32/32 or 48/32/16 and maybe some other workable combinations. Isn't the total bit rate of the AM-band system 24 kbps? Or is it 32 kbps?

On regular hybrid mode, the total bitrate is 96kbps, and can be subdivided accordingly, with the smallest division being 24kbps. However, stations can run in extended hybrid mode, which puts more digital carriers closer to the center of the channel (and can, in theory, cause problems with analog subcarriers, although I've heard of stations running extended hybrid and a full SCA load with no problems). Extended hybrid gets you an extra 24kbps, but it cannot be combined with the main's 96kbps. So basically, you can add a single 24kbps HD-n channel to the rest of your load. It's nice because it lets you do "48-48 and 24", which could be very preferable for a lot of stations to run two music channels and one talk channel. (instead of "32-32-32" which makes all three channels sound noticeably poorer).

 

[w9wi]

A question for the rule making and broadcast practices folks on here. How should digital television stations identify their minor channel subdivisions? Something like WGBH-DT1 and WGBH-DT2 for 19.1/19.2 also known as virtual 2.1/2.2? I know this is a radio board but it's a similar matter with the HD identification thing.

As I understand it it's required that you run IDs on both the main and any subchannels, and that any program streams that are digital must be identified as being digital. So "WGBH-DT Boston" would be adequate for both subchannels - as it both IDs the station as WGBH-DT Boston and IDs the subchannel as a digital signal.

 

[amtec897]

Every HD radio I've seen has some sort of digital mode indication. That could be a requirement for HD radio manufacturers but I don't know that.

It makes sense for those who directly represent the licensee at any broadcast facility to make policy for station ID's or other stuff like that. These are the folks who have access to attorneys, FCC ones or otherwise, and the funds to pay them. All I care about is call/location on or about the top of the hour or as soon as practical. ID content is up to them. If they seek my advice, I always give it but otherwise and as the rules say these days..."..the licensee is responsible.." The flip side is they don't tell me what brand of tubes to use. I think that's a healthy approach. Sorry if that sounds a bit contrary.

We don't identify our HD-1 because some of our FM classical schedule repeats on our all-classical HD-2 channel and it might be confusing to those listeners.

Well you don't have to say "WGBH HD1" on the main channel, but you do have to say something that indicates that those with HD Radio receivers are listening to a digital audio broadcast. I believe that saying "WGBH HD, Boston" would be sufficient and shouldn't confuse your listeners. Or even just saying "89.7FM WGBH, Boston, Boston's Arts and Culture station, now broadcasting in HD Radio" would likely suffice for an FCC inspector (so to speak). Especially if you could show due diligence that you say something like that on a regular basis.

As always, though, IANAL.

I thought the total bit rate in the FM-band system was only 96 kbps, which would allow 32/32/32 or 48/32/16 and maybe some other workable combinations. Isn't the total bit rate of the AM-band system 24 kbps? Or is it 32 kbps?

On regular hybrid mode, the total bitrate is 96kbps, and can be subdivided accordingly, with the smallest division being 24kbps. However, stations can run in extended hybrid mode, which puts more digital carriers closer to the center of the channel (and can, in theory, cause problems with analog subcarriers, although I've heard of stations running extended hybrid and a full SCA load with no problems). Extended hybrid gets you an extra 24kbps, but it cannot be combined with the main's 96kbps. So basically, you can add a single 24kbps HD-n channel to the rest of your load. It's nice because it lets you do "48-48 and 24", which could be very preferable for a lot of stations to run two music channels and one talk channel. (instead of "32-32-32" which makes all three channels sound noticeably poorer).