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WRBJ-TV 34 sold to Trinity Broadcasting

One of the reasons I never watch 34 is because of the dark and murky picture. especially in prime time. nearly unwatchable unless you raise the brightness. It also never broadcast in widescreen or HD even though the transmitter was sending out a 720p HD signal. all programing was 4:3 or letterboxed, which showed up as windowboxed on HD sets. worse was when a letterboxed SD program was broadcast. You wound up with double letterboxing over the air which resulted in a picture so small it looked like a youtube video. again a complete a total waste of transmitter power.
 
Today, 03/13/2013, on "Behind the Scenes" it was announced by Paul Crouch's son Matthew Crouch that TBN is building a new Studio in Jackson for Channel 34. If so, they must have judged that the studio with both WRBJ-TV and 97.7 WRBJ was not suitable for what they do. It may be that TBN is waiting for the new studio to be completed before transferring operations to TBN control. This is something someone can run down who is familiar with real estate transactions as to where this new studio is to be located.

Anyone who wants to contribute to the building of the new studio can call TBN's number on the screen at where you see TBN on cable or Satellite.
 
Thanks for the update, Rich. I wondered why Trinity hadn't already started broadcasting. It appears it will be another several weeks at least before the switchover. At this point, it's starting to look like CW might finish out the current TV season in May still on WRBJ...
 
One more thing. Paul Crouch does not believe in leasing studio property but owning the studio properties outright. That means both Transmitter and Studio facilities.
 
A thought occurred to me this morning... now that WLBT has taken over operation of WDBD, WUFX, and WXMS, could it be possible that Trinity would take over the former WDBD studios on Channel 16 Way?
 
WXMS and WBMS appear to be off the air now that it is being simulcast on WDBD 40.2. Incidently, recently WDBD began inserting local commercials on 40.2 which were buggy and would come on during a show or run long causing you to miss part of the show. But if you switched over to analog 27 you could see the MeTV feed without the glitchy WDBD interuptions. WDBD also has issues with incorrect aspect radio (squish-o-vison or stretch-o-vision) and inproperly cropped video.
 
I just wish channel 40.2 (Me TV) would fix their audio. When they go from network to local spots, the audio levels drop tremendously. If I were a local advertiser, I would complain about the audio drop.
 
I want to add a new fact to this thread. I had a look at the WRBJ-TV public inspection file and I found that the license for WRBJ-TV expires June 1, 2013. With TBN building a new studio and WRBJ-TV having a license renewal approval upcoming, it would not surprise me that anytime after June 1, 2013 that the transfer be made. Also TBN shareathon is also upcoming and they are going to be looking for a few more donors to add to the money to build the new studio, among other things(TBN has quite a few irons in the fire including a new Studio in Jerusalem, Israel and an additional studio in London, UK as well as current ministry funding). Also according to the sales contract a license is to be produced by WRBJ-TV and closing is to be consummated within 6 months which by my count would be toward the end of July. So I expect the transfer to happen in the June-July time frame.
 
In the correspondence file the transfer of WRBJ-TV, Roberts Broadcasting of Mississippi has asked for a 90 day extension from the FCC to transfer operations to TBN. This was done on April 23,2013. That means that the license renewal of WRBJ-TV will be the next thing that happens. This means that between April 23 and July 23 the license should be transferred, barring any more hitches. Also, Praise-a-thon will be happening starting Sunday night at 7:00 on TBN and lasts all week. This is an opportunity to add money for Studio Construction and equipping. If you believe in TBN's ministry a contribution would much appreciated when you tune in on satellite or cable.
 
Today, May 15, 2013, WRBJ-TV's application for renewal of license was approved by the FCC. I think the next move is TBN's and I will be watching when "Behind the Scenes" comes on a little later via on demand video on itbn.org. Since they are still having some Praise-a-thon segments on TBN as many contributions for the transformation that TBN will do with Channel 34 will be much appreciated if you want Christian TV to come to Central Mississippi.
 
Channel 34 has made the changeover from CW34 to TBN. Directv has been blocked out on Channel 34. But I can get the signal off the air on my TV with a converter box. So the next move is Directv's and Dish's move. TBN has also added the subchannels to Channel 34's transmission. And just in time for TBN's 40th Anniversary celebration. Christian TV has come to Central Mississippi.
 
For right now, WRBJ 34 is still available on Dish Network. It is definitely showing Trinity on 34.1.

Now the question is which station takes over the CW affiliation in Jackson...
 
This is TBN's news release on the conversion of CW34 to TBN

NEW TBN FULL-POWER STATION SIGN-ON

Channel: 34 Station: WRBJ-TV City,State: Magee/Jackson, Mississippi

Today, May 24, 2013 WRBJ-TV, Channel 34, Magee/Jackson, MS began broadcasting the "multicast" of five TBN networks including TBN, JCTV, The Church Channel and TBN Enlace and Smile of a Child. WRBJ-TV operates with an effective radiated power of 968,000 watts. With it's antenna mounted 1,242 feet above ground, this station will easily blanket the entire Central Mississippi area including metropolitan Jackson and also encompassing such communities as Hattiesburg, Meridian and many others. The station will blanket 934,578 potential viewers with it's signal.
Click to expand...
 
Since this is an OTA change for the Jackson market, I just emailed the department at Dish Network to ask them to work with Trinity to get the PSIP codes (I think that's right) mapped in their systems so that those pulling Trinity over the air can get proper guide data on their receivers.

I worked with them before to get the guide data for 16, 35 and 40 fixed when I signed up for HD service with them back in 2009.
 
WRBJ-TV is still listed as a CW affiliate. There are 4 possibilities who will fill the Channel 34 slot on Directv until a new affiliate is chosen. WLMT in Memphis, WNOL, New Orleans, WTTO, Birmingham, or one of the National feeds for CW as Directv or they might make an exception and pull WTOK HD-3. Anyone in Forest who received CW34 can get their CW signal from WTOK HD-3. That goes for anyone else that can receive WTOK's signal that overlaps the Jackson Market
 
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