Q Channel 13 stopped running its regular programs and put on an infomercial, with an advisory that I need to turn to an HD channel if I want to see the regularly scheduled program. Why? I don’t have an HD television, nor do I have access to HD.
A The switch apparently is connected to a major change coming to television broadcasting on Feb. 17, 2009, as well as the need for advertising dollars to pay expenses.
Jim Ogle, WIBW’s general manager, said that all television stations will have to turn off their old transmitters on that date.
“Only our digital transmitters will continue,” Ogle said. “That means that many people who have older television must get a converter box if they want to continue to watch over-the-air television.”
Ogle said that because of the government-mandated change, the government is giving away a limited number of coupons to cover the cost of the basic converter box. Coupons may be had by calling (888) 388-2009, he said.
Another option for HD access is through the local cable company, if available.
WIBW now broadcasts on two channels.
“One is the CBS affiliate people in this area have watched since 1954,” Ogle said. “The other is our MyNetwork affiliate that’s only been on the air a bit more than a year.”
Viewers with the converter boxes will be able to see the old Channel 13 shows now in HD on MyNetwork channel.
Ogle said that two of television’s biggest advertising groups, auto dealers and home appliance and furnishings dealers, have scaled back their advertising significantly.
“Even though we remain watched by more people than all the other Topeka stations, ratings don’t mean anything if advertisers aren’t buying,” Ogle said.
“I didn’t want to be in a position of having to cut staff positions. Infomercial companies are willing to pay more for the 9 a.m. time period Monday through Friday than advertisers are willing” to pay.
Therefore, Ogle moved “People’s Court” to the MyNetwork channel during the time period, and sold that time period on Channel 13 to infomercial producers.
F Readers who have questions of local interest may send them to Because You Asked, in care of The Gazette, Drawer C, Emporia KS 66801. Questions need to be signed, but names will not be revealed.
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Posted by Shawna (anonymous) on May 1, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This analog-to-digital conversion topic is quite confusing and unfortunately the truth does not always prevail.
What the FCC rules state is that the broadcaster (channel 13 in this case) has to switch to digital (not HD -- HD is extra icing on the cake) by February 2009. It sounds like they are choosing to operate both their original analog signal, as well as their digital signal until February. In order to watch the good programming the viewer must tune to the digital signal.
The viewer does NOT need to have an HD TV to watch the digital channel 13. HD does offer a superior picture and sports are amazing in HD.
I wonder if this viewer has an antenna or a cable subscription?
A cable subscriber would simply need to rent a digital cable box, then all their problems would be solved.
Any satellite subscribers already have a digital satellite receiver, and they are receiving digital channels, even the local channels are coming through as digital.
Antenna users will need that converter box, and there are two coupons available per household. www.dtv2009.gov is the link for that program. They may also need to upgrade their antenna, but professional audio video advice should be sought -- this professional AV advice does NOT come from a super store sales person.
What I'm finding is that cable companies are taking advantage of this issue and are finding ways to raise revenues. In Lawrence, on June 1, the cable company is switching most of it's analog line-up to digital, and is only leaving 26 analog channels (the most popular ones). This is due to the conversion (which is still 8.5 months away). Subscribers will be forced to rent a digital box to watch most programming. And the cable company gets more money.
And the Lawrence cable company will still be offering the analog signal AFTER February 2009, as a convenience.
So this conversion date is NOT a dooms day event. Many people have plenty of time to deal with it. A new TV is not the answer, but may be nice, however, additional cable subscription and their rental equipment (digital box) will solve the issue.
Posted by create (anonymous) on May 1, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shawna, What you say about raising revenue is not true. What you say about regular cable subscribers needing to rent a box is not true. I just spoke to Cable One, and their manager will set all this straight in a few days. I believe I'll just wait until I hear it from him firsthand.
Posted by Shawna (anonymous) on May 2, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For a cable subscriber, when the digital-to-analog conversion arrives, analog TVs will need a digital cable box to convert the digital signal to an analog signal for the picture to display on their TV.
UNLESS the cable provider chooses to send an analog signal, which may be quite limited to just a handful of channels. This is what will be happening in Lawrence after February 2009. The cable companies do not want to look like the bad guy, there may be people out there who want the most basic TV subscription, and for $20 the cable company will let them have their 20+ analog channels.
This rental box concept is also true of a cable subscriber that wants to receive the HD tier, they must rent an HD cable box (or HD Cable Card) and connect that HD box (card) to their HD TV to receive those HD channels. The cable company will then send them the special HD signal which their HD cable box will process and organize then send onto their HD TV.
You have to remember that these cable boxes are essentially computers which process the data the cable company sends to the house. The data is processed and organized by the cable box and is then sent to the TV.
This may only be happening in Lawrence, although I highly doubt it, but...The cable companies are for-profit companies and moving channels from their analog line-up to their digital line-up is a strategic move which translates to additional services and rental equipment the subscriber pays for. If a subscriber must have the Sci-Fi channel, and the only way to receive it is to rent a box, and pay for the digital tier than that subscriber will add those services to their account. It may only add $10 to their monthly bill, but that is $10 more than they were paying before the cable company changed their line-up. And that increases the revenues for that cable company.
This is the truth. Good luck with Cable One, I hope you receive the information you are looking for. They may have a different plan than Sunflower Cable in Lawrence.
Posted by neighbor (anonymous) on May 2, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We contacted the toll free number in reference to the government coupons for the convertors. We have one tv on satellite and three other TVs on an antenna to watch local broadcasts. We were told we did qualify for the coupons because we have the satellite TV service. The coupons are only available if you have no cable or sat. service at all.
I have the choice of buying three convertors, three newer TV's, dumping my satellite service to get two free coupons and buying one other convertor, or doing without the local channels. It's not about generating revenue?
Posted by Weltha (anonymous) on May 2, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another choice for ya neighbor is add the locals to your sat. subscription. If you are in or around Emporia you can go that route. We have them and are East of town about 10 miles. They worked last night during the storm up until the darn thing was right on top of us for 10min. Then they came back on. Not being a smarty pants just making a suggestion.
Posted by create (anonymous) on May 2, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the information, Shawna. We'll see what happens locally with Cable One. One nice thing for me is that before long, I'll be needing a new TV anyway.
Posted by neighbor (anonymous) on May 2, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Remembered that option after posting earlier Weltha. The service we have charged extra for the locals when we got it. They sent us notice that local channels were free, IF we upgraded our system and re-signed a service contract, that's not going to happen. We looked into getting a multi-room system, again, additional equipment, fees, and expenses. We looked into switching to the other Sat systems, again we would have had equipment purchases, new fees, and signing a contract we haven't had for 12yrs with current service. Nope, not many good options out there. I won't have to wait long though, the convertors will drop in price quick and other options will become available after the initial switch.
Posted by Shawna (anonymous) on May 2, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Neighbor, I was actually surprised to hear that you were denied converter box coupons. I put in a call to the program and was told that they'll get back to me about why people are being denied, but the representative said that AFTER the initial 22 million coupons have been sent out that the government will be more selective about who qualifies for the coupon. He indicated that not all the 22 million coupons have been sent out and will be researching the denial of coupons.
My advice is to call back, and try to kindly reason with the representative or speak to a supervisor to see if you can indeed qualify for the coupon. It does not make sense to deny someone because they have satellite for one TV, because there is no reason why your other TVs should be left to rot in their dust.
Another thought about your satellite service, buying a used satellite receiver may be a worthwhile solution. Although there may be the issue of a satellite receiver being too old and outdated for their system-- so that is something to be aware of. Perhaps a call to your satellite company about which receiver models work with their system would be worth your time.
This conversion is bound to become more frustrating as people try to evaluate their current situation and try to make the best choices for the changes they need to make.
Posted by Weltha (anonymous) on May 2, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have 2 used Directv units that are free and clear. They have only out of service for a month that I have gone to dish. Better deal. cheep! I don't need them.
Posted by blulitespecial (anonymous) on May 3, 2008 at 2:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's the real reason for the change-"the need for advertising dollars to pay expenses."
Infommercials pay upfront,soaps don't.It's the money.If the regular programming paid,it would be there! Channel 13 is trying to stay afloat.
Posted by neighbor (anonymous) on May 3, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Our Sat service is Direct TV Weltha, may be interested, dish, receivers and remotes?
Posted by Weltha (anonymous) on May 11, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
neighbor sorry for the delay. I forgot about this thread. I tryed to contact you but it said message failed. So if you see this contact me at tigger68iou1@hotmail.com
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