By May 1, 1999, all stations in the top 10 markets affiliated with the major networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC) were required to be broadcasting a digital signal. All ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC affiliates in the top 30 markets were required to have their digital signals on the air (though most filed for extensions). All other commercial stations, including independent stations and UPN, WB, and Paxnet affiliates, have until May 1, 2002, to begin digital transmissions. Well folks, the day is here. HDTV for the masses, right?? So, who's local OTA broadcasters have acutally met the deadline? Locally here in Knoxville, TN, I believe our NBC affiliate began broadcasting a digital signal today. Foolish me I am dishing out the $$$$ for the set top box just to get one channel in HD. I am hoping the other channels around here will follow suit. Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised and find they are setup and running in digital today, too- but I am have not heard as such. I figured since I spend $3k on a HD rear projection set and 1.5k on an HD compatible front projector, I might as well go ahead and dish out an extra few hundred so I can see my one channel. Cheers Andrew B.
Here in Richmond, VA, all stations except NBC have filed for an FCC extension and won't broadcast in digital until the late part of this year - at least. That sucks big time!
Here in Vegas we have CBS, PBS (which is the best one yet, just a constant HDTV demo), and as of today, ABC. WB was supposed to go HD today but they got an extension. Expecting NBC in June and Fox (I won't hold my breath) in October. When I first got my STB we only had CBS for the longest time but it seems to finally be coming together, at least here in Sin City.
It seems in the DFW, TX area the problem is HD content. ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, UPN, et al have had digital channels up for some time but CBS seems to be the only one with more than just token content.
So far...only CBS is transmitting here . But, hopefully, competition will bolster the others efforts to step up to the plate. Bruce
In Evansville, IN, not one of your larger markets, the ABC affiliate has been online since last November, the WB/UPN affiliate is scheduled to go online today, and the NBC affiliate has its DTV tower up and confirms that it will go online in mid-May. Unfortunately, no indication from the local CBS affiliate about HD. I complained for a long time about the lack of HD here (I've had an HDTV for about 3 years), but considering that a number of larger markets are still doing without, I feel lucky to have what we do.
Here is Seattle, we have: ABC (HD) NBC (HD) CBS (HD) PBS (HD + 1 channel 480P) FOX (480P) WB (480P, but supposed to be HD in the near future) 7 Digital channels is well worth the $600 price of entry for a STB and antenna.
Fresno, CA. ABC has been up since April of 01. Every other local has applied for an extension. PBS, which is pioneering HD everywhere else is not going to be up until May of 03. They still run Lawrence Welk reruns on Saturday night here in the armpit of CA. Next time our local PBS station does a pledge drive I'm gonna call them and say "not one dime from me until you get your HD up and running and dump Lawrence Welk!!" I do get HBOHD, HDNet, and as of last night Showtime HD off DirecTV, for a total of 4 channels.
here in Philly NBC-HD ABC-HD CBS-HD FOX- 480p WB- Nothing, probably filed an extension UPN- Nothing, probably filed an extension Smattering of other stations-yeah right probably filed an extension
New York City, Unfortunatly most Digital Broadcasts came from the antenna on top of the WTC. I believe thier working on moving the signals elsewhere
ABC 24KGO-DT SAN FRANCISCO CA CBS 29KPIX-DT SAN FRANCISCO CA FOX 56KTVU-DT OAKLAND CA IND 52KICU-DT SAN JOSE CA IND 57KRON-DTS SAN FRANCISCO CA PBS 30KQED-DT SAN FRANCISCO CA TEL 49KSTS-DT SAN JOSE CA UPN 45KBHK-DT SAN FRANCISCO CA WB 19KBWB-DT SAN FRANCISCO CA
Here in Milwaukee: CBS is going strong, and actually was up two months before this deadline. NBC has been going for a while also. Hopefully this fall there will be more than Crossing Jordan and Leno. PBS is frickin multi-casting 5 channels. Once in a while they have HD specials but never let anyone know when or what time. FOX is "pretending" they have a signal. It's listed as operational but I'll be damned if I can find their signal. ABC is COMPLETELY ignoring the FCC. They didn't get an extension, hell they didn't even get the request in on time, and to this day are not broadcasting a signal. They don't even have a permit for their tower extension. UPN is not yet and got an extension. WB is not yet and got an extension After this year, I can not wait to cancel my over-compressed locals from DirecTv! Matt
Here in atlanta, we've got the usuals: ABC NBC FOX ( ) CBS ( ) Supposedly WB, UPN, PBS, and everybodys favorite superstation (WTBS) are close, but had to file for extensions. Just think WTBS in HDTV...all the John Wayne movies you could ever want. And Van already mentioned NBC in Chattanooga, which some people in NW Atlanta can receive.
Here in Birmingham, Al. it appears that we have nothing. The local FOX station is supposed to go up later this year; haven't heard a thing from the rest of the stations.
Way up here in Rhinelander Wisconsin... we have nothing..... NO one around here knows a damn thing! Buncha hicks I tell you. But i knew we wouldnt have hd by may 1st here. (Well at least I just bought a new pro scan dvd player) Damn this looks sweet!!!!!!
