I believe that the Motorola Dvr is not a OTA compatable. I wonder when the contract between Ketv and Cox expires?

According to The Reader's Media Notes (http://thereadersmedianotes.blogspot.com/2006/09/deadline-is-oct-1-for-cox-and-ketvto.html) , the deadline is October 1st.

According to The Reader's Media Notes (http://thereadersmedianotes.blogspot.com/2006/09/deadline-is-oct-1-for-cox-and-ketvto.html) , the deadline is October 1st.Here is the complete press release from KETV:

Contact: At KETV-TV/DT:
Joel Vilmenay
President / General Manager
(402) 660-0794
jvilmenay@hearst.com

At Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.:
Thomas W. Campo
(212) 887-6827
tcampo@hearst.com


KETV-TV’S DIGITAL SIGNAL CARRIAGE MAY BE DISCONTINUED ON
COX SYSTEM


Omaha, NE, September 5, 2006 – KETV-TV Channel 7 and KETV-DT Channel 20, among Omaha’s leading analog and digital television stations, respectively, today announced that the digital high definition signal of KETV-DT may no longer be carried on Cox cable television systems effective October 1, 2006, if the parties are unable to conclude retransmission-consent negotiations currently underway.

The removal of the station’s digital signals from the Cox system will only result if negotiations between representatives of Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc., KETV’s parent company, and Cox are unsuccessful in reaching a conclusion before October 1, 2006. Hearst-Argyle is seeking fair and reasonable terms from Cox in return for allowing Cox to carry KETV-DT’s programming and charge its subscribers for that programming. So as not to inconvenience a large number of its viewers, Hearst-Argyle currently anticipates that it will allow Cox to continue to retransmit KETV-TV’s primary analog signal while the companies continue to work in good faith toward a resolution of retransmission consent terms. Hearst-Argyle will decline to permit Cox, however, also to carry KETV-DT’s valuable high-definition digital programming if Cox refuses to complete a long-term contract governing the carriage of it.

“We’re greatly disappointed that Cox has yet to arrive at a mutually satisfactory solution,” said Joel Vilmenay, KETV-TV/DT president and general manager. “Our station is a leader in our market and we’ve made substantial investments to bring our viewers high definition digital programming. Cox has been actively promoting to current and prospective subscribers the addition of our digital channel to its lineup, and charging its subscribers a premium for our high-definition signals. We’re certainly supportive of their adding and promoting our high-definition programming. But they won’t come to terms with us on providing fair consideration for that right. To allow any re-distributor of our station’s digital signal to benefit economically from our efforts without providing us a reasonable contract for that right would be unacceptable for us.”

“We sincerely hope we and Cox can conclude our negotiations before October 1 so as not to deprive any of our respective viewers and customers of high definition programming,” Vilmenay added.

Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. owns 26 television stations, and manages an additional three television and two radio stations, in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The Company’s television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of the largest U.S. television station groups. Hearst-Argyle owns 12 ABC affiliated stations, and manages an additional ABC station owned by Hearst Corporation, and is the largest ABC affiliate group. The Company owns 10 NBC affiliates, and is the second-largest NBC affiliate owner, and also owns two CBS affiliates.

Hearst-Argyle’s stations are recognized news leaders. The station group has been honored with three consecutive Walter Cronkite Awards, presented by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication, for excellence in television political journalism, and is the only group to have received the award since its inception. Hearst-Argyle stations also are the recipients of many of television’s other highest awards for excellence in journalism, programming and community service, including the Peabody, the du Pont- Columbia Journalism Award, the Sigma Delta Chi Award, the Gabriel, the Ad Council Silver Bell, the National Headliner Award, the Edward R. Murrow Award and the EMMY.

Hearst-Argyle also is a leader in the convergence of local broadcast television and the Internet through its partnership with Internet Broadcasting Systems, and in the application of digital broadcast spectrum for new local informational services through its Weather Plus partnership with NBC and various NBC affiliate groups.

Hearst-Argyle is majority owned by Hearst Corporation. Hearst-Argyle Series A Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HTV.” HTV debt is rated investment grade by Moody’s (Baa3), Standard & Poor’s (BBB-) and Fitch (BBB-), each with a stable outlook. The company’s Web address is www.hearstargyle.com.

i'm glad there are only two things i will even bother watching on ketv this fall: "lost" and "the nine" (the latter of which i might not even bother with unless the first few episodes hook me). i'll probably be watching most of the saturday night football games, too, but thank god espn took over "monday night football."

Alright well im new to these forums. I'm looking to see what Digital/HD is being offered around the area. Its not easy, or am i gona do it to read all 142 pages of posts. So could somone please bring me up to date? via post or pm :) Im in Malcolm,Ne just 15 miles NW of lincoln with Galaxy cable. It sucks :) But we have a 4:3 HDTV and i wanted to see what there was for free over the air channnels. I think it's 10/11,8,7 and what else?

Anyway help fill me in as i read

http://www.schaeferstv.com/updates/Digital_TV_Stations/digitalstationsupdate.htm

You should be able to get everything except KYNE, KGIN and KHAS. KLKN could be tough until they go full power. Keep reading.

Check out the map at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6445627#post6445627

I have a suggestion for Ketv: show the Iowa vs Syacuse game on Ketv and show the Washington vs Oklahoma game on Ketv-hd, this game is in Hd.

possible new dvr and remote

http://www.cox.com/omaha/pricing.pdf

I just looked at our september bill and it had the above website that has a picture of a dvr and new remote different from the one we use now.

ajwees41


Omaha isn't getting them. It was a pamphlet that corprate sends out not the local cox.

ajwees41

Anyone have any idea as to when the passport upgrades will be rolled out here in Omaha for Cox customers.

Anyone have any idea as to when the passport upgrades will be rolled out here in Omaha for Cox customers.

Today I got an email that says it is looking like the Passport Echo update and ITV are comming in October. Along with the price increases.

ajwees41

It's obvious to me that KETV has a valid gripe with cox.

Cox has always been two faced when it comes to contracts with our locals, this lastest installment doesn't surprise me in the least. I dumped them years ago... :eek:

It's obvious to me that KETV has a valid gripe with cox.

Cox has always been two faced when it comes to contracts with our locals, this lastest installment doesn't surprise me in the least. I dumped them years ago... :eek:


What makes you say that?

Cox didn't carry KMTVHD for awhile since Emmis (former owners of KMTV) want a large amount of money to let cox carry it, but after the new owners took over KMTVHD was back on cox 805.




ajwees41

Newbie on here so sorry if I'm asking questions already answered but I couldn't find anything. I did some searching on here for local HD channels available to use my recently purchased HDTV's QAM tuner. I currently subscribe to Cox digital and HD service but wanted to watch both football games this afternoon in HD using the split screen function. Figured I would use the STB for one picture and the TV tuner for the other. Found the list below but appears to be outdated, maybe due to the recent move to digital signal for channels 1-70?

DIGITAL BOX CHANNEL LINE UP
105.1 CBS-HD
107.1 42 FOX-HD
107.2 PBS-HD
108.1 ABC-HD
108.2 NBC-HD
116.1 FSN
116.2 CMT
116.3 CNBC
116.4 NEWS ON 1
116.5 HOMEVIEW
116.6 ESPN2
116.7 CNN
116.8 TCM (INTERFERENCE)
116.9 ESPN
116.1 MTV
116.11 WHO CARES
116.12 QVC
88,89,90,91,92,ETC. PPV
75.8 NET3
94.8 PPV

After quite a bit of searching this is what my HD channels appear to be "mapped" to:

6.1 - NBC
7.1 - ABC
40.5 - PBS
105.1 - CBS
Could not find Fox

All the other digital channels shown in the list are either encrypted or signal strength too low. The exception was 94.8 which appeared to be a PPV movie and 94.10 which was an episode of HBO's Entourage that was not showing at that time on any of the digital HBO channels that I subscribe to. Also found a bunch of digital music channels spread all over the place, the NBA channel on 116.6, and some preview channels on 120.12 and .13. Ended up using my STB to display the FOX game and the TV tuner to get the other one. However, after further reading on here I still have a couple questions:

1. What channel is FOX HD on when using the TV tuner?
2. From reading various posts it appears that the PPV broadcasts are not encrypted so if someone else in the area is watching one you can pick it up also. Guessing that was what I was seeing on 94.8 and 94.10 earlier today? Wondering if someone can explain this in more detail and knows what channel ranges they would be on? Guessing it's something like if a subscriber in the same "node" has purchased a PPV, any other subscriber on the same "node" can receive it as well if they tune to the right frequency/channel?

Other side of the debate . . . . .

"Cox didn't carry KMTVHD for awhile since Emmis (former owners of KMTV) want a large amount of money to let cox carry it, "



Emmis only wanted 25 cent per sub as Direct TV and Dishnetwork were paying paying 50 Cents per Sub for retrans of the Analog channel transmitted as Digital.

Seems to me that Cox was not playing fair.


Its cost KM3, KETV, WOWT several hundred thousand dollars to build out there DTV /HDTV systems and Cable gets to carry it for free? This is why they are again having a contract dispute.

All KETV wants is the carrage of there 24x7 weather now channel (7.2) which competes with Coxes Weather Scan Weather Channel in the digital teir.
Some as WOWT and KPTM carrying there sub channels on Cox today.

Like I said before cox does not have room to add the Weather Now channel. KPTM(MyNetwork TV) was probally already signed before the KETV ccontract came up for renewal. If the contract for KETV was signed before KPTM(MyNetworkTV) we could have Weather now and no My network tv.

ajwees41


Other side of the debate . . . . .

"Cox didn't carry KMTVHD for awhile since Emmis (former owners of KMTV) want a large amount of money to let cox carry it, "



Emmis only wanted 25 cent per sub as Direct TV and Dishnetwork were paying paying 50 Cents per Sub for retrans of the Analog channel transmitted as Digital.

Seems to me that Cox was not playing fair.


Its cost KM3, KETV, WOWT several hundred thousand dollars to build out there DTV /HDTV systems and Cable gets to carry it for free? This is why they are again having a contract dispute.

All KETV wants is the carrage of there 24x7 weather now channel (7.2) which competes with Coxes Weather Scan Weather Channel in the digital teir.
Some as WOWT and KPTM carrying there sub channels on Cox today.

Dvr guide data down to 1 day.

I only have guide data for today and the rest say loading data.

ajwees41

Like I said before cox does not have room to add the Weather Now channel. KPTM(MyNetwork TV) was probally already signed before the KETV ccontract came up for renewal. If the contract for KETV was signed before KPTM(MyNetworkTV) we could have Weather now and no My network tv.

ajwees41

Further proof you Cox subscribers need to switch to Dish and get an OTA antenna. Not saying that My Network and Ch 7's Weather Channel are stations worth watching non-stop but with OTA antenna, you don't have to wait for all the t's to be crossed and i's to be dotted to watch them. You can watch them right away w/ an OTA antenna.

Yeah well i'll stick to Cox anyway.

Further proof you Cox subscribers need to switch to Dish and get an OTA antenna. Not saying that My Network and Ch 7's Weather Channel are stations worth watching non-stop but with OTA antenna, you don't have to wait for all the t's to be crossed and i's to be dotted to watch them. You can watch them right away w/ an OTA antenna.


Dish might be ok for the people that one tv hooked up, but if you want another one you need to rent another Dish box. With Cox the Total Basic covers all the tv's in the house the only extra charges are for extra digital/HD/DVR subscriptions and boxes.

ajwees41

Actualy with DIsh that Changed last year. The 2nd TV is free and no extra receiver is needed anymore.

If you do the math, Dish is $5 less than Cox for the same SD digital channels and $10 more for HD channels becuase Dish has Tripple the HD channels (extras like ESPN-2, NFL HD, Starz HD, National Geo HD, and the Fox Sports Net in HD- now uplinked and due out next month).
Think about it, they are compeditors, so of course they are priced about the same.

ALL Dish Receivers now come with Two Tuners one for TV1 and the other for a 2nd room. Each receiver has a TV2 coax out for the 2nd TV. They back feed the TV2 out our via the same Coax used for Dish and CATV so it is an easy connection.

They include a 2nd UHF remote for the 2nd room.

So if you have 4 TV you need only 2 Boxes.

They have both SD and HD solutions that both handle 2 TVs, and they have receviers with DVRs built in that also handle 2 TVs.

There is NO rental feed for the first box if your a new customer signing up for 2 years.

The 2nd box rental fee (for TVs 3 and 4) is $5.95

You can make ANY box a DVR for $5.95 and YES thats $5.95 for two DVRs as each room TV1 and TV2 becomes a DRV then. Each with its own Tuner, but with a shared Hard Drive so you can record on one room and watch it in an other.

Its like having a Home Media Center solution.

Does dish carry all the same channnels as Cox? Do they of any type of deals where if you get a certain amount of channels you get a free premium, or do they offer video on demand?
They don't carry CMT PureCountry. Less premium channels than cox.

ajwees41


Actualy with DIsh that Changed last year. The 2nd TV is free and no extra receiver is needed anymore.

If you do the math, Dish is $5 less than Cox for the same SD digital channels and $10 more for HD channels becuase Dish has Tripple the HD channels (extras like ESPN-2, NFL HD, Starz HD, National Geo HD, and the Fox Sports Net in HD- now uplinked and due out next month).
Think about it, they are compeditors, so of course they are priced about the same.

ALL Dish Receivers now come with Two Tuners one for TV1 and the other for a 2nd room. Each receiver has a TV2 coax out for the 2nd TV. They back feed the TV2 out our via the same Coax used for Dish and CATV so it is an easy connection.

They include a 2nd UHF remote for the 2nd room.

So if you have 4 TV you need only 2 Boxes.

They have both SD and HD solutions that both handle 2 TVs, and they have receviers with DVRs built in that also handle 2 TVs.

There is NO rental feed for the first box if your a new customer signing up for 2 years.

The 2nd box rental fee (for TVs 3 and 4) is $5.95

You can make ANY box a DVR for $5.95 and YES thats $5.95 for two DVRs as each room TV1 and TV2 becomes a DRV then. Each with its own Tuner, but with a shared Hard Drive so you can record on one room and watch it in an other.

Its like having a Home Media Center solution.

The thing I like about Cox is that they actually have original local shows that I can get. I wouldn't find that on dish in the same amount.

I talked to the KHAS-DT (Hastings) engineer last week...they hope to have their digital signal back on the air between 10/1 & 10/15.

I live in an apartment around 120th & blondo and I am considering Dish service. According to Dish's site, they state that I can pay $5.00/mo for local channels however they say that I can't get them in HD? is this true? and if so, how do I go about getting an antenna. If it is too much trouble I'll probably have to go with Cox...Thanks in advance :)

I live in an apartment around 120th & blondo and I am considering Dish service. According to Dish's site, they state that I can pay $5.00/mo for local channels however they say that I can't get them in HD? is this true? and if so, how do I go about getting an antenna. If it is too much trouble I'll probably have to go with Cox...Thanks in advance :)

Dishtv does not currently have Omaha's local Hd, you would have to have a uhf antenna,( small uhf indoor antenna would work)If Omaha's TV market included Lincoln's population (it should since they recieve's all of Omaha's channels) the Omaha market would be much bigger and our hd stations would be carried on Dish and Directv.

Thanks for the info...so any recommendations as to what antenna and where to purchase? I don't know much about antennas

Just a reminder, 15 more days till Cox looses KETV HD ABC.

Good thing will get this Husker game in HD today, but not in October for Cox customers. Its sad they cant agree.

If anyone needs help getting there new HDTV recevier setup for over there air reception of KETV HD 7.1 and KETV Weather now 7.2 this is the place and time to ask.

We are here to help.

i'll personally recommend these two products, which i got less than a year ago (before cox picked up kmtv-hd) and which have worked like a dream:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006FXR9/104-2011869-7562345?ie=UTF8

http://cgi.eb*y.com/Accurian-HDTV-Receiver-with-HDMI-16-3499_W0QQitemZ180028757082QQihZ008QQcategoryZ61396QQcmdZView Item (replace the asterisk with an "a")

glad i didn't sell mine. i had a feeling they'd come in handy down the road.

Thanks ToeJam...is it necessary to purchase the Accurian HDTV Receiver? These are my results from Antennaweb.org:

yellow - vhf WOWT 6 NBC OMAHA NE 46° 4.0 6
* yellow - uhf WOWT-DT 6.1 NBC OMAHA NE 46° 4.0 22
yellow - uhf KPTM 42 FOX OMAHA NE 202° 15.8 42
yellow - vhf KMTV 3 CBS OMAHA NE 50° 3.8 3
* yellow - uhf KMTV-DT 3.1 CBS OMAHA NE 50° 3.8 45
yellow - uhf KXVO 15 CW OMAHA NE 202° 15.8 15
yellow - vhf KETV 7 ABC OMAHA NE 49° 3.9 7
* yellow - uhf KETV-DT 7.1 ABC OMAHA NE 49° 3.9 20
red - vhf KUON 12 PBS LINCOLN NE 239° 21.3 12
red - uhf KYNE 26 PBS OMAHA NE 101° 4.2 26
* red - uhf KYNE-DT 26.1 PBS OMAHA NE 101° 4.2 17
* blue - uhf KUON-DT 40.1 PBS LINCOLN NE 239° 21.3 40
blue - uhf KAZO-LP 57 AZA OMAHA NE 98° 5.5 57
blue - uhf KKAZ-CA 24 FOX OMAHA NE 98° 5.5 24
blue - uhf KBIN 32 PBS COUNCIL BLUFFS IA 91° 13.2 32
* blue - uhf KBIN-DT 32.1 PBS COUNCIL BLUFFS IA 91° 13.2 33
violet - uhf KHIN 36 PBS RED OAK IA 78° 43.4 36
* violet - uhf KXVO-DT 15.1 CW OMAHA NE 202° 15.8 38
violet - vhf KOLN 10 CBS LINCOLN NE 235° 65.6 10
violet - vhf KLKN 8 ABC LINCOLN NE 242° 69.0 8
* violet - uhf KPTM-DT 42.1 FOX OMAHA NE 202° 15.8 43

Just a reminder, 15 more days till Cox looses KETV HD ABC.

Good thing will get this Husker game in HD today, but not in October for Cox customers. Its sad they cant agree.

If anyone needs help getting there new HDTV recevier setup for over there air reception of KETV HD 7.1 and KETV Weather now 7.2 this is the place and time to ask.

We are here to help.


They still got a week and a half to come to an agreement.

ajwees41

Thanks ToeJam...is it necessary to purchase the Accurian HDTV Receiver?

unless your tv has a built-in tuner, yes, an hdtv receiver will be necessary. and if you do need one, i'd try to snap that exact one up. anything less than $100 is a good deal.

CWHD on channel 811

ajwees41

What is CWHD?

What is CWHD?


It was KXVO WB. It is now called the CW.


ajwees41

I wounder when the will add Iowa's PBS HD?

ajwees41

CWHD on channel 811

ajwees41
Thats great news, but I thought Cox was out of bandwidth????

Thats great news, but I thought Cox was out of bandwidth????


That's what I thought also.

Maybe they are getting the digital conversion done sooner and able to add channels as soon as they have room.

ajwees41

My list of dumb newbie questions of the day.

Do the new 2006 DLP tv's come with hdtv receiver. Are they pretty much standard now?

If i am picking up HD through my antenna is it either clear or no picture? Or could it be somewhat staticy like an old tv?

Am i correct in thinking that you can get Dolby 5.1 through just my antenna reception?

Basically i am looking to get my first HD tv probably a DLP. And i am NOT planning on having cable or a dish. Just wondering what i can expect from just an antenna. I live at 132nd and millitary if location in omaha matters much.

thanks for any help in advance.

My list of dumb newbie questions of the day.

Do the new 2006 DLP tv's come with hdtv receiver. Are they pretty much standard now?

I believe most new HD displays are "HD Ready" meaning they have an integral digital tuner.

If i am picking up HD through my antenna is it either clear or no picture? Or could it be somewhat staticy like an old tv?

Pixalation instead of snow if signal is low, otherwise clear or no picture

Am i correct in thinking that you can get Dolby 5.1 through just my antenna reception?

You are correct

Basically i am looking to get my first HD tv probably a DLP. And i am NOT planning on having cable or a dish. Just wondering what i can expect from just an antenna. I live at 132nd and millitary if location in omaha matters much.

You should be able to pick up KM3(CBS), WOWT(NBC), KETV(ABC), KPTM(FOX), KXVO(CW), and KYNE(PBS) from Omaha along with their respective sub-channels. In addition, you may be able to pick up KOLN(CBS) and KUON(PBS) from Lincoln.

thanks for any help in advance.

Good luck!!

My list of dumb newbie questions of the day.

Do the new 2006 DLP tv's come with hdtv receiver. Are they pretty much standard now?

If i am picking up HD through my antenna is it either clear or no picture? Or could it be somewhat staticy like an old tv?

Am i correct in thinking that you can get Dolby 5.1 through just my antenna reception?

Basically i am looking to get my first HD tv probably a DLP. And i am NOT planning on having cable or a dish. Just wondering what i can expect from just an antenna. I live at 132nd and millitary if location in omaha matters much.

thanks for any help in advance

Yes all the new DLP's today are coming with built in receivers.

Whereas old tv's show static, HDTV's will sometimes show pixelation when on the brink of receiving a signal, but most of the time you will have a good picture with a little tweaking of the antennae

You can get Dolby 5.1 through just the antenna alone.

I don't have cable or a dish and totally rely on over the air reception and I live 40 miles west of Omaha. I love it because the majority of the shows I watch are always on HD and its totally free. I also don't have much use for a bunch of useless channels. Hope that helps.

unless your tv has a built-in tuner, yes, an hdtv receiver will be necessary. and if you do need one, i'd try to snap that exact one up. anything less than $100 is a good deal.

toejam,

I plan on getting Dish service eventually but for now I going to use Cox's HD box...while I know Cox has the local HD channels, would my antenna work with a STB w/o a built-in/external tuner? I am getting the Panasonic 42PH9UK.

Thanks

toejam,

I plan on getting Dish service eventually but for now I going to use Cox's HD box...while I know Cox has the local HD channels, would my antenna work with a STB w/o a built-in/external tuner? I am getting the Panasonic 42PH9UK.

Thanks


If you use the Cox box you will not need an external antenna.

The boxes don't have antenna ports.

ajwees41

If you use the Cox box you will not need an external antenna.


Isn't that a rather limited response?

The Cox converter does not rebroadcast some of the sub-channels and it might very well not receive KETV-HD if negotiations go bad. There's Iowa PBS-HD to consider. Plus, a number of folks here have noted some nice digital DX using fairly simple antennae -- not something the Cox converter (or satellite services, for that matter) would offer.

An antenna on an A/B switch would seem to make a nice addition to the Cox or satellite converters.

Ketv 7.2 and Iowa's pbshd are the only channels that I know that Cox doesn't carry. Like I said though they added channels like KXVO(CW)HD, MyNetworkTV. They could still be in the process of adding new channels. Cox doesn' announce new hd channels.

ajwees41

An antenna on an A/B switch would seem to make a nice addition to the Cox or satellite converters.

So, are you saying that I can get an A/B switch for my Cox box and therefore I could get the OTA? I don't have much experience with OTA and STBs. I'm not too worried about it with Cox but moreso for Dish because w/o OTA, I cannot get any locals in HD

Dish plans for all Omaha HD on the Sat in January. Direct TV is estimating March.

Right now both just have the SD channels.

regarding the Cox price increases - we have Basic cable/internet service/basic phone service/phone extras package.

I called Cox and our current total of $110.00 per month (before taxes) will raise to $116.00 per month (before taxes) on October 1st.

I know it is not a huge price increase ~4%, but it would be nice to lower this bill rather than raise it.

Has anybody with a comparable setup ever tried to switch over to Qwest? Did you find their cable and HD services decent? Did you save enough money to make it worth it?

Another price increase from cox? you've got to be kidding me :( this sucks.

All I know is that it is doubtful I'll stay with Cox very long. Not only is it expensive, you don't get many HD channels and most of the ones you do get aren't worth watching. Plus, it seems that the quality is often poor.

Ok, I'm ticked...I originally had Dish setup to install on Oct. 4th. The installer cancelled because my apartment complex does not allow such installs. Dish did say that I could call a local installer and they should be able to assist me. I called and they said they can't do it either...are there any other options? I really really don't wanna be stuck with Cox. Luckily, I have an early out on my lease December 31st. so it wouldn't be long if I find a house...Thanks!

======== Omaha Lincoln Breaking news Alert ===========

Today KLKN Lincolns channel 8 ABC went max power.

I do not say full power as they filled an adendum with the FCC to stay at 50% of there orginal power.

I can get it right now here in Papillion (Omaha Metro) at 57 % on my meter.

Please please please

Everyone email the station and tell them how they are doing a dis service to there FCC granted FREE air waives by not going full power so everyone can pick up the station like KOLN CBS in Lincoln.

Basicaly they are too cheap to pay for the electric bill to go full power.

Oh , I checked, Cox can not carry there KLKNs 8s HD feed if KETV HD goes away, KETV owns all ABC rights in the omaha DMA.

Its on 31.1 and 31.2 which maps to 8.1 and 8.2

-Cant get Dish-

This has happened before. Just email ceo@echostar.com

This where the SR. CSRs answer emails.
They will forward your request to there legal department. Its against the law to not allow dish IF you have a public area or balcany that can see the South Skies (110 and 119 degrees).

There legal department will send the owners a Cease and decest letter (spelling?)

Look around town, there are lots of Dishes on apartments facinf South.

If your a the wrong side or there is no public area on the building, there is nothing they can do though.

Thanks Scott...you've given me some hope :)

I have a S-SW view on my porch and I have a direct view to the south. I've seen other people with satellites...for example, one guy has it cemented in a big paint bucket.

I'll email them and see...just curious though...ceo@echostar.com? seems like an odd email

Glad to see this bit of news! I wish the station had been at full power last Saturday during NU-USC... The picture quality is excellent here in Gretna, with the signal strength hovering around 70%. Is it just me, or is KLKN-DT's HD/widescreen picture even sharper than KETV-DT? On my TV KETV looks "grainier" while KLKN-DT looks sharper and more vivid.


======== Omaha Lincoln Breaking news Alert ===========

Today KLKN Lincolns channel 8 ABC went max power.

I do not say full power as they filled an adendum with the FCC to stay at 50% of there orginal power.

I can get it right now here in Papillion (Omaha Metro) at 57 % on my meter.

Please please please

Everyone email the station and tell them how they are doing a dis service to there FCC granted FREE air waives by not going full power so everyone can pick up the station like KOLN CBS in Lincoln.

Basicaly they are too cheap to pay for the electric bill to go full power.

Oh , I checked, Cox can not carry there KLKNs 8s HD feed if KETV HD goes away, KETV owns all ABC rights in the omaha DMA.

Its on 31.1 and 31.2 which maps to 8.1 and 8.2

What's on 8.2?

Still no reception of it here in Kearney but I wasn't able to get 10.1 either.

8.2 is the KLKN standard-definition broadcast. 8.1 is widescreen/HD when available.

I get a great signal on the living room set, better than KETV, but the bedroom TV has trouble locking on 8.1 or 8.2 while it can consistently get 7.1 and 7.2. Go figure.

If anyone wants to EMAIL KLKN about being cheap on there electric bill and only going with 50% of there Max power allowed,

here is the Email address.

news@klkntv.com

They filed an excemption request with the FCC, now they do not have to go full power ever, like all the other stations. Lincolns CBS & PBS is at full power.

Actually, KUON (PBS) only operates at 500,000 watts ERP. KOLN (CBS) has a temporary authorization to broadcast at 340,000 watts ERP with a construction permit to increase to 680,000 watts. None of the Lincoln-area stations operate at the full 1,000,000 watts.

Anyone experiencing pixelation dropouts on KMTV-DT (3.1) lately?

They have always been one of the strongest stations, but seem to have a lot of dropout lately.

M

Yes, I am noticing quite a bit of that on KMTV-DT in Gretna. Doesn't really matter to me as I usually watch KOLN-DT for CBS programming, but it does seem weird that KMTV-DT is quite a bit closer, has a greater ERP, and doesn't come in as well.

I have a Dish 622 DVR. Whenever I watch a recording from KGIN-DT, the recording always seems to skip ahead a second or two when I'm viewing it. I don't have that problem with any other recordings. Is anybody else here in the same boat?

If anyone wants to EMAIL KLKN about being cheap on there electric bill and only going with 50% of there Max power allowed,

here is the Email address.

news@klkntv.com

They filed an excemption request with the FCC, now they do not have to go full power ever, like all the other stations. Lincolns CBS & PBS is at full power.In fairness to KLKN, they do have a point.

For better or worse, KLKN is licensed to Lincoln, and there's little point in expanding further if all they're going to do is overlap further with KETV Omaha or KHGI Kearney. If you were in the Albion area, perhaps the FCC or even KLKN would be more likely to listen to you, though I don't know exactly what Citadel promised when they proposed moving 8 from Albion to Lincoln. If you're near Omaha or Kearney, you probably wouldn't have a whole lot of standing since you already have several stations to choose from which are licensed to your town.

The whole wattage situation is going to change further when analog shutdown occurs and KLKN moves its DT from channel 31 to 8, as the FCC has approved. What that will do to their coverage, I don't know.

BTW, the construction permit for KOLN (Lincoln CBS) is only 680 kW which is only 68% of the limit for a full-power UHF DT station, and it, too, will move back to VHF channel 10 after the transition is over. (It was initially disapproved because of an interference conflict, but that conflict was with KGIN -- the "11" of 10/11 -- and Gray apparently decided that was OK.)

Is KETV planning on moving back to 7 or are they staying on 20? If KETV and KLKN both move back to 7 and 8, respectively, would DTV be subject to the same interference as is common between 7 and 8 on analog?

KETV completely overpowers KLKN on analog broadcast, but on DTV KETV breaks up a lot while KLKN comes in crystal-clear. Go figure...

Actually, if Pappas (owners of KHGI/KTVG/KSNB & Provider of KCWL) have their way, KLKN won't be ABC for long. They're trying to force KGHI on cable in Lincoln, which means KLKN would have to compete with 2 other ABC affiliates!!

I've seen this question posted before, but sifting through the thread I have yet to find an answer...can anyone tell me what the qam channels are in Lincoln on TimeWarner?

Actually, if Pappas (owners of KHGI/KTVG/KSNB & Provider of KCWL) have their way, KLKN won't be ABC for long. They're trying to force KGHI on cable in Lincoln, which means KLKN would have to compete with 2 other ABC affiliates!!

What are the odds of them pulling that off?

KLKN could probably also succeed as a NBC affiliate if it came to that.

Still, having channels on 7 and 8 that close together isn't a good idea. Hopefully KETV stays on 20 if KLKN is moving to 8.

I've seen this question posted before, but sifting through the thread I have yet to find an answer...can anyone tell me what the qam channels are in Lincoln on TimeWarner?

Do you want to know what they are rebroadcasting or what channel numbers they are using?

The channels are:

6,7,42 from Omaha
8,10,12 from Lincoln

No KXVO (15) yet.

I think they are also sending out 10.2. The 12 is not the full NETV line up. They either scale 12.1 or use 12.5's HD feed when it is available. Most of the .2's are not available on the QAM.

The actual QAM channels show up on my tuner as something like 79.1, 79.2, 80.1, 80.2 and 115.1, 115.2. I'm not sure exactly. The Time Warner QAM feed doesn't send any identifying information or program guide. I'm usually using the over the air tuner because it takes about 5 minutes for the autoscan to switch over QAM from OTA. (Thanks SANYO for thinking that I wouldn't want to manually set it up.)

On another topic, I too am seeing fluctuation with KMTV 3's signal from Omaha OTA.

"Actually, if Pappas (owners of KHGI/KTVG/KSNB & Provider of KCWL) have their way, KLKN won't be ABC for long. They're trying to force KGHI on cable in Lincoln, which means KLKN would have to compete with 2 other ABC affiliates!!"

By FCC law, under must carry rules, the cable and sat MUST carry it on request since they are all in the SAME DMA.

THe Lincoln - Kearney DMA is a strange one. Most cities dont have TV stations so far apart.
If any thing the Kearney station is closer to the North Platte DMA.

The DMA were made up in the early 70s before cable and SAT was really around, they all need re done.

New here but I have had my HDTV for well over a year. I have been calling cox in omaha about ESPN 2 HD and ESPNU. Well I have put in numerous requests in and yesterday i got a call from COX. The guy said we are getting the channels by the end of this year. So that's what I have heard for now, Not sure if anyone has gotten a call either. Just Post if you have.

Kyle.

I finally got around to watching last Thursday's CSI (TiVoed) and couldn't believe all of the pixelation and dropouts from OTA signal.

I watched CSI:Miami last night after it had been TiVo'ed also and was afraid I'd see the same thing, but it was clean all of the way. I hope KMTV-DT figured out their problems.

Mike

When the weather is right, I'm catching KLKN-DT in Kearney...There were a few times where I could pick up KOLN-DT but not KLKN-DT at the same time.

Did anyone else experience some audio popping while watching Heroes last night on NBC? Didn't happen a lot, but enough to bother me. Was watching on Cox btw.

For those of you with the HD10-250 DirecTV HD boxes (I believe there are a few of us here), Direct is pushing out a new software upgrade for them. Going from 3.1.5 to 6.3, which will add folders and apparently speed it up. Both great upgrades. Some users have received the upgrade, but I haven't yet, dammit. :-)

Anyone else been upgraded yet?

Mike

Did anyone else experience some audio popping while watching Heroes last night on NBC? Didn't happen a lot, but enough to bother me. Was watching on Cox btw.

I watched in on Cox also and I didn't notice any...pretty cool show though

I watched in on Cox also and I didn't notice any...pretty cool show though

Okay thanks, I'll have to check my equipment then.

New here but I have had my HDTV for well over a year. I have been calling cox in omaha about ESPN 2 HD and ESPNU. Well I have put in numerous requests in and yesterday i got a call from COX. The guy said we are getting the channels by the end of this year. So that's what I have heard for now, Not sure if anyone has gotten a call either. Just Post if you have.

Kyle.

Great news hope its true. I hope they will be also adding Food Network Hd, Mhd, National Geo Hd, Fox sports Hd and PPV movie hd channel.

Three days until Cox has to remove KETVHD.

ajwees41

Great news hope its true. I hope they will be also adding Food Network Hd, Mhd, National Geo Hd, Fox sports Hd and PPV movie hd channel.

I just want the Sci-Fi Channel in HD so I can watch Battlestar Galactica in HD as the shows come out...

Three days until Cox has to remove KETVHD.

ajwees41

But will they? At least MNF isn't on ABC anymore. ;)

I don't understand the Cox battles with the networks. It's almost like they are trying to prove to the local networks that they have the power. What really hacks me off is that Omaha gets treated like chopped liver compared to other Cox cities. Phoenix & San Diego get 16 & 17 HD channels. Even Middle Georgia gets 14 channels.

http://www.cox.com/arizona/digitalcable/phoenix_lineup.pdf
http://www.cox.com/sandiego/digitalcable/hdtv/programming.asp
http://www.cox.com/middlega/cable/channel-lineup-digital.asp

Ummm...the only channels we don't get that San Diego does is: MHD, A&E HD, their local Channel 4, and PBS. I'm not that concerned. We get 14 channels, just like Middle Georgia.

I don't understand the Cox battles with the networks. It's almost like they are trying to prove to the local networks that they have the power. What really hacks me off is that Omaha gets treated like chopped liver compared to other Cox cities. Phoenix & San Diego get 16 & 17 HD channels. Even Middle Georgia gets 14 channels.

http://www.cox.com/arizona/digitalcable/phoenix_lineup.pdf
http://www.cox.com/sandiego/digitalcable/hdtv/programming.asp
http://www.cox.com/middlega/cable/channel-lineup-digital.asp


Omaha has 13.


ajwees41

14 if you count CWHD that just got turned on recently.

Do the 13 Cox HD channels require a set top box to be able to see them, or can you get them in with a cable card? I do not want a set top box, right now I have the Cox cable running straight into the tv and with that I get about 4 HD channels.

The reason is each Cox city has different equipment. They merged with other systems and bought some used equipment. Omaha is lucky to have the HD channels that we have now based on the equipment they have. Next year will be better.

"I don't understand the Cox battles with the networks. It's almost like they are trying to prove to the local networks that they have the power. What really hacks me off is that Omaha gets treated like chopped liver compared to other Cox cities. Phoenix & San Diego get 16 & 17 HD channels. Even Middle Georgia gets 14 channels."

Well if Cox is cutting out ABC HD then my decision to switch to Dish is that much sweeter. It's cheaper, almost twice as my HD channels & from what I hear, their receiver is better than Cox and I don't have to pay additional rental fees for a second box. I just hope my antenna works well since they don't have the locals in HD...luckily I only live 4-5 miles away from the towers.

Do the 13 Cox HD channels require a set top box to be able to see them, or can you get them in with a cable card? I do not want a set top box, right now I have the Cox cable running straight into the tv and with that I get about 4 HD channels.

No idea...I have their HD/DVR and no built in tuners.

Do the 13 Cox HD channels require a set top box to be able to see them, or can you get them in with a cable card? I do not want a set top box, right now I have the Cox cable running straight into the tv and with that I get about 4 HD channels.


The cable card should work, but you will be unable to view Ondemand or PPV.

ajwees41

Dish plans for all Omaha HD on the Sat in January. Direct TV is estimating March.

Right now both just have the SD channels.

Whoa, where did you here this?

Still, having channels on 7 [KETV Omaha] and 8 [KLKN Lincoln] that close together isn't a good idea. Hopefully KETV stays on 20 if KLKN is moving to 8.FCC online records have KETV staying on 20 after the transition.

Stopped by Cox on the way home from work today. If I go from my TV doing my tuning to a cable card, it will give me all the HBO hd's and a few others I am not getting now.

Cox would charge me $9.99 more a month plus a $70 one time charge to install the cable card.

I asked him if I could put the card in myself, he said it was too technical for customers to self install. I told the guy I would pass for now.

Stopped by Cox on the way home from work today. If I go from my TV doing my tuning to a cable card, it will give me all the HBO hd's and a few others I am not getting now.

Cox would charge me $9.99 more a month plus a $70 one time charge to install the cable card.

I asked him if I could put the card in myself, he said it was too technical for customers to self install. I told the guy I would pass for now.


Only one HBO HD

ajwees41

The reason is each Cox city has different equipment. They merged with other systems and bought some used equipment. Omaha is lucky to have the HD channels that we have now based on the equipment they have. Next year will be better.

"I don't understand the Cox battles with the networks. It's almost like they are trying to prove to the local networks that they have the power. What really hacks me off is that Omaha gets treated like chopped liver compared to other Cox cities. Phoenix & San Diego get 16 & 17 HD channels. Even Middle Georgia gets 14 channels."

I think the lack of wired competition, no other cable companies in Omaha except for Quest in a small part of Omaha. Look at Time Warner in Lincoln, there lineup is much better than Cox in Omaha.

well I turned on the tube to watch the Auburn vs. South Carlina game on ESPN HD. And the channel was not working. Neither was NET HD KETV HD WOWT HD UHD TNT HD CW HD KPTM HD were all down. I called COX and they said they were working on it. So if you are experincing this post up.

Kyle

well I turned on the tube to watch the Auburn vs. South Carlina game on ESPN HD. And the channel was not working. Neither was NET HD KETV HD WOWT HD UHD TNT HD CW HD KPTM HD were all down. I called COX and they said they were working on it. So if you are experincing this post up.

Kyle


Funny you just posted. I just noticed problems with the local channels nonHD also.

ajwees41

I live in Bellevue & all of HD channels are coming in all clear

EdL

FCC online records have KETV staying on 20 after the transition.

That's good news for viewers of both KETV and KLKN as it should finally mean an end to the interference.

I switched from Cox to OTA digital last month and haven't looked back. The picture OTA is *significantly* better on OTA digital than on analog cable (except when all pixellated, but fortunately on PBS, ABC, and CBS I can just change to another channel when that happens).

Cox actually has more competition than just Qwest -- in northwest Omaha and Bennington they have competition from Telepartners and in Gretna, Papillion, Elkhorn, Valley, Waterloo, etc. they have competition from Galaxy. However, Cox's lineup blows away either Telepartners or Galaxy... except in cost.

Another good cable lineup in the Omaha area is Charter's system in Springfield. They seem to have a good product there and at a lower price than Cox. However... not sure what kind of HD services they offer on their digital tier.

I was having that problem with KETV HD when I tried to watch Grey's Anatomy and on SD ESPN when trying to catch the Auburn-South Carolina game.

Yeah, KETV regular SD went down for a minute while I was watching grey's anatomy at a friend's house last night. Came right back on though.

My DVR recorded The Office in HD just fine though, fwiw.

In case you're looking for it - the QAM channel number for CW (formerly WB) is 105.2

A day and a half until KETVHD goes dark on cox. Late Saturday

ajwees41

My HD channels where out last night also except for INHD1 and INHD2 on 715 Mhz. I'm glad I have an antenna for the OTA's. That's saved me several times.

A day and a half until KETVHD goes dark on cox. Late Saturday

ajwees41
If this is happens I will call Cox daily to complain and maybe switch to Dishtv, I'm really sick of waiting on Cox to add Hd channels and Espnu.

If the local stations want compensation why don't they charge people who don't have cable or Satelite?

ajwees41

If this is happens I will call Cox daily to complain and maybe switch to Dishtv, I'm really sick of waiting on Cox to add Hd channels and Espnu.


You should call KETV to complain also. Why should cox pay for the HD signal when KETV doesn't charge people for it for recieving it free over the air?

Cox doesn't charge for the HDtier, but charges for the HD converter just like any other cable or satelite company does.

ajwees41

I'm currently living in a dorm on UNO South Campus. Because of the structure of our building, we're having a rough time getting much of anything OTA. Consequently, I'm thinking about upgrading our Cox Expanded Basic to something else. Just wondering what the minimum you can spend around here is to get a decent HD lineup? Also, does anyone know which HD DVR Cox Omaha uses and whether firewire or USB are enabled?

Thanks in advance for response!

You will need to check. Cox Total basic is required along with digital(I think) That will get you CBS,NBC,FOX,ESPN,INHD,INHD, Discovery all in HD with the rental of an HD or HD/DVR for $9.95 the only box with firewire enabled is the dvr which requires $4.95 additional per month. That is on top of the $44.20 for complete basic.

ajwees41

Ketv just ran a banner on the top of the screen saying if Cox does not meet there demands by 9-30-06 they will be pulling Ketv-hd signal from Cox. I blame both Cox and Ketv on this one, but the customer really is the big loser if this happens.

Ketv just ran a banner on the top of the screen saying if Cox does not meet there demands by 9-30-06 they will be pulling Ketv-hd signal from Cox. I blame both Cox and Ketv on this one, but the customer really is the big loser if this happens.


Why do you blame Cox? If Ketv charges people who get it over the air than Ketv has a legit beef with Cox wanting paid, but they don't.

So why should Cox pay to transmit a free signal? The problem is KETV not COX.


ajwees41

Why do you blame Cox? If Ketv charges people who get it over the air than Ketv has a legit beef with Cox wanting paid, but they don't.

So why should Cox pay to transmit a free signal? The problem is KETV not COX.


ajwees41


Does Ketv want payment or maybe carriage of there weather sub channel ?

Does Ketv want payment or maybe carriage of there weather sub channel ?


Probably both.

ajwees41

I just don't see why KETV would want to add yet another weather channel on Cox when we have two of them already. Three is pushing it imo.

I just don't see why KETV would want to add yet another weather channel on Cox when we have two of them already. Three is pushing it imo.


KETV's would be local. We only have one local on COX The Weather Channels WeatherScan. The Weather Channel on Cox chanel 43 is national not local.

ajwees41

Hi All...

HD Newbie here. Because of the impending shut down of KETV on Cox I went out and bought a simple Amplified indoor antenna this morning. I have no problem tuning the digial channels but their is one thing I am noting. On KPTM-DT and KETV-DT the signal is coming in at 720p but on cox they are 1080i. KMTV-DT and WOWT-DT are also coming to me OTA at 1080i. What causes this difference? Is it my antenna or are the OTA signals different?

Hi All...

HD Newbie here. Because of the impending shut down of KETV on Cox I went out and bought a simple Amplified indoor antenna this morning. I have no problem tuning the digial channels but their is one thing I am noting. On KPTM-DT and KETV-DT the signal is coming in at 720p but on cox they are 1080i. KMTV-DT and WOWT-DT are also coming to me OTA at 1080i. What causes this difference? Is it my antenna or are the OTA signals different?


To answer your question Abc Ketv-dt and Fox Kptm-dt are broadcast in 720p.

Thanks for your answer. Will this mean that the picture quality between cox and ota will be different?

The problem with the COX receivers is they do not have a Native pass through option.

This means that if you have the Cox box set to 1080i and the station is at 720p, the box has to do a conversion. Worse yet your TV might have to convert it again to get the native res of the TV (either 720p or 1080i but never both).

Some say this conversion is not as good as the native res and the cox boxes loose some picture quality. Others say you cant see the difference. Bottom line, is it is not the orginal content anymore if the setting is not the same as the station.

The work around is to set the cox box to match the stations res. Most just pick a setting that most stations have and live with it. Others pic the res that is native to there TV, becuase if you DONT then the TV has to do an other conversion. Most LCDs seem to have a native res of 720p and most older RPTV HDs do 1080i
Check you owners manual.

KETVs local Weather NOW is REAL Local weather.

You see Bill and the gang on there every 4 mins doing the weather. Plus you get love local Doplar 7 radar and Local news in the bar.

There is also detailed local weather for all nearby towns in the left bar.

The weather channel weather scan is national weather with some local computer automated stats and a radar that is delayed by 15-30 mins (not live).

KETVs Weather scan is a must have for major Bizzards we could have this winter, not to mention the tornados next spring. The weather channel is useless for these types of events becuase its national.

Call Cox and ask for this channel, so we dont loose ABC in HD.


=======================

THE PROBLEMS IS

=================

Cox is playing favoritism to KPTM and WOWT.
They have there Sub channels on Cox. All KETV wants is the same thing, there sub channel on Cox. Weather Now.

Received my postcard in the mail today from Cox advising me that KETV-HD will no longer be carried after 9/30, if Cox & KETV can't reach agreement.

EdL

Omaha is not the only market to loose a Hearst-Argyle HD station. Oklahoma City also is loosing thier Hearst-Argyle HD channel on Cox.

ajwees41

yup, got one too

We only have one local on COX The Weather Channels WeatherScan.

WeatherScan (ch 202) has not worked on my TV for months -- I figured Cox disabled it for one reason or another. If the rest of you are getting it, I'll give Cox a call.

Scott Weather channel (202) is Omaha's weather not national.

The Weather channel(43) and WeatherScan(202) run the Nationsal Weather Service alerts when they are issued for the Omaha area.

ajwees41


KETVs local Weather NOW is REAL Local weather.

You see Bill and the gang on there every 4 mins doing the weather. Plus you get love local Doplar 7 radar and Local news in the bar.

There is also detailed local weather for all nearby towns in the left bar.

The weather channel weather scan is national weather with some local computer automated stats and a radar that is delayed by 15-30 mins (not live).

KETVs Weather scan is a must have for major Bizzards we could have this winter, not to mention the tornados next spring. The weather channel is useless for these types of events becuase its national.

Call Cox and ask for this channel, so we dont loose ABC in HD.


=======================

THE PROBLEMS IS

=================

Cox is playing favoritism to KPTM and WOWT.
They have there Sub channels on Cox. All KETV wants is the same thing, there sub channel on Cox. Weather Now.

KETVs local Weather NOW is REAL Local weather.

You see Bill and the gang on there every 4 mins doing the weather. Plus you get love local Doplar 7 radar and Local news in the bar.

There is also detailed local weather for all nearby towns in the left bar.

The weather channel weather scan is national weather with some local computer automated stats and a radar that is delayed by 15-30 mins (not live).

KETVs Weather scan is a must have for major Bizzards we could have this winter, not to mention the tornados next spring. The weather channel is useless for these types of events becuase its national.

Call Cox and ask for this channel, so we dont loose ABC in HD.


=======================

THE PROBLEMS IS

=================

Cox is playing favoritism to KPTM and WOWT.
They have there Sub channels on Cox. All KETV wants is the same thing, there sub channel on Cox. Weather Now.

I can't believe it is as simple as a sub channel. What channel on Cox does KPTM broadcast a subchannel? or WOWT? Are you talking about channel 1 for WOWT?

To me, it is pretty obvious after tonight's ploy that it is simply a money grab for KETV. That's a pretty desperate attempt when they flash a green bar across the top saying that the digital signal will be interupted unless Cox meets their demands. Pretty pitiful indeed.

yup, got one too

Ditto.

on my cox guide for 809 it says off air. well we will see in the morning

on my cox guide for 809 it says off air. well we will see in the morning

I was just going to report that, also.

well it's happened a green screen saying by law cox can't show ketv hd until an agreement has been reached. It's BS how this has happened. Iv'e emailed ketv numerous times. Let's see who wins I know it won't be the consumer

Kyle

According to KETV's website the negoitiations failed.

If you want to vent here are the email addresses for both Omaha GM's:

KETV - Joel Vilmenay, General Manager
jvilmenay@hearst.com

Cox - Percy Kirk, General Manager
percy.kirk@cox.com

This isn't about channels, it's about money. The parent company is looking to fleece Omaha consumers because they can. Wanting to charge for something they provide over the air for free is nothing but greed. If it was really about content or channels they would have pulled their SD signal as well. If Cox does have to concede, it won't be them paying for it, but their subscribers. I for one will no longer be watching KETV, the greedy little b*st*rds. Have sent emails to KETV stating my opposition and encourage everyone else to do the same.

Well I'll be they got a message up as was reported already. KETV are being a bunch of tards frankly. Glad MNF is on ESPN. KETV is being greedy little punks.

on my cox guide for 809 it says off air. well we will see in the morning


KETVHDHD on 809 never went off the air before. Ketv pulled it.

ajwees41

I can't believe it is as simple as a sub channel. What channel on Cox does KPTM broadcast a subchannel? or WOWT? Are you talking about channel 1 for WOWT?

To me, it is pretty obvious after tonight's ploy that it is simply a money grab for KETV. That's a pretty desperate attempt when they flash a green bar across the top saying that the digital signal will be interupted unless Cox meets their demands. Pretty pitiful indeed.

The sub channel for WOWT is 248 620

KPTM's sub channel is 249 My Network TV.

ajwees41

If you want to vent here are the email addresses for both Omaha GM's:

KETV - Joel Vilmenay, General Manager
jvilmenay@hearst.com

Cox - Percy Kirk, General Manager
percy.kirk@cox.com



KETV is the only email you should contact they want paid for a free signal.

ajwees41

KETV is the only email you should contact they want paid for a free signal.

ajwees41

Do we really know what Ketv's demands are? If all they want is there weather channel covered by Cox, I can see why they are mad, Cox carries Wowt and Kptm sub channels. I sent Ketv and Cox a e-mail asking what the exact reason a contract agreement could not be reached, then we can decide who really is at fault. The Cox subscribers are the losers right now.

Do we really know what Ketv's demands are? If all they want is there weather channel covered by Cox, I can see why they are mad, Cox carries Wowt and Kptm sub channels. I sent Ketv and Cox a e-mail asking what the exact reason a contract agreement could not be reached, then we can decide who really is at fault. The Cox subscribers are the losers right now.


They also want paid since they think Cox charges for the HD channels.

I still say KETV is the only one whom people need to contact since they want paid for a free signal.

ajwees41

It appears to me that KETV is bringing up the same line of BS that KMTV did when they were owned by Emmis. Keep flooding KETV with your emails.......... KETV - Joel Vilmenay, General Manager jvilmenay@hearst.com


http://www.ketv.com/news/9972702/detail.html

What I don't get is how this just now became an issue? Cox has never given basic cable away for free, yet the local station never had a problem with them "charging" for their analog signals. I for the life of me can't understand how a station can think that pulling their signal from the largest cable operator in Omaha is a benifit to them, their advertisers, their network parent, and most of all their viewers. Bad move on KETV's part.

====================
The Nebraska GAME is in HDTV on KETV Saturday at 7pm
(on Dish and Direct TV ONLY as there receviers do over the air HD, it wont be in HD on cox, time to switch)
====================

KETVs side
==========
All KETV wants is the carrage of there Sub Channel 7.2 Weather Now just like Cox is carrying WOWTs and KPTMs sub channel. They do not want any money. They could care less if Cox charges for the channels. They believe all free over the air channels should be on Cox like there free 7.2 weather now channel.

I called there station manager and confirmed this.

He said adding this channel does not cost Cox any more money as they already have the studio feed for the 7.1 HDTV. The 7.2 feed for Weather now is already at the Cox office through the same box as it is a sub channel of the main channel.

Cox cables side
==============
Cox does not want to carry the channel becuase it will competes directly with Cox Cables Weather channel weather scan where they ADVERTISE Locally on AND MAKE MONEY OFF OF.

Cox is afraid people would watch the ALL Local weather channel and not watch the national weather scan cox channel. Cox would loose there advertising profits.


Who to call
==========
I say call cox, as they are the bad guys here. KETV just wants it to be fair. If the WOWT and KPTM sub channels are carried then all other sub channels must be carried. Its the right thing to do.

Here is the Cox Email if your afraid to call them. Calling is the best way to go as it will generate a ticket and end up on Managements report (they are tracking it daily on a Bar chart).

https://www.cox.com/Support/omaha/emailchat/emailus.asp

====================
The Nebraska GAME is in HDTV on KETV Saturday at 7pm
(on Dish and Direct TV ONLY as there receviers do over the air HD, it wont be in HD on cox, time to switch)
====================

KETVs side
==========
All KETV wants is the carrage of there Sub Channel 7.2 Weather Now just like Cox is carrying WOWTs and KPTMs sub channel. They do not want any money. They could care less if Cox charges for the channels. They believe all free over the air channels should be on Cox like there free 7.2 weather now channel.

I called there station manager and confirmed this.

He said adding this channel does not cost Cox any more money as they already have the studio feed for the 7.1 HDTV. The 7.2 feed for Weather now is already at the Cox office through the same box as it is a sub channel of the main channel.

Cox cables side
==============
Cox does not want to carry the channel becuase it will competes directly with Cox Cables Weather channel weather scan where they ADVERTISE Locally on AND MAKE MONEY OFF OF.

Cox is afraid people would watch the ALL Local weather channel and not watch the national weather scan cox channel. Cox would loose there advertising profits.


Who to call
==========
I say call cox, as they are the bad guys here. KETV just wants it to be fair. If the WOWT and KPTM sub channels are carried then all other sub channels must be carried. Its the right thing to do.

Here is the Cox Email if your afraid to call them. Calling is the best way to go as it will generate a ticket and end up on Managements report (they are tracking it daily on a Bar chart).

https://www.cox.com/Support/omaha/emailchat/emailus.asp
From: Percy.Kirk@cox.com
Date: 10/1/2006 11:35:28 AM
To: Oskie
Subject: Re: KETV/Cox debate

Not accurate it is money. We have done similar things to the weather channel with others. If this was all they wanted we would have an agreement.

----- Original Message -----
From: Oskie
To: Kirk, Percy (CCI-Omaha)
Sent: Sun Oct 01 12:28:22 2006
Subject: KETV/Cox debate

This is getting posted all over the message boards on the net. Any truth to any of this???

For a "free" service why do I have an extra $15 on my cable bill? Cause I have to pay $10 for the box and a service fee of $5. Doesn't exactly sound free to me.????

For a "free" service why do I have an extra $15 on my cable bill? Cause I have to pay $10 for the box and a service fee of $5. Doesn't exactly sound free to me.????

If your ATSC tuner is of the right type you can get the local signals off the basic cox cable package (don't even need to subscribe to digital). My Sony 50A10 picks up all the digital local HD feeds (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox & PBS). So in my mind Cox is providing them for free, but you do have to lease a cable box if you equipment can't handle the unencrypted signal. ...

Those of you who think that Cox Communications is the "good guy" here, think again. I lost a great deal of respect for Cox when they discontinued the free feed program they had agreed to provide for the City of Omaha as a condition to their monopoly. The deal was that as long as a person paid for the installation cost, Cox would provide the local local channels and community access channels free of charge. This was intended for persons of low or no income (elderly, etc.) The minute the agreement expired, Cox immediately discontinued the program. How do I know this? I was a participant.
As far as I am concerned, if Cox does not want to compensate any of the local stations for their digital feeds, they do not have to. But Cox should not use their feeds as a marketing item, which they do.
Just my $0.02

For a "free" service why do I have an extra $15 on my cable bill? Cause I have to pay $10 for the box and a service fee of $5. Doesn't exactly sound free to me.????


HuskerFan do you have the dvr through Cox also.



ajwees41

How many of you have more than one email address?

I say email KETV atleast once a day through all the accounts you have until they crumble. Also somebody should contact the World Herald.

ajwees41

How many of you have more than one email address?

I say email KETV atleast once a day through all the accounts you have until they crumble. Also somebody should contact the World Herald.

ajwees41

The World Herald likes to play the game that Television channels in Omaha don't exist.

At this point I see both sides as being at fault and both detrimental to viewers. Comes down to bad planning on both sides. Both knew when their contract was to expire and both had the opportunities to nip this in the bud and not have to involve us, the viewers. Either way, both sides get bad press which if there was good planning and good negotiating happening, we wouldn't even be hearing about this. Obviously WOWT and KPTM were able to get their contracts in place and their sub-channels put on there without making a big fanfare out of the deal. And when JBG saved the people of Omaha and bought KMTV from Emmis, they worked out a deal pretty quickly as soon as they could. You would think KETV would learn from Emmis and their selfishness.

Bad faith negotiations from both sides killed this deal. An arrogant position by KETV and ignorance of Cox that this would be such a big deal caused nothing to happen. And really, when this all was coming about, how much negotiation really went on? Hard for me to believe each side was spending 24 hours a day over the past month negotiating this out. It was probably one side checking in with the other once every few weeks...too me not working that hard either way. KETV probably considers this a chance to get more publicity, whether good or bad. Maybe it will increase their TV ratings......What a bad way to do that.

It's my same view with the whole Mountain West Conference in college starting their own channel that was in development for the past 2 years and assured everyone it would be on every cable and satellite system and waited around until the last month before things went live to try and start negotiating agreements. Stupid, stupid!!

Something that's interesting to note in all this KETV/Cox mess...

As of this weekend, KETV's Weather Now has been added to Time Warner Cable in Lincoln. My guess is TWC Lincoln got the same offer/demand as Cox did and accepted it.

Also of interest: KETV Weather Now is not viewable through Cable Card technology... in other words, KETV Weather Now is now the first channel on TWC Lincoln (that I know of) to use Switched Digital Video (SDV).

Something that's interesting to note in all this KETV/Cox mess...

As of this weekend, KETV's Weather Now has been added to Time Warner Cable in Lincoln. My guess is TWC Lincoln got the same offer/demand as Cox did and accepted it.

Also of interest: KETV Weather Now is not viewable through Cable Card technology... in other words, KETV Weather Now is now the first channel on TWC Lincoln (that I know of) to use Switched Digital Video (SDV).


What chanel is Weather Now on in Lincoln?

ajwees41

HuskerFan do you have the dvr through Cox also.



ajwees41

Yes, and I wanted to add the regular HD tuner to my bedroom t.v. but the csr said it would cost me another $15. Regarding another poster, you cannot receive about 9 other HD channels that are scrambled without Cox's box. So in my mind you are not receiving HD for free when I would have to pay $30/month to receive the 13 channels that Cox offers.

Yes, and I wanted to add the regular HD tuner to my bedroom t.v. but the csr said it would cost me another $15. Regarding another poster, you cannot receive about 9 other HD channels that are scrambled without Cox's box. So in my mind you are not receiving HD for free when I would have to pay $30/month to receive the 13 channels that Cox offers.


You should need to pay the rental fee of the box. ($9.95) the reason your first box is over the $9.95 is the dvr fee of $4.95.

They also have the cable card for cable card equiped tvs.



ajwees41

Why would I need to pay an additional $15 for a second box? Even their web site says I'd have a service fee.

Why would I need to pay an additional $15 for a second box? Even their web site says I'd have a service fee.


Where on thier website does it say there is a service fee? You should need to only pay the $9.95 to rent the addtional HD box.

Do you want an additional dvr? You have to pay $4.95 for each dvr you want plus the $9.95 to rent the box.

ajwees41

What chanel is Weather Now on in Lincoln?

Channel 103.

In preparation for the possibility of not getting 'Lost' in HD from Cox I bought a 40" UHF antenna from Radio Shack. I had planned on doing this anyway, this KETV business just got me to do it sooner. Saturday I did a test run with the antenna next to the tv and got a sigal strength of +95%. Eventually I will put it in my attic. Today I temporarily mounted it in my basement which gave me a 90-95%. Tonight I was watching 'Desperate Housewives' and the picture kept dropping out. I checked the signal strength meter and the strength was at 95% but the SNR was fluctuating and sometimes going to zero (where the picture drops out). I have very little experience with OTA programming. Is this normal?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006FXR9/ref=pd_luc_mri/002-6630271-3045637?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Is this what you guys call the "silver sensor"? Sounds like this one will work pretty good and it's inexpensive. I broke down and bought an HD receiver off ebay. Gotta see the huskers in hi def!!!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006FXR9/ref=pd_luc_mri/002-6630271-3045637?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Is this what you guys call the "silver sensor"? Sounds like this one will work pretty good and it's inexpensive. I broke down and bought an HD receiver off ebay. Gotta see the huskers in hi def!!!


That's the silver sensor - works great!!
VERY directional though!

I guess I should have been paying attention when everyone was talking about where the hi def towers are. Aren't 3,6,and 7 near 72nd and Crown Point? And where is KPTM? I live about 156th and Fort. So if I just point this thing East I should be fine, correct?

I guess I should have been paying attention when everyone was talking about where the hi def towers are. Aren't 3,6,and 7 near 72nd and Crown Point? And where is KPTM? I live about 156th and Fort. So if I just point this thing East I should be fine, correct?


I'm in Lincoln and just point mine the direction indicated by www.antennaweb.org and it works fine!

I rotated it a few degrees and all is well :D

In preparation for the possibility of not getting 'Lost' in HD from Cox I bought a 40" UHF antenna from Radio Shack. I had planned on doing this anyway, this KETV business just got me to do it sooner. Saturday I did a test run with the antenna next to the tv and got a sigal strength of +95%. Eventually I will put it in my attic. Today I temporarily mounted it in my basement which gave me a 90-95%. Tonight I was watching 'Desperate Housewives' and the picture kept dropping out. I checked the signal strength meter and the strength was at 95% but the SNR was fluctuating and sometimes going to zero (where the picture drops out). I have very little experience with OTA programming. Is this normal?

In preparation for the possibility of not getting 'Lost' in HD from Cox I bought a 40" UHF antenna from Radio Shack. I had planned on doing this anyway, this KETV business just got me to do it sooner. Saturday I did a test run with the antenna next to the tv and got a sigal strength of +95%. Eventually I will put it in my attic. Today I temporarily mounted it in my basement which gave me a 90-95%. Tonight I was watching 'Desperate Housewives' and the picture kept dropping out. I checked the signal strength meter and the strength was at 95% but the SNR was fluctuating and sometimes going to zero (where the picture drops out). I have very little experience with OTA programming. Is this normal?

You are probably getting reflections off of other structures or bouncing around within your house. I would recommend buying a roof mount of some kind and getting it outside. You can usually drill through the wall of the house where your other cables come in (phone, cable, power). You have to run coax all the way but that isn't too bad unless your basement ceiling is finished.

You may want to get a 10db coax booster. They run about $30.

Any little movement of the antenna can throw off the lock. (Like if you hang it by a string or something.)

I bolted a pole to my chimney and ran the coax from there.

Are you pointing the antenna at CH 7's tower? There are sites that help with directions and angles.

You are probably getting reflections off of other structures or bouncing around within your house. I would recommend buying a roof mount of some kind and getting it outside. You can usually drill through the wall of the house where your other cables come in (phone, cable, power). You have to run coax all the way but that isn't too bad unless your basement ceiling is finished.

You may want to get a 10db coax booster. They run about $30.

Any little movement of the antenna can throw off the lock. (Like if you hang it by a string or something.)

I bolted a pole to my chimney and ran the coax from there.

Are you pointing the antenna at CH 7's tower? There are sites that help with directions and angles.

I got a pm from another member and he suggested that it might be multi-path also and suggested rotating it. I had it pointed due East because the joists in my basement run East-West. I still got a strong signal. As soon as i rotated it 30 degrees NE the SNR went up (this is also pointing directly at the tower). It's funny you mentioned string. My antenna is currently hanging by two pieces of kite string. Once I get it in the attic I will attach it better.

Omaha's ABC Affiliate Pulls HDTV Feed From Cox

http://www.tvpredictions.com/ketvcox100106.htm


At the end of the day, after all is said & done, it's always about the money.

EdL

Very true. What I want to know from others is that should the FCC step in to mediate these kinds of disputes?

http://www.ketv.com/news/9981334/detail.html

KETV FAQ to the Cox problems

ajwees41

Very true. What I want to know from others is that should the FCC step in to mediate these kinds of disputes?


No, the government is involved in too many things as it is. This is a free market issue. If you don't want to put up with it...go elsewhere.

The OTA stations have every right to demand a fee for their signal. The cable companies are making alot of money selling that signal on the cable service. These stations have also spent a ton of $$$ to upgrade their equipment and transmitters to broadcast in HD--via government madate BTW.

It's obvious that Cox is being the stinker here when KETV has agreements in place already with TWC.

No, the government is involved in too many things as it is. This is a free market issue. If you don't want to put up with it...go elsewhere.

The OTA stations have every right to demand a fee for their signal. The cable companies are making alot of money selling that signal on the cable service. These stations have also spent a ton of $$$ to upgrade their equipment and transmitters to broadcast in HD--via government madate BTW.

It's obvious that Cox is being the stinker here when KETV has agreements in place already with TWC.


If they have a right to charge for the cable and satelite companies to carry the signal than it is not free and the should not provide it free over the air either then.

ajwees41

I guess I should have been paying attention when everyone was talking about where the hi def towers are. Aren't 3,6,and 7 near 72nd and Crown Point? And where is KPTM? I live about 156th and Fort. So if I just point this thing East I should be fine, correct?

KPTM and KXVO are located south of Gretna. From parts of Omaha or Council Bluffs, if you point your antenna in the direction of KPTM and KXVO you might luck out and also pull in KLKN and KOLN.

If they have a right to charge for the cable and satelite companies to carry the signal than it is not free and the should not provide it free over the air either then.

ajwees41

Once again, that's a free market decision for KETV to make.

Why shouldn't KETV charge Cox for their signal? ESPN, TBS, USA, TVLand, etc all charge for their signal to be retransmitted. I guarantee there are more people overall watching KETV at any one time than say an ESPN.

Here's another thought--ESPN, TBS, etc all have ads on their channel so why do they have to charge the cable/satellite companies? Another one-why does Cox/satellite co's sell and air advertisements on channels that we're paying for? Why don't they free up that time so ESPN, TBS, etc can sell more ads so they don't have to charge the cable and satellite co's?

The answer to all the above is that it's a free market decision. If you don't like it, walk away. There are alternatives like buying an antenna and thumbing your nose at the cable co. etc

Am I happy w/ Dish all the time? No, but they beat the alternative of having to rely on the local cable company.

Besides, why do you want us OTA'ers to pay for KETV's signal? :)

Drop your Cox
Pick up a toolbox

You'll feel like a man
With a new tool in your hand

You've got the power
Get it straight off the tower

Sure you may sweat
But you will have no regret

I was just pointing out if KETV wanted Cox to pay for thie HD signal that KETV should charge the people who recive over the air for free also.

Why should cox pay for a signal that is free over the air? It should be the customers choice if they want to pay Cox Not KETV.

Paul do you even have Cox?

ajwees41



Once again, that's a free market decision for KETV to make.

Why shouldn't KETV charge Cox for their signal? ESPN, TBS, USA, TVLand, etc all charge for their signal to be retransmitted. I guarantee there are more people overall watching KETV at any one time than say an ESPN.

Here's another thought--ESPN, TBS, etc all have ads on their channel so why do they have to charge the cable/satellite companies? Another one-why does Cox/satellite co's sell and air advertisements on channels that we're paying for? Why don't they free up that time so ESPN, TBS, etc can sell more ads so they don't have to charge the cable and satellite co's?

The answer to all the above is that it's a free market decision. If you don't like it, walk away. There are alternatives like buying an antenna and thumbing your nose at the cable co. etc

Am I happy w/ Dish all the time? No, but they beat the alternative of having to rely on the local cable company.

Besides, why do you want us OTA'ers to pay for KETV's signal? :)

I wrote this email to KETV today in response to the below quote. Can you believe the audacity?


KETV says it will permit Cox to carry the station's analog feed "so as not to inconvenience a large number of its viewers."

This is a slap in the face to us HD viewers out here-and we're growing. So you're saying it's o.k. to inconvenience the HD viewers but not the analog viewers? Thanks alot!

Paul do you even have Cox?

ajwees41


No...since there's been such a big discussion on this, I thought I would put in my 2 cents. I'm a Dish HD sub w/ my locals OTA in Kearney.

Consider yourself lucky in Omaha you have all your network affils in HD. We only have CBS and PBS in HD. ABC and Fox are digital but only SD. The NBC SD dig signal isn't even on the air right now.

Unfortunately, it's a done deal, KETV and Cox have parted ways and there won't be any going back. Cox & KETV have to save face, so neither side will bend. Does anyone remember the KMTV fiasco. I would like to see Cox call KETV's bluff and agree to carry the high demand HD-weather channel. KETV's case about the weather channel makes sense to me, but when they start bringing in the compensation piece, that let's me know it's all about the money.

Since, I'm an early adapter and have a 5 year old HDTV, looks like I'll have to make the investment in an OTA converter, antenna, and some sort of component video switcher. Or I could apply the $$$ towards a new 60" to 65" set with all of the fancy HDMI inputs & the built in HDTV tuner I'm lacking. Anybody looking for a slightly used Mits-55807 RPTV that puts out a helluva picture :)



EdL

PS - In case anyone was wondering, the reason I have cox is for the bundled services (internet, phone, & cable).

Once again, that's a free market decision for KETV to make.

Why shouldn't KETV charge Cox for their signal? ESPN, TBS, USA, TVLand, etc all charge for their signal to be retransmitted. I guarantee there are more people overall watching KETV at any one time than say an ESPN.

Here's another thought--ESPN, TBS, etc all have ads on their channel so why do they have to charge the cable/satellite companies? Another one-why does Cox/satellite co's sell and air advertisements on channels that we're paying for? Why don't they free up that time so ESPN, TBS, etc can sell more ads so they don't have to charge the cable and satellite co's?

The answer to all the above is that it's a free market decision. If you don't like it, walk away. There are alternatives like buying an antenna and thumbing your nose at the cable co. etc

Am I happy w/ Dish all the time? No, but they beat the alternative of having to rely on the local cable company.

Besides, why do you want us OTA'ers to pay for KETV's signal? :)

It's not as straight forward as you think it is. There are alot of regulations regarding the OTA broadcast stations. The reason ESPN and TBS can charge is because they are not broadcasting over publicly owned frequencies. KETV on the other hand is broadcasting over the air and is therefore subject to all kinds of government regulation concieved to keep the public safe.

KETV wants money for rebroadcasting, but Cox cannot give in. If Cox gives them any piece of the pie then a precident is set. When analog is phased out and digital is all that remains, the legal battles will have just begun. Everyone will want to make money off the air waves that rightfully belong to the public. At this point not allowing rebroadcast of their signal would be company suicide. There is a significant percentage of KETV's viewership that come from cable services. If that were suddenly to cease all together, advertising dollars for the station would plummit and they would be in jeopardy of losing their affiliate status with ABC.

So really what KETV wants is to get a piece of the early adopter crowd pie before the government starts stepping in. The problem is that everyone gets hurt. KETV loses public face, Cox loses public face and the public gets kicked in the face. This is a setback for HDTV in general. Disputes like this should not happen. This is exactly why there is so much telecommunication legislation. Because companies go to war with one another and the public gets used as ammunition.

And as a point of reference Cox does not charge extra for Local HDTV signals. You must have basic cable service and a set top box. The basic cable service includes SD and HD local channels and the Set top box can be rented or you can use one you own. A cable card could be rented at an even cheaper rate.

I don't think it is a done deal. Cox still has channel 809 listed in the guide.

When this crap crap was going on with KMTV 2 years ago Cox removed channel 805 until KMTV was bought by a new owner and was than relaunched on 805.

ajwees41

Unfortunately, it's a done deal, KETV and Cox have parted ways and there won't be any going back. Cox & KETV have to save face, so neither side will bend. Does anyone remember the KMTV fiasco. I would like to see Cox call KETV's bluff and agree to carry the high demand HD-weather channel. KETV's case about the weather channel makes sense to me, but when they start bringing in the compensation piece, that let's me know it's all about the money.

Since, I'm an early adapter and have a 5 year old HDTV, looks like I'll have to make the investment in an OTA converter, antenna, and some sort of component video switcher. Or I could apply the $$$ towards a new 60" to 65" set with all of the fancy HDMI inputs & the built in HDTV tuner I'm lacking. Anybody looking for a slightly used Mits-55807 RPTV that puts out a helluva picture :)



EdL

PS - In case anyone was wondering, the reason I have cox is for the bundled services (internet, phone, & cable).

And let's not forget that if you have a set with a built-in QAM HD tuner, you'll also get the signals for free from Cox.

EdL

Excellent points docmal.

ajwees41

The Hearst/Arglye versus Cox wars, only the station & city names have been changed. This part of their overall corporate strategy.

http://www.thehometownchannel.com/news/9796168/detail.html

http://www.koco.com/news/9967452/detail.html

http://www.wdsu.com/news/9982574/detail.html

Cox sucks and there is nothing that can be done about it. Omaha needs some competition in the market to drive down prices and enforce some quality.

Its funny that a Cox Cablecard install in California costs $29 and in Omaha costs $79. It must be that high cost of living in Omaha.

I certainly don't disagree nebrunner. Although, the fact that Cox is unchallenged here does not let KETV off the hook.

I would KILL for a chance to get Verizon FiOS in Omaha!

Look at this

http://www.cox.com/Omaha/

Cox has listed the station as KMTV not KETV.

ajwees41

The Hearst/Arglye versus Cox wars, only the station & city names have been changed. This part of their overall corporate strategy.


This line from Edl says it all. Omaha is just another pawn in the game. Hearst Argyle is trying to set a precedent that would quickly be followed by the others resulting in higher bill for cable customers. This is pure greed caused by some CEO looking to hit numbers so he get's another million in bonuses. I myself do not like to get bent over by some corporation so ABC can rot in Hades as far as I'm concerned. Will not watch them again.

Assuming the signal can reach me from the tower, will this antenna allow me to receive the KETV HD signal over the air?

Zenith ZHDTV1 HDTV-UHF Digital Indoor Antenna (can't post url because I don't have enough posts)


Thanks.

Okay, I have never quite understood this, so can someone please explain this to me? How is it that Lincoln can carry both KETV and KLKN and KMTV and KOLN on their cable systems, but Omaha cannot do the same? Something just doesn't seem right about that. So TWC customers can have 2 ABC HD signals, while Omaha Cox can have none.

Okay, I have never quite understood this, so can someone please explain this to me? How is it that Lincoln can carry both KETV and KLKN and KMTV and KOLN on their cable systems, but Omaha cannot do the same? Something just doesn't seem right about that. So TWC customers can have 2 ABC HD signals, while Omaha Cox can have none.

On that same line of thought... Why can't cox give the finger to KETV and pick up Lincolns affiliate? Or even better just get ABC directly and screw getting the local broadcasts. Omaha newscasts are a sad state of affairs anyway.

Cox sucks and there is nothing that can be done about it. Omaha needs some competition in the market to drive down prices and enforce some quality.

Its funny that a Cox Cablecard install in California costs $29 and in Omaha costs $79. It must be that high cost of living in Omaha.


Cox doesn't suck. Where did you find the cable card install info for California?

The Cable bills go up because the cost of programming goes up. It will also go up if Cox caves in and pays Hearst Argyle a fee for the HD signals that are free over the air.

ajwees41

On that same line of thought... Why can't cox give the finger to KETV and pick up Lincolns affiliate? Or even better just get ABC directly and screw getting the local broadcasts. Omaha newscasts are a sad state of affairs anyway.


I like your thinking. :D

Either KETV is free or it isn't. The networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) should have had this argument 25-30 years ago when cable was originally rolled out to consumers. Why didn't they fight this battle back then? In my opinion it is because they realized that by providing their signals to cable they would be preserving themselves. Back in the 70's-80's consumers were for the 1st time presented w/ viewing choices other than OTA programming. (i.e. HBO, ESPN, ..etc) The networks didn't want to lose advertising revenue b/c of cable now did they? :rolleyes: Therefore, the investment by KETV in HD vs. analog has no bearing in this argument.

I don't have Cox service albeit the strong-arming by KETV to bilk money from Cox is ridiculous even from an outsiders point of view. So what can I do other than post here? Not much.... although I have chosen to ban KETV programming from my household. One small step.....

where abouts are the HD broadcast antennas located? I was thinking they were out at 72nd and Crown Point but antennaweb tells me they are 63 degrees from my house, which seems to put them just a bit south of Dodge somewhere.

where abouts are the HD broadcast antennas located? I was thinking they were out at 72nd and Crown Point but antennaweb tells me they are 63 degrees from my house, which seems to put them just a bit south of Dodge somewhere.

Make sure you typed in your address, zip, etc. correctly. I recently pulled my house up and the 3 major networks are all 1 degree away from each other and it pointed towards 72nd and Crown Point so I'm assuming that's where they're at. KPTM on the other hand is the opposite direction--out by Gretna I heard.

To the guy that posted about the Zenith antenna--Look back about 10-15 posts. I posted the same question. That antenna is the "silver sensor" that many people have talked about on this forum. Evidently, it's a great antenna to have. Lemme guess, you want to watch the NU game in HD Saturday and now you're panicking? :D

new email to inqure about the KETV dispute.

lhood@hearst.com

KETV programming director

ajwees41

More info from Cox

We do have the bandwidth to carry KETV’s Weather Now channel. The feedback you had from the local tech is partially accurate in terms of we are tight on bandwidth but part of that is planning for carriage of more channels, both digital and HD, that we are working on securing agreements with or know will be coming down the pipe. We have had discussions with the people from KETV and knew that this would be of interest to them and they have launched it over the air so we thought that this would be part of the negotiations. Unfortunately this was not the request, they want significant money.



Percy Kirk

ajwees41

Hearst Argyle's take

http://www.hearstargyle.com/cox_subscribers.html

ajwees41

Andrew, I think I'm missing something here. Cox's website says I can get up to 13 channels of HD for free. Without renting their HD box from them (which isn't free), how can I get let's say ESPN for free? Do some of these newer HDTV's have tuners in them that can tune in these channels? I have an HD receiver coming in a few days. Would I be able to tune it to receive all 13 of these channels? I suppose I'll have to start playing around with it once I receive it.

Huskerfan,

I'm not sure of the exact text you are looking at but if it does say 13 HD channels for free, that is a bit misleading.

We subscribe to the standard Cox package that is around 44.95 per month. With this package we receive 4 HD Channels (used to be 5 before all the Hearst stuff started). You will get Fox, NE Public (pretty good stuff actually) and then whichever 2 network channels are currently playing well with Cox :)

To get the 13 channels Cox is talking about (Discovery, ESPN HD, etc), you are going to need either a set-top box or a cablecard and also to pay a "Digital Gateway" fee. It's around $10-$15 more per month, depending on what options you choose.

I'm referring to this pricing schedule from Cox's website:

http://www.cox.com/Omaha/Digitalcable/Pricing.asp

That page is definitely misleading.

You can get "free" HDTV if you own your own tuner. The basic cable listed at the top for $44.20 will get you 4 free channels.

If you want the "13 free channels" you will have to pay for it. That will cost you the $44.20 per month, plus the digital gateway charge, plus the DVR or cablecard rental, depending on which route you choose. (I am not sure what those tiered charges are for, the footnote does not lead to any more information)

If you speak to Cox on the phone they will tell you that you must pay the digital gateway fee to get any HD at all. This is false. You will get the 4 free channels without paying the gateway fee.

But if you already have any form of digital they only charge would be the higher fee to rent the HD box. If you can afford an HDTV you certainly can afford the box rental. Which is cheaper than the Satelite HD box rentals

ajwees41

I don't disagree with you, and it's not an issue of affordability. To me it's an issue of owning a tv with a built in HD tuner, but being forced to adopt a set top box.

I am sure I am in the minority and I don't expect anybody else to understand my violent abhorrance to adopting a set top box. (The fact that I would have to pay for the privilege is a bonus)

So, hence my original question: How can I get 13 free channels like their web site says?

If they have a right to charge for the cable and satelite companies to carry the signal than it is not free and the should not provide it free over the air either then.

ajwees41

I see a lot of this sentiment on here. But how valuable would Cox cable TV be without the local channels? Not quite as much I think. Cox shouldn't be allowed to piggy-back on the TV stations hard work and investment. The local TV stations deserve payment. Before I moved here I lived in a valley, and all my OTA signals were crap. So I subscribed to cable. Cable companies make money because they carry the local channels.

I put out commentary on my blog for free, for anyone to read with no charge. But if AOL picked up my content and used it to gain subscribers, I would certainly be expecting AOL to pay me for carrying my content.

I see a lot of this sentiment on here. But how valuable would Cox cable TV be without the local channels? Not quite as much I think. Cox shouldn't be allowed to piggy-back on the TV stations hard work and investment. The local TV stations deserve payment. Before I moved here I lived in a valley, and all my OTA signals were crap. So I subscribed to cable. Cable companies make money because they carry the local channels.

I put out commentary on my blog for free, for anyone to read with no charge. But if AOL picked up my content and used it to gain subscribers, I would certainly be expecting AOL to pay me for carrying my content.


But the thing is KETV and the other broadcasters don't charge for thier broadcasts over the air, but want Cox and other cable and satelite companies to pay to carry thier HD feed.

ajwees41

a copy of an email I just sent to KETV


Why are you saying that it is Cox that elected to remove the HD signal from their cable lineup when in fact it was KETV(Hearst Argyle) who withdrew permission for Cox to broadcast since Hearst Argyle wanted paid for a free signal.

If you want to charge, cable and satellite companies to carry your HD signal you should also charge the viewers who also get it for free over the air.

The Ketv mess made todays OWH back page of the living.

ajwees41

KETV

Biased KETV has a disscussion board on thier website to disscuss anything that people nominate and I nominated the Cox dispute and they didn't add because they said to contact Linda Hood with comments.

ajwees41

Andrew, I think I'm missing something here. Cox's website says I can get up to 13 channels of HD for free. Without renting their HD box from them (which isn't free), how can I get let's say ESPN for free? Do some of these newer HDTV's have tuners in them that can tune in these channels? I have an HD receiver coming in a few days. Would I be able to tune it to receive all 13 of these channels? I suppose I'll have to start playing around with it once I receive it.


My understanding is (correct me if I'm wrong), if you subscribe to Cox's basc digital package and have a built-in HD Tuner, you will receive all of the HD channels except for the premium chanels HBO & SHO-HD (these 2 are only available if you subscribe to the them). The key phrase in Cox's marketing, "Up to 13 Channels". Therefore, the 4 channels that you receive are as advertised.

I spoke to Joel Vilamaney (KETV) on the phone (he actually returned my call) and my take on the conversation is that Cox is marketing HD for free, when he believes it is not. He is also a Cox customer. He went on and on about how much money they have spent etc., but he had no come back for the, "But you can receive it for free if you have built in tuner". He also indicated the the cable rebroadcast of the sub-channel (that high demand weather channel :)) is currently being reviewed by congress. I did tell him that I believed both sides were now intractable & that neither would give in, especially Cox because to much is at stake. He said the negotiations are on-going.

Unfortunately I had to go into a meeting just when we started on the TWC Lincoln comparison. For some reason whatever TWC is doing is ok.


EdL

My understanding is (correct me if I'm wrong), if you subscribe to Cox's basc digital package and have a built-in HD Tuner, you will receive all of the HD channels except for the premium chanels HBO & SHO-HD (these 2 are only available if you subscribe to the them). The key phrase in Cox's marketing, "Up to 13 Channels". Therefore, the 4 channels that you receive are as advertised.

I spoke to Joel Vilamaney (KETV) on the phone (he actually returned my call) and my take on the conversation is that Cox is marketing HD for free, when he believes it is not. He is also a Cox customer. He went on and on about how much money they have spent etc., but he had no come back for the, "But you can receive it for free if you have built in tuner". He also indicated the the cable rebroadcast of the sub-channel (that high demand weather channel :)) is currently being reviewed by congress. I did tell him that I believed both sides were now intractable & that neither would give in, especially Cox because to much is at stake. He said the negotiations are on-going.

Unfortunately I had to go into a meeting just when we started on the TWC Lincoln comparison. For some reason whatever TWC is doing is ok.


EdL

I don't think it is actually KETV as the bad guy, Hearst Argyle thier owner is.

If it was jusst Ketv and Cox disagreeing it would be KETV's error, but it's all the HA stations in Cox locations.



ajwees41

On that same line of thought... Why can't cox give the finger to KETV and pick up Lincolns affiliate? Or even better just get ABC directly and screw getting the local broadcasts. Omaha newscasts are a sad state of affairs anyway.


According to Cox they can not add Lincoln's ABC feed because KETV has exclusive rights to the ABC signal.


ajwees41

According to Cox they can not add Lincoln's ABC feed because KETV has exclusive rights to the ABC signal.


ajwees41


I just don't understand that. That was the same reasoning we got when the KMTV situation was going on that KMTV had exclusive rights to the CBS signal. So the channels in Lincoln (KLKN, KOLN) weren't smart enough to garner those same rights for that market? That just doesn't make sense to me.

A Cox market in Arkansas is now providing a replacement for the Hearst channel that they lost with a Tulsa, OK affiliate. http://nwanews.com/nwat/News/45532/

Too bad Omaha can't do that.

I just don't understand that. That was the same reasoning we got when the KMTV situation was going on that KMTV had exclusive rights to the CBS signal. So the channels in Lincoln (KLKN, KOLN) weren't smart enough to garner those same rights for that market? That just doesn't make sense to me.

A Cox market in Arkansas is now providing a replacement for the Hearst channel that they lost with a Tulsa, OK affiliate. http://nwanews.com/nwat/News/45532/

Too bad Omaha can't do that.



Reply from Cox Omaha
Coverage areas for broadcasters are covered in the Network non duplication rules.

Okay, I have never quite understood this, so can someone please explain this to me? How is it that Lincoln can carry both KETV and KLKN and KMTV and KOLN on their cable systems, but Omaha cannot do the same? Something just doesn't seem right about that. So TWC customers can have 2 ABC HD signals, while Omaha Cox can have none.

I've never been able to get a specific answer on this, but I've heard a few different theories over the years. If someone has more concrete information please reply and correct me...
There really is no "Lincoln market". Lincoln is in the "Lincoln-Hastings-Kearney" market, which really is the Tri-Cities market. However, because Lincoln viewers can't get anything from the Grand Island area over the air but can get the Omaha stations to some degree, Lincoln is actually more of an extension of the Omaha market. (Note how all Omaha stations cover as far as York and areas south as their primary market.) So technically Lincoln is in the Omaha market area (though not in the Omaha Neilsen DMA), and the cable companies all carry the Omaha stations.

However, the existence of KOLN-KGIN complicates matters a little. The station has its studios in Lincoln but is the main CBS affiliate for the Tri-Cities area (in addition to the Lincoln area). This is only permitted by CBS in that the coverage area of KOLN-KGIN is essentially the "Lincoln-Hastings-Kearney" market, which technically removes Lincoln from the Omaha market and allows both Lincoln and Omaha to have individual CBS affiliates.

As far as I know, KETV still owns the rights to ABC in the Lincoln area. However, they have never chosen to exercise any action against KLKN. KETV remains popular in Lincoln, especially on cable. It would be interesting to see which affiliate has more cable viewers in Lincoln. If KETV trails it is probably not by much.

Basically what it seems to come down to is that the Omaha affiliates (esp. KETV) have acquired the exclusive rights to offer their signals to cable systems within the Omaha city limits. The Lincoln stations apparently do not have that same requirement.

However, cable companies in the Omaha DMA have picked up other affiliates. Galaxy Cable in Gretna carries KOLN; Charter Cable in Springfield carries both KOLN and KLKN; Time Warner Cable in Fremont has KOLN-DT on their digital lineup. Some, however, such as Galaxy Cable in Ceresco, just north of Lincoln, choose to only carry KETV and not KLKN. I believe there's at least one cable system in Lancaster County that has KETV and not KLKN. In other words, KLKN is apparently not enforcing their must-carry rights. (To see what OTA stations are available on cable in each community, check out my list at http://nebcabletv.tripod.com/. Note that it hasn't been updated since 2/06.)

My understanding is (correct me if I'm wrong), if you subscribe to Cox's basc digital package and have a built-in HD Tuner, you will receive all of the HD channels except for the premium chanels HBO & SHO-HD (these 2 are only available if you subscribe to the them). The key phrase in Cox's marketing, "Up to 13 Channels". Therefore, the 4 channels that you receive are as advertised.




EdL

Maybe I'm confused in the semantics, but wouldn't "up to" mean you would receive at least that many channels and maybe more?

I've never been able to get a specific answer on this, but I've heard a few different theories over the years. If someone has more concrete information please reply and correct me...
There really is no "Lincoln market". Lincoln is in the "Lincoln-Hastings-Kearney" market, which really is the Tri-Cities market. However, because Lincoln viewers can't get anything from the Grand Island area over the air but can get the Omaha stations to some degree, Lincoln is actually more of an extension of the Omaha market. (Note how all Omaha stations cover as far as York and areas south as their primary market.) So technically Lincoln is in the Omaha market area (though not in the Omaha Neilsen DMA), and the cable companies all carry the Omaha stations.

However, the existence of KOLN-KGIN complicates matters a little. The station has its studios in Lincoln but is the main CBS affiliate for the Tri-Cities area (in addition to the Lincoln area). This is only permitted by CBS in that the coverage area of KOLN-KGIN is essentially the "Lincoln-Hastings-Kearney" market, which technically removes Lincoln from the Omaha market and allows both Lincoln and Omaha to have individual CBS affiliates.

As far as I know, KETV still owns the rights to ABC in the Lincoln area. However, they have never chosen to exercise any action against KLKN. KETV remains popular in Lincoln, especially on cable. It would be interesting to see which affiliate has more cable viewers in Lincoln. If KETV trails it is probably not by much.

Basically what it seems to come down to is that the Omaha affiliates (esp. KETV) have acquired the exclusive rights to offer their signals to cable systems within the Omaha city limits. The Lincoln stations apparently do not have that same requirement.

However, cable companies in the Omaha DMA have picked up other affiliates. Galaxy Cable in Gretna carries KOLN; Charter Cable in Springfield carries both KOLN and KLKN; Time Warner Cable in Fremont has KOLN-DT on their digital lineup. Some, however, such as Galaxy Cable in Ceresco, just north of Lincoln, choose to only carry KETV and not KLKN. I believe there's at least one cable system in Lancaster County that has KETV and not KLKN. In other words, KLKN is apparently not enforcing their must-carry rights. (To see what OTA stations are available on cable in each community, check out my list at http://nebcabletv.tripod.com/. Note that it hasn't been updated since 2/06.)

Thanks for the information. It is really helpful and at the same time muddies the waters. It is interesting to think that if you live in York using TWC that you could eventually have 3 ABC HD channels to choose from (KETV, KLKN and someday KHGI) but in Omaha, you struggle to be able to get 1 on a cable system. And at the same time the surrounding communities can mock Omaha cable subscribers because they have either KETV or KLKN in HD available to them.

It makes it also interesting when it comes to sports too since there are those times where some regional coverages split the state into 2 and you might be able to pick up both regional games because of those options.

Like someone else may have said, I have an older HDTV capable TV and don't have a built in tuner so I would have to spend money to be able to get the "free" transmission over the air. To me it is a wash. It is easier for me to rent the box from Cox than to spend money for something else. I'm not sure where Hearst thinks that extra money is. It's hard for me to believe that Time Warner would sign the same type of deal as being offered to Cox without sticking their customers with the bill. TWC does show and extra "charge" for the non-local HDTV content, so maybe they are sticking their customers with the bill. The set top box fee with TWC is about the same as Cox.

Bad news;

New word on the street is things are heating up and KETV is threatening to pull the SD Analog channel from Cox right before the Saturday Husker game.

The Kick off is at 7:15pm From 7 to 7:15 they plan to air a big red Scroll text warning of the cut off and telling people how to connect an over the air anntena to get the SD Analog channel 7 if the have Cox cable.

Not to substantiate your rumor, but I was watching KETV HD right before midnight Saturday night and they ran a scroll across the top that said Cox was not going to be able to carry their signal because negotions broke down. I can't remember exactly what it said but I'm sure it was flaming Cox. Too many cocktails by then, I guess. :)

I do get KLKN in Papillion over the air in HD.

Cox has a big tower at 36th and Conrhusker. All they would need to do is put a UHF anntenna up there to get channel 8.1 (31.1) and the ABC feed in HD and SD.

I am not sure it would be legal for cox to do that through as Channel 8 is not in the Omaha DMA, but it seems to go the other way, the Lincoln DMA has Omaha and Lincoln stations.

Cox should get there legal team on it right away.

With the KMTV channel 3 dispute Cox could not do it due to a Network station contract stating KOLN can not be on Omahas Cable. KLKN does not have that kind of contract.

Thanks for the information. It is really helpful and at the same time muddies the waters. It is interesting to think that if you live in York using TWC that you could eventually have 3 ABC HD channels to choose from (KETV, KLKN and someday KHGI) but in Omaha, you struggle to be able to get 1 on a cable system. And at the same time the surrounding communities can mock Omaha cable subscribers because they have either KETV or KLKN in HD available to them.

Time Warner Cable in York is already this way -- subscribers get KETV, KLKN, and KHGI. Likewise, with CBS, Charter Communications in Beatrice has KMTV, KOLN, and WIBW.

The KOLN limitation in the Omaha area must only apply within the city of Omaha. Many other cable companies in the Omaha DMA carry KOLN.

I dropped Cox last month and am happily enjoying ABC-HD via KLKN-DT. KETV-DT actually has trouble in parts of Gretna anyway while KLKN-DT ranges between 60% and 85% depending on the weather.

There must be some legal reason, but I get the impression that Cox is doing the thing that I've seen among other individuals and businesses in Omaha... the attitude that "aside from the Huskers, nothing good comes from south of the Platte". Once I emailed Cox asking to see KLKN and KOLN and they said that they could but there was no reason to as those are Lincoln stations and they're in Omaha. Apparently Lincoln takes Omaha stations as Omaha is a larger market, but in Omaha they see no reason to take stations from a smaller market.

Umm, that's not a good idea. They are really screwing with people and the people have ZERO control over this.

Bad news;

New word on the street is things are heating up and KETV is threatening to pull the SD Analog channel from Cox right before the Saturday Husker game.

The Kick off is at 7:15pm From 7 to 7:15 they plan to air a big red Scroll text warning of the cut off and telling people how to connect an over the air anntena to get the SD Analog channel 7 if the have Cox cable.

I talked to a good friend that works at Channel 7, he said they have no plans to pull the Husker game Saturday Night.

Bad news;

New word on the street is things are heating up and KETV is threatening to pull the SD Analog channel from Cox right before the Saturday Husker game.

The Kick off is at 7:15pm From 7 to 7:15 they plan to air a big red Scroll text warning of the cut off and telling people how to connect an over the air anntena to get the SD Analog channel 7 if the have Cox cable.


Scott were did you hear this.

I just got an email from Joel Vilmenay that says they are not going to do that.

ajwees41

Time Warner Cable in York is already this way -- subscribers get KETV, KLKN, and KHGI. Likewise, with CBS, Charter Communications in Beatrice has KMTV, KOLN, and WIBW.

The KOLN limitation in the Omaha area must only apply within the city of Omaha. Many other cable companies in the Omaha DMA carry KOLN.

I dropped Cox last month and am happily enjoying ABC-HD via KLKN-DT. KETV-DT actually has trouble in parts of Gretna anyway while KLKN-DT ranges between 60% and 85% depending on the weather.

There must be some legal reason, but I get the impression that Cox is doing the thing that I've seen among other individuals and businesses in Omaha... the attitude that "aside from the Huskers, nothing good comes from south of the Platte". Once I emailed Cox asking to see KLKN and KOLN and they said that they could but there was no reason to as those are Lincoln stations and they're in Omaha. Apparently Lincoln takes Omaha stations as Omaha is a larger market, but in Omaha they see no reason to take stations from a smaller market.It probably had to do with the way the market developed. The city of Lincoln had only the one network station, KOLN, until Citadel moved KLKN there in 1996. So they have a long history of depending on Omaha for everything but CBS, and the Omaha stations have gained "significantly-viewed" status in the eyes of the FCC. KLKN doesn't have that kind of history or status in Omaha or Douglas County.

There are many smaller cities like that nationwide. Charlottesville, VA, for instance, is its own market and has had its own NBC for years (a station which only recently gained local competitors), but it also has a history of getting Richmond and DC network stations as well.

I've been following this thread and am of course pretty upset about the way both cox and hearst have been handling this situation. Being the avid husker fan I am, I have to watch the game in HD. I looked at the antenna mentioned in this thread (zenith silver), but was concerned that it wouldn't get here in time. So I went to Radio Shack after work and picked up a different internal antenna (with the assurance that I could return it within 30 days if there was a problem).

Here's the problem - I have an HT1000 pj that does not have a coaxial input. What is the best way to get the coaxial signal to my projector? My receiver doesn't have a coaxial input either. Is an rf modulator the best way to go? Will I have signal loss if I go this route? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

It probably had to do with the way the market developed. The city of Lincoln had only the one network station, KOLN, until Citadel moved KLKN there in 1996. So they have a long history of depending on Omaha for everything but CBS, and the Omaha stations have gained "significantly-viewed" status in the eyes of the FCC. KLKN doesn't have that kind of history or status in Omaha or Douglas County.

There are many smaller cities like that nationwide. Charlottesville, VA, for instance, is its own market and has had its own NBC for years (a station which only recently gained local competitors), but it also has a history of getting Richmond and DC network stations as well.


I think Omaha should get to count Lincoln in Omaha's DMA ,If there getting Omaha's stations they should be counted for DMA purposes. I think if Lincoln is getting Omaha's locals, Omaha should get Lincoln's locals!!!

Maybe I'm confused in the semantics, but wouldn't "up to" mean you would receive at least that many channels and maybe more?
That's interesting, because my take on that is exactly the opposite -- you could receive 13 channels or you could receive anything less...including 0.

Here's a link to the thread from our brethren in Oklahoma City who are also dealing with Hearst/Argyle & Cox.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=463735&page=4&pp=30&highlight=oklahoma

I like the idea of also writing to ABC, which I will also do.

EdL

Can anybody tell me if this connection via Direct Tv will allow me to get local HD OTA?

http://directtv.com/learn/pdf/System_Manuals/DIRECTV/DIRECTV_HR10-250.pdf

EdL

Is there any way to pick up on the Lincoln ABCs HD signal here in LaVista? I refuse to set up an antenna and use KETVs feed! Thanks

Here's a link to the thread from our brethren in Oklahoma City who are also dealing with Hearst/Argyle & Cox.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=463735&page=4&pp=30&highlight=oklahoma

I like the idea of also writing to ABC, which I will also do.

EdL


How will contacting ABC help?

ajwees41

Is there any way to pick up on the Lincoln ABCs HD signal here in LaVista? I refuse to set up an antenna and use KETVs feed! Thanks

Not if you refuse to set up an antenna...

You should be able to get KLKN-DT in La Vista with an antenna, unless you are in a valley with hills to the west/southwest blocking the signal. For example, you probably won't get KLKN if you're around 66th and Harrison or anywhere in the Papio Valley.

Can anybody tell me if this connection via Direct Tv will allow me to get local HD OTA?

http://directtv.com/learn/pdf/System_Manuals/DIRECTV/DIRECTV_HR10-250.pdf

EdL

Yes you can. It is what I use for OTA, it is probably one of the worst OTA tuners reception-wise that I've seen.

Found out more
They are theantening to pull the KETV SD Studio link which KET pays part of. Cox can still carry the station but at the lower quality non fiber optic connected link, also known as the back up link when the fiber goes down.

In other words, the game might be a little fuzzy on cox saturday night.

They are playing hard ball and making threats. I doubt they will do it.

Can anyone explain why KETV thinkd Cox charges for the HD tier. Where on their website or on the paper bill is it listed that they charge for it?

I'm getting fed up with Hearst and there bs. I think there needs to be a mandate that any company who pulls stunts like this should have there network affiliations pulled.

Yes you can. It is what I use for OTA, it is probably one of the worst OTA tuners reception-wise that I've seen.

I have the HD10-250 hooked to a small hospital telemetry antenna on my chimney and I get everything in Omaha, including KLKN-DT and KOLN-DT. Comes in good. Lincoln stations would be hard pressed to come in via the Silver Sensor, unless you are on the west edge of Omaha, IMO. I am at 96th and Harrison.

I dropped Cox years ago and don't regret it a bit. Especially now. :D

Mike

I will try, but its hard as it is a stretch for KETV.

"Can anyone explain why KETV thinkd Cox charges for the HD tier. Where on their website or on the paper bill is it listed that they charge for it?"

Example 1- I have Cox Telephone and Cox Cable. I do not have basic cable. They put a filter on the line so I cant get KETV HD or SD for free. To remove the filter I must sign up for basic cable.

Example 2- KETV HD is encoded by Cox with QAM 256 un encrypted, NOT the free over the air ATSC. I have pay to rent a box to get this signal.

Example 3- Cox sells an HD Package, to get it you have to have a Digital package. They advertise all the locals HDs. If it were free they were not be selling them in the package. Instead they would market the HD channels and say the HD channels are free.


Example 4- Cox charges money to install and setup up cable cards so people can get KETV HD. They make about 40% profit on the them. If it were free they would be selling them at cost.

"Is there any way to pick up on the Lincoln ABCs HD signal here in LaVista? I refuse to set up an antenna and use KETVs feed! Thanks"

I get it just fine at night with a Silver Sensor and a Channel master 7777 amp in the atic.

In the day time its hit or miss becuase they went with 50% power instead of full power (they had filed a waiver with the FCC). We should Email KLKN and ask them to go full power.

I've been following this thread and am of course pretty upset about the way both cox and hearst have been handling this situation. Being the avid husker fan I am, I have to watch the game in HD. I looked at the antenna mentioned in this thread (zenith silver), but was concerned that it wouldn't get here in time. So I went to Radio Shack after work and picked up a different internal antenna (with the assurance that I could return it within 30 days if there was a problem).

Here's the problem - I have an HT1000 pj that does not have a coaxial input. What is the best way to get the coaxial signal to my projector? My receiver doesn't have a coaxial input either. Is an rf modulator the best way to go? Will I have signal loss if I go this route? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

If you do not have a coaxial input that means your projector does not have an internal atsc or ntsc tuner. That means you need to buy an external HDTV tuner (ATSC tuner.) You cannot get the signal without an Antenna and a Tuner.

http://www.cox.com/Omaha/Digitalcable/hidefcheck_list.asp

Here are Cox HD requirements. The only mention of needing Digital cable is if you want the premium channels in HD.
QUOTE=ScottChez]I will try, but its hard as it is a stretch for KETV.

"Can anyone explain why KETV thinkd Cox charges for the HD tier. Where on their website or on the paper bill is it listed that they charge for it?"

Example 1- I have Cox Telephone and Cox Cable. I do not have basic cable. They put a filter on the line so I cant get KETV HD or SD for free. To remove the filter I must sign up for basic cable.

Example 2- KETV HD is encoded by Cox with QAM 256 un encrypted, NOT the free over the air ATSC. I have pay to rent a box to get this signal.

Example 3- Cox sells an HD Package, to get it you have to have a Digital package. They advertise all the locals HDs. If it were free they were not be selling them in the package. Instead they would market the HD channels and say the HD channels are free.


Example 4- Cox charges money to install and setup up cable cards so people can get KETV HD. They make about 40% profit on the them. If it were free they would be selling them at cost.[/QUOTE]

Email from KETV:


Dear KETV Viewer,

We appreciate your concern regarding our current negotiation with Cox
Communications.

Hearst-Argyle Television, parent of KETV and Cox Communications, parent of
the local Cox cable system, are involved in a negotiation to ensure that
you can continue to receive the programming on KETV's digital TV station
that you have come to depend on and which has cost us millions of dollars
to provide you. Your local Cox cable system has elected not to make it
possible for you to receive the digital KETV channel.

Cox has been charging you for access to our digital signal. Cox refuses to
compensate us fairly for these channels for which they have been charging
you. We urge you to contact your local Cox cable system at 933-3000, to
demand that Cox either a) refund you on the monthly cable bill with respect
to the loss of our digital signal, or b) compensate us fairly so that we
may allow Cox to provide you with our digital signal.

For us to allow Cox to retransmit our signal without adequate compensation
to us is simply not fair. Since you are already being charged by Cox for
our digital signal, there is no reason why Cox should increase your bill!

For more information, you can go to our website, KETV.com.
http://www.ketv.com/station/9972702/detail.html

Sincerely,

Joel Vilmenay
President & General Manager

I recieved the same email this morning. I still would like to know where on the bill it lists HD channels and has a charge with it. I will give KETV the fact that Cox charges a rental fee of the box, but so now does satelite companies. You can't get free boxes.

ajwees41






Email from KETV:


Dear KETV Viewer,

We appreciate your concern regarding our current negotiation with Cox
Communications.

Hearst-Argyle Television, parent of KETV and Cox Communications, parent of
the local Cox cable system, are involved in a negotiation to ensure that
you can continue to receive the programming on KETV's digital TV station
that you have come to depend on and which has cost us millions of dollars
to provide you. Your local Cox cable system has elected not to make it
possible for you to receive the digital KETV channel.

Cox has been charging you for access to our digital signal. Cox refuses to
compensate us fairly for these channels for which they have been charging
you. We urge you to contact your local Cox cable system at 933-3000, to
demand that Cox either a) refund you on the monthly cable bill with respect
to the loss of our digital signal, or b) compensate us fairly so that we
may allow Cox to provide you with our digital signal.

For us to allow Cox to retransmit our signal without adequate compensation
to us is simply not fair. Since you are already being charged by Cox for
our digital signal, there is no reason why Cox should increase your bill!

For more information, you can go to our website, KETV.com.
http://www.ketv.com/station/9972702/detail.html

Sincerely,

Joel Vilmenay
President & General Manager

If it is "free" why do they have to give it away "free" for the first 12 months like their own web site says right here:

http://www.cox.com/omaha/digitalcable/hdpricing.asp

and further what your telling us is: If I pay the basic $44.20, I will be able to receive channels 3,6, and 7 (well used to) for free? All I need is the requirements you mentioned above?

or what I suspect is the case is that you would need to pay $6.95 for the digital gateway and $9.95 for the HDTV receiver.

http://www.cox.com/omaha/digitalcable/pricing.asp

That email sounds like the same statement from their web site. Startin to sound like a broken drum.

THE FACT:

Cox will charge me to get KETV SD and HD.

I have Cox Internet and Telephone, I dont subscribe to there cable. I cant pick up KETV SD or HD as they put a filter on.

They want $40 to remove the filter and the basic Cable fee everyone month.

How is this free?

They will make $40 on the setup fee + the basic cable fee every Month.

About 15 years ago, Cox had the Free Lifeline service where you got your local channels for free if you dont have basic cable or something else like Dish. They dont do this any more as they want profits.

THE FACT:

Cox will charge me to get KETV SD and HD.

I have Cox Internet and Telephone, I dont subscribe to there cable. I cant pick up KETV SD or HD as they put a filter on.

They want $40 to remove the filter and the basic Cable fee everyone month.

How is this free?

They will make $40 on the setup fee + the basic cable fee every Month.

About 15 years ago, Cox had the Free Lifeline service where you got your local channels for free if you dont have basic cable or something else like Dish. They dont do this any more as they want profits.


Can't you pick it up over the air? How do you get your tv signal now?

ajwees41

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post and the reason I even registered was for this thread. I have been with DirecTV for 3 years. I didn't not want to pay for the new HD DVR they are offering and didn't want to be inconvenienced by and OTA antenna just to get local HD channels. So (before football season) I switched to Cox. Less than 2 months after I switched up KETV HD is gone. This really sucks. I have been emailing both sides with my concerns and I have got mere form letters in return. I still belive I made the right choice, DirecTV's leased equipment is very expensive for the premium HD channels and I was not sure about over the air HD. I guess I will still get the World Series, Super Bowl, the BCS (all on Fox HD 810), ESPN Bowl Games and Some of the NBA Finals in HD, so I am trying to keep it all in perspective. That being said, NU-ISU is this Saturday, so I am buying a Silver Sensor on Ebay...do these things really work indoors? Someone ease my mind...

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post and the reason I even registered was for this thread. I have been with DirecTV for 3 years. I didn't not want to pay for the new HD DVR they are offering and didn't want to be inconvenienced by and OTA antenna just to get local HD channels. So (before football season) I switched to Cox. Less than 2 months after I switched up KETV HD is gone. This really sucks. I have been emailing both sides with my concerns and I have got mere form letters in return. I still belive I made the right choice, DirecTV's leased equipment is very expensive for the premium HD channels and I was not sure about over the air HD. I guess I will still get the World Series, Super Bowl, the BCS (all on Fox HD 810), ESPN Bowl Games and Some of the NBA Finals in HD, so I am trying to keep it all in perspective. That being said, NU-ISU is this Saturday, so I am buying a Silver Sensor on Ebay...do these things really work indoors? Someone ease my mind...


I am not sure, but I know one thing you will need to unhook your cox HD box before you hook up the Silver Sensor.

ajwee41

Just got this from Hearst (thanks for the form letter)...

Only for the purpose of example, if your broadcast stations where no longer
available on Cox, would you be willing to continue paying Cox the monthly
fee you are currently paying? In every case, the response I've received
from our viewers is a resounding NO. They would not be willing to pay Cox
the same fee if the broadcast stations where not available. Whether it is
itemized in a bill or not, part of what you expect and pay Cox for is the
carriage of KETV. To be clear, the only signal at issue at this time is
our digital signal. We will address the analog signal only if it becomes
necessary.

Our position with Cox is very simple. While the KETV signal is free to
you, it is not free to Cox to profit from without sharing in those profits.
Our company has spent millions of dollars on equipment to provide you with
digital television including high-definition digital television (HDTV).
This is in addition to the substantial amounts of money we spend annually
at our station to bring you the best possible network, syndicated (i.e.,
Wheel of Fortune) and, most importantly, local news programming.

Cox refuses to compensate us fairly for these channels for which they have
been charging you. Since you already have been charged by Cox, there is no
reason why Cox should have to increase your bill in order to compensate us
adequately for our digital signal.

To restore the digital signal you are currently paying for we urge you to
call or e-mail Cox Omaha and demand that they either a) refund you for
your monthly cable bill with respect to the loss of our digital signal, or
b) compensate us fairly so that Cox may resume carriage of our digital
signal.

We are seeking no more from Cox Cable than a fair and equitable agreement
generally in line with our contracts with other cable and satellite
distributors in and around Omaha.

Finally, KETV-DT is still available to you for free over-the-air.

Regards,

Joel Vilmenay
President & General Manager

webejam. You will also need an HD receiver. As I understand it you will not be able to receive the channel 7 HD signal at all through Cox. So you will have to have something to hook that antenna in to and that would be your HD receiver. Rat shack sells a cheap one can't remember the name, but it is some no name brand. Once you hook it up, you might realize you don't need Cox for your HD signal. I'd say you can be up and running for less than $150-$175.

http://www.cox.com/Omaha/Digitalcable/hidefcheck_list.asp

Here are Cox HD requirements. The only mention of needing Digital cable is if you want the premium channels in HD.
QUOTE=ScottChez]I will try, but its hard as it is a stretch for KETV.

"Can anyone explain why KETV thinkd Cox charges for the HD tier. Where on their website or on the paper bill is it listed that they charge for it?"

Example 1- I have Cox Telephone and Cox Cable. I do not have basic cable. They put a filter on the line so I cant get KETV HD or SD for free. To remove the filter I must sign up for basic cable.

Example 2- KETV HD is encoded by Cox with QAM 256 un encrypted, NOT the free over the air ATSC. I have pay to rent a box to get this signal.

Example 3- Cox sells an HD Package, to get it you have to have a Digital package. They advertise all the locals HDs. If it were free they were not be selling them in the package. Instead they would market the HD channels and say the HD channels are free.


Example 4- Cox charges money to install and setup up cable cards so people can get KETV HD. They make about 40% profit on the them. If it were free they would be selling them at cost.[/QUOTE]


Okay, my question is - if your TV has a QAM 256 tuner, could you just plug in the coax and wha-la have the HD channels? If they're unencrypted that should work right?

I use a Silver Sensor from 27th & Fletcher in Lincoln (basically right on I-80) and pick up KETV just fine from indoors. Those of you in Omaha should have pretty good luck with the OTA signal from them.

I wounder if KETV will reimburse people who now have go buy a new tv or antenna to recieve the KETVHD signal that they claim people can get for free over the air?

I don't even have an HDTV, but use the HD DVR from Cox and used to beable to view ABCHD and it was clearer on my nonHD tv than channel 9 thier nonHD signal.

ajwees41