Below is my e-mail to Steve this morning and his response.




>Steve,
>
>I was going to e-mail you for an update on your discussion with TWC
>about HD rebroadcast. After reading the article in today's Bangor Daily
>News I can only assume that we won't see progress anytime soon. It's
>apparent that WABI and TWC can't play in the same sand box. It is
>particularly frustrating to viewers who have seen TWC and other local
>stations come agreement without all the extra curricular activity.
>
>Thanks for your efforts.
>
>Gary W. Seavey
>


Of course, I can't comment on the suit, Gary. However, I can tell you
that we ARE still pursuing a digital retransmission deal with Time Warner Cable .
I have contacted their local representative to reiterate our desire to move forward with digital negotiations. The suit notwithstanding, we remain eager to conclude a digital carriage deal, and will continue to work toward that end.


Steve H.

Same response I received, verbatim.

I exchanged a number of e-mails with WABI more than a year ago. They minimized the significance of the loss of eyeballs to their station. It did not seem to be overly important to them (at the time). They were clearly more interested in what kind of an agreement they could reach with Time Warner.

Maybe advertisers are becoming a little more concerned lately and WABI might have started to think it could be good for their business if more people watched their station. One thing is for certain, if they decide that they want to have their digital signal carried by cable, they need only to make the demand. Time Warner CANNOT refuse.

So it's just a matter of what the terms are? If Time Warner requested some onerous arrangement in response to a "demand" could it be heard to say that it didn't "refuse", it was just that WABI didn't want it badly enough?

I don't understand how TWC can come to agreement with the other locals in Bangor as well as in Portland, including the CBS station, but not with WABI. I am starting to take TWC side in this issue. WABI should have been one of the first locals up on HD. It's strictly a money issue for WABI and the viewer is the least of their worries.

If I'm not mistaken, WABI (and the other locals) made a large investment to pick up and broadcast CBS's digital content (as well as their own content, of course). They're likely unhappy with the terms TW have offered, and want a more favorable financial arrangement in light of the digital expenses.

Why the other locals were able to come to an agreement and not WABI is strange, though.

If WABI management and ownership think they're digging in for a battle of principle, they're wrong. The cable companies have dominated the television landscape for many years, and the only pragmatic choice is to sign the best agreement they can in the name of keeping customers happy. Right or wrong, WABI is not going to come out on top in the arena of public opinion on this.

Any insight as to why WABI refuses to play ball with TW, when other local stations have been able to come to reach a solution with regards to HD content?

$$$

If TWC waits too long, DirecTV will be broadcasting locals here, and hopefully in HD. At that time, consumers will have a choice between OTA and cable for their local HD choice. DirecTV already offers more HD content than TWC. If they drag their feet, they'll lose customers.

So it's just a matter of what the terms are? If Time Warner requested some onerous arrangement in response to a "demand" could it be heard to say that it didn't "refuse", it was just that WABI didn't want it badly enough?

I don't understand what you are saying. The way things work is that the station can hold out as long as they want while seeking the best possible financial arrangement and the cable company must carry when the station says that it wants to be carried. The station is gambling that advertisers will not think that viewing levels are insufficient. Eventually, the station will demand carriage, but can a cable company hold out long enough against viewer requests to make a settlement? Of course, cable viewers bear the cost of any settlement. The station owns their signal and can keep it to themselves forever if they so choose.

I guess I don't understand what you're saying. In the current scenario, do you suspect that WABI has said it wants to be carried? If so, under your description, it sounds like TWC then "must" carry the signal. I understand that the station can decide that it will never allow the HD signal to be carried. To the extent that WABI is representing to viewers that it is trying to work something out with TWC, it seems that it must have made a request to be carried but there is some hold up with respect to terms.

WABI must be carried if they demand it. Clearly, they have not demanded it.

WABI must be carried if they demand it. Clearly, they have not demanded it.

Right, so WABI must be asking for more money than TWC is willing to pay?

Right, so WABI must be asking for more money than TWC is willing to pay?

Exactly. Furthermore, whatever TWC pays will come out of YOUR pocket.

Another Sunday, another blurry Patriots game on my LCD.

Thanks, TW and WABI, for putting the screws to the consumer.

No kidding, especially after watching the 1:00 pm FOX game in HD. If it wasn't for the Pats I'd never watch WABI.

Does anyone know if the Bangor office has any new generation DVR's such has the DCH6400, replacing the DCT 6412?

Below is an e-mail I recieved from WABI Program Director today.




I'm following up with some other concerned viewers on our
progress toward an agreement, and wanted to let you know what's going on, as well. I'm still pursuing this matter this week, and awaiting some response. I also want to address a question that a few subscribers have brought up, in case it occurred to you, as well.

Some TWC subscribers have cited "must carry" as the solution to this issue, suggesting that the cable company would have no choice if we demanded carriage of our signal. These subscribers are not fully-informed, or have made some assumptions based on previously existing regulations.

Analog Must Carry has been around for decades. It was primarily designed to help "David" (small local stations) face "Goliath" (large cable companies who wanted more lucrative national channels).

The cable industry has aggressively resisted DIGITAL Must Carry, for a number of business reasons, while broadcasters pursued it. There has been considerable delay, and the FCC did not rule on this subject at all until this past September, and it is a provisional ruling at this time, which only really requires cable companies to provide analog AS WELL AS digital signals to their subscribers. More to the point, it does not go into effect until 2009.

We cannot demand carriage of our digital signal at this time as there is no such regulation in effect. And even if such rules were in effect now, we are in the midst of a current Retransmission Consent agreement, which
includes the provision to negotiate carriage of the HD signal. RT
Agreements (which have been in effect since January 2006) preclude the
ability to demand carriage (of either signal) under Must Carry rules. We
used RT Consent rather than demand Must Carry, because Must Carry only applied to the analog signal, and we did and DO want to have our digital
signal(s) carried.

Just wanted to keep you informed.

Steve H.

Steve Hiltz
Program Director

WABI-TV5/DT1 (CBS); WABI-DT2 (The CW)
35 Hildreth Street
Bangor, ME 04401

Below is an e-mail I recieved from WABI Program Director today.




I'm following up with some other concerned viewers on our
progress toward an agreement, and wanted to let you know what's going on, as well. I'm still pursuing this matter this week, and awaiting some response. I also want to address a question that a few subscribers have brought up, in case it occurred to you, as well.

Some TWC subscribers have cited "must carry" as the solution to this issue, suggesting that the cable company would have no choice if we demanded carriage of our signal. These subscribers are not fully-informed, or have made some assumptions based on previously existing regulations.

Analog Must Carry has been around for decades. It was primarily designed to help "David" (small local stations) face "Goliath" (large cable companies who wanted more lucrative national channels).

The cable industry has aggressively resisted DIGITAL Must Carry, for a number of business reasons, while broadcasters pursued it. There has been considerable delay, and the FCC did not rule on this subject at all until this past September, and it is a provisional ruling at this time, which only really requires cable companies to provide analog AS WELL AS digital signals to their subscribers. More to the point, it does not go into effect until 2009.

We cannot demand carriage of our digital signal at this time as there is no such regulation in effect. And even if such rules were in effect now, we are in the midst of a current Retransmission Consent agreement, which
includes the provision to negotiate carriage of the HD signal. RT
Agreements (which have been in effect since January 2006) preclude the
ability to demand carriage (of either signal) under Must Carry rules. We
used RT Consent rather than demand Must Carry, because Must Carry only applied to the analog signal, and we did and DO want to have our digital
signal(s) carried.

Just wanted to keep you informed.

Steve H.

Steve Hiltz
Program Director

WABI-TV5/DT1 (CBS); WABI-DT2 (The CW)
35 Hildreth Street
Bangor, ME 04401

I think Mr. Hiltz is saying that in February 2009, WABI will be able to demand that the cable company carry the digital signal. In the meantime, they will continue to attempt to get the best settlement for the station that is possible.

Does anyone know if the Bangor office has any new generation DVR's such has the DCH6400, replacing the DCT 6412?

I'd like to know this too... the current dct6412 is horrible slow, especially when viewing an HD channel.
(But it looks like Motorola STILL isn't offering PIP, even with the DCH) :(

I think Mr. Hiltz is saying that in February 2009, WABI will be able to demand that the cable company carry the digital signal. In the meantime, they will continue to attempt to get the best settlement for the station that is possible.

I'll parse that statement with more pragmatism, and say that we won't see the WABI digital signal on TW until TW is forced to carry it by law. Why WLBZ and WVII were able to come to terms with TW but not WABI is beyond my understanding of the situation.

I'll parse that statement with more pragmatism, and say that we won't see the WABI digital signal on TW until TW is forced to carry it by law. Why WLBZ and WVII were able to come to terms with TW but not WABI is beyond my understanding of the situation.

Would you understand it if you learned that WABI wanted more than TWC would give? (I think that is reasonable to suspect.)

Would you understand it if you learned that WABI wanted more than TWC would give? (I think that is reasonable to suspect.)

Certainly I'd understand, and surely that's the case here. But why is WABI unable to agree on the financial terms, when other local stations had were able to?

I understand the position that WABI is in, but they're not going to win this tiff, and they should be pragmatic above all and give consumers what they want. In the end, we'll be paying for it anyway, so they're indirectly asking us - the consumer - for more money.

Your question:
"But why is WABI unable to agree on the financial terms, when other local stations had were able to?"

My suggestion:
".............. WABI wanted more than TWC would give."

Your response:
".............. surely that's the case here."

The other stations WERE willing to take what TWC would give. As far as winning this tiff goes, a cable company that cannot offer CBS in its lineup is probably going to suffer some heavy losses over the long run. If it can hold out long enough, without receiving a death blow in the form of customer losses, it will win because WABI advertisers will simply skip the station that depends on over the air eyeballs. ........... It's a case of who blinks first. I suspect that WABI will blink first in this case. In the meantime, people on cable in the Bangor area do without CBS or bring it in over the air (a pain in the neck). Maybe D* or Dish is a solution.

Your question:
"But why is WABI unable to agree on the financial terms, when other local stations had were able to?"

My suggestion:
".............. WABI wanted more than TWC would give."

Your response:
".............. surely that's the case here."

Thanks for the exercise in semantics and rhetoric. :) Let me be more direct: Specifically, why were the other stations willing to accept the offer from TW, but not WABI? How much money are we talking about here?

The other stations WERE willing to take what TWC would give. As far as winning this tiff goes, a cable company that cannot offer CBS in its lineup is probably going to suffer some heavy losses over the long run. If it can hold out long enough, without receiving a death blow in the form of customer losses, it will win because WABI advertisers will simply skip the station that depends on over the air eyeballs. ........... It's a case of who blinks first. I suspect that WABI will blink first in this case. In the meantime, people on cable in the Bangor area do without CBS or bring it in over the air (a pain in the neck). Maybe D* or Dish is a solution.

Possibly, but I'm not a fan of the compression on satellite HD feeds.

TW does offer CBS, just not the digital / HD feed. Most customers in the Bangor area could care less or don't notice the difference, but for those who do care, it's a big issue.

This is why I'm finding my CBS shows in HD through alternative sources and streaming them to my HDTV. In this case, I'm watching no ads, and both TW and WABI lose in that regard.

I always considered WVII a glorified college station. How it has managed to strike some deal with TWC and WABI can't tells me either (1) we're not talking about that much $$$ here, (2) WABI is being greedy or (3) both. In either event, this dispute has greatly diminished my perception of WABI and has now placed them in the space previously occupied by WVII (at least in my mind) as an "amateur" operation.

Thanks for the exercise in semantics and rhetoric. :) Let me be more direct: Specifically, why were the other stations willing to accept the offer from TW, but not WABI? How much money are we talking about here?


Typically, it is only the mid-size & small conglomerates (and independent stations) that are unwilling to provide the HD stream to the cable companies for free. Sinclair Broadcasting, for instance. I think that this is because the digital transition is costing them proportionally more than the larger network owned stations, and they would like to recoup some of the cost. Their advertisers don't pay more to advertise on the digital/HD feed, and it isn't yet significant as far as the Nielsen ratings go. So the cable company is the only revenue stream available to help support the digital build-out. Cable has a big competetive advantage over DirecTV because they have HD locals available and DirecTV does not. The local stations feel that they should be compensated by the cable company for giving them this competetive advantage.

Both the cable companies and the stations generally keep the negotiations secret. Typically, I think they are asking for only a small amount of money per subscriber -- I'd guess on the dollars or less per month scale -- but the cable companies typically have been holding the line against this.

The cable companies refuse to pay for local programming on general principals, while the local broadcaster points out that the cable company compensates other networks additionally for their network HD feeds (i.e. ESPN HD, Discovery HD, etc get additional compensation beyond what was paid for ESPN and Discovery).

Often, the companies "agree to disagree" and leave the HD network feed out of discussions when it comes time to renew carriage agreements for the SD network feed.

take care,

Joe

There are no "good guys" or "bad guys" in any of this. It is simply business. If you owned the station or the cable company, you would do the same thing if you were any kind of businessman.

Both sides guess at how much damage they can sustain in drawing a hard line before they do themselves irrepairable damage. It's just business. The television viewer will, also, do whatever he has to do to take care of himself. For him, too, it is just business, not warm and fuzzy feelings.

Further, aaronjb_ME, are you going to tell us how you are " ..........finding my CBS shows in HD through alternative sources and streaming them to my HDTV". Are you doing this from the internet? Does it include sports events, etc? Maybe we can skip cable and satellite altogether.

The cable companies have had to do a digital build-out to accomodate tv stations' bigger and better picture and the stations are unwilling to let cable companies receive and distribute that picture to a much broader and more satisfied population of advertising consumers. It might seem that stations should consider paying a fee to cable companies for the service that is provided to them. This would be much like the newspaper paying the paperboy to extend their coverage beyond the immediate area of the publishing plant.

On the other hand, one might think that both sides would come to think things actually come out pretty even without going to the time, trouble and cost of negotiations.

Further, aaronjb_ME, are you going to tell us how you are " ..........finding my CBS shows in HD through alternative sources and streaming them to my HDTV". Are you doing this from the internet? Does it include sports events, etc? Maybe we can skip cable and satellite altogether.

At the risk of violating a forum rule, torrents. And that means no live sporting events.

This is what consumers do when the available choices don't suit their needs. Right or wrong, I'm being pragmatic about my TV viewing.

At the risk of violating a forum rule, torrents. And that means no live sporting events.

This is what consumers do when the available choices don't suit their needs. Right or wrong, I'm being pragmatic about my TV viewing.

....... torrents????..............

Stan,

Do a google search on b.i.t.t.o.r.r.e.n.t (removing the periods).


Joe

Watching CBS HD could get expensive this way.

Watching CBS HD could get expensive this way.

How's that?

...another Sunday, wish my Westinghouse had a built-in tuner so I could at least pick up the CBS signal on OTA with an antenna.

What's up with ABC-HD (708) on TW? Seems that we've lost the HD in.. HD.

response to an e-mail request that I sent to TWC



Thank you for your email. We are anticipating adding at least 9 new HD channels by year's end. These are set to include HGTV, Food Network, VS, CNN, Lifetime Movie Network, History, NHL, Fox Business News, and MyTV. We do have additional channels that are in the planning stages right now, and we hope to have more information regarding their addition very soon. Talks with WABI continue, and as of right now, they have not granted us the broadcast rights for their HD signal. As you have noticed, WABI is the only local channel not available in HD in the Bangor system. This is not due to Time Warner not wanting to show CBS programing in HD, but due to the fact that we do not have legal permission to show the signal. As soon as WABI grants that permission, we will begin broadcasting. Updates to both of these HD questions will be posted on our website http://www.timewarnercable.com/newengland as they become available. Thank you for contacting Time Warne! r Cable of New England. Please contact us if we may be of assistance in the future.

Damn... I was hoping for Sci-Fi HD. I could care less about those other channels (although MyTV looks mildly interesting)


response to an e-mail request that I sent to TWC



Thank you for your email. We are anticipating adding at least 9 new HD channels by year's end. These are set to include HGTV, Food Network, VS, CNN, Lifetime Movie Network, History, NHL, Fox Business News, and MyTV. We do have additional channels that are in the planning stages right now, and we hope to have more information regarding their addition very soon. Talks with WABI continue, and as of right now, they have not granted us the broadcast rights for their HD signal. As you have noticed, WABI is the only local channel not available in HD in the Bangor system. This is not due to Time Warner not wanting to show CBS programing in HD, but due to the fact that we do not have legal permission to show the signal. As soon as WABI grants that permission, we will begin broadcasting. Updates to both of these HD questions will be posted on our website http://www.timewarnercable.com/newengland as they become available. Thank you for contacting Time Warne! r Cable of New England. Please contact us if we may be of assistance in the future.

Damn... I was hoping for Sci-Fi HD. I could care less about those other channels (although MyTV looks mildly interesting)

Yeah, MyTV might have something someday that would interest me. CNN of course will be popular with some. Each channel has a few followers, I am sure. For the most part, however, once you have the networks, sports, and news, the other channels simply occupy bandwidth. Naturally, we all feel obligated to surf through them on a regular basis just in case there is something that might catch our attention for a few minutes. It is nice to have a couple of extra general entertainment channels like TNT to go to for a rerun or something to fill in an odd hour here and there.

"Happy Days" for me will arrive when CNN; CNN Headline; FOX News and MSNBC HD channels show up on the screen. TV Heaven for a news and discussion addict.

i noticed on their site they are moving some channels around in December. I was going to ask if we had an update on WABI...lets just hope that its in HD by the Victoria Secret show in December.

I have DirecTV's new HD package which includes most of those channels. They look great when they are in HD, but some of them do not have HD 24/7. CNN is one of the big offenders. Their HD signal looks better than SD, but it is just upconverted SD. The Weather Channel Weather on the 8's looks fabulous in HD, but they have not finished building their HD studio yet. Battlestar Galactica will look fabulous in HD on SciFi.

On an unrelated note, I get my digital signal for Channels 7 and 22 OTA and suffer through their weak, and most times unwatchable, signal. I do not want to put an antenna on the roof, so I have a very good indoor antenna. Is Channel 7's digital signal on VHF rather than UHF? My antenna is a UHF antenna and I am wondering if I might be better off with a combined antenna. Any info would be appreciated.

On an unrelated note, I get my digital signal for Channels 7 and 22 OTA and suffer through their weak, and most times unwatchable, signal. I do not want to put an antenna on the roof, so I have a very good indoor antenna. Is Channel 7's digital signal on VHF rather than UHF? My antenna is a UHF antenna and I am wondering if I might be better off with a combined antenna. Any info would be appreciated.

Unless you are in it for the long haul, or if you wish to receive the MPBN digital stations (Ch. (9-1 and 9-2), you are just as well staying with the UHF, as the WVII/WFVX combo is at 14-1 and 14-2, respectively. According to their engineer, they are slated to move into the VHF band after the analog cutoff in '09, but for now you are in as good shape as you can be without an outdoor antenna. Just curious, what is your location?

Time Warner Augusta has had WVII and WFVX HD for at least 3 weeks. They look very good.

I'm near the airport. I've tried many good indoor antennas and have just had very little luck picking up Channel 7. I pick up Channels 2 and 5 rock solid with the indoor and they look great. I don't want to go the outdoor route and am not going to switch to digital cable because I much prefer DirecTV. I do have basic cable hooked up to my old SD Tivo and can still pick up Channel 7 SD that way. Thanks for the info.

I'm near the airport. I've tried many good indoor antennas and have just had very little luck picking up Channel 7. I pick up Channels 2 and 5 rock solid with the indoor and they look great. I don't want to go the outdoor route and am not going to switch to digital cable because I much prefer DirecTV. I do have basic cable hooked up to my old SD Tivo and can still pick up Channel 7 SD that way. Thanks for the info.


I assume that your DirecTV hd box doesnt have a qam tuner? Last time I checked nbc/abc/fox/pbs HD were in the clear on TW.

Just one other question, is the antenna you are using powered in any way, and does it have a booster? I have a "tunable" signal booster (Radio Shack) between my outdoor antenna and my set, and I find that I have to dial back the amount of "boost" when I watch WVII or WFVX digital or the signal will break up. Any chance you might actually be getting too much incoming signal?

If a qam tuner is a digital OTA tuner, my receiver does have one. I have my antenna hooked up directly to my HD DVR. My tv is an older model and only has analog tuners, so I need my DVR for my OTA signals.

As far as my antenna is concerned, a friend of mine (a fellow poster on this board) is letting me use his antenna which is powered, but I don't think the amp has a variable output. I had been using a powered Jensen with a variable amplifier. My signal strengths were always on the low end, but I'll try hooking it up and experimenting with the gain. Thanks for the ideas.

Confirmed Coming to TWC HD

HGTV, Food Network, VS, CNN, Lifetime Movie Network, History, NHL, Fox Business News, and MyTV

The new HD channels are set to be launched in Bangor, Presque Isle, Augusta, Portland, and New Hampshire broadcast areas, so all the new channels will be available to you. I have just received word that the proposed launch date is just before Christmas. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

I assume that your DirecTV hd box doesnt have a qam tuner? Last time I checked nbc/abc/fox/pbs HD were in the clear on TW.

I don't think any DirecTV HD box has a QAM tuner. As far as I know every cable carrier has locals in the clear using QAM. I think it might even be some sort of requirement, but it also works to the benefit of potential 'cable in the classroom' folks.

Time Warner Augusta has had WVII and WFVX HD for at least 3 weeks. They look very good.

Now if only they had WFVX in HD OTA.. All of the sports worth watching are usually on FOX.

EDIT: I did scroll back a few pages of the thread and I see the 'reason', but it still doesn't help the lack of FOX in HD.. :)

Anyone know why the WLBZ feed of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is not in HD? Seems to me it was last year. Just curious.

Nevermind.........just popped in. Weird.....

Sometimes cut scenes will be in SD or the HD feed fails so they revert to SD to get it back up. I'm really not sure why this happens since HD isn't all that new anymore, but I've seen CBS Basketball games go in and out of HD too.

ABC used to show their ESPN Nascar feed in SD, even on the HD channel. They finally invested in hardware to show it in HD. I'm not sure what the heck that is about really.

Hi, I just joined the HDTV world over the weekend, and have a problem. Are any of you having trouble receiving 5.1 or 5.2 OTA in the Stockton Springs area? We have a rooftop antenna and can receive 2.1, 2.2, 12.1, and 12.2 without difficulty. WABI's analog broadcast is coming in perfectly, just no digital. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

Dave

latest email from WABI

We're having trouble getting Time Warner Cable "to the table." I don't
like to engage in conjecture, so I won't. SOMETHING is holding them up.

I sent another communication (by certified mail) to their Portland office
just last week, requesting the opportunity to meet (by phone, at least)
and discuss potential terms of agreement. They've only just received
that, so I expect that there will be a bit of a lag in our receiving a
response.

We are, as always, willing and eager to engage in productive discussions,
and hope that we will hear the same from Time Warner Cable when they have
had sufficient time to consider our request and review proposed terms.
We'll be reasonable about that wait, as there's little else that we can
do, at the moment.

So, for now, we're "on hold" -- awaiting communication from Time Warner
Cable. We'll keep after them, as we understand and sympathize with the
plight of current digital tier subscribers (and we really do want to come
to a reasonable agreement for carriage of our digital signals).

If you have more questions, I'll do my best to provide answers.

Steve H.

latest email from WABI

We're having trouble getting Time Warner Cable "to the table." I don't
like to engage in conjecture, so I won't. SOMETHING is holding them up.

I sent another communication (by certified mail) to their Portland office
just last week, requesting the opportunity to meet (by phone, at least)
and discuss potential terms of agreement. They've only just received
that, so I expect that there will be a bit of a lag in our receiving a
response.

We are, as always, willing and eager to engage in productive discussions,
and hope that we will hear the same from Time Warner Cable when they have
had sufficient time to consider our request and review proposed terms.
We'll be reasonable about that wait, as there's little else that we can
do, at the moment.

So, for now, we're "on hold" -- awaiting communication from Time Warner
Cable. We'll keep after them, as we understand and sympathize with the
plight of current digital tier subscribers (and we really do want to come
to a reasonable agreement for carriage of our digital signals).

If you have more questions, I'll do my best to provide answers.

Steve H.

I have thought for a long time that TWC might like to have any agreement with WABI start at least a year later than the agreement with WGME started (January 97, as I recall). That would mean that when WGME's agreement expires, a significant portion of TWC's system would still have CBS coverage from WABI thereby removing some of WGME's negotiatiating strength in the next agreement. Locals pretty much have a monopoly on the programming of the networks with regard to cable viewing. It's only a question of how long they can hold out with decreased viewership.

With TWC making some channel moves next month I wouldn't put it pass them to be having lack of bandwidth issues.

Thank you for your email. As you have pointed out, all local channels except for WABI are available in HD. This is not because Time Warner Cable has decided that WABI should not be shown. All other networks have allowed us to broadcast their HD signal and WABI has not. We hope to be granted permission in the near future, and continue talks with WABI to this end. Updates will be made on our website: http://www.timewarnercable.com/newengland as they become available. Thank you for contacting Time Warner Cable of New England. Please contact us if we may be of assistance in the future.

"SOMETHING is holding them up" .......... Could it be the fact that WABI has sued TWC in Federal Court???? hmmmmm???

"SOMETHING is holding them up" .......... Could it be the fact that WABI has sued TWC in Federal Court???? hmmmmm???

If WABI expect to receive any sort of amicable response from TWC at this point, then WABI management isn't thinking rationally.

I have empathy for small businesses, but if WABI are going to "fight the man" and have a war of principles, then the consumer loses.

Summary: this won't end with a result that's good for the consumer or for WABI.

noticed last night the new hd channels were up on TWC.

Ok, so now we have more national HD channels and they are good additions. What is it going to take to add one more local channel in HD? Obviously my following question is rhetorical, but, WHAT IN THE HELL IS THE HOLD UP??????!!!!!!

Ok, so now we have more national HD channels and they are good additions. What is it going to take to add one more local channel in HD? Obviously my following question is rhetorical, but, WHAT IN THE HELL IS THE HOLD UP??????!!!!!!

WABI is holding the money hat out, but so far it's still empty.

This, from the channel with a newscast that is only slightly higher quality than public access.

WABI is holding the money hat out, but so far it's still empty.

This, from the channel with a newscast that is only slightly higher quality than public access.

I thought that was Channel 7? :D

On another subject, does anyone think there's a snowball's chance of TW ever adding MonstersHD or KungFuHD?

My guess is no, but a friend at work has them on Dish and man, do they sound sweet... While we get stuck with Home&Garden and other worthless filler...

Monsters and Kung Fu are part of the Voom channels on DishHD's 20$ a month package. They're 15 channels programmed by Voom (the former HD-only Sat TV service).

There's only two places that have the Voom channels. IO Digital Cable (Cablevision, owner of Rainbow Media) and Dish Network (which bought Voom's Satellite assets). This probably will not change anytime soon (if ever).

I've heard ChillerHD is a pretty good Monsters/horror channel though, which any carrier should be able to get (including Dish and TW eventually).

Monsters and Kung Fu are part of the Voom channels on DishHD's 20$ a month package. They're 15 channels programmed by Voom (the former HD-only Sat TV service).

There's only two places that have the Voom channels. IO Digital Cable (Cablevision, owner of Rainbow Media) and Dish Network (which bought Voom's Satellite assets). This probably will not change anytime soon (if ever).

I've heard ChillerHD is a pretty good Monsters/horror channel though, which any carrier should be able to get (including Dish and TW eventually).

That's what I was afraid of... It just makes me angry that there are so many crappy HD channels taking up valuable bandwidth... I mean, Versus/Golf, Lifetime Movies... are people really asking TW for this tripe ? ?

Maybe I'll send an email to TW asking for SciFi HD and Chiller HD.... (not that it'll do any good)

/end of rant ;)

You should go read the forums at Satelliteguys.us, especially the Dish Network one. Over there they bitch about having 15 channels of 24/7 HD from Voom just because there's repeats on some of them more often than others.

Needless to say I love Rush HD, which is all sports in HD, people kayaking down mountains and weird craziness.

I thought that was Channel 7? :D

Both are equally atrocious in production quality.

Any one have any info about Bangor locals on DirecTV? I read a post in a thread on a DTV message board which suggested that the locals had the DTV equipment already in place? If that is true, they may be waiting for the launch and calibration of their new satellite. Any one have any news, including timetable and whether local HD will be offered? Thanks.

Jeez, you DirecTV guys don't want much do ya???

Jeez, you DirecTV guys don't want much do ya???

I want it all. :cool:

Is anyone else having issues with series recordings with 704? I set a series recording for Prison Break or House on chan 704, this channel only and it records chan 4. This has happened ever since TWC added 704 to their HD lineup. If I select JUST one episode of PB from 704 to record it will record in HD.

Is anyone else having issues with series recordings with 704? I set a series recording for Prison Break or House on chan 704, this channel only and it records chan 4. This has happened ever since TWC added 704 to their HD lineup. If I select JUST one episode of PB from 704 to record it will record in HD.

It's a bug with the moto boxes. It is because the channel id's are the same for sd and hd channels. Any series you create for abc/fox will record next week on the sd channel. All TWC needs to do is change the channel id, but they wont.

btw 702(NBC) works fine, channel id is different.

Does anybody have bad reception on WVII HD? I cant get it at all but the others come in great. I am surprise that nobody complains about bad reception or complain to FCC about their low power. Its only like 10kw not 79kw that its supposed to be. Cable guy told me they measure it off the air and can see how much lower it is. Anybody else have trouble with it?

I have an awful time with Channel 7. I watched the Super Bowl on 7-2 yesterday and it came in fine with a signal strength of about 50%, but 7-1 was completely pixelated. I have corresponded with some folks at Channel 7 and I understand that 7-2 will not go HD OTA and 7-1 will not increase their power until the analog channels go dark in April, 2009.

Does anybody have bad reception on WVII HD? I cant get it at all but the others come in great. I am surprise that nobody complains about bad reception or complain to FCC about their low power. Its only like 10kw not 79kw that its supposed to be. Cable guy told me they measure it off the air and can see how much lower it is. Anybody else have trouble with it?

Since you live in Dexter you wont get WVII till they go full power. They are on low power channel 14 now (tho your tv will say 7) then they will go back to 7.
Unless you have a pile of cash to give em to help em pay for new equipment it wont be till Feb 09. In this weak economy I bet all of the local stations are sweating it trying to pay for a bunch of new stuff. I dont envy any business that gets mandated to spend a huge pile of money because a government agency says upgrade or die.

On an other note I hear WABI wont be going back to 5. I wonder what will happen to the lame gimme 5 promo,they beat to death, when they shut off SD on 5. Gimme 19 LOL even worse LOL. I believe WLBZ also is staying on UHF 25 so it will be 7, 9, 19 and 25. Instead of 2, 5, 7 and 12 with 7 being the only one on its old freq.

you wont get WVII till they go full power. They are on low power channel 14 now (tho your tv will say 7) then they will go back to 7.

Make excuses if you want but that dont change that there license says 79kw right there on FCC web page but they only broadcast about 10kw. You dont think being 1/8 of what they are suppose to be hurts us veiwers chance of getting WVII HD?

Anybody else check WVII/FOX lately? I'm pulling in a pretty good signal lately, around 80% or so, off the rooftop antenna in Hampden, Antennaweb says I'm 17 miles from the tower. With a little radio shack booster I can bring it up to the upper 80's percent, which is weird, because that booster used to have the opposite effect. I know that Mike the Engineer at WVII occasionally looks at these boards, maybe he took pity on us.

any updates on WABI-HD on TWC?

From program manager at WABI, no resolution on WABIHD on TWC until pending suit has been resolved.

Looks as if TWC doesn't want it.

In other words, don't hold your breath....

what a joke :mad:

TWC doesn't have a choice. It MUST carry WABI if the station wants to be on the cable system.

Which means WABI must not want to be on the system (at least not without $$$$$)

I don't know who is to blame and I really don't care. All I know is that I am going move to Directv and get the distant locals in HD. That way both TWC and WABI loose me as a customer. It's not like I'm in love with WABI local broadcasts in the first place. I can get local new and weather from the internet anytime I want.

Maineah, moving to DirecTV won't get you locals just yet. They won't give you DNS service without a waiver from the local affiliates. If you can get locals over the air with a rooftop antenna, they won't give you a waiver.

I am a long-time DirecTV subscriber and much prefer it to cable, but Bangor locals are not available yet. When I upgraded my dish and receiver to get their latest HD rollout last fall, the installer told me that locals were coming some time this spring. Now that they have launched their new satellite, they plan to add more locals and Bangor may be in that group. I would hope that, when they add locals, they will add HD, but I have heard nothing in that regard yet.

received this email from Steve at WABI last night


TWC has made it clear that there will be no digital carriage agreement
unless WABI drops the lawsuit against them, so we will make no progress
until, at least, the suit is settled (the station has not dropped the
suit, and it's still in the early stages at this point).

While I'm addressing this, I'd like to pass on some additional comments.
I must reiterate that we can NOT demand that TWC carry our digital signal
(and we probably would not if we could , as we made some progress, at
least, toward getting a Retransmission deal done with them, and had at
least one good conversation just prior to their being served with the
suit).

I don't mean to take this out on you, but I've decided to tell anyone who
may be able to "spread the message" in hopes of reaching the stubborn few
who refuse to believe what they don't want to believe (or who are
apparently trying to lead a war against the station on this issue). To be
clear: There is NO "Must Carry" provision in effect here.

We MUST negotiate in order to to get on the digital tier, and TWC most
certainly has a say in what the terms will be (at least a big a say as we
do - and more legal people to prepare their terms). That as much as
anything else has led to this long delay. However, I keep getting the
comment from some TWC subscribers that they (TWC) can't refuse us if we
"want to be on." For the record, these people don't know what they're
talking about! This digital carriage negotiation is a two-way street.
No one gets to demand anything (or at least they don't have any legal
force behind any demands they may choose to make).

We want to be on. We want what we consider to be reasonable terms. TWC
and we have a different definition of such terms. We need to talk.
Hopefully, when the the suit is settled -- one way or the other -- we CAN
talk. WE want to (but, then again, we'd like to be talking about the
agreement right now).

Thanks for putting up with the "rant." I'm happy to keep you in the loop.


Steve H.

How were the other local affiliates able to negotiate a deal, presumably amicably?

If this all stems from the unauthorized rebroadcasting of a few hours of digital content in early 2007, then it's time to move on. Do I condone a conglomerate stepping on the toes of a "local" business? Certainly not. But the end result of non-carriage on TWC is that WABI is harmed, explicitly in financial terms and implicitly in reputation.

It's time to be pragmatic and drop the lawsuit. In the end, the consumer suffers. WABI ownership and management have picked a legal fight - one which is unlikely to produce measurable gains for the company, regardless of outcome - and refuse to back down. Honorable in terms of principle, yet foolish in a business sense.

How were the other local affiliates able to negotiate a deal, presumably amicably?

If this all stems from the unauthorized rebroadcasting of a few hours of digital content in early 2007, then it's time to move on. Do I condone a conglomerate stepping on the toes of a "local" business? Certainly not. But the end result of non-carriage on TWC is that WABI is harmed, explicitly in financial terms and implicitly in reputation.

It's time to be pragmatic and drop the lawsuit. In the end, the consumer suffers. WABI ownership and management have picked a legal fight - one which is unlikely to produce measurable gains for the company, regardless of outcome - and refuse to back down. Honorable in terms of principle, yet foolish in a business sense.

I agree completely... they can say there's no "must carry" rule all they want, but I bet TWC would carry them if they lowered their "reasonable" terms to what the market would bear...

This is what I received from TWC regarding the WABI issue along with the possibility of future HD national channels.



Thank you for your email. I would be happy to give you the information that we have available at this time. In regards to WABI, we do not yet have permission to broadcast their HD signal, and at this time, we do not have any indication of when we might receive the signal. As you have noticed, WABI is the only HD capable station in Bangor that is not shown in HD. We have the capabilities of sending the signal to our customers, but do not have the permission. As soon as we receive the go-ahead, we will broadcast WABI in HD to our customers. As for other HD content, we are currently completing upgrades that will allow us to launch new technology, freeing up bandwidth in our broadcasts. This additional bandwidth will be used for HD channels. At this time, we do not have a firm date, but we anticipate being able to add content by summer. We will post updates on our website regarding time frame, as well as channels involved when more information is avai lable. Thank you for contacting Time Warner Cable of New England. Please contact us if we may be of assistance in the future.

I wonder if WABI (or its advertisers) has any idea how irrelevant it is right now as a result of this issue. Folks I talk to say they don't even watch it except for the Patriots. Granted, most are hi-tech, HD ready types but my sense is those types are comprising more and more of the audience. I used to send some notes from time-to-time to Mr. Hiltz too. He seems like a stand-up guy. For me though (and apparently many others), it just doesn't really matter any more. I'm satisfied with NBC, Fox, ABC HD programming and Channel 5 apparently is satisfied with being a second rate, college campus type affiliate.

I do not claim to know the details of the legal requirements, but I suspect that WABI is correct in saying that they cannot "demand" that TWC add their digital signal to the cable. This might be because WABI is already furnishing the analog signal to TWC. On the other hand, I suspect that if WABI would, simply, request TWC to add the signal, it would be added.

Since WABI is demanding "reasonable terms," it will probably be necessary to wait until February 2009 when the station will be able to "demand" carriage of the digital signal, since the analog signal will no longer exist.

In the meantime, it is only a case of two companies struggling for financial advantage. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with that situation. After all, these are two private businesses, not agencies of government. Their responsibility is to themselves, not us. We would like to think otherwise, perhaps, but that does not make it so.

Still, it will be interesting to see what WABI ends up doing, if TWC can manage to hold out until February 2009. Do you think the "reasonable terms" might end up being quickly altered? After all, it will probably be a hell of a lot better for WABI to have their signal carried on cable than not carried on cable. Remember, this is business and that is all that it is.

I just read a post on a different message board from an installer in the area which said that DirecTV locals will be available here by April 16, but he indicated that they will be SD and not HD:mad: I guess we will just have to sit back and see what happens.

Last night, while channeling up from 4 to 6 (cablecard), there was a stop at channel 5 (no programming). TWC Augusta has, apparantly, marked that channel number in the last day or two for some reason. Maybe WABI is on the way.

Tonight, I noticed that TWC has added "DIG.PH" to the channel marker information. I have no idea what that means, although "DIG" might stand for digital.

TWC Bangor has a marker that showed up around the weekend at 705 on the HD tier that is broadcasting a continuous loop advertisement for its digital phone product. Maybe that explains the "DIG.PH" reference you're seeing?

TWC Bangor has a marker that showed up around the weekend at 705 on the HD tier that is broadcasting a continuous loop advertisement for its digital phone product. Maybe that explains the "DIG.PH" reference you're seeing?

Ah, yes! I see the 705 marker and the DIG.PH, but I do not see a continuous loop advertisement. It will probably show up soon. Putting it on 705 might be a message to WABI that TWC is not expecting their digital signal to appear on the cable in the near future.

WOW! We got the barker channel for TWC in an HD channel slot 705, thank god. Really, couldn't that have been use for a real channel like WABIHD or ESPNNEWSHD. Hell, I would even take DISNEYHD over a barker anyday.

Getting More and MORE FRUSTRATED!

WOW! We got the barker channel for TWC in an HD channel slot 705, thank god. Really, couldn't that have been use for a real channel like WABIHD or ESPNNEWSHD. Hell, I would even take DISNEYHD over a barker anyday.

Getting More and MORE FRUSTRATED!

I don't blame you. I was very happy when TWC added CBS HD more than a year ago. Once you have the major networks (locals), you have the most important ingredient. After that, ESPN and the Red Sox to round things off. The other stuff is nice but not vital. That assumes you have the news channels on SD. Really, all this panic about adding the FOOD CHANNEL or something is a little much.

Here's hoping that WABI will soon request TWC to carry their digital signal and I mean SIMPLY request that it be carried. A copy of their letter of request could be published in the Bangor Daily News so that the public could hold TWC accountable for not pushing the button to put it on the cable.

Has anyone heard when the Bangor market will get the new HD channels that Southern Maine has gotten?

In the meantime, it is only a case of two companies struggling for financial advantage. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with that situation. After all, these are two private businesses, not agencies of government. Their responsibility is to themselves, not us. We would like to think otherwise, perhaps, but that does not make it so.

Excellent post. Private businesses, for sure, but local affiliates are already all but irrelevant in contemporary broadcasting, let alone in smaller markets. WABI seems like a decent organization, but by being the lone holdout in the local HD channel availability, they're surely losing eyeballs from a lucrative demographic.

Has anyone heard when the Bangor market will get the new HD channels that Southern Maine has gotten?


summerish

Bangor locals are now available from DirecTV in SD, but not HD :(. One glaring exception: no WABI.

It's not surprising that WABI isn't on the DIRECTV lineup. Anyone else have the feeling that WABI's issues with TWC are more onesided than WABI would lead you to believe.

It's not surprising that WABI isn't on the DIRECTV lineup. Anyone else have the feeling that WABI's issues with TWC are more onesided than WABI would lead you to believe.

I have this feeling as well. WABI is spinning this as the little guy versus the corporate behemoth, but that's disingenuous.

Hi everyone. New member today (just got into the HD revolution this month). I am a DirecTV subscriber and was surprised to see that WABI is not in the locals.

From reading some posts here it appeared that it might be the station's fault (though the messages from their program director about Time Warner seem pretty starightforward and believable IMHO).

I decided to call DirecTV, and they first told me that WABI was not a local station :confused:

I straightened that out, but could not get an answer on why WABI was not on yet.

So I called WABI and spoke to Mr. Hiltz. He explained that DirecTV was "too busy" to speak with them for the past several months, and that they didn't even send WABI an agreement to look at until two weeks ago. Then DirecTV was "too busy" to talk about that, too:(.

Apparently DTV was holding up the station until they were ready to launch local channels (my interpretation, nothing that Mr. Hiltz said directly). Mr. Hiltz said he tried to get a "template" agreement from them last year -- but they would not send one. He did not know why they wouldn't send it earlier.

He said that he doesn't anticipate any problems with DirecTV, but that he can't do anything until they get back in touch with him. The person he needs to talk to is out of town until tomorrow (Friday), and he thinks they will call then.

Sound like WABI is being unfairly persecuted (in this case, at least). I called DirecTV and let them know that I want the station. Again, they had no explanation for the delay. Weird.

Anyway. Interesting site. I look forward to getting more news and perspective from everyone in the digital world.

You may have the correct view of this thing, but, you know, WABI has had difficulty communicating with both Time Warner and Direct TV. Somehow, WLBZ and WLVI have been able to overcome the obstacles, I think, although I don't know directly because I am on the Augusta system of Time Warner and am only aware of the absence of WABI on that system.

It must be upsetting to not have CBS HD available.

Hello, Stan54.

Very interesting history to read on this forum and I practically feel like I already know some of you by reading your posts. It's clear where people stand on the issues!

I asked Mr. Hiltz about WLBZ and WVII, and he believes WLBZ was part of an agreement with WCSH (Portland) and other stations in the same group a few years ago. As for WVII, and this is interesting, that's where DirecTV has their receiver for picking up the local stations. They had to complete an agreement with them!

I see that alot of Time Warner subscribers, here at least, have a hard time believing WABI, but I found Mr. Hiltz to be a "straight shooter." He told me alot more than Direct would or could, and it made perfect sense. I think anyone who has questions should call the station. If you talk to Mr. Hiltz directly, you'll see what I mean. Not a "big company" customer service rep type, and not disingenuous or dismissive at all.

As far as WABI's communication problems with Time Warner go, I know that there's a history there because I was a cable subscriber at the time of the original change over from Adelphia when they had their skirmish over channel 5 and the CW station. It's not unimaginable that Time Warner would treat WABI differently from the other stations because of that, and let's be honest, WABI isn't the only company to have had problems with them (in the entire country, I mean). Heck -- they practically spend their lives in court from what I've read. The whole thing is probably nothing but a minor annoyance to them.

It's disappointing to be without HD locals, but Direct just isn't ready to do that, obviously. I guess we're still too rural by their standards. Someday, though.

I'm going to check with WABI next week, as Mr. Hiltz said that he would let me know what he hears from DTV. I sure hope they can get this done soon.

Wow -- day one, and two posts, already! I'll try to sit back and read more before I comment too much, and I hope that I haven't offended any Time Warner customers by my observations about the WABI battle. I don't really have a side here, and it's not my issue, anyway. Just my initial reaction to reading past posts and having spoken with Mr. Hiltz.

As far as WABI's communication problems with Time Warner go, I know that there's a history there because I was a cable subscriber at the time of the original change over from Adelphia when they had their skirmish over channel 5 and the CW station. It's not unimaginable that Time Warner would treat WABI differently from the other stations because of that, and let's be honest, WABI isn't the only company to have had problems with them (in the entire country, I mean). Heck -- they practically spend their lives in court from what I've read. The whole thing is probably nothing but a minor annoyance to them.

This may be fact, but remember that WABI's parent company has also brought suit against TimeWarner. It would be unsurprising to learn that a condition of TW carrying WABI is for the lawsuit to be dropped.

Locals, HD or otherwise, are an important marketing bullet point for satellite providers. I find it a bit hard to believe that DTV wouldn't return WABI's correspondence, let alone reach out proactively to work out an agreement with WABI.

It's my belief that WABI is more difficult to negotiate with because WABI is requesting sweeter financial terms. In fact, they've said this much in the past, though WABI's public statements have ranged from communication issues to compensation specifics to outright mean-spiritedness on the part of carriers.

Strange, isn't it, that an organization with such amiable personnel is consistently stiffed by the carriers. Let's hope the bullies stop picking on poor WABI. ;)

This may be fact, but remember that WABI's parent company has also brought suit against TimeWarner. It would be unsurprising to learn that a condition of TW carrying WABI is for the lawsuit to be dropped.

Locals, HD or otherwise, are an important marketing bullet point for satellite providers. I find it a bit hard to believe that DTV wouldn't return WABI's correspondence, let alone reach out proactively to work out an agreement with WABI.

It's my belief that WABI is more difficult to negotiate with because WABI is requesting sweeter financial terms. In fact, they've said this much in the past, though WABI's public statements have ranged from communication issues to compensation specifics to outright mean-spiritedness on the part of carriers.

Strange, isn't it, that an organization with such amiable personnel is consistently stiffed by the carriers. Let's hope the bullies stop picking on poor WABI. ;)

I see it exactly the way you do. I corresponded with the station back along
and found them to be very nice and, seemingly, forthcoming.

On the other hand, WABI is a business and it wants to make the best financial deal it can possibly make. You can't hate them for that! The sale of advertising, however, depends upon the number and demographic of viewing eyeballs, ......... with the emphasis on "number." Eventually, something will give.

I do not believe for a moment that TWC is so busy or inefficient as to lose paying customers to antennas and satellite without reason. They know what they are doing.

Well, I said that I wouldn't post so quickly, but I can't resist!

Aaron jb, from reading some of your past posts, you have real knowledge of how this all works, and I respect that. Do you or have you worked in the industry? With Time Warner or one of the stations?

You certainly seem to know alot about the way these negotiations work, and an "insider" tone when it comes to WABI and Time Warner, in particular.

I'm just curious, because you definitely have conviction in your belief that WABI is a "problem child." :p

Maybe Mr. Hiltz was lying about DirecTV, but I don't see how that would make sense, because in the end if there's a problem, we'll all know about it soon enough. I'd make up a better story than the one he told me if I were going to lie about it. I don't really think he was lying at all. But, then again, I have no bone to pick with WABI (yet) ;)

I enjoy reading your perspective. You must have some inside contacts, at least . . . no?

Well, I said that I wouldn't post so quickly, but I can't resist!

Aaron jb, from reading some of your past posts, you have real knowledge of how this all works, and I respect that. Do you or have you worked in the industry? With Time Warner or one of the stations?

You certainly seem to know alot about the way these negotiations work, and an "insider" tone when it comes to WABI and Time Warner, in particular.

I'm just curious, because you definitely have conviction in your belief that WABI is a "problem child." :p

Maybe Mr. Hiltz was lying about DirecTV, but I don't see how that would make sense, because in the end if there's a problem, we'll all know about it soon enough. I'd make up a better story than the one he told me if I were going to lie about it. I don't really think he was lying at all. But, then again, I have no bone to pick with WABI (yet) ;)

I enjoy reading your perspective. You must have some inside contacts, at least . . . no?

My perspective is always decidedly pragmatic, though others tend to call it "negative". :) No insider info here, but I have perused other agreements (and ensuing conflicts) between locals and carriers (both cable and satellite). What's strange in this instance is that WABI has failed to come to terms with two carriers. In most other cases, carriers are tripping over themselves to add locals to the lineup for marketing purposes. I suspect that there's information we're not privy to; however, the fact that WABI is unable to reach an agreement with two carriers is somewhat telling. It could be as simple as WABI holding out the money hat and not hearing enough change being tossed in.

I certainly don't think anyone at WABI is being intentionally deceitful, but there are a number of ways to color the truth and to omit certain facts in the name of marketing. WABI employees are, after all, speaking for the company when you call with queries and they answer. You're unlikely to hear much about the lawsuit or specific financial terms when speaking with them.

Two sides to every story, ya know?

Just a quick note: WLBZ is running spots advertising TW's DVR capabilities and highlighting the relationship between WLBZ and Time Warner. Seems like a cozy relationship. ;)

So DirecTV has some Bangor locals now, big deal! They dont even have all the stations on and the ones they have are only SD. I call them and they say its maybe 4 years till HD locals in Bangor. I cant get ABC HD over the air because they only broadcast 10kw instead of 79kw like they are suppose to and the station wont give out any waivers for HD at all no matter where you live or how bad the signal is. I can get CBS and NBC with my antenna but wvii says have to wait till next Feb for a stronger signal. Whats wrong with giving the power they are suppose to give right now and why dont the FCC do anything about it?

Whats wrong with giving the power they are suppose to give right now and why dont the FCC do anything about it?

Don't mistake the FCC for an effective organization.

heard that bangor twc has already started installing/upgrading hardware for sdv tho it won't be up by years end. other than that, kinda boring in here and still waiting for wabi-hd.

.................... Is anyone left in Bangor? Or is everyone down to Hollywood Slots? You guys have been out of circulation for more than 2 months!

There's not much going on...

Channel 5 HD still not on TW, no new HD channels

There's not much going on...

Channel 5 HD still not on TW, no new HD channels

Nice to see Bangor rumble back to life. It would also be nice to hear some progress in TWC's HD activity.

There's not much going on...

Channel 5 HD still not on TW, no new HD channels


they had a nfl on twc in hd commercial and I was laughing. Sad that Patriots fans can't see their games in hd.

Well, there's the news that WABI-DT applied to move to channel 12 post-transition. They want 12 kW from the current height, I believe.

- Trip

Link? Only saw:25 bangor and 35 Portland. WABI remains @ 19???

PDF warning.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6520031562

- Trip

Thanks for the info, time will tell if I continue to receive.

sent my monthly email to TWC asking about wabi-hd coverage and same reply. They're waiting from WABI to allow them to broadcast the channel.

sent my monthly email to TWC asking about wabi-hd coverage and same reply. They're waiting from WABI to allow them to broadcast the channel.

Sounds familiar.

Thanks, WABI. :rolleyes:

Directv today announced they will provide HD locals here in Bangor by the end of the year. No specifics regarding whether all will be in HD (such as Fox and CW), but we'll see.

Directv today announced they will provide HD locals here in Bangor by the end of the year. No specifics regarding whether all will be in HD (such as Fox and CW), but we'll see.

The PR link is here http://dtv.client.shareholder.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=324647

Dana

Anybody have any idea if/when the TW system upgrade will be done? Supposedly they can't add any more HD channels until then...

Anybody have any idea if/when the TW system upgrade will be done? Supposedly they can't add any more HD channels until then...


last I heard hopefully by years end, but that was a stretch.

Unfortunately, it now appears that the D* local into local HD launch for the Bangor DMA will be in December, 2008.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/moreInfoText.jsp?assetId=1620002

Dana

Anyone else having difficulty with WLBZ-2's HD Olympic coverage on TWC....
like there is none (702 was SD last night and all afternoon too)??? On
another issue, a Magistrate Judge handling the Community Broadcasting
(WABI) v. TWC suit involving TWC's alleged rip off of WABI's HD signal
around Super Bowl '07 has entered summary judgment in TWC's favor on all
counts against it. It can still be appealed and not sure how it impacts
the ongoing dispute but a bit of information/movement nonetheless.

yeah I noticed last night when they tried to switch to HD it would pop and go black then go back to SD. I would assume that they were having issues with uplink. In other news its nice to see the southern bias with TWC showing the 4 Olympic channels down there.

yeah I noticed last night when they tried to switch to HD it would pop and go black then go back to SD. I would assume that they were having issues with uplink. In other news its nice to see the southern bias with TWC showing the 4 Olympic channels down there.

One of the reasons I am making the switch to Directv. Now with the availability of locals and the recent announcement of HD locals in the Bangor market it made sense to switch. Although in talking with a guy at work who already has Directv, it seems to be a pain to get service calls from Directv in Maine.

Unfortunately, it now appears that the D* local into local HD launch for the Bangor DMA will be in December, 2008.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/moreInfoText.jsp?assetId=1620002

Dana


according to wabi's website they will have HD coverage on D* when Bangor HD locals roll out this year.

according to wabi's website they will have HD coverage on D* when Bangor HD locals roll out this year.

What a joke... How can they reach an agreement with DTV and not TWC?? :mad:

Anyone know why CNNHD (760) is in constant pixilation right now on TWC?

Anyone know why CNNHD (760) is in constant pixilation right now on TWC?

I get pixelation on any HD channel when I'm using the internet - even simple web browsing - while watching TV. That's what you get for your $150/month from the almighty TW.

thats weird b/c I can be downloading at full speed and my HD quality doesn't degrade.

Originally Posted by JOgden
Is anyone else having issues with series recordings with 704? I set a series recording for Prison Break or House on chan 704, this channel only and it records chan 4. This has happened ever since TWC added 704 to their HD lineup. If I select JUST one episode of PB from 704 to record it will record in HD.

It's a bug with the moto boxes. It is because the channel id's are the same for sd and hd channels. Any series you create for abc/fox will record next week on the sd channel. All TWC needs to do is change the channel id, but they wont.

btw 702(NBC) works fine, channel id is different.

Does anyone know if there's a fix for this now? I still have the same moto box.

Originally Posted by JOgden
Is anyone else having issues with series recordings with 704? I set a series recording for Prison Break or House on chan 704, this channel only and it records chan 4. This has happened ever since TWC added 704 to their HD lineup. If I select JUST one episode of PB from 704 to record it will record in HD.

------
I had the same problem with TWC, I went to the Bangor office and got a replacement cable box... a newer Motorola box and it fixed the issue.
My series recordings are all set. I would call TWC and tell them what is going on and request a newer cable box.

Originally Posted by JOgden
Is anyone else having issues with series recordings with 704? I set a series recording for Prison Break or House on chan 704, this channel only and it records chan 4. This has happened ever since TWC added 704 to their HD lineup. If I select JUST one episode of PB from 704 to record it will record in HD.



Does anyone know if there's a fix for this now? I still have the same moto box.

this "bug" was fixed when TWC changed the channel ID for FOX/ABC

O
I had the same problem with TWC, I went to the Bangor office and got a replacement cable box... a newer Motorola box and it fixed the issue.
My series recordings are all set. I would call TWC and tell them what is going on and request a newer cable box.

A newer box? What model?

anyone else notice recently some of the clear qam channels disappear? IE music channels and ondemand

looks like TWC will be replacing MOJO with MGM-HD on Dec 1st. Still no update on WABI-HD, but they will have to do something when Directv adds Bangor HD locals.

looks like TWC will be replacing MOJO with MGM-HD on Dec 1st. Still no update on WABI-HD, but they will have to do something when Directv adds Bangor HD locals.

I'm not really up to date with all that is going on, but it would appear that WABI will be going off cable altogether. TWC cannot carry their digital signal and that is all there will be come 2/17. That should be the case here in Central Maine as well, but we, also, have WGME so we will still have CBS.

Does anyone know what digital channels I'll be able to receive from my plain-vanilla analog TWC subscription when I finally break down and buy a TV with a digital tuner?

And does TWC have some sort of time frame for discontinuing the analog channels from 2 - 74?

Thanks

I'm disappointed. My wife's tv just uses clear cam on TWC (Augusta area) to watch the Maine HD stations. I have noticed that TWC has switched the channels around, now, and in the process dropped the FOX channel.

WMTW HD (Ch. 8, analog) is 8-1. WGME HD (Ch. 13, analog) is 13-1. WPXT HD (Ch. 51, analog over the air and 12 on cable) is 51-1. WCSH HD (Ch. 6, analog) remains at 93-11.

For some reason, WPFO HD (FOX) was removed from its placement at 94-4 and I could not locate it even with a fairly thorough search process. Now, I know that WPFO has an issue with an over the air channel designation beginning in February, but I am wondering why it couldn't have retained its clear cam channel on TWC just as WCSH did.

Come Monday, I'll visit the Augusta office to try to find out if this is just an oversight.

Does anyone know what digital channels I'll be able to receive from my plain-vanilla analog TWC subscription when I finally break down and buy a TV with a digital tuner?

And does TWC have some sort of time frame for discontinuing the analog channels from 2 - 74?

Thanks

You'll have to find out from people who live in your market what channels they get in clear QAM. In Portland, L/A, and Augusta, the clear QAM lineups are slightly different. In Portland, they get all of the Southern Maine channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CW, MyNetworkTV). In Greene, where I live, I get the same minus MyNetworkTV, and plus Bangor's ABC (WVII). In Augusta, Stan gets a different lineup. It will depend where you are. We also get a few extra PBS networks.

As far as I know, Time Warner will be continuing analog programming for the time being. I don't think they've made any commitments, but they are using the no-set-top-box for analog TV's as a marketing ploy. One of my coworkers asked at the Portland service center, and they said there was no plan to discontinue analog service. Someday, they can free up a large amount of bandwidth by doing so, so I would think that they eventually will. This is probably years away, though. I'd think the local licensees (i.e. cities) will have something to say about it.

I posted the clear QAM lineup I get on the Portland, ME thread, so you can check it to see everything I get.

take care,

Joe

Anyone know when Dish Network will be offering ABC/NBC/Fox in HD? I don't care about the news but I am interested in the TV shows in HD.

What's the latest model Moto HD DVR in Central Maine?

Am I correct in that WLBZ NBC will be going from ATSC 19 to 2 after the transition? If so wont that require a large VHF antenna which will be a major pain in the a#$.

Yes, but they won't be moving immediately after 02/17/09. They've received permission to operate on DT-25 for a few months after the transition date.

- Trip

What's the latest model Moto HD DVR in Central Maine?

dch6416, but they are hard to get

dch6416, but they are hard to get

Any advice on upgrading to one of these in the Bangor area? I've had my old Moto box for four years now, and it's getting a little long in the tooth.

Any advice on upgrading to one of these in the Bangor area? I've had my old Moto box for four years now, and it's getting a little long in the tooth.

I had no problem, myself. My ancient DCT6412 was acting up, so I went to the Bangor office a couple months ago and swapped out my old one for a brand new DCH6416, no problem.

It's actually not that much different, actually, but it does seems a little faster and the PQ may be slightly better (plus it looks nicer) ;)

Anyone know when Dish Network will be offering ABC/NBC/Fox in HD? I don't care about the news but I am interested in the TV shows in HD.

I hope sooner rather than later, but I suspect whenever they do it our HD locals will be over on the new sats, which means a dish change to a 1000.4 (the new tri-feed dish).

Dish has had Bangor SD locals (including PBS) since Dec 2005. If our local providers don't have high financial demands of Dish, it should speed up the process. Dish has lost some locals temporarily because some market carriers want more money than a cable channel per month for locals.

My big problem is that FOX isn't in HD over the air. If it was, I would probably not care either way. There's no real plan from what I've seen in a post-transition world to bring FOX HD to the antenna either. Considering the amount of programming on FOX, I'd get rid of any of the other HD channels.

EDIT: Hm, TVFool has a map for Digital 22.1 (WFVX-DT).. Interesting..
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=80&q=call%3dWFVX-LP%26type%3dD

I live in Greene, northeast of Lewiston, in former Adelphia territory. In the past we got one Bangor station in clear QAM, WVII. Now we are getting two more -- WFVX and WLBZ. Both had network programs in high definition tonight.

99-1 WLBZ (NBC)
107-1 WVII (ABC)
111-1 WFVX (FOX/MyNetworkTV)

Can anyone tell me what MyNetworkTV high def programming WFVX carries (if any)?

Now we are only missing WPME (Portland's MyNetwork TV) and WABI (Bangor CBS) here in Greene.

Thanks,

Joe

Can anyone tell me what MyNetworkTV high def programming WFVX carries (if any)?

Thanks,

Joe

WFVX shows MyNetwork programming 11p-2a (I think some nights it can go as late as 4a). Tonight it appears they're doing Under One Roof, The Tony Rock Project, and World's Funniest Moments.

WFVX/WVII's website largely stinks. It looks like a well-sponsored Nascar car and doesn't provide a whole lot of information about the stations except for links to the TitanTV guide.

Thanks for the info. So it is basically FOX network programming during the day and MyNetwork overnight. The Fox programming was in HD, as was WLBZ (NBC). Do you know if any of the MyNetwork shows are in HD (particularly the movies)?

Any news yet on WABI? Will Time Warner carry the digital version after the analog switch goes off? I thought it was a fluke we were getting WVII, but now that the others have appeared we must be at the far edge of a region that has some Bangor coverage. We don't get any of the Bangor stations in analog cable, or with digital cable boxes. Just clear QAM.

thanks again,

Joe

Correct, My Network is overnight. I don't know if they're in HD because I'm a Dish Network customer and WFVX is in digital (on an ABC7 subchannel) but not in HD. I'm hoping this will change, but also that Dish will get HD locals for Bangor in the future.

I'm not sure about WABI but the conversion will make matters interesting for them. Time Warner isn't all that interested in resolving this issue or they would've already. It's a shame because CBS does have Patriots football games in HD, that's reason enough to want WABI HD. WABI will probably be available in SD still somewhere in the state because I think they have translators in the Downeast and Central Maine markets. Translators aren't required to be converted in Feb to Digital.

Of course I've said in the past that these locals should have their feet to the fire about properly covering their licensed area with OTA. I have friends in all parts of the 'Bangor DMA' (which is basically all of Maine north of Augusta) and for the most part only those of us here in the city can get locals, especially in HD. If these carriers won't cover the area themselves, they should have to let the cable and satellite carriers do it for them for free.

My old Moto box decided to delete my entire list of scheduled series recordings. Feature (DVR guilt?), or bug?

I hope the office is open on Saturday. I'm motivated enough to finally do a trade-in now.

Does anyone know when WLBZ plans to switch their digital frequency from 25 back to 2? I may have to switch my antenna to pick up the VHF-lo frequency when they go back to 2.

I compiled this list last April from FCC documents. It is possible some of the stations have changed their plans in the meantime.



call sign city NTSC TEMP FINAL

WAGM PRESQUE ISLE 8 16 8
WMEM PRESQUE ISLE 10 20 10
NEW PRESQUE ISLE 47 -- 47

WMEB ORONO 12 9 9
WMED CALAIS 3 10 10

WLBZ BANGOR 2 25 2
WVII BANGOR 7 14 7
WABI BANGOR 5 19 19

WPFO WATERVILLE 23 -- 23
WCBB AUGUSTA 10 17 10
WMTW POLAND SPRING 8 46 8
WPME LEWISTON 35 28 35

WGME PORTLAND 13 38 38
WPXT PORTLAND 51 43 43
WCSH PORTLAND 6 44 44

WMEA BIDDEFORD 26 45 45


The first number is the (present) NTSC broadcast channel, the second is the temporary digital channel that they also broadcast on now, and the third is the channel they have been approved to broadcast on after the analog systems are turned off. I tried to roughly organize it by region. Notice the stations in "blue" will retain their present analog broadcast channel, while the stations in "red" will drop the analog assignment and keep the (temporary) digital assignment.

Joe

Does anyone know when WLBZ plans to switch their digital frequency from 25 back to 2? I may have to switch my antenna to pick up the VHF-lo frequency when they go back to 2.

WLBZ has asked the FCC for permission to stay on channel 25 for a few months (until June 1), I guess to work on equipment until they're ready to go.

Interestingly, they actually plan to boost power on channel 25 first. I'm not sure what the rationale is on that.

- Trip

The senate just passed the digital delay bill which will allow stations to delay turning off analog until June 12th. They can do so earlier at the station's discretion. Obama is expected to sign it.

Joe

The senate just passed the digital delay bill which will allow stations to delay turning off analog until June 12th. They can do so earlier at the station's discretion. Obama is expected to sign it.

Joe

It passed the Senate unanimously! It still has to pass in the House, which is expected on Tuesday according to this story. http://apnews.excite.com/article/20090127/D95V76880.html There is little doubt but what that will happen and that the President will then sign it.

The concern of some was addressed in the Senate bill.

Paula Kerger, president and CEO of the Public Broadcasting Service, estimates that delaying the digital TV transition to June 12 would cost public broadcasters $22 million.

But Rockefeller managed to ease some of these concerns by allowing broadcast stations to make the switch from analog to digital signals sooner than the June deadline if they choose and by permitting public safety agencies to take over vacant spectrum that has been promised to them as soon as it becomes available.


Dana

It is interesting to note that if a station drops analog on February 17th, Congress can say that "shocked" citizens should blame the television station.

This is all great info. Thanks to you all for providing it; this is a real public service.

The digital switch is "on." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/28/AR2009012801883.html?hpid=topnews

Dana

One commentator, Phil Swann, thinks that this vote won't stand, that the Democrats are not inclined let the bill that would postpone the digital switch become the President's first defeat since he supported it. http://www.tvpredictions.com/housedtv012909.htm

So, in the immortal words of Yogi Berra, "It ain't over 'til it's over." http://www.quotedb.com/quotes/1303

I have no horse in this race since I am on D*. I'm just reporting the news.

Dana

WABI is still holding out hope that they'll prevail over TW, I see. Meanwhile, sticking to their ideals is postponing the inevitable and screwing their customers and advertisers.

This is business, and contemporary business at that. I wish WABI management would learn to live in the now.

Does anyone know if WABI will, actually, go off cable altogether when they stop broadcasting in analog 2 weeks from now, since TWC is not permitted to carry the digital signal? ....... I don't see how it can be avoided.

FWIW, the D* website now says HD locals will be available here in April. I don't know if Fox is included, but we will see.

Does anyone know if WABI will, actually, go off cable altogether when they stop broadcasting in analog 2 weeks from now, since TWC is not permitted to carry the digital signal? ....... I don't see how it can be avoided.

There is no reason that I know of that WABI cannot continue to provide Time Warner an analog signal in 480i 4:3 even after the OTA analog broadcast goes away. Digital broadcasting is only mandated for broadcasting over the air.

Joe

There is no reason that I know of that WABI cannot continue to provide Time Warner an analog signal in 480i 4:3 even after the OTA analog broadcast goes away. Digital broadcasting is only mandated for broadcasting over the air.

Joe

Doesn't TWC take the WABI analog signal from over the air? Are they wired directly into the station?

Doesn't TWC take the WABI analog signal from over the air? Are they wired directly into the station?

I don't know. But even if they get a digital, high def signal over the air, they certainly can down-convert it. I bet one of the engineers could even use one of the FCC coupons to buy the set-top box.

Joe

I don't know. But even if they get a digital, high def signal over the air, they certainly can down-convert it. I bet one of the engineers could even use one of the FCC coupons to buy the set-top box.

Joe

Yeah, but I doubt TWC has the right to use WABI's digital signal at all. .......... Even if they mess it up by converting it to analog before sending it on down the line. I suspect this might cause WABI to have second thoughts.

Yeah, but I doubt TWC has the right to use WABI's digital signal at all. .......... Even if they mess it up by converting it to analog before sending it on down the line. I suspect this might cause WABI to have second thoughts.

I suspect that Time Warner has whatever rights to use the signal that WABI wants to give them. Like I said, I don't know how Time Warner gets WABI's analog signal now -- I don't think it matters. I would be shocked if WABI allows themselves to go completely blind to Time Warner customers. They will either provide the high def signal, or the will continue to allow them to use a down-converted signal.


Joe

Looks like WABI is converting to HD on June 12th and WVII is changing on Feb 17 as usual. If anyone has any other reports for channels converting or not, feel free to post them.

WMEB (PBS) moved on Jan 11.

Does anyone know if Channel 7 plans to increase its power and/or if Fox 22 will go HD?

ABC7 is moving for sure on Feb 17. They intend to move to VHF too, which should boost their footprint. Not sure if they're moving to VHF on the 17th too or not.

(Screwed this up and was incorrect, see below about what I did find.) FOX22 has paperwork in with the FCC to become a full power station (instead of a LP). Not sure when or what's going on.

These guys aren't good about letting us know anything here in Bangor.

If someone happens to call them, I'd be interested to know what comes of it. Their website looks like a stock car. Full of ads no substance.

Email Mike Palmer mpalmer@wvii.com, I use to contact him all the time for updated info on HD TWC coverage.

FOX22 has paperwork in with the FCC to become a full power station (instead of a LP). Not sure when or what's going on.

Really? I'd be very interested to see that paperwork, as I can't seem to find it.

Got some links?

- Trip

My bad, I have it entirely wrong. I've seen way too much stuff lately and misspoke.

What I saw was for some reason TVFool thinks that they're going to stay a LP but convert to digital on Channel 22. I don't know why they think this though, it must be somewhere in the FCC DB? It says it's 15 kW, vs 150kW for the 22 Analog station.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=80&q=call%3dWFVX-LP%26type%3dD

They have an entry for the old analog station too.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=80&q=call%3dWFVX-LP%26type%3dA

FOX is the station I want to go HD the most since all the sports are there amongst other things I watch.

EDIT: Seems the FCC has a digital application for WFVX-LP, for a Digital Flash Cut, wonder what's going on with it? -
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1236054

EDIT (2): Here's a list of the TV Query for WFVX too -
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=WFVX-LP

Right, LP stations are capped at 150 kW analog and 15 kW digital. They want to flash-cut to digital. Nothing's been granted yet, nor is it a request to go to full power (I doubt they could anyway due to ownership rules).

- Trip

Right, entirely my error.

The question is, shouldn't the flash cut have been approved by now in anticipation for the (original) 2-17 conversion since their parent company is already committed to their transition?

I think their filing is probably tied up in Canadian coordination, much like WABI's request to move to channel 12. As of right now, WABI does not have permission to operate DT-12, so I'm not sure why they're so confident they'll be getting it. Were I in their position, I'd be keeping it quiet until absolutely sure they have it.

- Trip

WABI is stalling for their analog shutdown until June 12 too. I'm not sure what the status is of WLBZ.

I guess in the meantime I just keep hoping Dish Network is going to end up with all of Bangor's locals in HD in the near future.

Seems the FCC has a digital application for WFVX-LP, for a Digital Flash Cut, wonder what's going on with it?

In the detailed query on the FCC site, there is an "application list" for WFVX which includes the digital flash cut application. Within the flash cut application is a technical appendix describing what they propose to do.

There's an interesting map in the appendix comparing the signal coverage for the licensed analog signal now (27.5 kW ERP) with the maximized analog signal they have a construction permit for already (150 kW ERP) and the proposed digital signal coverage. The digital signal coverage is significantly greater than even the maximized analog signal.

See http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=631618 for the technical exhibit in the application.

On the Portland, Maine thread, there recently has been a discussion on signal contour maps, so you might want to pop over and review that for the signal reception implications.

Joe

I did read that document, I was just intrigued by the fact that this hasn't been granted yet. It's been almost quite some time since they applied.

I think Trip is probably right that this is jammed up due to being relatively close to Canada.

I should definitely be within the coverage area. Blackcap is a common transmitter site and I should have LOS.

WVII made the switch overnight and I can FINALLY receive their digital signal now that they are full power. My location is Surry, ME. I'm interested to see if 7.2 will be HD Fox. Guess we'll find out tonight at 8PM.

I think you'll find FOX won't be in HD still. They don't have enough bandwidth to do it without distorting ABC (their claim, which I believe to be true).

FOX22 applied last year to do digital on their Channel 22 allocation. This hasn't been approved yet, but they would have bandwidth to do HD if so. The problem you'll have there is that you're probably outside the footprint in Surry since FOX22 is a Low Power station.

As it goes I'm waiting for Dish Network to get Bangor locals in HD. When the over the air transmitters go offline, Dish Network's SD locals go offline too. This gives me the impression that even if Dish offered Bangor locals in HD, we'd still not get FOX in HD until they broadcast in HD over the air.

That is what I'm afraid of. Fox is the only network I don't get in HD at this point. I cannot get WFVX-LP 22 over the air at this location and they will absolutely NOT grant a waiver to get Fox HD from New York on DirecTV. Very, very frustrating.

That is what I'm afraid of. Fox is the only network I don't get in HD at this point. I cannot get WFVX-LP 22 over the air at this location and they will absolutely NOT grant a waiver to get Fox HD from New York on DirecTV. Very, very frustrating.

It is frustrating. I ran into this problem when I first went with D* in 2004. (On the AVS Forum, DirecTV is usually abbreviated as D*.) I think the stations just universally deny waivers rather than try to evaluate the merits of each request. At that time, I could get only one local Portland-Auburn DMA local station OTA but every station claimed their transmitter served Bailey Island, completely ignoring my location on the eastern shore at sea level and that the island rises to over 100' above sea level between me and the transmitters northwest of me.

I filed an appeal which was never acted upon. I believe the FCC changed rules about that time which virtually wiped out the appeal process. (Thanks to the TV stations lobby.)

Fortunately, the one station I could get OTA in HD was WGME 13 CBS so I could watch the Pats in HD. Later, I went back to SusCom Brunswick cable when it was acquired by Comcast, thinking that it would be rejuvenated. Wrong! When I rejoined D* - never to go back to cable again - locals were in HD on a bird in the sky.

And I lived happily ever after.

Dana

That is what I'm afraid of. Fox is the only network I don't get in HD at this point. I cannot get WFVX-LP 22 over the air at this location and they will absolutely NOT grant a waiver to get Fox HD from New York on DirecTV. Very, very frustrating.

DirecTV is supposed to have Bangor HD locals in April supposedly. It's on their site. That might be to your benefit. DirecTV is supposedly in FOX/ABC's place in Bangor so they'll have direct access to the HD feeds.

Dish's equipment is over in the WLBZ building, which is why they won't unless they work something out or FOX goes HD OTA. DirecTV does already have SD locals including FOX22 if you upgrade your setup to support it (it requires a MPEG4 receiver and a proper dish).

It's unfortunate you don't qualify for NY locals. When my brother had DirecTV he had FOX NY/LA only because at the time FOX was a cable only service here in Bangor proper. I had FOX too through Dish Network as well. Dish Network launched Bangor locals in Dec 2005 and I've had NBC CBS FOX PBS ABC from them since. I also have a OTA antenna connected to my Dish box as well.

Just a comment on WVII's new OTA now that they have moved from Ch. 14 to Ch. 7, I'm getting an excellent signal 17 miles out from the antenna (Hampden), averaging about 90% with my rooftop antenna properly rotated, best I could do before was MAYBE in the mid to high 60% range, and even that was unreliable. Big test will probably be tomorrow when the snow hits, see how that affects the signal.

Like droobie, I'm running my OTA antenna into my Dish box (VIP622), pretty sweet setup, it incorporates the digital OTA signals right into the main program guide, pretty much seamless operation, almost like having HD locals, except for being stuck with Fox in SD.

Like droobie, I'm running my OTA antenna into my Dish box (VIP622), pretty sweet setup, it incorporates the digital OTA signals right into the main program guide, pretty much seamless operation, almost like having HD locals, except for being stuck with Fox in SD.

Does Dish show the guide data in your box for 007-02 ? I originally complained to Dish about it and they fixed it on my box, but wasn't sure if they fixed it on all of them in the area.

Was this a recent development? Because last night when they did the transition, I did not have the guide, but it was there this morning. My Dish box is set to update early every morning, so perhaps the issue was resolved at that time.

DirecTV is supposed to have Bangor HD locals in April supposedly. It's on their site. That might be to your benefit. DirecTV is supposedly in FOX/ABC's place in Bangor so they'll have direct access to the HD feeds.

Dish's equipment is over in the WLBZ building, which is why they won't unless they work something out or FOX goes HD OTA. DirecTV does already have SD locals including FOX22 if you upgrade your setup to support it (it requires a MPEG4 receiver and a proper dish).

It's unfortunate you don't qualify for NY locals. When my brother had DirecTV he had FOX NY/LA only because at the time FOX was a cable only service here in Bangor proper. I had FOX too through Dish Network as well. Dish Network launched Bangor locals in Dec 2005 and I've had NBC CBS FOX PBS ABC from them since. I also have a OTA antenna connected to my Dish box as well.
It's just frustrating to have to pay $5 per month for something I should get for free OTA. (or $1.95/month for a distant local).

It's just frustrating to have to pay $5 per month for something I should get for free OTA. (or $1.95/month for a distant local).

In many cases the local stations are charging DirecTV and Dish Network (and the cable cos) to provide these channels, as well as these companies do have to front a lot of money in order to bring them online.

As far as I know, Time Warner customers in this market haven't seen CBS in HD ever because of an ongoing dispute with WABI about money. I do think the blame needs to be on the broadcasters a bit here. They want anyone who can't get it via OTA (or want it via these carriers) to help fund their station.

WFVX is also a LP station, it basically isn't intended to serve anywhere outside of basically the greater Bangor area. You may want to ask WVII/WFVX if they ever intend to offer a stronger FOX service. They'll have FCC hurdles to overcome, it won't happen tomorrow. My feeling is FOX is more important because of shows like House, Lie to Me, and obviously Football, Nascar and other content.

As a aside, I don't pay 5$ a month for my locals, I pay 0$. My DishDVR Advantage plan includes locals automatically. It will also include them in HD when they become available.

That's what is so strange to me. WFVX is LP and I have zero chance of being able to receive their signal at my location, so why do I have to apply for a waiver to them? I can't get their signal no matter what I do.

That's what is so strange to me. WFVX is LP and I have zero chance of being able to receive their signal at my location, so why do I have to apply for a waiver to them? I can't get their signal no matter what I do.

For some reason DirecTV seems to think you need a waiver. This is the same DirecTV that blacked out games on Sunday Ticket on my brother before WFVX even had a transmitter here and was cable only. They said "Nothing we can do!".

WFVX should be willing to give you a waiver though since there's no possible way to get the signal to you. They should be well aware of where their coverage goes.

I'm guessing now that it is on 7.2 I'll have no hopes at a waiver (not that I had one before). I just want Fox in HD and I'll be happy.

I'm guessing now that it is on 7.2 I'll have no hopes at a waiver (not that I had one before). I just want Fox in HD and I'll be happy.

I figure if they get authorized for 15kW on 22, the 7.2 feed will go away in favor of that, which they could do HD on.

My lawyer always told me "it never hurts to ask". I'd suggest giving the station a call and asking and letting them know where you are. Ideally if they say 'should be doable' you should send the waiver request to their attention directly.

Ever since WVII discontinued their analog signal, I have been unable to pick up their signal OTA. Their signal has always been weak, but now I get nada. I use a D* HR-20 and tried resetting my local channels, but no luck. I understand that they may have changed their frequency to go back to VHF ch. 7, so I tried a VHF/UHF antenna, but still no luck. I don't get a weak signal, I get no signal at all. Has anyone had the same problem or any advice? Thanks.

I get a signal on VHF once I did rescan, but the signal number is less (69-72) instead of (98-100) when they were on UHF.

Ever since WVII discontinued their analog signal, I have been unable to pick up their signal OTA. Their signal has always been weak, but now I get nada. I use a D* HR-20 and tried resetting my local channels, but no luck. I understand that they may have changed their frequency to go back to VHF ch. 7, so I tried a VHF/UHF antenna, but still no luck. I don't get a weak signal, I get no signal at all. Has anyone had the same problem or any advice? Thanks.

There is no such thing as reception of a weak signal with digital TV. You either get reception - or you don't.

And from what MPBN has posted on its web site, you're not alone. http://www.mpbn.net/DTV/DTVFAQ/tabid/252/Default.aspx

MPBN is receiving a steadily increasing number of contacts from television viewers who have purchased digital converter boxes and hooked them up to their TV sets only to find they can’t pick up MPBN. These experiences stand in contrast to the generally upbeat articles about the upcoming DTV conversion touting mainly the benefits of digital TV – of which there are indeed many, provided you can pick up the signal. Now that people are actually buying the converter boxes and hooking them up, however, they’re finding that it’s not always as easy as those public service announcements make it seem.
...

*Unlike analog transmissions where the TV picture gets fuzzier as distance from the broadcast tower increases, with digital television you either get the signal or you don’t. You don’t get a snowy picture as the signal fades, it just cuts out completely.


Dana

You won't get snow. Weak signals do freeze, tile, and stutter, for my lack of a better word.

"There is no such thing as reception of a weak signal with digital TV. You either get reception - or you don't."

What I meant was that my signal strength was weak, which is what I presume is what droobie referenced. Maybe I need to rescan with a VHF antenna. I'll try that next.

Does anyone know if we will ever see Verizon FIOS? TV/Internet? I know they pulled their phone services out of NE, but what about FIOS?

Does anyone know if we will ever see Verizon FIOS? TV/Internet? I know they pulled their phone services out of NE, but what about FIOS?

Verizon pulled out of Northern New England - Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine - in large part because they didn't want to put a large chunk of money into pulling fiber optic cable for FIOS into rural areas where there aren't likely to be many subscribers to offset the cost. There's a lot more money to be made in Southern New England where FIOS, a brand name owned by Verizon that stands for Fiber Optic Service, is becoming popular (and driving cable cos. nuts). Lots more people to be served - and revenue generated.

The entire issue of bringing high speed internet to rural Maine was an intense part of the PUC's examination of FairPoint's acquisition of Verizon's holdings here. FairPoint says it will do so. They have put their commitment in writing. http://www.fairpoint.com/news/faqs.html

Will FairPoint provide customers with access to a faster Internet connection?

Broadband Internet connections provide greater speed and bandwidth than dial-up connections. FairPoint plans to increase overall broadband availability significantly from current levels in the northern New England region within the first 24 months after the completion of the merger, which closed on March 31, 2008.

Providing widely available broadband services is a core part of FairPoint’s business strategy.

What is the difference between an Internet connection using cable lines versus one over phone lines?

Both cable modem and DSL services provide improved connection speeds over dial-up Internet service. Typically, many homes in a given area share the same cable lines for receiving high-speed Internet service. As a result, if numerous homes in a community using cable modem service are online at the same time, the connection speeds and available bandwidth for each home can be diminished.

The DSL service provided by companies such as FairPoint is not a shared service, so a phone customer using DSL for high-speed Internet service should maintain a consistent level of connection speed and bandwidth while online – regardless of how many of their neighbors are also online at the same time. Current technology enables DSL to provide very high speed data and video services over existing phone lines.

Will FairPoint continue with the project that Verizon started to bring fiber access network services to northern New England?

FairPoint will continue to support the fiber access network services, but will not market the product by the name "Verizon FiOS" because "Verizon FiOS" is a proprietary product that is a trademark of Verizon.

FairPoint will market the service under the name FAST (fiber access speed technology).


Let's hope they do.

Also, there may be federal funds to help move this project along, as discussed in an article published in the Maine Sunday Telegram on Sunday, Feb. 22 titled "Internet bonanza for rural Maine?" http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=240973&ac=PHnws

Dana

I noticed last night that there is CBS HD content avail ondemand via twc. Anyone else thinks thats weird?

Also, there may be federal funds to help move this project along, as discussed in an article published in the Maine Sunday Telegram on Sunday, Feb. 22 titled "Internet bonanza for rural Maine?" http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=240973&ac=PHnws

Dana

From what I've seen, former FIOS (now FAST) customers in Southern NH aren't exactly happy customers. I'd rather see the funds go to someone like Oxford Networks that already has fiber in much of Bangor and other cities in the state. Their fiber is right over on Broadway (you can see the box with their logo on it every other pole for their FTTP service), roughly a mile or so from here. They also have it out in the Hammond Street industrial park, etc. They said they don't have plans for consumer service at this time though.

Fairpoint hasn't exactly been a master of great reputation in keeping copper lines going either. I work for a rural wireless broadband company and Fairpoint managed to ruin dial-up Internet to the point that those customers come flocking. 53K is ok, but 9600 isn't, apparently. We do continue to expand into other markets, but a cash injection from the feds would help the process I'm sure.

We won't even go into what happened with several of our T1s in some parts of the state and outages. Let's just say the words "SLA" didn't compute.

I spotted a note in today's Times Record newspaper published in Brunswick to the effect that those cable TV customers who lost service for six or more hours during the recent snow storm (or for any other reason) are entitled to a pro rata credit or refund - providing you ask for it. The complete text of the statute is here. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/Statutes/30-A/title30-Asec3010.html

1. Credits and refunds for interruption of service. Credits and refunds for interruption of cable television service of a franchisee must be as follows.

A. In the event service to any subscriber is interrupted for 6 or more consecutive hours in a 30-day period, the franchisee will, upon request, grant that subscriber a pro rata credit or rebate. [2007, c. 548, §2 (AMD).]

Dana

3 new HD channels showing up on TWC this morning, Travel HD Science HD and 1 unnamed

Also, it seems thats SCIFI-HD and USA-HD

cool... SCIFI HD!

Now if they would only add Chiller I'd be almost completely satisfied...

Well, enjoy the series finale of Battlestar Galacticia in HD Bangor. Those of us in Southern Maine are stuck watching it in crappy analog SD. I knew I should have never moved!

For what it's worth, the WABI lawsuit against TWC alleging TWC's unauthorized transmission of WABI's HD signal around Super Bowl a couple of years ago has been decided by the U.S. Dist. Court in Bangor (i.e. the decision from last fall made by a Magistrate was recently affirmed by the Article III Judge on or about 2/25). Judgment in favor of TWC. Appeal could be taken to 1st Circuit in Boston which I think would have to done by end of next week. Not sure what, if anything, any of this means for the current impasse.

Last time I talked with Steve he was optimistic that WABI-HD would be on TWC soon. He said WABI and TWC have been having positive conversations.

I'm cautiously optimistic. Probably wishful thinkin' that it would be before the Sweet Sixteen commences:rolleyes: on Thursday! This may be reaching and is probably of no consequence at all, but I think 705 on the guide was labelled "NYC" something or another until very recently.... now it just says "To Be Announced". I tend to latch onto any glimmer of hope that we won't have to endure another season of Patriot football in SD.

Is TWC Bangor, Channel 702 (NBC) broadcasting in SD for anyone else?

Is TWC Bangor, Channel 702 (NBC) broadcasting in SD for anyone else?

yes, it was SD for me here in Bangor..

yes, it was SD for me here in Bangor..

Strange. It's been broadcasting in 4:3 (what I assume is the SD feed, though the box is still outputting 1080i) since Wednesday evening.

FWIW guys, I'm getting 4:3 OTA on WLBZ HD, so I'm guessing the problem lies with them and not your cable system.

Strange indeed - I didn't even think to check the OTA digital signal.

WABI recently had a staff reduction. How long before we're down to two local affiliates for the major networks?

Anyone else get a DVR software upgrade sent down last night?

My parents live in Ellsworth and in the "old (read analog) days" 2,5,7,& 12 were THE channels w/ ch 7 being just a hair fuzzy...a older 10 element rooftop VHF antenna w/ old 300 ohm wire to the TV was it for 25+ years,...now: w/ the change to DTV, what are their expectations for reception?? they now: aren't "downtwon" so elevation is decent (High street/Beals avenue in Ellsworth along rt 1A) but the different compass locations of the transmitters and now available low power stations (Fox, etc., I guess - they only get the VHF major networks in analog, Fox, WB, etc., never came in...)???

So as they return from Florida question is: A) get a "limited basic cable" or a B) "a DTV box (whcih seems to reduce signal power interrupting the signal a bit) w/ a new antenna - a VHF/UHF combo, larger, more elements w/ perhaps w/ a rotor & amplifier (??) and definately 75 ohm ( A new HDTV w/ built in tuner is NOT their answer for now...) from antenna to 3 tvs the tix??""

Seems if they can't get at least the same reception, (Public TV IS a must), they like that too and hopefully want to add FOX, etc.,...

I'm probably leaning to a "limited basic cable-reception package" for them (simplicity less than $20~ a month and can get a "disconnect rate" when in FL for the winter to reduce that cost)...they aren't tv watchers per say, typically only news, an occasional sports game, maybe a show at nite or two but, they aren't followers of soaps or night shows...so the Bangor area channels are fine but, can they expect reception OTA w/o pixels/drop offs, especially w/ spring/fall weather interference (or leaves in the summer?), ...
they will use a typical analog 27" set, so HDTV to worry about :), need your thoughts and facts??

tvfool and antennaweb sites seem "innconclusive" for real world reception of semi-rural Maine...

(I imagine the old days of OTA reception downeast - I used to live in Machias (a UMM graduate 1982), had freinds over in East Sullivan, Bar Harbor, etc., must be gone??, I can't imagine w/ the DTv "all or nothing" approach to reception that ALL stations are available w/o some very (multiple antennas, amplifiers, etc., etc.,) complicated and expensive set ups anymore?? Seems some repeaters like we have here in rural OR/WA state that allow OTA reception in areas away from Portland/Seattle etc., major xmitters are needed in ME...

thanx..

guesss this threads traffic is as light as route 1's traffic on a winter day in ME...:)

guesss this threads traffic is as light as route 1's traffic on a winter day in ME...:)

I think the problem is that no one really knows for sure what your parents' Ellsworth reception will be. The Portland Press Herald published a story here http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=245860&ac=PHnws that indicates there's been lots of problems and some that weren't anticipated with the analog to digital conversion.

We were led to believe for instance that with digital, you either get a signal or you don't. No "snow" such as with weak analog OTA reception. But, there is pixelation or freezing. Nice.

So it's apparently trial and error.

Dana

Oh Man, if the PPH JUST figured out there is clipping/pixelation w/ fringe DTV reception, I can see this may take a while, ...I guess DTV is a little late comin to Maine,...reminds me: though I remember Black and White local newscasts in 1974-5, for a kid that moved from NYC TV market to ME, I found that amazin as only old reruns of the Honeymooners and I love Lucy and such were seen in B&W! And I got to view local LIVE news 15~ years later done that way...:)

I'll check back and see if anyone from Hancock county posts some thoughts...lookin at TV fool website, and xmitter locations, the cable/compressed screenon an analog tv will be better than OTA analog, and DTV OTA may be askin too much of one antenna in zip 04605.

Is there any reason why WLBZ is broadcasting the Thursday night lineup in 4:3 SD?

Thanks WABI and TWC for another great sporting event in SD... The Masters! Just get the deal done for God's sake. Doesn't goodwill toward customers mean anything anymore?????

Anyone else notice that WLBZ's OTA HDTV switcher doesn't seem to be working right? I've had SD Saturday Night Live, SD Hockey today, and I think Thursday's lineup was even in SD.

It has nothing to do with my setup. My brother is seeing the same nonsense at his house.

I had the same problem with WLBZ on Thursday. Very disappointed to watch Southland in SD. Nightly News was fine on Friday, but didn't watch Ch. 2 much on the weekend. I've noticed this problem from time to time and it is very annoying.

just got this from Steve today...outlook is good


Just another update on the progress with TWC and WABI HD. We have finally
received the promised document from them and will be reviewing it this
week. I hope that they can make some time to go over it with us soon.

I'm disappointed that this got held up right through the major HD sporting
events (NCAA BBall and Masters), but I'm sure there was good reason for
the delay -- or I want to think so, at least.

DirecTV has also dragged their feet in bringing HD to the Bangor market,
but rumor has it that it will happen this Wednesday. They always refuse
to confirm such information. I presume they don't want to get anyone
excited in case things change.

I still have no way of determining exactly when the final deal will be
done with TWC. It's not as easy as it is with the smaller carriers (make
a phone call, send faxes with signatures, done). Too many legal folks
involved - a good thing in the long run, I guess, but it holds things up.

Anyway, I still think it's going pretty well, and I have high hopes for a
conclusion to this saga in the not too distant future.

Steve H.

I had the same problem with WLBZ on Thursday. Very disappointed to watch Southland in SD. Nightly News was fine on Friday, but didn't watch Ch. 2 much on the weekend. I've noticed this problem from time to time and it is very annoying.

Southland was good, but yeah, not being in HD stinks. SNL in SD was pretty rough too. Maybe WABI got rid of reporters and WLBZ got rid of engineers..

...

DirecTV has also dragged their feet in bringing HD to the Bangor market,
but rumor has it that it will happen this Wednesday. They always refuse
to confirm such information. I presume they don't want to get anyone
excited in case things change. ...

Steve H.

The Bangor DMA does show up on D* as scheduled for the HD launch April 09. http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=3620002

Dana

More here http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/152109-updated-directv-hd-locals-launch-schedule-november-march-pbs-launches-12.html#post1782281

I am hearing from Directv that the Bangor, Me HD Locals are suppose to be up this Wed April 15 or Thursday April 16.

This is great news and can't wait. I have not heard for sure all about all the stations that will be launched. But I have been told the following info:

WVII ABC 7- will be lauched
WABI CBS 5- will be lauched
WVII substation FOX 22- will be lauched
WABI substation CW 14- will NOT be lauched (they don't have a HD Feed Yet)
I think WLBZ NBC 2 will be launched, but have not heard for sure.

Not sure about PBS either.

Dana

Locals now available in HD on DirecTV. CW is still in SD, but WLBZ, WABI, WVII, Fox and PBS are all HD. Good news.

Locals now available in HD on DirecTV. CW is still in SD, but WLBZ, WABI, WVII, Fox and PBS are all HD. Good news.

Good news indeed! But, Gee Whiz! We've been waiting forever for MPBN HD on the Portland-Auburn D* lineup and still don't have it. Perhaps because our MPBN feed comes from Lewiston while yours probably comes from a local Bangor uplink.

Anyway, congratulations!

Dana

My parents live in Ellsworth and in the "old (read analog) days" 2,5,7,& 12 were THE channels w/ ch 7 being just a hair fuzzy...a older 10 element rooftop VHF antenna w/ old 300 ohm wire to the TV was it for 25+ years,...now: w/ the change to DTV, what are their expectations for reception?? they now: aren't "downtwon" so elevation is decent (High street/Beals avenue in Ellsworth along rt 1A) but the different compass locations of the transmitters and now available low power stations (Fox, etc., I guess - they only get the VHF major networks in analog, Fox, WB, etc., never came in...)???

So as they return from Florida question is: A) get a "limited basic cable" or a B) "a DTV box (whcih seems to reduce signal power interrupting the signal a bit) w/ a new antenna - a VHF/UHF combo, larger, more elements w/ perhaps w/ a rotor & amplifier (??) and definately 75 ohm ( A new HDTV w/ built in tuner is NOT their answer for now...) from antenna to 3 tvs the tix??""

Seems if they can't get at least the same reception, (Public TV IS a must), they like that too and hopefully want to add FOX, etc.,...

I'm probably leaning to a "limited basic cable-reception package" for them (simplicity less than $20~ a month and can get a "disconnect rate" when in FL for the winter to reduce that cost)...they aren't tv watchers per say, typically only news, an occasional sports game, maybe a show at nite or two but, they aren't followers of soaps or night shows...so the Bangor area channels are fine but, can they expect reception OTA w/o pixels/drop offs, especially w/ spring/fall weather interference (or leaves in the summer?), ...
they will use a typical analog 27" set, so HDTV to worry about :), need your thoughts and facts??

tvfool and antennaweb sites seem "innconclusive" for real world reception of semi-rural Maine...

(I imagine the old days of OTA reception downeast - I used to live in Machias (a UMM graduate 1982), had freinds over in East Sullivan, Bar Harbor, etc., must be gone??, I can't imagine w/ the DTv "all or nothing" approach to reception that ALL stations are available w/o some very (multiple antennas, amplifiers, etc., etc.,) complicated and expensive set ups anymore?? Seems some repeaters like we have here in rural OR/WA state that allow OTA reception in areas away from Portland/Seattle etc., major xmitters are needed in ME...

thanx..
I live in Surry and I get OK signals with a UHF/VHF outdoor antenna. I'm about 250ft elevation. Somedays it's fine, others it's blocky.

I know an elderly lady on Bridge Hill (across from the Black House) who cannot get any reception at all with a new outdoor antenna. It truly is tough to predict where you will get, and where you won't get, these digital signals.

I'd go with the basic cable if I were you.

Anyone have an update on the WABI / TW situation?

Anyone have an update on the WABI / TW situation?

No, but in about 3 1/2 weeks, WABI will have to terminate their analog signal and TWC will not have authority to use the digital signal. If I am seeing this correctly, something will have to give.

Of course, there has been a lot of talk, but it seems as if they can't quite pull the trigger for some reason.

Anyone have an update on the WABI / TW situation?


Steve says TWC is dragging their feet. But they have a meeting with them this week. I'll know more after that.

Call me cynical, but this just sounds like more of the same from WABI .... always someone else's fault.

Call me cynical, but this just sounds like more of the same from WABI .... always someone else's fault.

Sounds about right. I think it's time for WABI to act in a pragmatic manner and reach a deal with TW.

Sounds about right. I think it's time for WABI to act in a pragmatic manner and reach a deal with TW.

June 12th, I think.

Stan,

There's no reason that WABI can't contnue to provide Time Warner with an NTSC signal of the broadcast -- the June 12th date only applies to "over the air" antenna reception. Usually, cable companies receive the signal from the local broadcastr over cable or direct microwave transmission. Not using a rooftop antenna. I don't know how WABI gets their signal to Time Warner.

One of the big sale points for cable is that they CAN continue to provide an NTSC signal to their subscribers so that old TV's don't need a box to convert the ATSC signal. I believe all of the other local broadcasters are continuing toprovide the NTSC signal to Time Warner. There is no reason WABI cannot continue just the way things are.

Joe

Stan,

There's no reason that WABI can't contnue to provide Time Warner with an NTSC signal of the broadcast -- the June 12th date only applies to "over the air" antenna reception. Usually, cable companies receive the signal from the local broadcastr over cable or direct microwave transmission. Not using a rooftop antenna. I don't know how WABI gets their signal to Time Warner.

One of the big sale points for cable is that they CAN continue to provide an NTSC signal to their subscribers so that old TV's don't need a box to convert the ATSC signal. I believe all of the other local broadcasters are continuing toprovide the NTSC signal to Time Warner. There is no reason WABI cannot continue just the way things are.

Joe

Clearly, it is possible to supply the cable company with a wired-in or microwaved NTSC signal. I'm thinking, however, that if that is not being done, now, it would not be started at this late date.

It is also possible for TWC to use WABI's digital signal, whether wired, microwaved, fricasseed or broadcast and convert it to analog, if that is what would please WABI. It is my understanding that is what TWC is doing with the other Maine stations.

As a side note, for two days, a couple of weeks ago, all of the Maine stations carried on TWC were completely unwatchable for 3 or 4 evening hours, with the sole exception of WABI.

The HD carriers often just side-crop and downconvert the HD channel. NESN in SD has never looked pretty since they started doing that. There's nothing stopping WABI from doing the same.

The cable companies aren't keeping analog services. Some carriers have already converted to completely digital and they provide basically a small cable box 'adapter' for those who only have basic cable. The end result is basically the same, but it's not as simple as just plugging the cable in.

They remove HDNet for this?? You've got to be kidding me... :mad: