DIRECTV to Carry Public Television Stations in HD
DIRECTV, Association of Public Television Stations and PBS Reach
Landmark Agreement for Digital Carriage in Local Markets Across the
Country Beginning Next Year
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 2007--Public Television stations across the country will soon be available in high-definition (HD) to DIRECTV customers through a landmark agreement reached today by DIRECTV, Inc., the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). DIRECTV viewers will have access to other Public Television content as well.

Continuing its unprecedented expansion of HD services, DIRECTV, the industry leader in HD programming, will include the local HD feeds of Public Television stations in its HD rollout plans beginning in 2008. DIRECTV currently offers local HD programming in 68 markets, representing more than 72 percent of U.S. TV households.

DIRECTV, APTS and PBS also will work together to develop new video on demand offerings to make available local and national public television programming to DIRECTV's customers anytime they want it. In addition, DIRECTV will carry two national standard-definition channels of Public Television programming, further expanding its commitment to high-quality educational programming.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with APTS and PBS to offer our customers award-winning HD programming from local Public Television stations across the country," said Chase Carey, president and CEO, DIRECTV, Inc. "This agreement is the result of a cooperative effort that will utilize innovative technology to deliver the highest quality local content to DIRECTV viewers. DIRECTV is committed to offering the best HD programming lineup available, and we are delighted to begin carrying programs of the caliber of The NewsHour, Frontline, NOVA, American Masters, the American Experience and award-winning children's programming in this visually compelling format."

APTS President & CEO John Lawson said: "This is a forward-looking, innovative agreement for the digital age. It means the great HD programming from PBS and local Public Television stations will be available to DIRECTV customers in every market where DIRECTV carries any local HD. We will also work together to make available a vast library of on demand content from local Public Television stations across the country. This is a great day for public service media in America."

"One of our foremost priorities is extending the quality content that PBS offers across the broadest range of platforms," said PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger. "We are pleased with this agreement, which enables Public Television stations to provide even better service to viewers in their communities."

The terms of the deal were unanimously approved by the APTS Board of Trustees yesterday and are pending approval by the PBS Board of Directors. The agreement must be ratified by local Public Television stations.

Information regarding the full DIRECTV HD programming lineup, which includes 87 national HD channels, and details on receiving equipment needed for the new DIRECTV HD services, are available by calling 1-800-DIRECTV or visiting directv.com.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ : DTV), the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to 16.6 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with 87 national HD channels - more quality HD channels than any other television provider. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for seven years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.

About APTS

The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) was established to support the continued growth and development of a strong and financially sound noncommercial television service for the American public. As broadcasters make the transition to digital, APTS is working to ensure the federal government continues its commitment to universal public television services and that those services are available across all platforms. For more information, visit www.apts.org

About PBS

PBS is a media enterprise that serves 355 public noncommercial television stations and reaches nearly 73 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is a leading provider of digital learning content for pre-K-12 educators and offers a broad array of other educational services. PBS' premier kids' TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (www.pbskids.org), continue to be parents' and teachers' most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org , one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.

This is good news - especially since the newest directv hd boxes don't include antenna in's for locals. I guess there's not much interest in pbs here since nobody else seems to have posted. hmmmm.

Do a lot of PBS stations do their own HD lineups? I know my local station just feeds PBS-HD off a satellite from what I can tell.

- Trip

Yes, I am very interested in PBS, in fact I could not get by as OTA only without it. Some stations in larger cities are changing over to having a local PBS feed that switches back and forth between HD and SD the same as the commercial network local stations. Here in El Paso, Texas we still have the national PBS HD feed with a copy of the local channel on a SD sub-channel. They hope to have the local in HD by 2009 when they also switch from UHF back down to UHF.

I'm a giant dork, I look forward to Antique Roadshow in HD.

I just saw this thread. I have been posting on various forums and threads here for nearly 2 years about the fact that neither of the 2 U.S. sat systems carried PBS HD.
Other than OTA, the only way to get it was via cable, or by being a subscriber to one of the two Canadian systems. They have two PBS HD feeds - east and west). (BEV has Boston/Settle - I forget what cities SC has.)
I am surprised that regulations don't require HD carriage.
I am not clear from the OP whether this means the present cities with HD will be added soon or not. We did drop our Canadian service but kept Comcast w. its HD-DVR. Couldn't consider U.S. sat. w.o. PBS.

...mike

Here in Denver, PBS-DT channel does not include the Lehrer Report which is 'filmed' in HD, but the only local transmission is in SD. Does anyone know why?

darn!!too excited!now i can enjoy new black hd dvdr lol.

I am surprised that regulations don't require HD carriage.


DirecTV wanted to carry the local HD.
PBS wanted them to carry the local HD and all the sub-channels, HD and SD.

It basically took them this long to work it out. DirecTV didn't want to spend the bandwith for essentially duplicated HD subchannels across all the local markets, PBS felt that it should.

The compromise - as I understand it - is essentially one local HD per market, and two national SD channels with content that would normally be found on the subchannels.

any idea when this will happen? I have seen "soon" on their December press release, and that's it.

I thought I had heard that LA was already getting its local PBS channel in HD from DirecTV, but then others there said it wasn't happening. Are we going to have to wait until the new satellite is activated?

I thought I had heard that LA was already getting its local PBS channel in HD from DirecTV, but then others there said it wasn't happening. Are we going to have to wait until the new satellite is activated?

just heard March! plus off the air adapter for HD DVDR

just heard March! plus off the air adapter for HD DVDR
Can you elaborate?

Can you elaborate?

my installer told me that public tv will be not before March! and there will be off air adapter for hdr 21

Let's see, my PBS channel carries the national HD on their main channel, with their local one on a subchannel along with something called Create. If local PBS stations are really carrying the national HD one, why the heck should DirecTV waste bandwidth for all of those duplicates?

I'd be happy with just our main PBS station (WNET-13) on DirecTV. When's that happening?

Transponder 6 on 99-deg W recently "lit up" here in Seattle. I'm guessing that in prep for providing our local PBS channel, and hopefully a couple more local HD channels.

I'm a giant dork, I look forward to Antique Roadshow in HD.

we have it here in OTA and its nice; just started a few weeks ago :)

I'll take all the "FREE" TV I can get:D

I just saw this thread. I have been posting on various forums and threads here for nearly 2 years about the fact that neither of the 2 U.S. sat systems carried PBS HD.
Other than OTA, the only way to get it was via cable, or by being a subscriber to one of the two Canadian systems. They have two PBS HD feeds - east and west). (BEV has Boston/Settle - I forget what cities SC has.)
I am surprised that regulations don't require HD carriage.
I am not clear from the OP whether this means the present cities with HD will be added soon or not. We did drop our Canadian service but kept Comcast w. its HD-DVR. Couldn't consider U.S. sat. w.o. PBS.

...mike

I live in New Jersey. Can I subscribe to a Canadian satelite system?

are we there in US

Do a lot of PBS stations do their own HD lineups? I know my local station just feeds PBS-HD off a satellite from what I can tell.

- Trip

That seems generally to be the case, although WQED in Pittsburgh inserts its "On Q" discussion show in HD.

It's now May.

Anybody have any updates on when PBS HD locals will happen?

Thanks

properbly sometime in the fall once D* 11 is up and running...

I live in New Jersey. Can I subscribe to a Canadian satelite system?

Sorry i'm a few months late:) Been away from AVS for a while. Getting Canadian DBS in the U.S. is a "grey" area. You do have to give a Canadian address when you sign up. You can give a U.S. cr. card to be billed automatically. We subscribed for years w.o. a problem. Canadian coverage of Olympics is consistently superior. Most can be seen live - altho repeated again in prime time. Good forum to learn more is at www.kusat.com.

...mike

In San Francisco area where can I get back my darn GemStar Guide+ data for my OTA HDTV RCA HD50LPW42? It's been gone for months.
Online the only reference to Guide+ is for European markets. Was it displaced by TVGOS? And is that only for Cable users?

I am OTA all the way until D* can really offer Local HD with SD subchannels, and maybe get that HD DVR up to the performance standard of my UltimateTV SD-DVR. It's user features seem so superior to what I've seen on this forum [Auto-tune and PIP for example].

I apologize for mixing topics here. I really want to get OTA GUIDE+. ( There is no way to reach TVGuide-Gemstar it seems)

That is great news, cant wait.

We just got D* HD, and when I called them about getting WTTW out of Chicago (my PBS local), they didn't have an answer. So, I called WTTW, and they said they'd pass my comments along, but I should really call DTV.

This was last week. So, it seems that there are still no definite plans, and everyone is passing the buck to the other guy.

This is frustrating, since one of the reasons we went HD was for SoundStage. There's an upcoming episode that my wife and I were involved in the taping of (wow, is that bad grammar) and it's supposed to air during the Fall pledge drive. Now it's looking like DTV and PBS won't get things ironed out in time, and we'll have to settle for SD and just buy the dvd. :mad:

So, does DirecTV provide the local PBS station in HD in any markets in the U.S. at this time?

No, the hope is that with the new satellite that will happen. I can't say personally that it means much in Atlanta because our two PBS stations just went HD recently and didn't have a ton of content the last time I checked, but more HD is more HD!

In San Francisco area where can I get back my darn GemStar Guide+ data for my OTA HDTV RCA HD50LPW42? It's been gone for months.
Online the only reference to Guide+ is for European markets. Was it displaced by TVGOS? And is that only for Cable users?

I am OTA all the way until D* can really offer Local HD with SD subchannels, and maybe get that HD DVR up to the performance standard of my UltimateTV SD-DVR. It's user features seem so superior to what I've seen on this forum [Auto-tune and PIP for example].

I apologize for mixing topics here. I really want to get OTA GUIDE+. ( There is no way to reach TVGuide-Gemstar it seems)

Wow. In the past week RCA specialist on Guide+ has got me receiving its EPG. Unfortunately, the few digital subchannels that my TV will support are all receiving exactly the same guide program info as their base stations...even though the subchans are actualy carrying different content. It's worth contacting the manufacturer.

We just got D* HD, and when I called them about getting WTTW out of Chicago (my PBS local), they didn't have an answer. So, I called WTTW, and they said they'd pass my comments along, but I should really call DTV.

This was last week. So, it seems that there are still no definite plans, and everyone is passing the buck to the other guy.

This is frustrating, since one of the reasons we went HD was for SoundStage. There's an upcoming episode that my wife and I were involved in the taping of (wow, is that bad grammar) and it's supposed to air during the Fall pledge drive. Now it's looking like DTV and PBS won't get things ironed out in time, and we'll have to settle for SD and just buy the dvd. :mad:

Sounds like the ol' Circular Firing Squad. D*TV has been promising bundles of HD & SD "soon" for so long that I had to retire; my beard grew too long.

Here in one of the two national "PBS Capitals", KQED:9-1 thru 9-3 [pseudo 30] our San Francisco TV market, a great deal of local production is aired. Thank god for OTA, but no decent EPG! [Looks like I have to buy a Dishnet DTVpal just to see what's playing.] Since they took over KTEH:54-1 thru 54-5 [pseudo 54] this oligarchy has 8 dt channels to play with, kids' stuff and MHz and Spanish and more HD local production. [See what a little extra taxpayer money can do?].

If it weren't for PBS, C-Span, AMC, History, Speed, and maybe ESPN, the TV wouldn't be turned on at our house. Oh, and add in LinkTV occasionally, especially Zogby report - SD is adequate for that.

OTA for HR21? Can they ever catch up with the Dishnet DVRs?!! I have grave doubts. Crazy! Until then, no D*TV HD for this guy.

It's now May.

Anybody have any updates on when PBS HD locals will happen?

Thanks

At least Charlie Ergun tries to appease his Dishnet users by talking with 'em once a month.

For HD I'd be on Comcast Cable or ATT's new cable in a split second, except I need satellite for RV travel -5 months per year. BooHoo.

I apologize I'm showing Anger here. I should try to convert it to simple Disappointment.

FYI, I recently discovered and bought an inexpensive and neat add on (model AM21) from DirecTV that adds OTA operation to the HR21.

To my surprise, the EPG integrates seamlessly, and to my further surprise, the AM21 OTA tuner is the best I've experienced. I live in a very difficult OTA area and improvement in reception is very noticeable.

Let's see, my PBS channel carries the national HD on their main channel, with their local one on a subchannel along with something called Create. If local PBS stations are really carrying the national HD one, why the heck should DirecTV waste bandwidth for all of those duplicates?

I believe it's because of the variety of showtimes and repeats, to better suit my needs. Most times I don't want to schedule my life around EastCoast feeds.

I do not wish to RECORD everything that might interest me or my spouse. Results in CLUTTER. With my ULtimateTV I can set Reminders and repeats, a feat that I understand D*TV's HDVRs cannot perform.

Too bad. I like to watch live HD, with Backspace and Pause to include the family, "Hey come here, you gotta see this!" In other words, I guess I'm the TV Scout.

We just got D* HD, and when I called them about getting WTTW out of Chicago (my PBS local), they didn't have an answer. So, I called WTTW, and they said they'd pass my comments along, but I should really call DTV.

This was last week. So, it seems that there are still no definite plans, and everyone is passing the buck to the other guy.

This is frustrating, since one of the reasons we went HD was for SoundStage. There's an upcoming episode that my wife and I were involved in the taping of (wow, is that bad grammar) and it's supposed to air during the Fall pledge drive. Now it's looking like DTV and PBS won't get things ironed out in time, and we'll have to settle for SD and just buy the dvd. :mad:
A couple of months ago I e-mailed the "When will WTTW be available on DTV" question to the station. I received a reply that it would happen, "By the end of the year."

I guess we'll see.

[QUOTE=C McB;14444686]A couple of months ago I e-mailed the "When will WTTW be available on DTV" question to the station. I received a reply that it would happen, "By the end of the year."


I should have written "WTTW HD"

They just turned on our HD locals, and no PBS, CW, or My... Going to Comcast when contract is up this spring.

Losing PBS and all the local sub by switching to D* was a big deal for me. I sure hope they show up soon, or comcast will start looking good again.

Has there been any updated news on this?

Losing PBS and all the local sub by switching to D* was a big deal for me. I sure hope they show up soon, or comcast will start looking good again.

same here!

Losing PBS and all the local sub by switching to D* was a big deal for me. I sure hope they show up soon, or comcast will start looking good again.I get 7 PBS sub channels from two markets, with an antenna. More reliable than my locals on D*, too.

Am I correct in assuming that, because all OTA TV broadcasting will switch to digital in February, we'll get PBS-HD at least no later than that date since there will no longer be an analog channel to send over DirecTV?

Am I correct in assuming that, because all OTA TV broadcasting will switch to digital in February, we'll get PBS-HD at least no later than that date since there will no longer be an analog channel to send over DirecTV?Not necessarily.

If D* is not yet authorized to carry a channel in HD by 2/17, they will simply downconvert the HD channel and send it to their subscribers in cropped SD format.

Not necessarily.

If D* is not yet authorized to carry a channel in HD by 2/17, they will simply downconvert the HD channel and send it to their subscribers in cropped SD format.
What is their problem?:rolleyes: This was announced almost a year ago.

What is their problem?:rolleyes: This was announced almost a year ago.If D* is authorized to carry a station in SD, but an agreement hasn't yet been reached to carry the HD version, they can only do SD.

If D* is authorized to carry a station in SD, but an agreement hasn't yet been reached to carry the HD version, they can only do SD.
I understand that. I'm just saying it's pretty lame for a company to announce a new product or service and then still not deliver it almost a year later.

Do PBS stations play hardball in retransmission consent negotiations just like commercial stations?

Do PBS stations play hardball in retransmission consent negotiations just like commercial stations?
PBS stations are, by law (Cable Act of 1992), must-carry.

So if PBS stations are must carry in SD, why wouldn't that apply to HD also?

So if PBS stations are must carry in SD, why wouldn't that apply to HD also?
Must-Carry is only applicable to analog stations (except for digital only stations) at this time but will change to applicable to digital stations on February 18th. Even then satellite providers will only have to provide SD must-carry while most cable systems will have to provide HD must-carry.

Must-Carry is only applicable to analog stations (except for digital only stations) at this time but will change to applicable to digital stations on February 18th. Even then satellite providers will only have to provide SD must-carry while most cable systems will have to provide HD must-carry.
Keep in mind, many locals op out of "must carry" in order to negotiate carriage deals for their subchannels.

Keep in mind, many locals op out of "must carry" in order to negotiate carriage deals for their subchannels.
True enough but not really relevant to PBS affiliates especially considering that most cable companies have already agreed to carry their subchannels. Perhaps a more interesting question is whether DirecTV will be able to count PBS subchannels towards their public interest channels requirement?

The DirecTV/APTS/PBS carriage deal has DirecTV carrying the local HD feed in each market plus two national SD feeds. So you should (eventually) see your local PBS station in HD, but not your local multicasts. It's unclear which national multicasts will be carried (could be World, could be Create, or others...). The national SD feeds will probably only have PBS branding because they won't be able to brand these locally in the way that World and Create are in the markets that carry them.

I heard from the Cleveland PBS station today that it will probably be after the 1st of the year before they are on D*. It is on their end not D*s as to the reason why that long. For a few days, D* was carrying the HD feed down converted to SD so I emailed WVIZ here in Cleveland to find more out and this is what they told me.

Dan,



No, they weren’t testing…they just screwed up.



They were not supposed to switch to our HD feed until we had finished converting all of our analog programming to the HD channel so that the analog and HD channels would carry identical programming.



When they made the switch prematurely (we weren’t aware of the switch until you e-mailed us), we got in contact with them to explain the error. As of 8:30 last night, they had switched back to our analog signal.



They will not be going to our HD signal until we have completed our conversion of analog programming. This will probably not happen until after the 1st of the year.



Thanks for your diligence in keeping us informed!



Jerry Kest

Audience Services

That reads like D* will be moving to a centercut of the HD channel for SD LILs starting in January, which is part of an ongoing project that both D* and E* are undertaking to prepare for the end of analog. It's not related to D* carrying PBS HD LILs.

Does anyone know about UNC-TV in North Carolina going to HD via DirectTV and when this might occur? I live in Hickory which is closest to the Linville Falls antenna if I had to go to OTA. UNC-TV has been broadcasting some content HD OTA for some time but I haven't used it.

DirecTV added the HD feeds of several PBS stations (including WNET-DT in NY) this morning.

wow! How about in SFO BAY AREA? KQED I guess?

DIRECTV Launches Local Public Television

Stations in HD Nationwide

Only Satellite TV Provider to Launch Local PBS

In HD, DIRECTV Rolls Out 14 with More

To Follow This Month and 2009

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 3, 2008 – Millions of viewers will be able to enjoy their favorite Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) programs in crystal clear HD as DIRECTV begins launching local public television stations in HD in markets across the country today.

DIRECTV, which has long been at the forefront of HD programming, continues its unprecedented expansion of HD with the launch of local public television stations in 14 markets and will continue to roll out additional markets through the end of the year and in 2009 – ahead of the Feb. 17 digital transition.

Local PBS stations in HD are now available in the following markets: Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Iowa City-Dubuque, Iowa; Chicago; Davenport, Iowa-Rock Island-Moline, Ill.; Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York, Norfolk-Newport News, Va.; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; Rochester, N.Y.; and Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas.

The local public television HD launch follows the recent ratification by public television stations of the landmark agreement reached late last year by DIRECTV, Inc., the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) and PBS. Under the agreement, DIRECTV will offer HD programming from local public television stations in markets where it now provides local HD channels to its customers. DIRECTV offers local HD programming in 115 markets, representing more than 87 percent of U.S. TV households.

“We applaud the cooperative effort put forth by the member stations, APTS and PBS, to ratify the digital carriage agreement that enables DIRECTV to begin delivering local public television stations in HD to our customers,” said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. “As the industry’s HD leader and the only satellite TV provider to offer local PBS stations in HD, we believe in delivering content that is worthy of this incredible technology. The addition of PBS’s high-quality programming to our HD lineup continues to raise the bar on the DIRECTV viewing experience.”

APTS Acting President and CEO Lonna Thompson said, “DIRECTV has taken the historic step of ensuring its satellite customers have access to our stations’ local digital programming. We commend DIRECTV’s leadership in serving satellite viewers.”

PBS President and CEO Paula A. Kerger said, “The digital future holds extraordinary promise for public television. This agreement helps ensure that all Americans will be able to enjoy the outstanding HD programming presented by our local stations across the nation.”

DIRECTV will also carry two national, standard-definition channels of public television programming and will work with APTS and PBS stations to develop programming for DIRECTV’s video on demand service.

Thank you!

Seems soon now?

Here in LA, KCET (PBS) broadcasts its HD channel OTA @ 720p.

I tested reception today and compared the KCET HD OTA feed with the KCET HD DirecTV feed, both received via my DirecTV STB in "native" mode. Interestingly, the OTA feed shows up at 720p as expected, but the satellite feed is at 1080i.

Anybody know what's going on?

Do you guys know what is # for PBS HD in SFO area?

While I think it is great that DirecTV is now offering local PBS stations in HD, I think I will just stick with my rooftop antenna here in L.A. where I have been receiving KCET-DT all along - and not bothering to switch to D* carriage of the channel. This is particularly so when I tuned in "The Newshour" last evening (in HD) from D* MPEG-4 and saw what I thought was one of the softest HD pictures imaginable. It in no way compares to the OTA version IMHO. Plus, OTA allows me to receive the KCET-DT subchannels!!

Here's all of them up to now, including 5 more added 12/16/08:

Cedar Rapids - Waterloo-Iowa City - Dubuque, IA
Chicago, IL
Davenport, IA - Rock Island - Moline, IL
Detroit, MI
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Miami - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN
New York, NY
Norfolk - Newport News, VA
Phoenix, AZ
Portland, OR
Rochester, NY
Waco-Temple-Bryan TX

Burlington VT - Plattsburgh, NY
Toledo, OH
Youngstown, OH
Flint - Saginaw - Bay City, MI
Indianapolis, IN
Knoxville, TN
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Springfield - Holyoke, MA
Tampa - St. Petersburg, FL

Atlanta, GA
Baltimore, MD
Cleveland, OH
Omaha, NE
Savannah, GA

If a local market PBS happens to be part of a state-wide network, does it get carried in all the markets across that state? I'm looking at Baltimore, MD and Savannah, GA, specifically. How about San Francisco, is that available in Salinas since that's a straight simulcast?

- Trip

:confused::confused::confused:

yeah. seriously. DFW area..no hd?

any heads up re SFO bay area

any heads up re SFO bay area

It's been up since 12/16/08.

Latest Update:

Greg Tarr of TWICE spoke with DirecTV's Robert Mercer.

“Right now, it's just one HD PBS per market, but we will be rolling out the others beginning in 2009. Eventually all PBS stations (in markets where we've launched HD) have the right to HD carriage.”

Currently, DirecTV offers PBS HD channels in 24 markets, and will add them to every market it serves with local-into-local HD services — currently 116 markets in total.

from TVpredictions.com:

DIRECTV Adds Local PBS in 4 Markets
The list includes Dallas and Des Moines.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (January 19, 2009) -- DIRECTV has added the local PBS HD feed to four more markets, according to an article by the Dallas Morning News and a post at DBSTalk.com.

The new markets, which were added last week, are: Dallas, Des Moines, Sacramento and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The additions would seem to bring DIRECTV total of markets with a PBS HD feed to 34.

DIRECTV says PBS HD channels will be added to more markets this year.

The local PBS HD launch follows the approval of an agreement announced earlier this year by DIRECTV and the Association of Public Television Stations. Under the agreement, DIRECTV says it will offer high-def programming from local PBS stations in markets where it now provides local HD channels.

I think, sfo ca has it too, now

I now get WTTW out of Chicago, but it's horribly out of sync on my DTV DVR. I'm not talking just a bit out of sync, I'm talking close to a 1/4 second out of sync. It's like watching a badly-dubbed martial arts film ALL THE TIME.

The thing I was really hot for was Soundstage. YOU try watching a concert where every guitar strum, every drum hit, every word is 1/4 second out of sync and not go crazy....

WHYY Philadelphia? Not a big enough market???

Doesn't WHYY run 3 SD programs with no HD at all? Can't launch something that doesn't exist.

WMHT-HD in Albany now shows up as available on the website in HD at channel 17. I'm not home so I can't check it out, and they didn't annouce it (usually it is on Wednesdays) but even if it's not live yet, looks like it's coming soon becuase it definitely wasn't there a few weeks ago.

Anyone hearing anything at all about Seattle PBS becoming available?

Doesn't WHYY run 3 SD programs with no HD at all? Can't launch something that doesn't exist.

Can't speak as to their current practices, but back in the old days, they were one of the few channels I got in HD. Mostly running loops of the Grand Canyon and Greece.

Anyone hearing anything at all about Seattle PBS becoming available?

Canadian sat. TV has carried it for years!<G>

...mike

I need help regarding the DC area for the post June Channels. I note there will be a combination of VHF and UHF stations (as the case in many markets). Does anyone have information on a single antenna that will do a good job from 22003 Zip for DT Channels 4 thru 50? I find antennas rated good for 7 through the UHF frequencies, but not for Ch 4 and up. (Need this info for my son in in your area.) Thanks.

I need help regarding the DC area for the post June Channels. I note there will be a combination of VHF and UHF stations (as the case in many markets). Does anyone have information on a single antenna that will do a good job from 22003 Zip for DT Channels 4 thru 50? I find antennas rated good for 7 through the UHF frequencies, but not for Ch 4 and up. (Need this info for my son in in your area.) Thanks.
Though this question is off-topic, I'll answer anyway. After June 12, two DC stations will return their digital channels to VHF---WJLA will return to channel 7 and WUSA to 9. WRC will remain on digital 48 and WTTG on 36. All the others will also remain on UHF, therefore, if you are looking for an antenna that will cover all local channels, one that covers 7 through 50 will be fine. You will not need one which recieves VHF low (2-6). In some cases, a UHF only antenna will pick up VHF channels 7-13 very well, so if you have a UHF only antenna now, that may continue to work after June 12.

What will be WRC's DT Channel assignment? Thanks.

I need help regarding the DC area for the post June Channels. I note there will be a combination of VHF and UHF stations (as the case in many markets). Does anyone have information on a single antenna that will do a good job from 22003 Zip for DT Channels 4 thru 50? I find antennas rated good for 7 through the UHF frequencies, but not for Ch 4 and up. (Need this info for my son in in your area.) Thanks.

To get RF channel 4 the best antenna is a Winegard HD7084P.

Other combinations of antennas also do well, but the HD7084P by itself does best on channel 4 and holds its own on the rest of the band.

What will be WRC's DT Channel assignment? Thanks.
Same as now, 48.

Does anyone have an idea as to when the Boston area PBS station (WGBH) will be available on DirectTV in HD? DirectTV will only say that they cannot comment on future programming plans.

Kevin

Does anyone have an idea as to when the Boston area PBS station (WGBH) will be available on DirectTV in HD? DirectTV will only say that they cannot comment on future programming plans.

Kevin

What is annoying is that this station has been on Canadian satellite fo years. Problem for us now is, the signals no longer reach us because we are too far south for the way their signal path is now aligned.
(We got Canadian satellite years ago when HD wasn't available yet on either cable or U.S. sat.)

...mike

If anyone hasn't noticed yet, we do have PBS in HD on DirecTV now

disregard.. this post should have gone in a Dish Network thread not Direct TV. I always get those two mixed up.. doh!