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Erie, PA - HDTV - Page 14

post #391 of 3476
7/9/06 at 10:20am
Thread Starter 
I wanted to correct an earlier statement I made. WSEE's extention of its digital construction permit for Channel 16 runs out Sept 1st not Sept 30th. Thanks for those who wrote me. Just 30 less days. From past delays, they might say that winter is setting in again and that consturction couild not be completed. But the real reason is money. It is a shame that they have removed vital facilities and personel that would have made the station at least saleable. A new owner would have to reconstruct so much the pockets would have to be very deep and the return on investment very long. It is particularly sad as it seems to be an indication of what has been happening to our local economy. We need more than a juice plant. We need real vision and bold leadership in both politics and in broadcasting.
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post #392 of 3476
7/9/06 at 12:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtirak View Post

A new owner would have to reconstruct so much the pockets would have to be very deep and the return on investment very long.

Not necessarily.

If anyone were to buy WSEE, they'd probably buy WICU, too, or operate it in tandem like is being done now...on the cheap, out of one probably overextended physical plant.
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post #393 of 3476
7/9/06 at 1:20pm
Part of the problem can be traced to the tremendous advancements in technology. 25 years ago a control room for a newscast looked something as follows:

- Director
- Technical Director (Switcher)
- Audio Operator
- Videotape Playback
- Master Control (Most Stations)
- Stage Manager (Larger Markets)
- 2 or 3 Camera Operators

Fast Forward to the present:

- Director (does everything using ParkerVision automation system)
- Stage Manager (Some Markets)
- Robotic Camera Operator (Some Markets)
- Videotape Playback (Mostly eleminated - Ingest systems)
- Audio (Can be run through ParkerVision)

The advancement in technology is a double edged sword. In some stations that use ParkerVision the bugs have not been completely worked out of the system producing a less than technically aesthetic product. I am not against progress. However, in my day ANY mistake during a live newscast was unacceptable. Nowadays it can be blamed on the automation system. Would you believe that some stations have been forced to cancel ENTIRE NEWSCASTS because of flaws in the ParkerVision system? (Any comment on this, WSEE?)

I'm sure that a penny saved is a penny earned. But how about reinvesting the money in the physical plant instead of putting it in the pockets of an out-of-market owner?


By the way Doug, when's the big sailboat regatta take place this year?
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post #394 of 3476
7/9/06 at 6:01pm
Thread Starter 
Oop's!
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post #395 of 3476
7/10/06 at 9:58am
No Problem! It's All Good!
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post #396 of 3476
7/10/06 at 5:04pm
Thread Starter 
Stay tuned for the annoucement of a new Erie media blog called Erie Media-Go-Round. Open to all info on all the Erie media. We will put the spotlight on all the Erie media, newspaper, television, radio and news about the same. We will invite the Erie media to even comment as well as anyone with a praise or criticism. Most of all, it will be an advocacy voice for new technology.
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post #397 of 3476
7/11/06 at 12:54pm
I have an interesting question for those out there in Local Erie TV Land. If WSEE had an operating loss of $400,000 in 2005 and informed the FCC of its "poor financial condition" then how can WSEE be profitable? (This was stated to me in an anonymous email earlier today)


Guess it's the new ebonics......If you lose money you CAN be profitable! (Commentary and analysis please, WSEE?)




"What Is The Frequency, Kenneth?"
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post #398 of 3476
7/11/06 at 5:52pm
Thread Starter 
The media is watching. I haven't said anything and I already am being attacked. Nothing would make most of us happier than WSEE on the air with the digital 16 by Sept 1st. If they do that, than I will take everything back.

I guess it it time to give the address since it seems only management is using it.

http://eriemedia.blogspot.com/

I am not experienced in blogging but since the Erie Times will not cover the digital transition and why Erie is void of HD from the commercial networks.. somebody has to get the word out.

rtrescue... regarding your emal perhaps you should remind whoever wrote you of the following from the FCC:


WILLFUL FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS FORM ARE PUNISHABLE BY FINE AND/OR IMPRISONMENT (U.S. CODE, TITLE 18, SECTION 1001), AND/OR REVOCATION OF ANY STATION LICENSE OR CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (U.S. CODE, TITLE 47, SECTION 312(a)(1)), AND/OR FORFEITURE (U.S. CODE, TITLE 47, SECTION 503).
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post #399 of 3476
7/12/06 at 7:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtirak View Post

The media is watching. I haven't said anything and I already am being attacked.

Nice site, Jack!

We have a similar one here in Northeast Ohio that gets widely read in the local broadcast and media industry.

http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com/
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post #400 of 3476
7/12/06 at 9:44pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inundated View Post

Nice site, Jack!

We have a similar one here in Northeast Ohio that gets widely read in the local broadcast and media industry.

http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com/

Hey thanks for the link. always looking for good ideas. Right now the site seems to attracted more attention in 24 hours than I ever thought. Also getting the feeling that I better not walk down the streets alone. Have a few stories I am doing on certain aspects of brodcasting before I jump into the digital HD debate. That I should have done on the 4th of July.
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post #401 of 3476
7/13/06 at 2:20pm
Congratulations on the site, Jack! An interesting, informative read on Erie TV. Well Done!


(I don't think you'll be getting a Christmas Card from WSEE this year!)
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post #402 of 3476
7/13/06 at 3:11pm
anybody seen 12-1,lost it last week and have not been able to rectify,all others are good
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post #403 of 3476
7/13/06 at 3:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tschrief View Post

anybody seen 12-1,lost it last week and have not been able to rectify,all others are good

I've lost it also. Maybe it's down because they are doing work on their tower to accommodate WSEE-DT. Now that's what I call wishful thinking!!!!!
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post #404 of 3476
7/13/06 at 3:26pm
that's what i was thinking too,wavest,but it's only sd anyways,which is better than adelphi's analog
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post #405 of 3476
7/13/06 at 3:29pm
Here's what other markets are doing:

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/art...=Breaking+News


While Erie can't get DTV even if we begged, others are very smartly going full-bore into HDTV.

(Perhaps in order to save money on power 12-1 only operates between 10 and 11am! HAHAHA!)
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post #406 of 3476
7/13/06 at 7:49pm
Thread Starter 
As expected Nexstar and filed or extention for full power for all of its stations based on current debt obligations and can only fund such from current cash flow. The same situation and filing as we saw from WFXP. Both have an anticipated date of October 08. This would be for digital channel 24 rather than the current Channel 58. From all indications and what they have done in Rochester and a few other markets, there is every reason to expect that it will be HD. (I hope that is true)

http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs...ibit_id=415252
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post #407 of 3476
7/14/06 at 3:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtirak View Post

As expected Nexstar and filed or extention for full power for all of its stations based on current debt obligations and can only fund such from current cash flow. The same situation and filing as we saw from WFXP. Both have an anticipated date of October 08. This would be for digital channel 24 rather than the current Channel 58. From all indications and what they have done in Rochester and a few other markets, there is every reason to expect that it will be HD. (I hope that is true)

http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs...ibit_id=415252


I noted in their filing a debt of almost $475 MILLION!!! WOW! How'd you like to have to make the interest payments on that?

Sometimes BIGGER isn't necessarily BETTER! (?)

I've given up hope on seeing HDTV in Erie. Basically its just turned itself into the old Keystone Cops routine.



(Did I mention I'd like to take SAILBOAT Lessons at the Yacht Club?)
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post #408 of 3476
7/15/06 at 12:36pm
Thread Starter 
WQLN seems to be the only Erie digital ready to go full power. See their filing in early June at the FCC (Don't know how I missed this early) Seems they are waiting for Canadian concerance. I believe that there had been an issue with another Canadian station also authorized at channel 50 which had to be resolved. At least this is the way I am reading this. But you engineers can probably correct me if I am wrong.

http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs...ibit_id=408041
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post #409 of 3476
7/16/06 at 10:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtirak View Post

WQLN seems to be the only Erie digital ready to go full power. See their filing in early June at the FCC (Don't know how I missed this early) Seems they are waiting for Canadian concerance. I believe that there had been an issue with another Canadian station also authorized at channel 50 which had to be resolved.

We have WEAO-DT Akron (also PBS) down here on 50 as well. Oddly enough, it's the only Akron-licensed DT station that is on the air right now...the other two, WVPX-DT and WBNX-DT, have had Canadian concurrence issues.

I guess WQLN-DT can do 200KW directional enough to get away from Akron?
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post #410 of 3476
7/16/06 at 12:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inundated View Post

I guess WQLN-DT can do 200KW directional enough to get away from Akron?

I don't know but I will check with Ed Upton, WQLN Chief Engineer.
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post #411 of 3476
7/16/06 at 12:42pm
Here is the FCC service area map for the proposed 200KW/directional WQLN-DT:



Note the signal looks to tilt kind of northwest (over Lake Erie) to southeast a little...presumably in part to protect WEAO-DT.

The 200KW application is the only directional antenna application they have.
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post #412 of 3476
7/17/06 at 8:08am
Thread Starter 
Inundated...that map is interesting and seeems to support your suggetion about protection for Akron.
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post #413 of 3476
7/17/06 at 2:04pm
Maybe those of us interested in DTV/HDTV should just go straight to the source?

WICU-TV Channel 12
3514 State Street
Erie, PA 16504
Attn: John Wilkosz (Chief Engineer)

WJET-TV Channel 24/WFXP Fox 66 TV
8455 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16509
Attn: Lorne Earle (Director of Engineering)

WSEE-TV Channel 35
1220 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16501
Attn: Dan Nungesser (Chief Engineer) OR Douglas Beers (Lilly Broadcasting Rep.)

In the opinion of this poster, those of you who write to Channel's 12, 24 or 66 should receive a nice response stating why Digital is not yet operational in the Erie DMA. In the matter of writing to WSEE, don't expect to receive any response at all. It is well known that WSEE does not have the financial resources to broadcast on a Digital Channel.

It is also widely rumored that WSEE-TV is up for sale. Don't expect WSEE to construct a digital channel if this rumor turns out to be factual. Why expend the capital when new owners can spend what you don't have?

I decided to post the addresses since I'm having a lousy day and I thought it might matter. And now to go hit some golf balls - or perhaps go SAILING!

Just a quick reminder to check out Jack Tirak's excellent blog at:

www.eriemedia.blogspot.com

Commentary & Analysis from Erie's PREMIERE Media Analyst!
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post #414 of 3476
7/17/06 at 8:02pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you for the plug. It is getting very interesting. WSEE claims that they will defy the law and not go digital. I suspect what they are really saying is that this management group will not be the one to impliment the digital transition because the station is being shopped. Or translated to mean let the new owners do it. I hope this is true for the sake of Erie broadcasting and the employee's who are left.
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post #415 of 3476
7/23/06 at 4:54pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you guys for visiting Erie Media-Go-Round blog. WSEE seems bent on their own self destruction with their comments. But hey...nobody said you needed brains to run a TV station these days.
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post #416 of 3476
7/25/06 at 3:45pm
Has anyone heard where WSEE is moving to? I don't think they could possibly fit WSEE into WICU. The building is already cramped enough. The WICU newsroom could not handle the WSEE newsroom. The WICU studio isn't large enough for two (2) TV news sets. Any ideas? I've been curious about this topic since Lilly Broadcasting put the WSEE building up for sale last October.

I believe the asking price is $625,000.00 (Brother Can You Spare A Dime!?)
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post #417 of 3476
7/26/06 at 3:02pm
Thread Starter 
RTR69....I think that dime is needed elsewhere.
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post #418 of 3476
7/26/06 at 5:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtirak View Post

RTR69....I think that dime is needed elsewhere.


You can rest assured that when the WSEE building sale is completed the money will go towards paying off long-term debt. The smart thing to do would be the construction of the LONG DELAYED digital Channel 16. Unfortunately, WSEE is owned by Lilly Broadcasting. Don't expect WSEE Digital anytime soon!
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post #419 of 3476
7/27/06 at 12:33pm
I see our friends at Nexstar Broadcasting (Owners of WJET/Operators of WFXP) have just closed on their purchase of WTAJ-TV Altoona. This is interesting due to the fact that WTAJ was once owned by SJL of PA (Current owners of WICU) so I'm not sure if the employees there will be popping champagne over their new ownership group. I'm certain that changes will be coming.

Why the need for the bigger, better company? Sometimes less is more! Nexstar already has close to $500,000,000.00 in long term debt! This should add another $30 to $40 Million to that figure. Maybe someday Nexstar will realize it can't be all things to all people and decide to pare some of the branches from the tree? Or maybe Wall Street will get tired of the fact that Nexstar hasn't shown one dime of profit since being a publicly traded company? I'm thinking the latter will happen and the stock will get hammered forcing major changes at the company.....CAPITALISM AT ITS' FINEST!

Bottom line is this....Nexstar just made a HUGE expenditure. Don't expect any news on the digital front for quite some time at WJET!


I just learned that Nexstar is paying $56,000,000.00 for WJAT-TV!!!!!

Guess they do have money? Wonder how long Lilly will plead poverty now?
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post #420 of 3476
7/27/06 at 1:34pm
Thread Starter 
I checked the Lilly's are still listed with the FCC as owners, Just a differnet company name I think.
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