[Groundhog45]

I've been reading in the local HDTV forum for my area at AVSforum about some new FCC rules that are causing the local cable co. (TW) to drop carrying the weather subchannels from the local stations. This might impact the few areas where D* broadcasts some of these channels into the local areas. It's difficult to understand the government doublespeak.
Regulation.
FCC justification.

Something about having to provide childrens programming for a specified number of hours a week, which the weather sub channels do not do. Our tax dollars at work.

GH

 

[Drew2k]

I'm not 100% certain of this, but I recall reading somewhere that sub-channels essentially take space from the primary digital stream (or something like that)**, so wouldn't removing the sub-channels be a good thing, as it then allows the primary channel to use all available resources?


** I know someone will come along and correct me and/or fill in the missing pieces. I'm counting on it!

 

[lwilli201]

I didnt know that D* broadcast any local sub channels. I dont think it would hurt to have an hour or two of educational programming a week about WEATHER on these weather sub channels. It would give all those local weather guys something to do.

 

[texasbrit]

DirecTV does not carry any of the subchannels. The argument is currently between the local cable companies and the TV stations as to whether the "must carry" regulation of the FCC applies only to the main channel or whether the cable company has to carry all the subchannels as well.
The regulations you quote are covering the requirement for the station to use part of any subchannel for children's programming. As I read it, this would be a major imposition on any station using a subchannel for an information service such as weather.

 

[kc1ih]

The original poster is probably referring to NBC's Weather Plus, which is on the sub-channel on many NBC affiliates.

 

[Terry K]

What most broadcasters are (wisely) doing is instead of asking for a $$$ fee to carry their signal, they offer services like WX+ and the main channel free to the cable company. Eg, NBC affiliates offer their main signal & WX+, the cable co takes them both and pays for neither.

 

[rec9140]

I've been reading in the local HDTV forum for my area at AVSforum about some new FCC rules that are causing the local cable co. (TW) to drop carrying the weather subchannels from the local stations. This might impact the few areas where D* broadcasts some of these channels into the local areas. It's difficult to understand the government doublespeak. Something about having to provide childrens programming for a specified number of hours a week, which the weather sub channels do not do. Our tax dollars at work.

Basically its a bandwidth issue on DBS and crapble.

Sub channels take another spot on the DBS and crapble stream. It may be one ATSC channel with 1 to 4 streams or sub channels but thats 1 TO 4 channels on crapble and DBS. Each sub channel has to be sent. So a station sending 2 streams on their ATSC signal is 2 channels on DBS and crapble. ATSC and the DBS and crapble do not send signals the same way. If your getting HD on crapble for instance your not getting the ATSC signal just rebroadcasted like the old analog signal is. Its received and converted from ATSC (the OTA HD format) to the QAM digital crapble mode. Same for DBS each use a little differnt system, same result.

The FCC fubard things by stradling the dinocasters with this educational rule on the sub channels. Many have chosen to not use the sub channels because of it. Its a waste in 2006 as whole as well. With the plentitude of channels available and the fact that most video is received via DBS or crapble there are pleny of choices for this niche programming.

Another fine mess ........ thankfully dinocasters are on the way out.