Can you believe it has been a year already?
June 13, 2009, saw one of the biggest transitions in the history of American broadcasting: The full-power analog TV signals were turned off, and digital TV signals officially became the norm across the country.
After the conversion, in order to watch TV, those who did not subscribe to cable needed either a digital television set or a converter box to change the digital signal to analog.
Digital TV provides much clearer images than analog TV, along with better sound quality. The switch made room on the airwaves for expanded wireless Internet and emergency communications services. Because digital signals take up much less space, TV stations were able to add extra channels, including some in high definition. The extra programming consists of everything from 24-hour news and weather to old TV shows and movies.
The switch had drawbacks, too. It reduced the number of free, over-the-air TV channels viewers were able to pull in — and had been pulling in for the past half-century. Digital signals do not travel as well as analog signals and can be blocked by trees and mountains, so using an antenna for TV reception became frustrating. Local stations with strong digital signals come in well, but distant stations are gone. Now you either get clear, crisp images or nothing at all.
Cable customers were not immediately impacted by the transition to digital signals. But 10 months later, Comcast Cable customers had to adjust, too. In April, customers who subscribed to the Expanded Basic service package needed digital-to-analog boxes or adapters to receive channels above 24 on their TVs. (Blue Ridge customers do not need DTA boxes.)
The earlier digital transition and Comcast's recent removal of analog channels were unrelated, but both moves were space-saving measures. Cable subscribers now need boxes and adapters because Comcast wanted to free up space for its expanded high-speed Internet service and for an additional 40 HD channels.
Comcast added another 33 HD channels last week. They include: BET (channel 866), Bravo (382), CBS College Sports (854), CNBC (819), CNN Headline News (816), Disney XD (877), Encore East (891), ESPNU (853), ESPNEWS (852) Fox Business (821), Fuse (885), G4 (867), Hallmark Movie Channel (894), Home Shopping Network (812), Independent Film Channel (893), MGM (892), MSNBC (818), Outdoor Channel (864), QVC (811), Style (834), Starz Comedy (379), Starz Edge (377), Starz Kids & Family (378), Turner Classic Movies (890), Tennis Channel (862), The Movie Channel (351), Tru TV (841), TV One (865), Weather Channel (815), WE (836), In Demand PPV (785), In Demand Game (786) and In Demand Team (787).
'Oprah' time change: WGAL-TV 8 will move "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday, June 17 and 18, to air the U.S. Open golf championship from 3 to 5 p.m. "Rachael Ray" and "Dr. Phil" will be pre-empted on these days.
Big 33 game: PCN will kick off its coverage of the Big 33 Football Classic at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 17, with a special call-in program featuring the head coaches from Pennsylvania and Ohio and former Big 33 player Ricky Watters. Call 877-726-5001. PCN will televise the all-star football game at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 19.
Softball and baseball finals: Starting at 10 a.m. Friday, June 18, and continuing through Sunday, June 20, PCN will air PIAA softball and baseball championship games.