Can a local channel do this?

[igator99]

WDSU in New Orleans is basically holding back their HD signal for ransom. You can't get it with an OTA antenna because they are not broadcasting it. Now they are shaking down the cable companies.
http://www.wdsu.com/news/9982574/detail.html

 

[osu1991]

Hearst and Sinclair are doing this everywhere that a contract is up for renewal. Hearst pulled the ABC station from Cox in OKC in October. Sinclair has been off Cox in OKC for over a year so no FOX or CW. Fortunately most people there can receive them OTA and Cox is switching to cable boxes with OTA tuners next month.

 

[KE4EST]

I don't think this is right.

 

[igator99]

Hearst and Sinclair are doing this everywhere that a contract is up for renewal. Hearst pulled the ABC station from Cox in OKC in October. Sinclair has been off Cox in OKC for over a year so no FOX or CW. Fortunately most people there can receive them OTA and Cox is switching to cable boxes with OTA tuners next month.

Well we don't have the OTA option because they are not broadcasting the HD signal. Also you can forget about getting a wavier from them. Our CBS affiliate WWL is doing the same thing with Cox (I'm not a Cox customer) but at least you can pickup that signal with a OTA antenna because they are broadcasting it. What can we do?

 

[WyrTwister]

WDSU in New Orleans is basically holding back their HD signal for ransom. You can't get it with an OTA antenna because they are not broadcasting it. Now they are shaking down the cable companies.
http://www.wdsu.com/news/9982574/detail.html

They will have to broadcast OTA bu 2009 ?

Wyr

 

[Mr Tony]

does the tower getting destroyed by Katrina have anything to do with why it isnt OTA?

looks like it does

WDSU's digital channel remains off the air as of January 2007. WDSU is in the process of building a rugged, hurricane resistant building to house their analog and digital transmitters. They estimate that the building will be complete, and their transmitters restored to service by mid to late 2007

 

[igator99]

does the tower getting destroyed by Katrina have anything to do with why it isnt OTA?

looks like it does

That is an excuses they are using. All of the NOLA stations boradcast towers were located in Chalmette which was destroyed by Katrina. All are back broadcasting in HD except WDSU.

 

[raoul5788]

They will have to broadcast OTA bu 2009 ?

Wyr

OTA digital yes, but not necessarily hd.

 

[Hall]

...and Cox is switching to cable boxes with OTA tuners next month.

Got details on this box ??

 

[osu1991]

Just rumors from a family member that is a COX engineer in OKC, whether it actually happens on schedule or not is unknown.

 

[Hall]

Interesting .... I spoke to the head network engineer at my local Time Warner a long time ago and asked why they, or their set-top provider, doesn't include an ATSC tuner in their boxes. I'll find his response but I can guess that the cable company doesn't want you to know that "free" TV signals are available and digital/HD at that !! Also, who will supply or install the antenna ?? Easy solution is don't "support" that tuner, just have it available. If the customer wants to use it, they're on their own.

Here's his response:

I believe the FCC has mandated that television manufacturers install off air (VSB8) tuners in all television by 2007. In addition, there will be stand alone off air tuners to allow older television to view off air digital services. Given this, I don't believe you'll see VSB8 tuners in any of our set tops.

It does make sense...