Will the Minneapolis TV channels all continue to operate some kind of channel in ATSC 1.0, or are some of them only going to be on ATSC 3.0?
The reader is asking about the Aug. 16 launch of ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) in Minneapolis. WUCW is converting its transmitter, which broadcasts on RF channel 22, to the new ATSC 3.0 standard.
ATSC 1.0 is the original broadcast standard that all modern TV’s can receive. ATSC 3.0 signals can transmit far more data but can only be received with some newer TV’s or a separate external receiver.
The answer is no, there will be no programming only available in ATSC 3.0 — at least not yet.
To make sure viewers don’t lose any programming during the transition, the FCC is requiring that an ATSC 3.0 signal’s primary channel still be available to viewers in ATSC 1.0 format. The simulcast requirement was due to expire this summer but has been extended until 2027 and could be extended again.
Twin Cities TV stations will use the same process used in other markets where ATSC 3.0 has launched. WUCW’s channels will be carried on the ATSC 1.0 transmitters of four other stations:
- 23.1 CW will be carried on the transmitter of KSTP-TV (RF 35)
- 23.2 Comet and 23.6 Antenna TV will be hosted by WFTC (RF 29)
- 23.3 Charge and 23.4 TBD will be hosted by WCCO-TV (RF 32)
- 23.5 Rewind TV will be hosted by KARE (RF 31)
In order to receive all of the channels in their new locations, and remove the channels that are no longer active, viewers should rescan their receivers after 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16.
Meanwhile, WUCW’s “lighthouse” NextGen signal will simulcast the existing HD signals of WCCO-CBS, KSTP-ABC, KMSP-FOX, and KARE-NBC, along with WUCW’s CW programming. WUCW’s other channels will not yet be carried on the NextGen signal.
Viewers who can receive WUCW’s NextGen signal will not be able to receive any programming not already carried in ATSC 1.0 format.
The transition to ATSC 3.0 is essentially a second digital transition, like the one that occurred from 1996 to 2009. All households will eventually need to buy new TV’s or new external receivers to continue receiving broadcast TV. However, no cutoff date is set for ATSC 1.0, so there’s no need to rush out and buy new equipment.
In the analog to digital transition, the FCC awarded every licensed station a “digital companion channel” so that analog viewers would not lose service during the transition. However, with parts of the TV band since sold off to wireless providers, there’s not enough bandwidth to award “companion channels” for this transition, forcing the channel-sharing arrangement instead.
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