The federal government has extended the deadline for the transition to digital TV to June 12, 2009. THIRTEEN and WLIW will continue to broadcast both analog and digital signals until June 12. However, if you already have the digital box and are not seeing our signals, read what to do here, and see our new FAQ.
On February 4th, the House voted to delay the analog TV shutdown until June 12th, 2009 requiring us to postpone our planned transition to digital television. Until June 12, 2009, Thirteen is continuing to broadcast on digital 61 at low power (see FAQ below). On June 12, 2009, Thirteen will broadcast on digital 13 at full power.
In the interim, over-the-air viewers who cannot receive Thirteen’s low power digital 61 signal should go to analog channel 13. Viewers who are using a digital converter box will need to set it to analog pass through or disconnect it temporarily from the television set in order to watch Thirteen.
If you do not yet have a converter box, you will need to purchase one by June 12th in order to receive our signal on your analog television once the transition to digital takes place. For more information, please call 1-888-388-2009 or visit http://www.dtv2009.gov.
FAQ on the DTV Transition:
I installed my new DTV Converter box, and now can’t get Thirteen. What happened?
This is because we are still broadcasting our analog signal. Once the analog shut down takes place in June, you will be able to receive Thirteen using your converter box. In the meantime, please check your box to see if it has an analog pass-through switch. This will enable you to view Thirteen. If it does not have the pass-through switch, you can disconnect your box to view Thirteen. We regret this inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
Why is it that I can get every other station through the box, but not Thirteen?
Thirteen’s full power digital antenna was destroyed in the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. While commercial stations were able to replace both their digital and analog antennas, Thirteen does not have the funding to have 2 full-power transmitters broadcasting simultaneously. On June 12, 2009, Thirteen will switch to a high-power DTV transmitter that will reach everyone in the viewing area.
Why couldn’t the switch to digital be made on Feb. 17 as originally scheduled, instead of the new date June 12?
Many of our viewers were unable to buy converter boxes due to the government shortage of coupons and retail shortages of boxes. Making the switch earlier would mean turning off our analog signal and leaving these viewers in the dark. We want to be sure that all of our viewers are able to see our programming.
Stations in other cities, like Madison, WI and Seattle have switched to digital already. Why can’t you?
The airwaves in our densely-populated, Eastern-Seaboard region accommodate a limited number of analog and digital signals. The FCC made temporary digital channel assignments to avoid interference problems. If Thirteen had completed digital conversion on February 17, it could have created interference problems with broadcast signals in nearby cities, so stations in our region are planning to complete the final conversion to digital at the same time in June.
If you have other questions that haven’t been answered by this FAQ, please post them in the comments so we can continue to add to the FAQ as necessary. Thank you!
DTV special
Watch the special where Norm Abram from This Old House and Maria Hinojosa from NOW on PBS explain what the digital TV transition is, and what you have to do (26 minutes). Again, the deadline is now pushed back to June 12, 2009.
See thirteen’s site about the Digital Television transition.
Antennaweb can help you figure out what kind of converter box/antenna you need.
I appreciate this explanation of why I’m not receiving Channel 13’s signal with my converter box. Having set it up last week, I’ve been going crazy trying to receive it, and feeling bad that I wouldn’t be able to watch Channel 13 anymore after the DTV deadline. I watch a lot!
Please announce on television that you’re broadcasting at a lower power for now, but that after analog is stopped, you will broadcast at full power. Many viewers do not have computers to see this site.
I feel much better now, thinking that as of June 12 I’ll still be able to enjoy Channel 13. I’m only 12 miles west of your transmitter.
Thanks, Joanne
This is really disapointing! I went to the effort to set-up my home and my parents home for OTA digital with UHF antennas. Every HD channel is received well except WNET. I can no longer receive the VHF analogue signals.
Once again, the majority of folks who made the effort (with more than ample warning) to get ready for DT broadcasts have to endure sub-standard broadcasting due to catering of the lowest common denominator viewer.
Joanne: if you can put up a larger antenna, it will be worth your while in the long run. That will surely allow you to receive Thirteen-HD even during this low-power period.
Carlton: I do hope that you realize that Thirteen-HD will be back to VHF after the transition in June. So your new UHF-only antennas will not help you at all.
All: These issues are discussed commonly on a local broadcasting web forum at on the AV Science Forum pages: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=275729. There are many of us sharing our successes and failures in optimizing our HD reception. Check it out.
I’m really disappointed that you’re waiting until June 12th. I can’t get the lower power signal currently. Why didn’t you decide to change over on Feb. 17th? It’s ridiculous!
Boo on thirteen for yet again delaying your upgrade to a full power digital signal. Your decision to wait until the very last possible moment for this conversion is highly disappointing. Fortunately, I have two tv sets, one already converted to digital and the other still on analog. Hence I can still receive thirteen’s programs. But other public tv stations such as channels 21 and 50 have already converted, but it appears thirteen will have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the digital age. So once again thirteen, a big fat BOO on you.
What a cop-out! The June 12 extension just meant they weren’t required to stop analog on Feb 17, not that they couldn’t start REAL digital broadcasting. Every other NY station is sending out great signals - why is WNET the one holdout? Shame on you, 13!
FYI. The DTV converter in this show looks like the model I bought. After a little googling, I chose a highly recommended convertor. It’s made by Insignia but also rebranded as Zenith and LG brands. Set-up was very easy. Unfortunately, now I’ve got another stupid remote control!
Tip: If you use rabbit ears, just buy a converter and try it. Don’t let any salepeople pitch special indoor attennas to boost your signal. Try the convertor first. You can always buy a fancy antenna if your rabbit ears don’t do the job. My picture is now clearer with the convertor and same old rabbit ears.
To PBS … dumb dumb dumb … you don’t tell folks the website to apply for the coupon program until the end of the program http://www.dtv2009.gov and you are a hold out while other NY metro stations are already broadcasting in digital full-power.
Add me to the list of disappointed members. I wish you would go to full-power DTV as soon as possible.
Just do it!
Niall S. Uggam
It will be interesting to see how many subscribers use by your delay to digital. Most viewers who purchased converter boxes were not informed about the analog pass-through option, nor are they inclined to disconnect the box just to view 13. Since they can’t watch, why would they contribute to programming. Not one of your more intelligent decisions.
I went to the trouble of getting my mom and aunt (who are in their 80’s) set up with a converter box back in November 2008. They’re confused enough having to use two remotes (one for the converter box and one for the tv). I told them they would get channel 13 in February, since they enjoy your programming. Now you want me to explain when and how to watch 13 in analog mode, as if they’re not confused enough. I guess they won’t be watching channel 13 for 9 months instead of just 3 months. I wonder how many contributions you’re losing?? Shame, shame, shame on you!
Hi - Here’s my story:
Went with new analog & digital antenna and DTV converter box, now I no longer receive channel 13 (or any kind of PBS) in either DTV or analog.
For several months, now, my wife and I have had a digital converter box installed, have toggled to analog for WNET alone, and had fretted over whether WNET would vansh entirely once the digital conversion was complete. While I’m relieved to learn that the problem is that you’re temporarily broadcasting digital at low power, why are you not making FREQUENT, clear announcements explaining that? I’ll bet a lot of people are subscribing needlessly to expensive cable or fiberoptic services just to ensure continuity of WNET. You’re doing them a great disservice by not explaining (on air!) that your digital signal is only temporarily at low power.
I will be in the middle of Bill Moyers or Frontline, and then — black screen, with the “no signal” box floating around. I’m somewhat relieved to know that this should stop in June, but yes I agree, you should tell people! I wasn’t going to give you a contribution because why give one when I can’t really watch?!
Digital box installed. No signal from 13. No contribution from me.
Can someone please remind me again WHY I am being asked to contribute to a station I can no longer receive or enjoy. Our family made the switch to digital on Feb 17th and yours is the only station that is plagued with no signal or constant freezes and dropouts.
we live on 104th St near Columbia U… its hard to believe that your signal can not even travel that far (only a short distance away from your transmitter) It seems hardly worth the effort of broadcasting at all. And i also agree that not enough is being communicated to viewers as to why your signal can not be received anymore.
No signal at all anymore. Nothing!
How unprofessional and ridiculous on the part of this station.
You must not care at all about your viewers. Trust me, after four months no one will care about this station any more either. Life goes on without you.
It is PBS/Channel Thirteen’s responsibility to ensure that all equipment functions normally. I don’t think it is acceptable to just say to the viewers, “You know what, there is nothing more we could do, so just you wait.”
As for the DTV box vs. PC excuse, my family have a DTV box in Manhattan and I have a PC in Brooklyn, both able to receive clear pictures from other channels and both unable to get any signal from PBS/Thirteen.
Puh-leese!! Gimme a break!!
No announcement was made that I am aware of that you are broadcasting a “weak” digital signal. This led me to believe my brand new digital TV was defective as up to a few days ago I was receiving the signal.I am very disappointed at the unprofessional way you have handled this. This and the fact that you have dropped the BBC World News and replaced it with the “World Focus” progam is another reason to support other, more responsive stations.
Please read our new FAQ above…it answers some of the questions/complaints voiced on this comments thread.
the gist: You can see other stations and you can’t see Thirteen bc they can afford to have 2 full-power transmitters, and since we lost the WTC transmitter in 2001, we only have one.
according to nielsen, only 2.57% of the population in this area is not digital ready.
http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/media_entertainment/65-million-us-homes-unready-for-digital-tv-transition/
I too had trouble initially getting the 13 signal but after working with the antenna I did get it to come in. It is definitely a weak signal however. My disappointment is with channel 21. I watch more channel 21 than 13 and there is absolutely no sign of it. I can’t understand this because I recall in the “olden days” if you had a UHF antenna (which I supposedly do now) you could get 21. Anybody else have this problem?
I am happy to finally learn that in June, I might be able to get digital 13, and I emphasize “might”. I agree with those commenting that this should be reported repeatedly on air. I have wasted a lot of time and money trying different avenues to receive digital 13. I’ve purchased a couple of different kinds of antenna for no reason. I have an HDTV for which I use an antenna but could only get 13 analog which is not crisp. I’ve even written to my HDTV mfr complaining to them because I thought the autoscan function was the problem (could not override to save a scan and add channels). I have an analog TV that I use a converter box on, and I still could not get digital 13 (nor analog); but since my analog TV has its own remote, I can easily use channel 3 for the converter box stations, and use my regular stations on the TV to tune in 13 analog. I certainly hope that the June date solves the problem. To the poster who can’t get 21, I can’t either. Maybe by some chance, that problem too will be solved in June. I do get digital 50 but I get analog 21 on my HDTV and it’s nothing but snow. I also don’t get 21 with the converter box on my analog TV.
Can you address the WLIW digital situation. I know the analog is being broadcast but what of the digital? What actual channel and what power? I can get the analog but can’t get digital. Thanks
I experienced many of the problems listed and called 13 last fall after installing the convverter box.I was told that the power would not be increased till the February.I don’t recall any announcement being made over the air,only the this old house guys telling me how wonderful digital will be.How about some reality!
Analog signal in midtown manhattan is terrible. Unwatchable. Digital signal, non-existent. Yes, we have antennas on our building.
Does anyone know if channel 21 has a digital signal at all? Can it be possible that to get this station you must subscribe to CABLE??!! I am going to call the station to resolve this once and for all.
I have an old Sony which is dial, not remote control. Can I still hook up? Or is it destined for le garbage??
It would have saved a lot of time for me to know about CH 61. It works!!! Thanks. Now let us know about CH 21 as well since I often watch your programs on that CH when I missed it on CH 13. An answer about that would be appreciated from YOUR station.NOW!!!!
The DTV switchover could not have been handled more poorly than it has, by the FCC or by Thirteen. The saga continues, with overly simplified and misleading information. It is my understanding that the delay from February to June was to provide the stations a window of time for the switchover. Most viewers are ready. Many of us have had to replace existing antenna and amplifier installations to accommode the frequrency re-assignments. For us, switching back to analog is not a simple matter of using the pass-through on the converter box. It requires a complete installation change. We would urge Thirteen to make the switchover as quickly as is legal so that we can once again view Thirteen’s excellent programming.
I too cannot believe that BBC News has been replaced by the supposed “World Focus”… WHY? The whole format is offensive to me, including the automaton moderator, Mr. Savidge.
I have been watching Channel 13 for the last 40 years and have seen some wonderful programming. In the last 10 years or so I came to appreciate WLIW. In fact some of my favorite British shows are on 21 (for example, Miss Marple, Rosemary and Thyme etc.). Well, guess what, now that I have my converter box and special antenna, I cannot always get 13 and 21 is nowhere to be found! It’s amazing that you can only get 21 if you subscribe to cable! I have friends in Astoria who can’t even get 21. Does anyone get it at all anymore?
Maybe channel 13 should consider cutting the salary of Charlie Rose (an overpaid, under-talented, closet neo-con) so that they can “afford” to sent out the proper signal. Wake up and smell the coffee public television, your “public” is not as sanguine as you think!
hmmm..
I love watching Charlie Rose! One of my favorite shows to watch, as is Bill Moyers, Now, and Frontline (that is, WHENEVER I manage to pull in a signal.)
What I really wish for in terms of an improvement in the programming is a lot less of the nausea inducing “Ken Burns effect”. I can’t even watch a lot of the programs anymore because the overuse of the zooming techniques often leaves me feeling nauseous for hours. In fact the show “History Detectives” with its extreme zooming caused my son to have a seizure last year. I hope the station will consider this and address this issue in the making of future programs.
I CAN”T GET CHANNEL 13 NOR 21 although I have a “converter box with analog pass through” and tried 3 different digital antennas, eah one installed by someone from Radio Shack.
It’s quite frustrating as I have invested TIME AND MONEY FOR NO RESULT.
My question is: will I be able to view 13 & 21 once the conversion takes place?
We switched to the digital converter box in Nov. We had no problem getting a coupon. There was no shortage of converter boxes — Radio Shack and Best Buy had stacks of them. Since then, we get all DT broadcasts — except WNET. As a result, we we have stopped watching public television.
How is that every broadcast station in the signal area has their act together… except WNET?
I visited friends in Inwood yesterday (190th St), & we watched a clear digital program from channel 13. Why can they get digital programming from 13 while we at 105th and West End cannot?
There are 3 explanations in the FAQ’s and none of them seem complete. I love 13, but from a fundraising standpoint it feels like you are shooting yourselves in the foot. Some clarification please:
(1) No funding: Wasn’t the Trade Center PBS broadcast tower insured?
(2) Leaving viewers in the dark: But only a tiny fraction aren’t already converted, so you seem to be leaving more people in the dark by NOT converting.
(3) Potential for interference: Found this confusing - Why doesn’t this seem to be affecting other broadcast channels?
I have slowly but surely become addicted to reality TV because the only channel worth watching has left me in the dark. I hope your first expose apre June is on getting over this horrible addiction. Oh, the shame.
We passed the switch time june 12 and I can’t see PBS in DTV, I m in the Bronx, Morris Park, too bad it was the channel I enjoyed the more. Are you really emiting at full power?
Help! It is now June l3. I’ve a digital box and antenna and have channel scanned as I was told to. I now receive all the network channels I used to get (except Channel ll), but, sadly, no l3. (No 61 either). Is this temporary?
I live in the Bronx and have just purchased a new TV and am receiving TV signals over the air rather than by cable. After the conversion to digital, I am no longer able to receive channel 13 but instead see a message that ther is NO SIGNAl being received. However on my other TV which receives signal via cable, I do see channel 13. Do you have an idea why this is happening. Thanks
I have always received all digital broadcasts in the 11422 area ( Rosedale, Queens ), using an amplified indoor RCA antenna. After Friday it seems that you have gone off the air entirely or your signal strength has collapsed ( Ch. 13 as well as several other NYC stations, broadcasting from the Empire State Building ). My question is — when do you hope to commence the broadcasting of your digital signal?
I am approximately 16 miles from the Empire State Building transmittal mast.
I, along with many Detective Club members, rely on over-the-air broadcasts such as yours.
ITALO.
13 working okay for me in Queens, Channel 21, however, has gone the way of the dodo, can’t find it anywhere, not even a fuzzy shadow, no matter what I do with the antenna…I shall miss it
NO Signal
It stops late at night and unreliable during much of the day. Really fed up with the endless excuses from this station.
We are manually deleting this station from our TV. There are just too many frustrations.
Goodbye.
Cannot receive Channel 13 after conversion to digital. Other broadcast channels are fine.
same here no signal up in riverdale… very disappointing as it is the only channel I watch.
i still don’t get 13 even with my digital tv and antenna and i live in nyc. Why does it still have problems?
I’d love to drop my cable TV service and just use my roof antenna. But I don’t get WLIW channel 21 on the antenna and would really miss that station. I’m in Hillsborough, NJ 08844 - but it sounds like everyone here has the same problem. Are there ANY plans to broadcast WLIW over the air???