If you are experiencing issues with receiving NHPTV it is because they have been experiencing some serious problems with their Digital TV transmitter since Monday, 11/24. Parts are on order and they hope to have it up and running by sometime on Friday, after which I will work with them to ensure that SD, DTV, and HD are all running properly.
Hang in there, it should be fixed by the weekend.
Thanks,
Ron
Showing posts with label PBS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PBS. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Online Class - Digital Television - Part 4 - What am I watching?
OK, now that you know why digital TV exists and how it works, it's time to discuss the realities of everyday television watching. The truth is, there is relatively very little High Definition programming that reaches your home everyday, no matter how that TV signal gets to you and no matter what the cable or satellite company tells you, and no matter what you THINK is happening, there really is very little HD programming getting to you.
I'm going to skip over specialty HD network for now and talk about just broadcast TV. I'll touch on cable and satellite High Definition in another post.
I'll run through the day for you quickly. Starting a 7:00 AM "Good Morning America" and "The Today Show" are broadcast in high definition. The CBS Early Show is not. From there "The View" is in HD and "The Young and the Restless" is in HD and that's about it until the evening news. Both NBC and CBS (just recently) are broadcasting the evening news in high definition, ABC is not. It really makes no sense. Supposedly it's all about cost. Producing a TV program in high definition is more expensive. As to why ABC broadcast GMA in HD but not their evening news, I have no idea. Conversely, why CBS broadcast their evening news in HD but not "The Early Show", I have no idea. I thought is was about ratings, meaning a highly rated show with more viewers means more revenue. But to me, you'll get more viewers if you broadcast in high definition because those of us who have HD capability would rather watch a program in HD than one that is not. But that's just my opinion.
Next comes Prime Time (8:00 pm in the East, 7:00 PM Central). Most non-reality type programming, meaning your TV dramas and sit-coms are in high definition (with very few exceptions). Reality shows like "Extreme Home Makeover" or "Big Brother" are not broadcast in HD. Neither are most news magazine shows and game shows, although when "The Price is Right" did their Prime Time specials, they were in HD. So basically it's hit or miss. Almost all of FOX's prime time programming, and most of the CW's prime time programming is in HD.
As for late night here we go again. Conan (NBC), Jay Leno (NBC), and Letterman (CBS) are in High Definition. Nightline (ABC), Jimmy Kimmel (ABC) and Craig Ferguson (CBS) are not in HD. See I told you, there's no rhyme or reason to it.
Now a footnote about PBS. They run things a bit differently. PBS has its own HD channel where all of the programming is in HD. As for local PBS stations, it depends. Some have the ability to produce and/or broadcast HD programming apart from the network.
I have read, however, that all news programming produced by CBS will be in HD by year end. The same is supposedly true for ABC and I suspect the other network will follow suit but there's no way to tell, or be sure, until I see it for myself.
So as you can see, the picture I am drawing here is that local TV stations can only broadcast HD programming when the network is broadcasting HD programming. These local TV stations are basically operating as a pass-through, passing the programming fed to them from the big satellite in the sky from the network to you. They can not record it and play it back later, they can only broadcast it when the network broadcasts it. Getting the picture?
The moral of this story: There's not a lot of HD programs to watch especially if you're not paying your cable or satellite company lots of extra money.
Stay tuned for more information
I'm going to skip over specialty HD network for now and talk about just broadcast TV. I'll touch on cable and satellite High Definition in another post.
I'll run through the day for you quickly. Starting a 7:00 AM "Good Morning America" and "The Today Show" are broadcast in high definition. The CBS Early Show is not. From there "The View" is in HD and "The Young and the Restless" is in HD and that's about it until the evening news. Both NBC and CBS (just recently) are broadcasting the evening news in high definition, ABC is not. It really makes no sense. Supposedly it's all about cost. Producing a TV program in high definition is more expensive. As to why ABC broadcast GMA in HD but not their evening news, I have no idea. Conversely, why CBS broadcast their evening news in HD but not "The Early Show", I have no idea. I thought is was about ratings, meaning a highly rated show with more viewers means more revenue. But to me, you'll get more viewers if you broadcast in high definition because those of us who have HD capability would rather watch a program in HD than one that is not. But that's just my opinion.
Next comes Prime Time (8:00 pm in the East, 7:00 PM Central). Most non-reality type programming, meaning your TV dramas and sit-coms are in high definition (with very few exceptions). Reality shows like "Extreme Home Makeover" or "Big Brother" are not broadcast in HD. Neither are most news magazine shows and game shows, although when "The Price is Right" did their Prime Time specials, they were in HD. So basically it's hit or miss. Almost all of FOX's prime time programming, and most of the CW's prime time programming is in HD.
As for late night here we go again. Conan (NBC), Jay Leno (NBC), and Letterman (CBS) are in High Definition. Nightline (ABC), Jimmy Kimmel (ABC) and Craig Ferguson (CBS) are not in HD. See I told you, there's no rhyme or reason to it.
Now a footnote about PBS. They run things a bit differently. PBS has its own HD channel where all of the programming is in HD. As for local PBS stations, it depends. Some have the ability to produce and/or broadcast HD programming apart from the network.
I have read, however, that all news programming produced by CBS will be in HD by year end. The same is supposedly true for ABC and I suspect the other network will follow suit but there's no way to tell, or be sure, until I see it for myself.
So as you can see, the picture I am drawing here is that local TV stations can only broadcast HD programming when the network is broadcasting HD programming. These local TV stations are basically operating as a pass-through, passing the programming fed to them from the big satellite in the sky from the network to you. They can not record it and play it back later, they can only broadcast it when the network broadcasts it. Getting the picture?
The moral of this story: There's not a lot of HD programs to watch especially if you're not paying your cable or satellite company lots of extra money.
Stay tuned for more information
Saturday, March 15, 2008
MPBN still stretching the truth about their pledge drive
"Stretching the truth" is about as kind as I can say it.
During an MPBN pledge break the host says something like "My name is Mary, I work here at MPBN and I'm a member". Am I supposed to think that as an employee, she actually has to pay for her membership? I guess it could be true but for some reason I doubt it and would need to see proof.
But that's not the marketing ploy that's really bothering me. They still present the fact that 64% of their income is from the infamous "viewers like you". It is not until they show a pie chart of donations that you might notice the 64% consists of viewer contributions AND corporate donations. So you're at home thinking "Wow, more than two thirds of their income comes from people like me, or families like mine". All the while companies like Mechanics Savings Bank, Hammond Lumber, or Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield have donated much larger sums of money than you could never dream of donating yourself.
I don't fault these companies for donating to MPBN. I would think that these companies are involved with public television as part of their civic duty being a corporate member of Maine communities.
But let's not skew the truth as to where MPBN gets their revenue. It would be nice to get real figures and real percentages of donors broken down by corporations versus individuals. This should be done for no other reason than freedom of information.
Here is the most important part of the problem which I call the "bait and switch":
MPBN makes a very big deal during a "special" pledge break where the existing members of MPBN will match your donation. This means that if you donate $25, it will really be a $50 donation in your name to MPBN, right? No.
From the way it is presented, you would think that existing members add a little extra to their annual donation that will be used for the "matching" purpose. It is a very special, once in a lifetime opportunity that a new member can take advantage of. However, if it is so special, then why is it that every single pledge break I have seen since last week has been a "once in a lifetime opportunity" pledge break.
Here's how the matching dollar act really works. If you pledge $20, another member of MPBN who has already donated some extra cash to MPBN will match your pledge and put another $20 into the coffers. So to speak. That extra $20 won't be attached to your name, it's just added to the pile.
So this existing member already gave an extra $300, as an example, to MPBN and it is already considered a donation to MPBN, and it is accounted for. But that $300 gets re-assigned as a "matching" donation, as needed, during one of their "special matching pledge breaks". So, if you called and donated $20, the records would show that you donated $20. Not $40. That matching amount doesn't have your name attached to it. Additionally, the money used to "match" your donation, has already been donated to MPBN. So there is no additional money being donated in your name or anybody elses name that hasn't already been donated.
Are you getting the picture here? It's a bait and switch and they should be ashamed of themselves for false advertising and fraud.
Listen, I firmly believe in public television. Nobody takes advantage of it more than I do. I think I know their TV schedule like the back of my own hand. But I do have a problem with the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Wht can't they be honest about where their revenue comes from and how it is allocated? What are the real ins and outs of these "matching" pledge breaks? Why are they so behind the times when it comes to technology? Why don't they broadcast public television 24 hours a day? Does it really save them that much money to shut down the entire system for a few hours? You know what they say, by the time you power everything down and shut all the lights off, it's cheaper to just leave it all on.
The State of New Hampshire is smaller in geographical size than Maine but has about the same population. They also have about the same number of Public TV transmitters and have PBS competition in Southern Maine from both the Boston PBS stations and Maine PBS stations. So why is it that New Hampshire public television operates 24 hours a day. They also operate not one, but two separate television broadcasts, one in High Definition 24 hours a day (the national PBS feed) and one Standard Definition local feed also 24 hours a day. If you try to call NHPTV after hours, nobody answers. So it is a high probability that a lot of the overnight programming is automated and doesn't require much additional staff or cost.
So in my opinion, and that's all it is, MPBN should be completely transparent about their finances since this is a public, nonprofit organization. Who is really donating what and how much of their budget comes from individuals, not corporations. They should also be investing in the right kind of technology. High Definition is the future. No, never mind, High Definition is the present, and in some cases, the past, since some TV stations have been doing it for more than 4 years already. For all this pride they have that even places in New Brunswick, Canada, rely on MPBN for programming, how about giving more attention to Maine viewers, be upfront about the money, and be more cutting edge on technology.
Until that happens, I have no other personal choice than to support donating money to New Hampshire public television instead.
During an MPBN pledge break the host says something like "My name is Mary, I work here at MPBN and I'm a member". Am I supposed to think that as an employee, she actually has to pay for her membership? I guess it could be true but for some reason I doubt it and would need to see proof.
But that's not the marketing ploy that's really bothering me. They still present the fact that 64% of their income is from the infamous "viewers like you". It is not until they show a pie chart of donations that you might notice the 64% consists of viewer contributions AND corporate donations. So you're at home thinking "Wow, more than two thirds of their income comes from people like me, or families like mine". All the while companies like Mechanics Savings Bank, Hammond Lumber, or Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield have donated much larger sums of money than you could never dream of donating yourself.
I don't fault these companies for donating to MPBN. I would think that these companies are involved with public television as part of their civic duty being a corporate member of Maine communities.
But let's not skew the truth as to where MPBN gets their revenue. It would be nice to get real figures and real percentages of donors broken down by corporations versus individuals. This should be done for no other reason than freedom of information.
Here is the most important part of the problem which I call the "bait and switch":
MPBN makes a very big deal during a "special" pledge break where the existing members of MPBN will match your donation. This means that if you donate $25, it will really be a $50 donation in your name to MPBN, right? No.
From the way it is presented, you would think that existing members add a little extra to their annual donation that will be used for the "matching" purpose. It is a very special, once in a lifetime opportunity that a new member can take advantage of. However, if it is so special, then why is it that every single pledge break I have seen since last week has been a "once in a lifetime opportunity" pledge break.
Here's how the matching dollar act really works. If you pledge $20, another member of MPBN who has already donated some extra cash to MPBN will match your pledge and put another $20 into the coffers. So to speak. That extra $20 won't be attached to your name, it's just added to the pile.
So this existing member already gave an extra $300, as an example, to MPBN and it is already considered a donation to MPBN, and it is accounted for. But that $300 gets re-assigned as a "matching" donation, as needed, during one of their "special matching pledge breaks". So, if you called and donated $20, the records would show that you donated $20. Not $40. That matching amount doesn't have your name attached to it. Additionally, the money used to "match" your donation, has already been donated to MPBN. So there is no additional money being donated in your name or anybody elses name that hasn't already been donated.
Are you getting the picture here? It's a bait and switch and they should be ashamed of themselves for false advertising and fraud.
Listen, I firmly believe in public television. Nobody takes advantage of it more than I do. I think I know their TV schedule like the back of my own hand. But I do have a problem with the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Wht can't they be honest about where their revenue comes from and how it is allocated? What are the real ins and outs of these "matching" pledge breaks? Why are they so behind the times when it comes to technology? Why don't they broadcast public television 24 hours a day? Does it really save them that much money to shut down the entire system for a few hours? You know what they say, by the time you power everything down and shut all the lights off, it's cheaper to just leave it all on.
The State of New Hampshire is smaller in geographical size than Maine but has about the same population. They also have about the same number of Public TV transmitters and have PBS competition in Southern Maine from both the Boston PBS stations and Maine PBS stations. So why is it that New Hampshire public television operates 24 hours a day. They also operate not one, but two separate television broadcasts, one in High Definition 24 hours a day (the national PBS feed) and one Standard Definition local feed also 24 hours a day. If you try to call NHPTV after hours, nobody answers. So it is a high probability that a lot of the overnight programming is automated and doesn't require much additional staff or cost.
So in my opinion, and that's all it is, MPBN should be completely transparent about their finances since this is a public, nonprofit organization. Who is really donating what and how much of their budget comes from individuals, not corporations. They should also be investing in the right kind of technology. High Definition is the future. No, never mind, High Definition is the present, and in some cases, the past, since some TV stations have been doing it for more than 4 years already. For all this pride they have that even places in New Brunswick, Canada, rely on MPBN for programming, how about giving more attention to Maine viewers, be upfront about the money, and be more cutting edge on technology.
Until that happens, I have no other personal choice than to support donating money to New Hampshire public television instead.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
The MBPN Pledge Drive is a bit misleading
I want to preface this post by saying I one hundred perecent, with my right hand in the air and the other on my heart, believe in public television. If I had to make specific television channel choices, I would put PBS first on my list, and then consider other networks and cable TV stations. PBS is my lifeline to what is going on in the world. But that does not mean that every state's public televison network is the same.
But before we go too far and get all sentimental about public television, let's take a look at a few things. First, during a pledge break they will tell you that 64% of their budget comes from viewer donations. Well you need to read the small print. Other than grants and income sources from places like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and a plethora of foundations, there is indeed a gap when compared to their budget. But MPBN is using this number of 64% as their gap in a way that I find misleading. I don't have the MPBN budget sitting in front of me but I can tell you that if you really pay attention to what they are saying, 64% of their budget comes from "viewers AND businesses". That means corporate sponsors. There is a big difference between a family who decides to donate $35 for their annual "basic membership" and a corporation like Mutual of America who funds a particular program of their choice. MPBN make themselves sound so desperate for dollars, but I find it hard to believe that if they had fewer pledge drives and/or received fewer donations, that they would go out of business.
Here's another thing to think about. MPBN, and other public television networks, give the impression that if you donate money and become a "member" that you actually have a say in what programs are aired or other financial decision that are made. You don't. For example, as many know by now, the television industry is converting to digital. The deadline for this conversion is February 17, 2009. Many broadcast networks, including PBS, already have most of their structures in place and are broadcasting in digital. This means they can also broadcast in High Definition. But if you compare Maine Public Broadcasting to New Hampshire Public Broadcasting, New Hampshire is WAY ahead of the curve. Before I would ever pledge money to MPBN, I would want some say in how my dollars are spent.
Why is it that NHPTV can broadcast the national PBS High definition channel 24 hours a day IN ADDITION TO the regular programming originating from New Hampshire (also in digital) but Maine can't yet do that; or won't do that. I have written to MPBN and keep getting the brush off. MPBN has the capabilities to broadcast a show like The News Hour in HD, but they don't. New Hampshire public television, on the other hand, does. I won't get into all of the technical details but MPBN is behind the times and I don't believe that simply feeding them more piles of money every time they ask is really helping the matter. Rather, on their website, I'd like to see their budget, expenses, and how many dollars are spent on technology. This is, after all, a public corporation we are talking about. They already get some money from the U.S. government so in essence, each of us already is a "member", has ownership in their network, and we should have some say in how it is run.
I live in southern Maine. I am lucky in that even over the air with an antenna I can receive both Maine and New Hampshire public television. Further, if you have cable TV in southern Maine, you will also get PBS from Boston, who also is very adept at technology and high definition. That's a lot of choices for public television.
The president of the Maine Association of Broadcasters, Suzanne Goucher, went on TV (Channel 6 - WCSH) urging people to invest money in a high definition television because she feels that being able to see the fine details of Tom Brady's scruffiness is something to behold. (You need to see the interview to believe it). But if there isn't enough High Definition broadcasting to support your investment. On MPBN or anywhere else. Trust me, I own a high definition TV and the station with most high quality, consistent high def programming is New Hampshire Public Television. Good luck in finding much programming that is truly in high definition anywhere else; even on regular TV networks.
So my hope st that for those who feel they want to donate to public television, and I really like that idea, give it to those that have earned it and deserve it like New Hampshire Public Television or WGBH in Boston.
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