What's going on with Subchannels in Portland, Maine

I recently received an email from Dave who asked the following:

"I was just wondering if there was any news out there of what the stations are gonna do. I heard about these DTV only networks like RTN and .2 and so on. Any news if any Maine stations are gonna pick those up or anything else?" After a few exchanges, I wrote the following (which has been aggregated) and thought it would be a great addition to this blog.

As far as I know there is not anything new official going on for subchannels with the exception of things I already know about like Weather Plus on NBC (Channel 6 Portland), and News Now on ABC (Channel 8 Portland) and the Maine Visitors Channel on MyNetowork (Channel 35 Portland - actually a pretty cool self-produced subchannel). Only Channel 13 (CBS Portland WGME) hasn't decided what to do. They were supposed to run a Music Channel on 13.2 but that deal fell through. They, along with Fox 23, and CW (Channel 51) would have space for a subchannel like RTN, but I haven't heard anything yet. I'm going to ask my contacts though, because I like the idea. It's better than those Maine Auto King infomercials which drive me CRAZY. Channels already using at least one subchannel won't have enough bandwidth to operate an a third channel. Thanks for bringing it to my attention as something I need to follow up on. I'm going to poke around and see if I can some up with any inside track "news".

I checked with one source I have at one of the network affiliate stations in Portland. He told me something that, after he said it, made perfect sense. The decision as to what is going to be done with their subchannel is dependent solely upon what their parent company and the network says. Due to issues of branding and making sure their affiliates are basically clones of each other, it would be in their best interest to decide on subchannel programming at the corporate level. For example, on WCSH Channel 6 they use Weather Plus on their subchannel. The same is true for Channel 7 in Boston, Channel 30 in Hartford, etc, All of the NBC affiliates are doing the same thing with their subchannel.

Keep in mind that most channels are using their primary channel for digital and/or high definition programming which, because of bandwidth issues, only leaves them with enough room for one other standard definition broadcast. Technically, each station could broadcast up to 4 programs simultaneously, but if they did, each would have to be in standard definition. There is one station I know in my area that is part of the ION network (see Wikipedia) that does this but very, very few Cable companies would even carry the primary channel let alone the subchannels. In addition, the same problem exists for all TV stations using subchannels; they still have to get the cable channels to carry it if they really want to get a return on their investment. Unless there is a revolution where consumers all convert back to "over the air" broadcasting (no cable or satellite), most of these subchannels will never be seen.

Now, when it comes to networks like the CW or MyNetwork, they operate more independently. As I mentioned Channel 35, part of the MyNetwork network, produces and broadcasts their own original programming on channel 35.2 called Maine Visitors Channel (MVC). RTN would be great for someone like the CW Channel 51 or even Fox 23 who may not have finalized plans yet for their subchannel(s). Or if MyNetwork Channel 35 doesn't get the revenue they expect from MVC. MVC was designed to be broadcast to all of the hotels in the Portland area. Channel 35 actually invested in, and installed, digital receivers in the hotels with whom they have agreements so that guests of the hotel could receive MVC in their rooms (which probably all have old analog sets).

So, that's my take on Subchannels in the Portland/Lewiston/Auburn television market. I'd love to hear from anyone who has more info or questions on this topic.

ION Network proves their commitment to customers again

If you read down a bit, I wrote an article about the ION Network a few days ago. I touted the network as being so professional and thorough.

I had a problem again last night with receiving the ION network broadcasts from their Concord, NH, tower. I left a message on the telephone number they provided to me (the last time) if I had any future problems.

I received a call from Paul Strieby, one of the technical experts at ION for my area. We had a long conversation about ION, digital TV, High Definition TV, and what is happening in the TV industry in general.

The problem with the ION tower was already fixed by the time Paul called me. But, I thoroughly enjoyed talking with Paul, who took me at face value; an average consumer not in the TV industry, who actually knows what he is talking about.

I wish that all TV Networks and local affiliate TV stations treated outsiders who do understand digital TV and High Definition TV with as much respect as Paul and the other folks at ION.

I discoverd that the ION TV Nework is first rate

I recently discovered a relatively small television network called ION (formerly PAX and formerly some others I think). I don't have cable or satellite because I simply can't afford it. So my goal was to get as many over-the-air (called "off air") television stations as possible, for free.

It started with my local ABC, NBC, ABC and PBS networks as you would expect. But that wasn't enough so I found MyNetwork (formerly UPN) and the CW (formerly the WB). Now I was getting somewhere.

When I had cable, one of the best channels I had was New Hampshire Public Television (NHPTV). They really leverage the digital/high definition capabilities available to all television stations who want to use it. NHPTV broadcasts their own local programming as well as the PBS High Definition Channel (as you probably know by now, all TV stations have the ability to carry more than one channel now; up to 4 if they only use standard definition).

In doing some research on Wikipedia, where you can find probably the best information on television stations, where they are, and how to receive them on your antenna, I discovered a network called the ION Network.

In playing around with the position of my antenna, I found that I could reach the ION network out of Concord, NH. They broadcast 4 separate digital channels, all in standard definition, but broadcast a wide variety of programming including cartoons, old sitcoms, religious programs, cooking shows, outdoor shows, etc.

This was going well until one day, now matter what I did, I could not receive their digital channels. When I tried to reach their old analog signal which is still operating, I could, but not their digital signal. So I knew it wasn't my reception, so to speak, and nothing wrong with the station, but something was up.

I tried to contact them. But it wasn't like calling up your local TV station and complaining. ION is run out of a national office. They have broadcast substations in several area; the one I receive, as I said, happens to be in Concord, NH. But that is just an antenna, it's not a televison station with staff. So my only option was to contact the national customer service line and leave a message. I did not think anything at all would come of it.

The very next day I received a call from the ION network. A very nice and friendly woman named Leslie spoke to me. She took all of my information down including my address, the specific issues I was having and said she would refer my complaint to the technical folks. Again, I didn't think anything would come of this.

Within an hour or so Leslie called me back. Due to my complaint, they discovered there was indeed a technical issue with their digital broadcast signal in my area, they rebooted (or whatever they do) and it was fixed. She asked me to check it. I was at work and could not do it at the time but said I would when I got home.

You know how this turns out. I got home and all of the ION digital channels were up an running fine. Because so few people use antennas anymore to receive TV signals, and because ION is a smaller network who only has their primary channel (not the subchannels) under contract with a few cable providers, I don't think many would have noticed the problem unless you were a person like me who knows a bit about digital and HDTV and would take the time to contact them since I discovered a problem.

The bottom line is that they were please dthat the issue was pointed out to them and I was pleased, not only that the problem was fixed, but that the ION network handled the situation with such professionalism and regular old human kindness.

I often call my local network affiliates with digital or High Definition issues only to be hung up on without a thank you, or treated with disbelief that I (a regular consumer with no background in television or broadcasting of any kind) know what I am talking about. It was so refreshing to be treated with respect.

Thank you to the ION network and Leslie. She handled the customer service aspect with ease, the way it should be whenever you call a big company. She even ensured that I had the correct number to call her back if the problem was not fixed or I ran into any problems in the future.