ASTC 3.0 Columbus, Ohio - 2020

[jbinkley60]

Based upon prior communications, 3 stations in Columbus, Ohio were supposed to begin broadcasting ATSC 3.0 this morning.

WSYX
WTTE
CW

I checked one of my Quatro ATSC 3.0 tuners and it doesn't look like any of the channels are broadcasting ATSC 3.0 yet.



Is there someplace I can check whether they are really broadcasting ATSC 3.0 or not ? And if not, when ?


Jeff

[kyl416]

Check the replies to the post you made in another thread where this was brought up:

Not a single Ohio station has made "Modification to License (Next Gen)" filings with the FCC, which they are required to do well in advanced of any switch to ATSC 3.0.

As Kyle notes, that isn't likely to be the case as there are no FCC filings, which are required. Though that would be all sorts of interesting if they actually did become a pirate broadcaster. :)

To see filings go here:
https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/datae ... earch.html
Purpose: Modification of License (nextgen)
Service: Full service Television
State: whichever you are interested in.

WSYX and its sister Sinclair stations WWHO and WTTE have not made ANY Next Gen filings. Neither did any of the stations owned by the usual ATSC 3.0 participants like Nexstar's WCMH or Tegna's WBNS.

This isn't a matter of "the station said they're converting and the FCC said they're not, who should I believe?" If any of them switched to ATSC 3.0 without making Next Gen filings first, they would be ordered by the FCC to immediately cease ATSC 3.0 operations and resume ATSC 1.0 operations until they make a Next Gen filing that is granted by the FCC, or lose their license to broadcast entirely. Along with paying any associatied fines levied against them for broadcasting with parameters that differ from their current FCC license.

[petemitchell]

You could also try e-mailing the WSYX general manager - tdangelo@sbgtv.com. Sinclair owns WSYX and WTTE, and manages the technical stuff for the CW station.

[kyl416]

They made their filings today

On January 7th, WWHO's RF 23 signal will convert to ATSC 3.0 and carry NextGen simulcasts of WSYX, WCMH, and WTTE

And for the ATSC 1.0 simulcasts:
53.1 CW HD will be on WTTE's RF 27 signal
53.2 Charge! will be on WTTE's RF 27 signal
53.3 Comet will be on WCMH's RF 14 signal

[jbinkley60]

Thanks. I saw that. I am looking forward to it and will report back.


Jeff

[jbinkley60]

I see where a 4th station, WCMH NBC, has made their filing on December 16th. So 4 of the 5 major broadcast stations in Columbus have made their filings. Only WBNS CBS Channel 10 hasn't made a filing yet. Of course that is the station which will carry the Super Bowl game.

Jeff

[grywalsr]

So will they actually be broadcasting in a higher resolution, or are they just upgrading to the new protocol. Their web site has no details other than they are switching to ASTC 3.0 on Jan 7.

[darcilicious]

So will they actually be broadcasting in a higher resolution, or are they just upgrading to the new protocol. Their web site has no details other than they are switching to ASTC 3.0 on Jan 7.

So far, none of the cities that have started using ATSC 3.0 have broadcasted in anything higher than 1080i/1080p.

[petemitchell]

So will they actually be broadcasting in a higher resolution, or are they just upgrading to the new protocol. Their web site has no details other than they are switching to ASTC 3.0 on Jan 7.

I'm guessing that aside from certain events, like the Super Bowl, you won't be seeing ATSC 3.0 native format stuff for quite some time.