Chicago Finally, sadly DRM

[TomZ]

Chicago finally has major networks on ATSC 3.0, the problem is 3 of the four major channels that just went on the air have DRM encryption.

WBBM (CBS), WMAQ (NBC), and WFLD (Fox) all have DRM
WGN (Local), WGBO (Local) no DRM

I've been waiting for us to finally get the more efficient CODEC and most of the stations I watch are DRM encrypted.

[jrhunt]

Does anyone know if these channels are actually live? I did a channel scan today and didn't detect any ATSC 3.0 channels.

[Phoenixfury]

Saw this train wreck coming. The broadcasters just can't help themselves, can they? Someday they are going to wonder why their tv ratings are falling off a cliff. Must be the customers fault they aren't watching. If only they just tuned into their programming. (/sarcasm)

[Mike_TV]

Does anyone know if these channels are actually live? I did a channel scan today and didn't detect any ATSC 3.0 channels.

Yes they are live as of yesterday.

102.1 WBBM-NG
105.1 WMAQ-NG
109.1 WGN-NG
132.1 WFLD-NG
166.1 WGBO-NG

[jrhunt]

Does anyone know if these channels are actually live? I did a channel scan today and didn't detect any ATSC 3.0 channels.

Yes they are live as of yesterday.

102.1 WBBM-NG
105.1 WMAQ-NG
109.1 WGN-NG
132.1 WFLD-NG
166.1 WGBO-NG

Thanks for confirming. I guess I need open a support ticket.

[Mjpearson2000]

https://cordcuttersnews.com/atsc-3-0-ex ... extgen-tv/

[anonymouse]

https://cordcuttersnews.com/atsc-3-0-ex ... extgen-tv/

Funny how this and all the other announcement articles never mention the channels being encrypted...

[howardc1243]

Does anyone know if these channels are actually live? I did a channel scan today and didn't detect any ATSC 3.0 channels.

Yes they are live as of yesterday.

102.1 WBBM-NG
105.1 WMAQ-NG
109.1 WGN-NG
132.1 WFLD-NG
166.1 WGBO-NG

Thanks for confirming. I guess I need open a support ticket.

even if you opened a support ticket there is not much that silicondust can do about this encryption crap, there is a petition that the lon-guy is working on getting people to sign.

[howardc1243]

https://cordcuttersnews.com/atsc-3-0-ex ... extgen-tv/

cord-cutter news is a mouth-piece of the broadcasters.

[signcarver]

Does anyone know if these channels are actually live? I did a channel scan today and didn't detect any ATSC 3.0 channels.

Yes they are live as of yesterday.

102.1 WBBM-NG
105.1 WMAQ-NG
109.1 WGN-NG
132.1 WFLD-NG
166.1 WGBO-NG

Thanks for confirming. I guess I need open a support ticket.

I would post your approximate location and what type of antenna you are using as to my knowledge that station is a lower powered vhf station so there is a good chance you won't be able to get it... obviously the encrypted channels will be a while before getting with the HDHomeRun.

[jasonl]

WBBM is the host broadcaster, so it's not technically low power, just VHF, though running at less power than most VHF broadcasts these days. They do have a permit to bump up to 30kW, but I'm going to assume that can't be done until the rest of the work on Willis Tower is done. Given how that project has been going, check back in 2028.

[ebo]

Chicago finally has major networks on ATSC 3.0, the problem is 3 of the four major channels that just went on the air have DRM encryption.

WBBM (CBS), WMAQ (NBC), and WFLD (Fox) all have DRM
WGN (Local), WGBO (Local) no DRM

102.1 WBBM-NG
105.1 WMAQ-NG
109.1 WGN-NG
132.1 WFLD-NG
166.1 WGBO-NG

So, two of the channels are Next Generation; the other three are No Good (none are National Geographic).

[TomZ]

It appears the actual broadcast channel is High-VHF 12.

[TomZ]

I'm on the Northwest Side of Chicago and I just did a channel scan. It's now showing some Indianapolis channels, that's quite a distance. I just tried to watch one of the channels and they don't work.

[kyl416]

There's a lot of atmospheric boost in the midwest this week because of the current weather pattern.