BOB NEWHART!

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Several readers, including Penn, have asked about what they’ll actually see in the Twin Cities when they switch to digital TV.

Quick review: The federal government has mandated a switch from analog to digital TV broadcasts on Feb. 17, 2009. If you receive programs on an older TV using an over-the-air antenna, you will lose programming then unless you (1) subscribe to cable or satellite (whose users are not affected by the switch); (2) buy a new digital TV; (3) buy a converter box using a government voucher to defray the costs. Find out more at DTV2009.gov.

Digital TV allows stations to broadcast multiple feeds, so you will see a slightly different lineup, in addition to what you see now over the air. Only the local PBS station is really taking advantage of the capability, but that might change as more viewers switch; KARE, for example, has a continually updated weather channel. Here’s a rundown of what’s available now on digital TV locally:

• Ch. 2.1 (TPT): PBS fare, some in hi-def (what you see now on Ch. 2*).
• Ch. 2.2 (TPT): Hi-def PBS fare on tpt HD, usually different programs than 2.1 but sometimes simulcast.
• Ch. 4.1 (WCCO): CBS and local programs, high-def if available (what you see now on Ch. 4*).
• Ch. 5.1 (KSTP): ABC and local programs, high-def if available (what you see now on Ch. 5*).
• Ch. 5.2 (KSTP): Standard-def rebroadcasts of previously aired news programs.
• Ch. 9.1 (KMSP): Fox and local programs, high-def if available (what you see now on Ch. 9*). 
• Ch. 11.1 (KARE): NBC and local programs, high-def if available (what you see now on Ch. 11*).
• Ch. 11.2 (KARE): Weather.
• Ch. 17.1 (TPT): PBS fare, some in high-def (what you see now on Ch. 17*).
• Ch. 17.2 (TPT): Standard-def tpt MN — Minnesota public affairs.
• Ch. 17.3 (TPT): Standard-def tpt Kids — PBS shows for kids.
• Ch 17.4 (TPT): Standard-def tpt Create — PBS how-to programs.
• Ch. 17.5 (TPT): Weather.
• Ch. 23.1/23.2 (WUCW): The CW and local programs, some in high-def (what you see now on Ch. 23*).
• Ch. 29.1 (WFTC): Standard-def independent programming (what you see now on Ch. 29*).
• Ch. 41.1 (KPXM):  Standard-def ION and independent programming (what you see now on Ch. 41*).
• Ch. 45.1 (KSTC): Standard-def independent programming (what you see now on Ch. 45*).

* If you’re have anything but digital TV reception.

Finally, I should offer kudos to Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) and KARE-11 for addressing the switchover, digital TV and HD broadcasts in a highly visible way on their websites. It’s no surprise that they’re leading the way in digital layering.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 25th, 2008 at 8:27 am and is filed under DTV switchover. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.