[June 16, 2009] Some unable to watch WTVM: Satellite TV customers, many with converter boxes in dark since digital transition Tweet Jun 16, 2009 (Columbus Ledger-Enquirer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Friday's nationwide transition to digital television has left some local viewers unable to watch WTVM Channel 9. A number of satellite TV customers and people with converter boxes appeared to have lost the channel after WTVM made its government-mandated switch from analog last week. On Monday, WTVM viewers also complained of a poor signal in several comments on the local ABC affiliate's Web site. Lee Brantley, WTVM general manager, said those with TV converter boxes may just need to rescan their receivers. WTVM is on Channel 9.1 on the digital spectrum, but "we're on a different transmitter, so the box has to be rescanned to find that new signal." It may take multiple attempts at rescanning to find WTVM, he said. Satellite TV customers, like those with DIRECTV or DISH Network, must also rescan if they receive basic cable channels over-the-air. Brantley suggested they call their satellite TV provider to assist them. The general manager acknowledged WTVM's signal had gotten weaker for some, and suggested moving or adjusting the antenna, or replacing an indoor antenna with an outdoor one. The station is working on improving its signal, he said, and the channel should operate at an optimum level in about two weeks. On Monday evening, WTVM was off-air for some viewers temporarily as technicians conducted transmissions tests - an effort to improve its signal strength. WTVM warned people on its Web site of this interruption around 5 p.m. At the beginning of February, Congress voted to push back its original Feb. 17 deadline to shut down analog TV signals. This was so consumers could have more time - about four months - to prepare by obtaining and installing a converter box. On Wednesday, the Nielsen Co. reported 2.8 million U.S. households - or about 2.5 percent of the TV market - were not prepared for the digital transition. That group had been cut in half from 5.8 million homes in February, around the time of the government's initial deadline. To see more of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.ledger-enquirer.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Ga. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]