KIMT launches weather radar 3.3

KIMT recently launched channel 3.3, a 24/7 weather radar slideshow. The audio on the channel is from NOAA's Mason City all-hazard station, KXI-68.

This means that Channel 3.2 is now broadcasting MyNet programming full time.

KTTC Goes 5.1, Upgrades encoder?

As of a few weeks ago, KTTC 10.1 began broadcasting in 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound!

Reports have also surfaced that the picture quality is dramatically improved, which indicates the station upgraded their encoder.

Previous to this, KTTC was using an encoder that was over ten years old. The station's picture used to be littered with encoding artifacts, especially on fast motion material such as sports.

KSTC Adds ThisTV on 45.2

As of roughly 6/29/10, KTSC, a 1,000kW independent station from the Twin Cities, is now broadcasting ThisTV on channel 45.2. The network plays a lot of old "classic" programming, not unlike the popular cable channel TV Land. This TV is also available in the area on 19.3 WXOW LaCrosse and 18.3 WQOW Eau Clare.

KNXR isn't a 24 hour station

Interesting factoid: Rochester's 100,000 watt blowtorch, 97.5 KNXR is not a 24 hour station. They are only operational from 6AM until slightly after 1AM. The transmitter is shut off after their broadcast day ends.

K19ER-D (ETWN) now live on DT 16 in the Twin Cities

As was have mentioned previously, KTCI, Twin Cities Public Television's secondary facility used to broadcast on digital channel 16 at a mere 50kw. They then switched over to channel 23, sporting a coverage area on par with KTCA's channel 34 facility. For some time, KTCI was simulcasting on channels 16 and 23.

On 4/30/10, it was reported on the AVS Forum's Minneapolis, MN - OTA thread that K19ER, a Cities EWTN translator had begun broadcasting on the facility. The channels are mapped 16.1-5 and all are currently displaying the same program. It is assumed that they will fill the other four subchannels with different programming, but from what I know of EWTN, they only have three channels - an English channel and a Spanish channel and a radio feed.

Rochester' TBN Translator K56HW Goes Off Air

As you may know, low power translator stations have not been forced to convert to digital yet. Many translators, especially those owned by local stations (as opposed to satellite networks) have already made the jump to digital.

In the Rochester area, K56HW (56, TBN) and K58GC (58, 3ABN) kept pumping out analog after the transition.

K58GC, being a 3ABN affiliate, will eventually convert to digital but that may be a ways off due to the network's budget.

TBN announced long ago that they would cut their analog translators and in most cases weren't going to bother replacing them with digital translators.

This became reality recently. Some time in the last couple weeks, K56HW went off the air never to be replaced by a digital channel.

Classic Hits 103.9 Becomes Z-Rock

The Post Bulletin is reporting that 103.9 KLCX is switching formats from "Classic Hits 103.9" to "Z-Rock" which is already broadcast on KDZZ 107.7, a low power station east of Rochester. The addition of 103.9 will give Rochester listeners better coverage.

103.9 and 107.7 have frequently changed formats throughout the years. 107.7 used to be "Oldies 107.7" then switched to "Classic Hits 107.7." 103.9 went on the air, duplicating 107.7 in order to give Rochester better coverage, thus the station was known as "Classic Hits 103.9/107.7." On April 1st 2008, 107.7 became "TV 107-7." The whole day, the station played a loop of TV show theme songs. On April 2nd 107.7 became "Z-Rock 107.7" while 103.9 stayed with the classic hits format.

For those unfamiliar with the Rochester dial, the "Classic Hits" format competed among a number other similar stations for listeners, including Laser 101.7 (generic Classic Rock), 89.9 KRPR (wide variety/AOR Classic Rock) and Cool 104.3 (Oldies).