|
|
PRESS RELEASE — Friday, August 29, 2008
For Information Call Karen Svea Johnson at 208-373-7369
or Anne Peterson at 208-373-7368IdahoPTV Initiates Changes to Digital Channels
— Digital broadcasts of Idaho Public Television now available 24/7
On Wednesday, August 27, Idaho Public Television made changes in technology that will allow the station to broadcast in high-definition (HD) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These changes also extend the broadcast day on two other, standard-definition channels. The main IdahoPTV channel is not affected.
These changes affect three of the four channels that IdahoPTV supports. The digital channels are designated by a sub-channel number, which is a numerical suffix added to the regular station number:
- Channel .2 is the IdahoPTV High-Definition [HD] Channel, and airs 24 hours a day. It previously aired on channel .5.
- Channel .3 is IdahoPTV Learn/Create, and airs 24 hours a day in standard definition.
- Channel .4 is IdahoPTV World, and airs 24 hours a day in standard definition.
Previously, viewers were only able to tune in to these channels for part of the day. Now, programming is continuous on those channels as well as on the main IdahoPTV channel.
The IdahoPTV Kids channel has been eliminated. It is now available as a cable-only offering, and only in the Treasure Valley.
Viewers who receive IdahoPTV through a cable or satellite service generally are not affected, and will not see any changes. (Cable One subscribers in Eastern Idaho will initially find the 24/7 HD channel on channel 470.)
However, viewers who receive the digital channels over the air might need to rescan for available channels to capture the new settings. Those viewers should use the channel-scanning feature on their digital television or analog-to-digital set-top conversion box. This feature might also be called “autoscan,” and might run automatically. Rescanning is required only if the television cannot pick up transmission from one of the channels.