Dallas’ CBS-affiliate KTVT will begin transmitting a stronger digital signal beginning Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 11 a.m., hopefully satisfying the thousands of viewers who have been frustrated with their access since the June 12th transition from analog to digital.
On July 16th, the station petitioned the FCC to obtain a new frequency, citing widespread dissatisfaction among viewers. According to Dallas-based TV critic Ed Bark, the petition also included Nielsen research which indicated a prime-time ratings drop of 57% from the pre-digital week of June 1st to the post-digital week of June 22nd. But among viewers with digital-friendly cable, the drop-off was just 1.9 percent, CBS11 says.
According to KTVT’s press release, the problems have been attributed to factors including outside interference, insufficient signal strength (which is regulated by the FCC) and inadequate antennas. The majority of complaints came from viewers who use rabbit ears or other antenna systems to get their digital signal.
KTVT advises that cable and satellite TV subscribers should not be affected and do not need to take any action. However, viewers who receive their television signals via antennas will need to re-scan their converter boxes and/or digital TV tuners after 11 a.m. on Aug. 4 to receive the higher-powered signal on channel 11-1.