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Juneau's NBC affiliate now available in HD in Ketchikan, AK
Alaska's first city can now enjoy the spoils of 30 Rock, The Office and Sunday Night Football in high-definition, and it's all thanks to GCI Cable picking up the KATH-TV feed from Juneau. As of now, Ketchikan residents can finally pull in a high-definition version of the NBC affiliate, and this February locals will be able to see the Super Bowl in HD -- a first for Southeast Alaska. KATH-HD was launched in the state's capital city this August just in time for the Beijing Olympics, and thanks to a new fiber-optic run from there to Ketchikan, service is being expanded. Moreover, GCI Cable is hoping that this addition will be just one of many to come in the looming months, though no details about exact expansion plans were discussed.
TWC finally launching HD WBNG-TV (CBS) in Binghamton, NY
We're genuinely, genuinely thrilled for the good people of Binghamton, New York. Despite the fact that Time Warner Cable offers up over 60 high-def stations in the area, folks have been living with an SD version of their CBS affiliate (WBNG-TV) for over two years now. That means SD NFL, SD primetime dramas, etc. At long last, users can pull down their elephant-sized antennas and tune to slot 701, as TWC and Granite Broadcasting Corporation have finally agreed to transmission terms this month. The HD feed of WBNG-TV is set to go live on December 23rd, which in our book, is not a moment too soon. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
Boston's WBZ-TV fires up HD newscasts
Check it, Beantown. Your local CBS affiliate (WBZ-TV) has decided to follow WHDH-TV into the 21st century, as it finally fired up HD news this week. With this network going high-def, that makes three of the big four in Boston that have successfully made the switch. News in 1080i -- equally depressing, a lot more beautiful.[Thanks, Will]
Washington, DC's WJLA (ABC 7) turns on HD newscasts
It's time to celebrate, DC, as you finally have more than one option to turn to when scouting HD news. For some four years, WUSA (CBS 9) has been the lone high-def news station in the immediate region, but at long last WJLA (ABC 7) has stepped in to give it some much needed competition. Reportedly, the station aired its first HD newscast during the noon hour on December 8th, with the next episodes to hit at 5:00PM and 6:00PM for those scooting out of work. So, which network has next?[Thanks, Ammar]
BHN drops Fort Wayne NBC / ABC affiliates in Grant County, promises more HD
We certainly hope you Grant County residents in Indiana enjoy the Indianapolis anchors, because after this year, that's all you'll be seeing from Bright House Networks. Currently, this sector of the world is in a rare scenario, as its local cable carrier offers locals from both Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Sadly, the Fort Wayne NBC (WISE-TV) / ABC (WPTA-TV) affiliates will be done away with after December 31st, and BHN's president of Indiana operations says the decision was based on how skewed the ratings were in the direction of Indy's locals. Not all is doom and gloom, however, as the MLB Network will join HD versions of The Weather Channel, Travel Channel, USA, FX and SciFi in the Grant County EPG next month. Six steps forward, two steps back? Deal.
South Bend, Indiana gets HD news from WSBT-TV
South Bend, Indiana got more than a win from their Fighting Irish this weekend -- they also got a heavy dose of HD news. WSBT-TV, the area's CBS affiliate, became the first in the region to air its newscasts digitally just days ago, and moreover, the first to broadcast in high-definition. Viewers are being treated to clearer views of their favorite anchors and more information on a wider screen platform, including additional weather data on the margins of their TV screens. The station's news director Meg Sauer has also asked for forgiveness if any glitches crop up due to all the new equipment, but we're sure you'll be willing to do so in exchange for an HD quality broadcast.
Cincinnati's own WXIX gears up for HD news transition
Cincinnati's Fox 19 has come a long way over the years, but it's still lagging behind in one huge area: HD newscasts. Thankfully for residents of the Ohio city, all that's about to change... at least, according to news director Steve Ackermann. Reportedly, WXIX will move this week into its high-def-ready news set, and if all goes as planned, it could become the second station in the area to broadcast local news in HDTV within "a couple of weeks." We'll be watching.[Thanks, Eric]
Lexington, KY's WTVQ gets major makeover as part of HD news transition
It's one thing to simply fork out some cash for new equipment and pull the lever on HD newscasts, but Lexington, Kentucky's WTVQ-TV is doing it real big when it takes its local news to high-def this month. Starting on October 30th, not only will locals view the evening news in HD, but they'll see a new anchor team, a new news set, a fresh graphics arrangement and revived vivaciousness all around. We've always heard that going all out was the only way to go -- guess we'll see how the ratings react in around a week.[Thanks, Eric]
Wichita's KWCH taking local news to HD this month
Another first is coming to Wichita: local news in high-definition. The area's CBS affiliate, KWCH-TV, just began running commercials to get residents psyched up about the impending transition to HD. When it flips the switch sometime later this month, it'll be the first local station in the region to air its newscasts in high-def. Something tells us the others won't be too far behind, though.[Thanks, Gabe]
Time Warner Cable, LIN TV bicker over retransmission fees
While we singled out TWC's spat with Dayton's own WDTN, the issue spreads much, much further. As of now, 15 LIN TV-owned stations are at risk of falling off of Time Warner Cable if the two can't reach an agreement before October 2nd. Since July of this year, LIN TV has attempted to extract a presumably large amount of cash from the carrier in order to seal the deal on a long-term agreement for both analog and high-def signals. As of now, local stations in Austin, Buffalo, Columbus, Dayton, Ft. Wayne, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Mobile, Springfield (MA), Terre Haute and Toledo are at risk, but we have a pretty good feeling that the two will eventually work it out. 'Course, TWC won't enjoy paying through the nose in order to do so, but hey, that's life. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
WEAR-TV brings HD news to Florida panhandle
Starting this month, viewers in the Florida panhandle (Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Mobile, Alabama to be more precise) can start catching their local news in high-definition. The region's ABC affiliate (WEAR-TV) has finally seen fit to bring a clearer view of its newscasts to locals. Hailed as the "first and only" local station in the Mobile-Pensacola Metro area to air its local news in HD, the station is showing five different sessions per day in high-def. [Warning: PDF read link][Thanks, Scott]
Jefferson City's KRCG returns to DISH Network in HD
For Jefferson City-area DISH Network subscribers not positioned anywhere near the KRCG-TV tower, the past few months have been extraordinarily long. On July 2nd, the channel was removed from the satcaster's lineup after talks failed regarding a retransmission agreement. Thankfully, cooler heads have at long last prevailed, and as of last week it has rejoined the lineup in spectacular high-definition. The deal between DISH and Barrington Broadcasting Group, the station's parent company, also paves the way for DISH to launch two more of its stations this month: WEYI (NBC) in Flint, Michigan and KHQA-DT (ABC) in Quincy, Illinois. Oh, happy days.[Thanks, Joshua]
Dayton's WHIO-TV shows off digital with dueling political speeches
Though certainly not the first station to use its X.x channels for something other than pixelated weather and re-runs, Dayton, Ohio's WHIO-TV recently showcased what digital TV was all about with simultaneous widescreen broadcasts of local political speeches. Both major party presidential nominees were in the Miami Valley area and speaking at the same time, and rather than being, you know, biased, it choose to provide live uninterrupted coverage of both speeches on DTV channels 7.1 and 7.2. Of note, the speeches weren't used as a DTV test (good choice), but news director David Bennallack did assert that this was a "great opportunity to show viewers how DTV can work for them." On that note, have you applied for your voucher yet?Thanks, Dayton Guy]
Huntsville, AL and Denver, CO net HD news stations
Add two more to the growing list of news stations in America that have made the switch to high-def. Word from respective locals informs us that WHNT (the local CBS affiliate) in Huntsville, Alabama is now broadcasting news in HD, while KMGH (the local ABC affiliate) in Denver, Colorado has done the same. Any others out there needing recognition while we're on a roll?[Thanks, Mike and Steven]
Fresno State Bulldogs to see lots of HD play on KAIL-TV
Hopes are high for Fresno State, and with the expectation of greatness inevitably comes an HDTV deal. Okay, so maybe that's not a given per se, but the upcoming Bulldogs basketball / football seasons will indeed be aired to locals in high-definition. New for this year, MyNetworkTV affiliate KAIL-TV will serve as the flagship station for the institution and will broadcast every single game in its entirety. Better still, the tilts can be seen in HD on MD Digital 7.1 in and around Fresno, California. Congrats, Fresno State fans -- just don't gloat too much over there, cool?[Image courtesy of Bulldog Village]
El Paso, TX gets its very first HD news station in KTSM-TV
It sure took forever to hit the century mark, but it seems as if 200 is growing closer every single day. Up next on the list of news stations who've decided to turn in their SD card for a much clearer HD variant is El Paso's own KTSM-TV. The NBC affiliate is the first in the region to offer up 1080i newscasts, and it's doing so just in time for the sure-to-be-suffocating Olympics coverage. Enjoy![Thanks, Chris]
Montgomery's WSFA 12 first in central Alabama with HD news
While Alabama has been the recipient of quite a few new HD channels here recently, folks located in and around Montgomery will be treated to even more high-def. The local NBC affiliate (WSFA 12) has become the first station in the central part of the state to air its local newscasts in high-definition. WVTM-TV in Birmingham already claimed that "first in Alabama" crown, but WSFA isn't complaining about being number two overall. Tune in tonight and let us know how it looks.
High-def news comes to Boston's WHDH-TV
As the race to 200 HD news stations in America continues, Boston's own WHDH-TV is bringing us one closer. After nearly being no-hit last night in their own ballpark, Bean Town residents can actually flip on the evening news without worry of having to relive any embarrassing history. Based on the before and after shots in the read link, we'd say the local NBC affiliate did an outstanding job at renovating the studio. For locals who have tuned in already, how is the broadcast quality? Good enough to make you start watching on a regular basis?[Thanks, James]
Buckeye CableSystem, WNWO work to keep station on the air
Another month, another bitter argument between a cable carrier and a local broadcaster. On the docket today is Toledo's own WNWO-TV, a local NBC affiliate that is (of course) asking for "fair compensation" for its signal. Pertinent to this conflict is the fact that NBC is the station in question -- you know, the main channel responsible for delivering live Olympics coverage in just over a week. As it stands, both parties feel confident that a deal will be reached, but if the sides cannot come to an agreement, local viewers will be forced to throw up an antenna or seek alternate sources in order to catch local NBC action. We'll be sure to keep an eye on things as the nail-biting discussions continue.
Richmond, VA's NBC12 flips on high-definition newscasts
For the second time this month, we're seeing a local news station in Virginia make the leap to HD. Richmond's own NBC12 (WWBT) threw the lever earlier this week, making it the first local station in the market to bring high-def news to nearby citizens. As this rate, pretty much all of VA will be watching their 6:00PM news in high-def before the decade ends. Makes sense, though -- after all, Virginia is for (HD) lovers. We know, we know...[Thanks, Matthew]
