Unknown to most of the general public there are three different classes of television service. There is Full Power TV which most of you are familiar with. These stations, for the most part, are the network affiliated stations that carry programs from CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, PBS, The CW, and My Network TV. There is Class A Low Power TV (This is our station's classification). These stations most often are independent stations that are not affiliated with a network or are affiliated with smaller lesser known networks. There is Low Power TV (Sometimes called translators). These stations generally are used as "repeater" stations to re-broadcast a Full Power TV station in order to fill in coverage for rural areas that are hard to reach.
Class A Low Power and Low Power TV services are not required by the FCC to convert to digital along with all the nation's Full Power TV stations. As a result, most of these stations will remain as analog broadcasts and will still require an analog receiver in order to view the broadcast. This is where a great deal of consumer confusion comes into play.
KBC-TV, WOCH-CA Channel 41, in Chicago is a Class A Low Power TV station and will not be converting to digital after February 17, 2009. You can continue to view our analog over-the-air broadcast the following ways:
- An old TV with an analog tuner and antenna
- A new TV, as most have both analog (NTSC) and digital (ATSC) tuners built in along with an antenna. Check with your retailer
- A converter box, but only the models that are equipped with what's called "analog pass through"
- AT&T's new Advance TV network. WOCH-CA will be added to their lineup of channels in the fall of 2008
The links on the left side of the page can help you in obtaining a digital converter box. The federal government has a program where every household can receive up to two coupons worth $40 each in order to soften the blow of the extra expense of purchasing a converter box. That is the good news.
The bad news is not all converter boxes can receive analog TV signals. Of all the coupon eligible converter boxes only 18 (As of May 27, 2009) are capable of receiving analog signals. And only two models (At least that we've been able to find) are available through a retail outlet. The price range of these converter boxes are anywhere from $50 to $80 and converter boxes with analog pass through in the higher price range. Below are links to two converter boxes with analog pass through. Please note that both these boxes appear to be the same unit under different manufacturers' brand.
Philco TB100HH9 W/ Analog Pass-Through
Magnavox TB100MG9 W/ Analog Pass-Through
We hope we have answered your questions. But, if you still have questions regarding the conversion to digital please e-mail info@kbctvusa.com and we'll do our best to answer them.
KBC-TV