The Blowhard
09-26-2001, 08:27 PM
A consortium of New York's major TV stations has concluded that it could take up to three years before a full signal will be restored to all viewers in the New York area.
The assessment comes two weeks after the attack on the World Trade Center, which also demolished a 111-meter transmission antenna on the north tower that provided an analog TV signal to millions of viewers across three states.
"There's no way to pinpoint it, but our group, the Television All Industry Council, is looking at the reality of the situation, and having just [completed a digital transmission facility] at the World Trade, we know what's involved and have fostered estimates that run from a year, to two or three years," says Steve Pair, director of engineering and operations for WNBC/4.
Since the attack, most of New York's stations have struggled to restore their signals with limited success. According to Nielsen Media Research, there are some 20 million viewers in the so-called New York Designated Market Area, which encompasses parts of New Jersey and Connecticut and stretches to the east end of Long Island.
About 4 million viewers do not have cable, although station signals have been restored to some viewers in pockets throughout the tri-state area. Channels 4, 7, 11 and 13 are using an antenna in Alpine, N.J. Ch. 11 is also using a low-power transmitter at the Empire State Building, while Chs. 5 and 9 also expect to originate signals there although they too will be limited in scope. Only Chs. 2 and 41 have full-power signals on the Empire State, but executives say the building would have to be rewired to accommodate all of New York's stations -- a hugely expensive and time-consuming process.
The Alpine tower has problems too, including potential town opposition to boosted transmission power. "I would say there is concern about the emissions with regards to safety," said Paul Tomakso, the town's mayor, who added that stations have assured him that although "the emissions are well within acceptable levels we wish to get an independent assessment."
WNBC's Pair said Tuesday that stations are looking at other buildings or may even construct a new tower -- a project that could take years -- because "we all realize that everyone's best interest would be served if we could end up at a common location."
Copyright c 2001, Newsday, Inc.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees"
The assessment comes two weeks after the attack on the World Trade Center, which also demolished a 111-meter transmission antenna on the north tower that provided an analog TV signal to millions of viewers across three states.
"There's no way to pinpoint it, but our group, the Television All Industry Council, is looking at the reality of the situation, and having just [completed a digital transmission facility] at the World Trade, we know what's involved and have fostered estimates that run from a year, to two or three years," says Steve Pair, director of engineering and operations for WNBC/4.
Since the attack, most of New York's stations have struggled to restore their signals with limited success. According to Nielsen Media Research, there are some 20 million viewers in the so-called New York Designated Market Area, which encompasses parts of New Jersey and Connecticut and stretches to the east end of Long Island.
About 4 million viewers do not have cable, although station signals have been restored to some viewers in pockets throughout the tri-state area. Channels 4, 7, 11 and 13 are using an antenna in Alpine, N.J. Ch. 11 is also using a low-power transmitter at the Empire State Building, while Chs. 5 and 9 also expect to originate signals there although they too will be limited in scope. Only Chs. 2 and 41 have full-power signals on the Empire State, but executives say the building would have to be rewired to accommodate all of New York's stations -- a hugely expensive and time-consuming process.
The Alpine tower has problems too, including potential town opposition to boosted transmission power. "I would say there is concern about the emissions with regards to safety," said Paul Tomakso, the town's mayor, who added that stations have assured him that although "the emissions are well within acceptable levels we wish to get an independent assessment."
WNBC's Pair said Tuesday that stations are looking at other buildings or may even construct a new tower -- a project that could take years -- because "we all realize that everyone's best interest would be served if we could end up at a common location."
Copyright c 2001, Newsday, Inc.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees"