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Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Talk To The FCC!

The FCC always likes to hear from consumers on how our local broadcasters are doing. Last Thursday, SJL of Pennsylvania filed their long awaited extension for their construction permit of digital channel 16. It should be noted that it has nothing to do with the current operation of channel 35 except for the financials.

Here is the link to their filing. (SJL FCC Filing) You can also see my observations by again reading SJL Made it. Read it and write your own comment, one way or the other, to the FCC at either http://www.mbinfo@fcc.gov/ or by sending your thoughts to:

Federal Communications Commission
Media Bureau/Video Division
445 12th Street, SWWashington, D.C. 20554
ATTN: Comments
RE: File Number BEPCDT 20060830AAB

Either way, be sure to include the file number (BEPCDT 2006083AAB) listed above as that is how they track and categorize communications.

Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am sending correspondence to the FCC regarding WSEE-TV filing for an extension on the construction of their Digital Facility. I am asking the FCC to grant the WSEE-TV extension request. If WSEE-TV does not have sufficient resources on hand to build a Digital Facility then that is the end of that! What good does it do to kick someone when they are down? I will answer that, it does no good to kick an institution when they are experiencing financial distress.

WSEE-TV is experiencing tremendous difficulties in the current economic environment. I would ascertain that WICU-TV, WJET-TV and WFXP-TV are ALL experiencing the effects of an extremely soft economic climate. I will not venture a guess as to the health of WQLN-TV since I do not wish to start a debate on the merits of "public" broadcasting.

WSEE-TV should be given the maximum amount of time to get its finances in order before spending a huge sum on Digital Channel 16.

Maybe you could offer yourself as a consultant to the current owners of WSEE-TV? I am sure they would jump at the opportunity to pick your brain! 40 plus years of experience must mean something to them? Why not help them get out of their current financial crisis?

I cannot wait to hear your reply to my commentary. It does no good if Erie were to lose its CBS Television Network Affiliate.

Failure Is Not An Option!

Jack Tirak said...

I appreciated your comments and you will note in my post I said write to the FCC no matter how you feel. There is a deadline that Lilly (SJL) can't change. I don't think that the other stations are faced with the same problems as WSEE. The problems are not the soft economy...the problems are inside and I can't change that. They didn't do their hoemwork when they bought it. I hope they can get their act together but, so far, it hasn't worked. The unfortunate thing is that they don't know a marketing advantage when it hits them in the ass. To take that advantage means they have to invest. I don't think they have any intention. This ownership has proven here and elsewhere to be short sighted. They don't belong in broadcasting. The time is now to sell to someone who does.
You ask for suggestions. I have made a number of them if you will just read. But I will offer 3 more suggestions (At no charge) that I know would would begin a positive recovery.
1. Don't piss-off the network
2. Don't piss-off the network
3. When #2 doesn't work...go back to #1.
If you can't make it with the number #1 network in television, it means you don't have the balls for this business in the first place. As Walter C. would say... "that's the way it is."

Jack Tirak said...

Thanks mediaboy... I was aware of that. But sometimes it is easier to be part of the problem rather than the solution. Then you can wallow in self pity with your thumb up your butt and hope things just get worse. Just like Erie City Council.

Anonymous said...

Jack,

Sorry to tell you this but NO ONE CARES! You Lost! No One Cares about Digital TV in Erie.

YOU LOST!

Anonymous said...

WSEE does not have a choice. WSEE must broadcast in Digital. In February 2009 all analog will cease. Am I missing something? Why is this so difficult to understand? If Lilly cannot afford to go to Digital then sell the station to someone who WILL go Digital.

By the way, this is a law passed by Congress. It's already on the books. WSEE has to abide by it!

GAME--SET--AND MATCH!

Jack Tirak said...

Thanks Northcoast. Good point. Also CBS has a vote... and a big vote. Their affilates are almost all number 1. Oh yes there is that little place in Erie that doesn't seem to know how to run with a winner.

Jack Tirak said...

I can't lose. Only the employee's and the viewers lose if CBS doesn't have a digital station in Erie by February 17, 2009.

You see, if WSEE falters, cable and satellite systems will be able to import a CBS affiliate from Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Cleveland or even New York. Instant waiver. Digital is the law.

Sorry Man. You lose a paycheck.

Anonymous said...

I KNOW YOU WONT PUBLISH THIS BUT WHY DO YOU HAVE SUCH A HARD-ON FOR DIGITAL TV? ALSO, WHY DO YOU HAVE A STICK UP YOUR ASS ABOUT WSEE-TV?

WE DESERVE AN EXPLANATION OF WHY YOU ARE DOING THIS. NO, I DO NOT WORK AT WSEE-TV. TIME FOR THE TRUTH JACK!

YOUR SOURCES CAN'T HELP YOU ON THIS ONE! (TELL US THE REAL REASON?)

Jack Tirak said...

I guess you are a new reader of Erie Media-Go-Round. Most regular readers know that answer and a few other blogs have correctly picked out my motive. I suggest you may want to read past posts for the first time...or perhaps again. I am not going to repeat.

Digital is the law. Period.