Blue Ridge PBS - Digital

Blue Ridge PBS has permanently shut off its analog
TV service as of Friday, June 12 at 9 a.m.

To begin receiving a digital TV signal, please read below.

President Obama signed the DTV Delay Act, requiring full-power broadcast TV stations to move their analog shutoff date from Feb. 17 to June 12. The law also extends the digital converter box coupon program until July 31. Visit www.dtv2009.gov for updated coupon information. The coupon program also has a toll-free 24-hour automated system 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).

Why is the switch being made to DTV?

DTV provides a clearer picture, better sound and more channels. Plus, digital is a more efficient way to broadcast and frees up the airwaves for other services such as emergency responders.

How do I get a DTV signal?

There are multiple ways to tune in to digital television.

For over-the-air viewers. When considering using your existing antenna or purchasing new, please note that our WBRA-DT digital signal is channel 3, which is low-band VHF. For best results in the Roanoke viewing area we suggest an outdoor low-band VHF or a hybrid VHF/UHF capable antenna in conjunction with your DTV converter box or new digital television with an integral ATSC tuner. Blue Ridge PBS's other two digital signals, WMSY-DT Channel 42 Marion and WSBN-DT Channel 32 Norton, are UHF and do not require a VHF antenna.
DTV converter box. For viewers who receive their television signal over-the-air through a roof top antenna, rabbit ears, etc. for an analog television - DTV converter boxes are available at local retailers for purchase. The federal government is offering $40 coupons (up to 2 per household) to go towards the purchase of these boxes. To sign up, click the icon on the right or call 1-888-DTV-2009.
Digital TV set: All TVs with a digital tuner are able to receive digital signals broadcast by television stations. By law, beginning in March 2007, all television reception devices (including TVs, VCRs, etc) imported into the U.S. contain a digital tuner. Retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory but must prominently display a consumer alert near the analog-only device.
Service provider: If you get your signal by cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider you will be able to watch DTV on either an analog or digital TV set.

If you are already using a digital TV or a converter box, you may need to re-scan multiple times on June 12 and/or re-scan on June 13.

Additional information about DTV is available at:

www.dtvanswers.com/

www.pbs.org/digitaltv/
www.dtv.gov/
www.dtv2009.gov/ - converter box coupon program
http://antennaweb.org - offers antenna information, explanations on antenna "grades" and a utility that uses a viewer's zip code to suggest antenna type and sensitivity, distance and direction to local broadcast transmitter sites and their analog and digital channels.

Call the Federal Communications Commission toll-free at 1-888-CALL-FCC.
This call center will be active 24 hours a day following the digital transition.

Call Blue Ridge PBS toll-free at 1-888-332-7788 Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Blue Ridge PBS Digital Program Service

Three daily programming services are being multicast:

Blue Ridge PBS HD (15.1, 47.1 and 52.1) - our high definition signal
Blue Ridge PBS (15.2, 47.2 and 52.2) - our standard digital signal
Blue Ridge PBS World (15.3, 47.3 and 52.3) - PBS WORLD includes public television's top documentary, public affairs, news and other nonfiction programming. Included are popular and critically acclaimed series like "American Experience," "Frontline," "History Detectives," "Nature," "NOVA," and more. PBS WORLD
also includes second airings of "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" weeknights at 10:00 p.m.

Visit our online schedule!

In August 1967, we signed on the air as the
nation's first all color educational television station.

Now Blue Ridge PBS has moved into the digital age...

Using 37,000 feet of wire, 15,000 pounds of equipment and 26 separate computer systems...

our Technical Operations Center went on line in 2002.