In the digital world of broadcast television today, having a UHF signal is better than having a VHF signal, as it allows for a better signal contour. This explains why both News-Press & Gazette Co. and Gray Television seek the Commission’s approval to engage in upgrades of stations they own in the Mountain West.
For NPG, the desire is to upgrade KIFI-TV in Idaho Falls, Idaho from VHF Channel 8 to UHF Channel 18.
For NPG, such a move will serve the public interest by resolving reception issues currently experienced by a meaningful cross-section of viewers in KIFI-TV’s service area, thereby expanding the availability of reliable, free over-the-air network television service within the market.
KIFI-TV has received “numerous complaints” about reception of its channel 8 facility since the end of the DTV transition in 2009, NPG states.
For Gray, a move from VHF Channel 7 to UHF Channel 16 for KWNV-DT in Winnemucca, Nev., is desired.
Such a shift allows Gray to build out this new station to avoid “well-documented issues” with indoor digital VHF reception since the 2009 digital transition.
FCC Video Division Chief Barbara Kreisman believes both petitions warrant consideration. But, before the Commission may act, public input is needed. As such, comment periods await. The Comment Date will go into effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Reply comments will be due 45 days after such publication.
