SOWNY » Sept 23 WIVB Program Change » September 19, 2024 9:18 pm |
Thanks CRTC: I'll change my OWN channel. With an antenna, I just miss all this ...and I'm fine with that.
SOWNY » CHCH Signal » September 14, 2024 11:54 am |
Last night I was going to replace my booster with another one I had to see if that was the problem.
Looking at the end of the cable coming in the house from the antenna, I noticed the "stinger" (as my brother, a cable guy calls it) the copper wire was tarnished: not that shiny orange colour it should be. Cutting off the end and about to replace it (I've got cable guy tools and the proper ends) I notice my hand getting wet...somehow there was water INSIDE the cable. My only guess is a small cut somewhere in the jacket on the cable from point A to B. So today I climbed up and replaced the entire line and well...mystery solved. Channel 11 is back. I was also missing channel 9 and 14.
I had this problem with the transformer on my large antenna years ago affecting channel 2 and 7. Much easier to replace the cable on a small 4 bay than the transformer on a 13 foot UHF/VHF/FM.
The takeway here is keep your stinger shiny!
SOWNY » Where To See Wheel Of Fortune & Jeopardy – The U.K. Versions » September 13, 2024 6:35 pm |
CHCH will be carrying both. I just saw a commercial during the news but don't remember the start date.
SOWNY » Where To See Wheel Of Fortune & Jeopardy – The U.K. Versions » September 13, 2024 8:48 am |
Forgot to mention: I don't recall the UK Wheel having a "Vannah" I think the letter(s) just appeared if they were in the puzzle after the contestant called it out. Graham Norton was/is a good host.
SOWNY » Where To See Wheel Of Fortune & Jeopardy – The U.K. Versions » September 13, 2024 8:03 am |
I watched the 1 hour "Wheel" specials they did. It only aired on Saturdays. They were...okay. You could tell the contestants weren't exactly familiar with how the game worked. I'd like to see the UK Jeopardy version though
SOWNY » CHCH Signal » September 13, 2024 8:01 am |
When WBXZ first came on the air I could get them all the time. They had several technical problems and then I lost their signal. I think it was around the re-pack of frequencies. Can't recall if they moved, but no, I can't pull them in.
WBBZ 67 is come and go for me...would rather be able to get them all the time. Someone Commented once that they were only a few miles from their transmitter and couldn't get 67 either!
SOWNY » Ryan Seacrest Debuts As New Host of Wheel Of Fortune Monday Night » September 12, 2024 8:32 pm |
Through the "magic" of the internet, I watch Jeopardy! On Channel 7, WABC just because it's on at 7. Sometimes I may watch "Wheel". I'm not a Seacrest fan, but he's not horrible, or even bad as new host.
SOWNY » CHCH Signal » September 12, 2024 8:16 pm |
I can get 14 CITS with my antenna aimed at Buffalo: The signal strength is weak, but watchable.
With the antenna aimed west I'm getting a stronger signal from CKCO 13 than I am from CHCH.
SOWNY » CHCH Signal » September 12, 2024 7:15 pm |
It's next to impossible to find anything on their own web site about their over the air signal, and I figured someone in this forum might know, but for the past two days I've not been able to receive CHCH over the air.
I'm in St. Catharines, have a 30 foot tower with a newer 4 bay antenna that receives Buffalo, Fonthill, Hamilton (well two days ago it did) and Toronto. I use it on a Tablo whole home DVR to record OTA as well.
About 8 feet above that is a large 30+ year old rotary antenna that would even pull in CHCH aimed at Buffalo too. It's the only station I can't receive at the moment; so I've ruled out poor connections, the cable is RG6 and the booster is working...if it wasn't working or unplugged, you don't get any channels.
The relocation of their transmitter never affected my reception nor does that repeater on Grand Island (WBNF I believe) It's just been "no signal" or unwatchable yesterday and today.
Are they on reduced power possibly? If anyone knows anything, I appreciate the insight.
SOWNY » Z103.5 Morning Show » September 9, 2024 7:52 pm |
Melanie Martin co-hosted the morning show...on Z103.5 back in 2001-2003-ish with Scott Fox and Dave Blezard. Melanie left for all new station Flow 93.5 and eventually Scott and Dave were fired. Dave went to Kiss 92.5 and Scott was out in Kitchener. The station must have received many nasty emails about the firing (I sent one) that Scott returned and co-hosted with Kat Callahan.
Scott, Mel and Dave were the best Morning show ensemble they ever had.
I listened to 103.5 and nothing else for many years (1995-2022) Morning shows on this station average 1.5 to 2 years.
SOWNY » Could The CRTC Pull This "Station's" Licence? » August 18, 2024 5:31 pm |
Back in 2002 or 2003 CKEY 101.1(Yes, that's right, CKEY-FM) in Niagara Falls was known as "The River". 105.1 CFLZ was a tourist info station with their transmitter atop the Skylon tower near The Falls, and CJRN 710 was another radio station owned by the same company at the time. They wanted to move the tourist info station to 710 and move "The River" to 105.1. I can't remember why they wanted to do this but for a week "River" programming was on 710 before moving to 105.1 It was some clever maneuver to skirt the CRTC rules, I believe.
710 became the tourist information station before ultimately going off the air for good.
After many name changes and call sign changes, 101.1 had gone silent for a period of time, they're back on the air and 105.1 CJED (a call sign associated with their "Ed FM" days) is once again "The River." Different format from years before.
SOWNY » Taxpayers Support The CBC. Just Be Glad You're Not In Britain » August 18, 2024 5:20 pm |
With an IP blocker using a UK server and a side-loaded BBC iPlayer app I can watch the BBC in Canada. The first time I used the app it asks "Do you have a TV license?" I selected "Yes".
These antiquated regional/territorial rules of not being able to watch something based on where you are located are so stupid.
But I can listen to radio from almost anywhere? Read a newspaper from anywhere? Always boils down to money
SOWNY » When everyone is firing, CHCH is hiring » July 23, 2024 7:55 am |
I watch their news every day. They've got a new weekend sports reporter, two new reporters and I noticed a new face on their show Trending Now.
SOWNY » Duplication » June 23, 2024 2:36 pm |
I gave up on radio in this country and don't listen to much locally but Boom 97.3 (only in small increments because it's the same 100 or so songs played again and again).
If you're into pop (top 40), dance and alternative (indie) rock download the BBC sounds app and listen to Radio 1. They play songs you're familiar with and artists that should be carried over here but aren't. It's free to listen to and there are no commercials.
SOWNY » The Things You Never Knew About CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter » May 20, 2024 9:54 pm |
Carl Lam seems to be "Everywhere!" Not just on CITY-TV, but he was doing weather at the same time for Channel 2 WGRZ, then left for WKYC 3 in Cleveland but I saw him back on CITY 57 last weekend. I think he does weather for a station out in B.C. too?
Nice guy. Would be nice to see him get a permanent home...on TV
SOWNY » CHCH hits 70 Years in June! » May 20, 2024 9:47 pm |
A story I had read or heard: The station's founder Ken Sobol was superstitious: the CRTC granted CHCH license and the Channel 13 frequency. Sobol said he didn't want Ch 13..."give it to Kitchener." (they must have been applying at the same time) The CRTC assigned Hamilton Channel 11 and for a time it was known as "Lucky Channel 11".
SOWNY » Roku Snags Rights To MLB - & You Won't Need A Box To Watch Free » May 13, 2024 8:53 pm |
The link to the ROKU Channel in the article says that Roku isn't available in my region...until I turned on my VPN and connected to a U.S. server. 🙄 ...but I haven't figured out how to stream anything without a device. The (official app) is not like Pluto or Plex; it just links to your device.
SOWNY » Is This The Future Of Over-The-Air TV? » May 2, 2024 9:16 pm |
Over the air TV takes in a different approach in the UK. Freeview is a national service (that I believe is free, hence the name) where an antenna is placed on your roof and with a Freeview tuner in your TV, you pick up all the terrestrial stations. I use a UK TV Guide app to see what's on and I selected "freeview" as my service.
BBC1 is Channel 1, BBC 2: Ch2, ITV Channel 3, Channel 4: yep, you guessed it.
SOWNY » What's In A Name? Does "CP24" Even Make Sense Anymore? » May 2, 2024 9:00 pm |
TLC...Originally meant The Learning Channel but is anyone really Learning anything on TLC?
Many cable stations have morphed into something else (crap) that they no longer air what their acronym means. Best example: MTV.
SOWNY » Bell Launches 10 New FAST Channels - But Can You Get Them? » April 25, 2024 9:56 pm |
I've been doing a pretty good job of avoiding anything Bell for a couple of years now; TV, radio, internet service, even The Source, which I believe is Bell owned? Either way...I have no need to go there or support them.
As for FAST services: Pluto is good, but Plex is my favourite.
SOWNY » A commercial entirely in French on Boom? » April 23, 2024 8:34 pm |
boom boy wrote:
You were listening on the app from iHeart. I too get those ads and have asked about it. They are ads that are inserted by the streaming provider whenever the app is started or usually in the first position of a commercial during stopsets.
Nope. Streaming through their web site.
SOWNY » A commercial entirely in French on Boom? » April 22, 2024 8:50 pm |
At first I thought it was a mistake but I'm hearing a commercial for BDO Debt on Boom 97.3 entirely in French. I listen between 11 and 1PM weekdays and have heard it once a day for the past few days...maybe three?
The only reason I know it's for BDO Debt is because that's all I can understand!
Just wondering if anyone else has heard it. I've never heard a French language commercial on an English language radio station before.
SOWNY » The New Most Irritating Spot On Local Radio Should Run "A Little Less" » April 21, 2024 3:11 pm |
I thank Spence Diamonds for getting me to listen to Sirius Satellite Radio more often. The only Toronto radio station I listen to is Boom97.3 so yeah, I've heard those BelAir Driect ads. They still aren't as annoying as any Spence Diamonds ad...and I remember hearing: "I'm Sean Jones...owner of Spence Diamonds" BBC Radio 1, Capitol FM and XS Manchester are my top UK choices. Thanks Spence for turning me (almost completely off) Toronto Radio!
SOWNY » Guess Who's Most Likely To Have A TV Antenna? It's Not Who You Think » April 20, 2024 6:06 am |
WBBZ is hit and miss for me. I don't know if it's their signal, me being close to the escarpment or a combination of both. When WBXZ came on the air I was able to get them. After the ATSC 3.0 switch where some area stations switched or swapped frequencies I lost them. It did get me a rock solid signal for WPXJ where I never got it before.
Back in the analog days, I'd get Rochester quite often on clear days and nights. The escarpment is likely the reason I can't get Erie here in St. Catharines too.
SOWNY » Guess Who's Most Likely To Have A TV Antenna? It's Not Who You Think » April 19, 2024 9:14 pm |
I'm the Gen Xer that grew up with an antenna...probably watched more TV than those with cable. I bought an antenna with my newspaper route money in 1991 and I still use it today. The antenna is a Delhi 929 (13' boom UHF/VHF/FM) I have a smaller stationary one as well that i use for my Tablo. The rotor is a Superior (warranty expired in August of '74--still working) Living in St. Catharines were fortunate to get about 50 stations coming at us from nearly all sides. While I stream most TV, I use my antenna for local TV every day.
SOWNY » The future of local over the air TV » April 13, 2024 9:32 pm |
There's always plenty of discussion in here of Toronto TV stations but not much talk abkut CHCH. I watch them for news, daily (because they're the closest to my house) on the Canadian side of the border, I also watch WGRZ (2) in the AM and CITY (57) from 11 PM, but CHCH is doing what many other stations just don't do: give local businesses and affordable(?) place to advertise on TV. Sure, in Buffalo you'll see a handful of local ads, but do you really see any on and Bell or Rogers owned TV?
CHCH news director Greg O'Brien made a good point in one of their podcasts about being a station that doesn't have to answer to shareholders and only being focused on their broadcast area: Hamilton, Halton and Niagara. But are they profitable? I'd like to think so.
As with these radio stations that Bell sold off perhaps the same is true for local TV: Be more local. If I'm going to see local commercials I don't mind seeing a low budget ad supporting my local TV.
The perfect example is that really budget looking ad on Buffalo TV for Airport Plaza Jewelers. "Just look for the big red awning" --You see? It works...probably cost em $100 to make!
SOWNY » This Drama Caused A Scandal That Rocked The U.K. & Now It's On PBS » April 9, 2024 9:20 pm |
Great show and well worth the watch.
I watched it back in January on the ITV X app. Shocking to know it's true and still going on.
Just in the news last week...more was revealed that the government knew about this amd still did nothing.
SOWNY » President Of Evanov Communications Stresses On-Air Talent Over Music » April 9, 2024 9:17 pm |
Tony Monaco has been with Evanov for THREE DECADES.
I stopped listening to Z about 14 months ago after Campanelli disappeared from the morning show without any word which is common practicein radio.
Being a listener of HOT 103...now Z103 since 1995 I know, from listening all those years that the average life of a morning show on that station is about 12 to 18 months. (Personal opinion: I couldn't stand Sandra) So I stopped listening all together. I had heard their Noon and Drive at 5 mixes so often I knew what song was coming in next...like they were pre-recorded.
I went back to Sirius XM Hits 1 for my morning show fix.
Some other notable morning show hosts were Jesse Dillon (after AM640 went talk) and the late, great Don Berns. I remember calling the station asking what happened to Don Berns on the morning show, because they'll never say on-air and I was told he was "in permanent vacation".
A couple of years ago I did email Paul Evanov after one of Bell's first round of cuts to thank them for not being owned by Bell and to show my appreciation for locally owned radio. He responded rather quickly and thanked me for the kind words.
BBC Radio1 plays more new music and I can listen on the BBC sounds app so they're my replacement for Z103.
SOWNY » Would You Want To Watch An NHL Game With No Commentary? » March 18, 2024 9:40 am |
An NFL game I was watching on CBS this past fall had a technical glitch with their audio for about 10 minutes where you couldn't hear the announcers...it even spilled into some of the dialog in the commercials as well.
At first it felt unusual; kind of strange: just the sounds of the stadium, but I realised don't mind the announcers: When I began watching football years ago, I learned quite a bit about rules, plays and penalties from them.
What would people think about no announcers during baseball? Golf???
SOWNY » Sirius XM Launches Odd New Campaign To Win Back Subscribers » March 11, 2024 9:02 pm |
I saw it on ABC last night...had a hunch who the ad was for before it ended. Good ad, I thought. Been a subscriber since 2011