UPDATED--(2/17/09)

Today is a day that broadcasters have spent the last decade preparing for, and more than $1 billion to make sure everyone is ready.  It's the original date that stations were supposed to broadcast a digital signal only.  The digital television switch is upon us, but flipping that 'switch' has been delayed by the US Government.  Even until last week, all other stations in the Oklahoma City market had indicated they were going to turn their analogs signal off today.  KSBI's position has remained unchanged with the promise to continue digital and analog until June 12th.
Brady Brus, the President of Family Broadcasting Group Inc. said, "Quite a few weeks ago we made that commitment to keep out analog and digital signal running until June 12th, and we've received quite a few call and emails thanking us for that quite a few even today.  If that swayed some of the decisions of the other stations to keep their analog running as well,
I think that's a win/win for everyone."
KSBI-TV has been broadcasting a digital and analog signal for more than 6 years now to prepare for the change.
David Rehr, the President & CEO of NAB said, "We appreciate the members of Congress acting swiftly for the interest
of the American viewer and the interest of over-the-air television."
Cody Blount, the Chief Engineer at KSBI-TV/DT said, "There's a lot of people out there that aren't prepared and it's a big
reason that the Federal Government has asked us to wait."
Chief Engineer Cody Blount says this will give people more time to get a converter box, since the coupon program wasn't complete.  About 5% of US households still aren't ready for the switch.
"There was still a lot of money out there that hadn't been spent in these coupons indicating that there were a lot of folks out there that didn't have a converter box in place.  Some of them still use old turn dial television sets, and it's pretty challenging for those types of folks. we've fielded a lot of call here for people who are trying to install converter boxes and are having trouble," Blount concluded.

If you need help setting up your digital transition box, or have any questions call the DTV hotline.
The number is 1-888-CALLFCC, or 1-888-225-5322.




(Oklahoma City) - U.S. Congress met again Wednesday (February 4, 2009) to discuss the cutoff date for television stations to cease broadcasting their analog signals and only offer digital signals to the viewers.  After a 264 to 158 vote, the decision was to extend the analog cutoff date to June 12, 2009 rather than the much advertised February 17, 2009 cutoff date previously determined.

“KSBI-TV/DT will continue to broadcast in both analog (ch.52) and digital (ch.51) per the wishes of Congress,” said Brady Brus, President of Family Broadcasting Group, Inc.  “The new legislation will allow more Oklahoman’s to plan for and implement the necessary converter boxes which will enable them to receive a digital signal on their televisions.  We want to honor the request our lawmakers put forth.”

“If by chance other stations in the market have reached a point in which they cannot continue operating in both analog and digital, viewers will still be able to get news and severe weather information through the spring months on their analog sets through KSBI-TV,” said Brus.  “There are a number of different factors which come into play for a station deciding to or (having) to turn off their analog signal on February 17th.  We are fortunate in that we will be able to continue to operate both in analog and digital through the new cutoff date.  It will be operations as normal for us through June 12th.  The cable and satellite providers are already receiving our digital signal, thus those viewers would have been unaffected anyway had we turned off our analog signal on February 17th.  Our concern is for the viewers receiving their broadcast through free over the air signals.  We want to make sure they are ready for a day in which there are no analog signals being broadcast.”

David Rehr, National Association of Broadcasters President, issued a statement saying. “The legislation passed by Congress provides more time for Americans to prepare for the DTV transition and will allow more time for the government to fix the coupon program. We appreciate members of Congress for their leadership and swift action in ensuring viewers get continued access to free, over-the-air television,"

FCC Chairman Michael Copps stated, "I welcome Congressional passage of the DTV Delay Act, "It has long been clear to me--and it's even clearer since I became Acting FCC Chairman two weeks ago--that the country is not prepared to undertake a nationwide transition in twelve days without unacceptably high consumer dislocation.”

KSBI-TV/DT (Thunder TV) is Oklahoma’s leading independent station and the new home for OKC Thunder basketball.  KSBI-TV/DT has translators across the state and into Wichita, KS and Wichita Falls, TX.  The station is currently being added to the DirecTV lineup in the Tulsa market as well.  KSBI-TV/DT will be changing channels to COX channel 15, and will also be available on the COX digital/HD lineup. The station reaches more homes across Oklahoma than any other Oklahoma City station.

Currently, KSBI-TV/DT is still in negotiations with Cable One to come to a mutually beneficial agreement for carriage on Cable One outlets in rural Oklahoma.

For more information visit (www.ksbitv.com) or contact:
Tara Wieseman
(405) 631-7335
twieseman@ksbitv.com