Urgent Announcements

KAFT-13 / Fayetteville

About 9:00 a.m. on June 12, 2009, the KAFT analog 13 transmitter was shutdown as part of the DTV Transition.  Most over-the-air viewers (and nearly all cable companies) in northwest Arkansas are able to receive the KAFT digital signal provided that they use a digital converter box with their analog TV or with a new digital TV with tuner. Some viewers need to raise the height of their outdoor antenna to receive a reliable signal.  AETN is in the process of adding transmission equipment to increase the KAFT digital broadcast power strength and coverage area.  This should be completed by the end of winter 2010.

KEMV-6 / Mountain View

About 9:00 a.m. on June 12, 2009, the KEMV analog 6 transmitter was shutdown as part of the DTV Transition.  Most over-the-air viewers (and nearly all cable companies) in north central Arkansas are able to receive the KEMV digital signal provided that they use a digital converter box with their analog TV or with a new digital TV with tuner. Some viewers need to raise the height of their outdoor antenna to receive a reliable signal.  AETN is in the process of adding transmission equipment and a new, larger broadcast antenna to increase the KEMV digital broadcast power strength and coverage area.  This should be completed by the end of 2010.

KETG-9 / Arkadelphia

About 9:00 a.m. on June 12, 2009, the KETG analog 9 transmitter was shutdown as part of the DTV Transition.  Most over-the-air viewers (and nearly all cable companies) in southeast Arkansas are able to receive the KETG digital signal provided that they use a digital converter box with their analog TV or with a new digital TV with tuner. Some viewers need to raise the height of their outdoor antenna to receive a reliable signal.  AETN is in the process of adding transmission equipment to increase the KETG digital broadcast power strength and coverage area.  This should be completed by the end of winter 2010.

KETS-2 / Little Rock

Since late-July 2009 KETS-DT/Little Rock has broadcast at full power from the KASN broadcast tower near Redfield south of Little Rock with reports that all is working well with a strong signal from this area.  We are continuing to hear very positive reports from viewers and cable companies on the fringes of the KETS coverage area that they are receiving AETN via KETS.

KETZ-12 / El Dorado

KETZ/El Dorado resumed broadcast of its digital channel about 11:00 p.m. on June 12, 2009 with reports that all is working well with a strong signal from this area. 

Loss of Coverage Area Notice

Starting April 1, 2009, viewers of KEMV in north Arkansas and KETG in southwest Arkansas (who in the past, received a snowy analog picture from AETN) may have no reception since the analog shutoff date of June 12.  Viewers in Boone, Fulton, Howard, Little River, Miller, Newton, Pope, and Sevier counties or in southern Missouri may not receive an over-the-air signal from AETN. Reception within AETN's broadcast areas may be obstructed by hills, buildings or electrical lines resulting in picture or audio problems. While work is underway to increase the broadcast power strength and coverage area of these two transmitters, viewers may still need an outside antenna or to raise the height of their existing antenna. All viewers should be sure that their antenna or "rabbit-ears" are designed for both VHF and UHF. For more information, contact the FCC's Call Center (1-888-CALL-FCC), the TTY number (1-888-TELL-FCC) or go online to www.dtv.gov/maps for the online digital reception mapping tool. Or viewers may contact AETN (1-800-662-2386) or visit online at www.aetn.org/dtv or go to www.dtv.gov/dtv_made_easy.pdf for an easy to read "DTV Made Easy" booklet.

AETN Digital FAQs:

Q. How do I get AETN on DirecTV or DishNetwork?  And when can I see AETN in HD on those systems?

A.The two satellite companies use the Nielsen Designated Market Areas (DMAs) to divide up the country to provide their services.  Currently, the law allows a satellite company to offer "local service" in a DMA meaning that all local broadcasters that sit in that DMA will be included in their "local channels" package.  DishNetwork includes AETN as a local station in northwest Arkansas (Fort Smith-Fayetteville DMA), central Arkansas (Little Rock-Pine Bluff DMA) and south Arkansas (Monroe-El Dorado DMA).  Currently, DirecTV only offers this service in northwest and central Arkansas.  Satellite subscribers in other parts of Arkansas will not have AETN included in their "local channels" package. 

However, DishNetwork currently does offer AETN as a "statewide station" for areas where AETN is not part of a "local channels" package.  This special service, which customers have to specifically request by name for a small additional cost per month, allows AETN to be received by DishNetwork customers regardless of whether there is a "local channels" package available or what channels are included in those local packages.  DirecTV does not offer this special service at this time.

As for HD (high definition) service on satellite, DirecTV tells us that they plan to launch AETN in their HD package early this Fall.  DishNetwork says it will be in early 2010 for their customers.  In either case, satellite customers must sign up for the HD package and have an HDTV set in order to actually watch HD programming in HD.  Otherwise, viewers will see HD programming that has been down-converted to SD (standard definition at a lower resolution).  Satellite customers should talk to their provider for more information about HD services available in their area.  Over-the-air viewers of AETN already receive AETN's primary channel (AETN-PBS) in HD as well as the secondary channels (AETN Scholar and Create/AETN Kids) in SD (standard definition at a lower resolution) -- for free -- if they have an HDTV set with built-in digital tuner.

Q. Will I still be able to receive the analog broadcasts from AETN?

A. No.  Now that the analog shutdown date has come and gone, all full-power analog broadcast stations in the United States have been shut down except for a few that will serve as "night-light" stations for another month.  Thus, AETN shut down its remaining analog broadcast service from KAFT/Fayetteville in northwest Arkansas, KEMV/Mountain View in north central Arkansas, and KETG/Arkadelphia in southwest Arkansas on the morning of June 12, 1009.  Viewers who rely on an antenna or rabbit ears and who have not done so must connect a digital converter box to any analog TV they wish to use or purchase a new digital TV with tuner to enjoy free, over-the-air television.

Q. What is the latest concerning AETN's digital broadcast service?

A. As of late July, 2009, AETN is broadcasting at the fullest power allowed by the FCC at all six transmitters:  KAFT/Fayetteville in northwest Arkansas, KEMV/Mountain View in north central Arkansas, KETG/Arkadelphia in southwest Arkansas, KETS/Little Rock in central Arkansas, KETZ/El Dorado in south Arkansas and KTEJ/Jonesboro in northeast Arkansas.  Any problems that may occur should only be weather-related or due to temporary technical problems because of equipment or power failure.

Work is currently being done at KAFT, KEMV and KETG to increase the broadcast power strength and coverage area in these areas.  This work should be completed between the early-to-mid 2010. 

Q.  Why can I still not receive AETN now that analog broadcast has ended?

A.  It is possible that some cable have not made changes in their equipment to again receive AETN or that they cannot receive a reliable signal due.  Viewers should contact their provider to find out the situation and when that will be remedied.  It is also possible that some viewers and cable companies have their antennas sitting where they receive too much interference, have their antennas aimed in the wrong direction, do not have an antenna for both VHF and UHF, have old equipment or wiring, or are sitting too far away from a transmitter to receive a reliable signal.  These areas are known as "dead-spots".  The only remedy at this time is to eliminate anything that might interfere with reception (see next question below) or to raise the height of the antenna.  Viewers are reminded to re-scan their convertor box or digital TV regularly after any adjustment.  And, some viewers may need to "double rescan" -- see this section under "DTV Information".

Q. Is there anything else I need to know or remember about digital TV?

A. Where you live may also affect whether you receive the new digital signal.  Such things as hills, tall buildings and structures, high-power electrical lines, storms, dense foliage, and even interior venetian blinds or large appliances can affect the reliability and quality of the signal.  Viewers who used to rely on rabbit-ears or antennas in their attic may need to have an antenna on the roof of their home or on a tall pole beside their house. 

Viewers who rely on over-the-air digital reception are encouraged to regularly rescan their channels especially on Saturday, June 13, 2009 (and for weeks to follow) as stations are changing frequencies and/or increasing their broadcast power that may allow viewers to receive them for the first time or with a consistent signal.  For an easy to read booklet called "DTV Made Easy", go online to download a copy at www.dtv.gov/dtv_made_easy.pdf.

Viewers who are not connected to cable or satellite and who wish to continue to use their analog TV sets will need a digital-to-analog converter box for each analog TV they wish to use.  A coupon to help purchase a DTV converter box was available through the end of July 2009.   Unless a viewer already has a coupon, any future purchase of a converter box will be a full price.