WAGM now delivers both FOX and CBS!

The Back Story

In April of 2002, in accordance with laws enacted by the U.S. Congress, WAGM began operating a digital television transmitter in addition to its older analog transmitter. In the intervening years the two transmitters have simulcast identical signals until, in February of 2006, WAGM converted its digital signal to CBS HD (High Definition). Then on September 12, 2006 WAGM launched a digital multicast channel called FOX8. Digital television stations are capable of broadcasting 2 or more distinct signals simultaneously. In the case of WAGM the digital signal is divided into 8.1 FOX8 (providing Fox Broadcasting Network programming) and 8.2 CBS8 HD (providing CBS programming, much of which is in High Definition).

Off-Air Viewers

Viewers who currently receive their television signals from WAGM by using an off-air antenna should be able to receive the digital signal also. However, the viewer’s television set must be equipped with a digital tuner, also called an ATSC (Advanced Television Standards Committee) tuner. There is much confusion surrounding these terms and uneducated sales staffs have added to it by saying that the so called HD Ready television sets will work. These sets will only work if they are equipped with the digital tuner. To further confuse the issue, television monitors are being sold currently that do not have tuners in them. These monitors will not receive the WAGM signals without additional equipment.

A television set properly equipped with a digital television tuner will display WAGM’s FOX8 signal with the channel number of 8.1 and WAGM’s CBS8 HD signal as 8.2. In order to take full advantage of the superb clarity and wide screen look of the CBS8 HD signal the television set must be an HD set with a 16x9 aspect ratio (width to height) rather than the older 4x3 (width to height) aspect ratio of the older standard analog television. Digital tuner equipped television sets are available a reputable retailers throughout the U.S. Call your local television electronics retailer to check on availability.

If you do not have a new television set equipped with a digital tuner then you may use a device call a digital set-top box to receive the WAGM FOX8 (8.1) and WAGM CBS8 HD (8.2) signals with. The set-top box will convert the digital signals to analog so that the programming may be displayed on older television sets. WAGM recommends the Humax HFA100 set-top box. It should be noted here that Congress has mandated that in February of 2009 all analog television stations, the stations that viewers have been watching for more than 50 years, will be shut down. The current television set found in most homes will become obsolete without the addition of a set-top box to convert the digital signal for viewing.

Note: Older antennas should be checked by professionals to see if they are still functioning properly. In some cases antennas may need to be replaced with newer antennas designed specifically for use with digital television signals.

Cable Viewers

Cable viewers receive the signals from all of WAGM’s transmitters via their cable providers. The FOX8 signal appears where the old FoxNet station appeared before it went out of business in September of 2006. Please call your local cable provider for specific channel locations for WAGM TV, WAGM CBSHD, and WAGM FOX8.

Note: Time Warner customers in Presque Isle, Caribou, Limestone, and Fort Fairfield can now watch WAGM CBS8 High Definition on Channel 508.

Satellite Viewers

WAGM signals are not currently available on either Dish Network or Direct TV. Contact your local satellite provider for details on when they will be adding WAGM CBS and WAGM FOX8.

Links

www.fox.com | www.cbs.com | www.dishnetwork.com | www.directtv.com