The TV Answers team sat down with Heidi Steffen, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at TitanTV, to find out what TV stations need to communicate to their data and online guide listing providers as they prepare to move frequencies. The following steps are important to ensure your viewers continue to have access to the correct programming information.
Q: How does a station’s frequency move impact its online guide listing, data provider and PSIP data service provider?
A: Online guide listings will be affected only if the station’s major/virtual number (the channel number you see on your TV) and minor channel numbers (subchannels such as 5.2 and 5.3) are changing.
For example, if a station’s virtual channel changes from 48 (48.1) to 24 (24.1), they need to let all data and online guide providers know so that viewers see accurate programming information on the guide.
The 4 major data providers they need to inform are:
- Red Bee Media (formerly FYI Television): tveditor@fyitelevision.com
- Gracenote (formerly TMS): tmschedule@gracenote.com
- Rovi (formerly TV Guide)
- TV Media (Canadian, but provides some TV listings across the U.S.): schedules@tvmedia.ca
It’s important to note that a change in any of the major data providers could take 48 to 72 hours to update in their systems depending what day of the week they are informed and the time of the day.
If a station is only moving to a different frequency (RF) and the channel number that viewers know will not change, only PSIP data providers should be notified.
A station’s PSIP data service provider should receive notice a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the estimated rescan day (date of transition). This is really important because this directly affects viewers who rely on an antenna to watch free, over-the-air TV. The PSIP data service provider’s notice should include the following information:
- What the new frequency (RF) number will be.
- Note if the major and/or minor channel numbers are changing, and, if so, to what number(s).
- If the station is removing any subchannels (minor channels) due to the frequency change. This may be the case for stations transitioning to a channel share where there isn’t enough spectrum for all subchannels.
Stations should follow up with the PSIP data service provider once the rescan day (frequency move) and time have been confirmed to ensure the provider has everything updated for the transition.
PSIP data service providers include:
- TitanTV, Inc
- Gracenote (formerly TMS)
- TiVo
- Rovi (formerly TV Guide)
Q: What steps should stations take to notify providers, and how far in advance do you recommend the process start?
A: Overall, we would recommend notifying their guide and PSIP providers a minimum of two weeks in advance of the upcoming rescan day with the tentative date and time. And then follow up with them once you have a firm date of the change.
It is also best practice to email them the information, so things are in writing. This will help minimize confusion and creates a paper trail of when changes were communicated.
Q: What are the consequences of stations not working with providers to update post-frequency change information?
A: One of the main consequences is the confusion it may create for viewers when they are being informed by the station that something has changed but they are not seeing the change on the online programming guides and/or what is coming through on their PSIP data.
For resources for stations to prepare viewers for stations’ frequency moves, including a checklist, spots and talking points visit the TV Answers tools page.
Heidi Steffen is Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at TitanTV. She has been with the company since 2007. Heidi holds an International Business degree from Cornell College, with concentrations in Marketing and Russian. She enjoys spending time outside of work with her family and volunteering. Heidi is a dedicated volunteer for The Linn County Fair as the marketing manager, and on the Cedar Rapids Sales Force User Group for Nonprofits.
I have not had WTAE channel 4 in Butler, PA for 2 months. Just changed tv antenna on roof and still not getting this channel. It’s a shame as most of my shows are here. I have been watching other stations and guess I have to make due. This changing of frequencies really needed to be thought through. Very unhappy at this point. Rescanning got me channels I could care less about.
Greetings, Linda. We are sorry to learn of your frustrations. It is important to note that stations are not choosing to move frequencies. The government requires them to move to accommodate wireless services. In order meet their requirement, WTAE moved frequencies on August 24th. Our research indicates that, at your location, you may access as many as 11 channels form 3 over-the-air stations(CBS, CW and PBS), though terrain and antenna placement and type may cause variations to your access. Unfortunately, WTAE is not listed as a station accessible in your area. However, a useful site to assist in troubleshooting your antenna placement to receive the maximum number of channels can be found at: https://www.antennaweb.org/. You may also call the FCC’s Consumer Help Center at 888-225-5322. We hope this helps!