Written by: John H. Peeling, general manager WGCB

There is a big change coming, and WGCB TV in Red Lion Pennsylvania is going to be part of that change coming officially on February 17, 2009. Federal law has been mandated requiring that all full power television broadcast stations stop broadcasting in the current analog format and broadcast only in a digital format.

One of the main reasons for the change is that some of the freed up frequencies will be used for advanced commercial wireless services for consumers.

The requirements will mean many things to you and your television viewing. In the almost 30 years that WGCB TV has been on the air serving the community with family oriented, faith based and informational programming, no change has been as big as the one viewers everywhere are about to experience. If you own an analog receiver and view free over the air local television, you will need to add a new converter.

Between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009 all U.S. households will be able to request up to two coupons worth $40 each to be used toward the future purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes. Eligible converter boxes are for the conversion of over-the-air digital television signals and not intended for analog TV’s connected to a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV service.

If you receive cable or satellite television service, it is best advised that you contact your cable or satellite provider about any additional components, such as a digital set-top box, that you may need to watch digital broadcast programming. Television has gone through many adjustments over its lifetime and has ridden the roller coaster of technology, and hopefully this drastic change will be for the better for the television industry and viewers alike.

The switch to digital is a revolution in television - providing clearer pictures and amazing sound, as well as additional channels and information. And the best part is, all of this is available for free, just by ensuring your television is ready.

WGCB has had a strong tradition of spiritual and inspirational programming with national programs such as In Touch with Charles Stanley, Rejoice in the Lord, David Jeremiah, and Cornerstone with John Hagee. Local ministries also have outreaches, such as New Beginnings with Pastor Scott Snyder, Bondage Breakers with Clifford Ashe, and also from the Lancaster area, Calvary Chapel presents Line Upon Line with Pastor Jim Friedman. This tradition will, it is hoped, continue to expand and include more of the life experiences of the communities we serve. WGCB TV 49 will become WGCB DT 30 when the digital transition is implemented officially on February 17, 2009. Currently, WGCB is reaching more than 500,000 cable households and in excess of 1.5 million potential viewers in the greater Harrisburg, York, and Lancaster areas. WGCB is also a featured station on DISHNET and DIRECTV satellite service.

With the absence of Analog television, many people are wondering how that will affect them and their ability to watch the programs they have grown accustomed to watching. While picture quality will vary according to whether you watch digital programming in high definition (HDTV) or standard definition (SDTV) format, the over-the-air digital programming will provide a better viewing experience than over-the-air analog programming. A major concern will be the quality of reception through your antenna.

The first step for someone who watches WGCB over the air with no paid services in place, is to obtain a converter box by applying for a government sponsored refund coupon valued at $40. Each household is eligible for two coupons with a total value of $80. The coupons cannot be combined and can go toward the purchase of up to two boxes. This will assure the off-air viewer that their television will be able to receive the programs that they wish to watch without any interruption.

For more information, go online to www.wgcbtv.com and click on the red button that says TV Converter Box Program. You can also call 1-888-388-2009. You will have until March 31, 2009 to apply and the coupons are good for a limited time, in order to obtain the converter boxes. Another option is to write to Coupon Program P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208, for assistance.

WGCB has been a pioneer in the analog broadcast field and plans to provide its viewership with quality programming in the future as it becomes a pioneer in the digital world as WGCB DT 30. We are getting ready to serve our loyal viewers and hope that our viewers are getting ready too, because…….the change is coming with digital television and WGCB DT 30. We thank you for watching!

WGCB-TV 49 DT-30

2900 Windsor Road, Red Lion, PA 17356

717-246-1681

Business Type: Television Station of Family Oriented, Faith Based and Informational Programming

Established: 1979 as Red Lion Television

President and Owner: John H. Norris

Vice President and Owner: Anne Plourde-Norris

General Manager: John H. Peeling

Number of Employees: 18 Full-time, 5 part-time