Under a mandate from the FCC, all television will be broadcast in a digital format beginning in February 2009.
Everyone is affected. This transformation enables KQED to air programs in high-definition television (HDTV),
broadcast up to five different program channels simultaneously and to include interactive enhancements with
its signal. Are you ready?
Bay Area viewers who have digital receivers can receive KQED's digital broadcast signals on DT channels 9.1 through 9.5.
How do I receive KQED's Digital Channels?
KQED is currently broadcasting six channels.
KQED Channel 9 is available over the air to all viewers who are within broadcast range. It is also available on Comcast cable and via DirectTV and Dish Network in the Bay Area. More on satellite service.
KQED HD is available over the air 5pm-6am to all viewers who have a high definition television set and a digital receiver. Tune your set to 9.1. KQED HD is also available 24/7 on channel 709 via Comcast digital cable. You need a high definition television set, digital cable and a special Comcast HD upgrade to both receive the signal and to view it at maximum quality. More about HD.
KQED's digital channels are available via Comcast digital cable and can be received over the air with a special digital receiver. KQED Life-Encore is at 9.2 or Comcast 189. KQED World is at 9.3 or Comcast 190. V-Me is at 9.4 or Comcast 191. KQED Kids is at 9.5 or Comcast 192.
Can I receive KQED Digital Channels from Comcast at my address? As of September 2006, Comcast had rewired most Bay Area households with upgraded digital cable. To find out if your neighborhood is properly wired, call Comcast at 1.800.945.2288. Ask if you are wired for digital cable. If not, ask when your neighborhood is scheduled to be "rebuilt."
What digital cable package do I need to receive KQED's Digital Channels?
Call Comcast at 1.800.945.2288. Please note: You do not need an HDTV set or the HD upgrade to receive four of KQED's five new digital channels.
Do I need a high definition (HD)TV set to get KQED's Digital Channels through Comcast cable?
No, the bulk of KQED's digital programming is standard definition. Comcast channels 189-192 (KQED Life-Encore, World, V-Me and Kids) are available via Comcast's regular digital cable service and can be seen on a regular analog TV set. However, you do need a high definition television set if you want to experience our HD programs at maximum quality. KQED HD (Comcast channel 709) is only available if you get a special HD upgrade. For maximum picture and sound quality you also need an HDTV set.
Can I get KQED's Digital Channels if I subscribe to Satellite TV?
No, satellite services do not carry KQED's Digital Channels at this time.
Will my cable bill go up if I get digital cable?
If you already a subscriber to Comcast's regular digital cable package, there is no additional charge to receive channels 189-192 (KQED Life-Encore, World, V-Me and Kids). There is an additional charge of five dollars per month for the HD upgrade (KQED HD, Comcast 709). Call Comcast at 1.800.945.2288 for additional details.
Is there any charge to receive KQED Digital Channels over-the-air?
No, if you have a digital receiver and a good picture from analog Channel 9 with your antenna, you can receive and view KQED's Digital service
over the air at no additional cost.
How much will all of this cost KQED?
It's a multi-million dollar investment mandated
by the Federal Communcations Act of 1996 to convert
television broadcast technology from analog to digital.
How is KQED financing this?
KQED has financed the federally mandated digital conversion of its broadcast
and production facilities - including HD capability - through a special, on-going community fundraising effort called the KQED
Campaign for the Future.
Is there a discount on Comcast digital cable for KQED members?
While not a regular member benefit, savings on Comcast cable installation and upgrades to digital service are offered occasionally during KQED pledge drives.
Does KQED get any money from what I pay Comcast for this extra service?
No.
What's coming up on KQED's
HDTV schedule?
Information about programs and material scheduled
to be broadcast on KQED's HD/Widescreen channel
is available by visiting the KQED HD weekly schedule.
Is KQED HD the same as KQED Channel 9?
Some programs produced in high definition are simulcast on Channel 9
and KQED HD, but the two channels have separate program schedules most of the time.
How much programming is available in HD?
High definition programming has begun to be produced in just the past few years
and the percentage of total programming available in HD, while increasing,
is still quite small. KQED is now producing HD programs locally each year.
Where do I find out what's on KQED HD?
The latest schedule can be found at www.kqed.org/hd/.
Do you have an email notification list for upcoming HDTV programs?
If you would like to receive monthly email updates about upcoming programs and KQED's continuing digital conversion, email dtv@kqed.org.
Are any regular KQED programs in HD? What programs?
Several of KQED's signature PBS series like Nova, Great Performances, and Nature - regularly include HD programs, but no series is exclusively HD.
I usually watch KTEH, can I get KTEH HD from Comcast? OR KCSM? KRCB?
To our knowledge, at this time, other public broadcasters do not offer an HD service via cable.
Can I get "regular" KQED if I subscribe to Satellite TV?
KQED TV-9 is now available on DirecTV and DishNetwork in the Bay Area market. Under legislation passed in November 1999 by Congress and mandated by the Federal Communications Commission Must-Carry regulations, direct satellite providers must now carry local public television in those communities where they offer local packages.
Because local packages are available in the San Francisco Bay Area, KQED is covered under this agreement. KQED Public Television can be received on DirecTV channels 9 or 888 (depending on receiver model) and on DishNetwork channel 8226. We are delighted that you have access to KQED's local programs, such as This Week in Northern California, Bay Window, independent works and documentaries, through the satellite services.
If you have any questions about your local package, you should contact your satellite provider.
I switched to Satellite TV,
and now I can't find some of the programs I used
to watch on KQED. Where are they?
Many of the shows you've enjoyed on KQED, such as
This Week in Northern California, Intensity TV,
ImageMakers, Bay Window, and other KQED productions are created particularly for our Bay Area viewers, and are broadcast locally only. KQED also actively acquires independent programming from a wide variety of sources.
If you live in the San Francisco market, and have not subscribed to your satellite provider's local services package, you are not receiving KQED's signal. If you live in a different market where your satellite
provider does not offer a local services package, you are receiving a feed from PBS Headquarters in Virginia. Other national programs by independent producers such as Nightly Business Report, Inside Washington, some cooking programs, etc., are not distributed by PBS, and therefore not part of their
satellite schedule.
If you would like to receive monthly email updates about upcoming programs and KQED's continuing digital conversion, email dtv@kqed.org.
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