TV TALK: KKTV improves signal, loses employees
KKTV/Channel 11 is completing several engineering upgrades, which mean better reception for viewers who access the station’s over-the-air signal.
A new transmitter was activated on top of Cheyenne Mountain with a UHF signal that’s stronger and easier to tune in, KKTV officials say.
“We’re very excited about the changes,” said Tim Merritt, KKTV general manager. “The stronger signal is more user friendly.”
The new signal channels are digital 11.1 (KKTV) and 11.2 (MYKKTV)
Viewers, who get KKTV’s over-the-air signal, may need to rescan their equipment to pick up the UHF signal and may call 1-855-438-5588 for more information.
The new UHF signal will help the station fill in the holes and gaps in the different terrain heights that the old VHF signal had trouble penetrating, Merritt said.
Viewers who get KKTV’s signal via cable or satellite TV won’t be affected by the upgrade.
On a related note, if you’ve noticed a different on-air look lately, Merritt said that’s temporary while the station installs studio upgrades, including robotic cameras and lighting.
“We’ll return to the original look sometime this week,” he said.
ALSO AT KKTV: The station recently laid off about a half dozen employees, including camera operators and control-room people.
KKLI springs forward
KKLI (106.3 FM) did not go gently into that (silent) night after the station fell in the summer radio ratings. In fact, “Silent Night” and a variety of other Christmas favorites helped KLITE catapult back into the No. 1 spot among adults 12 and older and 25-54 year olds in the fall radio ratings released recently by Arbitron.
“Southern Colorado loves Christmas music and the ratings on K-Lite (106.3 FM) reflected that again,” said Chris Pickett, operations manager for Clear Channel radio stations in Colorado Springs.
Also strong this ratings period, KIBT (96.1 FM), The Beat, taking the No. 2 spot among 12 and older and 25-54 year olds and No. 1 among 18-34 and 18-49 year olds.
Looking stronger than usual was News/Talk KRDO (105.5 FM) which dumped Dr. Laura Schlessinger for Laura Ingraham and shuffled the daytime talk show line up.
Male-favorite rock radio stations were lower in the ratings this time around.
“We’re disappointed that male-oriented formats didn’t do as well,” said Bobby Irwin, operations manager for Citadel stations in Colorado Springs.
Irwin said he’s excited about Ryan Seacrest joining middays on MAGIC FM the first week of February.
You’ll find more numbers on my blog: springstvtalk.freedomblogging.com.
