ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, SportsChange to DTV

Change to DTV

WeatherNow - ABC 33/40's 24 hour local weather channel, is available on
Charter Cable at channel 137 and Brighthouse Cable at Channel 632.

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DTV Answers | DTV.gov | FCC DTV Consumer Facts | DTV Transition Coalition | NTIA DTV Transition

New York Times article "A Downside to Digital TV"

DTV Consumer Education Reports

Click here to send your question to DTVQuestions@abc3340.com

By the end of October, 2009, WCFT-TV will change from VHF Channel 5 to UHF Channel 33.  If you live in portions of Blount, Cullman, Marion, St. Clair, and Winston counties it is possible you may experience a signal loss.  You will need to rescan your convertor box and you will also need a UHF antenna.  You may call 1-888-CALL-FCC for more information.

News Release

October 22, 2009
ABC 33/40 IMPROVES DIGITAL RECEPTION FOR VIEWERS
On Monday, October 26th, ABC 33/40 viewers will begin receiving an improved RF (radio frequency) from our new UHF channel 33 digital transmitter at Windom Springs, near Tuscaloosa. The over-the-air signal is received at 33.1 and 33.2. Beginning Monday, October 26th, viewers will need to rescan their convertor box and digital television sets in order to receive the new and improved signal. At midnight on Monday, the current signal on the digital 5 will be turned off and viewers will lose ABC 33/40 if they have not rescanned to digital 33. The key here is to RESCAN and make sure you are using a UHF antenna.
"We're excited about adding digital 33 because this will make a tremendous difference in our signal throughout Greater Birmingham and western area viewers such as Tuscaloosa, Northport, Bessemer, Hamilton, Homewood, Gardendale, Jasper, Cullman, Carbon Hill and Clanton to name a few," said Mike Murphy, General Manager for ABC 33/40. "Our viewers in those areas have requested better reception and we now have a way to provide one."
Currently with Digital 5, the ABC 33/40 signal output is approximately 9,000 watts. The new digital signal 33 output will be 300,000 watts of power to broadcast an improved signal to our viewers.
Viewers that have cable or satellite will not be affected by the change.
ABC 33/40... Alabama's News Leader

Click here to download the news release

 List of cable and satellite providers:

Are you in the market for a new antenna?
Here are a few places you can purchase antennas:

Best Buy - http://www.bestbuy.com

Handy TV - http://www.handytv.com 

Radio Shack - http://www.radioshack.com 

Sears - http://www.sears.com/

For WCFT:
We are changing from VHF channel 5 to UHF channel 33. We are also moving the antenna to the top of our 2000' tower. The change from digital 5 to digital 33 will make a tremendous difference in our signal for those that are relying on our Windom Springs transmitter. We anticipate this change to be made on or around October 22nd 2009.