WAPT Temporarily Broadcasting on Low Power

WAPT will be broadcasting at reduced power and from a lower-height antenna over the next couple days while work is done to remove older analog equipment. This should not affect customers receiving WAPT via cable or satellite. However, customers who rely on the over-the-air signal may have difficulties with reception. Work is expected to be completed tomorrow, with the station returning to full power at that point in time.

WAPT transmits digitally on virtual channel 16 (physical channel 21) from a transmitter in southwest Jackson.

Comcast Adds CBS College Sports HD

Comcast has added CBS College Sports HD. The network is available to customers with the Digital Preferred package.

Comcast becomes the last Jackson-area television provider to add the HD simulcast of CBS College Sports.

WAPT Adds 4:30 AM Newscast

WAPT’s local morning newscasts now begin 30 minutes earlier than before. Yesterday, WAPT became the first Jackson TV station to offer a 4:30am newscast. “Our viewers tell us they like our morning show. With people starting their days earlier and earlier, we wanted to make sure 16 WAPT News was responding to the viewer’s needs”, said WAPT News Director Bruce Barkley.

The broadcast will be named 16 WAPT News at 4:30.

Comcast Adds SportSouth HD

Comcast has added the HD simulcast of regional sports network SportSouth. SportSouth HD is available on channel 402 to Expanded Basic subscribers with the HD programming add-on.

Comcast is the last Jackson-area provider to provide SportSouth HD. Although, Dish Network only offers SportSouth HD on a part-time basis.

U-Verse Removes Hallmark Channels

AT&T U-Verse removed the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel on September 1st as a result of a contract dispute. In place of the networks, a free preview of Starz Kids & Family is being shown on channel 176 and a free preview of TCM is being shown on channels 794 and 1794. Negotiations become so contentious that talks between the two sides have ceased. More recently, AT&T hinted late last week that they were willing to resume discussions.

Dish Network Adds AMC HD

Dish Network became the first Jackson-area television provider to launch the HD feed of AMC on August 18th. The network is available on channel 130 to subscribers of America’s Top 200 and higher packages.

DirecTV Adds More Soccer Programming, Including Fox Soccer HD

DirecTV beefed up its HD soccer programming on Wednesday by adding the HD version of Fox Soccer Channel. In addition, live soccer matches will be provided in HD from Fox Soccer Plus. In addition to matches available via Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Sports en Español, FSN, ESPN, and GolTV, the satellite provider will offer 320 live matches exclusively to its customers on channels 480-489 from UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and Spain’s La Liga.

Fox Soccer Channel is available on channel 619 to subscribers of the Premier package, subscribers of the Sports Pack, and subscribers of the Más Ultra or greater Spanish packages. Fox Soccer Plus is only available a la carte for $14.99/month on channel 621.

DirecTV is the second Jackson-area TV provider to offer Fox Soccer Channel in HD. It is also available via Dish Network. DirecTV is the first area provider to offer HD programming from Fox Soccer Plus.

Dish Network Adds Epix 3

Dish Network added Epix 3 to its lineup on Wednesday. The movie channel is available on channel 292 to subscribers of the America’s Top 250 package, or as an a la carte option for $7/month.

Dish Network remains the exclusive provider of the Epix multiplex in the Jackson area. Some of the Epix channels are available in other areas of the country on Verizon FIOS, and cable operators such as Cox and Mediacom.

DirecTV Adds GolTV HD

DirecTV strengthened it’s position as the HD sports leader by adding GolTV HD to its lineup this morning. The English-language version of the network is on channel 620, and the Spanish-language simulcast is on channel 426. The network is available to Premier subscribers, or customers who add the Sports Pack. It is also available in the Optimo Más and higher Spanish-language packages.

DirecTV is the national’s first television provider to make the HD feed of GolTV available. The HD simulcast debuted this past weekend.

U-Verse Adds 3 New HD Channels

U-Verse extended its HD channel lead in the Jackson area on Monday by adding three new HD networks. HD simulcasts of Scripps-owned networks DIY Network and Cooking Channel were added on channels 1454 and 1456 respectively. Halogen HD was also added to the U-Verse lineup on channel 1492. The relatively new network will only be available in high definition on AT&T’s TV service.

U-Verse becomes the second Jackson-area television provider to add Cooking Channel HD and DIY Network HD. Both networks were previously available with Dish Network. U-Verse is the first Jackson-area provider to offer Halogen TV in any picture format.