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Michiana's Public Television. Television worthy of your trust.

Auction 2008

April 17-20 & April 24-27

A Michiana Tradition - WNIT's Auction 2008

Thanks to those who supported the area's largest and most watched live television event, the WNIT Public Television 33rd Annual Television Auction.

Your participation, helps make possible the high quality programming and outreach services WNIT provides to our entire 22 county viewing area.

Be sure to watch for information on the upcoming On-Line Auction... A brand new way to continue the fun of Auction!

Kirkwood recognized as Conservation Educator
of the Year

February 25, 2008

Evelyn Kirkwood, Director of St. Joseph County Parks, was recently honored by the Soil and Water Conservation District of St. Joseph County as the 2007 Conservation Educator of the Year. Kirkwood was recognized for her skills as a park interpreter and her ability to reach thousands of residents with a conservation message through her bi-weekly column in the South Bend Tribune and her weekly nature show, Outdoor Elements, on WNIT public television.

The award was presented at the Soil and Water Conservation District's annual meeting on February 22, 2008. Kirkwood has worked at St. Joseph County Parks for over 20 years. Her column in the South Bend Tribune began in 1996.

Mike Birkholder was recognized as Conservation Farmer of the Year. Gunter Kison was recognized as the 2007 Wildlife and Forestry Award winner.

For more information about the Soil and Water Conservation District, contact 291-2300.

Books For Babies

A new book for every child born in Elkhart County. That is the 2007 goal WNIT recently announced in cooperation with Families First. This book drive will collect new board books to be distributed to all newborns born in Elkhart County. You may drop off books at any Elkhart Community Elementary School, any Elkhart County United Way agency and also at several faith communities in the Elkhart community. WNIT has pledged to match up to 1,500 books!

WNIT President Mary Pruess introduces the Family First Governance Council at the recent new conference.

The Family First Governance Council standing (from L to R) behind Director Kim Chastain: Phid Wells, Daryl Abbott, Suzy Samuels, Rev. Steve Braden, Jerry Quatman, Mark Mow, Jim Siegman, Jill Richardson.

DIGITAL TV RIGHT NOW

DIGITAL TV RIGHT NOW

By Mary Pruess, WNIT President and General Manager

As many of you know, WNIT recently experienced the failure of its two major signal amplifiers, which has resulted in the cessation of our analog broadcasting. The analog signal reception for viewers in our region has been lost and will not be restored.

Fortunately, WNIT has already made the transition digital and is broadcasting all your favorite programs from our state-of-the-art digital transmitter right now. Any viewer experiencing the loss of their analog signal can take measures to receive our digital signal almost immediately. It only takes a couple of simple steps to be all set for digital TV today.

Naturally, we considered replacing the failed tubes, and it is important to note that, at any other time, restoring the analog transmitter to full power would happen immediately. The circumstances surrounding the current equipment problems are unique and require unique solutions to effectively address them.

First, WNIT is already broadcasting two digital channels (and has been for several years) that are used by a large majority of our viewers and are easily accessible to anyone right now. While the federally-mandated cut-off date for analog broadcasting is next February, viewers can make a quick, one-time upgrade to their sets that will resolve the issue immediately. Additionally, the cost to replace the transmitter equipment is quite high and WNIT feels a particular commitment to be responsible stewards of the contributions entrusted to us. We simply could not see it as fiscally prudent to make a sizeable investment in a technology that is already obsolete and will be entirely useless in a matter of months.

Therefore, we have decided to channel our resources into assisting our members and the general public in making the conversion to digital now. Our analog viewers have several options that are quick, easy and efficient. First, a viewer can purchase a digital converter box from local retailers. Wal-Mart, Radio Shack, ABC Warehouse and others all have plentiful supplies of these converter boxes. They range in price from $ 45 to $ 70 and vouchers to defray most of the cost are available from the U.S. government. The converter boxes are easy to install and require no further, ongoing expense.

Secondly, viewers may opt to switch their signal from over-the-air to a cable or satellite provider. Since almost all of these systems receive WNIT programming through our digital transmitter, there has been no loss of reception quality. Finally, viewers can purchase a digital television set. While this would be more expensive than the other choices, it would merit consideration if you are considering replacing your current set in the near future.

In any case, WNIT is ready and able to help you make this conversion. We have established a digital transition hotline at 1.866.964.8674 to answer any question you may have. If you have questions, please call us at that number or visit our website, wnit.org. We will provide you with all the information you need to upgrade your television and to work with you to apply for the converter box coupons or to find a retailer near you.

All analog viewers will need to make a change by next February. While WNIT certainly didn't desire a disruption to our signal for any of our viewers, it does give our audience the opportunity to make the conversion to digital right now. By making the switch, viewers will not only receive their current programs, but they will receive additional digital channels on WNIT and on many commercial channels as well.

As public television for Michiana, WNIT has proudly served the communities of our area for more than three decades. In the digital TV world, the programs you've come to expect from WNIT will still be available. And it will still be free to everyone!

Public television offers an incredible spectrum of entertainment and education, information and inspiration. By making the conversion to digital reception at this time, you will stay abreast of a changing technology and keep your window open to this magical world. And WNIT is with you every step of the way. WNIT - now as always, television worthy of your trust.

News Archives

WNIT TO SERVE MICHIANA FROM NEW LOCATION

IMAGES FROM THE REPAIRS MADE TO OUR ANALOG TRANSMITTER

Click Images To Enlarge

WNIT’S DIANE MARLOW NAMED TO NATIONAL PBS COMMITTEE

SOUTH BEND, IN - WNIT Public Television is pleased to announce that staff member Diane Marlow has been named to serve on the national PBS Traffic Advisory Committee. “Traffic” refers to managing the on-air signal by coordinating programs with promos, underwriting spots and station identification and maintaining the distribution technology system.

The purpose of the twelve-person committee is to facilitate traffic communication among PBS, national distributors and member stations. During the three-year appointment, Marlow will also help WNIT and other stations transition from analog to digital broadcasting. The full committee meets for its annual business meeting this October in Washington, D.C. and for its technology conference next spring in Las Vegas.

Marlow has almost 30 years’ experience in television broadcasting. In addition to WNIT, she has previously worked at WSJV-TV / Fox 28 and AT&T / Comcast Media Sales.

“I’m really pleased at this honor,” she said recently. “Networking with other traffic professionals is a great way to stay abreast of the ever-changing landscape of television technology.”

WNIT Public Television is a not-for-profit organization celebrating over 31 years of providing quality programs of interest to the communities of northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.

WNIT TO BROADCAST FIRST PROGRAM IN HDTV

WNIT Public Television will introduce its first high-definition television (HDTV) program, PETER AND PAUL AND THE CHRISTIAN REVOLUTION, Wednesday, May 14th at 7pm on digital Channel 35. The two-part special, concluding Wednesday, May 21st at 7pm, is one of the select programs offered in WNIT’s first wave of HDTV programming.

"WNIT has taken big steps to meet the digital television conversion deadline of May 1, 2003 as mandated by the Federal Communications Commission. With the inauguration of our digital signal, I'm pleased to announce that we are now part of a new generation of public broadcasting," said Mary Pruess, President and General Manager.

WNIT will commence its digital broadcast on Channel 35 Wednesday, April 30th. The program schedule for both channels (34 and 35) will be the same, with select programs to be broadcast in high-definition on the new signal. Channel 35, however, will air from 2pm to midnight.

"WNIT's new digital capabilities reflect its continuing commitment to bring state-of-the-art technology to the Michiana area. This commitment is complemented by WNIT's dedication to providing the very best in local and national programming for its viewers," said William Schmuhl Jr., WNIT’s board of directors chairman.

Digital television, coupled with high-definition, will result in dramatically improved picture and sound quality. The technology upgrade will also include multicast capabilities and the means to share supplemental materials (video, audio, text and images) through the digital signal.

The digital television conversion required federal, state and community support. Representative B. Patrick Bauer (D-South Bend) led the effort among Indiana legislators.

"We recognize the enormous value WNIT Public Television offers our community. It's vital for the legislature to insure public television remains on the forefront of broadcast technology and provide programs that serve all the communities in Michiana," said Bauer.

Michiana viewers are encouraged to share their thoughts and questions about DTV by logging on to the station’s Web site, wnit.org and clicking on "DTV On WNIT."

WNIT is a not-for-profit organization celebrating over 29 years of providing quality programming to the communities of northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.