TVs Aren't Tuning to Media Bureau-Assigned Channel, PMCM Says

Some TVs don't correctly tune to the desired station when receiving a signal from a station transmitting with a major channel number program and system information protocol (PSIP) in the same area where a different station is transmitting on the same over-the-air channel, PMCM said in an ex parte filing posted Friday in docket 14-150. The Media Bureau assigned PMCM's station WJLP(TV) Middletown Township, New Jersey, to virtual Channel 33 after the station's several unsuccessful attempts to be assigned virtual Channel 3.10. But many viewers trying to watch WJLP on Channel 33 are instead receiving WCBS-TV New York, which broadcasts on that channel, PMCM has said (see 1510010031). Testing by PMCM shows that if WJLP were on the channel PMCM wants, most TVs would allow viewers to choose which channel they tune to when entering the virtual channel number, rather than automatically selecting one or the other, PMCM said.