ISP Information:
see Universal Disk Format or Universal Data Format
ISP Glossary:
UDF - As I noted in my June 25, 2003 essay ("WFMT, Cable FM, and ClassicalMusic" ), the company formerly known as UnitedVideo (now the UVTV distribution arm of Gemstar-TV Guide International,Inc.) relays WGN Superstation and two classical-music FM stations (WCPEWake Forest and WFMT Chicago) via satellite, on Galaxy 5, Transponder 7:WGN Superstation video on the main channel.WGN Superstation audio on subcarriers.WCPE stereo audio on subcarriers at 5.58 and 6.12 MHz.WFMT stereo audio on subcarriers at 6.30 and 6.48 MHz.YUSA monaural audio a subcarrier at 6.80 MHz.On March 2, 2004, EchoStar (Dish Network) agreed to acquire several ofGemstar-TV Guide's assets, including the UVTV Distribution division("EchoStar And Gemstar-TV Guide Sign License And Distribution, AssetPurchase, And Settlement Agreements" ).This acquisition closed on April 6, 2004 ("Gemstar-TV Guide CompletesPreviously Announced Sale of Assets to EchoStar").WGN-Superstation's owner (Tribune Company) has apparently decided todiscontinue its uplink arrangement with UVTV. It's apparentlybuilding its own uplink facility, and plans to begin uplinking WGNSuperstation as of the end of June.As far as I know, neither UVTV nor Tribune intends to continue uplinkingany of those radio signals after that date. If that happens, neitherWFMT nor WCPE will be available via satellite.WCPE is trying to find a berth on some other G5 transponder, or, failingthat, on some other satellite. According to a message I received fromDeborah Proctor, WCPE's station manager/chief engineer: It appears that WGN is making a move to half-analog, half- digital, and will need ALL of the transponder bandwidth. Therefore, WCPE, WFMT, and Yesterday USA are out at the end of June. I've not talked with WFMT, but Y-USA and WCPE are very worried. We serve a great deal of traffic via that here- to-fore tried and true site. I am under the impression that WFMT will take this as the end and pursue it no more. WCPE will be left to fight the battle until the last listener is served.I have not been able to get any information about what WFMT intends todo. Maybe Deborah Proctor is right: WFMT may just let the matter die.Neal McLainnmclain@annsgarden.com
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