Report of How Communities Across Receive the Television Montana (TVMT) Signal

Prepared for the TVMT Advisory Subcommittee of the Legislative Council by K’Lynn Sloan Harris Updated September 2016

Recently, the TVMT program staff reached out to providers to determine how our signal was being transmitted to Montana communities. This report summarizes the information gathered and provides some details from various respondents.

TVMT reaches 225 communities across the state:  164 are covered by Montana PBS over the air (OTA) broadcasting.  61 are covered by cable or service from independent telecommunications providers that do not have access to Montana PBS OTA.

Entities that deliver TVMT to Montana’s households:

1. Montana PBS: Broadcasts TVMT on their .5 digital over the air (OTA) channel. PBS receives our feed over fiber and uses our satellite feed as a backup. Montana PBS also transmits the TVMT feed to local translators, including Wolf Point Community TV. Without this service, 91 of the 164 communities would not be served TVMT by any other means. PBS reports approximately 800,000 Montanans can view TVMT programming through this over the air service.

2. Charter Communications: TVMT is channel 191 statewide on digital cable. Charter receives our signal in some markets via fiber, but still receives our satellite feeds to many of their head-ends.

3. 3 Rivers Communications: Customers served mainly through 3RTV, a digital system where TVMT is on channel 12 in all of their markets. 3 Rivers also maintains one legacy Community Access (CATV) system in Choteau, where TVMT is channel 9. They report they are “pulling in the signal from Montana PBS.” Dean Lawver from Montana PBS confirms 3 Rivers uses an antenna on their Great Falls transmitter, but he would encourage them to use the satellite feed provided by LSD to increase reliability.

4. Mid-Rivers Communications: The Mid-Rivers system has undergone significant changes recently. A new digital system serves Glendive, Sidney, Miles City and Lewistown. TVMT is channel 185 on those systems. However, they have sold off several of their CATV systems in small areas, and will be shutting down systems in 9 small communities on November 30, 2016. The affected communities (Baker, Ekalaka, Richey, Roundup, Wibaux, Bloomfield, Circle, Fallon, Terry) will lose TVMT and are not served by the OTA service either. Erin Lutts, Chief Communications Officer says that “the loss of your programming is one of the major concerns we have in shutting down these smaller systems, but we have been trying to work with local translator clubs who can hopefully put in the MT PBS with your content.” They are focusing on fiber build outs in more areas, so that will be something to watch. Gavin Morken, Chief Technology Officer, confirms Mid-Rivers is bringing in the feed via LSD satellite.

5. Nemont (NemontVision Digital TV:) Nemont maintains a cable system in Glasgow and Wolf Point. TVMT is not on the Wolf Point system, but is on the Glasgow system (Channel 31.) They also are now offering “Nemont Vision” which is their new IP TV system. We serve 16 communities through Nemont, and they do use our satellite feed.

6. MT Opticom: This is a new system in Bozeman. TVMT is on channel 13 in Bozeman, is listed as “MT PBS Legis.” They serve the communities of Bozeman, Manhattan, Belgrade and Gallatin Gateway.

7. Skyview TV: TVMT can be viewed on channel 40 in Broadus through Skyview TV, who uses the LSD provided satellite.

8. Interbel/Tobacco Valley Communications: Channel 46 in Eureka broadcasts TVMT, and it is brought in using the LSD provided satellite feed.

9. Valley County Television District #1: TVMT is on 45.4 in Glasgow on their county TV system. They use the satellite feed.

10. Southern Montana Telephone: Channel 23 is listed as “PBS TVMT,” so it is likely they are receiving our feed in a manner similar to 3 Rivers and not using the satellite.

11. Viking Broadband: We are on channel 16-5 as “KUSM 16-5 Legislature,” so it is likely they are receiving our feed in a manner similar to 3 Rivers and not using the satellite.