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WPT Digital Channel WHRM-DT From Wausau Is on the Air

Aug. 19, 2003

For More Information:

Malcolm Brett, director of television, (608) 263-9598

Tom Fletemeyer, ECB executive director, (608) 264-9676

Moira Harrington, promotion manager, (608) 265-3853

All Six WPT Stations Now Transmitting Digitally

Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) has expanded digital TV (DTV) coverage in central and parts of Northern Wisconsin with the successful sign-on of WHRM-DT out of Wausau. All six stations within WPT's broadcast network now have digital broadcast capabilities.

Viewers with digital receivers will be able to watch WHRM-DT on Channel 24, while viewers of WHRM-TV, the current analog service, will continue to receive the signal on Channel 20.

DTV is an over-the-air broadcast system that requires a digital receiver in the home. WPT has digital service on WHA-DT in Madison, WPNE-DT in Green Bay, WHLA-DT in La Crosse, WLEF-DT in Park Falls and WHWC-DT in Menomonie/Eau Claire.

'Digital TV releases the full potential of our mission to deliver educational, informational and entertainment programming and new services,' said Malcolm Brett, director of television for WPT. 'Getting our digital signals on the air is an important first step to developing the services made possible by DTV. We're proud that all six of the stations are now signed on with digital capabilities.

'And, getting those signals on air has been the result of tireless efforts on the part of the Engineering and Operations staff,' Brett said. 'The staff has invested countless hours to ensure the delivery of digital service.'

At this stage, WPT is offering a schedule in high-definition television (HDTV) and standard-definition widescreen. The schedule can be found in the Digital TV area of wpt.org on the Web.

Tom Fletemeyer, executive director of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board, licensee of the station, said, 'DTV will make new services, many with educational aspects, available in the future.'

DTV will allow increased educational content from WPT,' Fletemeyer said. 'For example, students at three Madison-area schools are part of the nation's first K-12 classroom tests of interactive DTV received by datacasting,' he said.

WPT also is investigating video-on-demand, enhanced TV and other services that can be delivered as an integral part of the DTV signal.'

WPT is a service of the Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV/DT, Madison; WPNE-TV/DT, Green Bay; WHRM-TV/DT, Wausau; WLEF-TV/DT, Park Falls; WHLA-TV/DT, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV/DT, Menomonie-Eau Claire.