Are There Any Television Disruptions in the Area Where I Live?

Finding out if there are television disruptions in your area can be frustrating. Whether you rely on over-the-air broadcasts or cable/satellite services, unexpected outages can interrupt your favorite shows and news. This article compiles a list of reported television disruptions in Idaho, focusing on Idaho Public Television (IdahoPTV), to help you stay informed about potential service interruptions in your region.

Recent Television Service Disruptions in Idaho

IdahoPTV regularly updates its website with information regarding service disruptions. The following is a summary of reported outages and maintenance work affecting various areas across Idaho.

North Idaho

• Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, Priest Lake: Recurring issues with the Sandpoint translator, including a broken antenna due to high winds and a low power level, have caused outages in these areas. Repairs and replacements have been ongoing throughout the year.
• Coeur d’Alene: A re-channeling process involving a new transmitter installation resulted in temporary low-power broadcasts and intermittent outages.
• KCDT (Channel 26): Multiple outages reported due to microwave signal issues, power outages at Canfield with generator malfunction, and a reception issue at the DirecTV headend Spokane impacting North Idaho and Eastern Washington. Viewers were advised to rescan for KUID (Channel 12) as a temporary solution.

Southwest Idaho

• Boise Area (Deer Point, KAID): Planned outages for maintenance, including commercial power installation and antenna work for KBOI, have led to reduced power and potential interruptions. Outages also reported due to transmission issues and dangerous winter weather conditions preventing access to the transmitter site.
• Emmett: Multiple translator failures and signal outages due to a failed microwave link and technical issues.
• McCall, Donnelly, Cascade: Frequent disruptions due to power outages at Brundage Mountain, network router failures, unfavorable weather conditions, and microwave equipment replacements. Outages also reported due to a network outage caused by an evening storm.

Eastern & Central Idaho

• Pocatello (KISU): Several outages reported due to a damaged main transmitter, network outage issues, and a power outage caused by weather. Scheduled maintenance for transformer replacement also led to brief power losses.
• Salmon, Challis, Leadore: Outages reported due to a lost input signal to the Salmon translator, a microwave problem at Summit Reservoir, and disrupted signals due to maintenance on the microwave feeding KISU.
• Mackay: Technical issues with the translator due to updates in microwave equipment by Public Safety Communications.

Southern Idaho

• Twin Falls (KIPT): Broadcast reception outages reported, along with a planned outage for required maintenance. Power outage also reported with technicians working on repairs.

Statewide Impact

• KUID Moscow, KCDT Coeur d’Alene, KISU Pocatello: A major outage affecting these stations resulted in widespread service disruption. Viewers were directed to the IdahoPTV livestream as a temporary solution.
• DirecTV: An outage affecting local HD channels in Boise and Moscow areas was reported.

Staying Informed About Outages

This list is not exhaustive and represents a snapshot of reported issues. For the most up-to-date information on television disruptions in your area:

• Check the IdahoPTV Website: Regularly visit the Idaho Public Television website for current outage information and updates.
• Contact Your Service Provider: If you are experiencing an outage not listed here, contact your cable, satellite, or local television provider directly. They can provide specific details about outages affecting their service.
• Utilize Social Media: Follow IdahoPTV and your service provider on social media platforms for real-time updates and announcements.