UPDATE 6/17 12:45 p.m.: WLIW21 is at full power
Please be advised that Channel 21 is broadcasting at full power from an antenna in Plainview, Long Island. Make sure you have a dual band antenna (VHF & UHF). You may need to perform several adjustments before receiving all channels. Each time you adjust your antenna you must also re-scan channels. For more advice about adjusting your antenna, visit www.antennaweb.org. For other details and information, including support centers in your neighborhood, visit www.dtv.gov.
———————————-
UPDATE 6/15 1:20 p.m.: Possible solution — a “double rescan”
Following up on previous discussions regarding reception & signal problems with high VHF channels, the FCC is trying to determine if there is a pattern nationwide. They have identified one potential solution that has been successful in solving the majority of problems for some stations — a “double rescan” the converter boxes. Here are the steps:
On June 12th at 12:30pm, WLIW21, along with other New York broadcasters, made the long-awaited switch to Digital television in compliance with the federal mandate. The following is some important information you need to know in order to receive our signal.
If you have already connected your converter box or have a television with a digital tuner and are unable to view WLIW21, please re-scan your box or television using the MENU button (look for a feature that says “Scan” or “Auto scan”) or SCAN button on your remote or by consulting the instructions. This is the same scanning process you conducted when you first installed your box or television. If you still have a problem after re-scanning channels, look for an UPDATE function and select that. Each converter box and television is different, so you may need to review the instruction manual.
Also, make sure you are using an antenna that covers both the VHF and UHF bands and have connected it properly. You may also need to adjust the position of your antenna to receive our signal.
If you do not yet have a converter box, you will need to purchase one to view WLIW21 on your analog television. Alternatively, you can subscribe to cable or satellite service or purchase a television with a digital tuner.
For more detailed information and instructions, please visit www.dtv.gov or call 1-888-225-5322.
Thank you for your interest in WLIW21.
Signal repeater from Empire State Bldng sugestion
form Jed is the best idea anyone has.
I am an Editorial Coordinator for Children’s PressLine. We are a youth media organization affiliated with The New York Daily News. Publishing weekly articles in the Daily News on issues that affect kids, the program is meant to hone skills in young journalists from ages 8-18.
Currently we are working on an article regarding the switch to DTV in Queens, New York and the loss of access to educational programing in some areas, including Thirteen and 21.
If anyone is interested in speaking with us… particularly people with children affected by this problem. We would love to hear from you. Our deadline for reporting on this issue is Thursday, August 6.
You can contact me at queensnycpl@gmail.com.
dont you think that by now you should do another update? – - how do you expect one to contribute to your station when one cant get the channel? — since there seems to be so much trouble getting the station – it never crossed someones mind that the trouble lies with YOU – eh, ya think?!?!?
as of july i am returning all fund solicitation, until i receive a useable signal.
I have been a supporter of WLIW Channel 21, in the past. I am at this point in August dismayed that there have been no updates on whether we will be able to receive this station in NYC, anymore. The change-over was in June, and still no news!
I am in the South Bronx. We also lost WLIW21 (and NJN PBS 50) like someone else said above in the Bronx. No matter how many rescans I do, I cannot get WLIW, so I suppose I will just keep my WNET membership only, since I cant actually watch channel 21. Somebody please present this site to the FCC. WLIW needs permission for a signal boost above what they currently have. We need the FCC on this. I miss my PBS station, and want it back. Thank God I at least have WNYE and WNET or It would have been a really difficult digital transition.
I live near Lincoln Center and, like most of the other folks who have posted comments, I am unable to receive WLIW21, even with a top-of-the-line indoor antenna that enables me to get 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 25, 31 and many other DTV channels. Not getting Channel 21 is, of course, frustrating. So, I decided to see what I could accomplish by visiting http://www.antennaweb.org, as suggested by WLIW21’s website (which got antennaweb’s website address wrong, by the way — it’s http://www.antennaweb.ORG, not http://www.antennaweb.COM). One is directed to fill in an online form with an address or zip code where the receiving antenna is located, and antennaweb.org produces a list (called “address location results”) identifying the stations for which one is likely to be able to get reception. What I found interesting about the exercise is that antennaweb.org essentially tells you that, if you live in Manhattan, reception of the WLIW signal is not even theoretically possible. Now, I concede that I did not punch in every single Manhattan zip code in my experiment, but I tried over a dozen. I even typed in 350 5th Avenue, 10018 to see what stations I would get if my receiving antenna were right next to the Empire State Building, the location of WLIW’s Manhattan signal transmitter. Although the list of stations that antennaweb.org said I should pull in with good reception from that location was as long as my arm (those stations that antennaweb.org highlights with the color yellow under “antenna type” will come in the strongest with a given antenna, and those in violet and dark blue will come in the weakest), WLIW was not among any of the stations listed in the “address location results” for 350 5th Avenue or for any of the various Manhattan zip codes I tried. Just to assure myself that WLIW21 was not missing from antennaweb.org’s database, I plugged in the Plainview, NY zip code (as well as a few other Long Island zip codes) and, sure enough, WLIW did in fact show up on the “address location results” list as a receivable station for those zip codes. What that tells me is that if you are receiving a signal not too far from Plainview, you might at least have a glimmer of hope of getting WLIW, but — and I’d be delighted to learn I’m incorrect on this — if you live in Manhattan, even a stone’s throw from the signal transmitter, you will not get WLIW reception, according to antennaweb.org.
Mark-
WLIW does NOT transmit from the ESB. THAT’S THE PROBLEM. They transmit from a tower on the Nassau/Suffolk county border.
What WLIW needs to do is pipe their signal into Manhattan and transmit at full power from the ESB. If they did that, a lot of us would be getting WLIW. I live in Astoria, Queens, and I get 2,4,5,7,9,11,13,25,31 and all associated sub-channels, but no WLIW, which is EXTREMELY frustrating since WLIW and it’s two sub-channels have all the good programming. I really want PBS Create and PBS WORLD. Even 21.1 is better than 13.1.
Like everyone else on this forum I MISS WLIW!! I used to watch it more than ch.13 as it has shows 13 doesn’t carry and I could also watch those shows that I may have missed on 13. Isn’t there any way ch.21 can become a sub-channel to ch.13 (which I can get) until they resolve this reception problem? They are, after all, a pbs station and sister channel to 13. Certainly, they must be losing revenues from their loss of viewers. I WANT MY LIW!!
I’m not sure but perhaps a antenna amplifier might help those of you who are closer to the the transmission tower. In order to get a better analog picture, several years ago I bought an Archer UHF/VHF Indoor Antenna Amplifier from Radio Shack. It worked beautifully. After the switch to digital I didn’t think I would need it but just the opposite was true. Without the amplifier I spent more time moving the antenna around trying to find a stronger signal for the major networks let alone my PBS stations. WLIW’s digital signal is not strong enough for me to receive even with the amplifier because I live in New Jersey. I used to get a snowy analog WLIW but with digital it’s all or nothing and unfortunately for me now it’s nothing. I too miss my WLIW.
What are you doing to improve the reception? Can we contact anyone to complain to?
Totally agree with “kyng”^^^ Until this problem is resolved WLIW should become a sub-channel to ch.13. If not, they will lose many NYC contributions.
Had perfect WLIW DTV signal up until 9/1/2009 now has disappeared and not returned. Live on Staten Island. All other stations fine. What is going on?
I hope want wliw did on fri. sept. 4 could stay I got the best video & Audio ever on TRICKS 7 EASTENDERS. Today just broken signal. I am in NJ 46 air miles from PLAINVEIW. I have a roof Ant. + Pre-Amp + Rotor. Most days there are some problems. Lets hope they can get it work out.
Another manhattan resident who misses ch. 21.
I really miss WLIW in Brooklyn where I. I can only get it occasionally with my antenna on clear nights. Hopefully someone either moves the transmitter from Plainview or they get a strong signal soon.
I am in White Plains and can not get WLIW. What happened to their plan to increase the power of their transmitter. It was supposed to happen in August.
Nayyar wrote: “I am in White Plains and can not get WLIW. What happened to their plan to increase the power of their transmitter. It was supposed to happen in August.”
Hey Nayyar, WLIW21 will easily solve its weak-signal-problem when it switches back to broadcast from the antenna of Empire State Building (1,472 feet). WLIW’s broadcasting antenna is 100 feet tall right now. You can see its antenna on this link.
http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTExNmIycG51BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLWJ1dHRvbgRzbGsDbGluaw–#mvt=s&lat=40.789056&lon=-73.451177&zoom=19&q1=Channel%2021%20Drive%2C%20Plainview%2C%20NY%2011803%20
Which antenna do you prefer to receive TV signals from……. the one from 1,472 feet or 100 feet?
As the old saying goes: “The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Oil” (you have to make noise if you want to get things done…) ” So contact WLIW 21 and ask for our old TV signals back. We did not ask much. Just our old TV signals back. Here’s the contact info:
Ms. Laura Savini
Vice President of Fundraising & Communications
WLIW 21
Channel 21 Drive, Plainview, NY 11803
516-367-2100
laura_savini@wliw.pbs.org
Thanks Pat, I will contact Laura as you suggested.
The time has come for the ch21 staff to communicate the status of your dificulties with your digital signal to your viewers
You keep soliciting me for donations, but you are not providing a signal. To date I received four letters requesting funds. How about responding to these complaints.
I live in the Bronx and I too do not recieve WLIW 21. I have a great antenna (VHF & UHF), & rescanned. I think with all the complaints posted, WLIW staff need to change the location from where their Digital signal is being transmitted, so all New York viewers can enjoy channel 21 again.
Thank you.
I live in Centereach in Suffolk County, probably about 28 miles or so from the transmitter and I can’t get 21. I bought my converter box in early spring and usually received digital 21 until the big switch at which point I haven’t gotten it once despite moving my antennae, rescanning, etc. I live in a 1st floor apt, so a roof antennae is out of the question. I currently get channel 55 and univision (Spanish), and sometimes I can pick up Conneticut’s NBC and CBS, and rarely I’ve gotten NYC Fox 5 by holding up the antennae as high as I could which isn’t a practical solution long term. I bought a more expensive antennae that picked up less than the one I had. I know there’s more channels out there and I’m so frustrated. The strength meter shows WLIW at bad and I had hoped when they boost the signal I’d have better chance, but nope. I miss World, Create and all the great shows. :( I hope the FCC will allow all the stations to boost signals and increase the antennaes. If it wasn’t for free rentals from the library, the whole situation would be unbearable.
I live in Englewood New Jersey and I have tomes warner cable but my WLIW shown in Channel 3 disappeared a few days ago. What’s up?
Until Sept 1, was getting digital channels 21.1, 21.2, and 21.3 just fine with my antenna in West Long Branch, NJ. Since Sept 1, no digital signals at all from WLIW. What’s up?
I have read with interest the innumerable e mails sent to WLIW21 by disgruntled subscribers who for some reason can no longer receive this channel.I,too, was able to receive channel 21 in East Northport,Long Island,NY before the conversion and can no longer view it.. Unfortunately I did not see a single reply to any of these e mails. My question is ….”Is any one listening at WLIW21???
I am greatly disappointed in the manner in which WHLI is handling this problem. Needless to say,I will not contribute to an entity that does not provide me with the programs I wish to view.
I would like to receive WLIW21 Highlights but only if I am able to view them.
You people at WLIW don’t get it. You aren’t listening.
A VERY large sector of your market lies West of Plainview and East of the ESB. We all have our directional antennas pointed to the ESB to get every other local station (and for me, including New Jersey public television). So we can’t get WLIW. It used to be that an indoor antenna could pull in your analog signal, but it doesn’t work for digital.
You need to broadcast from the Empire State Building or we’re permanently lost as WLIW OTA viewers.
FYI, I just had trouble with my DTV viewing on my channel. I have an analog broadcast with no converter and I need to continue with Miffy and friends! Please help or I am lost as a KLCS OTA viewer.
WLIW could give a rip whether anyone can receive their signal over the air or not. They’re worthless. Screw them and let them go off the air. If you donate money to them STOP. Let them starve from lack of funding. They deserve it.
I am very upset about the conversion. I used to get WLIW (and I was a member for years) very very clearly, and I loved it. I live in Higganum, CT, and WLIW was my favorite station. Now, I cannot get WLIW any more. I have complained to my senators and congressman and the FCC and I have moved the set, and wiggled the antennas, and I still can’t get both WLIW and Channel 3, which is from Hartford in my own State!!!!! I am very annoyed. I know of one neighbor who buried his television!! I miss WLIW terribly.
What’s up with your unobtainable signal?
How about a responce after numerous attempts at communication?
Please refund my donation or provide me with a useable signal
I complained to WLIW months ago to no avail. Can’t afford cable, bought top of the line antenna and converter box, but still no WLIW. A reply would be nice, a picture even nicer. Your attitude stinks.
We were able to get (before June) Channels 21, 25, and several of the 50’s with a 30+ years old rabbit ear antenna, attached to a modern Samsung HD. Now, we do not get any of these. These channels were our staples. We live in Port Washington,.
To add insult to injury, our only FM radio station now transmits (presumably because they moved to NJ) a very dirty signal, which makes listening a veritable torture.
These so-called public broadcasters, however, never fail to solicit our money.
Are they going to clean up their acts or do we have to move?
I finally went on to my roof and tried to tweak my antenna , unfortunately , I slipped and fell 25 feet , needless to say I was killed instantly , the good news is I don’t worry about receiving WLIW anymore.
I check WLIW’s website periodically hoping to see some update on the reception problem people are having, but nothing yet. It’s funny but there are days when the channel comes in pretty well and I think the problem is solved, but invariably it goes again and totally breaks up. At one point I noticed if I stood in one particular spot in the room the reception was good. I watched a complete show (Waking the Dead) that way, all the time hoping I wouldn’t totally lose the signal before I found out the end of the story. But the past few days nothing shows up.
WLIW used to be one of my favorite channels. I watch PBS more often than commercial TV. I live in the northeast Bronx and I am able to receive Connecticut PBS stations(thank God). I cannot get WLIW anymore, or even Channel 13. I’m sorry to say that it seems as though many broadcasters feel that those who don’t receive cable TV are not worth worrying about because they probably don’t have enough money to purchase their advertiser’s products, or in the case of PBS, to donate to the station. Nothing could be further from the truth. And in the case of PBS, many people consider these stations to be their “cable TV”, and are willing to donate to PBS. If we can’t see the programs we will no longer donate. Simple.
WLIW was one of my favorite channels, however, I have been unable to watch it. I live in East Harlem, NYC and only on a few occasions very late night have I been able to see this channel, 21-1, 21-2 and 21-3. I purchased a better antenna and have rescanned numerous times, but it made no difference. Before the change in June, I was able to watch some of my favorite programs, but no more. Is anyone listenning??? Can anyone let us know what the status is??? Thanks,
Hello all,
I have to echo all that everyone is saying here, and while DTV images are superb (especially in HD), it is very sad that acquiring signals has been a true nightmare. Unlike analog, DTV is an “all or nothing” proposition in terms of signal acquisition. Luckily, since I live east of WLIW’s Plainview transmitters, 21.1, 21.2 21.3 all come in solid and unbroken, and did even before June 12, 2009. Sadly, I never receive WCBS, ION (WPXN) and after repeated calls to the FCC and WCBS, have given up. In addition to purchasing a $1000 HDTV and a 10 foot UHF-VHF antenna with 30dB signal amplifier, I still get choppy reception. So, congratulations, now you see what the government thinks of its citizens. Are you prepared for the change to a new health care system now?
i want to know when “waking the Dead” and “new Tricks”air.I cannot findthem on your site
Sue, I’m with you! I have searched like mad and cannot find my beloved NEW TRICKS on WLIW’s schedule. I know Series 5 is now on BBC1 – I guess we may have to move to the other side of the pond to watch the telly shows we love!
No WLIW in Ozone Park (Queens) or at my Uncle’s house in Howard Beach or my parents house in Amityville??!!
I have a directional yagi on the roof and I have tried in 360 degrees to pick up WLIW. I give up.
I’ve had my digital converter box over a year now along with a VHF-UHF antanna and still cannot get WLIW. Since the transition I lost that channel along with WNJN. I used to get both and enjoyed them very much. I’m located in St. Albans Queens NY. Can you please help ?
Has cablevision eliminated Channels 21-1 and 21-2?
I am on the north shore and cannot get WLIW no matter what. The digital TV transition is a big flop and a spectrum boondoggle as many people had predicted all along.
I’m wondering why public TV stations don’t do live streaming of their programs like radio stations do. That would solve a lot of problems.
I cannot even get WLIW on my basic cable any more. It’s been replaced by MSG sports. Cablevision said it’s because of “channel overflow” and that if I wanted to get WLIW I would have to subscribe to a more expensive package.
This defeats the whole purpose and premise of public television. There is nothing public about it if the only way to access it is to cough up a lot of $$$ in subscription fees.
Help! We lost signal a few nights ago, on Tuesday, after the last rain storm. Then it was back for one day, and now it’s gone again. We’ve rescanned, we’ve moved the antenna, we’ve tried everything, we got all sorts of new channels but not WLIW. We believe in public television, we only watch public television, we donate to public television, and not having WLIW is a big problem. Can you please help with any suggestions on how to get it back? We are located in Jackson Heights, Queens.
Many thanks!
We also LOVED channel 21- but gave up on ever getting it again – we felt that at LEAST we had channel 13. Now that is going too. We had 13 all along until recently ( tried the re-scan as suggested by them- to no avail.)We can’t figure why we are losing their signal now after almost a year! We live on Staten Island.
Hello Forum!
Just lost WLIW this past week! I actually had it through a very basic cable connection in my apartment (Harlem/Manhattan/150s). Now there is just fuzz. I have a digital converter box and have tried everything above but can not get WLIW/21. Very Devastated!!!! The only show I make a point to watch is This Old House!!! Ahhh!!!!!
I wanted to drop a note to say that I, too, have lost WLIW/21 as of last week. I have basic cable and don’t need a digital converter. This is sad as I watch PBS quite a bit and am partial to WLIW. Will the signal ever come back? Please say YES!
I too have lost wliw 21 since May 9,2010 and I live in east Harlem . No cable box or digital converter just plain cable ataching to tv . But I get 2,5,7,1,11,13,25 . I used to get 21 before May 9 and like evryone I miss my channel
21! !!! My Rosemary and thyme my antiques roadshow and moment of luxury Sunday arts all these wonderful programmings gone gone gone! I have donated a lot of money to 21 over the years and is a member but this is ridiculous. Give me back my WLIW21 !!!! Ms. Savini please help us. WTF? We’re in NYC manhattan and no 21?
I too have lost wliw 21 since May 9,2010 and I live in east Harlem . I have plain cable ataching to tv . But I get 2,5,7,1,11,13,25 . I used to get 21 before May 9 and like evryone I miss my channel 21 I am hooked on MI -5!!