Thirteen/WNET New York Relaunches Digital Signal Lost Its Transmitters in the World Trade Center Disaster Ten Months Ago

	NEW YORK, Jul. 11, 2002 -- Exactly ten months to the day after its transmitters atop the World Trade Center were destroyed, Thirteen/WNET New York has reestablished its digital signal via a low-power transmitter located on the roof of its broadcast center in midtown Manhattan. Thirteen's digital transmitter, originally launched at 8:30 a.m. on July 11, 2001, was destroyed in the attack that toppled the World Trade Center on September 11. Thirteen's analog transmitters, which had been atop Tower One for two decades, were also destroyed in the attack and Thirteen is currently operating a reduced-power analog signal from the Empire State Building. [an error occurred while processing this directive] "In addition to the terrible loss of life and property of that tragic day, September 11 also dealt Thirteen a shocking technological setback," said William F. Baker, president of Thirteen. "But through hard work and ingenuity we have ensured that the setback was only temporary. With the activation of our low-power over-the-air digital signal and the simultaneous resumption of our digital cable transmission, Thirteen has regained a foothold in the digital era, where we are once again prepared to be a leader in bringing the marvels of digital television to the New York metropolitan viewing area." With the relaunch of its digital signal, which allows the transmission of multiple program streams simultaneously, Thirteen has introduced, Kids Thirteen, the New York metropolitan area's first 24-hour digital broadcast educational channel for children, and Thirteen HD, which will feature premiere and encore presentations of digital programming produced by Thirteen and other PBS producers nationwide. (See accompanying release for information on Kids Thirteen and Thirteen HD.) Thirteen's digital service is now available on channel 61 to over-the-air viewers in a very limited proximity to Thirteen's broadcast center. To receive the digital broadcasts, viewers will need a digital-capable television set. Time Warner cable subscribers can receive Thirteen's digital broadcasts on Time Warner 713 (Thirteen HD) and 714 (Kids Thirteen). Cablevision will begin carrying Thirteen's digital service soon. Thirteen is also in negotiations for carriage with other cable systems as well. RELATED FORUMS: • RELATED SITES: • Broadcast Newsroom • DTV Professional • HDTV Buyer • IBC News [an error occurred while processing this directive]