Equity Broadcasting filed Chapter 11, bankruptcy protection on Dec.06,2008.

If these channels don't come back on, this would be a possiblely another nail in the coffin of FTA ?

 

Most of the RTN stations on Galaxy 18 (123w) are gone as well.

How do you mean most? I know Equity is in bankruptcy protection but haven't heard how that's going. What's left in regards to RTN stations as well as the ABC/Fox and MyTV affiliates?

And yes, WNGS as we know it is no more.

But it's still there as a This! affiliate right?

 

How do you mean most? I know Equity is in bankruptcy protection but haven't heard how that's going. What's left in regards to RTN stations as well as the ABC/Fox and MyTV affiliates?

Well, when I made this post 2+ months ago the dust hadn't quite settled on what RTN channels were remaining at Galaxy 18. Now it's pretty much a done deal.

But it's still there as a This! affiliate right?

Yes it switched to ThisTV which in some ways has turned out okay because the MGM/UA movies they've been running have been pretty good.

 

So there's no RTN's on Galaxy 18 left?

Do you have an updated list of what good channels (like real US english stations like RTN, Fox, This!, indies etc) that have remained on Galaxy 18?

I've been looking into getting an FTA set up on and off for Galaxy 18 (I figure about a 36" dish is about the biggest I can put up in my apt but since I'm in Southern Ontario I'm hoping that'll be enough) so any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

An outfit called Global CM maintains an up-to-date list of FTA channels (both KU and C) receivable in North America. It's a good place to start to see what is on Galaxy 18.

I use a 90cm (aka 36") dish and I can receive Galaxy 18 just fine so you should be okay.

 

I use a 90cm (aka 36") dish and I can receive Galaxy 18 just fine so you should be okay.

Thanks! Good to know I should be set (esp since I'm actually a tad closer to the border than you are so if anything perhaps a smaller dish could work but I'm not going to chance it).

An outfit called Global CM maintains an up-to-date list of FTA channels (both KU and C) receivable in North America. It's a good place to start to see what is on Galaxy 18.

Over the span of a couple sessions I've gone through the site but couldn't find anything (perhaps they've removed it?) but I was able to find this when I did a Google Global CM domain search for Galaxy 18 so it looks like a FTA set up is still a good move:

You might see a shuffling of former Equity affiliates on Galaxy 18 (123 West-Ku band), should some stations be sold off, but the overall trend looks like there will still be a lot of free television for the foreseeable future.
http://global-cm.net/news&views20090302.html

 

You'll want to go to Global CM's website and click on "MPEG-2 Section" for the FTA channel lists.

 

Awesome! Found it. Thanks!

Shame it looks likes all the RTN stations are gone but I'm sure they'll have had to fill their schedules with something useful to watch

 

Well, RTN isn't gone per se they've just moved to a different bird and only have an east and west feed.

 

But I assume that bird can't be pulled in by a 36" dish (aka a BUD is necessary?)

 

No, I can get them with my 36" dish. The signal is weak and will pixelate on occasion but it's still watchable.

It may take a lot of tweaking though. My dish is motorized and USALS didn't position it in the sweet spot; I had to manually nudge it a little bit.

 

Thanks again for clarifying! I'll have to give that a go.