Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions page. Below, we have tried to answer the most common questions that visitors to our Website may have. If you find that your question is not answered on this page, please email us at info@kath.tv or call us at (907) 586-8384.

Question: What channel are you? How can I get NBC for Southeast Alaska?
Answer: There are many ways to watch:

Juneau

• Over the Air (Downtown & Douglas): Analog Channel 5
• GCI Cable: Channel 15
• HD on GCI Cable: Channel 652

• Over the Air: Analog Channel 5
• GCI Cable: Channel 5
• HD on GCI Cable: Channel 652

• GCI Cable: Channel 2
• HD on GCI Cable: Channel 652

• GCI Cable: Channel 2

• HD on GCI Cable: Channel 652

• DirectTV: Channel 5
• DISH-Network: Channels 9380 & 5

Question: What happened to KING-TV in Sitka, Petersburg and Wrangell on GCI cable?
Answer: As of October 1st 2009, KATH-TV is replacing our partner station KING-TV as the exclusive NBC station in Sitka, Petersburg and Wrangell. This brings our local Alaskan programming (including Alaska's top rated local news 4 times a day!) to all the SD viewers in these communities. We've been available in HD on GCI channel 652 in these communities since last December.
"North West Cable News" (which is produced by KING-TV) will now be available on basic cable channel 19 in these areas to continue to provide Seattle news to Southeast Alaskan viewers. For more information, please call our customer service hotline at (907) 321-8386 or send us feedback!

Question: How can I get KATH-TV in HD?
Answer: KATH-HD is available in in Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Petersburg and Wrangell on GCI Channel 652.
All you need is a HDTV and a HD-tuner, such as GCI's silver "HD-DVR". For details on how to hook up your HDTV to cable, please call GCI's customer support at 1 (800) 800-4800.

Question: I have DishNet or DirecTV, can I get KATH-HD?
Answer: Unfortunatly KATH-HD is only available on GCI cable at this time.

Question: What is "HDTV"?
Answer: HDTV is a relatively new television format that brings a wider-screen image with up to 6 times the picture sharpness of SD and other enhancements such as surround-sound audio. Of the two HD formats, 720p (which is better suited to faster action) and 1080i (which has a more detail), NBC uses the sharper 1080i format which is better for dramatic content. It also allows for a clearer view of large sporting events like football and the Olympics, especially when viewed on larger TV's.
To view KATH-HD, you will need a HDTV ready television and HDTV receiver - such as GCI's silver "HD-DVR" cable box.

Question: What about "Digital TV"? Does KATH-TV broadcast digitally?
Answer: At this time KATH-TV does NOT broadcast Digital over-the-air TV, but we plan to in the future. Digital TV, or "DTV" for short, is a new way of transmitting a TV signal. The result is normally a clearer picture with better sound. DTV is rapidly replacing traditional analog TV, with "Full Power" analog TV stations having switched off in June 2009. Digital TV can be either 'standard definition' or 'high definition', this varies from station to station. At this time, all the digital TV stations in Juneau are broadcasting Standard definition only. The FCC classifies KATH-TV as a "Low-Power" station, and therefore didn't require us to switch to digital in June 2009. The FCC will eventually dictate when LPTV stations are required to switch to digital.
The switch to Digital TV does NOT affect cable and satellite TV. Most satellite TV service has already been digital for years, and cable TV systems can choose how they deliver their signals. The corresponding "Cable Boxes" and "Satellite Receivers" provided by the service provider already handle and necessary conversions. However (generally) those boxes have nothing to do with over-the-air digital TV

Question: What are the "DTV converter boxes" and what are the "DTV Coupons" for?
Answer: You don't need a new TV to watch Digital TV, you just need a digital "tuner". A "DTV Converter Box" is a digital tuner that receives a digital over-the-air TV signal and then uses a analog TV to display the picture
The DTV coupon program was a government run program that provided a $40 discount on up to 2 DTV converter boxes to US households.
Note! Some DTV converter boxes block analog TV channels (Such as KATH-TV). Be sure to get a converter box that has "Analog Pass Through" so that you can still get the Analog TV stations that didn't switch to digital in June 2009.

Question: Doesn't everyone have to "go HD" soon?
Answer: No. DTV and HDTV are related, but not the same.
HDTV can only be transmitted digitally (there's just too much information in HD to fit into an analog signal), so "DTV" is a requirement for "HDTV". However a digital signal can carry many formats (just like you can have many types of digital files on a computer.) Basically all HDTV is Digital, but DTV isn't necceseraly HD. Digital TV is a requirement for full power TV stations after June 2009, however HDTV is NOT a requirement.

Question: So who is "KTUU Channel 2"? and Why do I see other station's logos on KATH?
Answer: KTUU Channel 2 is the NBC station in Anchorage whom we are partnered with. We carry KTUU's Statewide news every day, along with various other programs such as Regis & Kelly, Bonnie Hunt, Dr Oz, and Ellen. Occasionally, technical limitations with satellite delivery of our programming may force us to use signals originating from other NBC affiliates such as KNBC in Los Angeles.

Question: Can I order a copy of a local program you broadcast?
Answer: Absolutely! Call (907) 586-8384 to place an order. Programs are available on DVD and typically cost $20.

Question: Are you actually located in Juneau?
Answer: You bet! We don't call ourselves Juneau’s "Local" station for nothing! We also have offices in Sitka and Anchorage.

Question: So, Where is the KATH-CAM?
Answer: At KATH-TV...

Question: I'd like to send you some video, what formats do you accept?
Answer: We can work with and accept the following formats (in order of preference): most computer based formats on most computer media (we also have a FTP server), MiniDV, BetaCam-SP (small format), DVD, U-Matic (3/4"), S-VHS, and VHS.

Question: Why can't I get KATH Channel 5 over the air in the Mendenhall Valley?
Answer: Channel 5 is licensed by the F.C.C. as a low-power transmitter, located on 7th st. in downtown Juneau, limited to an output power of 10 watts. It simply isn't strong enough to reach that far, and we cannot legally increase the power.