TV Q&A: Will WQED-TV ever boost its signal?

Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions Wednesdays at TribLIVE.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review.

Q: Please try and find out if WQED-TV has any plans to increase its transmitting power so those of us using antennas can watch their channel again. A while back they decided to change the frequency they transmit on and now those of us on the fringe of their coverage area can no longer watch their wonderful programming. We really miss it.

— John via email

Rob: This is not the first time I have heard this complaint from viewers unable to receive WQED’s signal since the FCC “repack” last year.

In February 2017, WQED sold its former frequency for $9.9 million in exchange for moving to a new, lower frequency. In mid-2019 that move took place.

Although WQED still appears on TVs as virtual Channel 13, it is actually carried on Channel 4.

The SolidSignal.com blog (https://bit.ly/2YK1a7Y) reported that depending on location, to get reception over-the-air viewers of channels moving into the VHF low band (Channels 2-6) may require a much larger antenna — the old-school, rooftop variety — rather than the smaller, sleek antennas that came into vogue after the analog-to-digital TV transition of 2009.

“WQED is broadcasting at the highest power allowed by the FCC,” said WQED spokesman George Hazimanolis. “The signal travels farther now on Channel 4 than it did on Channel 13, but because of its longer wave length a larger antenna may be needed to receive it reliably.”

Q: Do you know, or can you find out why Verizon’s FiOS TV doesn’t carry Turner Classic Movies in high definition? I recently switched over from Comcast’s Xfinity and TCM in HD is the only thing I really miss.

— Frank via email

Rob: TCM is only offered in standard definition on FiOS TV presently. I was unable to get a reason why but plenty of folks on Verizon forums share Frank’s frustration. (https://vz.to/3b9vcqJ)

Q: TBS’s “Conan” moved to telecast from a theater in July. The show has been in reruns for all of August so far. Any special reason for the extended hiatus?

— John, North Huntingdon

Rob: The August hiatus was planned before the pandemic hit so covid-19 was not a factor. “Conan” returns with new episodes Monday, Aug. 31.

Q: Have the producers behind the new “Dark Shadows” project released anything to the media, especially the TV critics? Some of us in the public are interested but can’t find anything.

— Eric via Facebook

Rob: I hadn’t heard much about that proposed “Dark Shadows” reboot/continuation in about a year. In checking around, it turns out the project is dead at The CW.

That doesn’t mean it couldn’t be revived at some point — after all, new series based on existing “intellectual property” are popular these days in TV development — but for now The CW iteration has a stake through its heart.

Q: I’ve noticed that the syndicated series “True Crime Files” has been showing repeats for several weeks now. Is this due to the pandemic, or has the series been canceled?

— Joe via email

Rob: I think it’s more due to the time of year than anything else. Syndicated shows typically go into reruns over the summer, so that’s not too unusual.

“True Crime Files” repackages true-crime programming that originally aired on cable’s Investigation Discovery channel. (https://bit.ly/3gL041P)

Ask TV questions by emailing rowen@triblive.com. Please include your first name and location.