KNMD-TV
ATSC 3.0 station
CitySanta Fe, New Mexico
Channels
Programming
Affiliationssee KNME-TV infobox
Ownership
Owner
KNME-TV
History
First air date
2004 (2004)
Former channel number(s)
Digital:
9 (VHF, 2004–2010)
9 (PSIP, 2004–2021)
PBS (2004–2009)
World Channel (2009–2021)
Call sign meaning
New Mexico Digital
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID84215
ERP16.6 kW
HAAT1,274 m (4,180 ft)
Transmitter coordinates35°12′44.1″N 106°26′59″W / 35.212250°N 106.44972°W / 35.212250; -106.44972
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.newmexicopbs.org

KNMD-TV, virtual channel 5 (VHF digital channel 8), is an ATSC 3.0 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) member television station serving Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States that is licensed to the capital city of Santa Fe. Owned by the University of New Mexico, it is a sister station to Albuquerque-licensed KNME-TV (channel 5). Both stations share studios on UNM's North Campus on University Boulevard Northeast in Albuquerque, while KNMD-TV's transmitter is located atop Sandia Crest.

History

KNMD logo from 2009 to 2013

KNMD began broadcasting in late 2004 at 200 watts on VHF channel 9. It was launched as an exclusively digital television station and is the first and only station in the Albuquerque market to have never broadcast in analog.

Signal issues

Broadcasting at only 200 watts, KNMD's signal was sometimes hard to pick up in many areas without pixelation and choppy sound. KNMD was not licensed as a low-powered TV station but originally used low power because of interference issues with KCHF which broadcasts its digital signal on channel 10 from a site near Los Alamos, New Mexico. KNMD filed an application with the FCC in 2009 to move transmission frequency to channel 8 and increase power to 5.14 kW in order to improve its signal quality and range.[2] They were granted a permit to make the changes in October 2009. In late August 2010, the upgrades were completed, greatly improving the station's signal.

ATSC 3.0 conversion

KNMD-TV converted to ATSC 3.0 (Next Gen TV) on June 30, 2021. In preparation for this change, on February 15, World Channel began airing on KNME-TV channel 5.4, and Create debuted on 5.5. KNMD-TV simulcasts the entire KNME multiplex in ATSC 3.0 format.[3] Prior to the conversion, KNMD received a construction permit to increase power from 5.14 kW to 16.6 kW.[4]

Digital television

Digital channels

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of KNMD-TV[5]
Channel Video Aspect Short name Programming
5.1 1080p16:9KNME HDATSC 3.0 simulcast of KNME-TV / PBS
5.2 480p Kids HDATSC 3.0 simulcast of KNME-DT2 / PBS Kids
5.3 FNX HDATSC 3.0 simulcast of KNME-DT3 / FNX
5.4 1080p KNMD HDATSC 3.0 simulcast of KNME-DT4 / World Channel
5.5 480p CreateATSC 3.0 simulcast of KNME-DT5 / Create

In the new ATSC 3.0 signal, KNMD's main HD channel is on 5.4 and runs programming from the "World" public television network which airs mostly news and documentaries. Some hours are programmed locally with re-airings of recent PBS prime time shows. Locally produced programs such as New Mexico In Focus are also shown on KNMD.

KNMD had previously aired the PBS Satellite Service on channel 9.1 but on January 28, 2009 had moved PBS World from 9.2 to 9.1 and launched the how-to programming channel Create on 9.2.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KNMD-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ Eggerton, John (2009-08-17). "FCC Continues Working On DTV-Related Reception Issues". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  3. ↑ "LMS #137830 Modification of a License for DTV Application, KNMD-TV". Federal Communications Commission. March 4, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  4. ↑ "CDBS Print".
  5. ↑ RabbitEars TV Query for KNMD
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