'PHL launches multicast music channel

Philadelphia Daily News, June, 2006 by JONATHAN TAKIFF

WPHL-TV17 dives into the digital TV multicasting business with the launch today of The Tube, a mainstream rock- and alt/pop-leaning music video channel started by MTV/VH1 co-founder Les Garland.

Multicasting involves splitting a broadcaster's allocated digital frequency into two, three, four or even five separate TV channels. To tune them in, you'll need a new-generation digital TV that's equipped with an over-the-air-signal-receiving ATSC digital tuner and connected to a proper antenna (rooftop preferred).

Other local stations offering multicast services include WCAU, WPVI, WHYY, WNJN and PAX.

There is sometimes a technical trade-off with multicasting. Splitting a digital signal too many ways diminishes the picture quality of each video feed. But if the broadcaster doesn't go crazy with subdivisions, both primary (high-definition) and secondary (standard-definition) channels can look and sound very good.

On WPHL, ...