Frequently Asked Questions

 

I've noticed that I get audio on some of your programs that doesn't match the video. Why is that?

When do you repeat Nature / NOVA / British Comedies / My Favorite Show?

Why is it that sometimes PBS feeds a program for national broadcast, but PBS39 doesn't air it until a later date?

When you pre-empt a program, why can't you always find room for it in your regular schedule?FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I buy a VHS tape or a DVD of a show that I saw on PBS39?

 

If you'd like to have a question answered and you don't see it listed here, please submit your question to info@wfwa.org. We promise to answer your query as promptly and completely as possible.

Q: I've noticed that I get audio on some of your programs that doesn't match the video. Why is that?

A: PBS39 often has additional data in the program broadcast that can be accessed through a viewer's TV or other equipment connected to that TV, such as a VCR. This data might be the Descriptive Video Service (DVS) which describes what is happening on the screen for our sight-impaired viewers, or on some shows, it may be audio broadcast in Spanish. Most often, this happens by someone enabling the SAP (Second Audio Program) channel on your TV or VCR. If you're hearing audio that does not match the picture on your screen, check your equipment at home to see if the the SAP function is turned on. If you're unsure how to do so, consult the owner's manuals for your home equipment.

Return to top

Q: When do you repeat Nature / NOVA / British Comedies / My Favorite Show?

A: You can find out by clicking this link (programming) or go to the navigation bar on the top of this page and click on the programming link. This will give you a direct link to the PBS39 schedule including all 4 of our standard-definition Digital TV channels. Once here, you'll be able to view programming by channel, day, week or month.

Return to top

Q: Why is it that sometimes PBS feeds a program for national broadcast, but PBS39 doesn't air it until a later date?

A: There are times when PBS will schedule a program for broadcast off of a satellite feed at a time when PBS39 will have already scheduled another show in our lineup (as do many other stations nationwide). In these cases, we usually find a broadcast slot at a later date to air the program.

Still, there are instances where the producers of the program may mistakenly promote the satellite feed date and time of a program as the broadcast date and time of a program.

Finally, there is a wide variety of programs fed by PBS and other public television resources than there are hours in the day. We cannot air all the programs available to us. The past history of a program's performance, its educational or cultural value, and how those values relate to our viewing area and mission, are major factors in determining whether a particular show may or may not air.

Viewer input is also greatly valued. If you have an idea or suggestion, we'd love to hear it. Just email us at: programming@wfwa.org.

Return to top

Q: When you pre-empt a program, why can't you always find room for it in your regular schedule?

A: At PBS39, we try as hard as possible to keep our regular programs in their regular timeslots, while at the same time adding new and interesting shows into the schedule. We frequently come up against the problem of having a finite number of hours in the day to be able to broadcast, with even fewer slots during the primetime viewing hours of 7:00 PM through 11:00 PM. Sometimes, in order to schedule a show we believe you'll love, we may have to preempt a show that other viewers may love. We hear from them, too.

In addition, global and national events such as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 or severe weather events may cause us to interrupt or pre-empt regularly scheduled programming in order to keep all of our viewers as well-informed as possible.

No matter what the decision is that ultimately is made and carried out, please rest assured that all programming decisions made by PBS39 are made with the greatest amount of forethought and consideration possible for the wants and needs of our viewers.

Return to top

Q: How can I buy a tape/DVD of a show that I saw on PBS39?

A: You can contact our Membership Services Department at (260) 484-8839 Monday through Friday during normal business hours 8:30am - 5:00pm. Or you can email us at: membership@wfwa.org

Most locally produced shows such as episodes of HealthLine, Matters Of The Mind or PrimeTime39 are available for purchase for $19.95 ($14.95 for the VHS or DVD plus $5.00 shipping and handling). Most nationally produced shows are available through PBS. Click here to visit PBS.org.

If you want to learn more about PBS39's Members Only Lending Library, click here.

Return to top