You may have noticed that the DTV electronic program guide (EPG) information in PSIP doesn’t always match what’s on the air. A sporting event may have run long, or program descriptions may simply say “DTV programming,” with no clue as to content. Under the new rules adopted in the Report and Order in Third Periodic Review of the DTV transition, within 120 days after publication of that document there should no longer be a problem.
Program guide data must accurately and fully reflect what’s on the air, and should there be changes to program times, the EPG must be updated. This should make it much easer for TiVO/PVR/DVR users. However, it will likely make it much more difficult for broadcasters to comply with the rules.
The problem is many stations obtain the data transmitted in their DTV EPG from services such as Tribune Media Service, which provide not only the title of the program, but its V-chip rating and other information. On the other hand, the actual timing of the program at the station level is set in the traffic log, and this usually does not contain full program information. It may also use cryptic abbreviations to fit a unique program name in the space allowed. Actual airtime of sporting events might be reflected in a master control operator’s handwritten notes or modification of an entry in the automation software. To provide the level of detail that the FCC is requiring broadcasters implement within 120 days, all such information will have to be combined and used to generate the DTV EPG data. That won’t be easy!
Multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) that use program guides supplied by outside services instead of the EPG in the broadcasters signal may find their guides don’t catch these changes, which could cause problems for subscribers using PVRs or DVRs to record programming.
