PBS lovers in the Pekin area will need to be patient if they watch TV over-the-air.
WTVP president and CEO Lesley Matuszak said poor weather and tower crew staffing issues are causing delays in getting the station's full-power braodcast signal back up.
“We cannot apologize enough to our loyal viewers for this unforeseen delay,” said Matuszak. “It all comes down to supply and demand. Increased demand for broadcast antennas has caused delays in manufacturing, but the biggest delays are due to the availability of crews that climb the towers and do the work. Originally our antenna was scheduled to be replaced in mid-December, but the crew was delayed due to issues at other job sites and by the weather. Every winter storm that hits the Midwest can cause further delays.”
The station's temporary antenna is mounted lower on WTVP's broadcast tower and is faced away from Pekin, meaning people in southern Tazewell County may have problems tuning in.
The tower work is part of the spectrum "repack" meant to create more airwave space for cellular signals.
