Q: How many people work here?

A: SDPB has about 50 employees at the Al Neuharth Media Center. About 14 more are located at various locations across the state. 

Q: How many towers does SDPB have?

A: SDPB Television has nine transmitters and nine translators, which are low power transmitters. SDPB Radio has nine transmitters and 10 translators, which are low power transmitters. When possible, Television and Radio share transmitter space. 

Q: What�s the difference between digital broadcasting and analog/ the way we get it now.

A: Digital is a new method of transmission over the airwaves or cable and a new method of reception at the television or digital converter box in your home. You receive a signal similar in some respects to the signal your computer receives. In the long run, digital will bring you better sound and a better picture.

Q: How much does it cost to run SDPB?

A: Programming for TV and Radio costs about $1 million a year. On top of that there are salaries, equipment, infrastructure like microwave and towers. 

Q: Doesn�t PBS pay for everything?

A: South Dakota Public Broadcasting is a local broadcaster with TV, Radio, Internet and Education & Outreach. SDPB Television presents more than 100 hours of original local programming each year. We are a part of the PBS system and we pay for PBS programming, but we also get programming from other groups like the National Educational Telecommunications Association and independent filmmakers. 

Q: Don�t you make money from toy sales?

A: We wish we did. The production companies that produce shows like Sesame Street and Barney own the rights to the characters. We simply pay for the programs.

Q: Why don�t you have more ....?

A: SDPB serves a statewide audience, so we offer programming to appeal to a variety of South Dakotans. In a few years, when we have digital television and radio, we�ll have the a lot more options. So stay tuned.

 Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO MAKE A TV PROGRAM?

A: Each program varies, depending on length, resources, talent and other variables. Each local program costs anywhere from $10,000 to about $60,000. A national program like Masterpiece Theatre can cost more than $1 million per show.

Q: How much does it cost to make a Radio program?

A: Each program varies, depending on length, resources, talent and other variables. For example, øHouse Calls,Ó SDPB Radio�s weekly health program, costs about $70,000 a year, or about $1,700 per episode. 

Q: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HDTV?
A: You�ve probably heard that HDTV is on the way and that it means big changes for television stations and viewers alike, but what are the real changes you can see as viewers of television across the state of South Dakota.  To better understand these benefits SDPB is going to look at the 4 major changes that are already in effect in many areas of South Dakota.

 First is the improved picture resolution, or image quality.  This change is probably the first you�ll notice with HDTV because it effects the actual image on your television screen.  HDTV uses a much clearer image than does standard television, and as such should make everything you watch in HDTV more alive and life like.

Aspect ratio is the second change that you�ll notice with HDTV.  If you�ve seen a film on television recently you may have noticed that, øThis film has been formatted to fit your screen.Ó  That is because films are recorded in a format that is wider than our regular television screens, and so we cut off the sides so the image fits on your screen.  With HDTV this is no longer necessary, because all television will be the width of film, and the televisions that show HDTV will be built to accommodate this increased width.

The sound that comes as part of the HDTV signal is digital sound, and so it supports new standards like Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, and will sound like you are playing a CD.

One of the most interesting prospects with HDTV is that every station will now have the ability to send more than one channel worth of content at a time, this is called multicasting.  Currently SDPB is broadcasting two channels over our HDTV signal in Sioux Falls, and will be expanding that across the state.  Eventually this would give SDPB the opportunity to broadcast up to four channels at a time; potentially SDPB could have a children�s programming channel, a local channel, an educational / instructional channel, and a national programming channel all running at the same time, allowing you, the viewer, to pick between any of those.

Q: When will I have to buy a digital TV?

A: Not for a while. The signal you get now will be on the air until at least 2006, and the deadline might be extended. After that time, you�ll be able to use a converter box to receive digital on your old TV set if you don�t want to buy a new one. 

Q: DO I HAVE TO BUY A NEW TV?

A: No.  You do not need to buy a new television in order to take advantages of the benefits of HDTV.  By simply purchasing a television set top HDTV receiver (and possibly an antenna), and hooking it up to your existing television you will be able to receive HDTV and see some image improvements, sound improvements, and all of the channels offered through multicasting.  These set top boxes cost around $300 and do need to connect to an antenna (although old antennas can be used, new antennas are much smaller and usually only cost $25 - $50).

Q: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BUYING A NEW TELEVSION?

A: The advantage of purchasing a new television is that you can take full advantage of the improved image quality and aspect ratio of HDTV.  It is important to know when looking at HDTV televisions that there is a major difference between a HDTV television and a HDTV Ready television.  That different is a HDTV tuner.  HDTV Ready televisions typically do not have HDTV tuners, which means you will be spending an extra $300+ in order to outfit the television with the tuner.  Typically HDTV televisions with tuners start at $1,000 and go up very quickly from there. 

Q: IS HDTV REPLACING STANDARD TELEVISION?

A: Yes.  Eventually standard television will be replaced completely by HDTV, but currently there is no date when that will happen. So although eventually everyone will need to switch to HDTV in order to view over the air broadcasts, that date is still a few years away. It is important to remember that this only effects over the air broadcasts, anyone receiving television through cable or satellite will not be effected.