WHDT

Infobox_Broadcast
call_letters = WHDT
digital = 59 (UHF)
other_chs = WHDT-LD 44 Miami
WXDT-LD 23, WYDT-CA 32, WZDT-LP 39 Naples
affiliations = Deutsche Welle
network =
founded =
airdate = May 25, 2000
location = Stuart, Florida
callsign_meaning = High Definition Television
former_callsigns =
former_channel_numbers =
owner = Günter Marksteiner
licensee =
sister_stations =
former_affiliations =
effective_radiated_power = 1000 kW
HAAT = 80 m
class =
facility_id = 83929
coordinates = coord|26|43|37.9|N|80|4|46|W|type:landmark_scale:2000
homepage = [http://www.whdt.net/ www.whdt.net]

WHDT is an independent full service television station broadcasting in the West Palm Beach, Miami and Fort Myers, Florida television markets. Founded May 25,2000, the station is licensed to Stuart, Florida and broadcasts on digital UHF channel 59 from towers located in downtown West Palm Beach and on WHDT-LP channel 44 in North Miami. The station's programming is available to 12.8 million viewers from South Beach to Sebastian, Florida via co-owned translator stations in Naples, Florida -- WXDT-LP channel 23, WYDT-CA channel 32 and WZDT-LP channel 39. Marksteiner also owns associated station WHDN-LD in Boston, Massachusetts.

WHDT became the first digital television station in the United States following a ruling by the Federal Communications Commission that the station could provide primary over-the-air service using only a digital TV signal. On June 1, 2001, the station conducted the first over-the-air broadcast using progressive HDTV format 720p/60 with custom-designed 24 mm frame-transfer cameras.

WHDT established the legal precedent requiring local cable TV systems to carry the primary programming of all digital television stations in both high definition format and in standard definition analog format. It is the first television station to have its high definition and standard definition signal carried on local cable TV under the FCC's digital "must-carry" rules.

WHDT is a broadcast partner of the Deutsche Welle world television service. The station produces high definition content for syndication and for broadcast. Its programming includes: fashion and lifestyle, live evening news analysis, world reportage, documentaries, indie films, classical music concerts, motorsport and aviation, fishing, cooking, travel and cultural shows.

WHDT is one of six stations operated by MIG Broadcast Group, Inc. (NH), a business unit of Marksteiner AG.

Digital translator stations, WHDT-LD Miami and WHDN-LD Boston are notable because they are the first and second digital translators to be authorized by the FCC. WHDT-LD has a longer history than its full-power cousin. On September 21, 1987, the station was first licensed as W25AL. In 1989, it was moved to Coral Springs as W55BO where it functioned as a translator for CBS station WCIX in Miami. Ownership of the station was transferred to Günter Marksteiner in 1996. The station continued to carry a full schedule of CBS programming until 1997 when it was relocated to North Miami, Florida and began digital translator operations for WHDT-DT in December 2001.

ee also

* WHDN-LD (associated station in Boston, Massachusetts)

External links

* [http://www.whdt.net/ Official website]
*TVQ|WHDT
**TVQ|WXDT
**TVQ|WYDT
**TVQ|WZDT
*BIA|WHDT|TV|TV