lauren@vortex.UUCP (Lauren Weinstein) (07/22/84)
You can safely assume it was a local effect -- most likely a failure at the telco switching office that brings in the feeds from the three commercial networks. First of all, with the exception of PBS, which is largely satellite based these days, the networks (CBS, NBC, ABC) are almost completely coaxial cable distributed for "on-air" purposes. There are some satellite feeds of particular programs to deal with east/west coast time delays on "topical" programs (like "The Tonight Show," for example) but the actual distribution of programs to local stations is still almost 100% by cable, not by satellite. There are also occasional satellite feeds between network O&O's and affiliates for special programming purposes, but that still doesn't change the basic cable-based aspect of the distribution network. All three networks are now embarking on programs to gradually switch their feeds over to satellite distribution, but it has been going rather slowly, mainly due to problems with the newer 12Ghz satellites (relating to rain-induced fading, interference, etc.) In most areas, all three commercial networks feed into a city through ONE ROOM at a primary telco switching point. I've been in the main feed control room for Los Angeles (down in the massive "L.A. Central" C.O. on Grand) and there are three monitors sitting next to each other in a rack that are the feed checks for the three networks. A localized power failure, circuit breaker trip, or other similar effects could easily have affected all or some of the networks simultaneously. There are supposed to be backups to prevent such things, but all systems can fail. So Will, I'm sorry, but you can't blame UFO's for this one. --Lauren--