The Dish On The Dish
The Dish On The DishKKTV Blog Listing
The Dish On The Dish
Topic Author: Don Ward
Posted: 3:53 PM Nov 15, 2009
Replies Posted: 4 comments
Save Email Print
Recent Blog Topics

Font Size:

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED...THE PERFECT STORM

It couldn't happen in the middle of the night, maybe during an infomercial.  It couldn't happen in the middle of a newscast, when we could explain the situation as soon as it was remedied.  It had to happen on a Sunday morning.  It had to happen on a Sunday morning when the Broncos were the CBS early game.  The icing on the cake to produce the icing on the dish?  It snowed.  Not a lot...just enough.

HERE'S THE DISH THAT MADE US ALL SO MAD!!!

I'm no engineer...not the train-driving kind, not the equipment-fixing kind. Here's the non-engineer explanation of what happened to make us all miss part of the Broncos/Redskins game.

When we bring you the Broncos we receive the signal of the game from the network on a satellite dish outside our building.  Only after we receive it can we send it back out over the air and to the cable company and to the home satellite companies.  Sometimes in a storm snow can accumulate on these dishes and block the signal from coming in.  To combat that problem you literally sometimes get someone outside with a broom to sweep/knock snow off a dish. That had been done a couple of times this morning to the smaller dishes, but it doesn't work with the big ones, like this one.  It has a built in heating mechanism designed to keep it free of snow and ice so it can do what it's supposed to do.

Now the perfect storm.  Somehow as this rain-sleet-snow event unfolded, just enough moisture got into the part of that dish which houses the heating mechanism.  There was a short, the heater failed and enough snow and ice accumulated on the dish to block the signal from coming in.  We were off the air from about 10:52 until about 11:16 am.  It was about 24 minutes.  It was just enough time to miss the Broncos' opening score and the Redskins' rapid response. 

We had a rapid response of our own.  An engineer (the equipment-fixing kind) quickly rushed in from home to see what he could do.  He quickly realized what the problem was and set about equipment-fixing.  He knew it would take way too long for the heater to clear the snow, so he had one of our large live trucks pulled up next to the dish.  Only by standing on top of that truck could he reach down into the dish to clear away the snow and ice.  It all happened very quickly while staffers inside were fielding phone calls from angry Broncos fans.  It was about 24 minutes.  It was just enough time to get a lot of Broncos fans really, really angry.

I was angry too.  I was at home, knowing I could, for once, watch most of the game.  The Broncos usually play at 2 in the afternoon and by then I'm at work, not able to pay much attention to the TV.  So fellow fans I share your frustration, I understand your anger.  In the big picture we lost our picture and that's our fault. As one commenter to kktv.com pointed out, in the eyes of many viewers a Broncos game is probably just about the most important thing we air...ever.  There's no doubt when we dropped the signal, we dropped the ball.  I simply ask that when you look back on this frustrating fumble, you realize that Mother Nature and a case of terrible timing conspired to knock the ball loose.

Here's a huge apology from all of us to all of you.

Oh yeah, it doesn't help that the Broncos lost.  Next time they play it's against the Chargers.  I hope they win, and I know we'll bring you the game....the whole thing. 

We'll talk again soon.

Don 

 

 

 

 

 

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.

KKTV firmly believes in freedom of speech for all and we are happy to provide this forum for the community to share opinions and facts. We ask that commenters keep it clean, keep it truthful, stay on topic and be responsible. Comments left here do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of KKTV 11 News.

If you believe that any of the comments on our site are inappropriate or offensive, please tell us by clicking “Report Abuse” and answering the questions that follow. We will review any reported comments promptly.

Read Comments
  • by matt on Nov 16, 2009 at 05:50 PM
    Thanks Don, Now if the engineer can help the Bronco's in a back-up quarterback position, just think of the possibilities!
  • by Lee Location: Monument on Nov 16, 2009 at 05:17 PM
    Where was the backup feed from the network?
  • by DonWard Location: KKTV on Nov 15, 2009 at 09:04 PM
    Hi Jared: Thanks for your comments. I do appreciate the compliment. I love it here! What happened to us today could have happened in Denver or Chicago or New York. It was the worst possible luck at the worst possible time. I did spend 5 years in the Denver market. I was the top reporter at what was then WB2 and I had a great time. When this opportunity came up, to come back to my home town in a leadership role I jumped at it and I haven't regretted it for a second. Please stick with us! 11 News is a wonderful organization, and I feel like I'm part of a very strong team. If I didn't believe that I wouldn't still be here, and I'm not going anywhere. Thanks for watching. Peace.
  • by jared Location: west springs on Nov 15, 2009 at 05:24 PM
    Don- you seem like a very cool dude - i think a great anchor too. In fact, you are too good for this lil local station and staff. I mean really, a reporter told us last eve that the "roads are shiny." Atleast, Don get into the Denver market...you deserve better. peace
4 - 15 - 1 - 0
Top News
Heavy snowstorm hits Colorado on its way east
Be the first to comment!
Last Updated: 9:30 PM 02/03/12 - The most powerful storm of the winter season pounded Colorado and parts of neighboring states on Friday, creating whiteout conditions on the eastern plains, cancelling more than 600 flights in Denver and closing hundreds of miles of highway between major Colorado cities and the Kansas border.
(Full Story)
Watch Out For Fake Meter Readers
2 Comments
Last Updated: 7:07 PM 02/03/12 - Be on the lookout for burglars pretending to be meter readers! The thieves struck a Pueblo neighborhood.
(Full Story)
Breaking Weather Alert: Storm Ends For Everyone on Saturday...
5 Comments
Last Updated: 8:15 PM 02/03/12 - A strong, slow-moving winter storm will continue to impact parts of Colorado, especially northern El Paso County northward into northeast Colorado. (Full Story)
Pueblo Sheriff Putting A Stop To Extorting Website
3 Comments
Last Updated: 7:13 PM 02/03/12 - The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is putting a stop to a website that allegedly uses photos of accused criminals for profit.

(Full Story)
Air Force To Cut 10,000 Airmen, Shift Aircraft
7 Comments
Last Updated: 3:55 PM 02/03/12 - The Air Force says it will cut the service by nearly 10,000 active, National Guard and Reserve airmen next year, as part of a broad move to downsize and shift capabilities around the country to be better prepared for wars of the future. (Full Story)
More Headlines