Herald's history series: Translator station brings CBS programming to Sylva in 1964

However, in the mid-1960s the addition of a TV channel made big news in Sylva. The Herald featured several articles on the front page regarding plans for three stations to begin broadcasting through translators located on Kings Mountain.

This is how the Herald reported the first of those translators going on line bringing CBS programming to the area in the June 25, 1964 issue:

A new television service is now available to television viewers in the Sylva area on Channel 9. WSPA-TV of Spartanburg, S.C., began broadcasting its programs from a new translator on Kings Mountain Saturday. The translator station picks up the Channel 7 programs from the main Hogback Mountain transmitter above Spartanburg and translates them on Channel 9. The range of the translator station varies according to terrain, but a picture is available over Sylva, Webster, Lovesfield, Cullowhee and Dillsboro areas.

Some difficulty was experienced in translating a quality picture. During the week end, numerous persons reported that the picture was "rolling" and that there were lines similar to electrical interference.

A station official contacted the Herald early Monday and reported that engineers were being sent in to fix trouble. Some people reported to the Herald Wednesday morning that they were receiving a good picture on Channel 9. Others said the picture on their set had a "ghost" effect. All reports were that the "rolling" and electrical interference-like lines were corrected.

Walter J. Brown, president of WSPA, said that since Channel 9 is a newly-activated facility, some sets may need adjustments by a television serviceman and for the best pictures, antennas should be pointed toward Kings Mountain, one-half mile south of Sylva.

"We are delighted to bring this additional television service to the people of Jackson County," Brown declared.

"We want to thank Bart Cope and others who have been cooperative in making it possible for us to locate the translator on Kings Mountain," Brown asserted.

WSPA-TV is a CBS affiliate. The translator here is one of several the station is installing in Western North Carolina to bring service to important areas shadowed by nearby mountains. Two other television stations are planning translator stations to be erected on Kings Mountain. WFBC-TV, Greenville, S.C., will rebroadcast its Channel 4 signal on Channel 2. The assistant engineer for the NBC affiliate told the Herald Wednesday morning that equipment for the translator station is on order and that it is expected to be placed in operation "within the next two or three weeks."

The Greenville station's chief engineer, who has made several trips to Sylva in connection with the proposed translator, was on vacation this week and this is apparently delaying a schedule he announced to the Herald late in May.

An announcement from WFBC and WLOS-TV, Asheville, last week noted that the two stations will both operate from one tower on Kings Mountain. WLOS-TV is an ABC affiliate and will rebroadcast its Channel 13 programs on Channel 5.

When all three translator stations are in operation, the three major TV network programs will be available in the area.

Editor's note: This is the weekly installment of a review of our back issues as The Sylva Herald and Ruralite celebrates its 75th anniversary throughout 2001.

Back to Archive: 08/02/01.