My husband and I don't subscribe to cable television, nor do we own a dish.  We have an antenna, by choice! For the most part, we get enough stations to get the major TV networks (CBS, ABC, NBC, PBS, and Fox) as well as a few others.  In fact, since digital television has become a reality (after the postponement of digital broadcasting from February 17, 2009 to June 2009), we have had an expansion of the PBS stations (PBS, PBS World, the Ohio Network, and Create) for which both of us are extremely grateful.  

I do have to say, though, I do a problem or take issue with the new digital formatting. All too often the digital broadcasting signal either freezes up and breaks down into "Leroy Neiman" artwork (or a facsimile thereof).  While I like Leroy Neiman's art well enough, it is a bit disconcerting to see "his artwork" time and again on the television screen.  This is especially true when the picture freezes and then when it unfreezes, the picture has totally jumped.  Sporting events, in particular, live sporting events such as football games or ice skating competitions, are the worst. There is nothing quite like missing the conclusion of a spiral pass to the endzone or missing the landing of a triple Salchow. Or what's even worse is to lose the digital signal entirely at a critical juncture of some other sports drama.

The audio is also affected during these Leroy Neiman moments so that whole meanings are lost as the words are cut out of the  dialogue. Is it the weather that causes this phenomenon?  Is it a conspiracy by the networks or by the cable companies?  Or is this technology just not yet perfected?   Does the same thing happen to those with dishes and cable?

I don't have the answer to any of these questions.  If the local affliates are contacted, they don't have answers, either. I just know that with the Vancouver Olympics and the Superbowl in just a few short weeks, I find that I am getting frustrated with the idea that we'll once again miss it all. The ironic part is that often the subject of Leroy Neiman's paintings are mainly sports.