The nation's latest state public-affairs network, WisconsinEye, lit up its service via Internet Wednesday at 11 a.m., but it is uncertain when the channel will be added to the lineup of its current cable affiliates, Charter Communications and Time Warner Cable.
Chris Long, president of the network, explained that a piece of equipment is still needed to encode the cablecast for transmission to Charter, which will connect the signal to Time Warner. He anticipates delivery in a couple of weeks.
With the two affiliations, WisconsinEye will be distributed to 60% of the state's cable homes. Only about one-half of those homes will have access to the signal, however. Both operators will program WisconsinEye on a digital tier.
The network launched by covering the Senate and Assembly floor sessions. A total of 70 robotic cameras have been installed to enable coverage of standing committee meetings, the state Supreme Court and other events around the capital. The broadband site can stream up to four events at the same time.
