Fall is nearly here, and with it comes cooler weather, less daylight, and…TV signal interruptions?
Yes, as the sun gently nudges summer out of the way until next year, it will cause brief, unavoidable TV service outages from October 6th through October 11th between 1PM and 5PM each day, depending on the channel. These sun outages are expected to last approximately eight minutes per channel. They also happen in February/March in the Southern Hemisphere.
What is a Sun Outage?
Twice each year, TV customers may experience some degree of television interference due to sun outages, which are caused by a phenomenon known as “solar satellite interference.” These brief outages occur when the sun passes directly behind the satellites that transmit cable signals for any provider, not just Pella Fiber. When the sun is aligned with a transmitting satellite, solar flares and radiation emitted by the sun disrupts the satellite’s signal and causes a brief signal outage.
Unlike satellite TV customers, whose service can be disrupted unpredictably throughout the year by rain, snow, or other inclement weather, our customers only face these sun outages for brief, predictable periods during spring and autumn.
What To Expect During A Sun Outage
During the sun outage, customers may experience a pixelated picture, picture freezes, or audio distortions for a brief period of time. Fortunately, sun outages don’t impact internet or phone service.
You can still watch TV recordings stored in your DVR without any trouble during sun outages. Be aware, however, that programs being recorded during sun outages will likely be affected.
When your TV service is disrupted on these days and during this time, you’re likely experiencing a sun outage. You don’t have to do anything to restore your service but wait a few minutes for the event to end. Sounds like the perfect time to get yourself a snack.
If you have trouble with your TV service that lasts longer than a few minutes, contact our support center at 833.685.0626. We’re always happy to lend a hand.