Sun blamed for TV disruption

October 08, 2009

The wind might have been a problem at Citizens Bank Park yesterday, but it was the sun that impacted television viewers.

Turner Broadcasting said the position of the sun caused brief disruptions in the satellite signal during the Phillies-Rockies game on TBS, leading to a blacked-out screen or a pixelated image for some viewers.

Sal Petruzzi, Turner Broadcasting's senior vice president for public relations, said solar interference happens for a few days every fall and spring, potentially interrupting television broadcasts.

Yesterday was one of those days, and today is another. The period of potential disruption is from approximately 4:10 to 5:10 p.m. Petruzzi said any difficulties are expected to last only 2 to 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, about 100 Comcast customers near Lafayette Hill lost service about 4:20 p.m. - during the sixth inning - in what appeared to be a weather-related problem with an "isolated piece of equipment," said Beth Bacha, a Comcast spokeswoman.

Bacha said that Comcast had extra staff on hand in preparation for the game and that service was restored by 6:30.

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