Regarding WBMA-LD for Birmngham, AL
 

According to the station's engineer, this is a low power repeater for ABC 33/40, the local ABC affiliate that covers the Birmingham/Anniston/Tuscaloosa market. Your report indicates the station transmits on channel 40 when it actually is channel 58.1. I don't know about others but I am perplexed and amazed at the convoluted and hard-to-understand station numbering system that has been created. It's a real mess!:eek:

The virtual channel or display channel is a source of confusion. Not all, but many stations changed the real channel they transmit on when switching to digital... most stations consider their brand and former channel ID to be of great value.

All this has caused a need to know Call Sign, Network Affiliation, Real Channel and Virtual Channel. Frustrating at times, yes. But, that's the way it is.