Simulcasting digital video programs

Within a desired service area, multiple transmitters at separately located sites broadcast the same multi-channel, multi-program digital video signal. Broadcast waves from the transmitters propagate throughout substantially overlapping portions of the service area. Obstructions in the service area, e.g. mountains, buildings, trees, etc., may block reception from one or more of the transmitters at certain receiving sites. However, at most receiving sites, the receiving antenna can receive a clear line-of-sight transmission from one of the transmitters via a directional antenna having a narrow field of view. Some receiving antennae will receive direct transmissions from at least to of the transmitters. To compensate for differences in propagation time to such receiving antennae, time delays of predetermined amounts are imposed between broadcasts by two or more of the respective transmitters. In the preferred implementation, the channels are 6 MHz wide channels broadcast in the super high frequency microwave portion of the spectrum. Each such channel carries a multiplexed digital data stream containing packets of information for a plurality of programs, e.g. television programs.