SINCE WE ARE TALKING OFF-AIR STATIONS: Just a reminder that WQLN-TV & FM will be off the air for about six hours today beginning at 8:00 AM while they install a transfer switch for their emergency generator system. WQLN is the lead station for the area’s Emergency Alert System.

YourErie.com is reporting that the digital transmitter for WFXP finally came back online just minutes before the winner was announced for the 2009 American Idol season, the nation’s perennial ratings leader. If over-the-air and distant cable viewers were keeping an eye on when the station came back online, they would have seen the announcement of Kris Allen as the new American Idol.

Here’s the release from YourErie.com, posted at 10:11 Wednesday evening:

The transmitter for WFXP Fox 66 went down just before 8 pm Wednesday, May 20th. The transmitter was back up and running just before 10 pm. The problem was an electrical issue that was through no fault of station employees or management and caused through forces beyond our control. We do appreciate your patience as Fox 66 engineers worked endlessly to identify the problem with the transmitter.

Time Warner Cable customers were able to continually receive the Fox 66 signal due to a fiber link that directly connects the station signal with Time Warner.

Viewers who receive the signal through other ways were without service.

In order to rebroadcast the season finale of American Idol, WFXP would have to receive permission from Fox Network.

If permission is granted and WFXP rebroadcasts the show, you will be notified ahead of time on YourErie.com, WJET Action News 24, and on WFXP Fox 66.

You can just feel the stress the management and engineers were navigating as they were down during the most important hours (except for the Super Bowl) of their broadcast year.

Editors’ note: much thanks to Dan Rapela, watching our back from Metro D.C., for the tweet alert while I was switching between the Cavs/Magic on TNT and Idol on Fox.