Forgive my ignorance David but I do not know where Wilmington is. However, here in Canada with Expressuvu Satellite we have time shifting (I would imagine you have it down in the US as well, or something similar). Anyway, I get both east and west coast networks - so I can watch CSI at 7:00pm or 10:00pm, depending on which coast network affiliate I choose.

Anyway - I have always found the East Coast stations slightly better to much better depending on the program. Even during live football telecasts, when it's a national game, the east coast sound is much louder then the west coast game. My guess is therefore it is your affliate. For the record we get Boston/ New England area for east coast, and Tacoma and area for west coast. FAIK, Wilmington is Central.