http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci529871,00.html

What is Sun INTERFERENCE - in regular words: Twice a year cable television programs transmitted via satellite to cable television systems are subject to interference from the sun. According to Roger Nelson, Chief Technician for Cable Services, "The position of the sun in the sky is such that it lines up directly with the satellite and receiving dish causing mild to severe interference."

The interference occurs during the daylight hours with the times ranging from 10 am in morning to 3:30pm in the afternoon depending on the satellite. The interference will last for 2-8 minutes. The first few days the interference is mild and shows up as white sparkles or what is called "blocking or tiling" - little squares in the picture. It then becomes severe with total loss of picture, and then tapers off until it no longer occurs.

Sun interference will occur twice a year, in the fall from October 4 through October 16 and in the SPRING from Feb 26-March 9th. Most channels will be affected 2 to 3 pm. All cable television signals received via C-band satellite such as CNN and ESPN are subject to the problem across the United States. It will pass and there is no need to adjust the TV set or call Cable Services...unless the channel does not return after 10 minutes.