More Americans trust their local broadcaster for news than any other source, and a growing number of viewers are getting their local television stations over-the-air with an antenna. Call For Action partners with numerous local TV stations and is committed to helping consumers maintain their access to over-the-air broadcast for local news, weather and emergency information.
Nearly 1,000 over-the-air broadcast stations will be changing their frequencies between 2018 and 2020. This is the second major broadcast TV change in the last decade, following the conversion from analog to digital signals in 2009. For over 55 years, Call For Action has been a place consumers can turn for help. In collaboration with broadcast partners, our volunteer-staffed hotlines were there to help through the Digital TV transition, and we are ready to provide consumers with clear information during the upcoming frequency moves.
Call For Action is partnering with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to grow awareness and help consumers understand the changes that will result from the broadcast repack. Some stations have already begun to change frequencies, but the majority of network changes will occur between September 2018 and July 2020.
The frequency move will only impact you if you get free broadcast TV through an antenna. There is no equipment to buy and you will still find the stations you currently watch at the same channel number. You do not need to do anything if you watch your local networks through cable, satellite, or internet streaming services.
If you are using an antenna, all you need to do is select “rescan” on your TV or HD converter box after one of your channels has migrated. The TV will take care of the rest, reconnecting to all of the stations available to you. The easiest way to rescan is with your remote, so make sure you have your remote handy and that it works properly before the day you will need to rescan.
In some areas you made need to rescan more then once, depending on when stations in your market are scheduled to move. You’ll need to repeat the rescan process after each channel migrates to retain access to all of them.
Your local broadcaster will keep you informed about when they plan to move frequencies and when you will need to rescan. Many will begin running alerts or crawls at least one month before they make the move.
To find out which channels in your area will be changing frequencies and when, check NAB’s TV Answers website. You can search its database by zip code to find out whether your station will move frequencies, and you can sign up for text and email alerts to stay up to date.
Call For Action and NAB will work together to share instructions to rescan, troubleshoot questions, and provide guidance during the next two years as this transition occurs. We are committed to ensuring customers are informed and prepared for these upcoming changes.
About Call For Action
Call For Action, Inc. (CFA) is a national nonprofit network of 22 consumer help hotlines. Volunteers work with consumers and companies to mediation issues and empower consumers with a voice larger than their own. In 2017 we recovered over $8 million dollars for consumers. Visit our website www.callforaction.org to file your complaint and learn more about a number of consumer issues.
About the Author
Eduard Bartholme – Executive Director, Call For Action
Mr. Bartholme joined CFA in 2003 as the Director of Project Development and Information Systems. He guided CFA’s award winning Identity Theft brochure and oversaw its translation into Spanish. In July 2007, he was named Executive Director and in 2009 was elected CEO of the organization.
Since joining the organization, he has been involved in the expansion of CFA to twelve new locations. Mr. Bartholme has also worked to broaden CFA’s network of 22 media affiliate offices to now include radio, TV and print outlets.
Mr. Bartholme currently serves as Chair of the FCC Consumer Advisory Committee, represents CFA on the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board and various other consumer focused working groups and advisory panels.