Phase 9 of the Spectrum Repack Begins

Multiple TV Stations’ Frequency Transitions Continue

Last week marked the end of Phase 8 of the 10-phase spectrum repack and the launch of Phase 9. By law, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requiring nearly 1,000 TV stations to change frequencies to make room for wireless services. To date, approximately 85 percent of the 1,000 stations have changed frequencies.

So, what does this mean for consumers? If you pay a monthly fee to subscribe to a television service – such as cable or satellite – you do not need to do anything as your provider will manage the TV rescan on your behalf. If, however, you’re one of the 72 million people who use an antenna to access free, over-the-air TV, you’ll need to rescan your TV after your local stations change frequencies to continue to receive your channels.

If you live in any of these communities that transitioned during this recent Phase 8, then it’s time for you to perform a TV rescan. Keep in mind that communities may have multiple TV stations changing frequencies at different times, so you may need to rescan more than once. Make sure you sign up for text and email alerts today so that you are notified any time a TV rescan is required in your area. TVAnswers.org is here to help you stay up to date with real-time information so that you can keep watching your favorite shows and stay current on important weather and emergency alerts.

Here’s how to rescan your TV:

Enter your zip code here to find out if and when your local stations are set to transition
Make a #PlanToRescan only AFTER you’ve confirmed your local station has moved its frequency – doing so before will result in an unsuccessful rescan
Once you’ve confirmed that it’s time to rescan, use your TV remote or converter box and select Menu
Select Scan or Autotune from the Menu options
Follow the prompts on your TV screen to complete the TV rescan

A TV rescan is free and usually only takes a few minutes. If you’re having trouble, check out these tips and tricks to help you troubleshoot any issues you may be having. And don’t forget to check in on a neighbor or loved one to make sure they’re aware of the TV rescan requirements and see if they need any assistance.

Here’s the good news, you may find you can access even more channels after you complete your TV rescan. So, don’t miss out on all the great TV channels available to you as well as important weather and emergency alerts.

Happy TV viewing and TV rescanning!