Your local television stations are critically important to every community, and we should salute their valuable contributions. Think where we would be without them. Not only do they deliver your favorite shows and entertainment, they also provide a lifeline during emergencies. Stations take seriously their responsibility to serve the public and are licensed by the federal government to use the airwaves for the greater good.
As communities across the country continue to experience various levels of COVID-19 lockdown and lifting of quarantine restrictions, local TV stations are there to provide important information. Here’s the best part, except for the cost of an antenna, local broadcast TV is free. There is no monthly fee to access over-the-air TV since local stations use broadcast airwaves to transmit a signal that is received by an antenna on, or in, your device.
Many local TV stations partner with broadcast networks, such as ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC or Univision, among others, to provide you with top-rated primetime shows and national news, in addition to local content. Each week, more than 95% of the most-watched shows are on local broadcast channels – the channels you can get for free with an antenna.
If you currently use, or are planning to start using, an antenna to access local stations in your area, you should be aware of the importance of rescanning your TV. Over the past several years and continuing through this summer, approximately 1,000 TV stations are changing frequencies to make room for expanded wireless services. When a TV station changes its frequency, viewers in that area must rescan their TV to continue to get their local channels.
TV rescanning is free and relatively simple using your remote control or converter box. Make sure you perform the TV rescan after your local TV stations change frequencies. You can find out if and when your local stations will be transitioning by clicking here. Make sure to also sign up for text and email alerts to know when you have to rescan your TV. You can find tips and tricks for antenna usage and positioning here.
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