You may have heard that nearly 1,000 local television stations must move to new frequencies over the next two years as a result of what’s called the spectrum repack. But that number doesn’t tell the whole story. In fact, more than 2,000 low-power TV (LPTV) stations and TV translators are also affected.
TV Answers receives lots of questions regarding low-power TV stations and TV translators (these two terms are sometimes used interchangeably and sometimes distinctly; it’s complicated, and will be explained below), and what impact the spectrum repack has on them. To learn more about LPTV, we sat down with Robert Weller, vice president of Spectrum Policy at the National Association of Broadcasters.
First, what does low-power television mean?
Not all over-the-air (antenna) viewers receive programming from a primary TV station. Especially in rural areas, many viewers get programming that is retransmitted over stations called TV translators or low-power TV (LPTV) stations. Even in urban areas, some programming is carried on low-power TV stations.
What is the difference between LPTV and TV translators?
TV translators and LPTV stations have the same technical limitations; that is, they are both limited to relatively-low power levels compared with primary stations. The only distinction between TV translator stations and LPTV stations is that TV translators must rebroadcast a primary station, while LPTV stations can originate their own programming. Many LPTV stations elect not to originate any programming and operate as translators.
As part of the government’s spectrum repack—requiring antenna TV viewers to rescan their televisions when stations in their markets move frequencies—in what ways are low-power stations impacted differently from their full-power counterparts?
The main distinction in the spectrum repack between primary TV stations and translators and low-power stations is that only primary stations are guaranteed a new frequency if they are required to vacate their existing one. Translators and low-power stations are encouraged to move to a new frequency if they are required to vacate, but they are not guaranteed a new frequency to move onto.
Primary TV stations must move to their new frequency on a schedule set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The scheduled transition is intended to allow the station to remain on the air continuously as it changes frequencies to minimize viewer disruption. The main purpose of TV Answers is to alert viewers to that schedule, including any changes that are made. Low-power TV and translator stations are not moving on a set schedule and there may be interruptions in the broadcast schedule of those stations. That is, they could be off the air for weeks or months before commencing operations on the new frequency. In some cases, the station may have to go off the air and not resume broadcasting.
How many low-power television stations are affected by the repack?
Between TV translators and LPTV stations, about 2,500.
Where can viewers find out what low-power stations in their markets are moving frequencies?
Because there is no schedule assigned by the FCC, there’s not a perfect resource. RabbitEars does a good job of reporting frequency moves, but it’s most helpful if you know the FCC callsign of the LPTV station you’re watching. Many LPTV stations have already changed frequencies or gone off the air, while others will likely move on the same schedule as primary stations in the same market, but some may not move at all.
In response to viewer requests, the TV Answers website database now also features LPTV/translators impacted by the spectrum repack by market.
You can find this information by visiting the When are Stations Moving Frequencies? page and entering your zip code to see all known stations in your market scheduled to move to new frequencies. Not all low-power TV stations feature a confirmed date or date range, but you may use this information to contact the station(s) or the primary station being rebroadcast for more details.