TV Antenna Viewers in Multiple Communities Affected Phase 10 of the broadcast spectrum repack is coming to a close this Friday, July 3, with more than 70 stations across the country scheduled to change frequencies. As a result, viewers in the affected communities must rescan their TVs as soon as their stations have completed the transition to continue to get their local channels. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requiring nearly 1,000 TV stations to change frequencies to make room for wireless services. This week’s end of Phase 10 marks the completion of the nationwide repack that began in September 2018;
Continue Reading#PlanToRescan
May TV Rescan Round Up
The broadcast TV spectrum repack, which began in September 2018 and required nearly 1,000 TV stations in the United States to change frequencies to make room for wireless services, is currently in the final Phase 10 and scheduled to end on July 3, 2020. When a station transitions to a new frequency, viewers in that community must rescan their TVs to continue to receive the channel and the local weather, emergency alerts and other lifesaving information it provides for free. During May, a total of 14 stations in 12 communities transitioned, and if you live in any of the communities
Continue ReadingResearch Shows More People are Turning to Free, Local TV
TV Rescans Required to Access Channel Research shows that an increasing number of people in the U.S. are using an antenna to access, free over-the-air (OTA) TV content. Depending on the source, anywhere from one in five to one in three TV viewers use an antenna to access free, local TV, either with additional paid streaming services, or without. According to Horowitz Research 34% of TV viewers access TV content using an antenna. Likewise, research from Parks Associates shows that the number of broadband households in the U.S. that use an antenna to watch local broadcast TV channels increased from 15% in 2018 to
Continue ReadingApril TV Rescan Round Up
Phase 9 of the broadcast TV spectrum repack, in which more than half of all TV stations in the United States are changing frequencies to make room for wireless services, ended Friday, May 1. The tenth and final phase launched May 2. In April, another 27 stations changed frequencies, bringing the total number of stations that have successfully transitioned to approximately 85 percent of the total 1,000 TV stations that must make the change. When a station transitions to a new frequency, viewers in that community must rescan their TVs to continue to receive the channel and the local weather,
Continue ReadingTV Rescans Happening Throughout the Country This Week
TV Antenna Viewers in Multiple Communities Affected Phase 9 of the broadcast spectrum repack is coming to a close with more than 40 TV stations across the country scheduled to change frequencies by this Friday, May 1. The number of stations transitioning in Phase 9 has been reduced by almost 50 percent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as many delayed their transitions to avoid service interruptions during the crisis. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requiring nearly 1,000 TV stations across the country to change frequencies to make room for more wireless services. As a result, viewers in the affected communities
Continue ReadingFinal Phases of Broadcast TV Spectrum Repack Affected by COVID-19
In yet another example of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on our communities, numerous TV stations are delaying their scheduled frequency changes to ensure they remain on the air without interruption during this national crisis. Of the 88 TV stations that are scheduled to change frequencies in the coming months, more than 35 percent have been granted extensions. This will allow them to shift their rescan days to occur this summer. By law, approximately 1,000 TV stations must change frequencies to make room for wireless services, and so far, about 850 stations have transitioned. When a station transitions to a new
Continue ReadingMarch TV Rescan Round Up
The broadcast TV spectrum repack is currently in Phase 9 of its planned 10 phases in which more than half of all TV stations in the United States are changing frequencies to make room for expanded wireless services. In March, another 27 stations made the transition, bringing the total number of stations that have successfully changed frequencies to approximately 85 percent of the total 1,000 TV stations that must make the change. When a station transitions to a new frequency, viewers in that community must rescan their TVs to continue to receive free, over-the-air channels, including local weather and emergency
Continue ReadingIt’s Not an April Fools Prank: Why you May Not Get your TV Channels for a Period of Time
If you rely on an antenna to receive free, over-the-air TV and you’re not getting all your channels it may be for good reason, and rest assured, good TV comes to those who wait. As part of the spectrum repack, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – the agency that governs the public airwaves – was authorized by Congress to auction off broadcast TV frequencies to make more channels available for wireless services. As a result of the auction, the FCC is requiring nearly 1,000 TV stations to change frequencies and when those stations change frequencies, viewers in the affected communities must rescan
Continue ReadingLocal TV Stations: A Constant in Good Times and Bad
Local News Provides Lifeline to Those Looking for Local Answers Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Tip O’Neill famously quipped, “All politics is local.” At this uncertain time when all of America is grappling with the new COVID-19 reality, millions continue to rely on their local TV stations for news and updates on how the virus is affecting their local communities. Just like politics, there are national events and activities that shape our nation, but what really matters most to people is how the politics – and in this case the virus – is hitting close to home.
Continue ReadingPhase 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
Continue Reading