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For information on how to rescan your over-the-air TV antenna, visit fcc.gov/rescan.
When will channels make their moves?
Channels began transitioning April 13, 2017. You should monitor local TV broadcasts for public service announcements, "crawls" running across the bottom of your TV screen, and other notifications to learn the exact date that a channel in your area is making its transition. Stations changing frequencies are required to display updated information at least 30 days before their transition. You can also check the FCC's website at www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps for an interactive map that allows you to insert your address to see the frequency change timeframe for most local channels.
Will I need to do anything to continue watching TV over the air?
In general, no. You will not need to buy a new TV or purchase a converter box as you may have done during the transition to digital television in 2009. When one or more of your local TV stations move to a new channel, the only action that you will need to take is to rescan your television set. Stations will provide notice in advance of such a change; however if you notice a channel missing at any time, it may be because it has moved to a new channel number. If so, you may want to rescan for available TV stations in case you missed a notice. For information on how to rescan for channels, visit our guide, which includes an instructional video, at www.fcc.gov/rescan.
Will I need to buy a new antenna?
In very limited cases, a local station may move from a UHF channel to a VHF channel, which may affect those few viewers who have a UHF-only TV antenna. For more information about over-the-air TV antennas, visit our guide at: www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/antennas-and-digital-television.
Will cable and satellite still carry my local TV stations?
Broadcast TV stations will keep their current arrangements with cable and satellite TV systems to carry the stations' broadcasts after the auction process is complete.
A few broadcast TV stations may move their transmission facilities as part of this process, which may affect which TV markets they're carried in as "local" stations. If they shift to a neighboring TV market, it may affect which cable and satellite systems carry their station. Please check with your cable TV or satellite TV provider if at any time you cannot find one of your local TV stations on their systems.