July 11, 2018

Local TV stations are changing frequencies

The FCC has required 1,000 TV stations across the U.S. to move frequencies in the next two years

By Virginia Streva
PhillyVoice Staff

Ryan Merritt/flickr/creative commons

A television.

On Thursday, July 19 and Monday, July 23 three local television channels are moving to different frequencies. This includes WLVT-TV, WFMZ-TV, and WTVE. The frequency adjustment is coming from the FCC’s Broadcast Incentive Auction. The goal of this auction was to clear some of the airways to make room for wireless service providers. Those who didn’t participate in the auction – nearly 1,000 TV stations across the country – have been required by the FCC to change frequencies.

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This change will affect those who watch TV for free with an antenna. It does not affect cable or satellite. However, with so many people cord cutting, this modification will affect 77 million people across the country. Once the change has taken place, you will need to rescan your TV or converter box in order to access these channels. Twenty stations in Philadelphia will be affected between now and 2020, with the last change taking place on May 1, 2020.

Below is a comprehensive list of the stations that will be transitioning and the dates the transition will go into effect.

Station: KYW-TV – CBS 3

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Timeframe: Phase 4: June 22, 2019 – Aug. 2, 2019

Station: WCAU – NBC 10

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Timeframe: Phase 4: June 22, 2019 – Aug. 2, 2019

Station: WDPB – Public Television 64

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Timeframe: Phase 4: June 22, 2019 – Aug. 2, 2019

Station: WFMZ-TV – Independent 69

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Rescan Day: July 18, 2018

Station: WFPA-CD – UniMas 28

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Timeframe: Phase 4: June 22, 2019 – Aug. 2, 2019

Station: WGTW-TV – Trinity Broadcasting Network 48

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Rescan Day: Nov. 19, 2017

Station: WHYY-TV – Public Television 12

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Timeframe: Phase 9: March 14, 2020 – May 1, 2020

Station: WLVT-TV – Public Television 39

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Rescan Day: July 18, 2018

This station will change frequencies on July 18, 2018 and you must rescan to continue watching it.

Station: WMCN-TV – Independent 44

Market: Philadelphia, PA

This channel has two rescan dates. The first rescan will take place by July 23, 2018. Stay tuned to this channel for the second rescan date.

Station: WNJS – Public Television 23

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Timeframe: Phase 4: June 22, 2019 – Aug. 2, 2019

Station: WNJT – Public Television 52

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Rescan Day: Jan. 23, 2018

This channel will move to another frequency at a future date and you must rescan to continue watching it. Stay tuned to this channel for further information.

Station: WPHY-CD – SonLife Broadcasting Network 25

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Timeframe: Phase 4: June 22, 2019 – Aug. 2, 2019

Station: WPPX-TV – ION Media Networks 61

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Timeframe: Phase 4: June 22, 2019 - Aug. 2, 2019

Station: WPSG – CW Television Network 57

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Timeframe: Phase 4: June 22, 2019 - Aug. 2, 2019

Station: WPSJ-CD – Independent-Spanish 27

Market: Philadelphia, PA

Timeframe: Phase 4: June 22, 2019 – Aug. 2, 2019