RICHMOND, Va. -- If you use an antenna to watch CBS 6 over the air, you’ll need to rescan your TV channels on Friday, March 13 to keep receiving our signal.
What is happening?
Nearly 1,000 television stations across the country are required to move to new frequencies to make room for wireless services. Viewers who watch TV over the air with an antenna will need to “rescan” their TV sets at the appropriate times to continue watching TV for free. Rescanning is when your TV finds all the available channels in your area.
Why is it happening?
Wireless internet shares the same spectrum as over-the-air broadcast television. In 2012, Congress authorized the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to hold an auction and reallocate broadcast TV airwaves for use by wireless services.
At the conclusion of the auction, the FCC determined that nearly 1,000 TV stations must now move to new frequencies to make room for wireless internet carriers. These moves will take place beginning in 2018 and continue through at least April 2020.
What does this mean for you?
If you rely on an antenna to watch TV free, over the air, you will need to take steps to rescan your television sets when a local station changes frequencies. You will not need to purchase any equipment or services. If you subscribe to cable or satellite television, you will not be affected.
Rescanning is a straightforward process
Select "scan" or "autotune" from your TV or converter box control menu to start the scanning process. Instructions are usually available by pressing the "set-up" or "menu" buttons on your remote control.
You may need to rescan more than once, as other stations in your market may be moving frequencies at other times as directed by the FCC.
