Due to a government-mandated change, most broadcast stations in this area were required to move channels/frequencies on Sept. 11, 2019.
As part of this work, CBS 17 began broadcasting from an antenna mounted on the side of our broadcast tower, mounted 300 feet below the top of the tower. This allowed us time to install a new antenna at the top of the tower.
This work was completed on March 9th, 2020 and we have been broadcasting from it since that day. At this time we feel confident in the quality of our new signal.
Our broadcast tower is located just east of Garner, North Carolina on Transmitter Road. If you need help on where to point your antenna, follow this link to a Google map of this location.
At this time, you should be able to receive our signal across the entire viewing area.
As part of the repack process, we switched from broadcasting a UHF signal to a VHF signal.
This new signal may not be compatible with some antennas.
Many antenna manufacturers have sold flat-panel or other antennas marketed as “HD” antennas. These are generally only UHF compatible.
If you are still having trouble with reception of our new signal, your antenna may not be compatible.
CBS 17 would be glad to assist you in resolving this inconvenience.
Here are a couple troubleshooting hints below.
Troubleshooting:
- Adjust the placement and/or location of your antenna. Pointing as best as possible towards Garner, North Carolina. Then re-scan your channels. You may need to adjust the antenna and scan multiple times.
- Purchase a signal line amplifier. Amplifying the gain of the antenna may help strengthen the signal.
- If you have multiple televisions, try scanning each one. If they are on individual antennas, they may have different outcomes.
- CBS 17’s new signal is VHF. Your antenna may not be capable of properly picking up VHF signals such as CBS 17 and WTVD. Flat Panel antennas are not suitable for this purpose. If you think you may need a new antenna, try this resource.
- If you are still having trouble, please follow this link to a Google form which will open a trouble ticket to which a CBS 17 engineer will respond.
Do you watch us with an antenna? Do you have an LG, Sony or Samsung television? If you answered yes to both of these questions, watch the videos above. CBS 17’s Chief Meteorologist Wes Hohenstein walks you through the process of rescanning your television for free over-the-air channels.
CBS 17, along with many other local television stations, will begin broadcasting on a new frequency starting at 3 a.m. on September 11. You will need to rescan your television on September 11 to continue watching your favorite programming. Email dtvanswers@cbs17.com if you need further assistance.
What is happening?
- By law, nearly 1,000 television stations across the country are required to move frequencies to make room for wireless internet broadband services.
- As a result, our station is moving frequencies on Sept. 11, 2019. This is our Rescan Day.
- Viewers who watch TV over the air with an antenna will need to rescan their TV sets on Rescan Day.
- Rescanning is when your TV finds all of the available channels in your area.
- WNCN/CBS 17, UNCTV, TELEMUNDO, UNIVISION, WLFL, WRDC and others are also scheduled to move.
- Viewers will not need to purchase any new equipment or services.
- This move is happening behind the scenes, so the channel number viewers know will not change.
Why is it happening?
- Recently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) held an auction to reallocate TV broadcast airwaves for wireless internet broadband services.
- At the conclusion of the auction, the FCC determined that nearly 1,000 TV stations must move frequencies to make room for wireless internet carriers.
- As required by the FCC, TV stations will be moving frequencies at different times starting in 2018 through at least the spring of 2020.
- This may require viewers who use an antenna to watch TV to rescan.
What does this mean for local viewers?
- Viewers will need to take simple steps to rescan their television sets when CBS 17 and others in our market move frequencies. They will not need to purchase new equipment or services.
- Viewers who subscribe to cable or satellite television will not have to rescan – their service provider will do this for them.
- 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.
- If viewers haven’t rescanned their TVs recently, they may discover TV channels they didn’t know they were missing.
How can viewers prepare for these changes?
- Viewers should also stay tuned to this station and visit our website, CBS17.com/rescan for more information on our Rescan Day.
- Viewers can also visit TVAnswers.org to learn more, such as how to rescan their televisions and when all their local stations are moving frequencies. They can also sign-up for mobile alerts and email updates on changes that may affect them.
- Viewers can also call the Federal Communications Commission consumer hotline at 1-888-CALLFCC (1-888-225-5322) and press “6” to speak to a help desk representative. The call center is staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Eastern time, seven days a week
- Our station remains committed to ensuring our viewers have access to the news, emergency updates and entertainment they rely on us to deliver every day. We want to make this transition as easy as possible for them.