Local TV Stations to Change Frequencies, Here’s What You Need to Know

A number of local TV stations will soon begin broadcasting on new frequencies allocated by the Federal Communications Commission. Here's what you need to know.

In April of 2017, the FCC held an auction and ultimately reallocated many TV frequencies in order to accommodate the needs of wireless broadband providers.

Here's what you need to do:

If you receive local TV broadcasts via an over-the-air antenna, you will need to initiate a rescan on your TV (or set-top box) in the near future. You may need to perform this procedure more than once.

WEYI-TV 25 and WBSF-TV 46 will alter their signals on Tuesday, June 18. A rescan may be necessary after 12 pm in order to continue receiving those stations' programming.

WNEM-TV 5's signal will change on Friday, June 21. Another rescan may be necessary on that day.

Additionally, public TV station WCMZ and religious broadcaster WAQP are in the process of changing frequencies as well. More information is available here.

There will be no changes to WJRT-TV 12 and WSMH-TV 66.

If you receive your local TV programming from a cable or satellite provider like Charter, Comcast, or Direct TV, no action is necessary. Your provider will automatically perform this action on their end before the signals reach your home.

If you live outside the Flint/Mid-Michigan area, or if you need information on how to perform a rescan on your television equipment, please visit this website.