If you’re one of the more than 72 million viewers nationwide who watch local TV stations for free with an antenna, you may soon have to rescan your TV or converter box to make sure you keep getting all the local news, weather, sports and entertainment you enjoy. 

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) recently reallocated some broadcast TV airwaves for wireless internet services. As a result, nearly 1,000 local TV stations nationwide will change frequencies – or the airwaves they use – to make room for wireless services.  

What does this mean for you? If you receive your local channels with an indoor or outdoor antenna, you will need to rescan your TV or converter box when your local stations change frequencies to keep watching them. Rescanning is when your TV finds all of the available channels in your area. If your TV is connected to cable or satellite service, you don’t need to do anything.   

Because stations are required to move at different times, you may need to rescan more than once. These moves are happening behind the scenes, so the channel numbers you know will not change.   

The good news? Rescanning is a simple process, and it does not require any new equipment or services. You simply need your remote control and a few spare minutes to rescan. To learn more about how to rescan your TV or converter box, and to find out which stations are moving and when, visit TVAnswers.org and stay tuned to your local stations. You can also follow @TVAnswers on social for the latest news and updates. #PlanToRescan

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