FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2020
Contact: MiChelle Jones, NPT, (615) 259-9325 x2110, mjones@wnpt.org
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – On July 3, 2020, Nashville Public Television will move to a new frequency, per Federal Communications Commission requirements. When this happens, viewers who watch NPT via an over-the-air antenna will need to rescan their TVs to continue receiving the station. After the frequency change (and TV rescans), NPT will still be found at its usual channel numbers: 8.1 (NPT), 8.2 (NPT2) and 8.3 (NPT3 PBS Kids).
Note: Viewers will not need to purchase new equipment or services. Viewers who watch NPT through cable or satellite service won’t need to do anything (their service providers will handle everything).
Why is NPT changing frequencies? In 2017, the FCC held an auction to reallocate TV broadcast airwaves for wireless internet broadband services. As a result, thousands of stations are required to move frequencies to make room for wireless internet carriers. Other stations in the Middle Tennessee area have already done so; now it’s NPT’s turn.
In order to comply with the FCC’s frequency change, NPT will have to install a new broadcast antenna and that requires a temporary move to a lower-power antenna. Next, during the installation of NPT’s new permanent antenna, the broadcast signal will be reduced for 4 to 5 weeks to ensure the safety of the construction workers. Thus, viewers who use an antenna and cannot receive NPT’s signal on July 3 (or after), will need to rescan once the new broadcast antenna has been installed and is operating at full-power. Viewers should also note that many of NPT’s programs are also available online at the time of broadcast.
More details and regular updates about NPT’s frequency change can be found at wnpt.org/rescan.
“We’ve been a part of the Middle Tennessee community for more than 50 years, and we know our viewers rely on us for information, education, performance, drama and — so critical these days — the most trusted, valued educational programs to be found anywhere,” said Kevin Crane, NPT’s president and CEO.
“Our goal is to make this transition as easy as possible for our viewers to ensure they can keep watching the programs they love, such as Masterpiece, NOVA and our own Tennessee Crossroads and Volunteer Gardener series,” Crane continued. “And, viewers who haven’t rescanned their TVs recently may discover TV channels they didn’t even know they were missing.”
Rescanning is easy
Rescanning is when a TV finds all of the available channels in an area. For most TVs, the channel scan prompt is located in the “channel set-up” or “broadcast set-up” menu on the remote control. If these or similar options are not evident, viewers should consult their owner’s manual or search for their television’s specific instructions online at tv.manualsonline.com. Remember: Cable and satellite services will do the rescanning on their end.
Viewers should plan to rescan and stay tuned to NPT and its social media for more information, or visit wnpt.org/rescan. Additionally, TVAnswers.org, a viewer resource provided by the National Association of Broadcasters, features the latest news and information on station changes nationwide. At TVAnswers.org, viewers can also sign up for mobile alerts and email updates to stay up-to-date on TV station changes.
Viewers may also call the Federal Communication Commission’s 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 7 a.m. to midnight CT, seven days a week.
About Nashville Public Television:
Nashville Public Television, Nashville’s PBS station, is available free and over-the-air to nearly 2.4 million people throughout the Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky viewing area. NPT’s three broadcast channels are NPT, the main channel; secondary channel NPT2; and NPT3, a 24/7 PBS Kids channel. NPT is also available to anyone in the world through its array of NPT digital services, including wnpt.org, YouTube channels and the PBS video app. NPT provides, through the power of traditional television and interactive digital communications, quality educational, cultural and civic experiences that address issues and concerns of the people of the Nashville region, and which thereby help improve the lives of those we serve. Join the conversation at facebook.com/nashvillepublictelevision, on Twitter @npt8 and on Instagram @nashvillepubtv.
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