Rescan
Don’t miss your favorite shows! If you watch PBS SoCal using an antenna, you will need to rescan your TV on June 19 to ensure you don’t miss an episode of Masterpiece, NOVA, Frontline, or PBS KIDS. (If you are a cable or satellite viewer, you don’t need to do this.) Rescanning is a simple process, and doesn’t involve any new equipment, but it’s necessary to continue watching PBS SoCal over-the-air.
The information below should help make the rescan process simple.
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Every TV is different, so your options may vary. Below are links to support pages for some of the top TV manufactures.
- Channel Master Antennas
- DISH Network DTVPAL
- Elemental (Includes Channel Scan Video Instructions)
- Funai (Includes support manuals for Sylvania, Emerson, Durabrand, Symphonic and Funai television sets)
- Haier
- Hisense
- Hitachi
- Insignia (Includes YouTube Video)
- Insignia NS-DXA1-APT
- JVC
- LG
- Magnavox (This will redirect you to the Funai website)
- Panasonic
- Philips
- Polaroid
- Proscan
- Samsung
- Sanyo
- Sceptre
- Sharp
- Sony
- Symphonic (This will redirect you to the Funai website)
- TCL
- Toshiba
- Vizio
- Westinghouse
- Zenith
Frequently Asked Questions
What is rescan?
Nearly 1000 television stations across the country are required by law to move frequencies, in order to make room for wireless internet broadband services. If you watch TV over-the-air, with an antenna, you will need to rescan your TV on Rescan Day. However, since stations are moving at different times, you may have to rescan more than once.
Why is rescan happening?
Recently, the Federal Communications Commission held an auction to reallocate TV broadcast airwaves for wireless internet broadband services. As a result, the FCC determined that nearly 1000 TV stations must change frequencies to make room for the internet carriers. These rescans will be taking place until 2020.
By what date do I need to do this rescan for my TV?
PBS SoCal is moving to a new frequency the morning of June 19th.
Do I need to do anything before 6/19?
You do not need to rescan your TV to receive PBS SoCal prior to 6/19. You will need to rescan your TV on or after 6/19, once we’ve changed frequencies, to get our channels again.
How can I rescan my TV?
The rescan process is simple and requires no new equipment.
- Step 1: press menu on your remote.
- Step 2: go to the channel setup menu
- Step 3: select antenna or tuner
- Step 4: start a new scan. This should just take a few minutes. Once the scan is complete, you are all set to enjoy all of your PBS SoCal channels!
Every TV is different, so your TV options may vary.
What if I have cable or a satellite service I use for watching PBS SoCal programming?
If you watch TV through a cable or satellite service, you don’t need to rescan your TV. Your service provider will do it for you.
Why is my PBS channel blacked out?
If you watch PBS SoCal over-the-air using an antenna, you may not be able to see our channel because we recently moved frequencies. The FCC required this change. In order to view PBS SoCal channels, you will need to rescan your TV. To find out more information regarding this change, visit pbssocal.org/rescan or call us at 714-241-4100 to learn more.
How often will I need to rescan my TV?
For PBS SoCal, you will only need to participate in the rescan one time to get the new frequency and to be able to access our channels.
Do all TVs rescan the same way?
Every TV is different. The channel set-up options may vary. Simply follow the steps on your television in the channel set-up menu. If you are still having issues, please reference your TV owner's manual for instructions on how to run a channel scan. Above is a list of support pages to some of the top TV manufactures. You may also contact customer service for your TV manufacturer.
Where can I find additional information?
The FCC’s website has additional information about rescan.