FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Calle Andrus, Communications Specialist
216.916.6434 | calle.andrus@ideastream.org
FCC Mandated Frequency Change Will Affect Some Viewers of WVIZ/PBS ideastream
CLEVELAND, Ohio (December 19, 2018) — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requiring WVIZ/PBS to change the television frequency of its Thompson repeater which serves several counties east of Cleveland. The households that will be affected are located in areas of Ashtabula, eastern Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull counties.
This change affects only those who use an antenna to watch over-the-air television. Households using cable, a satellite service or the internet will not be impacted. Those who receive WVIZ/PBS through its main transmission in Cleveland will not experience any changes in service.
Beginning in late December 2018 through late summer of 2019, the Thompson repeater will broadcast WVIZ/PBS on a temporary frequency that is less powerful than its current frequency. This may result in poor or no reception for some viewers. There will also be brief periods when the station will be off the air entirely for safety reasons while work is being performed on the tower. In late summer of 2019, the WVIZ/PBS Thompson repeater will be moved to its new and final frequency.
When the frequency changes, viewers of over-the-air broadcasting must rescan their televisions to determine if they can receive WVIZ/PBS on its new, temporary frequency. This change also affects the WVIZ/PBS digital channels, including WVIZ/PBS Create, WVIZ/PBS World, WVIZ/PBS Kids and WVIZ/PBS Ohio.
During this time, impacted viewers can watch select programming from WVIZ/PBS online at ideastream.org. WVIZ/PBS Kids programs are available online 24/7 at ideastream.org/kidstv. Qualifying ideastream members can utilize PBS Passport for on-demand access to a rich library of quality public television programming.
When work is completed, the Thompson repeater will return to the air on its new, permanent frequency. After a rescan, WVIZ/PBS and its digital channels will reappear in most affected households. No new devices, equipment or services will be needed to continue receiving the station. A guide on how to rescan a television to locate the reassigned channels can be found at ideastream.org/plan-to-scan. A small number of households may lose service entirely after the transition.
The estimated timeline of the Thompson repeater project is as follows:
December 19, 2018 Crews begin work on a temporary Thompson repeater frequency assignment, weather permitting. Total service outages are expected for up to two days.
Late December 2018 Interim service is restored to select viewing areas on a temporary Thompson repeater frequency assignment. Over-the-air viewers are advised to rescan their television in order to receive WVIZ/PBS and its digital channels. Outages in some areas will continue.
Late Summer 2019 Crews begin work on the final Thompson repeater frequency assignment. Total service outages are expected for up to two days.
Late Summer 2019 Work on the final Thompson repeater frequency assignment is complete, and service is restored to most viewing areas. Over-the-air viewers are advised to rescan their television in order to receive WVIZ/PBS and its digital channels. It is possible that a small number of households may lose service entirely. An advised date to rescan will be announced as the project nears completion.
The frequency reassignments are part of a project undertaken by the FCC to improve and expand wireless and broadband services. By law, as many as 1,000 TV stations nationwide, both commercial and non-commercial, must change broadcast frequencies by the spring of 2020. The FCC provides funding for the reassignment.
Viewers can visit ideastream.org/plan-to-scan or call ideastream Customer Service at 216-916-6100 to find out how their service may be impacted.
About ideastream
ideastream serves the people of Northeast Ohio as a trusted and dynamic multimedia source for illuminating the world around us. Publicly supported and locally owned, ideastream is indispensable and highly valued for its unique ability to strengthen our community. ideastream is the consolidation of WVIZ/PBS, with five channels of public television service (WVIZ/PBS-HD, WVIZ/PBS Ohio, WVIZ/PBS World, WVIZ/PBS Create and WVIZ/PBS Kids); 90.3 WCPN, Northeast Ohio’s NPR news and public affairs radio station; WCLV 104.9, Northeast Ohio’s classical music radio station; ideastream Education, with educational resources, services and the award-winning children’s series NewsDepth; and management of The Ohio Channel and the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau on behalf of all Ohio’s public broadcasting stations. For more information about ideastream’s rich legacy of innovation and credible content, visit ideastream.org.
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