July 2019

We are over halfway through phase 4 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) spectrum repack, with over 125 stations scheduled to change frequencies between now and August 2. Does your creative services team know about the tools and resources at TVAnswers.org?

Visit TVAnswers.org/tools for on-air and online tools, including talking points, sample scripts, automated phone messaging, suggested social media posts, social media graphics and customizable spots that instruct viewers how to rescan their TVs or converter boxes.

With summer vacations in full swing, we encourage you to remind your viewers of your station’s transition through your digital platforms, such as your website and social media handles, even well after your rescan day has taken place. You want to ensure you reach as many of viewers as you can when they return home.

Don't forget, we can help you spread the word about your Rescan Day! Let us know the date and time you'll be moving frequencies by emailing NABMarketing@nab.org.

Rescanning an antenna may be a simple process for most viewers, but elderly and less tech-savvy viewers may need extra help. A lack of access to digital resources or social media may mean that your message isn’t reaching your most at-risk viewers.

Don’t forget to encourage your viewers to help friends, neighbors and family rescan as part of your standard messaging. You can find inspiration from KENS 5 in San Antonio, Texas, or contact us for more ideas at NABMarketing@nab.org.

Local TV stations from coast to coast are producing creative promos and spots to ensure their viewers make a #PlantoRescan. Check out these station examples that inform their viewers how to rescan. Remember, imitation is the best form of flattery! Do you have a rescan spot you’d like to share? Send it to NABMarketing@nab.org.

As over-the-air viewers across your market experience changes to their TV channels, it is important to work with other stations in your market to help spread the word and educate viewers. We encourage you to reach out to general managers at other stations in your market to inform your community about your transition date as well to tell your own viewers about other station moves in your market. This collaboration ensures our industry continues to serve every local community by delivering the lifesaving information broadcasters provide.

You can find viewer education tools like spots, messaging and scripts for newscasts that can be customized by your team at TVAnswers.org/tools. If you need anything beyond these tools, don't hesitate to contact NABMarketing@nab.org.

Working together, we can ensure viewers don't lose access to their local broadcasters!

Over Phases 4, 5 and 6 of the spectrum repack, nearly 300 stations will change frequencies as part of a linked station set (LSS). If your station is part of an LSS, you should have already been contacted by your FCC regional coordinator in preparation of your transition. In a linked station set, the frequency you are moving onto must be vacated by another station before you move onto it, or you need to vacate your frequency before another station can move, or both.

With some linked station sets including more than 100 stations and spanning across multiple states, engineers are tasked not only with managing their own station's transition but with coordinating efforts across their regions to ensure viewers maintain a connection to their local stations for the news, weather and emergency information on which they rely.

Due to weather, equipment delays or difficulty scheduling tower crews, some stations within linked station sets may experience delays or be unable to meet their scheduled deadlines, causing a cascading effect on other stations in their region.

If your station is part of a linked station set and anticipates delays for any reason, contact NAB and your regional coordinator at the FCC as soon as possible.

Stations assigned to Phase 4 are required to change frequencies by August 2. However, several stations may  not able to meet this deadline due to weather, equipment delays or difficulty scheduling tower crews. The FCC is working with these stations to extend their deadlines. Additionally, some stations may be able to meet this deadline but will be forced to lower power during a period of additional tower work or testing.

If your station anticipates delays or a transition to a lower power for any reason, please contact us at NABMarketing@nab.org so we can help you communicate with your viewers. Also, don’t forget to let your regional coordinator at the FCC know about any potential issues with your transition.  

Click here to add your contact information to stay informed, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates. You can also connect with us using #PlanToRescan to share what you’re doing to inform your audiences about rescanning.

Get Viewer Education Tools at TVAnswers.org/Tools