Open air reception of RI PBS to resume Oct. 19

Posted 10/3/19

By ROB OATLEY Due to the relocation of the Rhode Island PBS transmitter, all Rhode Islanders who watched the station via TV antenna have found they are without a signal. The screen is blank, but that is changing. To get back Channel 36 they will need to

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Open air reception of RI PBS to resume Oct. 19

Posted

Due to the relocation of the Rhode Island PBS transmitter, all Rhode Islanders who watched the station via TV antenna have found they are without a signal. The screen is blank, but that is changing.

To get back Channel 36 they will need to scan their televisions for the transmitter’s new location on October 19th, or after.

Although The Rhode Island PBS station will remain the same, the background transmission will change in accordance with new FCC regulations that will free up open air. Although the transmission has been down since September 20th, viewers who watch Rhode Island PBS via satellite or cable box will be unaffected to this open-air change. Additionally, if you have an internet connection then you can now stream their current programming by visiting pbs.org/pbs-video-app.

In accordance with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an update is in effect to modernize over-the-air television by “repacking” their frequencies and making room for wireless services. In doing so, the FCC combines empty space to create a larger, uninterrupted span of service. This process is similar to grouping all of the live channel stations together, and separating the non-live stations to make room for various wireless services. Public Information Manager for Rhode Island PBS, Lucie Raposo, urges viewers with a TV antenna to, “Scan their TV’s on or after October 19th to find the new transmission signal.” By scanning TVs at that time, viewers will be able to continue watching their regular programming.

Nearly 1,000 TV stations like WJAR NBC 10, WLNE ABC 6, and Rhode Island PBS are required to make this adjustment, and installation of the new transmitter was scheduled as early as August 15.

“The FCC mandates a 30-day notification to the public, so we started telling people about the change since in July 15th” said Raposo. “Construction finally happened on September 20th, and we’ve updated our online content to tell people about rescanning.” 

The majority of television viewers in Rhode Island will not be affected by this signal change because they receive it directly through their cable box, or through their satellite subscription. “Our channel number will remain the same after the update” adds Raposo. Only frequencies one and two of channel 36 will be affected by this update.

Adjusting your television set to auto scan on October 19th is easy and can be taken care of in three easy steps. First, press the menu button on your remote control. Then, select setup. Finally, choose the word “antenna” and then either “channel scan”, or “auto tune”. If you scan your television before the date given, you will still need to still scan your TV on, or after the date.

 Although it is not required to purchase a new TV antenna, you can make sure you are using the correct model by visiting antennaweb.org for more information about your specific model.

As a final remark, Raposo recommends that “If you use an antenna, you can still watch all of our programming if you have access to the internet. All you have to do is go to pbs.org/pbs-video-app and you can start streaming.”

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