WYES is upgrading its technology to improve reception and better serve our viewers.
RESCAN NOW! Message updated at 1pm on Friday, July 19th.
You’ll need to rescan your TV to continue watching WYES. It only takes a minute, but you’ll need to do it to continue watching WYES.
For more information, follow WYES on Facebook and Instagram.
Rescan Q&A:
Why is WYES saying I will have to rescan my TV, antenna or converter box?
WYES is improving its technology by installing a new broadcast transmitter to better serve our viewers. This change impacts how WYES is received over the air by your TV and its antenna. If you currently watch WYES for free over the air with a TV antenna, sometime in July, when WYES announces the transition date, you’ll need to rescan your TV to make sure it recognizes the new frequency and you can continue watching WYES 12.1, WYES 12.2 (World), WYES 12.3 (Create) and WYES 12.4 (PBS Kids). It only takes a few minutes, but you’ll need to rescan to keep watching WYES on its new broadcast frequency.
How do I rescan my TV?
This is the same type of scan that you did to find your local channels when you set up your TV or converter box for the first time.
The terminology for rescanning differs somewhat across manufacturers. Rescanning may also be referred to as auto-tuning, channel set-up, channel scan, channel search, auto-scan, auto-program, or other terminology, depending on your TV make and model. Instructions are similar for most remote controls. While the terminology may differ, the process for rescanning is fairly simple.
Instructions for various TVs and antennas typically include these steps:
- Press “set-up” or “menu” on the TV remote control or converter box.
- Select “channels,” “antenna,” or other similar terminology.
- Click “scan,” “auto-tune,” “channel search,” “find channels,” “auto-program,” or other similar terminology.
- The TV will do the rest. The process usually takes just a few minutes and will indicate when the process is complete.
If you have questions, consult your TV or converter box owner’s manual, or visit the manufacturer’s website, for instructions and customer service contact information.
More information for particular brands of TVs is available here: https://www.fcc.gov/rescan
When will this happen? When will I need to rescan my TV?
Friday, July 19, 2024. The exact time is not certain. However, we will alert viewers on WYES social media when the exact date is confirmed. Be sure to follow WYES on Facebook and Instagram for updates. You can also visit wyes.org/rescan for updated information.
I currently watch WYES on cable (Cox, Charter or similar services). Will I need to do anything?
No, WYES is working to notify all local cable providers of the change in technology and customers will not need to make any changes in order to watch WYES on cable. You will see WYES on the same channel you currently watch it on.
I currently watch WYES on satellite (Direct TV, Dish TV or similar services). Will I need to do anything?
No, WYES is working to notify all satellite providers of the change in technology and customers will not need to make any changes in order to watch WYES on satellite. You will see WYES on the same channel you currently watch it on.
I currently watch WYES on a live streaming service (YouTube TV, Hulu Live or similar). What do I need to do?
YouTube TV, Hulu Live, Roku TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV and other similar streaming services are unaffected by this change and should not experience any interruption in service.
What is changing? What is the new technology?
Since WYES signed on the air April 1, 1957, the station has been broadcasting as a VHF channel (using Very High Frequency waves). This new transmitter, which has been authorized by the Federal Communications Commission, will allow us to instead broadcast as a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) channel. This change to UHF should help WYES better serve our viewing audience by improving reception.
Will I need to buy a new antenna to watch WYES over the air?
You should not need to buy a new antenna if you have been watching WYES on your existing one, but all viewers will need to rescan their TVs and antennas in order to receive the new WYES signal.
If you are buying a new antenna to watch WYES on its new frequency, you’ll want to make sure it is designed to pick up UHF signals. Some antennas only provide good reception of VHF or UHF channels, but not both. For example, indoor “rabbit ears” usually need to be augmented with an additional “wire loop” or “bowtie” antenna (see images in next tab) in order to pick up signals on UHF channels. Many of the antennas being sold as “HDTV Antennas” perform best at receiving UHF signals, but perform less well receiving VHF channels. Check to make sure that any antenna you choose provides good reception of both VHF and UHF channels.
I have had trouble picking up WYES’ over the air signal in the past. Will this improve that?
Yes, we hope that this improvement will allow us to reach more viewers over the air as a UHF station. There may still be some viewers in southeast Louisiana and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast who are still not able to receive WYES’ signal, but this change should improve the situation for many viewers.
What happens if I don’t rescan my TV on the date when WYES switches to its new transmitter?
Channel 12 will go “black” on your TV or show a message that says “weak or no signal” if you don’t rescan your TV antenna when the change happens.
Will the live stream on wyes.org and the WYES and PBS apps be affected?
WYES programming will continue to be available 24 hours a day on wyes.org, the free WYES and PBS apps in the WYES viewing area. There is no need to do anything to continue watching WYES this way.