Will my TV stop working in Chicago?
Chicago · market #3 of 210
Not yet — but your market has already started the switch.
- Stations already on NextGen TV (3.0)
- 5 of 22
- since February 5, 2024
- Proposed shutoff of old (1.0) signals
- February 2028
- Wave 1 · NAB proposal, not yet adopted by the FCC
- Earliest the rules could change
- July 2027
- Current FCC rule keeps 1.0 simulcasts through July 17, 2027
What this means today: every full-power station in Chicago is still sending a signal your current antenna TV can receive. 2 stations (WBBM-TV, WRME-LD) have become a NextGen TV “host,” so its old-format programming now comes from a different station’s signal — rescanning your TV picks it up.
What’s coming: broadcasters have asked the FCC to let stations in the 55 largest markets switch off old-format signals starting February 2028. If that happens, TVs without an ATSC 3.0 tuner will need a converter box to keep receiving these channels. The FCC is expected to decide by the end of 2026.
Every station in Chicago
“On 3.0” means the station’s programming is available in NextGen TV format. “3.0 host” means the station’s transmitter carries the new format only, and its old-format programming moved to another station’s signal (rescan to find it). Source: FCC licensing records.
| Ch. | Station | Network | NextGen TV | Old (1.0) signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | WPVN-CD Chicago, IL · Class A | CRTV | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| — | WOCK-CD Chicago, IL · Class A | KBS America | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| — | WEDE-CD Arlington Heights, IL · Class A | Independent | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| — | WWME-CD Chicago, IL · Class A | METV | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| — | WMEU-CD Chicago, IL · Class A | Independent | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| — | WLPD-CD Plano, IL · Class A | TBN | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 2 | WBBM-TV Chicago, IL | CBS | 3.0 host since February 5, 2024 | Moved to another station |
| 5 | WMAQ-TV Chicago, IL | NBC | On 3.0 via WBBM-TV · since February 5, 2024 | Still on the air |
| 7 | WLS-TV Chicago, IL | ABC | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 9 | WGN-TV Chicago, IL | CW | On 3.0 via WBBM-TV · since February 5, 2024 | Still on the air |
| 11 | WTTW Chicago, IL | PBS | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 26 | WCIU-TV Chicago, IL | Independent | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 32 | WFLD Chicago, IL | FOX | On 3.0 via WBBM-TV · since February 5, 2024 | Still on the air |
| 35 | WWTO-TV Naperville, IL | TBN | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 38 | WCPX-TV Chicago, IL | ION Bounce Court TV Laff IONPlus Busted Game Show Central HSN | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 44 | WSNS-TV Chicago, IL | Telemundo | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 50 | WPWR-TV Gary, IN | FOX PLUS/MY NETWORK | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 56 | WYIN Gary, IN | PBS | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 59 | WTVK Oswego, IL | Independent | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 60 | WXFT-DT Aurora, IL | UniMas | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 62 | WJYS Hammond, IN | Independent | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 66 | WGBO-DT Joliet, IL | Univision | On 3.0 via WBBM-TV · since February 5, 2024 | Still on the air |
7 low-power stations in this market (not covered by the proposed shutoff rules)
- W31EZ-D
- WDCI-LD
- WESV-LD
- WRJK-LD
- WRME-LD · 3.0
- KPDS-LD
- WAUR-LD
What to do now
- Rescan your TV. If a channel disappeared recently, it probably moved to a host station’s signal. Settings → Channels → Auto scan.
- Find out if your TV already has a 3.0 tuner. Use the tuner check. If it does, you’re done.
- Don’t buy a converter box yet unless you want 3.0 features now. Prices are falling and the FCC hasn’t set a date. We’ll tell you when it’s time.