Will my TV stop working in Cincinnati?
Cincinnati · market #36 of 210
Not yet — but your market has already started the switch.
- Stations already on NextGen TV (3.0)
- 8 of 9
- since September 14, 2021
- 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 Cincinnati is still sending a signal your current antenna TV can receive. 2 stations (WSTR-TV, WCVN-TV) 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 Cincinnati
“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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | WLWT Cincinnati, OH | NBC | On 3.0 via WSTR-TV · since September 14, 2021 | Still on the air |
| 9 | WCPO-TV Cincinnati, OH | ABC | On 3.0 via WSTR-TV · since September 14, 2021 | Still on the air |
| 12 | WKRC-TV Cincinnati, OH | CBS | On 3.0 via WSTR-TV · since September 14, 2021 | Still on the air |
| 14 | WPTO Oxford, OH | PBS | On 3.0 via WCVN-TV · since June 5, 2023 | Still on the air |
| 19 | WXIX-TV Newport, KY | FOX, EXIX, HXIX, WBQC, True Crimes, H&I | On 3.0 via WSTR-TV · since September 14, 2021 | Still on the air |
| 48 | WCET Cincinnati, OH | PBS | On 3.0 via WCVN-TV · since June 5, 2023 | Still on the air |
| 52 | WKON Owenton, KY | PBS | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 54 | WCVN-TV Covington, KY | PBS | 3.0 host since June 5, 2023 | Moved to another station |
| 64 | WSTR-TV Cincinnati, OH | MNT | 3.0 host since September 14, 2021 | Moved to another station |
3 low-power stations in this market (not covered by the proposed shutoff rules)
- W19FO-D (44)
- WDYC-LD
- WBQC-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.