Will my TV stop working in Des Moines-Ames?
Des Moines-Ames · market #72 of 210
Not yet — but your market has already started the switch.
- Stations already on NextGen TV (3.0)
- 4 of 11
- since March 28, 2023
- Proposed shutoff of old (1.0) signals
- February 2030
- Wave 2 · 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 Des Moines-Ames is still sending a signal your current antenna TV can receive. One station (KDSM-TV) has 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 smaller markets switch off old-format signals starting February 2030. 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 Des Moines-Ames
“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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | KDIT-CD Des Moines, IA · Class A | Catchy Comedy | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| — | WBXF-CD Des Moines, IA · Class A | Independent | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 5 | WOI-DT Ames, IA | ABC | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 8 | KCCI Des Moines, IA | CBS | On 3.0 via KDSM-TV · since March 28, 2023 | Still on the air |
| 11 | KDIN-TV Des Moines, IA | PBS | On 3.0 | Still on the air |
| 13 | WHO-DT Des Moines, IA | NBC | On 3.0 via KDSM-TV · since March 28, 2023 | Still on the air |
| 17 | KDSM-TV Des Moines, IA | FOX | 3.0 host since March 28, 2023 | Moved to another station |
| 21 | KTIN Fort Dodge, IA | PBS | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 23 | KCWI-TV Ames, IA | CW | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 39 | KFPX-TV Newton, IA | ION Court TV Laff Mystery IONPlus Busted Game Show Central HSN HSN2 | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
| 56 | KDMI Des Moines, IA | Independent | 1.0 only | Still on the air |
4 low-power stations in this market (not covered by the proposed shutoff rules)
- KCYM-LD (44)
- K32NM-D
- KAJR-LD
- KRPG-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.