Is KCRA-TV (NBC 3) on NextGen TV?
NBC · channel 3 · Sacramento, CA (Sacramnto-Stkton-Modesto market)
Yes. KCRA-TV still broadcasts its regular signal from its own transmitter, so nothing changed for your TV. A NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) version also airs from KQCA's transmitter (since June 1, 2021).
Source: FCC licensing records, checked October 29, 2026.
KCRA-TV at a glance
- Channel on your TV
- 3
- Real (RF) broadcast channel
- 35 · UHF
- Network
- NBC
- City of license
- Sacramento, CA
- TV market
- Sacramnto-Stkton-Modesto (#20)
- License type
- Full-power
- NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0)
- Yes — via KQCA
- NextGen TV since
- June 1, 2021
- Old-format (1.0) signal
- On its own transmitter
- FCC facility ID
- 33875
How KCRA-TV shares transmitters
During the switch, stations in a market pair up: one transmitter (the “lighthouse”) goes NextGen-only and carries everyone’s 3.0 versions, while its own old-format programming moves to a partner. Your TV shows the same channel numbers either way.
- KCRA-TV’s NextGen TV version airs from KQCA (CW 58) (RF 23).
- KCRA-TV’s transmitter also carries the old-format signal of KQCA (CW 58).
Questions about KCRA-TV
Is KCRA-TV broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV)?
Yes. KCRA-TV still broadcasts its regular signal from its own transmitter, so nothing changed for your TV. A NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) version also airs from KQCA's transmitter (since June 1, 2021).
Will KCRA-TV stop working on my TV?
Not under today's rules. Any full-power or Class A station that switches to NextGen TV must keep an old-format (ATSC 1.0) simulcast on the air, and that requirement has no end date. What could change it: broadcasters have asked the FCC to let full-power stations in the 55 largest markets end old-format signals in February 2028. The FCC's own October 2025 proposal leaned the other way — letting each station choose when to stop. A final decision is expected by the end of 2026.
Why can't I get channel 3?
Start with a full channel rescan (Settings → Channels → Auto scan) — stations change transmitters and frequencies more often than people expect. KCRA-TV transmits on real (RF) channel 35, which is UHF. UHF (channels 14–36) is what most indoor antennas are designed for. Reception problems on UHF are usually about distance, walls, or line of sight to the tower — try a window facing the transmitter.
Why channels disappear → · Where the FCC decision stands → · Does my TV have a 3.0 tuner? →
Other stations in Sacramnto-Stkton-Modesto
- KBTV-CD (SONLIFE 8)
- KEZT-CD (Univision 23)
- K20JX-D (27)
- KKPM-CD (28)
- KMUM-CD (Telemundo 33)
- KVIE (PBS 6)
- KXTV (ABC 10) · 3.0
- KOVR (CBS 13) · 3.0
- KEDS (16)
- KUVS-DT (Univision 19) · 3.0
- KSPX-TV (ION 29)
- KMAX-TV (31)
- KTXL (FOX 40) · 3.0
- KQCA (CW 58) · 3.0
- KTFK-DT (UniMás 64)
Full Sacramnto-Stkton-Modesto station list and shutoff timeline →