Is KGCW (CW 26) on NextGen TV?
CW · channel 26 · Burlington, IA (Davenport-R.Island-Moline market)
KGCW's own transmitter now broadcasts only NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0). Its regular channel didn't go away — it moved to KLJB's signal, and a rescan finds it under the same channel number.
Source: FCC licensing records, checked October 29, 2026.
KGCW at a glance
- Channel on your TV
- 26
- Real (RF) broadcast channel
- 21 · UHF
- Network
- CW
- City of license
- Burlington, IA
- TV market
- Davenport-R.Island-Moline (#100)
- License type
- Full-power
- NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0)
- Yes — 3.0-only transmitter
- NextGen TV since
- December 10, 2024
- Old-format (1.0) signal
- Carried by KLJB (FOX 18)
- FCC facility ID
- 7841
How KGCW 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.
- KGCW’s transmitter carries the NextGen TV versions of WHBF-TV (CBS 4), KWQC-TV (NBC 6) and KLJB (FOX 18).
- KGCW’s old-format programming now airs from KLJB (FOX 18) (RF 30).
Questions about KGCW
Is KGCW broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV)?
KGCW's own transmitter now broadcasts only NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0). Its regular channel didn't go away — it moved to KLJB's signal, and a rescan finds it under the same channel number.
Will KGCW stop working on my TV?
KGCW's programming already moved to KLJB's transmitter and is still free over the air in the old format. 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 outside the largest markets end old-format signals in February 2030. 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 26?
If channel 26 disappeared, it's almost always because its old-format signal moved to KLJB's transmitter. Run a full channel scan (Settings → Channels → Auto scan) and it comes back under the same number. KGCW transmits on real (RF) channel 21, 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 Davenport-R.Island-Moline
- WHBF-TV (CBS 4) · 3.0
- KWQC-TV (NBC 6) · 3.0
- WQAD-TV (ABC 8)
- KLJB (FOX 18) · 3.0
- WQPT-TV (ETV 24)
- KQIN (PBS 36)
- WMWC-TV (TBN 53)
Full Davenport-R.Island-Moline station list and shutoff timeline →