Is KIAH (CW 39) on NextGen TV?
CW · channel 39 · Houston, TX (Houston market)
KIAH's own transmitter now broadcasts only NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0). Its regular channel didn't go away — it moved to KPRC-TV's signal, and a rescan finds it under the same channel number.
Source: FCC licensing records, checked October 29, 2026.
KIAH at a glance
- Channel on your TV
- 39
- Real (RF) broadcast channel
- 34 · UHF
- Network
- CW
- City of license
- Houston, TX
- TV market
- Houston (#10)
- License type
- Full-power
- NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0)
- Yes — 3.0-only transmitter
- NextGen TV since
- December 2, 2021
- Old-format (1.0) signal
- Carried by KPRC-TV (NBC 2)
- FCC facility ID
- 23394
How KIAH 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.
- KIAH’s NextGen TV version airs from KTTV (FOX 11) (RF 11).
- KIAH’s transmitter carries the NextGen TV versions of KPRC-TV (NBC 2), KUHT (PBS 8) and KTMD (Telemundo 47).
- KIAH’s old-format programming now airs from KPRC-TV (NBC 2) (RF 35).
Questions about KIAH
Is KIAH broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV)?
KIAH's own transmitter now broadcasts only NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0). Its regular channel didn't go away — it moved to KPRC-TV's signal, and a rescan finds it under the same channel number.
Will KIAH stop working on my TV?
KIAH's programming already moved to KPRC-TV'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 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 39?
If channel 39 disappeared, it's almost always because its old-format signal moved to KPRC-TV's transmitter. Run a full channel scan (Settings → Channels → Auto scan) and it comes back under the same number. KIAH transmits on real (RF) channel 34, 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 Houston
- KUGB-CD (NEW TANG DYNASTY 28)
- KUVM-CD (CRTV 34)
- KPRC-TV (NBC 2) · 3.0
- KUHT (PBS 8) · 3.0
- KHOU (CBS 11) · 3.0
- KTRK-TV (ABC 13) · 3.0
- KETH-TV (14)
- KTXH (MY NET 20) · 3.0
- KLTJ (IND 22)
- KRIV (FOX 26) · 3.0
- KXLN-DT (Univision 45) · 3.0
- KTMD (Telemundo 47) · 3.0
- KPXB-TV (ION 49)
- KYAZ (MeTV 51)
- KTBU (QUEST 55)
- KUBE-TV (Shop LC 57)
- KZJL (EstrellaTV 61)
- KFTH-DT (UniMás 67) · 3.0