Is WBBM-TV (CBS 2) on NextGen TV?
CBS · channel 2 · Chicago, IL (Chicago market)
WBBM-TV's own transmitter now broadcasts only NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0). Its regular channel didn't go away — it moved to WGN-TV's signal, and a rescan finds it under the same channel number.
Source: FCC licensing records, checked October 29, 2026.
WBBM-TV at a glance
- Channel on your TV
- 2
- Real (RF) broadcast channel
- 12 · VHF-high
- Network
- CBS
- City of license
- Chicago, IL
- TV market
- Chicago (#3)
- License type
- Full-power
- NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0)
- Yes — 3.0-only transmitter
- NextGen TV since
- February 5, 2024
- Old-format (1.0) signal
- Carried by WGN-TV (CW 9)
- FCC facility ID
- 9617
How WBBM-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.
- WBBM-TV’s transmitter carries the NextGen TV versions of WMAQ-TV (NBC 5), WGN-TV (CW 9), WFLD (FOX 32) and WGBO-DT (Univision 66).
- WBBM-TV’s old-format programming now airs from WGN-TV (CW 9) (RF 19).
Questions about WBBM-TV
Is WBBM-TV broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV)?
WBBM-TV's own transmitter now broadcasts only NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0). Its regular channel didn't go away — it moved to WGN-TV's signal, and a rescan finds it under the same channel number.
Will WBBM-TV stop working on my TV?
WBBM-TV's programming already moved to WGN-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 2?
If channel 2 disappeared, it's almost always because its old-format signal moved to WGN-TV's transmitter. Run a full channel scan (Settings → Channels → Auto scan) and it comes back under the same number. WBBM-TV transmits on real (RF) channel 12, which is VHF-high. Many flat and "HD" indoor antennas are built mainly for UHF and do poorly on VHF-high (channels 7–13). If this station drops out while UHF stations come in, try an antenna that lists VHF-high reception, or one with rabbit-ear dipoles extended.
Why channels disappear → · Where the FCC decision stands → · Does my TV have a 3.0 tuner? →
Other stations in Chicago
- WPVN-CD (CRTV 24)
- WOCK-CD (KBS America)
- WEDE-CD
- WWME-CD (MeTV)
- WMEU-CD
- WLPD-CD (TBN)
- WMAQ-TV (NBC 5) · 3.0
- WLS-TV (ABC 7)
- WGN-TV (CW 9) · 3.0
- WTTW (PBS 11)
- WCIU-TV (26)
- WFLD (FOX 32) · 3.0
- WWTO-TV (TBN 35)
- WCPX-TV (ION 38)
- WSNS-TV (Telemundo 44)
- WPWR-TV (FOX 50)
- WYIN (PBS 56)
- WTVK (59)
- WXFT-DT (UniMás 60)
- WJYS (62)
- WGBO-DT (Univision 66) · 3.0