Is WJLA-TV (ABC 7) on NextGen TV?
ABC · channel 7 · Washington, DC (Washington DC (Hagrstwn) market)
Yes. WJLA-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 WHUT-TV's transmitter (since July 1, 2021).
Source: FCC licensing records, checked October 29, 2026.
WJLA-TV at a glance
- Channel on your TV
- 7
- Real (RF) broadcast channel
- 7 · VHF-high
- Network
- ABC
- City of license
- Washington, DC
- TV market
- Washington DC (Hagrstwn) (#8)
- License type
- Full-power
- NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0)
- Yes — via WHUT-TV
- NextGen TV since
- July 1, 2021
- Old-format (1.0) signal
- On its own transmitter
- FCC facility ID
- 1051
How WJLA-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.
- WJLA-TV’s NextGen TV version airs from WHUT-TV (PBS 32) (RF 33).
- WJLA-TV’s transmitter also carries the old-format signal of WIAV-CD and WHUT-TV (PBS 32).
Questions about WJLA-TV
Is WJLA-TV broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV)?
Yes. WJLA-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 WHUT-TV's transmitter (since July 1, 2021).
Will WJLA-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 7?
Start with a full channel rescan (Settings → Channels → Auto scan) — stations change transmitters and frequencies more often than people expect. WJLA-TV transmits on real (RF) channel 7, 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 Washington DC (Hagrstwn)
- WZDC-CD (Telemundo 44)
- WMDO-CD (LATV)
- WDCO-CD
- WIAV-CD · 3.0
- WDME-CD (MeTV)
- WRC-TV (NBC 4) · 3.0
- WTTG (FOX 5) · 3.0
- WUSA (CBS 9) · 3.0
- WFDC-DT (Univision 14)
- WDCA (MNT 20)
- WDVM-TV (25)
- WETA-TV (PBS 26)
- WNVC (ETV 30)
- WNVT (ETV 30)
- WWPB (PBS 31)
- WHUT-TV (PBS 32) · 3.0
- WMDE (Shop LC 36)
- WVPY (PBS 42)
- WDCW (CW 50)
- WWPX-TV (60)
- WFPT (PBS 62)
- WPXW-TV (66)
- WJAL (Altavision 68)
Full Washington DC (Hagrstwn) station list and shutoff timeline →