Maryland Public Television (MPT) stations WMPT 22 in Annapolis, WGPT 36 in Oakland, and WCPB 28 in Salisbury are moving broadcast frequencies on Fri., Aug. 2 at 12:01 a.m., and viewers who watch TV for free with an over-the-air antenna must rescan their TVs to continue watching those stations after Aug. 2. Other broadcasters across the region will also be changing their broadcast frequencies, and these changes are being made in compliance with requirements from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Rescanning is when a TV searches to find all of the available channels in an area. Viewers do not need to purchase new equipment or services and those who watch MPT through a cable or satellite service will not need to rescan because the service provider will do it for them. When the rescan process is complete, viewers will still find their local MPT station on the same channel number under the new frequency.
A number of stations are changing frequencies at different times as required by the FCC. This means viewers who use an antenna may have to rescan their TV sets more than once. Other MPT stations will move frequencies on the following dates:
Location Call sign Current channel Scheduled change
Owings Mills WMPB 67 March 3, 2020 (tentative)
Hagerstown WWPB 31 May 1, 2020 (tentative)
To rescan on Fri., Aug. 2, select “scan” or “autotune” on the TV or converter box control menu to start the scanning process. Instructions are usually available by pressing the “set-up” or “menu” buttons on the remote control. This move is happening behind the scenes, so the channel number viewers know will not change.
For more information, visit mpt.org/rescan or call Viewer Services at 410-581-4292 or toll-free at 800-522-8915.
