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Broadcast Signal Returns to Full Strength

Twin Cities PBS Antenna Replacement is Complete

May 24, 2023

The Twin Cities PBS (TPT) broadcast antenna will be undergoing replacement later this summer.  

Intermittent signal outages may occur. 

A temporary antenna will be put in place while a new permanent antenna is installed. During the installation of the temporary antenna, there will be a broadcast outage for some viewers. This will resolve for most viewers once the temporary antenna is in place.  

However, the temporary antenna will have a weaker transmission signal than our permanent antenna. During the replacement period this may lead to a loss of broadcast signal for some viewers. 

Who will be Affected? 

Any viewers who receive their TPT channels through antenna, Dish, DirectTV, or select cable providers could be affected.  

During outages, we encourage you to access TPT2, TPTKids, and TPT NOW broadcast by streaming online at tpt.org/watch-live or through the PBS App 

Viewers who access TPT channels through Comcast or CenturyLink will not be impacted by the weakened signal.

When will the signal be impacted?

Preparation work will begin in late-June and may cause short-term outages.  

June 26, 2023: We are aware of outages occurring due to tower inspections.

July 10, 2023: Preparation work on the tower may lead to transmission disruptions.

July 11, 2023: Preparation work on the tower may lead to transmission disruptions.

July 29, 2023: Preparation work on the tower will lead to transmission disruptions.

July 31, 2023: Preparation work on the tower will lead to transmission disruptions.

August 1, 2023: Preparation work on the tower will lead to transmission disruptions.

August 2, 2023: Preparation work on the tower will lead to transmission disruptions.

August 8, 2023: Testing on our temporary antenna will lead to transmission disruptions.

August 8, 2023: Temporary antenna is now on air. The weaker signal may cause some viewers to lose over the air access. The temporary antenna is expected to be in place for a few weeks. 

August 16, 2023: Work continues on our new antenna, and some viewers have been reporting that they are unable to receive our broadcast signal. This is due to the weaker signal of our temporary antenna. TPT2, TPTKids, and TPT NOW are all available for streaming at tpt.org/watch-live or through the PBS App.

August 17, 2023: For the safety of the tower crew, TPT’s signal may have to go off air completely for a brief period this afternoon.

August 19, 2023: Good news! The antenna work is wrapping up. Testing of the new antenna will begin early next week, and the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the week.

August 23, 2023: Testing of the antenna is still underway. The project is still on schedule to be completed by the end of the week.

August 25, 2023: An full outage is planned for today as antenna testing continues. We will be broadcasting at full power soon.

August 25, 2023: The new antenna installation is complete and the antenna is working at full strength. If you are not receiving the broadcast signal, please rescan.

Updates on known outages and longer-term impacts will be posted here.

Why Now? 

Our current antenna is not able to keep pace with changing broadcast technologies. To keep up to date with current broadcast capabilities and best serve our viewers, we need to replace our antenna.  

This page will be updated as the maintenance process is underway. Please return for up-to-date information.  

© Twin Cities Public Television - 2023. All rights reserved.

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