A major upgrade restores clear, reliable reception for our viewers.
October 23, 2025 — Good news for viewers tuning in with antennas: WQED’s broadcast signal just got stronger — bringing trusted, educational programming to even more households across southwestern Pennsylvania.
Since 2019, many over-the-air viewers have struggled to receive WQED’s broadcast television signal, and some couldn’t tune in at all. We’ve heard your frustration and have been working hard to fix it.
This summer, the Federal Communications Commission approved WQED’s request to increase WQED’s transmission power — more than tripling the strength of our broadcast signal.
To reach even more homes, we’ve just taken over another, higher-frequency channel. Depending on where you live, you may see two listings for 13.1 PBS, 13.2 Create, 13.3 World and so on — simply choose the one that comes in strongest.
To be sure you’re getting every available channel and receiving the strongest possible signal, take a moment to rescan your television — it’s just a few clicks in your TV settings. Step-by-step instructions are available at fcc.gov/rescan.
[Note: Programming that had been on WBPA channel 12 has moved to WWAT channel 45.]
Why these changes matter
When WQED shifted frequencies in 2019, we moved to a part of the spectrum that’s harder to receive and more prone to interference from buildings, hills, and even household electronics.
Restoring and improving access has been one of our top priorities. These changes and other recent upgrades now make it easier for people to watch WQED free, over the air — without cable, satellite or streaming.
The improved signal also helps a new generation of younger viewers, who are rediscovering antennas as an affordable way to access local programming and live community content.
Still having trouble?
If you’re still not receiving WQED after rescanning, try adjusting your antenna’s position or testing a different model — classic “rabbit ears” often outperform smaller flat-panel antennas. Find more guidance in our Antenna Recommendation Guide.
“We know this has been a long road for some of our loyal viewers, and we’re deeply grateful for your patience,” said Jason Jedlinski, WQED’s President & CEO. “Your determination to watch PBS and local community programming reminds us why our mission matters — to make trusted news, educational programs, and local stories available to everyone.”