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WTVP | PBS, Where to Watch

As technology changes, WTVP members and viewers have more options for how, when and where to watch their favorite PBS and local shows. If you have just moved to the WTVP broadcast area, or purchased a new television or mobile device, you may need to change settings or make other adjustments to receive all the programming that is available to you. Use this page to find where our five channels are in the line-up of your cable provider, and multiple ways you can watch without a cable connection or on the internet. We hope this page answers your questions so you and your family can enjoy quality television at home and on the move. Thank you for watching!

Over the Air, Cable and Satellite

WTVP CHANNEL FINDER

Search by Zip Code to locate WTVP's channels in your area, listed by providers. 

Not all zip codes are included in this data. If yours is not, try another close to you. The data used in the channel finder is from a third party; WTVP can not guarantee its accuracy.
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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ | Broadcast / Over-the-Air

I'm having problems receiving WTVP over the air, what can I do?

Signal Interference

If you're having trouble getting WTVP on your TV, then it could be signal interference. There are many things that can cause this problem. Here are a few suggestions that may help you fix it.

  1. Try adjusting your antenna in different ways. Sometimes weird things can happen with signal interference. Temperature, weather, electronic devices, and other things can have an effect. Most of Peoria's TV broadcasters have towers in the Creve Coeur/East Peoria area. Try pointing your antenna in that direction. If you have an indoor antenna, try putting it in a window facing that direction. Also, you may have to try both minor and major adjustment, especially if you're using an indoor antenna. *Note: TV broadcasts and cellphones work off of the same basic technology. Just like cellphones can have good or bad reception depending on where you're standing, TV signals can have good or bad reception based on where your TV antenna is located.
  2. Make sure all your connections are secure. They can become loose over time, especially with temperature changes.
  3. If you're using any kind of signal booster, make sure it is working. They can become unplugged accidentally or just stop working. Your booster may also be over amplifying the signal and can affect reception.
  4. As stated above, most of Peoria's TV broadcasters have their transmitter tower in the Creve Coeur/East Peoria area. Did any obstructions or changes happen that might have gotten in the way of the signal? Example: awning, cargo container, semitruck parked outside, etc.

WTVP broadcasts on UHF channel 35, but your TV will display it as channels 47.1, 47.2, 47.3, 47.4 and 47.5. In 2009 the United States transitioned to digital television. This gives us better picture and sound, along with the ability to transmit multiple channels over one signal. But there is one important thing to remember with digital TV: there is a very fine line between having a usable signal and not having one. This is because your TV takes the digital signal and converts that information into picture and sound. It will also compensate for some signal loss without you even noticing. But when the signal loss gets too great for your TV to compensate, your picture and sound will freeze or it will just go black. Think of it like a light switch, where it is good signal (on) or no signal (off). This is different from the old TV broadcasting (analog). When you lost broadcast signal strength the picture and sound just got worse, which was commonly referred to a “snow”.

What is the WTVP Broadcast Area?

WTVP | FCC Contour Map

What is the best antenna to purchase?

Purchasing the correct antenna

Many details need to be considered when deciding the type of antenna that would be best for your location, including, terrain, distance from the TV transmitters, signal strengths and the station frequencies.

There are many online resources to help with your decision. One suggestion would be the YouTube Channel Antenna Man

FAQ  | Video Livestream

I was out of town and attempted to watch your live stream but was told I was out of the area and could not watch. Why?

Due to broadcast rights, our livestream is limited to our broadcast area.

I live in the WTVP viewing area and have been watching your Livestream. Today when I started watching the stream I was told I was outside the viewing area. Why is this happening?

Due to broadcast rights, our Live stream is limited to our broadcast area.

The question is how does the stream know where you are located? There are two methods used to determine your location.

GPS (Global Positioning System) — Most mobile devices like smartphones or tablets will have GPS. These devices will know your exact location within a few feet.

IP Address — Think of an IP Address as a telephone number assigned to your internet modem. This IP address will be updated every few days for security protection. IP addresses will have a generic location assigned to them, and this location could be miles from your actual location.

Devices like smart TVs, Firesticks, Roko, Apple TV and computers will use IP Addresses to assign your location. If that location is outside our broadcast area, the stream will not be available.

If you are experiencing this issue, you can look up your IP Address and the location that is assigned to it by following this link.

https://nordvpn.com/what-is-my-ip/

Internet Livestreams

Livestreaming is when the streamed video is sent over the Internet in real time. Today, TV broadcasts, video game streams and social media video can all be live-streamed.

Due to broadcast rights, the WTVP livestream is only available to viewers in our broadcast area. * Check out the live stream FAQ to learn how your location is determined.

  Free Streams

WTVP | PBS 

WTVP provides a livestream of our main broadcast channel, WTVP-HD 47.1 and WTVP-Kids 47.2 on this website.

 

 

PBS Video App 

Watch VOD and livestream WTVP and news anywhere on the free PBS App. With new programs added daily, you can enjoy TV shows from any device. Stream local TV, live news, award-winning documentaries, full-length TV shows and more. PBS is your place for non-stop video streaming.

 

The PBS KIDS Video app gives kids and parents access to thousands of free videos, including full episodes and clips from top PBS KIDS series. 

Stream the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel on the app for free (no subscription or login required). Tap the “LIVE TV” button to watch what’s airing on your local PBS station right now.

Local Now 

Local Now is a free streaming app that helps you stay connected to what’s happening near you with quick and informative local news, weather and more! Local Now also has thousands of free movies and TV shows to choose from!

WTVP is now live on Local Now. You will see it on the Roku, iOS/TVOS, Android mobile/tablet, Android TV platforms and the newest update of Fire TV (2023). Note that WTVP is not available on their website at this time. Web and Smart TV will follow during the summer of 2023.

  Paid Streaming Services

YouTube TV 

WTVP is now available on YouTube TV, a live TV and on-demand subscription service that provides viewers another way to enjoy the great PBS content they love on even more platforms.

YouTube TV subscribers will also have access to a rich library of on-demand content from WTVP, PBS and PBS KIDS through YouTube TV’s VOD service. 

 

WTVP is now available on Hulu + Live TV streraming service.

Hulu + Live TV gives you access to all of Hulu's on-demand content, plus live TV channels. Both Hulu and Hulu + Live TV offer a variety of plans with add-ons that allow you to customize your TV streaming experience.