More Communities, More Access: PBS SoCal Expands Over-the-Air Service
Last year, PBS SoCal expanded its reach in Santa Barbara County and the surrounding regions with two local broadcast stations, Channel 26 and Channel 50, enhancing the over-the-air viewing experience for local viewers.
Starting on March 2, 2026, PBS SoCal’s broadcast stations in the Palm Springs region — Channel 9 and Channel 35 — will expand its over-the-air channel offering. Viewers will now be able to see NHK WORLD-JAPAN, WORLD and Create.
If you watch PBS SoCal using an antenna and notice a change in your signal, make sure you have a dual-band (UHF/VHF) digital antenna connected to your TV, and follow the few steps below to resolve the issue.
See our FAQs below for more information about our new subchannel offerings.
FAQ
Palm Springs Region
I. What is Happening?
Starting on March 2, 2026, PBS SoCal’s broadcast stations in the Palm Springs region — Channel 9 and Channel 35 — will expand its over-the-air channel offering. Viewers will now be able to see NHK WORLD-JAPAN, WORLD and Create.
- NHK WORLD-JAPAN – The international service of Japan's public broadcaster NHK. It provides the latest information on Japan and Asia through television, radio and online to a global audience.
- WORLD – The best of public television's nonfiction, news and documentary programming.
- Create – Access to lifestyle-oriented programming 24-hours a day with plenty of great cooking, crafts and travel content with shows like Rick Steves, America's Test Kitchen and This Old House.
Here is the full updated channel list:
9.1 – PBS SoCal
9.2- PBS SoCal Plus
9.3 – PBS Kids
9.4 – PBS SoCal Encore
9.5 – NHK
9.6 – World
9.7 - Create
35.1 – PBS SoCal
35.2- PBS SoCal Plus
35.3 – PBS Kids
35.4 – PBS SoCal Encore
35.5 – NHK
35.6 – World
35.7 - Create
Our engineers have been working diligently for the past several months to prepare for the transition, but if you are experiencing issues we apologize for the inconvenience and we’re here to help.
However, please note that all the viewers who use satellite or cable services in those areas will be unaffected. Streaming services are always available at pbssocal.org and on the free PBS App.
II. How can I find the new channel?
If you can’t find us when trying to tune in to PBS SoCal, we recommend running a channel scan or rescan (instructions below). A channel scan is a way to update channel information stored in the receiver of your television. Rescans are necessary in cases like this when we transition our channel from one channel to another.
While each television is a little different, here are the basic steps to take to rescan available channels on your TV to ensure you are still receiving PBS SoCal:
- Make sure you have a dual-band (UHF/VHF) digital antenna connected to your TV
- Select the MENU button on your television’s remote control
- Select “Channel Setup” (or similar option)
- Select “Antenna” and/or “Air”
- Select “New Scan” (or similar option like "auto-tune,” "channel search," or "auto-program")
III. What can I do if the rescan doesn't work?
Viewers may also find that fine tuning their antenna may allow them to receive new channels they might not have been able to receive in the past. It may require possibly purchasing a new antenna that is capable of receiving both UHF and VHF signals.
AntennaWeb.org is a service that we would recommend to determine what antenna might be appropriate for receiving both the VHF and UHF signals.
IV. Why is the channel expansion happening?
We’ve expanded our incremental subchannel offerings to provide more content options on PBS SoCal and PBS SoCal Plus. We’re now broadcasting across Channel 9 and Channel 35 in the Palm Springs region.
V. When will the transition happen?
The official relaunch is March 2, 2026, you’ll continue receiving the same signal after rescanning.
VI. Who is affected?
The communities affected are in the Greater Palm Springs area including Palm Desert, Cathedral City and Indio in the Coachella Valley.
Viewers using satellite or cable will not be affected. This transition improves access and viewing quality for those using antennas.
Santa Barbara and the Central Coast
I. What Happened?
Starting on July 19, 2025, we offered seven PBS SoCal subchannels giving viewers more opportunities to watch the programs and content they love, including:
PBS SoCal (26.1 and 50.1)
- PBS SoCal Plus (26.2 and 50.2)
- PBS KIDS (26.3 and 50.3)
- Encore (26.4 and 50.4)
- NHK World-Japan (26.5 and 50.5)
- World (26.6 and 50.6)
- Create (26.7 and 50.7)
The communities affected are Lompoc, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Santa Maria to the north, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Summerland, Carpinteria and Ventura to the south.
Please note that all the viewers who use satellite or cable services in those areas will be unaffected. Streaming services are always available at pbssocal.org and on the free PBS App.
II. How can I find the new channel?
If you can’t find us when trying to tune in to PBS SoCal, we recommend running a channel scan or rescan (instructions below). A channel scan is a way to update channel information stored in the receiver of your television. Rescans are necessary in cases like this when we transition our channel from one channel to another.
RESCAN PROCESS (takes about 5-15 minutes):
While each television is a little different, here are the basic steps to take to rescan available channels on your TV to ensure you are still receiving PBS SoCal:
- Make sure you have a dual-band (UHF/VHF) digital antenna connected to your TV
- Select the MENU button on your television’s remote control
- Select “Channel Setup” (or similar option)
- Select “Antenna” and/or “Air”
- Select “New Scan” (or similar option like "auto-tune,” "channel search," or "auto-program")
III. What can I do if the rescan doesn't work?
Viewers may also find that fine tuning their antenna may allow them to receive new channels they might not have been able to receive in the past. It may require possibly purchasing a new antenna that is capable of receiving both UHF and VHF signals.
AntennaWeb.org is a service that we would recommend to determine what antenna might be appropriate for receiving both the VHF and UHF signals.
IV. Why is the addition of channels happening?
We’ve upgraded and enhanced our signal to improve coverage and provide more content options with better reception and picture quality. We’re now broadcasting 7 PBS SoCal subchannels across Channel 26 and Channel 50 in the Santa Barbara region. This change also positions us to leverage the advantages of Next Gen TV.
V. When did the transition happen?
The official relaunch was July 19, 2025, but if you were watching PBS SoCal on 33.1–33.7 during the testing phase, you would have continued receiving the same signal after rescanning—just now on 50.1–50.7.
VI. Who is affected?
Communities across the Santa Barbara region, including:
- North: Santa Maria, Lompoc, Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos
- Central/South: Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Summerland, Carpinteria, Ventura
Viewers using satellite or cable will not be affected. This transition improves access and viewing quality for those using antennas.