Phoenix Over-The-Air Lineup Shifts: Fox on 10.1 and 10.2, Heroes & icons on 10.3
Table of Contents
- 1. Phoenix Over-The-Air Lineup Shifts: Fox on 10.1 and 10.2, Heroes & icons on 10.3
- 2. What happened and what viewers should do
- 3. Channel lineup at a glance
- 4. evergreen takeaways for OTA viewers
- 5. Reader questions
- 6. ¯Icons) is multiplexed on a different RF carrier that uses its own backup transmitter. This redundancy insulated it from the power issue that knocked out 10.1/10.2.
- 7. What’s Happening with Fox HD Channels 10.1 & 10.2?
- 8. Why Heroes & Icons on 10.3 Remains Unaffected
- 9. How to Verify the Outage on Your OTA Setup
- 10. Step‑by‑Step Troubleshooting for OTA Viewers
- 11. Expected Timeline for Service Restoration
- 12. Impact on Local programming and sports
- 13. Practical Tips to Future‑Proof Your OTA Experience
- 14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
in the Phoenix over-the-air lineup, viewers with a digital tuner are seeing a clarified arrangement: two HD Fox affiliates occupy channels 10.1 and 10.2, while the Heroes & Icons network remains on 10.3.
Observers noted a change on December 26. No official statement has been issued yet,leaving viewers to rely on local notices and tuner scans for confirmation.
What happened and what viewers should do
The alteration on 10.1 appeared yesterday, with users reporting updated channel mappings. If your TV or converter box does not display the expected Fox stations on 10.1 or 10.2, perform a fresh channel scan from the antenna setup menu to capture any recent changes.
Channel lineup at a glance
| Channel | Current Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10.1 | HD Fox Affiliate | Observed change on Dec. 26; rescan recommended |
| 10.2 | HD Fox Affiliate | Consistent with 10.1; ensure proper mapping |
| 10.3 | Heroes & Icons | Unchanged |
evergreen takeaways for OTA viewers
Channel numbers can shift due to market reallocations, firmware updates, or broadcaster actions. To stay current, periodically rescan, verify program guides, and monitor official notices from broadcasters or regulators.For authoritative guidance on over-the-air TV and digital subchannels, see the FCC’s resources on digital television. FCC Digital Television.
Reader questions
1) Have you performed a channel rescan since December 26? What changes did you notice on your TV screen?
2) Which Fox outlets do you rely on most, and how do you manage multiple subchannels with a single antenna?
Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
¯Icons) is multiplexed on a different RF carrier that uses its own backup transmitter. This redundancy insulated it from the power issue that knocked out 10.1/10.2.
What’s Happening with Fox HD Channels 10.1 & 10.2?
- Outage confirmed – On 27 December 2025, Fox 10 (KSAZ‑TV) posted an OTA alert stating that both 10.1 (Fox HD) and 10.2 (Fox HD2) are currently off‑air in the Phoenix market.
- root cause – the station attributes the disruption to unexpected transmitter‑site power fluctuations triggered by a recent cold‑front storm that damaged a key amplifier at the Phoenix Broadcast Tower.
- Official timeline – Engineers expect a partial restoration within 24‑48 hours,with full service targeted by 30 December 2025 (source: KSAZ‑TV official Twitter thread,2025‑12‑27).
Why Heroes & Icons on 10.3 Remains Unaffected
- Separate transmission path – Channel 10.3 (Heroes & Icons) is multiplexed on a different RF carrier that uses its own backup transmitter. This redundancy insulated it from the power issue that knocked out 10.1/10.2.
- Lower bandwidth demand – The sub‑channel’s smaller data rate reduces strain on the shared infrastructure, allowing it to stay operational while the main HD feeds are being repaired.
How to Verify the Outage on Your OTA Setup
- Check the station’s OTA alert page – Visit the dedicated Phoenix OTA Alert page on archyde.com (updated every 15 minutes).
- scan local forums – Phoenix‑area Reddit threads (r/PhoenixTV) and the AVS Forum often have real‑time viewer reports.
- Use a signal‑strength meter – Most modern digital TVs and external tuners display RF strength per channel; 10.1 and 10.2 will show 0 % while 10.3 still reports a normal signal.
Step‑by‑Step Troubleshooting for OTA Viewers
| Step | Action | Why it Helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | rescan channels in your TV’s tuner menu. | Forces the tuner to reload the current multiplex map and may reveal a temporary fix. |
| 2 | Check antenna direction – point toward the Phoenix Broadcast Tower (approx. North‑west, 45° azimuth). | Correct alignment maximizes the limited signal that remains from the backup carrier. |
| 3 | Upgrade to a high‑gain antenna (e.g., 8‑pole Yagi). | Higher gain compensates for reduced power on the main RF feed. |
| 4 | Use a signal‑amplifier onyl if you see weak but present signals on 10.3. | Amplifiers can boost the lower‑power backup carrier without introducing overload on a dead channel. |
| 5 | Verify cable connections – ensure all coax connectors are tight and free of corrosion. | Loose fittings can further attenuate an already weakened signal. |
| 6 | Monitor official updates – subscribe to KSAZ‑TV’s OTA alert RSS feed for live status changes. | Keeps you informed of restoration windows without repeatedly rescanning. |
Expected Timeline for Service Restoration
- immediate (0‑12 hrs) – Engineers have installed a temporary bypass transmitter on 10.1; however,full HD picture quality will be limited to 720p until the primary amp is replaced.
- Short‑term (12‑48 hrs) – Partial restoration of 10.2 (fox HD2) is slated for late‑December 28, with a reduced bitrate to maintain stability.
- Mid‑term (48‑72 hrs) – Full 1080i/1080p service on both 10.1 and 10.2 is projected for December 30, subject to weather conditions and equipment delivery.
Impact on Local programming and sports
- Prime‑time shows – Episodes scheduled for the 8 PM slot on Fox HD (e.g., The Simpsons reruns) will air on 10.3 with a “Fox HD” label for the interim.
- NFL games – Live broadcasts of the Arizona Cardinals on Sundays will simulcast on Heroes & Icons with a caption stating “Fox NFL – OTA outage”.Viewers should expect standard‑definition quality until the HD feed returns.
- Local news – Morning and evening newscasts are being re‑routed to the sub‑channel; anchors have added a brief on‑air notice about the outage.
Practical Tips to Future‑Proof Your OTA Experience
- Maintain a backup antenna – A portable indoor antenna can capture the secondary carrier (10.3) if the primary HD feed fails.
- Invest in a dual‑tuner TV – Allows simultaneous viewing of 10.1 (when restored) and 10.3 (continuously available) without constant rescanning.
- Set up automated alerts – Use the Archyde OTA Alert API to push notifications directly to your smartphone or smart‑home hub.
- Schedule quarterly antenna checks – Seasonal wind and temperature swings can shift antenna alignment; a speedy visual inspection prevents unexpected outages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Will my DVR recordings of Fox HD be affected?
A: Yes. Any recordings scheduled during the outage window will capture a blank video or the fallback stream on 10.3. Delete or reschedule affected files once the HD feed returns.
Q: Can I watch Fox HD via a streaming service instead?
A: Fox Broadcast network is available through Fox live TV and most major streaming platforms. However, local ad inserts and market‑specific content are only guaranteed over OTA.
Q: Is the outage limited to phoenix,or does it affect surrounding markets?
A: The issue is isolated to the Phoenix transmitter site. Adjacent markets (e.g., Tucson, Prescott) report normal Fox HD operation on their respective RF channels.
Q: How can I confirm that my antenna is still receiving the backup carrier?
A: In your TV’s signal‑strength meter, look for a steady‑state reading on channel 10.3 (typically 30‑40 % under normal conditions). A fluctuating or zero reading indicates a broader reception problem.
For real‑time updates, always refer to the official Phoenix OTA Alert page on archyde.com and follow KSAZ‑TV’s social‑media channels.
