DALLAS/FORT WORTH — KERA TV is pleased to share that over-the-air broadcast has been fully restored to Wichita Falls and the surrounding area, after an act of vandalism to two television towers caused KERA’s signal to be disrupted on December 18, 2020.

Early that December morning, vandals cut guy wires to two television towers in Wichita Falls. Gusty winds sent one of them, which broadcasts KERA’s signal, crashing to the ground. Since the incident, KERA and its engineers have been hard at work to restore its signal for Wichita Falls viewers — securing a new lease on a different tower, purchasing and installing a new broadcast antenna, and a new transmission line.

As of May 6, KERA TV’s signal is fully restored in Wichita Falls. Over-the-air viewers can access programming as normal on Channel 26. If viewers are having trouble accessing KERA over-the-air, it is advised that they conduct a general channel scan. KERA’s new antenna will be coming into homes from a different angle, and viewers’ televisions may need to recapture the signal. For questions about this process, viewers can contact KERA’s Audience & Member Services team Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm at (214) 740-9272, or send a message anytime at www.kera.org/about/contact.

KERA TV is an essential service for millions in North Texas, including the Wichita Falls area, providing trusted news, entertainment, and educational children’s programs. “Ever since this incident occurred, our primary goal has been restoring service to the families and individuals of Wichita Falls who depend on KERA TV,” says Nico Leone, President & CEO of KERA. “Whether it’s the news of the day from PBS NewsHour, or safe children’s programs that educate as much as they entertain, we know Wichita Falls relies on KERA. We are pleased to be able to restore our service, and we want to thank all of our over-the-air viewers in the area for their patience and understanding as we worked determinedly to address the effects of this act of vandalism. Of course, we also want to thank our members, without whom KERA’s services and programming would not be possible.”

An investigation into the incident is ongoing. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information about vandalism to the two communication towers in Wichita Falls last December. People can submit tips to the FBI online at www.fbi.org or by calling their Dallas Field Office at (972) 559-5000. For inquiries or questions regarding the investigation, please contact the Wichita Falls Public Information Department at (940) 720-5016 or (940) 720-5019. For questions or media inquiries regarding KERA and its services, please contact Lauren Menking, Communications Manager, at lmenking@kera.org.

For requests, media inquiries or general public information related to the investigation:

Wichita Falls Public Information Department

(940) 720-5016 or (940) 720-5019