NOTE: The U.S. reverse auction and the transition to ATSC 3.0 are 2 separate transitions which could happen at the same time (broadcasters prefer it for financial reasons) but are not legislated to do so.
Your current Samsung is an ATSC 1.0 technology TV which will not be able to pick up o-t-a signals after the transition to the ATSC 3.0 format. It is not clear at this time if converter boxes will be made available. Even if they are made available, the 7.1 audio which the new ATSC 3.0 will provide will not be provided with your current TV as it does not have the equipment (speakers) to provide 7.1 audio, just 5.1.
As for WBXZ, will it remain on channel RF 17? The U.S and Canadian governments will sit down and re-divide the available VHF and UHF (14-36 channels) spectrum after the reverse auction takes place later this year. If he wishes to remain on the air on another frequency, does the owner of WBXZ have the financial resources for a new transmitter? WBXZ is not protected after the re-allotment as it is an non class-A LP station, unlike WBNF-CD-15.
If the owner of WBBZ-TV Phil Arno decides to participate in the reverse auction and his bid is accepted, all WBBZ programming will no longer be available o-t-a unless he can have his programming broadcasted on another existing station, co-shared. That is unlikely as he would have to pay the station to do so; but would a competitor be willing to do so?
(The must carry rule (for cable and satellite) will still be in effect even if an existing station agrees to surrender its licence through the auction.)
