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Iowa Public Television Digital Coverage Map

Iowa Public Television offers three digital channels. Viewers who watch over-the-air with a digital television set or a converter box can find them on the .1, .2 and .3 channels (11.1 in central Iowa, 12.1 in eastern Iowa, etc.). Cable and satellite channels will vary by service.

  • IPTV (.1)--IPTV's main schedule is on the .1 digital channel. Here's where you'll find PBS Kids programs, documentaries, British comedies, how-to programs and more. This schedule will also air on our analog signal until the analog shut-down.
  • IPTV LEARNS (.2)-- This channel features great how-to programs during most of the day and PBS Kids programs from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. each evening.
  • IPTV WORLD (.3)--This channel broadcasts quality local, national and international public affairs programs 24 hours a day, including IPTV's Intelligent Talk Television series.

The switch to all-digital television is complete!

If you have trouble or need additional information related to the DTV switch, please feel free to contact Iowa Public Television at (800) 532-1290. Several resources about digital television reception, antennas, and more are available on this page. Feel free to refer to these videos, articles, and links for more information as well. Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy Iowa Public Television's digital service!.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recent posts from IPTV's DTV Answers blog

Frequently Asked Questions

Reception problems?

While many people have been able to receive TV signals with indoor, set-top antennas, outdoor antennas are generally better. And while there is no such thing as a "digital antenna," some older antenna systems are not able to carry digital television signals. For more information on the best antenna for your location and what to consider when updating or purchasing an antenna, visit www.antennaweb.org.

The latest on Converter Box Coupons

Viewers with expired coupons, or those who have yet to apply for coupons, can now apply for up to two $40 coupons to use toward the purchase of digital converter boxes. To submit your information for a coupon, visit www.dtv2009.gov.

Trouble with your converter box?

Your converter box goes between the antenna and the television.  It translates the digital  signal so that your analog TV set can receive audio and video.  Your converter box replaces the tuner in your set.  So you should tune your TV to channel 3 (or 4) and then do all of the channel selection with the remote on your converter box.  You will need to do a channel scan when you install the box, and again after the analog shut off.

Wondering what you need to do next?

Antennas are probably the main cause of no signal or signal break up.  If your antenna is more than 10-15 years old, you may need to get a new VHF/UHF antenna.  Be sure to check that it is pointed in the right direction.  Next, check the down lead that is connected to the antenna.  Flat brown twin lead should be changed to RG-6 type coaxial cable (round black).  If you are more than 40-50 miles from the transmitter, consider getting a preamplifier for your antenna.

www.winegarddirect.com can answer more of your questions.

More information from IPTV:

If you cannot find answers to your questions on this site, please call us at 1-800-532-1290 or use our online comment form.

Latest Posts from Our DTV Blog

  • What is the best tv for digital reception

    Thursday, August 11, 2011

    I received this e-mail today and I thought it was a very interesting question.

    "We live in Dubuque and need every advantage when it comes to reception. Our system now uses a large outdoor antenna with a pre amp and a convert box. We receive all the national networks most of the time. We are thinking about buying a new television and assume that not all tvs receive digital signals the same. Is there any way to know which tv will do the best... Read more »
  • DTV is Wireless, Cool and Free!

    Tuesday, January 26, 2010

    I recently read an article in the Sun Sentinel newspaper out of Fort Lauderdale, FL. The article was noting that in these tight economic times many people are looking for ways to save money and among the consideration is dropping subscription based cable or satellite services. When I have discussed this with folks in meetings it is interesting the reactions that I... Read more »
  • What's Wrong With This Picture?

    Monday, December 28, 2009


    One of the questions that I get most frequently is what's wrong with the picture. It seldom relates to the quality of the picture but the content of the picture. Why are the titles cut off? Why a titles in the middle of the screen rather than at the edge of the picture like they used to be? The issue is aspect ratio which is the relationship between the height and width of the picture. Read more »

  • Welcome all-digital TV!

    Monday, June 15, 2009

    Last Friday, IPTV officially became an all-digital television network! We spent Friday and the weekend taking calls from viewers who needed help, as we've been doing for more than 18 months.

    If you know of someone who is still having trouble receiving Iowa Public Television, or someone who needs help, tell them to call IPTV at 1-800-532-1290. We'd be happy to help... Read more »
  • Why is IPTV continuing analog broadcasting past Feb. 17?

    Monday, February 9, 2009

    We've heard from viewers concerned about our decision to continue broadcasting analog signals past the original Feb. 17 shutoff date following the national delay approved by Congress. We've also heard from viewers grateful for a little more time to get ready.

    Iowa Public Television is, at our core, a public service media organization. We believe it's important to serve all Iowans, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. And in the past year, we've fulfilled some of that public service role by assisting Iowans with questions and problems converting to digital television. We've conducted more than 100 town hall meetings around the state, aired 30 hours of information about the switch, and talked with thousands of Iowans having difficulty making the... Read more »

Read all DTV blog posts »