Yesterday, the FCC announced plans to start accepting ATSC 3.0 OTA TV applications from TV stations. These applications are for stations that want to switch on a commercial ATSC 3.0 service for their customers.
The FCC is requiring any station that wants to offer ATSC 3.0 TV to continue to broadcast in ATSC 1.0. This means your current TV will still work for at least five more years from the time your local TV station starts to offer 3.0 TV.
Here is everything you need to know about ATSC 3.0:
What is ATSC 3.0?
ATSC 3.0 is a new standard that will bring a long list of new features to over-the-air TV. Two main features that will really excite cord cutters are 4K HDR picture with better sound and better over-the-air TV coverage.
There are other great features such as detailed custom weather alerts and Internet active news stories.
Will you need a new antenna?
No, you will not need a new antenna. An antenna is a dumb device that picks up all signals out there: FM, AM, TV, etc. The chips in your TV decode the signals and display the images. Just like how a 40-year-old antenna in your attic still works with the new digital TV, today’s antennas will work with 3.0 TV.
Will you need a new TV?
The good news is NO, but you may need a new box. The FCC requires TV stations that move to 3.0 OTA to offer the current OTA standard for five years after the move. That means if a station moves to 3.0 OTA TV next year, the day they turn on 3.0 OTA the clock starts for five years to still offer the current standard.
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