Television broadcasting in the US went digital at the beginning of 2009. One of the big promises was that we would get more content. Broadcasters had the choice of using their entire broadcast channel for a single content source, or splitting it up as many times as they wanted. In other words, instead of just sending CBS on channel 2, you could send 5 other things as well. The more you sliced it up, the more the quality would suffer, but you might not care.
Most broadcasters opted to have about three other content streams besides the main one, and these have been called “subchannels.” Unless you have an over-the-air antenna, you probably haven’t ever seen them.
What’s on these subchannels?
The most common thing you’ll find on subchannels is older, 20th-century content. This stuff is usually produced in standard definition anyway, so the subchannel’s quality isn’t a problem. It’s also cheap to license, which is a big benefit.
This content usually isn’t carried on cable or satellite because of the extra cost and capacity needed to do it. So, historically if you wanted something like the Buzzr! channel, the CoziTV channel, or something like that, an antenna was your only choice.
I have often told people that having subchannels is a big benefit because you can get dozens of programs you couldn’t get before. But does that really hold up in 2022 and beyond?
First thing: NextGen TV
NextGen TV is the marketing term given to ATSC 3.0, the proposed television standard to replace the current one. If adopted by Congress, it will offer regular people 4K content and interactive features. It will also let people in RVs and other moving vehicles get TV reception. That’s something they haven’t been able to do since 2009.
The problem is that NextGen TV is stuck in a sort of limbo that’s proven hard to get out of. The FCC authorized wide-scale testing in 2017 but for a lot of reasons it hasn’t really happened. 2022 saw some growth here but at the rate we’re going it’s hard to believe we’ll see this new standard until 2027 or later.
NextGen TV comes into play with subchannels because of the testing process. During this process, broadcasters are allowed to run a second version of their primary channel for testing purposes. One way they can do this is by eliminating subchannels to make room for it. So far that hasn’t happened, but only because things are moving so slowly.
Second thing: streaming
It’s really no longer true that you can only get subchannel content using an antenna. Several of the major subchannel “networks” are now available on services like Sling, Pluto TV, and several TV makers’ smart hubs. Not all of them, but more and more every day. The people who own and program these things seem to think streaming is the future and they think they can get more viewers that way.
This is really a “more is better” approach. Those folks who want to get this stuff over antenna will still get it, but those who want to stream have that option as well. The only question is whether or not the antenna-based stuff will continue if the streaming stuff becomes really popular.
The forecast
I think that subchannels on antenna still have some life in them. Subchannels have really found a niche serving boomers, and boomers tend not to put a lot of stock in streaming. Some TVs do mix their streaming and over-the-air channels, but that presupposes the TV is even hooked to the internet.
I would be surprised if there were any real change in the subchannel “landscape” for the next five years and I think that’s good.
In the meantime, if you’re interested in getting a TV antenna so you can see what subchannels are all about, shop at Solid Signal. If you have questions before, during, or after the sale, call us at 888-233-7563 during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get back to you, usually within one business day.
