Every now and again, I feel the need to write about the proposed next generation of television services, called ATSC 3.0 or NextGen TV. If it’s ever put in place, sometime after 2027, it has the opportunity to revolutionize TV viewing as we know it. With ATSC 3.0, you could get 4K over the air. You could get on-demand content. There’s a whole suite of services that could make watching over-the-air a lot more like streaming.
At this point in time, seven years after testing began, there are at least a few ATSC 3.0 channels in most major TV markets. You can buy devices that will let you decode these channels if you want to see what all the fuss is about.
Knowing this, a customer recently asked this question:
When will DIRECTV carry ATSC 3.0 channels in my area?
The answer’s a little more complex than you’d think.
Easy answer: not for a long long time.
DIRECTV has the satellite capacity for thousands of new channels of 4K content thanks to its three massive satellites. However, I don’t expect to see a rush of ATSC 3.0 local channels anytime soon. Even if the whole world changed from the old ATSC 1.0 system to ATSC 3.0 overnight, it would still take time. The last time there was a major transition, in the mid-2000s, it took about four years for almost all local channels to go to the new standard.
Here’s the more important thing: there’s no reason to rush.
Today, during the testing phase of ATSC 3.0, there’s no difference between the content on the ATSC 3.0 channels and those on the channels everyone gets. ATSC 3.0 channels aren’t broadcasting in 4K today. They’re not even allowed to, during this phase of the tests. So there would be no reason for a pay-TV company to pick up an ATSC 3.0 broadcast when they already get the same content on ATSC 1.0. As a matter of fact, DIRECTV doesn’t even pick up most stations over-the-air. They use direct fiber links to the stations themselves. That means the whole question of “how is it broadcast” doesn’t matter.
Yeah, but isn’t ATSC 3.0 better quality?
There are some people who will tell you that the ATSC 3.0 test channels in their area are better quality than the ATSC 1.0 channels. Most of the time this isn’t true. It all depends on how the regular channel is broadcast. Some TV stations choose to prioritize quality. Your local CBS affiliate probably does. They’re putting out the highest-resolution signal — 1920×1080 — and probably not using a lot of subchannels. On the other hand, your FOX and ABC affiliates are probably broadcasting at a lower resolution: 1280×720. They may also be compressing the signal to fit additional subchannels on that same signal.
If you compare the 1920×1080 signal on regular broadcast TV with the same content on ATSC 3.0, you won’t see a difference. I certainly don’t, and I’ve looked for it. But if your local channel is broadcasting at 1280×720, you might see more detail when you look at the ATSC 3.0 signal. That’s not because of ATSC 3.0, it’s because the signal is going out at a higher resolution.
Eventually, ATSC 3.0 signals could be upgraded to better quality. But today, they’re generally no better than any other broadcast signal.
Let’s talk about futureproof
ATSC 3.0 may never happen. Or it might. No one really knows today. Obviously the people who are pouring millions of dollars into it think it will. On the other hand, several prominent antenna bloggers have lost faith. Who’s right? I don’t know.
What I do know is that you can make sure you’re futureproof. Almost every TV antenna ever made will work with ATSC 3.0, even ones from the 20th century. All new antennas made today will work with it. If you’ve been putting off the purchase of an antenna because you’re worried ATSC 3.0 will make it obsolete, stop worrying. It won’t.
ATSC 3.0 signals will use the same frequencies that television has used for 80 years. There’s no need to change your antenna technology or to wait on the sidelines. If you’re ready to get into over-the-air television, or upgrade your current antenna setup, there’s only one place you need to go. Shop at Solid Signal for all the best antennas at the best prices. If you’re not sure what you need, call the experts! We have real antenna techs waiting to talk to you at 888-233-7563. If it’s after hours, no problem! Fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you.
