The FCC Will Allow ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC TV Stations to Shutdown Free ATSC 1.0 & Switch to ATSC 3.0 Only

[Corrado]

I live in a rural area and other than my home and my son's, I can count only a handful of visible outside TV antennas on local homes. It makes me wonder of those antennas if being used, how many typical viewers are even aware of what the future brings until the day it goes dark. Not one of my coworkers or other friends use OTA TV.

Probably mostly older retired, non tech savvy viewers like my dad was use the antenna today. He just switched around the local channels of the time for TV and didn't miss what he never had. Other users might just stream what they enjoy and abandon the antenna if it becomes a hassle or additional expense. Seems pointless to me to use an over the air antenna if you need an internet connection also for the DRM if that comes to be a reality.

 

[cpalmer2k]

Probably mostly older retired, non tech savvy viewers like my dad was use the antenna today. He just switched around the local channels of the time for TV and didn't miss what he never had. Other users might just stream what they enjoy and abandon the antenna if it becomes a hassle or additional expense. Seems pointless to me to use an over the air antenna if you need an internet connection also for the DRM if that comes to be a reality.

This is one reason I haven't spent the time or $$ to put up a new TV antenna after Helene wrecked my old one. In the 3.0 world it's going to be nearly impossible to DVR anything at the rate they're rolling out encryption, and you've got to have even the regular boxes connected to the internet in most cases to process the DRM. If I'm going to have to be tied to the internet to watch OTA I might as well just stream TV to begin with.

 

[Bruce]

Subscriber fees from MVPD's

Considering that Paid Live TV will hit 7-8 Million lost this year, those fees will dry up.

And yes, Broadcasters will continue to raise those fees, which will push providers to increase the monthly bill, that then will cause even more to leave.

Extremely self defeating business model they now have.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Extremely self defeating business model they now have

They'll milk the cash cow until it's dead.

 

[cpalmer2k]

They'll milk the cash cow until it's dead.

Exactly. Right now they're getting the provider fees, plus taking in the $$ from their streaming services. As more cycle off pay providers they regain some percentage of those via streaming subscriptions of course, which brings in more $$ than the subscriber fees in many cases.

 

[FTA4PA]

They'll milk the cash cow until it's dead.

If things don't change soon they will be getting sour milk from that cow.

 

[TRG]

Over the last 10 years or so I've been watching less and less TV. I haven't had Satellite or Cable for 15 years or more either. Two years ago I canceled Netflix because neither my wife nor I were watching it. I do have Amazon prime video and watch that on occasion. My wife loves baseball so I get her an MLB sub every year. My trusty Winegard OTA antenna sits 25 feet off the ground and has an unobstructed view of the transmitter site just 7 miles away. If OTA goes 3.0 here I'll simply stop watching it just like the other services I've gotten rid of. My local library has an enormous DVD collection available for check out. No, I don't need the latest super duper high resolution experience. Not watching TV has freed up a lot of time for me to pursue my numerous hobbies and hanging out with my dog.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I'm questioning if there will BE many local broadcasters in a few years.

With them now putting all Network show on their streaming services only, such as CBS has put Tony and Ziva on Paramount + only) I can't really see a reason for broadcasters to be around.

Even in my area, the TV stations are now doing their Newscasts on their "plus" apps, so no reason to watch them over the air for the news.

 

[navychop]

SIGH

Inevitable, I guess. Getting hard to find a good wheelwright, too.

I guess the day is approaching when both antennas come off the roof.

 

[Zbrannigan]

Is there an inexpensive way to receive all (or most) locals via streaming?

I get them all except for Fox on the C-band dish.

Maybe, just the local news and emergency weather broadcasts. I use Channels DVR to create a custom channel using my favorite local channel's .m3u8 streaming link on their website. It allows me to watch / record local station broadcast only. All other programming from this ABC affiliate is not streamed. You assign a channel number to each of your custom channels and they integrate into the guide like any other OTA or streaming channel. It allowed me to cancel Dish Network and not look back. Except Sattelite guys keep sending me "what you've been missing" emails. You can also stream your subscription channels (except NBC channels) using your Dish / DirecTV / Cox login via the TV Anywhere service. Although that is rumored to be going away.

The .m3u8 streaming link on the website autogenerates each time you visit and expires after 24 hours. The trick, after you figure out that you need Channels DVR, is that the link comes back to life after some time (weeks, months?).

 

[b4pjoe]

You can also stream your subscription channels (except NBC channels) using your Dish / DirecTV / Cox login via the TV Anywhere service.

I use Channels DVR too for that. These days though I only get my local CBS (owned by Gray Media) on it. NBC used to work but they made it so I can no longer get any of their NBC owned channels a year or 2 ago. My FOX local is no longer available either (Nexstar owned) and my ABC local has never worked (Sinclair owned) with Channels DVR.