DTV and Over-the-Air Viewers Along U.S. Borders (2024)

FAQs

What does DTV Air mean on my TV? ›

The digital television (DTV) transition refers to the switch from analog to digital broadcast television. All full-power television stations have stopped broadcasting in analog, and now broadcast only in digital.

Receiving live TV via over-the-air services remains an important TV source for U.S. consumers. However, while the number of OTA TV households increased between 2017 and 2022, the figure decreased in 2023 to around 18.1 million households.

Over-the-air (OTA) TV is high-definition television broadcast from local television stations in your area. The only things you need to enjoy it are a TV and a digital antenna. You can even use an OTA DVR to record live TV.

SUMMARY: On June 12, 2009, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated that all U.S. based television signals must be transmitted digitally.

DTV refers to digital broadcasting technology while HDTV is an advanced digital broadcast format with higher resolution than standard digital broadcasts. It requires both digital broadcast technology as well as a compatible TV set capable of decoding the digital signal and displaying it in high definition.

Digital television (DTV) programming is available over-the-air and from cable and satellite service providers. To receive free over-the-air digital broadcasts, your television, set-top box, or VCR must be equipped with a built-in digital tuner.

Three in ten Americans are over-the-air TV users.

However, Millennials are equally likely to own an antenna in general (35%), but they don't use it as often as adults aged 45-54.

You might be wary of anything that's free, but the airwaves that local TV is broadcast over — just like the airwaves that local radio is broadcast over — are owned by the public and therefore completely legal for you to watch at no cost, provided you have the equipment.

In total, 22.750 million households access TV content through an OTA antenna—a device that falls outside the scope of big data collection. The consistent and significant engagement with linear programming is notable for two reasons: The vast majority of TV homes continue to watch traditional, ad-supported programming.

Over-the-air TV has been around for years, and it's built right into your TV -- all you need is an antenna. Local channels broadcast in your area provide sports, news and TV shows from ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PBS and more with excellent HD image quality.

Why is my TV antenna not picking up channels? ›

Your external antenna (if you have one) may have fallen or shifted. Since even a slight change in position or angle can have a big impact on your reception, make sure your external antenna (if you have any) has not been re-oriented by wind, rain, or storms. Your antenna may not be high enough.

Congress has mandated that after February 17, 2009, television stations across the country must transmit only in digital signals, and may no longer transmit analog signals.

If you are wondering how to get free to air channels without an antenna, or if it is possible, you'll be pleased to know that you can do so by watching content over the web using your digital TV. While you won't need an antenna, you will need an internet connection that is set up to a smart TV.

After the auction's completion in 2017, the FCC announced on May 17 of that year that all analog low-power stations and transmitters must have converted by July 13, 2021.

Digital television (DTV) uses digital signals instead of analogue to transmit television content. It offers improved picture and sound quality. Plus, the ability to broadcast multiple channels of programming. TV antennas, specifically digital antennas, are designed to receive these digital TV signals.